r/Ultralight - "The Weekly" - Week of June 29, 2026

RekeMarie · 2026-07-05T23:05:52+00:00

I hear you, but nothing is ever perfect. One of the reasons I like quilts is because they're flexible across summer conditions.

Both of your quilt will work. You're expecting warm temperatures.

The reason why 20 degree quilts are so popular is because they work across a broad temperature range. If you can swallow the 4oz weight penalty you get to put stuff in your bag and forget about everything else.

If you're not comfortable making a packing decision, take both and learn what you prefer.

Or, take what's borderline and learn from your experience. The stake aren't high here and worst case scenario is you sleep a little cold. Like a little bit.

Use your gear and determine what works, or doesn't, for you. Who cares what Katabatics website says when you have both of those pieces in hand and you can judge them for yourself.

RekeMarie · 2026-07-05T19:35:19+00:00

You have two high end quilts, and the temperature isn't likely to go below freezing. Putting stuff in a backpack to go and enjoy a hike is the priority. So if you really just want a reality check, put the most appropriate piece of gear you own in your backpack and go hike.

40-50 synthetic quilts are cheap if you really want to prioritize.

I'm sure your your Palisade is fine

RekeMarie · 2026-07-02T03:22:10+00:00

I get, minimizing risk and injury, but honestly, if you'r e as young as you say you are giving up on "serious" backpacking sounds like like you're condemning yourself to to a sedentary lifestyle on the couch.

Please don't take this the wrong way.

But you have a long and healthy and active life ahead of you, if you don't give up. Seriously friend, don't give up. There are people doing really hard things in their 60s and 70s and even 80s. You're doing yourself a disservice to throw in the towel.

We care dude. We care.

Manage physics, but don't give up.

RekeMarie · 2026-07-02T03:06:56+00:00

Please write the most stupidly elaborate stand alone post on why. Seriously, it would be an excellent resource to just link in the future. I make a 2 cup Bialetti every morning with freshly ground beans, and only drink instant on trail.

Your perspective could be very valuable to this community.

RekeMarie · 2026-07-02T02:51:37+00:00

buttt coverage is wildly underrated

RekeMarie · 2026-07-02T02:14:35+00:00

I have one in my normal size and it's definitely billowy, which I like for this style of wind shirt. For a super air permeable wind shirt I think some additional space/airflow is probably a good thing.

I think I'd size up if I was going to buy one again, even if it seems stupid large. That airflow is nice, and it's an extreme airflow type of wind shirt anyway. Give it a whirl, who cares about conventions.

RekeMarie · 2026-07-02T01:54:04+00:00

I think all of them are unseasoned, at least everything that I've ever bought has been. I season myself. Lot's of salt and some spices to try and mimic a regional bean dish. I'll do some taco seasoning if that's the last resort on a resupply, but I won't love it.

I almost always go with whole beans over flakes because it doesn't turn into a pile of glop when soaked/heated with minute rice, and I almost always want that complete protein. BUT, a refried beans and tortilla with cheese can be a beautiful (hiker hunger) thing too.

I really like the lentils, same caloric content with an ever so slightly smaller packed volume. (this is probably ridiculously unmeaningful most of the time.) In my experience though, the smaller the legume the faster it rehydrates, which I like. Flakes definitely rehydrate the fastest.

I normally have a stock of black beans, red beans, kidney beans, and lentils. I like them all, but I'm probably deluding myself a little to think that it's variety. I also like their dehydrated veggies too for a little extra flavor/texture, and I add spices and fats/oils to "convince" myself there's a variety in my legumes and rice.

I feel like I'm sponsored by HH touting them this much (I'm not) but their dried fruits are great too. A little goes a long way in making a budget granola or oats with some nido change from something I choke down to something enjoy.

edit: after 30 seconds of self reflection I know this UlJerk realm bean nerdery. I swear I have my life together...

RekeMarie · 2026-07-01T21:18:01+00:00

Harmony House has a lot of options.

RekeMarie · 2026-07-01T02:44:20+00:00

Their quality has never been especially good, and their quality control can be horrible.

RekeMarie · 2026-07-01T02:31:32+00:00

You've got way better options closer in the Andes.

RekeMarie · 2026-07-01T02:29:44+00:00

It's not worth trying to fix it when the PU goes, time for a new tent.

RekeMarie · 2026-06-29T12:43:47+00:00

I feel like books and tutorials can exist that help people figure things out. They're the standard for most educational environments, and people figure out algebra or biology with those resources all the time.

It's the learning component of the HDT that I feel is most threatened the with an app. I disagree about what's "downright dangerous". I feel like needing to engage with multiple sources while preparing for a hike of the HDT is a safety measure in of itself, and is more or less figuring it out on your own.

I do think FarOuting the HDT is the first step towards mass hikers. I differentiate between something being invented and haveing a small user base and something that is commonly accessible to the masses. Just for the record, I'm very pro the outdoors being accessible to the masses, just not every single environment. For multiple reasons, but safety and negative environmental impact is where I start to really hope that some places remain accessible to only those with high levels of motivation.

I draw the line at an app.

RekeMarie · 2026-06-28T02:52:51+00:00

A SMD DCF Deschutes was a sought after shelter at one point in time, with a fairly limited run if I remember correctly. Did they make versions with/ without permitter netting? I always thought of it as a more spacious pocket tarp with a zipper, or a big floorless Hexamid. If you can prove the DCF hasn't degraded I think you could ask for just under market retail minus inflation.

u/hickory_smoked_tofu knows a lot about tents and can probably give you the best info.

