Question:

(Jack-of-all-trades

Question:

To do so you have to go down to Mt. Flume and then down the Osseo Trail. Bushwhacking is very difficult on that side of the range

Really?

Response:

To do so you have to go down to Mt. Flume and then down the Osseo Trail. Bushwhacking is very difficult on that side of the range Really?

Where is bushwhacking easy? Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom

Response:

Where is bushwhacking easy?

In terms of investment/enjoyment ratio, just about anywhere.

Response:

Thanks for the info.  I’ll probably end up staying at the Liberty Springs Tentsite (if I get there early enough) since it still seems like the safest bet. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you go up and over the ridge into the Pemmigewasit (I doubt I even came close to the correct spelling) Wilderness you’ll find the crowds decrease drastically. I know there are a few established campsites but I’m unsure on the regulations on camping off the campsites. It is National Forest Land and you can go to the forest service website and check out the regulations for the White Mountain National Forest. Although it is a long hike the hike you describe can be put into one day. If you can do a car shuttle or use the AMC shuttle busses you can eliminate the hike back to the car. There aren’t many suitable places for camping in the area of the ridge. Unless you like sleeping in tight quarters on a slope. Enjoy the trip this is my favorite area to hike. Andy Thinking about heading to NH for the July 4th weekend and was wondering if it’s possible to do backcountry camping in the Franconia Notch area.  It seems like day hiking or staying overnight at established camp sites and huts is the only possibility (I would rather camp away from large groups).  I’m not familiar with the area and don’t know the terrain.  I would like to do the Mts.  Flume, Liberty, Lincoln, and Lafayette loop. Any ideas on where to stay would be appreciate.  Thanks.

Response:

Where is bushwhacking easy? In terms of investment/enjoyment ratio, just about anywhere.

Now don’t tell everyone! Its great that most people stay near easily accessible areas and are either too afraid or lazy to bushwack. Who wants all those people trampling around?

Response:

To do so you have to go down to Mt. Flume and then down the Osseo Trail. Bushwhacking is very difficult on that side of the range Really?

Especially on the east side of Lincoln.

Response:

Now don’t tell everyone! Its great that most people stay near easily accessible areas and are either too afraid or lazy to bushwack. Who wants all those people trampling around?

Believe it or not, bushwacking isn’t always that good for an area from an environmental standpoint.  

Response:

Believe it or not, bushwacking isn’t always that good for an area from an environmental standpoint.

Especially above timberline on alpine lawns and krummholz on the Franconia Ridge…… Craig Meredith, NH USA

Response:

Especially above timberline on alpine lawns and krummholz on the Franconia Ridge……

I’m told you can get down to the slides on the east side of the Lafayette/Lincoln saddle while never stepping on anything but rocks and gravel. Soil the last few dozen yards but pretty firm soil protected by high (and very THICK!) brush. From curiosity I’ve gotten as far as the thick bush/intermixed boulder portion of it just before the slide, but I didn’t want to attempt that stretch solo. Admittedly you can’t do it with a heavy pack unless you’re extremely nimble and strong, but with a minimalist pack you can easily keep your feet off the fragile areas.

Response:

Where is bushwhacking easy?

   Vail.    Ed Huesers

Response:

  Where is bushwhacking easy? Vail.     Ed Huesers If it was easy everyone who do it, so don’t knock it Kevin "Two roads diverged in a Yellow Wood. And…" having nailed another checkpoint, I reset the bezel ring on my compass for my next azimuth, with a slight offset to the left, took a bearing, crossed the road and re-entered the wood’s on my new heading. "And that has made all the difference"

Response:

Where is bushwhacking easy? Vail. If it was easy everyone who do it, so don’t knock it

   Knock Vail? Never!    Ed Huesers

Response:

If you go up and over the ridge into the Pemmigewasit (I doubt I even came close to the correct spelling) Wilderness you’ll find the crowds decrease drastically.

To do so you have to go down to Mt. Flume and then down the Osseo Trail. Bushwhacking is very difficult on that side of the range, so the Osseo is basically the quickest (and the only) route down there. You *could* also go up over Garfield and then down to 13 Falls, but that is a LONG day. I know there are a few established campsites but I’m unsure on the regulations on camping off the campsites.

The regs are basically the same as elsewhere-no camping above timberline, or within 1/4 mile of huts or shelters. Also no camping within 1/4 mile of the Wilderness Trail and the East Branch of the Pemi River. Elsewhere, it’s no camping within 200′ of the trail. Craig Meredith, NH USA

Response:

Thinking about heading to NH for the July 4th weekend and was wondering if it’s possible to do backcountry camping in the Franconia Notch area.  It seems like day hiking or staying overnight at established camp sites and huts is the only possibility (I would rather camp away from large groups).  I’m not familiar with the area and don’t know the terrain.  I would like to do the Mts.  Flume, Liberty, Lincoln, and Lafayette loop. Any ideas on where to stay would be appreciate.  Thanks.

Response:

Thinking about heading to NH for the July 4th weekend and was wondering if it’s possible to do backcountry camping in the Franconia Notch area.  It seems like day hiking or staying overnight at established camp sites and huts is the only possibility (I would rather camp away from large groups).  I’m not familiar with the area and don’t know the terrain.  I would like to do the Mts.  Flume, Liberty, Lincoln, and Lafayette loop. Any ideas on where to stay would be appreciate.  Thanks.

