Thoughts on some new gear

[Pac8541]

As I sit here late tonight, sipping my favorite scotch whisky and going through photos (again) of my recent fall fishing trip to the San Juans, I find myself contemplating a lot of the equipment that is new to me this year. I posted photos and a brief trip report in the "Fishing" forum and included a gear list. Most of that was new this year, purchased after identifying shortcomings from last year's trip and my late hunt last Nov. I've been gearing up for both trips again this year, all year long. I was fortunate to draw the same hunt again this Nov and used this fishing trip as a shakedown run for living out of a tent again about a month from now.

 

This is not intended as a review, as if I'm someone special. I'm not. Just a regular blue collar guy who chooses to prioritize his wants/needs according to my budget and how much time I have to save for each adventure. But, my hope here is that anyone on the fence about a piece of gear that I've taken a risk on will hopefully find this helpful before dropping a big chunk of hard earned money. Not many of us see it flowing like water.

 

Kifaru Supertarp:

I've been a Kifaru guy for a very long time. Used their packs in combat 10 yrs ago, took one through multiple military and police schools over the years, and trust their products without question. I've wanted to try a floorless shelter having never done so before so this year I pulled the trigger. In a word: spectacular. While I sacrificed some headroom over my 2 person Black Diamond tent, I came to realize the amount I enjoyed in the tent was roughly equal to what I get out of the Supertarp; its just all at one end. I'm not a big/tall guy: 508 and 170lbs. I still found my head brushing the fabric in the ST on a regular basis. Even though all the headroom is at the door end, the amount of interior space has probably quadrupled over my tent. The actual amount of square footage in a ST depends on how you pitch it. I pitched my all the way to the ground every night because it was a bit cold and there was rain in the forecast just about every afternoon. With the canyons I was in, I wanted the protection from channeled wind. My final 3 nights were at 10200' and exposed. The winds I experienced there were nothing short of epic. I left my wind meter at home but I'd estimate sustained 30+ mph with gusts to 50. Other than it pushing through where the annex meets the side of the tarp (where there is no attachment between the 2 anyway), I was completely secure inside and had no collapsing or billowing inside. And this is with it pitched with the annex windward. I didn't stake at every loop hoping to get some ventilation. That worked for the most part but I still got condensation inside. I'm not sure that's entirely avoidable unless I pitch the edges well off the ground. Seam sealed the whole deal prior to leaving and apparently I did a good job because nothing got in. I was particularly amazed at how fast and easily it went up. Finding a flat enough and large enough piece of ground took far more time than pitching. The annex (doorway) is pretty awesome in that its not an integral part of the shelter. This allows you to leave it behind if you don't need it. But, the opening is still pretty small particularly since the whole thing needs a pole or stick to support that end of the tent. Crawling in and out is still required and feels cramped. If I were to add a stove to this equation that would restrict entry/exit to one side of the tarp. I found this issue the most noticeable of any possible downfalls in its use.

 

Pros: super light weight, highly versatile, VERY stable in the wind, totally waterproof, very simple and easy to pitch quickly. FYI: the Supertarp, annex, bivy sack, and 10 stakes all fit nicely in a large Kifaru belt pouch.

Cons: Condensation is guaranteed if pitched to the ground, limited headroom, door feels a bit small with a pole supporting the tent in the center of the opening, still requires crawling into and out of.

 

Kifaru Argali pack, Guide Lid, and Duplex Hunting frame:

This purchase was an upgrade from last year where I ran a last gen duplex frame and Nomad pack. I wanted something simpler and less strappy and this pretty much hit the proverbial nail squarely. Its a big pack with 7000cu.in. inside but I found last Aug during another backpack fishing trip that I needed every cubic inch of what the Nomad had to offer when packing waders and boots. This was the tipping point for me in the Argali vs. the Markhor. Its lightweight relative to other Kifaru bags but with that comes sacrifice and compromise. The Argali is a downsized seabag: no zippers, pouches, or slots. Its a top-loader only which wasn't a big deal to me having been a Marine my whole life and living out of a seabag for extended periods of time. The top of the bag closes with a drawstring but has buckles sewn in to fold over and use as a lid. The compression straps are very well designed in that they don't compress the front of the bag so much as the sides. Compression across the front still happens but by placing the buckles along the sides of the frame, it allows me to capture fly rod tubes and trekking poles without it affecting the whole bag as much. Well thought out, rugged, and very functional. Not much more I can ask of a backpack.

