Gaiters

[blytonian]

Hi BWA guys 'n gals.

Recycling BW oldie here with a couple of 'noob again' questions.

Gaiters...or not? Especially for walking in the scrub in shorts in the tropics, although a Tassie trekabout is on the cards as well. Experience level is novitiate again really, as my bushwalking days were in my youth when I did quite a lot of out and back day trips. Quite a lot of isolated bush and tropics experience in the army (inf) where fully tactical meant just that in either old heavy GP boots or boots 'n gaiters carrying it all on your back for a fortnight. Snakebite protection from them is understood a given + in AU, but otherwise are the must have at certain times or nice to have item trekking about IYE? Cost isn't the issue, practicality & comfort is sailent in mind to me that they are just surplus to requirement weight if not being worn.

Sleeping mat? No such luxury back then....but old bones and back say yes now. Weight is the concern as most of the 3cm self expanding foam ones weigh in from 800g to just under 1 kg. Carrying on my not so young back in a Sherpa 65.

Triangia (meths) stoves and Total Fire Bans. Read the (Qld) blurb which seems to intimate they are permitted even in TFB declaration unless specifically declared "no fires at all including stove cooking fires". Could someone clarify? Just like to do the right thing is all.

Toilet trowel? Suggestions for compact and strong? I've seen some in theory a good idea folding handle stainless ones, but the handle to blade attachment looks a bit flimsy for digging in other than sand to me. The Nilfisk nyglass gardening ones from Bunnings are cheap, sturdy and lightish (89g) just taking up a bit of pack space is all as the handle doesn't fold. Is there anything purpose built or better weight and pack fit wise? I'm sure I'll have more questions later...

[north-north-west]

The metal S2S iPood is a good lightweight, collapsible trowel. Even has a hollow handle to carry a bit of paper.

Gaiters are almost a must for Tassie, and on the mainland there are few areas I'd walk without something to keep the usual detritus out of my socks and footwear. There are short, lightweight version that do that.

ExPed DownMats/SynMats (provided they behave) or Thermarest NeoAirs are light and comfy. Not the cheapest, but worth the cost and weight.

Gas stoves are permitted during TFBs in some states but not in others. Metho stoves are less likely to be legal. Best to contact the relevant authorities and get specific information from them, and then if you get busted you'll have someone to sue.

[corvus]

You can also put one of these in the ipood hollow handle http://www.cleanspray.com.au/

[nq111]

Hi blytonian.

Quick response:

Gaiters Yes, I wear them always in the tropics. Essential off track IMO as lots of nasty scrub. Choice is light breathable ones to keep sticks and rocks out of shoes or heavy, shin high to protect the shins (but make sure they are 'stand up' types that can be left loose for air flow at the top.

Sleeping mat Closed cell foam is by far the best for insulation to weight, but the bulk sucks and not so comfortable. Neoair (Cascade Designs) or exped insulated air mats are the inbetween solution and super comfortable.

Toilet trowel?+ 1 to the cheap Bunnings ones. Won't get much lighter for something as sturdy. if you are really keen a good quality snow peg or titanium custom job will be lighter, but I love a good trowel as digging in many parts of QLD requires a fair bit of effort (not soft, easy to dig soil)

[Maaxxx]

Unfortunately I think you will find the "ipood" is no longer available as such. Not under that name anyway. I'm led to believe Apple cracked the sads and had them taken off the market. Sea to Summit still sell the exact same item however but now they are just the boring old "Lightweight Pocket Folding Trowel".

[blytonian]

Thanks fellas. So much kit available now in comparison with my relative youth. And quite inexpensive even for quality for the discerning online shopper.

The whole show will of course be a relearning curve, albeit with the pragmatism and common sense that accompanies the older head (hopefully) in most instances. But then the journey is the destination isn't it, as long as unbearable discomfort or reckless stupidity is avoided.

My kit has steadily been arriving the past few draws. Almost feels like being a kid at Christmas again, ...almost. Just wish we could recover the spirit of it of yore in lieu of the superficiality and commercialism which has hijacked it (nostalgic soapbox mode off).

I went for a compactable self expanding foam sleeping mat. Fortunately my lightweight summer sleeping bag balances out the weight and additional bulk of that. I have a highly compactable ulltra light weight merino & silk liner to supplement if the night turns chilly. Ever pack weight concious, nevertheless I went for the compactness of a folding metal trowel. I'll 'engineer' it so it won't fold under load field testing prior to depending on it in my kit. Gaiters. Bought some long ones to go with my TEVA Event hikers. Gore-Tex as I've always found the material comfortable. Experience will reveal how they fare in the sub-tropics for breathability and if they were a good choice or mistake. Good wicking Fox River supportive hiking socks underneath. Still looking for some good non cotton or nylon jock style non chafing moisture wicking underpants though. The cost of Armor inc shipping from the US is just silly.

Excited as my Trangia stove arrived today. Sheer luxury. I bought the gas burner for it as well for day and overnight trips where obtaining cartridges or refills or airline travel aren't operational or logistic concerns.