I’ve been slowly chipping away at my pack weight over the last year, and it’s been a super fun process. The items on this list have been tried over the course of a couple of backpacking trips, so I’m confident that they are workable for me. So without further ado, here is my current gear and weights.

I should say as a caveat that I am one of those lucky people who sleeps warm. Aren’t you jealous? Well, I do melt when it’s hot, so everything evens out. And this list does not include my camera or electronics because everyone knows that those things exist in a separate area of the space time continuum where my toys have no weight. More on that later. 

One example

You’ve seen them before. Little packets that fall out of the box when you try on new boots. Or a couple of them are stuffed in the pockets of that jacket you just brought home from the store. What are they? Silica gels. What are they for? Many, many things.

Silica gels absorb moisture. I throw a couple of them in the bottom of my sleeping bag and in my backpack while they are being stored, so that they don’t get musty or (heaven forbid) moldy. Silica gels can also be handy to dry out electronics that have been dropped in water.

Because I work in the warehouse of an backpacking store, I collect a ton of silica gel packets (and if you ask a stocker very nicely, they might give you some of these for free). Faced with bagfuls of silica gel packets, I have come up with some additional uses for them.

Silica gels are useful for:

1. Holding back water

2. Impressing the ladies

3. Staying dry

4. Making friends

5. NOT FOR EATING

6. For party tricks

This one is real. When you throw silica gels into water, they make little snapping noises. Not to be confused with Pop Rocks.

So next time you find a little packet of silica gels when you unpack new clothes or shoes, hold onto them. You never know when they will come in handy.

The GSI telescoping foon is a lightweight utensil that slides in on itself so that it takes up very little space. At first glance, it seems like a pretty clever idea, but my love for it did not last long.

If I had only one word to say about this product, I would say: fail. Shannon calls it the Foon of Doom.

Food caught in the foon of doom

For starters, the foon of doom tends to collapse in on itself when in use. Try stirring pudding or a freeze dried meal, and it becomes useless. But let’s get right down to the most annoying part of this utensil:

The foon of doom collects food and goo behind the spoon head and it is very difficult to clean.

Yes, that picture is a little gross, but I’m showing you this for your own good. Stuck behind that spoon head is a strange mixture of freeze dried shepherd’s pie and Oreo pudding. Not delicious. Even when doused with water, the food cannot be dislodged. The only way to get the goo out is to take apart the foon of doom (I’m not sure it’s made to do that), and scrub it out. Putting it back together is annoying and can pinch your fingers. At least, it pinched my uncoordinated fingers and Shannon’s too.

I don’t think GSI currently sells them individually, but they are still part of their cook sets. So if you buy a GSI set, throw out the telescoping foon, and look for something hardier and easier to clean.

On my recent trip to the Hell’s Canyon wilderness area, I decided to give my Tarptent Squall a solid seven day test. My last experience with it was pretty disappointing, so I had my doubts about how well it would perform. I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed using my Tarptent and this has led me to 2 conclusions.

a) You’ have to give yourself time to get used to lightweight backpacking options. It takes an adjustment of your expectations.

b) Don’t share a tent with a 6’1 man. He will hog all of the space (sorry Dan).

Now that I have gotten used to it, setting up the Tarptent goes very quickly. Erin suggested bringing extra stakes for the sides, and this seemed to create a little more space. I also used the two pole setup, which created a little more head room (although it is easy to bang into one of the poles at night when you are disoriented and have to pee.) I finally got the hang of the beak, and I’m not sure why I had trouble with it before.

Presenting the two pole setup

It’s still not perfect. I had to improvise a solution for using my hiking poles, because the tips don’t fit through the provided grommets, but I may end up getting new lightweight poles soon (oh, the perils of working at an outdoor store!) I do find the mesh zipper a little bit annoying. We couldn’t figure out a way to have the mesh closed all of the way shut while still giving both people an easy exit in the night.

I think I had an improved experience with the Tarptent because I was more conscientious about the location of our setup. I’m used to being able to put together my free-standing tent anywhere, but we had to take our time scouting locations for the best conditions. In the six nights we used it, we never had trouble finding a spot, although that did require a little work some nights. We also paid attention to the wind direction when we were setting up. The ventilation made our night pretty comfortable.

