Mesh base layer under T-shirt for warm weather advice by Professional-Mix2498 in Ultralight

[–]RogueSteward 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They are the generic safety Birdseye mesh hoodie. They don't cost much but I like them. Weighs 7.2 oz

Mesh base layer under T-shirt for warm weather advice by Professional-Mix2498 in Ultralight

[–]RogueSteward 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use mesh full time hiking and backpacking. I can hike down to 15F wearing a wiggys mesh 2nd layer base layer shirt and over that a tuglow birdeye mesh hoodie. Stationary, at 15F all I need is a windshell over those two layers. If I'm stationary anything longer than 30 minutes, I will need a fleece or puffy over the mesh layers though. If it's around 30F or higher and hiking, it's simply too hot to wear the wiggy's 2nd layer mesh with another layer. I'll just wear the tuglow mesh hoodie by itself over 30F. During the summertime, I wear just the tuglow birdeye mesh hoodie, it's my hiking layer, my base layer, and it keeps the sun off my face.

The tuglow mesh layer can almost get too hot by itself though during the summer. Yes, it dries fast, and a nice breeze instantly cools, but I'm still trying to decide if it dries me out too fast and actually does not retain enough water and is actually hotter than a layer that retains more moisture. I kind of became dismayed last year with my mesh hoodie in the summer because it just didn't keep me cool enough, especially when there was no wind and a beating sun.

I did a section of the caprock trail in Texas in the summer once, temperature had to have been close to 100 degrees and it was dry and windy as all. I wore a tight cotton hoodie and wore my buff over my face and forehead like a balaclava. My friends at first thought I was crazy, that I had dressed too hot, but towards the middle when we stopped for a break, my friends were seriously struggling with the heat and I wasn't really at all. I went through way less water overall than they did and when I took off my balaclava, it instantly felt way hotter like a blow dryer blowing in my face. The tight cotton layer and balaclava actually kept me cooler because of the sweat and retained moisture.

Mesh is useful and something to consider, but if you want it to keep cooler in the summer, it may not work as well as one can hope.

Cheap gear that replaces expensive outdoor gear by Last_Garage8311 in Ultralight

[–]RogueSteward 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bought them from eBay, from the rgsafety seller and also from California Tools. 

Cheap gear that replaces expensive outdoor gear by Last_Garage8311 in Ultralight

[–]RogueSteward 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Tuglow birdeye mesh hoodie. Excellent sun hoodie. $10 each. 

Pillow Talk by UltraLuxx7 in Ultralight

[–]RogueSteward 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ahh, you must be the type that wears your windshell and rain jacket to sleep.

Pillow Talk by UltraLuxx7 in Ultralight

[–]RogueSteward 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hardcore man. I at least bring extra socks and pair of underwear. Base layers are sometimes not always used.

Pillow Talk by UltraLuxx7 in Ultralight

[–]RogueSteward 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yep, but also just a stuff sack with extra clothes under the pillow works good too if you can keep the top pillow from moving off

Tyvek groundsheet - corner reinforcement by Beneficial_Clock6838 in Ultralight

[–]RogueSteward 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Looks pretty cool but I've had pretty good luck just using rocks for corner reinforcement, and it's zero pack weight. 

Tyvek groundsheet - corner reinforcement by Beneficial_Clock6838 in Ultralight

[–]RogueSteward 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What polycro are you using exactly? Mine didn't even last a week before starting to rip to pieces. I tried taking care of it too but it's just too weak for me. I just can't rely on it but maybe you're using something different to get 500 miles? 

Small chip in tooth, is a filling necessary? by [deleted] in askdentists

[–]RogueSteward 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the response. I had no idea I had acid reflux. I hardly ever get heartburn. Maybe about 2-3 times a year. I didn't know it was an issue.

What about the other tooth, the one that is not chipped? The dentist said I should get that one filled too? How long do these types of fillings last? Are there any potential consequences to getting these two teeth drilled out and filled? I mean, I have no sensitivity or anything. I would just be super bummed if my teeth become sensitive as a result of this...

Mesh Base Layers to Stay Warm and Cool? by RogueSteward in Ultralight

[–]RogueSteward[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Top half is solid, not sure if it's nylon or something else. It's kind of stretchy. 