Much of the area is restricted use; Franconia Notch State Park runs up to Lonesome Lake on the south side of Cannon Mtn, and also runs partway up the Bridle Path on Lafayette. Absolutely NO camping is allowed within this State Park area. Camping off the Old Bridle Path up Mt. Lafayette is NOT recommended by the USFS due to the unsuitable terrain. But you *can* camp most anywhere else on the Range, (except above timberline and within 1/4 mile of the trailhead or Greenleaf hut, and no camping allowed within 200 feet of the trails). Fire permits are not required for wood/charcoal fires in non-restricted areas, but you’ll have to pay if your fire escapes. Craig Meredith, NH USA

Response:

If you go up and over the ridge into the Pemmigewasit (I doubt I even came close to the correct spelling) Wilderness you’ll find the crowds decrease drastically. I know there are a few established campsites but I’m unsure on the regulations on camping off the campsites. It is National Forest Land and you can go to the forest service website and check out the regulations for the White Mountain National Forest. Although it is a long hike the hike you describe can be put into one day. If you can do a car shuttle or use the AMC shuttle busses you can eliminate the hike back to the car. There aren’t many suitable places for camping in the area of the ridge. Unless you like sleeping in tight quarters on a slope. Enjoy the trip this is my favorite area to hike. Andy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thinking about heading to NH for the July 4th weekend and was wondering if it’s possible to do backcountry camping in the Franconia Notch area.  It seems like day hiking or staying overnight at established camp sites and huts is the only possibility (I would rather camp away from large groups).  I’m not familiar with the area and don’t know the terrain.  I would like to do the Mts.  Flume, Liberty, Lincoln, and Lafayette loop. Any ideas on where to stay would be appreciate.  Thanks.

Response:

Question:

Last week, before washing down the planes, I had a chance to go over some details on mine.  The left side static port was plugged, which I opened, and then pulled the lines and blew through them to make sure they were clear.  The vario reads a constant 100 fpm down, and has since I bought the plane.  I had hopes that maybe clearing this plugged port would help some, but never thought it would clear it up.  It did neither.  Today, sitting on the ground it reads 150 fpm down. The vario is a Winter, I believe, and there is no front or back panel screw adjust to zero it out.  If I’m right, to zero it would require pulling the glass, along with the 2 7/8 inch bezel ring, which I’m neither officially qualified nor really anxious to do.  Does anyone have any idea whether I just have a bad vario, or do I have a plugged line somewhere else in the circuit?  I did notice that the altimiter read 200 feet lower today than it was last week, which makes me believe something is plugged, somewhere.  Any suggestions, other than the obvious? Richard B. Before you buy.

Response:

What did you blow out the lines with? Compressed air, I hope. Then a shot of Lysol to keep fungus from growing. assa9

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Last week, before washing down the planes, I had a chance to go over some details on mine.  The left side static port was plugged, which I opened, and then pulled the lines and blew through them to make sure they were clear.  The vario reads a constant 100 fpm down, and has since I bought the plane.  I had hopes that maybe clearing this plugged port would help some, but never thought it would clear it up.  It did neither.  Today, sitting on the ground it reads 150 fpm down. The vario is a Winter, I believe, and there is no front or back panel screw adjust to zero it out.  If I’m right, to zero it would require pulling the glass, along with the 2 7/8 inch bezel ring, which I’m neither officially qualified nor really anxious to do.  Does anyone have any idea whether I just have a bad vario, or do I have a plugged line somewhere else in the circuit?  I did notice that the altimiter read 200 feet lower today than it was last week, which makes me believe something is plugged, somewhere.  Any suggestions, other than the obvious? Richard B. Before you buy.

Response:

What did you blow out the lines with? Compressed air, I hope. Then a shot of Lysol to keep fungus from growing.

Not too worried about that, they’re all going to be replaced next month anyhow.  What does bother me is that the error in the vario seems to change with the barometer.  This tells me that it’s not as simple as having the zero reset, and that replacement might be the cheapest answer.  If I’m correct, it’s original equipment and 25 years old, probably not worth sticking a lot of money in repairing. Richard. Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

Well I got and I like it. I sampled the local river water with it and survived.   Thanks for the feedback. ~R~ Before you buy.

Response:

Can’t say enough about my Pur Hiker- that thing is light and reliable and fairly inexpensive.  It isn’t a purifier- but there is a filter for their purifier that is a little more expensive that you can install in the Pur and voila. ccm

Response:

will crack and be useless. I have a Katadyn micro, and I expect it to last at least ten years or so. I know others that have the full sized ones, they’ve had them for fifteen years and are still counting.

I bought mine in 1985 and have never done anything to it other than to dry it out completely after hikes, and once a year I take it apart and clean it really well and lubricate the O-rings.  It is working just as well as it ever did.  Although the newer filters are a little easier to use, I never expect to buy another filter, unless something completely revolutionary comes along. njm "And I shouldn’t wonder," I said, for I was in thoughtful mood, "if even herrings haven’t troubles of their own."

Response:

In a word..NO.  I’ve spent several hundred on Katadyn filters…the mini and "pocket".  I eventually gave them both away. They are probably the best made filters out there, but they are such a pain to use that it isn’t worth it. Now I’m using the PUR Hiker. Much easier to use and the flow rate is much better.  Not as well made as the Katadyn, but you can buy 3 of them for the price of one Kat. Check out  http://outdoorreview.com/reviews/Water_Filters/ This should help you out. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have wanted one of these for many years but havent had the $$’s. Now that they have come down a little, it looks reasonable to purchase as a lifelong investment. Any comments on the Katadyn Filter would be appreciated Before you buy.

Response:

I have wanted one of these for many years but havent had the $$’s. Now that they have come down a little, it looks reasonable to purchase as a lifelong investment. Any comments on the Katadyn Filter would be appreciated

Which one? I’ve got a katadyn combi and I think it’ll last really long. The limiting factor will probably not be device life time but fashion and/or a completely new sterilisation principle. Greetings! Volker — Hi! I’m a signature virus! Copy me into your signature file to help me spread!

