Kern River Fly Fishing Forum - Backpacking equipment

xbill_y

Diamond Member

Posts: 2239
Gender: male

Backpacking equipment
Sep 28^th, 2010, 3:38pm

Lets see what you guys have.

I have a external frame backpack, I think its about 3200 cu. in. - under 100 bucks

I have a swiss gear one man backpacking tent (can be found for around 50 bucks)

I have an MSR water filter - can be had for under 100 bucks - works great.

Stuff sacks, and a spork (usually I just grab a spork, salt and pepper packs from Burger king the day before

)

lets see what you guys have and/or recommend

Im pretty basic....fish, sleep, eat, drink....is that order.

Bill

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2012 days in the water: 44

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Swanee

Platinum Member

KRFF & SSFF

Posts: 837
Gender: male

Re: Backpacking equipment
Reply #1 - Sep 28^th, 2010, 4:43pm

Bill
My greatest tool for backpacking is a teflon pie plate with folding handle off of a squeeze mop, basicly an ultralite frying pan. When the teflon gets worn out, just unbolt the handle and put it on another pie plate.
Also I carry one of the forks used for toasting marshmellows and use it to toast soardough rolls for breakfast.
Coat the split roll with butter and prop it up with rocks near the coals and when the edges turn brown it goes good with the instant oatmeal. It fits neatly in the rod case too.
Pack wise, the Kelty Serac works for me. Carry light clothes where the sleeping bag normally goes and put the bag on top to get the heavier weight high and closer to the body.
Just wish I had the knees you young guys have!
Swanee

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xbill_y Diamond Member Posts: 2239 Gender:	Re: Backpacking equipment Reply #2 - Sep 28^th, 2010, 5:01pm nice work on the frying pan!
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Sasquatch

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Posts: 1067
Gender: male

Re: Backpacking equipment
Reply #3 - Sep 28^th, 2010, 7:25pm

Cool idea for a thread Bill.

I haven't picked up much new gear in a while. But as I find myself using trekking poles more and more, I've been kind of lusting after this Nemo trekking pole tent.

My current favorite tent is a nearly 20 year old Sierra Designs 2 man that has been through some serious weather with me (heavy snow, T-storms, gale force winds) and has never failed me except for a replaced zipper a couple of years ago. I also own three MSR pocket rocket stoves that I really like because they are small, light, cheap, and will boil water almost as fast as I can fill another pot from the river. I also really like my Primus backpacking lantern. Kind of like the big Coleman 'base camp' lanterns, just minimized, and they take the same fuel cannisters I use for my stoves. And oh yeah, my titanium spork. Ask my pops about my frantic search for my spork before leaving camp a few weeks back... We ended up finding it three weeks later in the backpacking coffee percolator while at the 'vous, and you'd have thought I has won the lottery. Call it sentimental value.

b

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tk863 Gold Member Posts: 487 Gender:	Re: Backpacking equipment Reply #4 - Sep 28^th, 2010, 8:37pm All I have so far are my set of fireside bagpipes... Starting to make my shopping list base don what I see in this, budget my expenses, and then cardio training. Cannot wait to try this once I get it together.
Back to top	Dè th'ort fo d'fhèileadh? Waters fished this year: Kern, SGWF/NF, BT/LT/SA Cks, Beaverkill, Willowemoc, Neversink, Mongaup Ck, Lakes: Isabella, Hemet, Cahuilla, Powai, Pacific Ocean, Loch Fyne IP Logged

Matt

Gold Member

Posts: 432
Gender: male

Re: Backpacking equipment
Reply #5 - Sep 28^th, 2010, 9:08pm

It will likely be a lot of trial and error.
I have a list ( an Excel spreadsheet) so I can check off my gear as it goes into the pack. By now, it's pretty automatic, but having the list saves some possible aggravation later.
Categories:
Sleep
Food
Gear
Fishing

The gear you choose will be very personal. I can't sleep in a traditional mummy bag, so I go with the Big Agnes classic series bags. Not the lightest, but for me, the most comfortable. Your shelter needs to be able to keep whatever weather for that season (summer=thunderstorms) out. "Cheap" shelter should be avoided. Have a sleeping bag appropriate for the expected lowest temp and for the type of sleeper you are-ie, a mummy doesn't work well for us "active" sleepers.

For me, the most important thing, out of all considerations, is comfort for sleeping-If I don't have that, I'm miserable. So I will sacrafice weight for comfort here.