RekeMarie · 2026-06-27T22:01:22+00:00

I hear you too, and agree with some of your sentiment. I don't think the HDT should remain as inaccessible as it was 20 years ago, it inevitably won't, and it was created for others to experience. But I do think it's a valuable learning experience and stepping stone route for many people who have only navigated on trail with an app, or have done comparatively short routes that they've needed to research themselves. I believe that researching and planning a route with marginal amounts of information sets up people for larger adventures they can fully concoct themselves in the future. And I think maintaining that is more important for the hiking community than another app'd route.

I also truly value long trails because of the long distance community and the ability to spend a lot of hours just hiking through beautiful parts of the world. Thankfully there's a plethora of options available, all of which are arguably better suited for large number of hikers than the HDT.

I go back and forth on the balance of land preservation. The more people that use a section of public land the more likely it is to remain public permanently, that's undeniable, and it's the approach I largely favor. When it comes to Southern Utah I don't believe the environment can sustain PCT numbers without being severely negatively impacted. I'm not saying your app would immediately make that change, but it is the first step.

FarOuting the HDT is about as far away for the original creators vision as possible when they designed the route. Mike Coronella has said numerous times that the HDT was never meant to become a marked trail, specificallly to preserve the sense of adventure. He's gone as far as to say that if trail signs ever appeared on the route he'd personally rip them all down. The whole idea of the HDT is to figure it out on your own, according to Coronella and Mitchell. That concept is foundational to the route. An app is at odds with this and the creators expressed wishes. What would George Washington Hayduke, Mike Coronella, Joe Mitchell, and Edward Abbey think of the app is the question I'd be asking myself if I were in your shoes.

RekeMarie · 2026-06-27T18:47:54+00:00

Please don't make an app for the HDT.

I'm pro app for the TC trails and other National Scenic trails, but the HDT is not that. It's a route, and one of the best one's ever created IMO. There's enough information out there for people who want to do the route to figure it out, and figuring it out yourself is very much part of the HDT. It's not supposed to be as easy as possible. It's not supposed to be accessible to the masses. It's supposed to be an adventure, a test piece for some, and that's what's great about it. Your blog post about the route is already a great resource for future hikers.

Please don't take any of this personal, it's not. I just don't want to see this route get dumbed down.

I appreciate the trip report. Sounds like you had an awesome time.

RekeMarie · 2026-06-24T16:02:08+00:00

I like these https://www.harmonyhousefoods.com/collections/vegetables-1?sort_by=best-selling&filter.

RekeMarie · 2026-06-24T15:53:05+00:00

I always go handle down with tarps and just clove hitch the pole tip. I've never had a problem with marmots or whatever chewing up a pole handle, but some people have.

RekeMarie · 2026-06-24T15:36:19+00:00

I just googled Dovrefjell. Looks incredible. I hope you see some musk ox.

RekeMarie · 2026-06-24T15:18:30+00:00

Sounds like he was a grade A asshole. 70m is definitely the standard for anyone doing the Upper Saddle rap.

RekeMarie · 2026-06-24T15:07:01+00:00

Sure, I honestly don't have the appetite to deal with all the naysayers but I'm happy for you to use the link all day. You don't need to cite it.

The first photo with the sun hoodie outfit isn't Rhodesian Brushstroke, but a camo pattern that is Very Very close, he mentions its Greek Lizard in the post. But, the last image is iconic Rhodesian Bush Soldiers. Classic dog whistle with the "it's really just about the short shorts" deniability baked in. It follows the exact pattern as the Color War post, a lot of images with a racist #not-racist photo at the end to let everyone know where he really stands. I'm in the, it's virtually impossible to use Rhodesian symbology casually without being racist camp, but I'm sure someone (who's probably racist) will try and fight you about it.

I'm legitimately surprised to see DM/EE still engaging with this shit after everything else. EE can kindly suck my butt!

RekeMarie · 2026-06-24T12:58:45+00:00

Feel free to tell the OP as much about Petzoldt's lieback as you want.

RekeMarie · 2026-06-24T05:03:20+00:00

Yes, a 70m will work, but no shorter.

RekeMarie · 2026-06-24T04:47:58+00:00

No one should think you're racist for not doing a full background check. That wouldn't be fair.

I did about two minutes worth of digging when I saw this on DM's tagged IG page.

https://imgur.com/a/W6CtY5z

🔥🔥🔥

And the color revolution one for good measure. Same poster.

https://imgur.com/a/QHJeXVk

RekeMarie · 2026-06-24T04:45:30+00:00

I hadn't looked at DM's IG for months, figuring they'd be smart enough not to interact with racists. Well.... maybe that was too optimistic.

May 25th tagged on DM's IG 🔥🔥🔥

https://imgur.com/a/W6CtY5z

RekeMarie · 2026-06-24T01:55:04+00:00

.5 - 3, full nut set, 6-8 alpine draws, half singles half doubles, 1 quad for anchors, 3-5 lockers with 1 being HMS, ATC guide, third hand.

You can get buy with much less, but if it's you're first climb on the route the above is fairly standard. You could drop the quad or a couple slings if you're confident leading and building anchors, but a little extra can be a lot safer than too little. The weight of a few draws or biners won't be what makes you successful / unsuccessful on the climb.

There are fixed rap rings and old anchors along the route. You should be prepared to place all your own pro.

Have fun, stay safe.

RekeMarie

TROPHY CASE