The Guide Lid was a tough decision for me. I didn't think I would need an additional 1200cu.in. over the Argali but, man am I glad I did. This thing made the perfect day pack for a day's long hike from one part of a river to the next. It held my rain gear, lunch, and a full sized nalgene bottle every time I wandered off. Whatever empty space existed in it while on my pack was sucked up by the vertical compression straps that secured the lid. Very versatile and probably the best decision I made with regard to the overall pack configuration.

Had the previous generation Duplex frame with the Nomad, this version is an improvement. I don't know that its that much better than an older generation to warrant replacement, but it is better. The torso pads are a bit softer and more comfortable over the long haul. The ability to move the load lifters will, I'm sure, prove to be a benefit although for this trip it wasn't necessary. Shoulder strap adjustment for torso length is much easier than previous models. The belt fits like they all have: outstanding. I don't believe there is a better frame for hauling weight than this one but admittedly, I have no experience with Kuiu, Stone Glacier, or any of the other high end hunting packs. I just don't know how it could get better.

 

Pros: Argali - Less expensive relative to other Kifaru bags, enormous capacity, light weight, simple design, integral lid, great side compression straps. Guide Lid - great versatility, very useful design, good fit and lines that compliment the pack, not too big. Duplex Hunting Frame - More comfortable than previous generations, unmatched load hauling ability, best belt in the business, modular and able to adapt to different missions.

Cons: Argali - top loader only, at 7000cu.in. you might be tempted to fill the whole thing regardless of trip requirements. Guide Lid - on the verge of too much volume, physically large and can overpower a smaller pack or half-filled larger pack. Duplex Hunting Frame - expensive, heavier than other options.

 

Borah Gear Snowyside bivy:

Picked this up because I was paranoid about condensation with my down bag. Its fully waterproof on one side, eVent fabric on the other. Zips across the width then down one side a couple feet. The first couple nights I put my sleeping pad inside but slept on top of the bivy, figuring I could slip inside if necessary. The rest of the trip I put the bag inside and used the bivy the way its supposed to be used. Totally loved this thing. Its super light, totally waterproof on the bottom, and uses the current front runner in breathability on its top. It was very comfortable and added a few degrees to the warmth of my bag. There were nights it got into the 20's and that was a big benefit, even with a 12* bag. I asked a bunch of questions via email with John at Borah Gear and he was super helpful and got it to me within 2 weeks of ordering. The bivy is long and wide even though I ordered the regular sized bag. My sleeping pad was swimming in it and slid around a lot. While I may try doing something with velcro to affix the pad to the bivy in the future, it was also nice to have the room inside with my sleeping bag to bend my knees and move around. I found that staking the bivy to the ground prevented some of the bivy's migration throughout the night. Stitching is first rate but I did manage to split one seam in a very minor fashion when trying to move the whole thing while I was inside. No big deal, I think anything would have suffered the same damage based on the way I was scooting around.

 

Pros: Super light weight, decent price relative to other options, good value given the event fabric when compared to others using the same, zero condensation inside the bivy, zero leakage or wet through on the bottom, GREAT customer service.

Cons: Slippery inside and out causing both pad to slide around inside and bag to migrate throughout the night, zipper pulls are super small requiring 550 cord to make it more convenient.

