It is the time to look at all the gear I carry and get the digital scales out to weigh everything again.
My current gear list spread sheet, showing the weights, is available as a free download here.
The Good
MSR Hubba – one man backpacking tent
This is still a great tent. A good balance of functionality, weight and cost.
However…
I had a problem with rain getting in under the rear of the flysheet in rain that was driven in by high winds.
I was wild camping on the summit of Black Combe in the Lake District and I had pitched the tent, door away from the prevailing wind and rain but the high winds forced rain under the back of the flysheet.
This photo shows the wind pressure on my tent and the way the flysheet was pulled up
There is a gap all around the bottom of the flysheet to give the tent sufficient ventilation, but it does make the tent vulnerable to wind blown rain. Since this trip I have shortened the rear guy line and ensure the gap is reduced and I have taken more care when pitching the tent so the gap is more even all around the tent.
My MSR tent modifications – see here.
Sea to Summit Travel Day Pack
This is an excellent bag – I have reviewed my Sea to Summit Travel Day Pack here.
I have made further modifications to the pack here, here and I finished it here.
Alpkit Kraku gas stove
This incredibly small gas stove has now completely replaced my Vargo Triad XE titanium meths stove, which now only gets occasional use on day walks. I have come to appreciate the speed of cooking with gas over meths. I favoured my meths stove because of the lightness of the stove and fuel, but if I use a small gas canister with the compact, light Alpkit Kraku gas stove it is not much heavier. It is also a stove that I can use in the porch of my tent when the weather is bad.
the hot mug is standing on a silicone coaster
Backpacking Cooking Gear
I have made some changes to my lightweight cook set – see the details here including an annotated photograph.
The Failed
Alpkit Numo Sleeping Mat
Although the Numo air mattress was the most comfortable camping mat I have ever slept on, the valve failed after only two seasons. So it needed to be replaced.
The New Backpacking Gear
Having been working on my kit now for several years there are not many changes for the coming year.
Silicone mug lid/coaster/pot lifter
I have been using a silicone coaster for a while (see above) to protect my ground sheets from hot pots and as a pot gripper when needed. I have replaced this with a silicone mug cover that can also be used as a coaster or pot gripper (and it is much lighter).
Having tested it, it makes a good heat resistant coaster and can be folded to use to hold hot handles.
Primus Mug/Bowl and Cup Set
Jeremy bought me this set for Christmas.
The larger mug/bowl is holds about 450ml and the cup 250ml. There are measuring marks on the inside of the large mug. The lid has a firm positive fit and the cup packs neatly inside and still leaves some storage space.
The large mug and lid is a good size for re-hydrating noodles or for making up a portion dried mash potatoes and eating from.
Both the mug and cup are easy to drink from although they are eccentric shapes.
I am not sure I will use the cup when backpacking as every gram counts, but on longer lightweight camping and backpacking trips the larger mug with the lid will be useful for cooking and food storage.
Merino Wool Buff neck warmer
I was bought a Merino Wool Buff for Christmas. I am not sure how to describe this piece of clothing but I primarily use it as a scarf/neck warmer. Although it can also be worn as a hat or balaclava.
I used it on my recent January trip to Aviemore and the Lake District in bad weather and it was great at filling in the neck gaps. It was extremely comfortably tucked into shirt collar and was easy to wear all day.
I have seen these in the shops for years and have never thought to buy one. I wish I had.
Therm-a-rest Neoair XLite sleeping mat
This is a full length, inflatable mat that packs down to about a litre in volume and only weighs 350g. This is a saving in both space in my backpack and weight over the Alpkit mat that failed.
It is not self inflating but it is not difficult to inflate, taking just a few minutes effort. But read the instructions on squeezing air through to the bottom of mat, it makes the job easier.
I wanted a mat that was also reasonably thick – as thick equals extra comfort – and this one inflates to about 6.5cms, much thicker than conventional self inflating mats, but not as thick as the Alpkit mat was. The real test will come when I sleep on it.
iPod Touch
I like to read, listen to podcasts, music and audiobooks when I am away. However if I use my iPhone for these things it runs the battery down too much – and I need that power for my camera, navigation, blogging etc. My old iPod Nano battery has all but failed and using and old HTC Phone was really only a temporary solution.
I have bought an Apple iPod Touch – only 88g – read about how it fits into my backpacking tech gear.
