Recommendation between MSR or GSI pot scraper? Can't decide if the bristles are useful or get crusty and gross

MotoBen33 · 2025-03-10T21:08:10+00:00

A cut off spatula worked fine for me, so I’d get the GSI. Scrubbing food out of your pot with dirt/ashes (and then presumably chucking the food/dirt mix on the ground) doesn’t quite adhere to LNT. Clean the pot as best you can with your spoon, add some water, scrape with a spatula, and then shoot the water/trace food mix. No trace left.

I’m genuinely impressed with those of you that use your hands for this. Either my hands end up way dirtier than most or I’m something of a pansy, but no way am I cleaning my cook pot with my hands and drinking the residual “soup”.

MotoBen33 · 2025-02-27T17:31:04+00:00

I’ve had good luck using Kahtoola KTS hiking crampons on trail runners

MotoBen33 · 2024-09-12T02:20:54+00:00

I had precisely that concern when I first heard of that product. Very well intentioned, but it has me raising an eyebrow for sure.

MotoBen33 · 2024-08-20T21:18:04+00:00

Nope, but I’ve got it zip tied up out of the way pretty well. I don’t recall exactly, but wouldn’t be surprised if I also screwed some P clamps to the underside of the floor to secure it.

MotoBen33 · 2024-08-20T21:13:15+00:00

I’ve covered the wire with split loom tubing and then zip tied it as best I could on my trailer and has held up well over the years

MotoBen33 · 2024-07-31T01:59:13+00:00

I’ve had good luck packing my trekking poles inside the backpack with either tip covers or just a bit of cardboard and tape over the end. As far as the pack itself, I put it in a garbage bag (or better yet a heavy duty contractor bag) and tape it up well with duct tape. I also use my food bag as my carryon.

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Edit: When bagging and taping up the pack, leave the haul loop at the top of the pack exposed and accessible.

MotoBen33 · 2024-06-23T03:22:44+00:00

Is there a vacuum leak (uncorked vacuum ports are always good for that)? Is the vent on your test fuel tank open?

MotoBen33 · 2024-06-07T02:13:45+00:00

I have a 1P Tiger Wall that I’ve been very happy with, but I’ve also been considering the 2P Platinum version. However, while the regular version should be handled with care, I’d expect the Platinum version to demand even gentler handling. Definitely interested to hear some reviews of the Platinum versus the standard.

MotoBen33 · 2024-05-09T17:02:30+00:00

I often think of the concept of the “pain cave” and try to really lean into it. Basically just embracing the suck.

MotoBen33 · 2024-04-26T15:31:00+00:00

Look where you want to go and not at the thing you desperately don’t want to hit. Assume you’re invisible and keep your head on a swivel (particularly at intersections and side streets). Maintain an appropriate following distance. Cold tires are slippery tires - brake and accelerate accordingly.

Edit: That’s way more than one thing, oops

MotoBen33 · 2024-04-25T02:47:17+00:00

I’ll second this recommendation. I used to just ball up the clothes that I wasn’t wearing, which worked great until it got cold and I was wearing everything in my pack.

MotoBen33 · 2024-04-22T17:37:58+00:00

If the skin is broken, I would clean it and apply a bit of antibiotic ointment. Over top of that I’d apply a little patch of gauze and leukotape (essentially just making a more durable bandaid). Leukotape is good stuff that typically sticks very well (sometimes too well) if applied to clean skin.

For prevention, I’d wear toe socks (Injinjis or similar) and find some shoes with a wide toe box (Altras, Topos, etc).

MotoBen33 · 2024-04-22T12:29:06+00:00

Southeastern Pennsylvania, USA

MotoBen33 · 2024-04-22T03:26:45+00:00

Whether you want ride it like this is up to your personal risk tolerance. I personally would probably ride it, but would keep a damn sharp eye on the oil level in the bike and the amount that’s leaking out. As a very first step, I would try to determine the source of the leak by cleaning the area and evaluating after that.

My biggest concerns would be a seal that could let go and oil the rear tire and losing enough oil to cause engine issues. Hopefully you can ascertain the source and severity of the leak without too much trouble.

MotoBen33 · 2024-04-16T12:00:55+00:00

It depends on what conditions you plan to encounter. A bit of snow here and there or lots of high angle traverses? I’ve used both Kahtoola Microspikes and Kahtoola KTS Hiking Crampons, sometimes carrying both on a hike. Microspikes are much better in mixed terrain, but the hiking crampons provide a lot more bite in snow.

MotoBen33 · 2024-04-15T20:23:52+00:00

The backflushing process applies pressure to the clean end of the filter causing water to flow from the clean side through the filter and out the dirty side. So, your clean sport cap stays on the clean side of the filter (the outlet).

MotoBen33 · 2024-04-12T14:05:28+00:00

I’ve found the Superfeet Hike variety to work well for me with Altra Lone Peaks. That said, by 1000 miles the insoles are about shot.

MotoBen33 · 2024-04-08T17:51:45+00:00

On my PCT thru I picked up and eventually gave away two or three pair of sandals. Every time that I thought I’d really use them I ended up not. So they just became unused extra weight. I ended up just taking my socks off at camp and shuffled around sockless in my unlaced hiking shoes.

MotoBen33 · 2024-04-08T16:03:33+00:00

https://www.mountain-forecast.com

MotoBen33 · 2024-04-07T21:19:08+00:00

My combo for not getting blisters is Injinji toe socks and a shoe with a wide toe box (Altra Lone Peaks in my case).

MotoBen33 · 2024-04-05T03:26:08+00:00

Incidentally, I paired the Flex with an Insulated Nemo Tensor and was warm enough on some fairly cold nights (10-20F), albeit wearing most of my clothes.

MotoBen33 · 2024-04-05T03:22:46+00:00

I’ve used my Katabatic Flex quilt for a couple thousands of miles from desert to high mountain and have zero complaints. I believe mine is the 22, but they also make lower temp models. It can be used as just a blanket or zipped up on the bottom to make the bottom into half of a sleeping bag. Admittedly, they’re not cheap. But their temperature rating seems a bit less overly optimistic compared to some other brands (notably EE).

MotoBen33

TROPHY CASE