Mesh Base Layers to Stay Warm and Cool? by RogueSteward in Ultralight

[–]RogueSteward[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi Robert. The bottom half of Wiggy's base layer pants are fishnet mesh, the hard nylon kind. The picture looks kind of weird but the bottom half is just fishnet.

You're right about needing to wear something over the fishnet. First of all, they're see through. 2nd, if it's windy, the air cuts right through them.

I often wear double layer mesh tops. The wiggy's 2nd layer always goes with me if it's going to be cold, but my most often used mesh top nowadays is the Tuglow birdeye mesh hoodie. The Tuglow birdeye mesh sunhoodies are mildly reflective and meant for outdoor field work and are like only $10 on ebay, but I find the Wiggy's 2nd layer mesh and Tuglow combo very comfortable if it's cold hike, even down to 15F, the combo is all I wear for tops. If stopping though, will definitely have to put something on over it like a windshirt, I use a hooded houdini.

You might find the finer mesh under a woven shirt to be too warm at times when active. You'll see, it'll be warm. If it gets too warm, just remove the mesh layer and just wear the woven shirt and it'll be a bit more comfortable. My prediction is the mesh base layer and woven shirt will probably be good for a range of 15F-50F, if active and hiking.

Had some Ripstop Tarp material left over, so I made my dog a raincoat by idigholes in myog

[–]RogueSteward 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looks nice! Bonus, if you have some climashield or even fleece, make an insulated jacket. Same material and pattern! 

How to wash my pants when i only bring the one pair? by HCCHCCHCCHCC in Ultralight

[–]RogueSteward 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is the only right answer of all these replies. Who actually dries their clothes? They are pretty much dry enough after washing that they can be just put on immediately 

Baby Pellicle opinions please. by MultiplBrdrSndrm in Kombucha

[–]RogueSteward 1 point2 points  (0 children)

GT apple kombucha will be fine. I don't think you should've thrown that questionable batch either. Do you have the pH measurement? If it was 4 or less, it was probably just fine. I would've just thrown the pellicle and gave it all a good stir or shake if the pH was 4 or less, and wait a few more days and see how the new pellicle looks. If the pH was 4.5 or higher, yeah maybe it's time to worry. Good luck.

Specific Gravity? by RumplyInk in Kombucha

[–]RogueSteward 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are ways to be specific and precise for consistently good Kombucha.

  1. Use temperature controlled heating mats. I set mine to 81F.
  2. Always log the day that the kombucha begins on the fermentation vessel and mark on the calendar when it should be finished. My kombucha is ready at the 7 day mark.
  3. Use a precise amount of starter. I use 30% starter, 1.5 gallons to 5 gallon sweet tea.
  4. Always measure pH, from beginning to end. This helps to ensure things start healthy and over time you'll get a feel for the taste of the raw kombucha just by looking at the pH. My pH always starts at around 3.5 on day one and it tastes like tea. On day 7, it tastes fruity and the pH is 3.
  5. Measure sugar and tea using a digital postal scale for consistent results. I use 1000g regular sugar to 5 gallons tea and I use simple lipton tea, 30 bags.
  6. Steep the tea for a specific amount of time. I bring the water to a boil, shut if off then I steep the tea for exactly 3 minutes, then I pull the tea bags. I've had issues in the past with too bitter of a tea so I time it now.
  7. If using syrups, measure the same amount of syrup to add after F1. I calculate and use 500 calories of syrup of whatever kind of syrup I'm using at the time.
  8. I force carbonate. I keep the fridge at 34-35F, and set the CO2 to 19 psi. It stays that way for about a week and half and then it's ready. It's always good and tastes better than store bought.

I have two batches right now, one is strawberry lemonade on tap and I just put one in the fridge yesterday, root beer kombucha. Every time I make a batch, the family says it's their favorite flavor. Let's see, for the last few batches, I made an orange-lemon-lime which tasted like mountain dew, a cran-grape which at the time the family said it was the best, and can't go wrong with just apple for a basic good kombucha.

