My Tassie Gear List. 6kg make it 5kg. Improvements?

[sirius Tas]

Hi Earthling,
If you were looking to replace the tent with a light weight version...you may take a look at the Vango..
http://www.wildearth.com.au/vango-heliu ... p-389.html
Trail weight of 900g.....4 season....solo only.
Have recently purchased this tent...but as yet untested on the trail. Looks great erected..has plenty of room with vestibule.
Many thanks for your list etc....as I'm looking to keep my weight down as well....as have a crook back...plus dodgy knees.
Also...is it necessary to take the camera case??? I realise the camera may be expensive...but would bubble wrap do...as almost zero weight with great protection.
I also have the same golite back pack, went with a lighter sleeping bag...Lifeventure -10c DOWNLIGHT 900g, but have a heavier Oz-Mate Full Size Self-Inflating Camping Mat 850g mainly for extra back comfort.
The rest of the gear is much the same. I'd also go with the extra pot...as I like my brews too much...just more convenient.
Cheers...sirius

[Earthling]

You could get a lighter sleeping bag.
I find a high quality down 750 gm bag is fine if you layer clothing on those cold nights, or better still take your girlfriend!
I find a cocoon insulating jacket is warm enough to be my only insulating jacket combined with a super light weight wind shirt, thermals, shirt and parka. I think you have 2 jackets listed.
My pack is much lighter too than the golight.
I feel it is hard to get down to 5kg if you want to add a camera
I think these suggestions are about 750 gms lighter and without the camera about 1 K lighter

Thanks for the suggestions.
Yes, Ive had to change my tent, so the bag was also changed to a WM Megalite (0.710gms). Thanks.
I do have two jackets listed. One is for warmth and the other as an outer shell.
What pack are you useing? Is it still comfortable?
Yes the camera is a luxurious weight challenge....but its a fixture unfortuately....

[Earthling]

Hi Earthling,
If you were looking to replace the tent with a light weight version...you may take a look at the Vango..
http://www.wildearth.com.au/vango-heliu ... p-389.html
Trail weight of 900g.....4 season....solo only.
Have recently purchased this tent...but as yet untested on the trail. Looks great erected..has plenty of room with vestibule.
Many thanks for your list etc....as I'm looking to keep my weight down as well....as have a crook back...plus dodgy knees.
Also...is it necessary to take the camera case??? I realise the camera may be expensive...but would bubble wrap do...as almost zero weight with great protection.
I also have the same golite back pack, went with a lighter sleeping bag...Lifeventure -10c DOWNLIGHT 900g, but have a heavier Oz-Mate Full Size Self-Inflating Camping Mat 850g mainly for extra back comfort.
The rest of the gear is much the same. I'd also go with the extra pot...as I like my brews too much...just more convenient.
Cheers...sirius

Nice tent. I havent seen that one before. I will have to check out the dimensions. 900g..Mmmmmm...sounds goooood.
Your suggestion about the camera case got me thinking and I may be able to make something. Bubble wrap on its own wouldnt be strong enough against rips and tears. perhaps though with a light weight material perhaps stuck or stitched around it..mmmmm..definet possibilities....
Previous post I mention the lighter sleeping bag. I will have a look at the lifeventure range though, I havent seen them before.
Thats a DAMN heavy sleeping mat! Surely their is lighter options with good support? 850gsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

As its a new page I will repost the updated list for easier perusal.
Keep the comments coming fellow Earthlings.

[Earthling]

Bag Liner Silk: REI 0.130 kg

Shelter: Vango Force Ten Helium 200 1.300
Or
Tarptents Scarp 1 1.600
(at the moment)
Sleeping bag: Western Mountaineering Megalite 0.710

BackPack: Golite pinnacle 0.710

Matress: Gossamer Gear NightLight 3/4 Length Pad 0.230 *
GG Cut down thinlight insulation pad 0.120


Pots: 1L ALuminium 0.072
2L ALuminium 0.146
Lid for 1L 0.063


Mug : Titanium 450 ml Snow Peak 0.068

Mid-layer: Karbon fleece top 0.262

SuperWarmJacket: Montbell U.L. Thermawrap Jacket 0.276

Water proof jacket: Montane Atomic DT Jacket 0.240

Water proof pants: Golite Reed pants 0.140

Head Torch: Petzl 0.078

Crocs: I cant find my scales in the mayhem of House renos…..