Response:

The Katadyn will last you. When you compare the cost per gallon, it beats just about any of them all to hell. There are  trade offs – It’s got an aluminum housing which makes it one of the heaviest filters around, The element is useless if it gets frozen when wet, it is NOT a purifier, It does not deliver the volume per stroke that any of the PURs do. I have the "Micro", I always carry Potable Aqua (and the neutralizer tablets as well) whenever I am using it. If the water looks or smells particularly poopie, I do the Iodine to be safe. I have friends who have the "Pocket" and they are working on fifteen years with the original elements still in them. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My stomping grounds range from Boundry Waters to the Suwannee river. I reside in Northern Indiana & wanted a good filter to last me a good 30 years or more without a need for replacement. I use a PUR voyager but which works just fine except for the Iodine flavoring. Before you buy.

Response:

Where you hiking it? If it’s in the States there are a lot cheaper ones that work just as well. mouser

Question:

i too store mine rolled up, i just make sure it’s dry when i roll it up.  i’ve had it for 5 years with no problems.  it still inflates like new, it feels like new, and i punish the thing all the time. afterall, aren’t they rolled up when you buy them?  who knows how long they have sat on a retailers self? jeff

Response:

My oldest one is stored folded in quarters.  Flat.  It still perks right up when I blow into it a bit and then let it breathe on its own for a while.  It’s somewhere around 10+ years.  When it stops working because of poor storage (oh, yeah, I leave it in the truck shell all year around, too), I’ll finally buy another one.  They’re remarkably sturdy and require very little care, though I suppose care would make them last longer and puff on their own more easily.  But I have house cats.   I stopped leaving much in the way of camping gear in the house years ago. I store mine tightly rolled up. I’ve had mine for more than 15 years, and they don’t show any ill effects. Don’t tell Janet Reno. I don’t want any swat teams bursting into the house to rescue abused camping gear.

—– rbc: vixen  (somewhat harmless) 0-0:  The artist formerly known as something else. I only answer my email every few months, on average.   Patience helps.   http://www.visi.com/~cyli

Response:

Mine are stored unrolled, under the bed.

   Good way to keep the cob webs down.    Ed Huesers    http://www.grandshelters.com

Response:

I store mine tightly rolled up. I’ve had mine for more than 15 years, and they don’t show any ill effects. Don’t tell Janet Reno. I don’t want any swat teams bursting into the house to rescue abused camping gear.

Response:

T-a-R recommends that the mattress be stored unrolled. I am building a room for all my hiking gear and I need some ideas about storing the mattresses anyone got any?.

Enough serious responses were posted so that I can begin my mischief. It’s fun to evacuate the air and roll up and compress the mattress at a high altitude and then drive down home to sea level and see how much more the roll is compressed. But reality bites all of us on the butt at times. The poly-chemical foams things like that are made of have a real lifetime that are most likely much shorter than the lifetimes of we people talking here. My first suggestion?  The mattresses are phenomenally useful. From the heaviest weight for car-campers to the lightest 3/4 length for backpackers. My second suggestion?  They are impermanent. They wear out. When one springs a leak, plug the leak.  When you can’t make the thing do what’s expected, throw it away and get another. And, yes … standing them upright uncompressed in the back of the closet is the best way to wring the most trips out of them.

Response:

Unrolled standing up/valves open in my clothes closet…

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – T-a-R recommends that the mattress be stored unrolled. I am building a room for all my hiking gear and I need some ideas about storing the mattresses anyone got any?. mouser "Two roads diverged in yellow wood and I…" Having nailed another landmark, set the Bezel ring for the next azimuth , with a deliberate offset to the left, crossed the road and quitily disappeared into the woods "Two roads diverged in yellow wood and I…" took the one not traveled by  "…and that, has made all the difference."

Response:

I have one closet in our spare room devoted to my "stuff". I use a shelf, way up high, to store my Therm-a-Rest on, as well as my misc. tent poles. I also went to a print shop and got a bunch of paper boxes (ones that hold 10 reams of paper), and these are great to cram stuff into. I have one for repair gear, one for winter stuff, one for crampons and ski boot thingies, one for cooking stuff, etc. I adjusted my shelving to the same height as these boxes. They work great, are plently sturdy, and you can always get more! Just be sure you label the ends, otherwise you will pull every one of them out looking for something — like I did until I wised up! Scott – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – T-a-R recommends that the mattress be stored unrolled. I am building a room for all my hiking gear and I need some ideas about storing the mattresses anyone got any?. mouser

Question:

Can only address #4 In Portland Look for Gritty McDuff’s (micro-brewery/pub) try the Black Fly Stout

Response:

I bet that stuff has quite a bite to it. . . .  A few of those and you’d really have a buzzzz on.  A few more and yer flyin’ high . . .

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Can only address #4 In Portland Look for Gritty McDuff’s (micro-brewery/pub) try the Black Fly Stout

Response:

Gary S. wrote Sea kayaking abounds all along the coast, including the Maine Island Trail, a series of campsites on the shore and islands. Picture a wet version of the AT.

The Maine Island Trail, unlike the AT, requires membership.  It’s not expensive, but due to increasing use I understand that membership cards are being checked more often.  It’s a great organization to support, even if you don’t plan to kayak the islands.  See www.mita.org Mark

Response:

Hello, My wife and I are planning a vacation in Maine for early September of 2000 and we could use some information.  We are planning on visiting Acadia, Bar Harbor, and Baxter/Katahdin.   We really interested in the outdoors (day hikes, photography, possibly sea kayaking, whale watching). Ok, here are our questions: 1) Any recommendations for other places (besides Acadia and Mt. Katahdin) to visit?

