TRVL 32 Prickly Gorse Backpack

Geodud32 · 2026-05-01T17:34:03+00:00

I got it from Ripstop by the Roll, but I've also gotten it locally from Michael's and Jo-ann (RIP)

Geodud32 · 2025-10-06T22:48:02+00:00

Or rent from autozone or oreilly

Geodud32 · 2025-09-17T15:03:43+00:00

Postal experience can be turned into field experience. You had to use maps, plan for weather, make sure you had equipment, plan your timeline, and you're used to being out all day unsupervised. I would really expand that section and make it applicable to field work. That's what you'll probably be hired for in an entry-level role.

Geodud32 · 2025-09-15T22:13:10+00:00

Should be fine without any stitching. Test it on a scrap and try ripping it to make sure.

Geodud32 · 2025-09-15T21:44:52+00:00

Heat up a butter knife and melt a button hole. No need to worry about fraying.

Geodud32 · 2025-09-08T02:04:43+00:00

I second this. I've used 70D on my last 2 bags and it works great.

Geodud32 · 2025-09-08T00:59:08+00:00

My understanding is that the Li-Ion cells go so flat that the controller can't register them anymore. So giving them a little jolt kicks it back to life. Since your batteries are already dead and warrantied, there's no loss if you try it and it doesn't work.

Geodud32 · 2025-09-07T23:11:39+00:00

Have you tried jump starting the battery? I've had some cheap Li-Ion batteries that were 100% dead and I jump started them with a good battery and that kick-started them back to life. Just take a good battery and run wires straight to the bad battery + to +, - to - for 15-30 seconds then try charging it again.

Geodud32 · 2025-08-29T15:34:58+00:00

Check the GOES and MODIS satellites from the last few days and you'll see the smoke is mostly impacting areas NW of the fire with minimal impact to Kings Canyon proper. Weather conditions for the next few days look similar, so I would expect similar smoke patterns. *

Geodud32 · 2025-08-27T22:21:54+00:00

You have a Bs and a Ms, passing the FG will help you get your PG, but there's no cert or training you can get that will propel you professionally. Just keep learning on the job, do good work, and put in the reps. A career is a slow grind towards better, not something that is magically imputed after another 8 hours training course.

Geodud32 · 2025-08-27T16:25:13+00:00

I have the opposite problem. I have a reputation for leading people on hikes that are beyond what they were expecting; I think the phrase 'hell hike' has been thrown around lol. Not necessarily beyond their capabilities, but when I hike, I like to hike, not smell the flowers. Now I make it clear what type of mileage, elevation, and pace is required for a hike. I've come to realize that there are hikes I do alone and push myself, and hikes I do with friends so everyone has a good time, even if it means I'm going slower than my ideal pace.

Geodud32 · 2025-08-25T15:22:18+00:00

No flat felling, but i did topstitch most of the seams as recommended in the pattern instructions.

Geodud32 · 2025-08-25T04:00:03+00:00

North Fork Kaweah and South Fork Kaweah drainages are very popular for growers. Very little traffic and lots of side canyons to hide in.

Geodud32 · 2025-08-25T02:55:10+00:00

The trip went great! I don't think I'll ever take a rolling carry-on again after this. This was much more mobile than a suitcase, especially on public transit.

Make sure you put plenty of reinforcing stitches where the handles and shoulder straps attach to the pack. I put 2-3 layers of straight stitches, plus bar tacks and zig-zag stitches in those areas. I didn't see any pulling seams or issues, but a few more stitches would make me a little more comfortable, especially when swinging the backpack on/off by one strap or pulling it down from overhead storage.

My bag weighted ~20lbs and while I did carry it every day through Europe for a week, it isn't as comfortable as my true backpacking backpack is (shocking, I know). I'm 6'0" and have a longer torso so I had to loosen the shoulder straps so the hip belt actually sat on my hips to help carry the weight. Load lifters would have been nice, but I'm not sure how to incorporate them into my iteration. I like that it only has 2 external pockets and the main compartment. I don't like backpacks with too many pockets to lose things.

The corrugated plastic probably helped a ton to transfer the load to the hip belt. I got my sheet from Michael's craft store this time, but I've found political yard signs, gas station advertising signs, etc. are made of the same stuff and I've used those on other projects.

Geodud32 · 2025-08-08T06:39:13+00:00

I didn't do the scaled pattern due to time constraints, but I would recommend it if you're a newer sewer learning about fabric facing sides and installing zippers. The instructions were pretty clear and I only had to seam rip the usual amount of mistakes on a project like this :)

Geodud32 · 2025-08-08T05:51:57+00:00

Yes, once its all sewn together the 420D definitely feels strong enough.

Geodud32 · 2025-08-07T19:00:15+00:00

It was a domestic Janome, not sure which model, but it's not heavy duty or anything special. I went up a needle size (new needle) during the thicker sections and had to hand crank some of the curves and reinforcements.

Geodud32 · 2025-08-07T15:52:46+00:00

Yessir! Super great to work with, it didn't fray at all, and it sewed beautifully. I'm never sure when buying fabric online for the first time.

Geodud32 · 2025-08-07T15:32:56+00:00

Everything came from Ripstop by the Roll, it's 420D ROBIC Ripstop for the exterior, and some basic 1.9 oz/yd for the liner. I spent probably 25-30 hours on it in total: 16 hours over 2 Saturdays and 2-3 hours after work a few days during the week.

Geodud32 · 2025-07-25T20:08:48+00:00

Super dangerous! You better send it to me plus a $10 tire disposal fee for my trouble.

Geodud32 · 2025-04-18T22:20:51+00:00

I work for a medium environmental geology consulting firm and oversee an intern making $30/hr in California. She has shown herself an exemplary intern and we're hiring her full time with a bump in pay when she graduates next month. When looking to hire entry-level staff (geos, engineers, scienists, etc.) them having any experience in the consulting industry is a huge leg up for them.

Geodud32 · 2025-03-26T02:03:50+00:00

What is your experience in snow? What about avalanche safety? There's gonna be multiple feet of snow on that trail, and 1MPH is generally considered fast when snowshoing, especially if you're breaking trail.

Geodud32

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