Lighters: Bic & Matches 0.030


Compass: ?

1 x Thermal pants.......
1 x Thermal Top Wear ……
1 x Pants Wear …….
2 x pairs of Socks Wear 1 pair …….
1 x pair of running/walking shoes Wear …..
Beanie: Homemade 0.067
Gloves: ?

Camera: Olympus sp-570 0.480
Spare batteries: 4 x 0.115

Camera Case: 0.170
Toiletries:
T/Brush: 0.019
T/Paste 3cc Syringe full: 0.003
Soap: 0.030
Loofah: 0.005
Towel: 0.070
Insect repellant: ?
Toilet paper: 0.10
First Aid Kit: Bandaids, Strapping, blister stuff, needle and thread, safety pins.
Knife: Light small ……….
Spoon: House Spoon 0.035
Waterproof Stuffsac Garbage bag x 3: …………
Duct Tape: ………….
Wshing powder/liquid: concentrated 3cc 0. 003

Stove: Homemade forge ? Unknown factor/research

2 LT Hydration Bladder: Platypus Hoser 2L 0.100


5.973 kg Without stove, one pair of socks, pair of gloves, 1st Aid kit, thermal pants, stove…

ITS INCREASED! Thats with the Scarp1 tent at 1.6kg. The Vango Helium 100 is 0.900kg and the 200 1.300kg.
Im unsure regarding the helium as they seem to be rated as a 3+season tent not a full 4 season which is what Im after. Also head room is nonexistant in the 100 whilst limited in the 200. Moooooore research.......

[Earthling]

Have decided on the Stove:
Snow Peak GST-120 0.056kg
Gas Bottle: 0.320kg

Gives me a running total of: 6.349kg for 4 season walking.

Areas requiring 3 season gear and open fires I would be down to 5.077kg

Any more thoughts on improvements?

[Andrew]

Nice work Earthling,

Going to have another look at our gear list. BTW I'm getting dizzy with the decimal points would be better in grams.

Cheers,

Andrew

[Darren]

G'Day Earthling
I don’t know if you have actually purchased this stuff yet but here’s a few ideas. Don’t bother with the reed pants, I have a Viagra jacket and its great but considering the price of the pants and how light they are they wont last long. For the amount of time you actually wear rain pants just buy some rainbird ones and replace them once there stuffed.
On cooking, my extended trip cook set is a snow peak gs100 stove small windscreen out of flashing, snow peak 600 mug with flashing lid, folding spork. Little piece of scour pad. This all fits inside the pot. For boil and sit meals I have the older style orikaso flat bow with the presstuds. I just boil the water, put the porridge, cus cus , whatever in the bowl then tip the water in and lay something over. I don’t cook anything in the pot. Also I use the glad brand microwave steam bags. You can cook heaps in these and there very strong.
This wont change your weight much but will greatly reduce your bulk. My main pack for up to 5/6 days is an amp 35.
Hope that helps
Darren

[sirius Tas]

Hi Earthling,
Decided to test my theory re bubble wrap for replacing heavy duty leather cover on my Sat phone...after 3 complete layers..couple of rubber bands...it actually gives far better protection than original...and is now a permanent fixture...saving around the same weight of 180g. Many thanks for prompting the weight saving thoughts, have also trimmed straps etc from sleeping bag cover...which did absolutely nothing...saving another 100g or more. Cheers

[sirius Tas]

