Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Gear Questions, Information, Reviews and Competitions => Topic started by: twentyclicks on September 18, 2011
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Here's the link to my googleDocs spreadsheet showing everything I took (and considered taking) on the GR20, weights and post-trip comments. Base weight (inc fuel) was 7.9kg and I certainly think the contents left little to be desired (other than a midgy net). With modifications and more austere measures the same function could have been achieved for around a kilo less I think. No cooking equipment or sleeping in huts would allow vast reductions, although the temptation to carry more luxuries is there. The food was reduced and prob averaged about 1.2kg most of the time. Water average carry was 2L, but up to 4.5L like on day 3. Quite a few people were starting out with 20kg before water! A good few lightweighters too though. Terra Photon and Henry Shires tents spotted.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AtD9_UwzQk3GdGZhT0xaRklnRnRrRnRLSVVwblpSLUE&hl=en_US (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AtD9_UwzQk3GdGZhT0xaRklnRnRrRnRLSVVwblpSLUE&hl=en_US)
All thoughts welcome! What would you change? What strikes you as missing? What seems excessive?
I'll try to post about the pack and quilt later in the week.
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I can't believe you actually weighed your earplugs :o but nice use for your spare buff, i might just do the same. I'm off to google henry shires, never 'erd of him.
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Thanks for posting that, was really interesting reading through your kit list and comments. Seems like you have struck a nice balance between having a light pack and still having some luxury items. Also very impressive that none of it is eye wateringly expensive, just well specced or home made kit. I see you got the liquid version of Dr. Bronners as well! I love the tea tree stuff, used it when I was in the Lake District a couple of weeks ago. Apparently you can also use it as toothpaste, although that's a step too far for me. The bottle alone is worth it though - Moral ABC all the way :D
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I can't believe you actually weighed your earplugs :o but nice use for your spare buff, i might just do the same. I'm off to google henry shires, never 'erd of him.
Weigh one thing, weigh everything when the scales are out - all those wee 10g can add up to a few hundred if ignored and adding it to the list makes it easy to check what you're bringing. Interesting to look at all the stuff I didn't really use and add it up - earplugs, hot choc, oil instantly spring to mind = 300g which happens to be the weight of a 1500kcal pack of magic biscuits ;D
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That's impressive for 2 weeks. I can't get that low for a day walk! How did the home made pack work out and how come you didn't take an off the shelf one?
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Thanks for posting that, was really interesting reading through your kit list and comments. Seems like you have struck a nice balance between having a light pack and still having some luxury items. Also very impressive that none of it is eye wateringly expensive, just well specced or home made kit. I see you got the liquid version of Dr. Bronners as well! I love the tea tree stuff, used it when I was in the Lake District a couple of weeks ago. Apparently you can also use it as toothpaste, although that's a step too far for me. The bottle alone is worth it though - Moral ABC all the way :D
Yes, I thought the tea-tree would have mild antiseptic properties and help me and the clothes smell nice. Used it for kitchen stuff too. Yes, I gave in and bought a wee travel toothpaste but I know regular soap can be used. I have Bronners soap bar at home, but it is hard to rinse out of hair.
I got the 245ml and decanted into another 100ml container. The Moral ABC is great :)
The RAB generator alpine is probably the most expensive thing there as it's slightly more featured for alpine use than simpler insulation, but the NeoAir is the most dubious expense... Ridgerest is 5/6x cheaper. Luckily I had Super Patches for bike punctures (in FAK) as Mike's NeoAir got 3 holes one day - all from pressure against tent pegs when scrambling and bag pressing on rock. We packed them more considerately after that! Imagine it would be the same for any Thermarest/inflatable type thing. Parks GP2 super patches for the win!
Only thing not on list I considered needing is a gas can stabilising foot as an empty can with full kettle up on pocket rocket is very unstable. So difficult to find flat area anyway. Worth getting I think.
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That's impressive for 2 weeks. I can't get that low for a day walk! How did the home made pack work out and how come you didn't take an off the shelf one?
Pack was great size. Pretty shouldery without a hipbelt and the slippy webbing tended to create imbalance in carrying sometimes. Not much of a problem as it was a pretty moderate load even maxed out. Even worked better without the chest strap. Straps were very comfy although have almost no padding.
I had wanted a Crux AK pack and tried to get one for 'special price' before I left Tiso. Unfortunately the distributer didn't supply them anymore and I'm already in the danger zone for going away so couldn't justify the cost. Cheaper bags were too heavy or not featured as I'd like so I made my own - still worked out about £60 and 4 days labour, but a very positive experience. Will add hipbelt and make modifications to correct the webbing and secure the frame a little better. Full post and pics on it in time...