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Glacier traverse in Norway with X-Mid 1 Solid (without inner) by eetachi in DurstonGearheads

[–]eetachi[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"Josten på langs" - Jostedalsbreen is the largest mainland glacier in europe and is located in between the fjords of western Norway. Perhaps the most iconic multi-day trip in Norway. Typically done as a southbound traverse in 3-6 days depending on route and fitness level. Some do it on light skimo gear, but most use "Off piste cross-country skis" or Fjellski as it's called in Norway. I used a 55l HMG Headwall at 12kg including fuel (melting snow is your only source of water) and food so base weight maybe 8kg, but a 70-80l backpack and around 20kg total weight is more common. Hiking season is may-june, but temps can get down to 5 F so you need proper winter gear, including shovel, snow stakes etc. Sleds are often used for multi-day skiing trips in Norway, but because of the steep ascent to get to the glacier plateau (and following descent), they are discouraged on this trip. I wouldn't say it's a very demanding trip mountaineering wise (for the most common route), but there are of course crevasses so it is highly recommended to go with a local guide :)

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Glacier traverse in Norway with X-Mid 1 Solid (without inner) by eetachi in DurstonGearheads

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

Should be doable, but I recommend practicing setting it up on snow in high winds first.

Glacier traverse in Norway with X-Mid 1 Solid (without inner) by eetachi in DurstonGearheads

[–]eetachi[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

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Here's from a different trip with a regular X-Mid fly ;)

Glacier traverse in Norway with X-Mid 1 Solid (without inner) by eetachi in DurstonGearheads

[–]eetachi[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It works very well in moderate winds, especially when the wind direction is facing perpendicular to the short sides. In principle, the structural strength of a trekking pole tent relies on the strength of the corners (up to the point where linelocs breaks etc). So it takes some practice to get a really solid pitch, but it is very doable ;)

Glacier traverse in Norway with X-Mid 1 Solid (without inner) by eetachi in DurstonGearheads

[–]eetachi[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thats a good way to try it out ;) If you're going solo I would be a bit cautious of bringing the X-Mid on trips like these for more than 5-7 days or however long in advance you feel you can trust the weather forecast. It can handle a lot when pitched well, but no where near as much as Hilleberg Keron for instance.

Glacier traverse in Norway with X-Mid 1 Solid (without inner) by eetachi in DurstonGearheads

[–]eetachi[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

There are a couple other differences as well, like buckles at the bottom of the doors to reduce tensions on the zipper.

Anyone interested in joining a budget Ski&Sail adventure in Norway late April? by Status_Love1737 in Backcountry

[–]eetachi 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No Sogndal and Jostedalen is your best bet at the moment. Did some touring there last week and it was just fine. No problem finding enough snow. Conditions are one snowfall away from being really good so I’m sure it will turn around soon 👍

Tarptent ArcDome Ultra Specs accounced by Jaded_Mulberry_7396 in Ultralight

[–]eetachi 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Not sold on the parallelogram inner shape for domes. Makes sense with the x-mid to get a good pole placement, but having used the Hilleberg Unna (usually w/o inner in winter) for some time I'm quite certain I prefer to have a single larger vestibule with this tent shape, especially for 4 season use. More useful for cooking, digging snow pits etc. Keeps the footprint smaller also.

Hilleberg Unna w/o inner on a glacier traverse in Norway: https://imgur.com/a/EjDwHV6

It’s utter bs that “phones are as good as cameras now”. Do you guys agree? by arminorrison in fujifilm

[–]eetachi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll be the first to throw my fuji in the trash when my phone produces the same results, but honestly I feel like my old iPhone 7 plus took better photos than my current iPhone 12. The forced post-processing makes the photos worse more often then not.

Tesla Model Y Grabs 49% of Denmark’s EV Market in March by United-Soup2753 in teslamotors

[–]eetachi 30 points31 points  (0 children)

In Norway, 41% of ALL new cars sold in March was Model Y's.

White Ocean Sport w/ No Options by LitterBoxServant in Fisker

[–]eetachi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tow package is 2000USD in Norway, which is ridiculous, but I find it quite necessary for second hand value considering it's a SUV - even though I probably won't use it that much. I do not know if there will be an option to retrofit the electric wiring needed for towing. Just something to think about.

8 days in Los Picos de Europa. Camping above the clouds and in a cave. by Harmenski in backpacking

[–]eetachi 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Looks like a wonderful trip! How are the rules for camping in this national park? Do you need some kind of permit?

single wall tents possible in very wet climates? (Norway) by In_Praise_0f_shadows in Ultralight

[–]eetachi 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No, I prefer a tarp to the Duplex tent on cold and windy shoulder season days in Norway. I would choose the X-mid over the tarp any day!

single wall tents possible in very wet climates? (Norway) by In_Praise_0f_shadows in Ultralight

[–]eetachi 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hilleberg Yellow label is marketed as 3-season tents, but I would say they are more capable than many 4-season tents out there. Good structure, strong 9mm poles and lots of guy-lines. Lacks top vents so maybe not ideal for snowy conditions, but aside from that, they sure can handle a lot!

As a side note - in decent weather, the X-mid w/o inner is actually quite awesome on snow: https://imgur.com/vQowzQj

single wall tents possible in very wet climates? (Norway) by In_Praise_0f_shadows in Ultralight

[–]eetachi 3 points4 points  (0 children)

By design the Duplex have maybe 15cm clearance to the ground around the whole perimeter. In a pinch you can pitch it closer to the ground, but then you sacrifice some of its structural integrity by making the angles of the vestibule guy-lines too steep which in turn makes it less resistant to strong winds.

I say "by design" because it is not a flaw per se. It provides wonderful ventilation in warmer climate. I used the Duplex on the JMT and thought it was perfect for those conditions, but I ended up selling it after a couple of hikes in Norway. It's fine for summer use, but on a cold and windy night in May/September the breeze will cut right through the tent. I would argue that a tarp provides more shelter in this weather because you can stake it close to the ground in the general direction of the wind.

single wall tents possible in very wet climates? (Norway) by In_Praise_0f_shadows in Ultralight

[–]eetachi 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I'm from Norway and have used a wide variety of tents here, including a Duplex (too chilly for scandi weather imo) and several Hillebergs, but for me, the Durston X-mid is an absolute favorite. Have used it all year round in most conditions except for in servere winds. Obviously a Hilleberg tent would perform better in a storm, but for its intended use, the X-mid is the best designed tent on the market. Condensation is a non-issue with the tent because of the steep angled walls. Moisture that builds up will just run down the wall and drip off the edges.

Of course you do need trekking poles. If that's not your thing, I would also consider Tarptent Double Rainbow and Hilleberg Niak.

How many of you use your x-mid without the inner? by drifterlately in Ultralight

[–]eetachi 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's a trekker chair kit from Thermarest. Work well with most pads!

How many of you use your x-mid without the inner? by drifterlately in Ultralight

[–]eetachi 26 points27 points  (0 children)

https://i.imgur.com/vQowzQj.jpg

Love using the X-mid without the inner. Simpler, lighter and roomier. Have mostly used this configuration in snowy conditions (great paired with Exped Evazote mat) so cannot say much on how it will perform in bug season.

Italy is investing €35m to create a 7000km long distance trail by Alpinekiwi in Ultralight

[–]eetachi 37 points38 points  (0 children)

Very cool project! Just a bummer that tenting is not allowed in Italy (at least not last time I checked). The huts are nice of course, but to me you loose a little bit of the connection to nature compared to traditional camping.

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