Hi Earthling,
Just checking your gear list....as part of First Aid kit...in my opinion a must have is a whistle plus thermal blanket. The latter is extremely light...easily slip into shirt pocket etc....they rarely get mentioned in gear...but as a survival aid in a dire situation maybe the difference between life or death...either for treating shock and/or hypothermia....and cost only around $5 or so.
Also as an aside...weighing my Vango 100...it came in at 1200g...god knows how they managed to get it to 900g...so would be wary of all published gear weights. Headroom of the Vango 200 is also only 5cm greater...which isn't a lot....but just wonder how much heavier they'll be compared to published figures??? Also something I'm going to take up with the retailers as it's false promotion and very misleading. Cheers...sirius

[corvus]

I may be wrong but I think if you read the "fine print" on tent weights the lightest quoted are sans carry bag and sometimes pegs (stakes) and I think on once poles ?? .
My Microlite with dyneema guys 1 extra peg and all carry bags weighs in at 1743 g so I believe that MacPac state accurate weights.
Must agree with sirius Tas ,whistle and thermal blanket are essential items that should not be left out but we are from the old school and like to be self reliant

[Earthling]

G'Day Earthling
I don’t know if you have actually purchased this stuff yet but here’s a few ideas. Don’t bother with the reed pants, I have a Viagra jacket and its great but considering the price of the pants and how light they are they wont last long. For the amount of time you actually wear rain pants just buy some rainbird ones and replace them once there stuffed.
On cooking, my extended trip cook set is a snow peak gs100 stove small windscreen out of flashing, snow peak 600 mug with flashing lid, folding spork. Little piece of scour pad. This all fits inside the pot. For boil and sit meals I have the older style orikaso flat bow with the presstuds. I just boil the water, put the porridge, cus cus , whatever in the bowl then tip the water in and lay something over. I don’t cook anything in the pot. Also I use the glad brand microwave steam bags. You can cook heaps in these and there very strong.
This wont change your weight much but will greatly reduce your bulk. My main pack for up to 5/6 days is an amp 35.
Hope that helps
Darren

Thanks Darren for you suggestions.
Yes I rarely wear my rain pants...I think one day so far on the Bibbullmun Track...but $110 isnt too much..will have to check on weight saving compared to the Rainbirds.
Good suggestions regarding the cooking gear. Im currently still reviewing my cooking gear after this thread
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1442
pointed me into some lighter gear.

[Earthling]

Hi Earthling,
Just checking your gear list....as part of First Aid kit...in my opinion a must have is a whistle plus thermal blanket. The latter is extremely light...easily slip into shirt pocket etc....they rarely get mentioned in gear...but as a survival aid in a dire situation maybe the difference between life or death...either for treating shock and/or hypothermia....and cost only around $5 or so.
Also as an aside...weighing my Vango 100...it came in at 1200g...god knows how they managed to get it to 900g...so would be wary of all published gear weights. Headroom of the Vango 200 is also only 5cm greater...which isn't a lot....but just wonder how much heavier they'll be compared to published figures??? Also something I'm going to take up with the retailers as it's false promotion and very misleading. Cheers...sirius

Goodo about the camera case working . Im definetly going to try that.

Yes a whistle is always a good idea. Added to list.
Regarding the thermal blanket, I was in two minds weather to buy one, as Im making a point of buying clothing that is still warm when wet...except for the sleeping bag(down). However as you say, in a dire situation it can make the difference...and the person it saves, may not be me. Jai Maluga also mentioned using the blanket under your matress to increase the R rating. Something I would love to hear more from our knowledgable members about.
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1123&p=12446#p12446
Sad about the vango weight...thats a MASSIVE increase. Many good tent makers give all their itemised weights, so that a more truthful weight can be given. However, others are not so honest.
Ive searched high and low for reviews in wild weather of these Vango tents and nothing is coming up. Ive even posted up on UK sites, so far a guys mate bought one and liked it, but thats as far as the review goes. The Vapour 200 looks reasonable...but no reviews....
http://www.vango.co.uk/products/f10tent ... &modelid=3
Good luck with the retailers. Post up what your findings are.

