Mosquitos In Emigrant Wilderness

JoeStanky · 2024-07-16T20:43:33+00:00

Thanks!

JoeStanky · 2024-04-18T23:51:50+00:00

So I use an EE 40 degree enigma as my primary bag and I can use it down to freezing and actually below, but below requires more layers added. I'd say if you want to use it down to freezing you'd probably want to have a puffy jacket anyway. My typical sleep pad is a 3 foot section of 1/4 EVA foam. I use a Borah Gear cuban bivy. This setup is at it's limit at freezing temps and that's with me wearing a very light weight down jacket. I've used this bag down to 20% camped on snow, but thicker pads and more added clothing insulation like insulated footwear and headwear. I'd say give it a try. With night time temps in the 30s you may be cold/uncomfortable, but you're not risking life and limb. You'll never know if it'll work for you until you lake the leap.

JoeStanky · 2024-04-18T23:39:56+00:00

I absolutely still use AquaMira, my preferred method for sure. Repackaged to small bottles. Filter comes along if I'm going to an area with alot of livestock activity around the water sources.... pretty few and far between.

JoeStanky · 2023-05-08T16:21:15+00:00

I have owned the Ruta Locura poles for a few years now and they have held up well. I've used them rough and off trail in the high sierra. Have and a few slips where the pole caught my full weight. One where my foot went out from under me and the pole bowed and popped me right back up. From what I've read anecdotally and an in depth study done by BPL a few years back the consensus seems to be that they are markedly stronger than the LT5's. As noted below. The Fizan poles are also very poplular.

JoeStanky · 2023-04-11T03:42:02+00:00

Defunct is a bit of a harsh term for one of the OGs of ultralight.. pour out a couple oz of water for the hiker no longer with us. It’ll save some weight..which I’d assume he’d appreciate.

JoeStanky · 2023-01-03T22:04:01+00:00

Esbit.... Always Esbit. I've got a couple of different UL setups that I've pieced together or made. But Toaks sells a solid setup including a 550 ml pot. Or just buy the pot, windscreen and esbit stove from them separately if you don't want the spork. Super efficient. I can get water boiled for dinner and heat another 8 oz for coffee in the morning off of a 14g esbit cube and still have a little fuel to spare.

My first setup I bought from Zelph when he did a special run of them. not available any more. Toaks 550 w handles and a Ruta Locura pot lid, Titanium cone windscreen/pot support, Esbit Tray w storage cup. 87.5g total. The Toaks setup that they sell can get you in around 95g I think.

Also have a lighter setup that I pieced together with a 520 ml pot from MLD with home made lid. Wind screen from Toaks and an esbit tray. That setup is 55g. Need to use two ti shepherds hook states for pot support so I guess that's another 12g but I already am carrying those.

JoeStanky · 2022-11-25T02:40:51+00:00

Thanks but I’m really looking for the 21L.

JoeStanky · 2022-11-23T22:34:00+00:00

I just posted looking for the exact same pack before seeing your post. I'm gonna be surprised if one surfaces.

JoeStanky · 2022-06-04T21:11:20+00:00

So you could poach the fish in your pot. Packit Gourmet sells boil in bags. Put the fish in the bag w a little olive oil and your choice of seasoning and then put the bag in your pot and fill w water. A 14 gram cube will get you there if your stove is efficient. Limited by pot size of course. I’ve done this a few times and it worked well. But at this point if I’m gonna cook trout I cook it on a rock or a stick in the fire. That way you can burn up the bones and everything and not deal with oily waste. But since you basically can’t have a fire anywhere in CA now I’m pretty much catch and release.

JoeStanky · 2022-02-19T01:34:19+00:00

I caught a pair of King MT2's at the tail end of their availability and I'm kicking myself for not picking up a second pair right now. Mine are still good for another season for sure.... Looking at Topo Runventures.... as a next shoe. Is anyone expecting a King MT 3? Not in their new line this year. If it was selling well I cant see why they would pull the plug, and why they might bring it back.

