Sept 23 that means its time for a gear t hread

“Wow--I read everything in this thread--refreshing!!”

“this is why i love this place~~~~~~~
thanks everyone for your insights”

“Tea - I am a Brotherhood OA member. I was active in OA as a Scout and really enjoyed it. One of the biggest thrills of being a father was going on my son's Ordeal weekend about 12 years ago. It was like stepping in a time machine and going back 25 years. Nothing had changed. I was so stoked.

I own a 13 ounce backpacking air mattress. It is small with six separate tubes so you can customize the shape and firmness. I never use it since I got my Thermarest LE. The LE weighs 2 lbs. 5 ounces but is two inches thick and very comfortable. Now I have a Thermarester chair kit on it and I leave that on all the time in lieu of the stuff sack. Wonderful combination as far as I am concerned. But, at age 52, comfort is worth a few pounds to me.”

“I went through the OA ordeal quite a few years back (~1969). I don't recall even having choice a tarp. After we were "tapped out" by this huge guy dressed like an Indian, who literally threw us out of the line, we were run down a trail in the dark. At regular intervals they threw our bags into the woods and that's where you slept! No tarp, pad, etc., it was more like a college hazing! For the next two days we cleared brush, cut trees, peeled logs, and built some kind of "council grounds" . Then they fed us rice for dinner! Sheeese! I'd rather go back packing!”

“Tea, dojn't frewt about leaks with the thermarest 3/4 ultralight. We've had ours for 7 years now, abused and missused em. One leak, repaired with the thermarest repair kit, the first year we owned em. None since. And that patch has held! I highly recommend the thermarest 3/4. If you do alot of winter camping your feet will get cold.”

“Tea -

You cheated! One of the requirements for an OA ordeal is that it rain cats and dogs through the whole night and for at least 12 hours beforehand so that making a fire with two matches is a true challenge (I assume that is still a requirement).

I didn't have a pad on mine either and remember feeling fortunate to have a big flat slab of granite as a bed. I was actually comfortable! Now, 27 years and many pounds later, I wouldn't be without my Therm-a-Rest Ultralight.

Welcome to the brotherhood! (I assume you passed)”

“Make a fire with wet tinder and two matches? Nope, that is not a test that I could pass.”

“The secret is to find dry tinder.”

“Belly button lint is always a good source.”

“What is OA?”

“WD, OA is the Order of the Arrow. It is the camping "honor society" of scouting, so to speak. Members must first be elected by a majority of their peers, then, as in Teas's case, go thru what is referred to as the OA Ordeal. Lots of work, little food, etc.”

“Awe OK. Thanks wanderer. I wasn't in the Scouts so that splaines my ignorance.

Good Luck Tea!”

“Congrats Tea that you were elected!”

“What's the rules? Is it just going on a solo trip to show you can do it? Are you limited to what gear you can take?”

“Thanks for the info and cograts for the OA. I think I will take a trip to campmor and pick up a T-rest Ultra light 3/4 and a petzl tikka unless any one knows of a better head lamp”

“Brotherhood!”

“good choices, tea.”

“oh, and get some first aid kit stuff, too!”

“New gear idea:


We all know about hte 3 heavies parts of our gear. And we all hate that there is really nothing you can do to make them lighter. Well for the tent sector I came up with a good idea this weekend while Iwas waiting for my mom to pick me up. I was just sitting there widdiling a spear out of a 6 inch stick. I then thought today that I could use them for tents spikes and they weigh nothing, or you can just make them when you get into camp”

“Use a sky-hook instead of a tent pole!”

“Yeah but the Left handed smoke shifter dubles as a tent pole allready”

“Instead of bringing cord for guy-outs, collect fifty feet of shoreline near your camping spot.”

“Very simple... Condensation!

Go read a book to find out all about it!”

“Also Brotherhood.

I'm with Phil, the LE is great.”

“This thread was great, then it died. DAMN!”

“Congratulations and welcome to the Order Tea. I just got back from a OA trip myself. (I'm Brotherhood)

You have a combo smoke shifer/ tent pole? That rocks. I'm still saving up to get a titanium bacon strecher.”

“I meant to give props to SGT R0ck on his excellent site. I came across it long ago while surfing and found alot of good info.

It R0cks!”