[Earthling]

Nice work Earthling,

Going to have another look at our gear list. BTW I'm getting dizzy with the decimal points would be better in grams.

Cheers,

Andrew

Fair call

[sirius Tas]

Hi Earthling,
Many thanks for your published lists...as I've just checked out the Snow Peak GST-120 0.056kg....this is 234g or so lighter than my Bleuet which I've had for many years...so I'll definitely go with the same. Reckon the 320g gas cylinder would last quite a long time...up to a couple of weeks easily...as the C206 I use seems to last ages.
Pity about the tent weights...BUT I'm about to erect it again...then do some measurements...wondering whether they've sent the 200??...which wouldn't be too bad!!! in hindsight.
Also....checking pots etc....with the large mug..Titanium 450 ml Snow Peak(I think you've talked me into this one as well)...you could boil water in that quite easily...as I've done it in a stainless mug...so would you then need the 2lt billy??? For solo cooking I'd go with the 1lt only + plus mug for brews.
Re the thermal blanket on top...while I haven't tried it...I'd almost bet that it would cause condensation and end up with a damp bag as it'll stop airflow...plus I doubt whether they'd stand up to being refolded many times without tearing...as they're pretty flimsy....but hey...all things are worth looking at.
Condensation was also the reason I've gone with full length sleeping mat...as once bag is contacting colder tent floor...and/or leaking floor...then you've got a damp/wet bag. The weight is high though...but lighter thermarest almost triple the price...to save 170g...so couldn't justify the cost.....but it'd be nice!!!
A great thread which is throwing up some really good ideas...Cheers sirius

[Earthling]

Hi Earthling,
Many thanks for your published lists...as I've just checked out the Snow Peak GST-120 0.056kg....this is 234g or so lighter than my Bleuet which I've had for many years...so I'll definitely go with the same. Reckon the 320g gas cylinder would last quite a long time...up to a couple of weeks easily...as the C206 I use seems to last ages.
Pity about the tent weights...BUT I'm about to erect it again...then do some measurements...wondering whether they've sent the 200??...which wouldn't be too bad!!! in hindsight.
Also....checking pots etc....with the large mug..Titanium 450 ml Snow Peak(I think you've talked me into this one as well)...you could boil water in that quite easily...as I've done it in a stainless mug...so would you then need the 2lt billy??? For solo cooking I'd go with the 1lt only + plus mug for brews.
Re the thermal blanket on top...while I haven't tried it...I'd almost bet that it would cause condensation and end up with a damp bag as it'll stop airflow...plus I doubt whether they'd stand up to being refolded many times without tearing...as they're pretty flimsy....but hey...all things are worth looking at.
Condensation was also the reason I've gone with full length sleeping mat...as once bag is contacting colder tent floor...and/or leaking floor...then you've got a damp/wet bag. The weight is high though...but lighter thermarest almost triple the price...to save 170g...so couldn't justify the cost.....but it'd be nice!!!
A great thread which is throwing up some really good ideas...Cheers sirius

Im glad this thread is helping a few people, I know Im getting heaps out of it. Tis good.
Before you buy the new stove, check the thread out below, especially the suggestions Andrew had.
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1442
Ive got to go and do some thinking, recalculating and restocking of what I really need/want regarding cooking gear, but it is another light weight option.

[corvus]

You may want to consider a 550 ml cooking pot for solo use I use a "Tibetan Titanium550"weighs on my scales 90g including lid. http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ ... an_137.htm
There is also a lighter version by Firelite 78g which you can view and purchase from the Backpacking Lite site I will look for a site and post if I can.

[corvus]

This is the other site http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin ... gss5JTO7cw

[corvus]

Vango Helium 100 weights ,what sort of pegs are supplied ?