Maine has many possibilities, ranging from rocky shores to lakes to rivers to forests to mountains. You could probably spend a lifetime exploring Maine. Acadia N.P. on Mt. Desert Island is a great place, and the park includes 2 lesser traveled sections, the Isle au Haut and the Schoodic Peninsula. The coast north of Acadia is far less crowded than anyplace south of there. Hiking in other places includes Camden Hills, the eastern section of the White Mountain N.F., and the AT running from there up to Baxter through the area of Sugarloaf/Carrabasset Valley. See the AMC published Maine Mountain Guide. Sea kayaking abounds all along the coast, including the Maine Island Trail, a series of campsites on the shore and islands. Picture a wet version of the AT. Whale, puffin and seal watching outfitters are in the larger ports, especially Bar Harbor, Camden and Portland/Casco Bay. If you can’t find good views for photography in Maine, throw away the camera. September tends to have drier and cooler weather. I’ve done and led a number of trips to Maine, so feel free to email at the below if you have further questions. If you are more specific about accomodations and areas, I’ll steer you towards some possibilities. Happy trails, Gary I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately… HDT Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom

Response:

1) Any recommendations for other places (besides Acadia and Mt. Katahdin) to visit?

If you want to summit Katahdin, it helps to stay in Baxter.  If that’s not possible, you could stay in Millinocket and get up really really early. Steve Silberberg Visit the Air Sickness Bag Museum http://www.airsicknessbags.com/ FACT:  Buff Babes Dig Cut Dudes!

Response:

If you want to stay IN Baxter SP you should try to make reservation ASAP Reservations Clerk Baxter State Park 64 Balsam Dr. Millinocket ME 04462 (207) 723-5140 Reservations can not be made by phone but site availability can be determine by phone. If you’re coming in from MI you got to go thru NH and we have a lot of great hiking here. As for the BEER. If you are coming up on I-95 There is a great Brewery in Portsmouth NH, on Market St., the Smuttynose Brewery. Just off I-95 on NH route 16 at Portsmouth is the Redhook Brewery. it’s about 3 miles north of 95. Portland has a couple can’t recall there names. There’s another in the Caribou Valley, Somewhere around Mt Snow. (?) A little help here anyone? And if you are coming acoss MA, Boston has the Harpoon Berwery on Northern Ave. Not much of a tour but you can spend the afternoon drinking free beer. Harpoon is the 2nd largest producer in the East, only A-B is bigger, but they’ve got a great small berwery attitude. We were there a month ago. The "Tours" are given on friday and Sat. at 1:00. Northern Ave is also noted for if fresh seafood. There also Sam Adams, another great place to see. That should give you a start. mouser

Question:

If you choose to go this route, one thing I’d recommend is making an effort to find liners that aren’t black, at least for the main compartment of your pack: it makes it easier to see when you reach down into it to pull something out.  Some brands of "biohazard" bags used in research laboratories work well for this.

While I understand the efficiency of liners that aren’t black, it really isn’t a good idea to use bio-hazard bags for anything other than their use…They are that color for a purpose….sooner or later, you’ll discard it… do you really want a bag that is deliberately marked to indicate bio-hazard used for something else? If everyone does that, it won’t be long before some poor soul thinks it’s just "trash" and ends up getting a handfull of real bio-hazardous material (god forbid a sharps ends up in it) ? White trash bags will do the same thing, and eliminate the "labeling" confusion.

Response:

Quite frankly, by your tone, i could teach you a lot about respecting other people’s opinions!  I was a scout leader for 10 years and know, first hand, the dangers of hypothermia and ponchos.  the entire troop considered them kids toys. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – … Ponchos are about as useless a backpacking idea as you can get, suitable only for cub scouts.  A good rainproof jacket and pants are the best for rainy conditions. Rick … Rick, I travel in the Sierra and along the (rainy, windy) California Coast Range for weeks at a time in 3-season weather, when my only waterproof or windproof garments are a $20 military surplus camo poncho, a Colin’s kilt (garbage bag), and knee-high gaiters. The poncho is my shelter, as well. So, don’t even think of telling me what a poncho is worth in the hands of a capable backcountry traveler. "Useless" might better describe some users than some gear. What were you getting at with your Cub Scout reference? I, for one, protect children, teach them, and nurture them as forest people. I do not ridicule them nor take them out with inadequate gear. In fact, I have in mind one 6-year-old girl who evidently could teach you much about outdoor clothing. Please do not mislead newbies — whether Cub Scouts or inexperienced adults — for whatever your purpose might be. Simply put, you are talking about effectively using ponchos, and you manifestly don’t know about effectively using ponchos — that is, you don’t known what you are talking about. — Jeff ORBS Classifieds – Free outdoor classified ads    http://home.pacbell.net/orbs ORBS Escrow – Affordable safety for online buyers and sellers    http://home.pacbell.net/orbs/oe-homepage.html

Rick McCarthy – New Jersey NRA Life Member since 1968 NRA Certified Rifle & Pistol Instructor Association of NJ Rifle & Pistol Clubs – Member

Response:

Lemme see, what do I use? I usually pack all clothing and anything else that might have problems wet (some food, matches, etc.) in ZipLoc bags in my pack. Plastic Grocery bags also work well for packing larger items. I have used Glad Trash Bags as a pack cover, but finally broke down and bought a pack cover. I have had it close to ten years now and I have probably got my investment out of it (in terms of saving buying Glad trash bags each trip). I like having it, and if there is a hint of rain I throw it on anyway, in part because it helps keep branches from catching on webbing and other things. I would keep it on full-time, but it is a little of a hassle if I need access to that second water bottle, or to some Gorp. To be safe, though, I do carry one or two Glad bags with me, several grocery bags, and a couple of ZipLoc bags in reserve. One is always used as a trash bag, and the others tend to find various uses along the way. A couple of ounces of weight well worth it (including the time I fitted two other people in Glad ponchos and pack covers when they found themselves lacking – I had carried in enough to keep three people dry). — Hank Zimmerman maintains the comp.mail.eudora.mac FAQ It can be found at <http://www.ka.net/eudora/faqs/ The [Unofficial] Eudora Web Site can be found at <http://www.emailman.com/eudora/ (c) 2000 Hank Zimmerman

Response:

