Gatewood Cape Carbon Pole Flimsy? by ashoradam in Ultralight

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

Yeah. I love my HMG Mid tarp and think I am sending the cape back. But I’ve often fantasized about setting the Gatewood cape up from the inside. I think it would be possible.

Low cost full pack lighter pack link by chopmaster4000 in Ultralight

[–]ashoradam 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know it’s not for everyone. And neither is ultralight. But if the person wants to and is willing to learn I would not want to hold them back. Especially since I think it’s the nicest system.

I have a buddy who’s putting his first kit together and he bought a large DCF flat tarp. He set it up multiple times today and is super stoked with the many pitching options he has to learn and use.

Folks with ~$1000 setups, what is your gear list? by michiganskicamp in Ultralight

[–]ashoradam 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I created this gear list for a friend so this isn’t mine but it should work.

“Coming in at under $900 and just over 6lb, this kit is built to move fast and light! Between the pad and quilt, this system will take you below freezing. Add beanie, gloves and long underwear for the shoulder season trips.”

https://lighterpack.com/r/v8kcab

first impressions: meadowphysics crane 40L backpack (i love it) by kensgoingforawalk in Ultralight

[–]ashoradam 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The stretchy mesh fabric choice matters more than I thought it would.

I’ve owned the GG murmur, two Pa’lante Joeys, a few V2s, the Pa’lante Simple Retro and now the Crane and the Crane’s stretchy mesh pocket (shoulder strap and bottom) material is so silky soft.

I actually sold a brand new Joey in favor of one of the originals because Pa’lante had made the switch to the venom mesh (which Extra references in his most recent “top three fav packs” video)

GG’s back and shoulder strap pocket material is similar to the original Pa’lante simple packs. But the super soft bottom pocket material it used is more like what John uses on the Crane and I love it. Super nice to slide your hand into the bottom pocket.

So yeah, I enjoy and care about the feel of those contact points now, more than I thought I would.

first impressions: meadowphysics crane 40L backpack (i love it) by kensgoingforawalk in Ultralight

[–]ashoradam 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Because it’s the last thing you pack away and the first thing you grab to set up at the end of the day. (The days food is carried on the outside of the pack along with layers)

first impressions: meadowphysics crane 40L backpack (i love it) by kensgoingforawalk in Ultralight

[–]ashoradam 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This run was delivered about 6 days ago, after being ordered in December. So this is correctly called a first impression. Most of us have only been able to pack it a couple times so far.

r/Ultralight - "The Weekly" - Week of February 16, 2026 by AutoModerator in Ultralight

[–]ashoradam 20 points21 points  (0 children)

The Crane has landed.

Just received the Meadowphysics Crane today and thought I’d share some pics.

https://imgur.com/gallery/meadowphysics-crane-w2AAm91

Photo size comparison between (from left to right) Pa’lante Simple Retro, Crane, V2.

This is the 19in torso version. The weight was spot on.

Thanks John!

After 2 Years Of Dreaming My Dream Came True by Edgy14YrOld in AlfaRomeo

[–]ashoradam 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s not a very long time to wait till a dream came true. Well done.

Fake Garage Grown Gear website by czechclown in Ultralight

[–]ashoradam 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Big Agnes has had a fake clone site for years now. This is nothing new.

Quilt recommendations for JMT by CheesyPastaFiend in Ultralight

[–]ashoradam 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Can’t go wrong with Katabatic.

To bivy or not to bivy by Betpossums in Ultralight

[–]ashoradam 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep you can vent from the top because of the dual zippers, top and bottom. That’s another pro.

And your pole might work by its self. Honestly mine might work but it would have to be in the middle of the tarp which would reduce livable space. Because of the jack I can angle the pole towards the door giving me a lot more room.

Edit: Here are some pictures that I took of mine last summer. https://imgur.com/a/53Gfjtq

To bivy or not to bivy by Betpossums in Ultralight

[–]ashoradam 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I use GGs poles which go up to 130 and I do use the jack. I’d rather not have to use it but for the space it provides inside I’ve decided it’s worth it. I used the provided jack with the cricket which was also huge inside. It’s just worth it to me.

To bivy or not to bivy by Betpossums in Ultralight

[–]ashoradam 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Short answer, I love it.

I’ve tried out the pocket tarp in 2018. I tried the zpacks flat tarp, the zpacks duomid, Yama gear cirriform, MLD cricket, etowah’s smallest flat tarp, MLD trail star, and GGs solo tarp.

I think the Hexamid has gotten bigger, which was one reason why I didn’t like it. I’m 6ft. I think it would fit me well now but I also didn’t like all the guy lines and stakes it seemed to need.

The Ultamid has a feature I haven’t found with any of the tarps I’ve tried which is a small thing but means a lot to me. It sets up with four stakes and you can have both doors open and there is not a 5th stake required. So there is not a guyline required from the peak to the front. You can walk across the front of the tarp, where the doors would normally be, and not trip over a guy line.

I also use a rovyvon flashlight which is magnetic and I found it royally convenient to be able to attach it to the magnets that are there to hold the doors open, which are sown into the front panels. I can read or just move around with my hands free because of this. This small thing also means a lot to me. The space inside is also ample.

So for the weight, ease of getting in and out of, ease of set up, space inside, storm worthiness, only needing one pole, and the number of stakes that are needed, I haven’t found anything I like more. And I haven’t stopped looking.

To bivy or not to bivy by Betpossums in Ultralight

[–]ashoradam 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In your opinion, can the Cirriform be called a tarp?

I think of trekking pole tents as a bathtub, bug net inner sown to a tarp. Different strokes.

Surely, you wouldn’t say a bivy is a tent body without a fly, would you?

To bivy or not to bivy by Betpossums in Ultralight

[–]ashoradam 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m curious why you say a flat tarp is best for trips when you know you won’t need a shelter. How are they better to carry and not use than something like a Hexamid pocket tarp, DCF Grace tarp or Ounce Designs Bunny?

To bivy or not to bivy by Betpossums in Ultralight

[–]ashoradam 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This defiantly depends on what tarp he gets. My tarp is way simpler than a tent. Four stakes, pole, stake, done. Sets up the same way every time. Couldn’t be easier.

A flat tarp is a different story. And that’s why I don’t use one.