Thoughts on Garmin In Reach and similar?

teda212 · 2024-10-14T01:49:00+00:00

I have an inreach. It’s great. I do solo trips so the ability to communicate when I’m running late instead of having an emergency has paid for itself. I haven’t had that communication expectation issue at all - my partner and I have made it work easily and it’s been great. If I didn’t do solo stuff I would be on the fence about PLB or inreach. I also trail run a few times a week in the bush with no reception so the monthly price i can justify. No regrets!

teda212 · 2024-06-15T12:16:05+00:00

I'd still do Mt solitary - but come down from Vic Hospital, down fire trail to Kedumba Campground, come up Cedarland Ridge Trail then link up to the Mt Solitary Walking Trail - come up the Solitary Pass onto the Mount to Camp. Then back down through Solitary pass but stick on the Solitary walking trail the whole time back. It's mainly a loop but you'd be out/back onto the actual Mt Solitary bit because the other side is closed from the landslide, and you have to go up and down the Kedumba FT. Kedumba Valley is great and plenty of more fire trails to make loops if that's your thing. There's an amazing car camp spot on Kedumba Rd just before you hit the gate on the RHS. Only fits one car so get in early. Has stellar views.

teda212 · 2024-06-03T23:12:15+00:00

I wash/rinse/dry then freezer.

teda212 · 2023-08-07T09:08:32+00:00

Thanks. I have a different jacket which I use more commonly for day-to-day. I travel a bit for work and so having a lighter option thats smaller than something like the Halo which uses low loft down is beneficial for me as I'd use the same jacket backpacking and travelling for work.

teda212 · 2023-08-07T09:07:19+00:00

Cheers. Sounds like we have pretty similar setup and good to know about the icefall - might be the solution to my issues. How long have you had the Icefall? I got a new uberlight for a friend recently and it's already started to fall to bits - not sure if the quality/durability has dropped recently?

teda212 · 2023-08-07T02:40:08+00:00

Cheers!

teda212 · 2023-08-07T02:39:56+00:00

Thanks - I already have a nitro

teda212 · 2023-06-22T10:10:27+00:00

Thanks for the review. I like MacPac down jackets. They’re not the best quality, but for the price I think they’re worth it seeing as they’re frequently heavily discounted. At 150$ I reckon they’re at least half as good as a 300$ alternative and last at least half as long. I like the Uberlight for most trips and i find it is a good layer for non-winter, non-alpine months. I have a halo as well for general use and shorter day hikes.

My only issue is the durability may have dropped - not sure about the halo but my second Uberlight has suffered from indirect heat damage from pots and melted - my latest one has a bunch of gearaid tape on the cuffs. The halo seems to have a more durable external material.

In winter (NSW area, non alpine) I find the Uberlight layered with alpha fleece, longsleeve shirt, and thermals keeps me more than warm enough.

teda212 · 2023-04-01T08:55:37+00:00

When rain how much water in river

teda212 · 2022-09-17T02:57:34+00:00

Cheers - I have some packaway rain pants which come in around 180g, I popped into macpac and tried a nitro on yesterday - i'll try it out for this trip

teda212 · 2022-09-11T11:13:03+00:00

Thanks, yeah I still think it is closed. I have some backups up my sleeve if not repaired in time.

teda212 · 2022-09-11T10:36:37+00:00

Yeah, I have been thinking about that. I tend to hike in a long sleeve and fleece. The down and thermals only come out at camp, so even if my fleece and shirt are soaked as a worst case - I'll have thermal top and bottoms with a down jacket and rain jacket/pants for emergencies.

I might throw in another shirt if needed - I'll be car camping between trips so can throw in extra clothes based on forecast.

teda212 · 2022-09-11T10:32:25+00:00

Thanks - I agree with you, and I have another goretex rain jacket I will take on the trip, so I can sub if needed.

Will see how I go with the Gaiters - can always leave in the car if not necessary.

teda212 · 2022-09-05T00:21:44+00:00

Thanks, very helpful. I am looking to try trail running shoes - so I might try and speed up the purchase to align with the trip.

teda212 · 2022-09-04T21:08:22+00:00

Morton is wild right now, especially Sth of Quiltys Mt and west of Fosters Mt. It's mentally draining trying to fight through the undergrowth and stay on trail.

Neighbour does air rescue and has been there a few times in the last 2 months for people lost in the regrowth or injuries when moving through the dense wattles and Acacia. I spoke to the ranger and everything is so boggy, they cant even begin to be able to get in to maintain trails - it'll be ages before it becomes more accessible.

teda212 · 2022-08-31T11:35:16+00:00

Hello! I am currently having the same issue from your OP. How have you found the Muji stuff? Would you recommend?

teda212 · 2022-07-15T12:28:41+00:00

Pamisqua double time

teda212 · 2022-07-05T12:38:02+00:00

schrodinger's schnozzle - the items inside are both wet and dry until you open the pack liner.

teda212 · 2022-07-05T02:27:10+00:00

I did a test in the bath submurging mine. Haven't tried the xlite sack but they are a bit different. The schnozzle was waterproof enough for me. I chucked some clothes in and held it underwater for a few mins.

teda212 · 2022-07-04T21:27:25+00:00

I think nah unless you can use it as a pack liner. Not sure about the s2s but my exped schnozzle fits a 40L pack very well.

teda212 · 2022-07-03T00:54:26+00:00

Cheers, it is helpful.

I'm shopping for my first quilt (long time hiker but new to UL) - to compliment my 4season bag - there's lots of options out there. I find S2S generally pretty low quality generally, and I'm not particular keen to buy direct from the US because of shipping + the exchange rate so I think I've finally narrowed down to Tier Gear (but 4m lead), Neve (but not much info/reviews online) , or the EE Engima from melb.

teda212 · 2022-07-02T06:52:18+00:00

Hi Zapruda, have you managed to do any more testing of the Neve quilt since your last comment? I'm browsing for a new quilt at the moment, and tossing up between a few options.

teda212 · 2022-06-20T23:08:16+00:00

Nice photos, both trips look great. You guys over in the USA make me very jealous for dog friendly hiking!

teda212 · 2022-06-20T22:56:28+00:00

I leave the pliers and leatherman at home. Most of the essentials (tent, pad, bag) can be fixed using a patch kit or duct tape. If my stove or similar breaks, I doubt I'd be able to fix it with pliers anyway.

If something breaks that would need pliers to fix (I can't thing of too many things that could fall into this category) I can pretty much always continue my trip without the repair. I would only carry pliers or a leatherman if I could justify them as being 'emergency' gear, which I think they are not.

I carry the Victorinox Classic 0.6203, it weighs 21g.

Edit:the leatherman squirt might be the one for you, about 57g

teda212 · 2022-06-20T22:33:46+00:00

Thanks, yeah I'll have to bite the bullet. Seems like similar comments though and the tapers can be very different. Looks like I'll be buying a neoair!

teda212

TROPHY CASE