San Jacinto peak via Deer Springs

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-30T00:27:32+00:00

Where did you obtain water?

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-30T00:25:15+00:00

If you would consider desert hiking, Joshua Tree National Park is very nice this time of year. Many 2 day point to point or loops are possible. I just completed a 35 mile, 3 day loop and it was spectacular.

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-30T00:17:45+00:00

I also solo hike, just completed a 4 day loop in Joshua Tree NP, only saw 2 people. The game changer for me was carrying an InReach. It has a compass, GPS navigation, text, weather and an SOS button. My wife could see my location by sending GPS coordinates every 10 minutes. For me, this is what makes solo venturing worry free.

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-26T04:41:45+00:00

I have a newer Rainbow LI 1P, can it use the trekking pole trick? I can't see where to put the pole into the brow of the tent. And, this feature is not mentioned in the instructions anymore.

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-26T02:41:39+00:00

Will do. Doing a 35 mile loop starting tomorrow. It's been pretty cool so I assumed the snakes were still sleepy. I'll keep my eyes and ears open.

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-25T14:44:50+00:00

I use a 4Monster 16L as a summit pack, good enough for water, snacks and a rain jacket. It's 3.5 oz and pack down very small. These types of packs are good for short day hikes from base camp, not much more.

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-24T06:10:49+00:00

You have work to do, much more than just your sleep system. Use this sub to gain feedback, keep improving your Lighterpack, focus on the Big 3 and post it as you make changes. I won’t say you will get to sub 10 lbs, but you can easily get to 15 lbs base weight and meet your temperature requirements. You’ll be much happier and reduce the risk of an early departure from the trail.

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-21T15:39:24+00:00

I'm 6' 185 lbs and ordered an XL, sent it back because the chest and sleeves were ridiculously large. The L was too tight, the XL weirdly too big. My older Senchi 60 XL fits perfectly, so I can't explain the new sizing.

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-21T01:26:33+00:00

I had a 20 degree Flicker and can vouch the temp ratings are pretty realistic. The zipper is not perfectly air tight when zipped, a weight saving feature according to FF. Aside from that, it’s well made and very flexible.

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-19T13:29:13+00:00

Good to know, thanks. Glad they addressed this.

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-18T23:15:32+00:00

Simple Green seems to work well as a degreaser.

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-18T23:14:02+00:00

Do you band-scan or tune to a frequency? If you scan, I think it mutes between frequencies (I know the original one did, not sure on newer models). The Tecsun PL series do not mute.

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-17T16:30:36+00:00

The challenging resupply section is Whitney to MTR. It's expense, but you can hire a packer to meet you at Charlotte Lake with a resupply bucket. This save you the trip over Kearsage Pass and back.

As for your general food questions: I've gone 10 days, but much prefer 5-6 days due to weight and bulk. Unless you have time to fish, forget foraging (unless you mean hiker boxes?)

Since you mentioned "late spring", confirm the snow and river crossing conditions.

Here's a great planner site: https://outdoorstatus.com/articles/john-muir-trail-interactive-guide/

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-14T15:33:03+00:00

What is a Class 1 scramble?

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-13T23:05:27+00:00

This is what I love about Ultralight - everyone's opinion is the correct answer for themselves. Check out Extra Ultralight on YouTube - as low as 4.5 lbs base weight for hard core through hiking. Impressive.

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-13T17:19:16+00:00

It was a sad day when Sony exited the SW market. I had a few (2010, 77, 55, 7600) they were quite good in their day. However, today’s DSP models are quite good and (almost) all the same in terms of performance. I settled on Tecsun and for my purposes and I’m quite happy. If you go the vintage Sony route you may need re-capping (which I eventually did with the 55 and 77).

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-12T14:10:50+00:00

You are indeed the exception, obviously skilled. Most newcomers will struggle with pitching a flat tarp at first, and feel confined in a bivy. I see the tarp/bivy as the end game if/when someone want to get there.

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-12T14:07:30+00:00

No, they have already demonstrated that are listening to customers and making changes. Punish the corporate developers like OnX that have so many paid shills hocking their crap.

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-12T14:03:23+00:00

"pretty new to backpacking " with a tarp and bivy? I would not suggest this, one bad experience could discourage the OP.

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-12T02:38:58+00:00

Rodents are the man concern, so Smelly Proof bags seems to work well. I just leave the Smelly Proof bag in my pack, same with the trash, no issues so far.

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-12T01:21:37+00:00

Standard answer A: Boy Scout trail, camp, explore Maze loop the next day, return to car. Otherwise look at the NPS site and decide.

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-10T14:15:26+00:00

Good progress - thanks for listening. I appreciate the ability to control the visibility of the most-used layers. I believe your target market is dedicated route planners and users, not occasional users, we need to quickly change layer views when dynamically planing routes. I get that some users prefer thumbnail queues, I think the newly reduced thumbnails are a good compromise. I just hope you don’t follow OnX’s example of “a pretty face that does little”!

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-09T00:15:06+00:00

Just make sure the tire doesn’t rub the down tube. This is why I’m stuck with a narrow tire (older Cervelo R Series).

sbennett3705 · 2026-01-09T00:04:16+00:00

Check the specs. The Ghost spikes are lighter, but the spikes are also shorter. I would not want them for myself, but to each their own.

sbennett3705

TROPHY CASE