    I second (or third or fourth or whatever) the recommendation for the pack cover.  They vary in price, but I’d say above about $20 or $30 you’re mostly paying for fancy features like the hood on the Dana version (though I do like the Gregory cover…).  I’ve got a cheapo REI cover I bought for about $25.  Mine tends to get torn up a bit in a year or two, so I don’t spend a lot.  I carry an internal frame pack, and as a back up I line the inside with a trash-compactor bag (the thickest most abuse-taking bags made and somewhat expensive BTW), and also wrap my stuffed sleeping bag in another (it goes in a different compartement.  Roll it over good and the chances of things getting wet are slim (through pack cover, pack, trash-compactor bag, and stuff sacks) unless you go for an unintentional swim carrying your pack.     Another plus is that a rain cover makes a handy, stuffable tarp that’s easy to access and put away.  Great for sitting on in snow or after a rain has muddied a rest-stop or camp area (gaiters are good for this too, though they afford less room to sit).  It also makes a great staging spot to keep your stuff out of the mud/snow while breaking camp.  These uses will of course shorten the life of the cover, but buy a cheapish one and you won’t sweat it too much.     I also second the point about washing them – ruins ‘em quick.  Spritz it off with the hose if it needs cleaning and let it dry thoroughly before packing it away for a long time as mildew kills the laminate quickly as well (and makes it stinky!).     Have a great trip!! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m a newbie planning for some 2 week hikes this summer.  I want to be prepared for rain.  Most catalogs sell raincovers for packs.  Will any good, cheap cover serve adequately or should I match brand names?  Do I even need a raincover?  Thanks in advance. Evert Van Der Heide

Response:

I agree with the post about the appropriateness depending on where you are.   My story – in lots of mild rain, my cheap camptrails pack cover did great.  I have NOT had good experiences with ponchos protecting packs and I would not reccomend it. (Sinkyone Wilderness Calif, above the ocean, wind and rain whipping my poncho off my pack and me.  Bad idea).  The 10$ pack cover has done well. But… Once I was crossing a pass in Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies and there was a driving storm with vertical rain.  In these conditions, the pack cover was useless.  I was soaked to the bone and the stuff inside my pack started to soak too. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m a newbie planning for some 2 week hikes this summer.  I want to be prepared for rain.  Most catalogs sell raincovers for packs.  Will any good, cheap cover serve adequately or should I match brand names?  Do I even need a raincover?  Thanks in advance. Evert Van Der Heide

Response:

Most folk in the UK use waterproof liners in preference to external covers.  There are pros and cons to each way of doing things, but internal liners:

This is my preference, and it’s worked well for me in rainstorms in NH and the Cascades.  I line the main compartment of my pack with a trash bag, as well as the inside of my sleeping bag compression sack.  At night, when I’m in the sleeping bag, I put that bag over the outside of the backpack if it’s spending the night out in the rain. If you choose to go this route, one thing I’d recommend is making an effort to find liners that aren’t black, at least for the main compartment of your pack: it makes it easier to see when you reach down into it to pull something out.  Some brands of "biohazard" bags used in research laboratories work well for this. cheers: andy Before you buy.

Response:

Gentlemen, Lets take a moment to consider the obvious.  All these postings have turned into a blood match.  As we all know, opinions are like the anus…everyone has one, and they are all shaped differently!   Everyone who has commented on the advantages versus disadvantages of the poncho and trash bags have made valid points.  Lets consider the good and bad in all recommendations and learn from each posting.  This is why manufacturers sell a lot of different types of products…to make everyone happy.  What works for one person will invariably not work for another.  I have found that a poncho has worked for me in certain situations and not in others. This bickering has taken away from some of the obvious intended assistance in choice of waterproffing equipment. http://www.pristineventures.com/ Good luck to all, Larry Bartlett Author / Guide

Response:

I’m a newbie planning for some 2 week hikes this summer.  I want to be prepared for rain.  Most catalogs sell raincovers for packs.  Will any good, cheap cover serve adequately or should I match brand names?  Do I even need a raincover?  Thanks in advance.

Most folk in the UK use waterproof liners in preference to external covers.  There are pros and cons to each way of doing things, but internal liners: – allow you to compartmentalise wet and dry within your pack (so that nice   wet tent fly doesn’t soak your dry clothes) – allow you easier access to pockets/lashed gear on the pack – allow that nice tough pack to take the rough stuff rather than the   relatively fragile raincover Against them there is the issue of water the pack soaks up adding to the weight, though in practice with modern fabrics this isn’t much.  You just have to choose which issue is more important… Pete. — Peter Clinch                    University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637   Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177              Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK

Response:

But keeping the contents in the backpack dry isn’t the only concern.  If your pack absorbs water, your pack can weight one or more pounds heavier after it is soaked. a rain cover can help to reduce the over all weight. plus at the end of the day you can have the pack in your tent because it is dry. if you travel with the pack, the packcover helps to prevent the buckles and webbings from getting damaged during transportation. it has some anti-theft value since it maks the pack less conspicuous.

One other advantage of a packcover is that it is much more convenient to "separate" from your pack periodically during an all day rain.  I suppose a heavy duty trash bag would suffice for this.  

Response:

Uhhhh, I hate to get in the middle of a developing flamefest between Rick and Jeff on the values of ponchos.  But, I have to agree with Jeff in that I’ve had many (30+) years of successful poncho use out here in California…and don’t use/need a cover (the poncho suffices) We don’t get much summer rain in the Sierra Nevada and Trinities/Siskiyous, but when we’ve been out in the rain, ponchos have sufficed for us (and my wife is of an age where she won’t accept much discomfort or any hypothermia.)  We tend to use strategies like stopping in forested areas ’til the rain stops or setting up a tent and waiting for the rain to stop (which it usually does in a half-hour, though we’ve holed up for more than a day on a number of occasions.)  The ponchos keep us dry enough ’til we find tree/tent shelter. When we go to areas with more serious rain potential (Pacific Northwest, Rockies, Canada) we take more heavy duty rain gear (rainsuits and packcovers) with the attendant weight penalty (also switch down for fiber bags and load up on polypro, tarps, etc….all with weight penalties but worth it in these envirs). Rick, Jeff clearly suggested that perhaps you didn’t know how to *effectively* use ponchos (not that you hadn’t had unsuccessful experiences.)  The obvious question for Jeff–since he’s had successes–is "how do you effectively use a poncho?"  Then we could all learn something. I have a sneaking suspicion that Rick/Jeff’s differences of opinion have to do with the weather they encounter in their respective regions.  (Although, as a local I know if Jeff does a lot of backpacking in Calif’s Coast Range, that he’s seen a lot of rain; much more than the Sierra Nevada.  But, it’s rarely very cold–say much under 50–because it’s close to the Pacific and not too high.)             Regards to all,    Chuck