Use a list when packing, if it doesn't get used (and is not an "emergency" item) it comes off of the list. My pack is heavier than an Ultralightist's pack, but I've got to sleep or it's no fun.

Identify what's important (lightweight? durable? comfort? bulk?) and use that as a guideline.

Quick tip for sleeping:
Quality bourbon and Advil PM Wink

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Dances with Bears

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Posts: 1203
Gender: male

Re: Backpacking equipment
Reply #6 - Sep 28^th, 2010, 9:24pm

Water filter (hand pump)
Pack stove
fuel
titaniium pot
grate for cooking steaks
plastic fork
knife
foil
cup
instant oats
instant coffee
energy bars
freeze dried lunches
dinner
kool aid/crystal light packs for mixed drinks
black velvet in plastic bottle
corrugated foam sleeping pad
30 degree backpackers sleeping bag
inflatable pillow
4.75 LB kealty tent (brand new today)
headlamp
small flashlight
bearspray
multitool
chord
hammock
flyrod
simple lanyard
kealty external frame backpack
small first aide kit
emergency blankets
camel pack / fishing net
tripod camp seat
backpacker guitar
two or 3 pairs of socks
waders
rainjacket
sandals
toothbrush
toothpaste

I add up to about 45 lbs depending on how elaborate dinner gets

How about Backpacking Tricks and unspoken rules:
1. find a stash, leave a stash
2. powdered crystal light for making mixed drinks
3. dehydrated chicken/meat added to pasta or rice sides
4. have bear spray
5. flourescent light tubes converted into flyrod tubes (super light)
6. a comfy sleeping set-up (me too matt!)
7. Freeze the steak, duct tape 2 canned beers to the steak, wrap in your fleece/sweatshirt. By the time you set up camp, not only do you have a fresh steak, but you've got two cold beers as well
8. foil windscreed around your campstove to preserve fuel and boil quicker
9. a hanky while on the trail
10. a water proof bag full of ice (lasts longer than you'd imagine, weighs nothing on the way out)

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« Last Edit: Sep 28^th, 2010, 10:13pm by Dances with Bears »

http://westforksgrc.org - West Fork Conservancy
The logs of wood which move down the river together are driven apart by every wave. Such inevitable parting shoud not be the cause of misery.

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tk863 Gold Member Posts: 487 Gender:	Re: Backpacking equipment Reply #7 - Sep 28^th, 2010, 9:28pm OK, I have seen people talk about butter and cooking steaks - how do you keep that kind of stuff from spoiling?
Back to top	Dè th'ort fo d'fhèileadh? Waters fished this year: Kern, SGWF/NF, BT/LT/SA Cks, Beaverkill, Willowemoc, Neversink, Mongaup Ck, Lakes: Isabella, Hemet, Cahuilla, Powai, Pacific Ocean, Loch Fyne IP Logged

Matt

Gold Member

Posts: 432
Gender: male

Re: Backpacking equipment
Reply #8 - Sep 28^th, 2010, 9:39pm

Quote from tk863 on Sep 28^th, 2010, 9:28pm:

OK, I have seen people talk about butter and cooking steaks - how do you keep that kind of stuff from spoiling?

First night-
Freeze the steak, duct tape 2 canned beers to the steak, wrap in your fleece/sweatshirt. By the time you set up camp, not only do you have a fresh steak, but you've got two cold beers as well Wink

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Dances with Bears

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Posts: 1203
Gender: male

Re: Backpacking equipment
Reply #9 - Sep 28^th, 2010, 9:40pm

Quote from tk863 on Sep 28^th, 2010, 9:28pm:

OK, I have seen people talk about butter and cooking steaks - how do you keep that kind of stuff from spoiling?

I've seen people freeze the steaks and by the time you are at camp, they're ready to cook. night one of a backpacking trip can afford such things...

Or you can do like Brandt does and bring a waterproof bag full of ice for the essential cooling of beer and meat.

Or you can do like I do and invite Brandt Cheesy

Cris

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http://westforksgrc.org - West Fork Conservancy
The logs of wood which move down the river together are driven apart by every wave. Such inevitable parting shoud not be the cause of misery.

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jsmurphy62

Silver Member

Cheers... Have a
homebrew.

Posts: 120
Gender: male

Re: Backpacking equipment
Reply #10 - Sep 29^th, 2010, 9:01am

Good topic. For a typical 2 night trip on the Kern I keep my pack weight near 35lbs.