 

Firstlite Corrugate Guide Pants and Dobson Aerowool boxers:

The only thing I didn't like about the pants, at least initially, was the color. I was stuck with the pine color because tan was sold out and I didn't want camouflage. Unless I'm in the woods, I feel a bit silly wearing this color. Its super green; not at all an olive drab or ranger green. If I lay down in center field I'm gonna look legless. LOVE the pocket layout. The cargo pockets on each leg were awesome and secure. I'm truly a 32x30 but generally like my pants a bit long and ordered the medium size. The fit was pretty much perfect allowing it to stack on my boots a bit, not ride up to my calf while climbing, yet stay out of the water/mud when walking. Very good stretch in the fabric and water beads off it too. Temperature-wise I can see these getting a bit warm in higher temps. They were thicker than I expected but with highs in the 60's the week I was there, I never found them sweaty. Summer time in Phx I'd say these are a no-go. The hand pockets are deep which keeps things from falling out. And style is pretty bad a$$; when I get a tan pair or 2 I'll pretty much be wearing these nonstop.

Dobson boxers - I bought these in a size small after hearing all the negativity about mediums (which is my normal size) being too big in the butt and legs. I wear boxer briefs for a reason and its not to have them feel like true boxers. My junk sticking to my leg constantly is annoying as heck. The small fit me perfectly. As previously mentioned, my waist is roughly a 32 and I'm neither built like a powerlifter nor a marathoner in the thighs. I'm pretty average. Downsizing proved to be the right move. Plenty of stretch will accommodate whatever changes my body goes through over the next year or more. The Aerowool fabric is fantastic, better than the Red Desert boxer in my opinion. Its lighter weight and dries faster.

 

Wilderness Athlete:

I used these products for the first time this trip and selected the Hydrate and Recover and Energy and Focus drink mixes along with Altitude Advantage. I'm no stranger to nutritional supplements and most have more than a little skepticism attached to them from my perspective. I was absolutely blown away by the difference these made. I have never felt the same energy levels, sustained output, and daily recovery like I have with these products. I felt better throughout the day and through each night than I ever have before. Totally sold on them. Not only did I have more energy but my legs felt noticeably stronger from one day to the next. It tastes great so I drank more water, more frequently. And due to that, my deuces didn't feel like I was trying to birth a dusty softball every time I squatted. I actually stayed regular during 8 days on the road! The fact that they're a local company makes a difference to me and I met with and had some long conversations with the people at their business before purchasing. Great crew up there: honest, humble, truly invested in their product and how it performs. And I love their name. Other companies in this niche, whom I won't name, may have equally good products and this may not be rocket science but I don't care for company names that appear to capitalize on a certain cool factor associated with badassedness in an entirely different environment. One that they obviously have no experience in. Or, maybe I'm unfairly making assumptions. Whatever. I dig the Wilderness Athlete stuff and will be using it continuously from now on.

 

DeLorme inReach Explorer:

Last Sept I was 9 miles up a canyon when I took a header over the handlebars of my bike, with a 30lb pack on and on single track along the edge of very steep slope. Had I not landed exactly the way I did, I'd have tumbled catastrophically about 200' to the river and wound up far worse off than the mouse I got under my right eye. It was at that moment that I realized that my personal survival is actually important, not only to me but to my wife and 7 kids. I bought the DeLorme specifically with that in mind. I am by no means an expert in this device having only used it these 8 days but it provided a means of communication previously impossible. The peace of mind for both my wife and I was worth the cost. It allowed me to let her know where I was and how I was doing, inform a safety net of friends in the event I crashed and burned, and provided the ability to text from locations completely devoid of cell service during nerve wracking weather. My buddies followed my track when I wanted them to and were able to accompany me to a small degree. It was comforting to know I had these capabilities and somewhat lessened the consequences of taking minor risks. I was considering the Spot previously, glad I waited and picked this up.

