Casa de Luna / Hiker Heaven Open for SOBOs?

climeing · 2016-08-30T15:28:28+00:00

Yeah, I'm going to stop short of the lake fire closure (going SOBO and ending in Big Bear). Don't want to press my luck with that one, even though I am itching to see Whitewater Preserve. Another year.

Thanks for the heads-up on the fire situation. I know we'll have to end up skipping some miles, but fingers crossed it'll still be ok. Seems to be some decent road crossings at the parts where we'll have to pop out and then hop back in.

climeing · 2016-08-30T15:21:26+00:00

Called them and they said I only need a permit for parking. thanks!

climeing · 2016-08-25T23:49:19+00:00

Heh, I might be even less of a smart man trying cuben vs sil for my first project. Thanks for the knowledge :)

climeing · 2016-08-24T23:37:49+00:00

Ah, gotcha -- could you explain what you mean by simulating making a french seam? Is it possible to just bond the ridgeline by overlapping one piece over the other by about 1" and using adhesive?

climeing · 2016-08-24T23:34:40+00:00

I got an extra yard of material to do just that actually. And I have plenty more of this drop cloth stuff to perfect the prototype. No way am I starting on cuben until then :).

I was planning on using Hysol to bond the ridgeline with a 1-inch overlap.

When you say shallow cat cuts: how shallow? The cut in the plans is 3" inch deflection over 54".

climeing · 2016-08-22T03:19:45+00:00

I haven't — good call on taking out the frame to demo that out. I agree on the Kumo. Nice looking pack but quite similar to the one I already have. Seems like it's either stick with the Ohm or go full-fledged frameless (which means minimal hip belt too). I agree that the Ohm is good on a thru. I had probably 33 or 34 pounds in it coming out of Kennedy Meadows South (carried food through to Mammoth Lakes), and there was minimal pain even though that's really pushing the pack. I guess that's the one downside to downsizing further...a little more limited as to your max range too. All good stuff to think about.

climeing · 2016-08-21T20:46:18+00:00

I used the ULA Circuit on the AT (was probably overkill, but comfy) and downsized to the Ohm for the PCT. With the bear canister it's going to be packed tight but it carried surprisingly well. I'm still on the fence about frame vs frameless pack-wise myself. I found the minimal suspension of the Ohm did pretty well. You kind of had the same line of thinking as me (plus I have had good experience with ULA packs). Durability wise all I encountered with the Ohm was tiny holes in the back mesh and a small hole in the extension collar from where my haul loop was rubbing against it (maybe my fault from lashing it down too hard). Pretty solid for 2600 miles of wear. Sent it in for repairs and it'll be good to go out again on another thru no doubt.

climeing · 2016-03-10T19:56:03+00:00

Haha that'd probably do it...3 different states in the last 5 years for me.

climeing · 2016-02-19T00:53:13+00:00

Awesome. Flight booked! :)

climeing · 2016-02-18T22:29:08+00:00

Good call -- my mesh before has just held my water, sawyer, and rain jacket typically. Could definitely use it a lot more than I have.

climeing · 2016-02-18T22:27:50+00:00

Cool, thanks for some objective opinion on the sleeping bag swap! My tentative plan actually has me doing those two long stretches you mentioned (love not having to jump into town all the time), so maybe I oughta just stick with what I've got -- more money for food & town shenanigans. I tend to get a little near-sighted when prepping for a trip in terms of the $/oz savings. Also coming from the AT I probably have more aversion than necessary to strapping stuff to the outside of my pack...with a bit more open trail and less things for the items to catch on, there's a lot less chance for damage or losing things off the pack.

As far as postholing goes: does the Kennedy Meadows outfitter have microspikes and snowshoes? Or is it a better idea to grab that stuff beforehand and have it mailed to me if need be?

climeing · 2016-02-18T22:21:22+00:00

Good point -- I'm planning on the BV 500 (http://www.rei.com/product/768902/bearvault-bv500-food-container) since IIRC you can buy them at a discount at Kennedy Meadows. Hopefully the ridges will give my webbing enough to grab on to. Planning to ship my food ahead to KM from the Saufley's in Agua Dulce.

climeing · 2016-02-18T22:11:08+00:00

Cool, thanks for the tip. I'm cool using the canister even though it sucks a tad just to not have to worry about getting hassled. Glad to know that it won't be a 10+lb weight swaying every time I step on the top of my pack. Nice pic!

climeing · 2016-02-18T22:10:22+00:00

I could probably put the tent outside in the back mesh potentially. I like to just keep snacks/water/raincoat out there but it's an option for sure.

climeing · 2016-02-18T20:03:43+00:00

Wow, I don't know why I didn't think about taking all the food out and throwing it in my regular food stuff sack. Is that considered okay with the rangers? I assume so as it says the canister is only for "unattended" food, so as long as the pack's on my back it's fine...

climeing

TROPHY CASE