So I lashed out on some gear...

Bushwalking gear and paraphernalia. Electronic gadget topics (inc. GPS, PLB, chargers) belong in the 'Techno Babble' sub-forum.
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TIP: The online Bushwalk Inventory System can help bushwalkers with a variety of bushwalk planning tasks, including: Manage which items they take bushwalking so that they do not forget anything they might need, plan meals for their walks, and automatically compile food/fuel shopping lists (lists of consumables) required to make and cook the meals for each walk. It is particularly useful for planning for groups who share food or other items, but is also useful for individual walkers.

So I lashed out on some gear...

Postby quill » Mon 29 Jun, 2015 11:53 pm

Some may recall a thread I began in April looking for advice on a new tent (viewtopic.php?f=15&t=19700) - thanks for all the responses! Everyone was really helpful. This was in anticipation for winning a scholarship and happily that came through last week. So, after paying a bunch of rent and various other whatnots, decided I'd had enough of sketchy gear and lashed out on a bunch of expensive equipment (toys), something I very, very rarely do. :shock: So, I thought I'd take advantage of the situation and show off the haul! :D

First I bagged an REI Half Dome 2 tent (2.2kg) - the horizontal brow pole neatly solves the main issue with dome tents, ie limited headroom. It's also very generously sized at 248cm x 142cm, with two vestibules as well. They've been making it for years and reviews are almost universally positive. I've ordered some Tyvek off Bushwalk.com's Allchin for a groundsheet - it was good to find it on sale by the metre right here on Bushwalk.com.

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As for the bag, I had my heart set on a down bag and sleep *very* warm, so a Sea to Summit TK1 (0C, 830g) should be right for most four-season conditions on the mainland. With an EN male rating of 0C I'm confident I'd be totally fine down to -2C. Plus it's nothing to bring an extra fleece if it looks like it's going to dive much below that, so I'm more or less set unless I cross Bass Strait after June. I like this one because it's wide at the foot (can't stand mummy bags) and has a flat hood as I generally don't use them and just cinch the bag across my collarbones. Also got a silk liner, because a down bag is an investment which should last at least 10 years with careful treatment. Mat is a 20mm CCF job - I sleep absolutely fine on them.

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I had no idea about a cookset but then found the MSR Alpine Stowaway pot (440g). Okay, I found a random Thai stowaway pot at Aussie Disposals, bought it, looked online and saw the MSR Alpine (made in Thailand...) was the precise exact same pot. Score. I love the wider bottom to allow for frying etc, and at 1.1L it is the perfect diameter for my metho stove. It also has a nifty foldaway handle which straps over the lid and clamps down for a near-watertight sealed storage unit. Inside fits the metho stove, pot-stand (an Esbit fold-up pot stand is great, the stove even nests within), cutlery, windscreen and fuel as well as tea/sugar and a Chux/scourer etc. Plus the lid can be used as a frypan with a pot gripper, or a small plate anytime. Stainless steel, I've read reports of them lasting 15 years.

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I was excited to find this nifty little light (180g) - I dislike harsh direct beams in the tent and usually shine a headlamp into a white shopping bag as a hobo diffuser, but this collapsible lamp is spring-loaded with a nylon fabric diffuser built in. Open it up, extend and turn it on. 1W LED will like the tent up like Christmas for 36 hours off 3 x AA.

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I also bought a 7" tab and power bank (400g combined), because a small luxury I always enjoy is curling up in the middle of nowhere and watching a movie (especially when it's cold and raining). I never fail to marvel how technology makes that feasible, plus the tab has offline GPS as a navigation backup.

So I'm sweating on the mailbox (also on holidays right now and love winter camping haha). My pack has dropped some 2.5kg and I'm interested to see how better quality gear affects the subjective experience of bushwalking - lord knows it's much more expensive but is it *that* much better? I look forward to finding out. My first outing once I get everything will be on the Heysen Trail in SA... any suggestions for a 3-4 day hike? :mrgreen:
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Re: So I lashed out on some gear...

Postby wayno » Tue 30 Jun, 2015 4:45 am

good stuff on the gear choices and weight savings..
from the land of the long white clouds...
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Re: So I lashed out on some gear...

Postby quill » Wed 01 Jul, 2015 12:11 am

Thanks Wayno - I hope to make it to the Shaky Isles soon and get some tramping done, also look forward to visiting Tasmania. You're lucky to live in NZ - SA has some stunning scenery but it's mostly just flat and hot.

I chose this kit to be able to take me to places like Tas and NZ eventually, with the exception of the sleeping bag but a -5C would have been overkill for 95 per cent of the intended application. Bushwalking is a fine pastime to have but as with any pastime, good equipment increases enjoyment.
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Re: So I lashed out on some gear...

Postby wayno » Wed 01 Jul, 2015 4:23 am

wear more clothes to bed for the colder nights
from the land of the long white clouds...
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Re: So I lashed out on some gear...

Postby ErichFromm » Wed 01 Jul, 2015 4:11 pm

Wow. Quite a haul, lots of goodies... Hope you have a trip planned soon to try them all out.
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Re: So I lashed out on some gear...

Postby quill » Thu 02 Jul, 2015 2:36 am

I live near the Heysen Trail so all I need is the tent to arrive (4 weeks!) and we'll be in business. :)
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