 

Ross Colorado LT fly reel:

Certainly not hunting related but I know there's a bunch of you out there who fly fish. I've got more than a few reels: 2 Hatch, an Abel, an old Cortland CG Graphite, a Hardy Sunbeam, and a very small Ross Evolution LT. This one is the latest addition to the stable and it's quickly become one of my favorites. Click/pawl drag and ultra simplicity make it an absolute joy to fish. Its stunningly gorgeous and aesthetically, matches my small water rods perfectly, better than even the Abel 3N I have on my glass 3wt. My favorite fishing is small water where fish don't get much larger than 12", the elevation is high, and the water clear as crystal. Its under these circumstances that bombproof drag mechanisms and high line retrieve rates actually become a distraction. Simplicity is king and this reel embodies all the reasons I go where I go, and the frequency with which I do it. My NEXT reel with be another one of these, for anything 5wt and under. I honestly want to replace my custom overpriced Abel on the rod that one resides on; it is just that superb.

 

I know this post was rather long and perhaps, even unnecessary. But these are some of the questions I needed answered before buying things like the Supertarp, the bivy, and DeLorme. It took a bit of time to either wait for answers or search the unending list of threads across multiple forums which always left me without the specific info I was seeking. The better we can make these decisions, the less distracted and conflicted we are, and the more we enjoy the limited amount of time outside we all have. Hope this helps someone and lessens the stress. Now go somewhere where the air is clean and smells like trees and running water...

 

[LifeFeedsOnLife]

Nice write up. I will say I actually prefer the guide pants in warm weather hiking. Sure you get sweaty but to me they are far more breathable than anything else I've worn. Plus I haven't run into any chafing while wearing them. I seriously love them.

[208muley]

I'm a gear junkie for backpack hunting so I like the write up. I've thought about the super tarp but the conditions I hunt in,high desert or lower, I need a shelter with a floor to keep the creepy crawlys and flying bugs out! Now as far as packs are concerned, the one you have is the one I'm looking at getting. Will it compress for day use once camp is set, and not be a pain to get things in and out of? Does it have a place for a 3litter bladder that is high in the pack? Ive been using Eddie Bauer guide pants, $65 or so, and love them. They are a bit stretchy and articulated where it counts. Made for warmer weather but if it gets below 20 a thin merino base from FL and I'm good to go.

 

Delorme Inreach is a good product as well. Not proficient with it yet but good enough to get a MSG out to family once in a while.

[Heat]

Wish I would have figured out the gig on the Dobson's like you did. Im a Medium in everything but these I guess. Too big.

[Pac8541]

I'm a gear junkie for backpack hunting so I like the write up. I've thought about the super tarp but the conditions I hunt in,high desert or lower, I need a shelter with a floor to keep the creepy crawlys and flying bugs out! Now as far as packs are concerned, the one you have is the one I'm looking at getting. Will it compress for day use once camp is set, and not be a pain to get things in and out of? Does it have a place for a 3litter bladder that is high in the pack? Ive been using Eddie Bauer guide pants, $65 or so, and love them. They are a bit stretchy and articulated where it counts. Made for warmer weather but if it gets below 20 a thin merino base from FL and I'm good to go.

 

Delorme Inreach is a good product as well. Not proficient with it yet but good enough to get a MSG out to family once in a while.

Here's some photos of the Argali: nothing in it, all 6 side compression straps tight, and the fold down snow collar buckled to the vertical straps.

 

 

 

 

 

Access to the interior, whether to retrieve gear or stuff it inside is as simple as releasing these side release buckles. Doing so allows the bag to expand immediately. You can then adjust the tightness of the straps when you're done.

 

 

 

It gets very flat. I left the belt pouches on in the photos because that's how I plan to run it in day hunt mode. As far as hanging a bladder, there isn't a dedicated loop in the pack nor is there a pouch that comes with it for that purpose. However, I have a water bladder pouch from an old Zulu and Pointman that attaches like the chamber pockets: the 3-bar slider that fits through the plastic thingies at the top. I used that for a bladder when I take one. A hanging meat bag works the same way and I'm considering using it inside the pack WHEN I kill something beginning 11 Nov.