When I began to formulate a plan to run from Powell River to Vancouver, following a route which has never been completed in its entirety, in an unprecedented length of time, it became clear that gear was going to play a major role.
This is an area to discuss ultra light gear for this trip, and for all club members in general to chime in. The first couple of pieces of gear I will bring to everyones attention would have surely made the Stein Valley trip a couple of years ago a lot more comfortable for those who chose to go unprepared rather than lug heavy gear, as just one example.
The most significant gear weightwise is the pack, sleeping bag, and bivy/tent/tarp/hammock or combination of those items.
After looking into sleeping bags I decided I will be able to fit my gear into a 15L pack, which is quite extreme I know, but it looks like I'll have half that for food no problem. So I settled in the Deuter Speedlite 15. At 350 g it is not much heavier than the Speedlite 10, and it boast a removeable flexible delron rod used as a frame which I think I will be able to rig up the top of my bivy sack with to give me some space around the head. They also offer a 20, 25 & 30L versions in this pack but the weight starts to go up significantly.
The next item I just got a few minutes ago. It is a Marmot Pounder 40f Sleeping Bag. It is synthetic which is best for wet and damp conditions, most are heavier, but this is similar in weight to an ultralight down bag. It weighs 453 g or about exactly a pound. It is rated as comfortable between 10-14 degrees, and as a survival bag down to -2. Using it with a bivy will boost its temperature rating somewhat and there are always things like using a bag liner and using separate dry wool clothing for sleeping to improve its usefulness. This bag is light enough and packs down to about the size of a big gulp or whatever from the corner store.
Aside from that I have a bivy and tarp picked out but more on that, and other gear later.
Comments
I have two different bivy bags....
I have an ultra light bivy sack that I bought at MEC. It's a permanent part of my emergency kit & despite it's light weight, can be re-used a few times....but it may be too delicate for a multi-day adventure. I can't recall it's name (I'm at the office right now), but it folds into a pouch that is aprox 3"diam x 4" high. I'm 6' tall & fit into the bag very easily (along with a few other bits of gear & clothing).
My light-weight standby is an Integral Design South Col (about 550gm). Very reliable, durable, & minimalist. Make sure you get both the sleeping bag & the bivy with their respective zippers on the same side....makes for easier in/out.
If you are going with another person, you should consider a lightweight tent instead....they usually weigh less than two bivy bags.
For comfort & insulation from the ground, you might consider cutting a small Evazote pad to fit into your pack. It can do double duty as a protector for your back as well as a sleeping pad. If you wanna be hardcore (but still somewhat comfortable), cut it to the length of your torso (hip to shoulders). If you really wanna save weight, get familiar with using fallen vegetation.
Consider reinforcing the stitching on your pack....those ligtweight packs are often under-engineered. Bring it to a commercial repair place & get the obvious stress points reiforced (or bring some dental floss & a needle to do the repairs on the trail).
Good luck & have fun out there!
Bivy
I ended up picking up the Equinox Bivy. Its ripstop nylon, with a waterproof silicone coating on the bottom side. 6 oz and only $60. There are actually 4 oz bivys out there but they are in the $200 price range.
I plan to use it with a Siltarp 1 or something to that effect, and I think going with a lighter more breathable bivy will work out better as far as condensation ect...
Actually I was suprised at how heavy duty that little pack is. The straps go into heavy duty nylon strips that run through it. Deuter is pretty good. Olive liked mine so much she went and got a slightly different one a couple of days later.
Backpackinglight.com sells a little pad like you're talking about for just the torso for under $10 which is about and ounce and a half, and they have inflatable pillows that are under an ounce and also dirt cheap. They also have a 50' white water rescue (floating) rope with 1400 pound strength which is only a couple of ounces, which will come in handy for river crossings, bear bagging, ridges & passes ect...
Those emergency bivy's are actually pretty durable if its that one that looks like woven aluminum foil. I actually was just going to get one of those until I came across the Equinox.
I think it would be hard not to have fun out there. Many have described this as the best area they've ever explored (including some of BC's most illustrious mountaineers). Plus I have to have something to look forward to since I got burned in the KK lottery!
Tell me more about the route?
Hi Ryan,
I'm very interested in the route. Can you give me any details or is this strictly a solo adventure?
I suppose the amount of food will depend on your estimated amount of time. Water should be obtainable en-route with purification drops.
Give me details if you can. I'd be happy to share some of our fastpacking tips and tricks!
Cheers,
Mike
You are more than welcome
I posted it as a flash event. I just started this thread to discuss gear so the page itself doesn't get too cluttered.
If you know of anyone else interested they are welcome too, the main thing is that some days will be long running days (up to 62 km) and some parts there is no trail so it will be tough going in sections. The other guy confirmed would fit well into your speed and mine. As long as everybody is in the 3-4 hour marathon, 6-8 hour Knee Knacker range we should be pretty good I think.
I am currently looking into the possibility of going around the south side of Mount Albert and then tying into the upper Hunaechin by climbing behind Mount Helena and Old One Eye Peak to avoid thick bush in the typical Hunaechin Valley route.
Here is the link to the event:
http://www.clubfatass.com/events/dogwoodindian-trek-2010
There is water everywhere, that is not an issue. We can bring supplies to get us to Squamish and load up again there.