My hiking partner, Shannon, says that the Tarptent is “Shiny.” This means two things

a) She watches too much Firefly.

b) She liked the it.

She said that the Tarptent felt roomier than her REI Quarter Dome, had nice ventilation, and was easy to setup. She did observe that the Tarptent didn’t keep us warm when the temperature dropped below freezing, but we figured that it’s probably not meant to handle those conditions.

So I am cautiously getting excited about our Tarptent. Shannon and I experienced frost and cold, but the weather was otherwise favorable. I’ll be going out in the rain this weekend, so we’ll see how well the Tarptent performs.

(fingers crossed)

My Lafuma shoes on lava rock

There comes a time in every girl’s life where she meets a very special piece of gear. Something so perfect she wouldn’t change a shoe lace, and can only fall in love and hope the current model never changes. This is what has happened for me with my Lafuma LD Sky Race Trail shoes. I am wearing a these neon yellow beauties right now. I don’t mean to gush. Who am I kidding? I mean to gush. These are my favorite tennis shoes I’ve ever owned.

To date I have taken them on:

Rock

Pavement

Dirt trails

Shale

Snow

Sand

I’ve used them:

Rock hopping

Fording rivers

Hiking

Swimming in a creek and in the ocean

Working

Playing Ultimate Frisbee

Running

They are hands down the most versatile shoes I’ve ever owned. They have a super grippy sole, are lightweight, breathe well, and are super comfy. My favorite feature: the dual lacing system, so that you can tighten the toe box and the heel seperately. My Lafuma shoes allow me to lace in snug for my small ankles, and still have space for my wide foot. They also give me plenty of space when my foot swells.

Oh little Lafuma shoes, you even do well on snow. Please don't change next year!

They have large mesh panels on the side and this added ventilation prevents my feet from getting too hot. This mesh helps them dry fast, too. I’ve even gone swimming or forded a river and just kept hiking without switching shoes or putting on dry socks.

I used them hiking in snow, which sounds like a bad idea, but ended up working pretty well. As long as I kept moving my feet didn’t get cold, I took them off once I set up my tent, and in the morning I was glad to have my dry shoes waiting for me. I wouldn’t use them for extended winter trips, but they worked in a pinch.

Frankly, I’m surprised that they aren’t better know in the US. I bought mine on a closeout sale at an outdoor store, and I think the model I like is near the end of it’s run. There are almost none left. Too bad. I’m going to order several pairs online because I’m planning on doing the PCT in them.

(I’m not an affiliate marketer for these shoes. I just straight up love them.)

Oatmeal, wine, and nectarines

I like to start my drinking early in the morning. No I don’t. Actually, I hardly drink at all. But when Cat suggested adding a little wine to our breakfast, I was intrigued. We loved it! I’m definitely going to make this one again.

Recipe:

2 cups of oatmeal, pre-mixed with sugar, cinnamon, salt, and a handful of cranberries

2 nectarines

1/2 cup of dry white wine.

Prepare the oatmeal like normal, and while it is simmering, add in the nectarines so that they will soften. When the oatmeal is almost done, add in the wine. We used the good stuff, not the 5$ kind. This bottle cost 7$. That’s how you know we’re classy.

Cat gives it two thumbs up

It was great! I am going to buy a platypus for wine (thanks to CarlF for the suggestion!), so that I can cook like this in the future.

It’s too bad vodka and oatmeal don’t mix well, although I’ve never tried. Maybe that will be my experiment for my next camping trip.

My Gatorade sandwich

Since I’ve been doing a number of evaluations of electrolyte replacement options, I thought I’d give a quick shout out to the all-time classic: Gatorade. Gatorade has been my mainstay since High School when my track coach introduced me to the mix and I began sprinkling the powder on bananas and bread to make sandwhiches.

Now, I drink it after a big running, during frisbee tournaments, and while hiking. It’s even part of my miracle cure for a hangover (not that I am ever hungover, Mom. Peach vodka is a fruit source.)

My only concern is that some of the company’s marketing has gotten a little confusing. I don’t want G-2, G-force, G-newness. I just want old school Gatorade. I don’t care if the original mix had too much sugar. High fructose corn syrup is delicious. Don’t mess with a classic.

So here’s my promise to you, Gatorade: I may mess around with Cytomax and experiment with GU and Cliff Shot Blocks, but you hold a special place in my heart. You were my first. With me, there will always be a piece of bread and a banana with your name on it.

After reading Trail Life: Ray Jardine’s Lightweight Backpacking, I have started to reconsider some of my gear choices. Because I have a great deal of respect for him, I am taking his recommendations very seriously. First up: Sleeping bags.

I currently use the REI Halo 25, and I love it for 3 reasons. 1) The down is very thick and comfortable and the insulated foot box keeps my toes warm. 2) It was on sale when I bought it, so it was fairly cheap. 3) We have emotionally bonded on a number of trips when I have been one of the only warm person in my group.

However, Trail Life has me thinking about using a quilt. The biggest payoff seems to come for couples sharing the quilt, but Erin and I are not that good of friends, so that option is out. (She will nod enthusiastically when she reads this.) But there do seem to be several benefits for the solo user as well.

Here they are:

1) Added ventilation

I have several times woken up in my sleeping bag covered in sweat from being too hot, but have never been able to comfortably sleep with it unzipped because the shape doesn’t work well for that. It seems like a quilt might offer more versatility in how you use it. (Although I’m not fully sold on this idea).

2) Freedom of movement

I sometimes get a little claustrophobic in my sleeping bag, particularly when I am half-awake, really have to pee, and can’t find the zipper. I can see how a quilt might help with this situation.

3) Lighter weight

Jardine writes, “Our quilt design eliminates the needless part of the sleeping bag flattened beneath the person, and therefore it saves unneccessary weight and bulk.” I have personally grown attached to the needless part of my sleeping bag flattened by my body weight, because it is comfy, but I might be able to give that up for the pack weight savings.

4) Customizable options

The last benefit I learned about sleeping systems has less to do with the actual quilt and more about my feeling empowered to make my own gear. I like that Jardine and his wife Jenny have created gear that works for them. For myself, I am a petite 5’4 female, and even women’s short bags (when they are available), end up having more space than I need. If I were to tailor make a quilt for myself using one of Jardine’s kits, I could shed a little more weight and add comfort.

Jardine uses synthetic filling for his quilts, and it will take a little convincing for me to go along with this. He claims that down bags lose their loft too quickly, but mine have held up pretty well in the past. I do like the idea that a synthetic sleeping bag might keep me warmer on a wet night and dry faster during the day. This is important because I live in Oregon, which has constant rain most of the year. But my down bag is so comfy that it may have to be yanked out of my freezing, wet hands before I give it up.

Since I’ve never used a sleeping quilt, I’d really like to try one out. If anyone out there has used a synthetic or down backpacking quilt, or has thoughts about them, I’d love to hear from you.

Improvised solution so that I could hold up the front of ***the Tarptent. Not annoying at all.

***One quick update: I recently met a bunch of Tarptent owners on the PCT and asked them a bunch of questions. One thing I thought I’d pass along. Cloudspotter said, “When you start using your Tarptent on the PCT, you’re in the desert, and it’s pretty easy. By the time you get to more difficult terrain, you’re used to the setup. You can’t expect to know how to use it right away. It’ll take time and practice, but you’ll get the hang of it.” Good words. I’ll keep at it. ***

You know that thing I said about how I had love at first sight with my Tarptent Squall? Well, I take it back. Tarptent and I may need some time to fall in love, we may even need a little therapy.

That’s what I’m here for today. Tarptenters of the blogosphere lend me a hand! What am I doing wrong? How can I fix it? Should I (gasp!) go back to a regular tent? I hope this isn’t ruining my rep.

Let’s play a little game of good news/bad news.

Good news: My tarptent is super light and fits into my pack really nicely.

Bad news: Wait, no bad news yet, it’s coming.

Good news: The setup for the tent actually went pretty quickly since I had tried it before.

Bad news: Except for that part where you put your hiking pole through the center grommet. My hiking poles are too thick. Talk about frustrating! Erin and I had practiced setting up the Tarptent with poles, but we didn’t use mine. If I ever want to take the Squall solo, I’ll either have to buy new poles or borrow a set from someone else. I was able to improvise a solution by duct taping a stick to my pole one night, and a pen the next night, but that is clearly not a long term option. The grommet size is not listed on the Tarptent product sheet, but even if it had been, I don’t wouldn’t have thought to check it.

Good news: The Tarptent initially felt pretty spacious.

Bad news: Until I shared it with a 6 foot tall man, and suddenly it seemed too small. I felt claustrophobic all night. I am totally willing to admit that this was user error and some experimentation might help. Maybe the two pole setup?

Good news: I can see how the beak would be effective for rain protection.

Bad news: It’s friggin difficult to get the velcro closed again from the inside. I ended up just crawling under the beak to get out, which is annoying.

Good news: Running out of good news, let’s skip to the bad.

Bad news: Our camping spot the second night was on pretty hard ground. We tried three different places, but couldn’t get the stakes into the ground. It was getting late, and I kept wishing that I had my free-standing tent so that this wouldn’t be a problem. I was eventually able to get the stakes to go in a little bit, but I could not pull on them tightly without them coming out of the ground. We ended up sleeping under a pretty slack tarp, which meant that we woke up the next morning covered in condensation. I understand that having the walls taut solves the condensation problem, but I feel like there will be other places with hard ground where I can’t set my stakes in deeply enough to withstand the pull on them. And I don’t know how to get around this.

Erin will be testing out our shelter for the next three days on a backpacking trip, and I’m curious to hear how it works out for her. I don’t mind tell you (since she is out of town and won’t read this) that Erin is the brains of this operation, so she may make it work for her.

Well there it is, blogosphere. I ended up feeling pretty frustrated with my Tarptent, and I’m not sure what to change. Suggestions? Do I just need to get used to it? Is anybody having these same problems? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

***Update***

Therapy I have received and thanks for the input.

Sharon, past thru-hiker says that in five months on the trail she never had trouble finding a place to put up her Tarptent. She sometimes had to be creative and end the day a little earlier or later, but this just meant an increase in mindfulness.

Jenny, aka Sticky Fingers told us that she went cowboy for a lot of the trail, but when she want a shelter, she could always find a place for her Tarptent.

A couple of other people gave us tips on replacing the grommet that the pole goes through so that I can use my hiking poles, which is a great idea. And Erin and I have decided to buy the extra stakes so that we can widen the Tarptent on the sides. Also, any six foot tall men that want to camp with me will have to bring their own friggin’ shelters. Here’s to second chances with our new Tarptent.

Cliff Shot Blocks

I’ve been a GU fan for a while now, but when my local grocery store stopped stocking them, I decided to look for other electrolyte replacement options. Enter Cliff Shot Blocks. Each packet consists of 6 100 calorie gummy squares. I tested out packets of these for two hikes and an Ultimate Frisbee tournament, and here are my findings.

Likes:

• These shots are actually pretty tasty, which is saying a lot for electrolyte replacement sources. I liked the Strawberry better than Black Cherry.
• The texture is also nice. Swallowing the GU gel can sometimes be annoying, but chewing on gummies isn’t bad. I would like to suggest them being shaped like animals. Or bear-sharks.
• They do provide a quick burst of energy, and when I spread them out as directed, the effect lasted a decent amount of time.

Dislikes:

• Unlike the GU, I felt like the coming down after the energy boost was a lot more dramatic. Although, every flavor has different benefits: more or less sodium and caffeine, so maybe a different flavor would work better for me.
• GU shots contain an herbal blend and an antioxidant blend, which Cliff shots don’t have.
• GU shots and Cliff Shot Blocks both have 24 grams of carbohydrates, but the Cliff shots have 12 grams of sugar and Gu has only 4. Perhaps the reason for my harder crash.

I will probably give the Shot Blocks another go round this time with a different flavor, but I think GU will remain my staple.