Upgrades , what are you changing out in your pack for next year ?

[Shrek]

Outdoorsman 3830 , that sounds really cool and satisfying. Are you going to buy a new machine or buy used. I've seen hundreds on Craigslist for cheap. If you know what you are looking for and how to tell if it is in good shape you could find a steal.

 

[Darren Best]

Shrek, what pad are you using?

If the sleeping pad isn't warm enough, the bag won't matter.

 

[boom]

Boom , my problem with just about all of the bags are too narrow. The 66" at the shoulders marmot I had was a little tighter than I wanted and the western mountaineering kodiak is only 67" at the shoulders. The long wide slik bag sounds soooo roomy. There is much to think about there and I will not be pulling the trigger until spring.

I loved all my merino clothes and will be adding some First Lite pants , sweater , and more shirts. Some kind of ul wind stop jacket to go over them and probably a First Lite puffy. I can't think how it's spelled but the one that starts with a "u".

The alpenlite is a very roomy bag. I can wear jackets it it. And prob my boots

 

[Shrek]

Elkhunter_241 , I'm using an exped synmat ul9 rated at r6. The pad was awesome ! Comfortable and warm. It may be a little on the heavy side but I wouldn't cut it for the world. The marmot 20º 600 down fill bag combined with my thin Florida blood was the problem. The top of my legs got cold where the bag was just slightly tight. Then the feet slowly got cold. Yes, I had a merino wool beanie and my merino wool base layers on too along with my darn tough socks. I just need a lot more bag than I have.

 

[dotman]

I'm already planning for next fall and will be changing out some items. First is a new sleeping bag. My bag was a debacle this year and it will not happen twice. This year was a 20º Marmot bag that didn't keep me warm enough to sleep lower than 42º and an enlightened equipment 25º quilt that was no better . Putting them together got me down to 37º but I still wasn't happy enough to stay in the tent. I'm pretty sure that I will go with a new 0ºslik bag from Kifaru. Next up is a new titanium oval stove from Kifaru also. I love my current medium ss kifaru box stove . The only complaint is that it's a heavy mofo ! Saving three pounds and keeping the heat sounds almost too good to be true. There will be some new hd 10x4? on my chest in either the FHF or the Alaska guide creations harness. The ul pouches on my belt are going away and the rangefinder and gps are going into the harness. At one point this year I dropped my pack and slipped forward and then realized I didn't have either with me. I will also be adding an exped ul pillow to my kit as rolled up clothes didn't cut it.
Thats all I have right now but I'm sure I'll add more. What's your plans ?

Dave I think you should consider the -20 slick wide long.

 

[fillthefreezer]

I will probably upgrade my binos, maybe get a spotter. I have been kicking around the idea of getting an HC4800. I just bought new boots for this season, so I am good in that department.

my wife has a HC48 if you want to check/try it out

 

[Curtis C]

I will be adding the Kifaru Gun Bearer

 

[fillthefreezer]

i didnt make many changes last year but making substantial this year. shelter change. sleeping bag change. adding a stove. changed spotters already. hope to upgrade bins. would like to get new snowshoes. new bow already. thats it for now.

 

[Shrek]

Dotman , I am considering the -20 slik bag ! I think a higher quality bag combined with a lower rating should do it but how low is the question. I had a problem at about 22º above the rating so dropping it 20º and upping the quality should get me to the low 20's...I think. If western mountaineering is as solid about their ratings as everyone says their Kodiak would get it done. I keep hearing the slik bag sleeps 15 to 20 degrees above their rating so it has me worried. If the Kodiak was a little roomier it would be a done deal. A 70" shoulder girth would be great ! I may just have to suck it up and carry a 4.5lb bag if I want warmth and room.

 

[justinspicher]

I have new snowshoes coming off of a sweet trade. I need a bigger back for the late season overnighters.

 

[Shrek]

Filthefreezer , be more specific. What are you going from and to ?

 

[dotman]

Dotman , I am considering the -20 slik bag ! I think a higher quality bag combined with a lower rating should do it but how low is the question. I had a problem at about 22º above the rating so dropping it 20º and upping the quality should get me to the low 20's...I think. If western mountaineering is as solid about their ratings as everyone says their Kodiak would get it done. I keep hearing the slik bag sleeps 15 to 20 degrees above their rating so it has me worried. If the Kodiak was a little roomier it would be a done deal. A 70" shoulder girth would be great ! I may just have to suck it up and carry a 4.5lb bag if I want warmth and room.

