Bushwalk Australia

Here is A Glen Van Pesky (Gossamer Gear) video about what is inside his pack.
http://www.vimeo.com/14567779
Franco

As I have just bought one of this blokes packs it's interesting to see what he takes with him. Just a bit too minimalist for me though.

Hi
Minimalist is the word that I also used to describe his gear choice, but bordering on the masochistic side.
At the same time the kit works for him (Henry Shires does at least one walk a year with him so I know that what Glenn is showing is what he uses...)
Personally I like a beefier mat (the Neo Air at the moment) but the rest of the kit is doable by most for reasonable 3 season weather.
Of course I would use a TT instead of his shelters...
This would not work if bushbashing and heavy rain is expected.
For example I had a Dry Duck jacket. They work very well in light rain as they are light and very breathable, but have almost no tear strength nor abrasion resistance.
The message there is to get gear that works well together without overlapping.
Note the sleeping bag under the rain jacket bit. I prefer a puffy down jacket instead of just a vest but I have used that combo (down jacket under rain jacket) at camp and it works well.

Franco

Man I'd love to go like that, but I reckon it'd be a recipe for disaster in Tassie.

Obviously the kit would vary depending on conditions.

But why would a minimalist carry a stove?

But why would a minimalist carry a stove?
Several reasons why.
Over a few days , boil in the bag type food is typically lighter than dry food.
Also some just don't like eating dry cold food all of the time.
To warm up the body before going to sleep.
A hot drink can warm up the spirit too.

Something that many overlook is the importance of keeping the spirit happy.
When we feel good we also tend to minimise problems and temporary discomfort.
The converse is also true.
Lets say that you arrive at camp wet and it is cold. You set up your shelter , get in , get into your dry clothes .
Now , would you prefer a hot cup of tea/cocoa or munching on a muesli bar ?
(BTW, this scenario is one of the reasons why I like shelters that can be set up fast,dry inside and bug proof...)
Franco

I think you meant "cold food", not dry food. But the point is debatable anyways. It depends entirely on what food is chosen.

Is a stove and fuel really lighter than the extra down feathers above or ensolite below that would keep one as warm?

The bigger issue seems to be that hot food keeps you happy. No argument there. But if the goal is minimalism, to take only what is necessary to get by, then I would argue that a stove is extraneous.

Hard tack and fat for you while you shiver on your 2mm pad!

no stove = no coffee = no Drifting.

A simple philosophy that has served me well....

Drifting wrote:no stove = no coffee = no Drifting.

A simple philosophy that has served me well....

I see your from the same church as me.

Me too ! No coffee or tea = no walkie... CV

If you eat enough chocolate, you get as much caffeine as a cup of coffee.

north-north-west wrote:If you eat enough chocolate, you get as much caffeine as a cup of coffee.

While there may be some logic in that comment somewhere, im not sure I like eating chocolate at 5am.

If you can drink something as foul-tasting as coffee, an early start on the choccy shouldn't be a problem.

Fair enough.
I quite like being under 70kg though.......

I've never weighed more than around 8 1/2 stone. Whatever that is in metric.

Well done, thou good and faithful servant.

north-north-west wrote:I've never weighed more than around 8 1/2 stone. Whatever that is in metric.

Your tiny!

No, I'm actually fairly solidly boned. There's just not much meat on the bones. Except the backside and thighs, of course.