Response:

Do you need a raincover?  Yes, unless you can guarantee that it will never rain in any of those two week periods.  For the couple of ounces it weighs, it’s not worth doing without it. You can use any old brand that fits your pack; there’s nothing special about them. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m a newbie planning for some 2 week hikes this summer.  I want to be prepared for rain.  Most catalogs sell raincovers for packs.  Will any good, cheap cover serve adequately or should I match brand names?  Do I even need a raincover?  Thanks in advance. Evert Van Der Heide

Response:

I appreciate your "expertise" in these matters and I’m sure your jerry-rigged equipment work very well, but in my 30 + years of backpacking, i have found ponchos to be useless for rain and wind protection.  Try a poncho in the whites and you will see whhat i mean.  I also have a military poncho…as a ground cloth is is great, but give me a rain suit any day…at least in my experience. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – … Ponchos are about as useless a backpacking idea as you can get, suitable only for cub scouts.  A good rainproof jacket and pants are the best for rainy conditions. Rick … Rick, I travel in the Sierra and along the (rainy, windy) California Coast Range for weeks at a time in 3-season weather, when my only waterproof or windproof garments are a $20 military surplus camo poncho, a Colin’s kilt (garbage bag), and knee-high gaiters. The poncho is my shelter, as well. So, don’t even think of telling me what a poncho is worth in the hands of a capable backcountry traveler. "Useless" might better describe some users than some gear. What were you getting at with your Cub Scout reference? I, for one, protect children, teach them, and nurture them as forest people. I do not ridicule them nor take them out with inadequate gear. In fact, I have in mind one 6-year-old girl who evidently could teach you much about outdoor clothing. Please do not mislead newbies — whether Cub Scouts or inexperienced adults — for whatever your purpose might be. Simply put, you are talking about effectively using ponchos, and you manifestly don’t know about effectively using ponchos — that is, you don’t known what you are talking about. — Jeff ORBS Classifieds – Free outdoor classified ads    http://home.pacbell.net/orbs ORBS Escrow – Affordable safety for online buyers and sellers    http://home.pacbell.net/orbs/oe-homepage.html

Rick McCarthy – New Jersey NRA Life Member since 1968 NRA Certified Rifle & Pistol Instructor Association of NJ Rifle & Pistol Clubs – Member

Response:

Evert, Newbie or not, you must learn things either the hard way or from someone who has learned it the hard way.  I’ve used both, comercial Backpack covers and Glad trash bags.  If you go with a manufactured cover…take care of it. DO NOT WASH–ever!  It breaks down the laminant coating.  If you use Trash bags…go with Hefty "Steel Sack"  They are vertually invaluable. Another must-do is to secure your clothing inside 1 gallon-sized Zioplock freezer bags.  These bags will add weight to your pack, but the dryness is worth the effort and hassle.  Double your protection in case one fails. Trust me on this one.  I’ve spent hundreds of days and thousands of hours in inclement weather and I’ve stayed dry thus far. http://www.pristineventures.com/ Good luck my friend, Larry Bartlett Author / Guide

Response:

There’s nothing worst then on day 2 getting everthing in your pack wet, OK short of having a bear eat all your food on day 2. I carry one and pull it out at the first sign of bad weather. I have a cover made by Dana Design that covers the pack and your head also. Many times that’s all I need. If you are in an area where you get rain buy one. mouser

Question:

Your filter will probably be OK for your intended use on a future trip.  Be SURE you know how to clean the filter cartridge as it will almost certainly clog in a trip of that duration and more likely will do so several times.  I’ve had trips where I cleaned the cart on every other quart (shallow desert pools, and silty glacial streams / ponds) and others where I finished a trip without ever cleaning the filter (mostly clear mountain streams in the appalachians).  It varies tremendously based on water conditions.  Most filter carts – with periodic cleaning – are good for a few 100 gal, though of course "mileage" does vary a LOT.  As suggested before – try adding one of those "silt-stoppers" to the intake line (the sweetwater silt-stopper will work just fine on an MSR filter) and ALWAYS bring a back up (iodine)!  Have a great trip. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I recently purchased a Waterworks II filter.  I used it on some of my tap/well water and the ceramic core turned a bit reddish with iron.  This raised a question for me.  How much use can I expect of this filter?  Will it be sufficient for three people on a 10 day excursion in Maine?  Will the ceramic filter clog quickly?  Thanks for any help. Evert Van Der Heide MSR WaterWorks… I am a novice backpacker in the market for a water purifier. I don’t need anything too elaborate as my trips will mostly be weekenders in the local So. Ca. mountains. Ease of use and ,of course, weight are key considerations. Any suggestions or advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,Erin

Response:

I recently purchased a Waterworks II filter.  I used it on some of my tap/well water and the ceramic core turned a bit reddish with iron.  This raised a question for me.  How much use can I expect of this filter?  Will it be sufficient for three people on a 10 day excursion in Maine?  Will the ceramic filter clog quickly?  Thanks for any help. Evert Van Der Heide – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – MSR WaterWorks… I am a novice backpacker in the market for a water purifier. I don’t need anything too elaborate as my trips will mostly be weekenders in the local So. Ca. mountains. Ease of use and ,of course, weight are key considerations. Any suggestions or advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,Erin