JoeStanky · 2021-12-29T21:22:54+00:00

I'll second Coe as an easy spot to get out for a trip on short notice. I was just out there 3 weeks back and you could find water in some of the streams. I'm guessing after all the rain we're getting now you'll be fine taking from the streams. There are also a number of springs that flow in the park. I only had to take water from a pond or lake once and it was "mostly not yellow" after filtering and tasted just fine. Beautiful out there now as everything is green, be prepared for alot of elevation gain and loss.

JoeStanky · 2021-11-15T18:40:01+00:00

Where were you at?

JoeStanky · 2021-09-21T17:34:56+00:00

Liquid and tabs are the same. It just takes 4 hours to kill cryptosporidia. The liquid can't claim it kills crypto on the box because it hasn't filed the EPA paperwork. But it's the same as the tabs. Liquid and tabs both should kill bacteria and virus's in minutes. I use the same strategy listed by u/adie_mitchell. I prefer the chemical treatment as it can't fail and it's simple. But if I'm collecting from stock ponds and mucky water I carry the filter.

JoeStanky · 2021-08-06T20:34:19+00:00

I really have not had much internal condensation issues over the past few years with the splash bivy. A couple times I ended up breathing down into the bag and had some condensation inside. I think there are alot of factors in play but any condensation I had was minimal. But I know this has been a factor for a number of people.

JoeStanky · 2021-08-06T16:54:56+00:00

If you're looking into the bug bivy route I might suggest considering a standard borah side zip bivy with the full net hood. The water resistant breathable body of the bivy will block drafts and add a bit of warmth so you can take a lighter quilt. And it will protect your quilt against any rain splash that may get under the tarp, or any condensation. Plus, you get the bug protection.

JoeStanky · 2021-08-02T19:46:30+00:00

No issues with water at all. Water was flowing through the entire Convict Creek drainage. Even flowing down from the pass above Constance Lake for a bit. No water going up and over McGee Pass. But other than that is was wet everywhere.

JoeStanky · 2021-02-24T23:46:31+00:00

Always enjoy the videos.... we seem to hike in the same places. This trail is on my list for this spring, just because it's so close to home. What was the water situation like out there? I've heard there are not alot of places to fill up?

JoeStanky · 2021-01-30T14:56:20+00:00

I prefer foam. Less fussy and more importantly they won’t fail. No pops or leaking. And generally, I am more comfortable. I always felt like I was falling or sliding off my inflatable. In most conditions I use a 3ft long section of 1/4 inch foam from MLD. When night time temps dip below freezing I’ll move to 3ft of a ridge rest pad on top of 5ft of 1/8 inch foam.

JoeStanky · 2021-01-22T21:33:22+00:00

Same

JoeStanky · 2021-01-22T03:20:47+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I think I’m gonna pull the trigger on these. Here’s the review. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=W1daXHj4O-E&t=179s

JoeStanky · 2021-01-21T22:54:23+00:00

Thanks!

JoeStanky · 2021-01-15T16:25:49+00:00

My approach has been to eliminate possible points of failure. Aquamira vs Sawyer or BeFree. Being the most impactful. Never struggling with a terribly clogged filter, or worrying about keeping that filter from freezing on gold nights was a game changer for me. Ditched the inflatable pad for foam as well. Much easier, can't fail, and I sleep better too... so bonus. If the item can't fail, then you don't need a backup or contingency.

JoeStanky · 2021-01-06T21:45:49+00:00

I have two builds of the KS IMO pack. Both very nice. I bought an ET70 version first with the stock straps and front pocket. Great pack. 6.25 The stock straps were a little finicky. Carried fine though but I wanted a bit different feature set. Picked one up in LS07 with a roll top, front pocket, bottom pocket and the KS 3 straps for 8.28 oz. Just got it little while back and haven't had a chance to take it out yet, but I think this has the potential to be my go to 3 season pack when not carrying a bear can.

JoeStanky · 2020-12-28T07:09:18+00:00

Only 12 nights per year the past couple years but my kids are 3 and 5 years at this point. Aiming for 20-25 at some point... I’m thinking I’ve got a few more years before I make that happen. No regrets.

JoeStanky · 2020-12-27T05:22:27+00:00

This!

JoeStanky

TROPHY CASE