With your FL blood I think you need as warm a bag as you can get so you stay warm. You can always vent if too warm but something tells me that won't be an issue

 

[dotman]

I don't think I'll update anything, I'm liking my current setup. Already changed out a few items after this season's hunts for next, dropped the pocket rocket for a jetboil.

 

[flyinsquirel]

I'm investing in a Indusrtial Sewing Machine by Brother and going start making a Hybrid Frame Pack System. The design has been in the works for a few years now and I'm finally going to build the frame and a few different bags. I also have plans to make a puffy jacket, rain gear, bivy sac, and a versatile tarp shelter. I don't expect to complete every project this year, but fully intend on completing my first pack. So, I have a few DIY upgrades in mind for this year and probably the next couple years.

Interested to see what you make. post it up in the DIY forum if you get a chance.

 

[7mag.]

I need a new sleeping bag bad. My 15° Marmot is too heavy, so I may go with an EE quilt and a bivy. I also need a new tripod. I have a cheap Vanguard that I hate. I am not sure what tripod and head to get, I don't really want to spend $500, but it needs to hold my 80mm swaro up.

 

[Curtis C]

Dotman , I am considering the -20 slik bag ! I think a higher quality bag combined with a lower rating should do it but how low is the question. I had a problem at about 22º above the rating so dropping it 20º and upping the quality should get me to the low 20's...I think. If western mountaineering is as solid about their ratings as everyone says their Kodiak would get it done. I keep hearing the slik bag sleeps 15 to 20 degrees above their rating so it has me worried. If the Kodiak was a little roomier it would be a done deal. A 70" shoulder girth would be great ! I may just have to suck it up and carry a 4.5lb bag if I want warmth and room.

My experience with 2 WM bags(sequoia & alpinlite) is that the temp rating is quite accurate. If I used the sequoia in 25°-30° temps I would sweat and that made me colder. Using the Alpinlite in those temps and maybe a little colder and I sleep very comfy.

My thought is if you "drop it 20° and upgrade the quality" you may be making a swing to far in the other direction. I like kabuko68's advise of the Badger if you start looking at WM. You will be less likely to need to vent the badger. If you think you may be in slightly colder condition you could add a liner for less than the weight and size difference of going to the Kodiak.

I have no experience with the slik bags but if they are anything like the rest of their product I am sure its quite the bag.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Justin , is the $1400 dollars the total amount spent on fuel or the difference if you hadn't been towing ? For a total savings of $1400 I can see ditching the camper for a tent but if it is only adding $400 to $500 the camper looks a lot better. It is nice to have forced air propane heat and a toilet you can use without going outside , not to mention a shower too.

The entire trip cost $1400.00 in diesel. It would have cost probably $700-800 to drive my truck that far without.

While it is nice to sleep in the trailer, it costs more and also adds time to the drive since I have to follow the truck speed limit which is 10 mph slower.

Hauling it that far is also a lot of wear and tear on my truck and the trailer. I didn't take it over the scales but it was really heavy with all our gear and it's almost 60' long total.

 

[Tim in Wa.]

Shrek. Go badger. Wms widest bag. I can't wear kuiu cause I am too wide. 54 inch chest.
Problem solved.

Thomas

+ 1 on the W M Badger! I've slept warm in mine way below the rated 15*.I sold my slick bag to get it
Tim

 

[Shrek]

7mag , B&H has the gitzo GT0531 Mountaineer legs on sale for $379.99 . 1.6lbs and will support 11lbs. I know I'm lusting for those when I can afford the spotter I want. I'm thinking the little manfrotto rc700 ? head would be the ticket with it but what do I know ?

 

[Shrek]

Justin , that's a sweet rig ! Only you can make that call and I can see where it would be attractive to do a wall tent base camp. I drive a big rig all day so I don't even want to hear about how long and heavy it is . I scaled a reefer into the port today at 98,830lbs today ! Freaking killing my truck !