Response:

I’ll throw in another vote for the MSR ( I have the Mini works – which BTW has recently been on sale).  Like other posters, I strongly recommend iodine treatments be carried always, either as backup ti a filter when you carry one, or as your primary treatement means.  I generally see filters as a nicety – good for larger groups or long trips, but generally excess baggage on weekend trips and dayhikes (though if you buy a filter or purifier you may wish to take it on a couple of shorter trips to get the an idea how to deal with it before relying on it on a longer trip).  IMO, purifiers are BS.  I know the mfrs are pretty reputable, but the short exposure time to iodine in a purifier with such a stage seems dubious to me.  Traditional iodine post-treatment using normal iodine tabs or my personal favorite – Polar Pure – strikes me as more effective.  MOST areas in the US require either iodine or filtration, but not both.  (though some water sources may call for both in the average person’s judgement – I’ve gotten water out of some ugly looking places).     I once owned a Sweetwater, and while I thought it a good filter, came to replace it with an MSR for a couple of reasons:  1)  the filter area (MSRs filter outside-in) is larger on an MSR than the Sweetwater (filters inside-out) which in my experience has meant fewer clogs  2) the MSR "relief" valve that vents off excess pressure when the filter media begins to clog rejects water back down the input hose rather than squirting it all over your hand (most annoying in cold weather, but I understand that the relief vent has now been repositioned on newer Guardians)  3)the MSRs are designed to screw directly onto a Nalgene (wide mouth) bottle or MSR dromedary bag.  I may be wrong about this, but I believe MSR was the first co. to do this and IMO it is a great convenience (one less hose to deal with, no need to balance the water bottle / ensure the hose is inside while pumping).  I know other cos. now do this too and may have done it earlier to MSR.  The "adapter" on the end of an output hose ala Sweetwater and some PURs is an inferior design in my experience.  This screw-on feature is truly an advantage only if you carry such wide-mouthed water containers as mentioned above, so I realize it isn’t a panacea for all users. Note that MSRs can be equipped with an output hose if that really is necessary for odd sized containers with little effort or expense.     A point to consider is this:  virtually all filters and purifiers clog in normal use, and do so fairly regularly.  (Some PURs tend to be less prone to this, but I’ve heard – unsubstantiated mind you – claims that their filter media is somewhat more permissive than others).  As such, find yourself a filter that is easily serviceable in the field, without special tools and lots of parts (MSRs do BTW have a few small parts and seals that can be lost if you’re not careful – a definite downside but not one I’ve had trouble with, YET).  This pretty much goes for ALL backcountry gear. IMO, the best gear is not that which rarely fails, but that which rarely fails AND can be readily repaired with a minimum of effort, expertise, and special tools when that rare instance does occur (Murphy’s law ain’t just some cliche you know!)     Another caveat is that you should be sure to treat your filter with care – dry out the media (filter cartridge) at room temp for several days after each trip to prevent mildew and other nasty stuff from forming during long periods of storage.  And backflush the crud filter/screen and intermediate filter (where applicable) at home when you return.     Bottom line: there are few filters or purifiers by major mfrs (Sweetwater, PUR, MSR are perhaps the most popular of the truly reputable brands) that will not meet your needs – I expect if you truly have a need for one and are willing to deal with the increased "fussiness" associated with backcountry water filtration (as opposed to iodine), you should find that filters from any of these makers will treat you well for many years. Expect to spend about $10 for Polar-pure or some other iodine treatment (buy this first if you don’t already have it and are not somehow medically excluded of drinking iodized water), around $50-75 for the average filter. Oh, and if you can spend the extra money go ahead and invest in filter spare parts / repair kits if they are available as they’re helpful for repairs/maintenance either at home or on the trail if you choose to carry them and may contain handy parts that may not be easy to find when newer models come out in the years that follow!  Good luck! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a novice backpacker in the market for a water purifier. I don’t need anything too elaborate as my trips will mostly be weekenders Erin,    Haven’t seen any other posters mention the problem I had.    Bought a First Need pump, years ago, and I am sure the filters are better now. I used it once and then due to the fact that my partner had a better filter [easier to use], I didn’t use mine for a few years and it was plugged the next time I tried it. I think some kind of fungus grew on the filter which must have plugged it.    My partner has one of those filters you scrub to get the filter working again. Seems to work great.    Ed Huesers    http://www.grandshelters.com

Response:

Probably bacteria grew in it.  Sweetwater’s directions are to pump dilute bleach through the filter occasionally.  Then you air dry it for a day ot two.  Finally, you throw it in the freezer.  Al this is to prevent clogging from the bateria you  filter out from multiplying. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a novice backpacker in the market for a water purifier. I don’t need anything too elaborate as my trips will mostly be weekenders Erin,    Haven’t seen any other posters mention the problem I had.    Bought a First Need pump, years ago, and I am sure the filters are better now. I used it once and then due to the fact that my partner had a better filter [easier to use], I didn’t use mine for a few years and it was plugged the next time I tried it. I think some kind of fungus grew on the filter which must have plugged it.    My partner has one of those filters you scrub to get the filter working again. Seems to work great.    Ed Huesers    http://www.grandshelters.com

– Jeff Wilson "And now these three remain; faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love." …… Seek harmony and balance in the mountains. Find harmony and balance within…..