For the most part, my gear is really inexpensive.

Pack- Mountainsmith Boundary- 4577 cu = 4.5 lbs
Tent- Kelty Grand Mesa 2- Just under 4 lbs. w/o rain fly and only 4 stakes. (I hardly ever use the rain fly on the Kern, but check the weather reports!)
Bag- Featherlight Hibernate- 2 lbs. with stuff sack.
Mat- Thermarest Pro Lite- 2lbs. You can go cheaper but I like some comfort.
Jet Boil Stove w/fuel
MSR Water Filter
MSR 2.5 liter Hydration bladder
Ground Tarp- 3 mil visqueen cut to size
Nalgene water bottle 32oz. (Clipped to my wading belt, it stays cold in the river)
Lexan bowl, cup , spork
Matches inside a 35mm plastic film cannister with strike surface taped to inside lid. (Matches in upside down!)

paper towels cut into 4x4 squares
REI Packers first aid kit
Pack towel
4 baby wipes
small toothbrush, paste
eyedrops, sunscreen, Ultrathon repellent if mosquito season
Trash bag
eyeglass screwdriver
100' Para Cord with the inside fiber removed.
Small amount of electricians tape- wrapped around the match cannister
Folding knife or Leatherman tool
Small camp ax- it's heavy so I seldom bring it
Headlamp w/ new batteries
Wide brimmed hat
Watch
Map and compass, any required permits
Small mirror
Sleep t-shirt
Polar Fleece Hoodie
Small pillow case- Hoodie goes inside for pillow
Beanie if cold
Gloves if cold
Spare sock liners- TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET! I wear wading boots all day so I don't bring extra hiking socks anymore unless it's a longer trip.
Plastic trowel with small amount of toilet paper
Fly rod inside plastic Flourescent tube guard
Fly reel
Fly boxes, all accessories, license
Waders
Thermal bottoms- if wading in Winter
Wading boots- Orvis light weight pack boots
6 oz. flask of Bourbon
Small camera w/ full battery

Food:
Protein bars
Coffee & Cocoa
Oatmeal
Peanut butter & honey sandwiches
Jerky
Gatorade powder
Freeze dried dinners- 16oz individual size if going solo
Small amount of crushed red pepper flakes

I used to take rain gear every trip, but unless it's Winter, I'm going longer, or up to the high sierras I leave it in the car. But do what you think is best for you.

Hiking clothes:

Poly Pro t-shirt
Long sleeve t-shirt if it's really cold
Pants
Sock liners
Socks
Boots
Hat

Items left in the car:

Baby wipes
Deodorant
Change of clothes
Flip flops
Water
Razor, shaving cream

I look forward to other's suggestions.

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ryan

Platinum Member

Posts: 753

Re: Backpacking equipment
Reply #11 - Sep 29^th, 2010, 10:17am

Quote from Trout Thumb on Sep 28^th, 2010, 9:24pm:

Water filter (hand pump)
Pack stove
fuel
titaniium pot
grate for cooking steaks
plastic fork
knife
foil
cup
instant oats
instant coffee
energy bars
freeze dried lunches
dinner
kool aid/crystal light packs for mixed drinks
black velvet in plastic bottle
corrugated foam sleeping pad
30 degree backpackers sleeping bag
inflatable pillow
4.75 LB kealty tent (brand new today)
headlamp
small flashlight
bearspray
multitool
chord
hammock
flyrod
simple lanyard
kealty external frame backpack
small first aide kit
emergency blankets
camel pack / fishing net
tripod camp seat
backpacker guitar
two or 3 pairs of socks
waders
rainjacket
sandals
toothbrush
toothpaste

I add up to about 45 lbs depending on how elaborate dinner gets

How about Backpacking Tricks and unspoken rules:
1. find a stash, leave a stash
2. powdered crystal light for making mixed drinks
3. dehydrated chicken/meat added to pasta or rice sides
4. have bear spray
5. flourescent light tubes converted into flyrod tubes (super light)
6. a comfy sleeping set-up (me too matt!)
7. Freeze the steak, duct tape 2 canned beers to the steak, wrap in your fleece/sweatshirt. By the time you set up camp, not only do you have a fresh steak, but you've got two cold beers as well
8. foil windscreed around your campstove to preserve fuel and boil quicker
9. a hanky while on the trail
10. a water proof bag full of ice (lasts longer than you'd imagine, weighs nothing on the way out)

no T.P? Ryan

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"without love in a dream,it will never come true" Robert Hunter

