First 5 day hike, gear reviews sort of

[wildernesswanderer]

Just been back on our first 5 day outing. All up 10 of us went but only 5 of us made it all the way from Mt Howitt to Mt Speculation. It was the first hike some had ever done but thought I'd say what I though of some of our gear

I took a Macpac Cascade 90, once packed it was about 24kg, 6kg was camera gear. While I wouldn't like to carry any more than this is was comfortable to carry. Mt Buggery and Horrible Gap had the group rock scrambling and the pack was dragged up a few spots and dropped off other (lightly of course) it hardly has a mark on it and had no worries with the treatment I gave it. I usually don't like pockets, and straps and etc all over packs but on this hike they came in handy. High recommend.

My wifes pack is a Macpac Espirt 65. Very much like the Cascade just a womens specific pack, She had about 16kg in hers and said it was very comfortable and easy to carry.

My Sleeping bag is a S2S APII and is a 850loft bag. Night temps were quite warm, 2-6 degrees, I wear merinos for sleeping and I had the bag pretty much unzipped the whole time. It's warm, very warm, I think I only zipped it to chest high once, I really like it. I'm 5'10" and it fits me well and allows me to move around no worries, I use to have a bag that I could hardly move in, I prefer this with it room inside. One negative and I sent this to S2S is that it comes in a standard compression bag, I ask why they did not sell this with a S2S Event waterproof compression sack. I bought a medium and it compresses much smaller and the sack is waterproof now. Only one other person didn't complain about being cold as that was...

My wife: She has a Macpac, she has a Latitude 700XP and again it suits her, a little heavier than mine but she says she is warm and its comfortable. She won't come snow hiking with me but it will handle all other conditions well.

I bought a Therm-A-Rest X-Therm from the UK, yes they ship to Aus unlike the USA. Posted to my door was about $200, this probably contributed to me being warm every night, but it was like luxury compared to my old mat. No problems and I can see years out of this. Regular size

My wife has a All-Season and also a large, she wanted the extra width. Again very nice mat and highly recommend.

Hilleberg NAMMATJ 2 GT: Whats to say, heaps of room and bombproof. We split the weight I carry the outer with groundsheet attached and poles and pegs, my wife carries the inner. It is integral pitch but I figure if I keep the inner in a waterproof stuff sack it keeps it away from the outer that could get wet. Very easy to pitch as the first night we arrived in darkness. I had the tent up in under 5 minutes. Now to find a solo tent for me

I have a Omilite Ti stove and we took gas with is this time, I can't say how much I love this stove. We have used it with white fuel the first trip we took but as there was going to be a couple of others using the stove I thought gas would be easier. Anaconda had the large canisters for $19.95, shock horror Aussie Disposals sell the same canister for $10.95. Lasted the whole trip with 4 of us using it for Breakfast/Dinner. It's easy to use, simmers brilliantly and is light and easy to pack up. We cooked sausages the first night with veggies and mash, a couple of Indian curries with rice and a dehydrated beef stew one night as well, had to have pancakes one day and this is where the heat control really works well.

Cook set we have is a GSI Pinnacle Base Camper set, This is a non-stick set that has a frypan, two pots, two lids that are strainers, a chop board and kitchen wash sink, fantastic set, never got stuff stuck and the frypan was a hit with everyone for their pancakes , I will buy a smaller solo set for myself.

Steripen was great, but with 10 people the battery died day 4, must remember to take a extra next time but simple to use.

S2S X-Set, Love that these collapse and can be squeezed in anywhere. we got the 3 set, plate, bowl and cup.

My favourite new piece of equipment is Macpac new Sheild Jacket, great windproof jacket, warm in the mornings, blocks all wind and doesn't fell clammy. Really really liked this jacket.

Things I took but didn't use:

My PLB ( although I was thinking wonder if I set it off they would bring me a pizza, ok jokes aside this is by far the best investment I never want to use, but with 10 of us and being miles from anywhere (actually we would have been about 6hours from anything) I can't imagine why anyone would hike with out one)

All up just a great hike and if you have never done the Crosscut Saw in Victoria the views are spectacular, not all easy, My Buggery and Horrible Gap are named for a reason but the views make the hike so worth it.

Things I defiantly want for the next hike

Hiking Poles: Ended up using a stick, can see the benefits of them after that hike

Gaiters, my legs are cut up from the rocks, and bushes we went though.

I guess last thing is my equipment has been bought from

Macpac,
Mountain Designs
Kelly's Basecamp
Paddy Pallin
Backpacking Light
& Ultralight Backpacking Gear UK

Last edited by wildernesswanderer on Sat 05 Jan, 2013 8:36 am, edited 2 times in total.

[nq111]

Good work.

Did you change the nozzle on the omnilite? I know you are supposed to for gas but have read it works fine as well on the shelite nozzle.

[wildernesswanderer]

Yeah I changed it, it takes two minutes, I have heard you don't really need to either but I did for this trip

[Kung_F00L]

I'm currently in the market for some cookware.
Have been doing some research on the GSI Pinnacle Base Camper.

Are your lids the see-thru pastic material?
Or are they anodized aluminum?

Personally i would prefer the lids to be aluminum. But i can't seem to find any where in Australia that stocks them.