Response:

I’ve had a Sweetwater Guardian and liked it but the handle broke. I talk with a couple of thru hikers on the AT who had problems with their Purs to the point they both had to ship them back.  I bought an MSR Miniworks and I like it a lot. The MSR filters from the outside in, the Guardian filters from the inside out, the difference is ease of cleaning. With the MSR you clean it with a scouring pad. The Guardian you need a special brush Sweetwater does have a little prefilter called a Silt Stopper 2 that connects into the suction line that filter out all the big junk so that it doesn’t get to your primary filter, keeping it cleaner. You can clean the silt stopper by pulling off the suction line at the pump and blowing the water in it back thru the prefilter. WHATEVER pump you get get a silt stopper. Also whatever pump you buy bring Iodine as a back up. mouser

Question:

I’m so excited about my piercing I just had to share it with ya’ll! My original appointment was at Bodymind in Atlanta (Little Five Points). When the piercer, Tom, looked at the 18k gold pink CZ bezel ring, he told me it wouldn’t work because it wouldn’t clamp back together after he opened it, which would be dangerous for me.  I went across the street to Junkman’s Daughter and purchased a 14k gold captive bead ring and went back to Bodymind for my piercing.  Tom began to inspect and mark the area and he told me he didn’t feel comfortable doing the piercing because my hood is very small and he felt it wouldn’t take.  Very dissappointed, I left and went back to Junkman’s Daughter.  I decided to get a second opinion from the owner, piercer there, Dana.  She agreed that my hood was too small for the 7/16 diameter 14 gauge ring that I had purchased but she said that a smaller ring would do fine.  So, I traded that ring in for a 14k gold captive bead ring 3/8 diameter 14 gauge.  She prepared the area and had me hold my labia open while she put the clamp on my hood.  Then she did the piercing with the needle.  The pain was very sharp and intense but the worst part only lasted about five seconds.  I jerked a little but it really wasn’t that bad.  Then she put the ring in which took about 30 seconds.  This part hurt too but not nearly as bad as the needle.  After that, she put the bead in place and I was done.  Honestly, I only felt a very slight stinging immediately afterwards.  Dana gave me cleaning and care instructions to follow until it completely heals and told me to call her if I had any problems or questions. Within a few hours I had no pain whatsoever.  That night, I cleaned the area with Dial Antibactial Liquid Soap by moving the ring with the soap on it back and forth then rinsing with running water.  After that, I soaked in a warm bath with Sea Salt.  She told me to clean the area twice a day with the soap and soak in the Sea Salt every night until it’s healed.  Because my hood is rather small and there is a slight possibility that it won’t take, I am going to follow her instructions precisely.  I love my new little secret and I want to make sure it keeps.  Looking back on the experience now, I have no regrets and the small amount of pain was definately worth it! Thanks for reading! ~Robin

Response:

Congratulations, Robin! Happy healing, and may it bring you years of happiness.         — Andria —         "In walked trouble — blonde, as usual."

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m so excited about my piercing I just had to share it with ya’ll! My original appointment was at Bodymind in Atlanta (Little Five Points). When the piercer, Tom, looked at the 18k gold pink CZ bezel ring, he told me it wouldn’t work because it wouldn’t clamp back together after he opened it, which would be dangerous for me.  I went across the street to Junkman’s Daughter and purchased a 14k gold captive bead ring and went back to Bodymind for my piercing.  Tom began to inspect and mark the area and he told me he didn’t feel comfortable doing the piercing because my hood is very small and he felt it wouldn’t take.  Very dissappointed, I left and went back to Junkman’s Daughter.  I decided to get a second opinion from the owner, piercer there, Dana.  She agreed that my hood was too small for the 7/16 diameter 14 gauge ring that I had purchased but she said that a smaller ring would do fine.  So, I traded that ring in for a 14k gold captive bead ring 3/8 diameter 14 gauge.  She prepared the area and had me hold my labia open while she put the clamp on my hood.  Then she did the piercing with the needle.  The pain was very sharp and intense but the worst part only lasted about five seconds.  I jerked a little but it really wasn’t that bad.  Then she put the ring in which took about 30 seconds.  This part hurt too but not nearly as bad as the needle.  After that, she put the bead in place and I was done.  Honestly, I only felt a very slight stinging immediately afterwards.  Dana gave me cleaning and care instructions to follow until it completely heals and told me to call her if I had any problems or questions. Within a few hours I had no pain whatsoever.  That night, I cleaned the area with Dial Antibactial Liquid Soap by moving the ring with the soap on it back and forth then rinsing with running water.  After that, I soaked in a warm bath with Sea Salt.  She told me to clean the area twice a day with the soap and soak in the Sea Salt every night until it’s healed.  Because my hood is rather small and there is a slight possibility that it won’t take, I am going to follow her instructions precisely.  I love my new little secret and I want to make sure it keeps.  Looking back on the experience now, I have no regrets and the small amount of pain was definately worth it! Thanks for reading! ~Robin

 I got my belly button done yest.

Response:

Congratulations Robin! Was it a horizontal hood pierce?  (I’m guessing based on the clamps, as I don’t think verticals are clamped). good luck for a trouble-free healing!  I just got my triangle done, so I’ll be going through similar things for the next several weeks. ~~~~~ (healing vibes heidi — __  __  _____ ______  ___   ______    |__ |    |_     |     |      |     http://www.cae.wisc.edu/~heidi      |      |    |     |  |    |    

Response:

Thanks Heidi! It’s been a week now, and I still love it….yes, I got a Horizontal….my piercer suggested a verticle since my hood is small….but i was set on horizontal….i may get a verticle though in a few months….i know i’m not healed yet, but i am having no complications whatsoever and feel as though it’s healed : ) Congratulations on your triangle!! is that your first genital pierce? do you love it? Happy healing to you too : ) ~Robin

Response:

Congratulations on your triangle!! is that your first genital pierce? do you love it?

thanks.  No, it’s my third genital pierce actually, but the only one there at the moment.  I had a horizontal that was never functional and that I took out a few months ago (planning to get a vertical eventually), and a triangle that migrated out of position and that I took out a few weeks before having it redone. Happy healing to you too : )

danke!  so far so good.  quite a bit of swelling, but as I recall that took weeks to go down completely last time.   heidi — __  __  _____ ______  ___   ______    |__ |    |_     |     |      |     http://www.cae.wisc.edu/~heidi      |      |    |     |  |    |    

Response: