Owlbebak

Here is a link to my current equipment list and also my meal plan on a recent backpacking trip. Equipment list with weight Backpacking menu list with comments. Read and post comments | Send to a friend

I keep trying to lighten up my backpack. I have an ultra light pack, a super lightweight down sleeping bag, and a one person light weight tent. Even with all that lightweight gear, I still have a full backpack weight, without water, of 33.25 pounds. This includes 6 pounds of food for about 4 days and 2.5 pounds of clothing. I have to add a few extra items due to the potential cold. I spent a good hour reviewing all my gear to get rid of everything I figure is unneeded. It amazes me when I read of backpackers with 20 pound packs. I guess I could save some weight by not taking any extra clothing, getting an under 2 lb sleeping pad, trimming pack items and removing a few clips, but I  don't think I will do that. I will just have to deal with it. Read and post comments | Send to a friend

I had a REI Roadster solo tent, which is no longer made. I used for about three times. I guess I got that very infrequent lemon of a tent since on the second usage I had one of the fly tie-downs come detached, which upon closer inspection, was never sewed on. It appeared to have been temporally glued in preparation of sewing. I didn't freak out about it since a few stitches would solve the problem. But, I also noticed that the fly coating was becoming sticky. Hmmm, now that was odd and not normal in my past experience of tents. After that camp out, I hung up the tent to insure it was dry then packed it away. Several days later I notice on the hallway floor a nice circle of thick, clear plastic, and after wondering for about 30 seconds what it was, tossed it in the trash and forgot about it. My next trip was to Providence Canyon, under cloudy sky's. Upon setting up the tent and draping the fly over it, I gasp when I saw a nice perfect 10" circular hole. The light bu...

In my younger years when camping, my body could stand the discomfort of sleeping on the ground without a pillow. Those days are long gone. After trying  wadded up clothing , stuff bags and a few other pillows that never gave me the comfort I needed, I discovered the Therm- a- Rest Compressible Pillow . Because my form of camping is backpacking, I require a pillow that is light and compressible since weight and space is critical. The Therm- a- Rest Compressible Pillow meets all of my requirements. It compresses to 25 % of the expanded size, provides nice head support, while also giving that nice cozy, head enveloping feeling, and the medium size weighs only 9 oz. I prefer to camp when the weather is cool to cold and I discovered this pillow tends to capture some of the heat of my head, which helps to keep me warm during the night. I can't say how it might be during a hot night since I have never tried it in the summer. A pillow is a very personal thing. What works for one is terr...

Do you love hot, fresh brewed coffee while on the trail? I certainly do. I have tried both instant coffee and the "tea" bag type and while they are ok, I still yearn for fresh brewed without toting a big coffee pot.  While shopping for an alternative method that will work for backpacking I spotted this product made by GSI Outdoors. They make a product called H2JO that is used to brew coffee by screwing it to a typical wide mouth bottle such as a 32 oz Nalgene . First I grind my fresh coffee beans to a medium grind at home and put in a zip lock bag. Out on the trail I then put the coffee in the H2JO, pour the hot water into the bottle, which is a 32 oz Nalgene, screw the unit on, then the bottle cap and shake. After the coffee steeps, the unit is removed and I enjoy fresh coffee. Afterwards, I screw the unit back on the bottle for storage. The bottle is still usable for any other beverage as the liquid will pour through the mesh. For under $15.00 this is a great ...

In about 12 days JaxTal Adventure Club will be heading to Providence Canyon State Park in Georgia to backpack to their backcounty camping area. We understand this part of the park is primitive, meaning without bathrooms, water or shelter. We were told that there are many vadosity streams and the water is very bad tasting for drinking. We will pack in as much water as practical and will test out a new water filter and also a new water chemical called PUR . I have read that the man made canyons were really interesting and we should be ready to trudge through clay mud and to wear some good boots.   Read and post comments | Send to a friend

I bought this headlight at Walmart a few months ago as a replacement for my Black Diamond Gemini headlamp, mainly for reduction of weight. It cost me $12.99, including three standard AAA batteries and a stuff bag. The Energizer unit weights, with batteries, but not the stuff bag, slightly over 2.5 ounces ( 70 grams). I have been using it each morning for about 45 minutes  as I walk in the early 5:00 am  darkness. I feel that the batteries, in the white mode, have lasted as long as advertised on the product package. I have not tested the red light extensively, but I do like this option as I can see it could be beneficial around a camp site. I have found that the strap is comfortable and fits my large head fine when extended to the maximum size. I also can wear it when I have my Tilly hat on, although I have to let it ride lower on my forehead. Even when I jog, it remains secure and comfortable. The two white LEDs cast a nice round beam that clearly lights my foot path and the ...