[sirius Tas]

Hi Corvus,
Pegs are short flatish aluminium by the looks of them....by my dodgy scales weigh around 50g. I like the 550ml cookpot...certainly large enough for solo..plus possibly go with the mug as well...plus spork....found your last link a really good site...very helpful indeed.

To Earthling,
Checked out Andrews Jetboil...still quite heavy compared to Snow Peak lite max(54g) plus 100g cannister(136g) plus Firelite 550 cookpot(78g) plus Firelite 475ml mug(37g)= 305g total
Also read a review re auto ignition on Jetboil.....apparently hard to light manually...plus its just another thing to go wrong and I assume we all carry matches anyway.
Also checked light weight fuel tablet stove...way too dodgy....can't adjust heat...dangerous in tent if you happened to knock it over...also bulky fuel.
Just need to check locally on fuel cannister availability...I assume the screw on(Linda valve) are all compatible with the upright cannister stoves?? Cheers...sirius

[sirius Tas]

Hi Earthling,
Just found a review of the Gossamer Gar NightLight 3/4 length mat...
http://drw.me.uk/RedYeti/2007/07/10/gos ... pressions/
Cheers...sirius

[sirius Tas]

Hi Earthling,
Thanks to yourself and corvus re stoves and cooking pots...you may like to check out the following...http://www.rei.com/product/668926
These pots are designed to fit the Snow Peak Titanium GST-120 stove plus cannister.
I think this is by far the best option I've found so far....saving weight and bulk.
Cheers...sirius

[sirius Tas]

Have just found a good site answering many questions re stoves(all types), gas and cannisters...http://www.bushwalking.org.au/FAQ/FAQ_G ... #Cartridge

[corvus]

Just a word of warning rei shipping to Australia can be a bit high compared to other USA dealers.

[sirius Tas]

Hi Corvus,
After all my agonising over stoves like Earthling I expect....thought I'd best check out Fishing and outdoors here in Ulverstone....http://fishingandoutdoors.com.au/shop/
low and behold they had the Kovea Titanium in stock...with auto ignition which is fractionally heavier(88g)...though now ditched the electric ignition as a definite safety hazard if relighting with pot on......so now back to around 60g.... decided to go with that and support our local guys who are a very friendly bunch too.
So all up weight with 230g gas cannister is just on390g. Having used a similar size can on my old Bleuet...this should last around 10-14 days.
Just need to sort out which pots and mugs now....but getting there.
Cheers...sirius

[corvus]

sT did you get the new 60g Elemental by Kovea ? "The BP Barn" in Devonport have them and they also have the MSR lightweight 50g 40ml Mugs in stock.

[sirius Tas]

Hi Corvus,
Stove was the Kovea TKB-0101 distributed by GMA elemental...it came with piezo ignition but which I've taken off. From what I've been able to suss out...it looks like the Kovea Titanium may be identical to the Snow Peak stoves. Still sorting mugs etc so I'll definitely check out the BP Barn as well..many thanks.

[corvus]

sT the Titanium stove I looked at did not come with piezo and looked like it was almost all titan whereas mine has a brass housing for the control valve,and it only weighs 60g.
Must investigate further.

[sirius Tas]

Hi corvus,
Yep...mine must be identical to yours as it also has the brass control housing. I'm rapt so far...as just a huge leap forward to what I previously had...not only heaps lighter and smaller but much more safer as well. Until I read the following link...http://www.bushwalking.org.au/FAQ/FAQ_Mixtures.htm
I had no idea of the various fuel mixes and their working properties...which people need to bear in mind if contemplating being in lower temps. Just need to be able to get out there for a real life test...lol
Cheers..sirius

[corvus]

siriusTas,
Don't be put off by what you read on that site R tends to go right into the very guts of things that with respect we mere mortals dont need to know the canisters of Isobutane I use Kovea 70/30 are just fine ,I purchase them when MD have their 25% off sale for members which is a good saving (especially for us retirees)
c

[corvus]

G'day sirius Tas,
Found it http://www.kovea.com/product_view.php?b ... 00&pno=696