I'm a gear tester!

“For a small midwestern company called ALPS Mountaineering. Brian from ALPS is sending me their new Cascade Pack to test, which I plan on using on our next backpacking trip to Pennsylvania. I already have several ALPS products which I'm really satisfied with so I'm eager to try this pack out!”

“Soooooooo...just where are you from?”

“I don't mean to sound like a jerk but I tested for them too for some of there backpacks and between you and me they sucked!

There tents are ok but just too heavy!

8)”

“Hey crazy Mike, are you the leader of the Northwest Indiana Backpacking Club? If so, do you know Charlie? He's a friend of mine. Actually I like all my gear I bought from ALPS Mountaineering so far. I have the Taurus 2AL tent and the Silver Springs (long) 20 degree Mummy Bag. I also recently purchased the new Blue Ridge-20 Mummy for winter camping here in northeast Ohio. So I trust I will also like the Cascade Pack, especially since it will only cost me $52.00! 60% off cost for participating in the ALPS Pro Tester Program. Not bad!”

“Yes I am and yes I know Charlie.They gave me the 60% off also but when I sent in the review of the pack and told them about lots of problems with the pack they said they did not want me as a gear tester anymore.

But hey I use Osprey packs now and I will never go back to any other pack.

I am glad that you have found gear that you like and thats all that counts in backpacking.

I hope to be able to hike with you someday.By the way I have not heard from Charlie in sometime how is he doing?

8)”

“Charlie is doing good. He bought a house in Mooresville. He's doing good for himself I'm happy to say. We are talking about perhaps getting together for some hiking fun in Pennsylvania over the Labor Day weekend, if his work schedule permits. He's a real nice person. I would like to meet him, so would my girlfriend.”

“Welcome, TROLL!”

“...By the way”

“...what pack did you test?”

“Dub this guy is not a Troll.


8)”

“I think I've met him before.”

“Thats cool Dub.


By the way the pack that I tested was the 5000 ci red tail.

Two of the straps failed on a 4 day trip which sucked!


8)”

“Oskar??”

“That's what I figure, lizzy.”

“I'm sorry to hear that Crazy Mike. Did you know I purchased the new Glacier tent but one of the scandium poles sort of "gave way"? I sent it back and Brian from ALPS is exchaging it for the Cascade Pack. Thank God it didn't happen on one of my camping trips. I was planning on testing it at Forked Run State Park this coming weekend. Oh well, I still have my Taurus!”

“Thats cool I just am not down with the weights on there gear hut hey if you like it and it works for you the keep using it!

8)”

“I may not read all the threads, but once in awhile I know what's going on!”

“Nah... couldn't be Oskar. If it was Oskar, every other damn word would be... You Know....”

“But he's mebbee been in therapy??”

“Ya got a point there, Tilt.”

“I'm Little Egypt!”

“WTF???????????


8|”

“I'm the Sheik of Araby!”

“A kinder, gentler, Oskar?”

“Ever been to Utah?”

“Crazy Mike, what pad do you like most? Personally I really like the Cabela's self inflating pads. I have both the King and regular models. I did have the Thermarest LE but it was far too soft for my liking. The Cabela's pads are more firm and I sleep better on them. I gave the Thermarest to my girlfriend for car camping.

Since I'm saving money on the Cascade Pack, I think I will have enough for some new hiking boots. I have my eye on the Cabela's Mountain Hikers. They got an excellent reviews on another site. They are very sturdy with plenty of ankle support. Right now I'm using the Trail Lite Gore-Tex Hikers. But I need a boot with a little more "support" if you know what I mean.”

“8|---------zzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!”

“I have had the thermarest guidelight for a long time I use it the most.

8)”

“"Eyes melt! Skin explodes! Ev-ry-bo-dy dead!"

Eh, "Frank"?

LOL”

“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”

“I'm the Duke of Earl!”

“Holy smokes I've never seen this many new trolls on one thread!! New trolls to me anyway.

"I may not read all the threads, but once in awhile I know what's going on!"
lizs
07:22:51 PM
08/05/03
Lizs, I'm with you all the way on this one.”

“It is confirmed that Ohio Hiker is actually Oskar. I emailed him and asked. And I said I'd be nice this time around.”

“Crap. I was hoping to see how long it would take him to figure out who "Dub" was.”

“Wasn't Dub was the guy on the Andy Griffith Show who stole the blonde from Ernest T. Bass?”

“No, Tilt. Dub is wvaasspacker.”

“Don't ALPS packs come with an exterier pocket for mallets?”

“welcome ohio hiker.

play nice you two!!

you have mail.”

“Crazy Mike, I talked to Charlie today. He enjoyed the pictures I emailed him. They were of my backpack trip to Virginia over the Fourth of July weekend. Did you like the pictures Mapleleaf?”

“yes thank you very much.

we will get together maybe next spring!”

“I'm happy to hear that Mapleleaf! Perhaps next Spring then if not before. I do have vacation time coming. I'm thinking about taking it sometime in the Fall when the leaves are changing colors. I love that time of year. All of the Summer humidity is gone! Summer is like my LEAST favorite time of year. I also enjoy Winter but I wish for more snow however. Both I and Amy enjoy Winter Camping. Plus I can't wait to try out my new -20 Blue Ridge Mummy Bag I purchased from ALPS Mountaineering!”

“You really are a ALPS whore! Have you ever tried anything else?”

“"ALPS whore!" LOL @ WK.”

“Sounds like ALPS is more interested in gear advertisers than gear testers.”

“Don't ALPS packs come with an exterier pocket for mallets?
Nigal
08:20:17 AM
08/06/03

I don't think so, Nigal.
I think they come with a pocket for this sexy little number.”

“I have never found everything put out by one particular company to my liking. I have stuff from a bunch of makers. I would like to get another pack. CMB swears up and down about Osprey. Have to check them out first.”

“ALPS Whore??? Actually I tried and own many different brands of gear such as Diamond Brand, Cabela's, EMS, REI, The North Face and ALPS. So I must be all these brand's "whores" if you know what I'm saying.”

“You’re not a whore just easy.”

“Oskar you Diamond Brand-Cabela's-EMS-REI-The North Face-ALPS Whore!”

“Ha Ha! No, I didn't mean anything bad by the comment, I just see you pimping the hell out of ALPS.

Is there anything you like from other manufactures?”