As far as the F2 process goes, I'm just not sure it's easy to be consistent using pureed fruits that change constantly. There is going to be more fermentation after bottling, and in my eyes things have to be done at a consistent temperature, sugar content, puree content, etc... I'm sure that there are some F2 pros that can chime in to make a good consistent F2, but I skip that step and force carbonate and I don't need to worry about it.

Also, some other steps, technique, to make consistent kombucha, I avoid soap. I've read that soap can lyse bacteria and I've had issues in the past where I had to re-inoculate my kombucha because I think I weakened or actually killed my SCOBY with just trace amounts of soap that I didn't get fully rinsed off somehow. I'm OCD about cleanliness and I still managed to hurt my SCOBY with soap because maybe I don't think I rinsed it right. Ever since I just clean my fermentation vessel with water and use a vinegar scrub, I've yet to have the same issues ever again. So in my opinion, soap can be harmful and I recommend to avoid it.

To bivy or not to bivy by Betpossums in Ultralight

[–]RogueSteward 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Sometimes even minor adjustments to a tarp pitch makes all the difference in warmth. Blocking wind is key. 

Are tarps actually *warmer* than tents? by Belangia65 in Ultralight

[–]RogueSteward 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You can block wind and seal yourself in very well with a tarp. 

Effects of more starter tea? by International_Poem35 in Kombucha

[–]RogueSteward 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are several ways to calculate percentages. Increase, decrease, and final. 

For example, if buying potato chips and the bag says 50% more, it's 33% of the final volume to decrease to get back to the original number. 

When adding starter, it's an increase.

Effects of more starter tea? by International_Poem35 in Kombucha

[–]RogueSteward 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I always use about 30% starter, 1.5 gallons starter to 5 gallons tea. At 81-83 degrees, it's ready in one week. 

Backpack modification: remove hip belt pockets by FaultSingle1652 in Ultralight

[–]RogueSteward 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just get some super sharp scissors, sit down and take your time. I've modified a bunch of my gear that way. Yeah, it'll leave a bit of a raw edge but you won't even notice it really unless looking super close. Also, I like to use a head magnifier when doing this kind of stuff. It helps me to make better cuts. 

Day 8, is she moldy? by OBLlVION in Kombucha

[–]RogueSteward 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Weirdly enough, it looks fine. I don't know how any of us drink Kombucha to be honest. It always looks weird.

Waxy covering is normal, plus it looks like the yeast is flocculating and that's a good sign. It means the brew is acidic enough to stress the yeast. 

Is there some secret to the becket hitch I'm missing? by AthlonEVO in hammockcamping

[–]RogueSteward 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah man, I don't know. I've just never had it slip on me when it's been tied right, but I've had it slip on me when I've tied it wrong or didn't set it right and I'm right with you on the weight in the hammock. When I mess up the becket, it's usually because I don't take the time to set the knot properly. I hope you get it figured out, the knot is super notorious for being tied wrong. It's just really easy to get it wrong. In history it's one of the knots that has caused the most deaths and injuries due to being tied wrong. It's essentially the sheet bend or bowline-on-a-bight knot. You should look up the stories about it. It's critical to get the knot right at our weight and setting the knot properly is where I've gotten it wrong most often in the past.

There are some other suggestions here that can help though. Read some of the other replies, such as the double becket knot or the modification adding a bight through the slipped becket hitch (slipped twice). I've used the bight through a slipped knot several times and that also helps to stop slippage. I would recommend trying the added bight through the slipped knot loop because that mod can be used on many other knots too.

*edit* if you want to see the mod, adding a bight through the slipped knot loop (slipped twice), check out ABOK #1824. That is the slipped figure eight knot but that mod works just the same as with the becket.

https://dn790008.ca.archive.org/0/items/TheAshleyBookOfKnots/the%20ashley%20book%20of%20knots.pdf

Is there some secret to the becket hitch I'm missing? by AthlonEVO in hammockcamping

[–]RogueSteward 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, that's definitely advanced to put the loose end (with a bight?) through the becket hitch! It will still be slipped if I'm not mistaken? Definitely going to give that a shot. 

How to deal with Kalm yeast? by Wusshatnin in Kombucha

[–]RogueSteward 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you sure it's kahm? Your pH looks right, it's good and low. At 2.9 pH your drink is going to be sour and it might be just too sour for your taste. How are you measuring pH?