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dryflyin

Platinum Member

Posts: 590

Re: Backpacking equipment
Reply #12 - Sep 29^th, 2010, 12:19pm

Leaving out the more minor stuff, here's what I usually take along:

Deuter ActLite Plus internal frame backpack - holds 70 liters

North Face Tadpole 23 2 man tent

North Face Cat's Meow sleeping bag - synthetic fill for my allergies, rated to 20F degrees. It's the women's bag because I'm not height disadvantaged and don't need a 6+ foot long bag Grin

Thermarest Pro Lite sleeping pad - small and light

MSR Whisperlite stove - Uses white gas (camp fuel) like all my other fueled appliances

MSR Exo 2 cooking system - titanium pot & lid, 2 shallow bowls, 2 coffee mugs - all nested

First Need water purifier - Much easier to pump and faster than Katydyns

Backpacker first aid kit

Waterproof camera

Fishing gear - rod, reel, flybox, etc., all in a fanny pack so I can fish further from camp

For trips longer than a weekend, I'll also bring a solar shower that I picked up at a parking lot sale for 7 bucks. It's just awesome to be able to get clean before dinner after a long day of fishing.

I occasionally pack my Coleman Exponent lantern because it uses the same fuel as my stove, but it's nearly 2 lbs., so I have some cheap battery powered lanterns that I bring instead when pack weight is an issue.

I started out mostly cooking freeze dried food for meals, but now that I'm getting more comfortable, I've started to cook some simple dishes. Still haven't tried to pack a grate so I can grill a steak, but it's mighty tempting.

I generally wear shorts and a synthetic T-shirt on the day of departure, pack one extra set of the same, fresh socks for every day, a rain jacket, and zip-off pants. I usually end up alternating between the sets of shorts and T-shirt, and just wash the other set each morning so it can dry in time for the next day. Oh, and a pair of sandals to wet wade in.

A flask of whiskey and sometimes a nice cigar are my last luxuries (though of course not on official Boy Scout outings).

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« Last Edit: Sep 29^th, 2010, 4:13pm by dryflyin »

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Dances with Bears Platinum Member Posts: 1203 Gender:	Re: Backpacking equipment Reply #13 - Sep 29^th, 2010, 12:27pm And TP... forgot that one. I also usually have 1 or 2 bic lighters I wear my polarized sun glasses and my fishing hat (most likely item for me to forget is my hat). Cris
Back to top	http://westforksgrc.org - West Fork Conservancy The logs of wood which move down the river together are driven apart by every wave. Such inevitable parting shoud not be the cause of misery. IP Logged

walmartshopper

Silver Member

Posts: 157
Gender: male

Re: Backpacking equipment
Reply #14 - Sep 29^th, 2010, 1:19pm

My budget / minimalist setup:

Army surplus Alice pack
no tent
no sleeping bag, Adventure Medical Thermo-lite 2.0 bivvy (works well in summer months up to about 10,000 ft)
Therma-rest inflatable 3/4 length sleeping pad
Energy bars and top ramen for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I'm not picky... I get the slightly expired bars at 10 for a dollar at Manny's discount grocery.
Polar Pure water disinfectant. small and only weighs a few ounces. Purifies 2000 quarts of water. Slight iodine taste but not as much as tablets.
Sig P239 with extra mag
Vibram Fivefingers KSO (5.7oz each and fun to hike in, perfect for wading too)
Duct tape
550 parachute cord
multi-tool
headlamp + pocket light
SLR camera
Brunton Raptor stove + fuel can
cotton balls covered in petroleum jelly for firestarters
whistle / mirror / compass / match holder multi-tool
fly fishing vest
3 rods: 2wt 6', 5wt 9', and a cheapo backup
3 reels: Lamson Guru 1.5 with 3wt line, Orvis Streamline with 5wt line, cheapo reel with sinking line.
Homemade rod tube made of 2" ABS, ties onto pack
Clothes, toiletries, 1st aid, sunscreen, polarized glasses, etc.

The whole pack weighs around 35lbs. It could easily be under 30 if I brought less fishing gear, a compact camera, and no handgun. But it's a tradeoff... I sacrifice in other areas (food and comfort) so that I can bring some of those extras. Excluding the fishing gear, camera, and handgun, the total cost of the backpack, gear, and food was around $150.

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