Addiction begins with a small sample.

“I don't know when my addiction first began but I'm certain it was something small; just a taste. Everytime I think I have a handle on my addiction, it consumes me again. Here is my plight...

It all started when I wanted to buy a day pack. I tried to be economical rather than the gear whore that I am. I bought a small pack that was on sale 50% off. It wasn't what I wanted so I returned it for one that cost twice as much and I'm on a high! It is just too cool!

So, now I'm thinking I could take this to Fiery Gizzard instead of my full size backpack but my 9 pound tent will never fit. I NEED a bivy sack!

So, when looking into bivy sacks, what should I consider? Is there anything I need to avoid or something that is a *must* feature? Please help me feed my addiction.

My name is Sunshine and I'm a gear whore.”

“Hi,
my name is deathmarch and I am a gear pimp.
It all started with a backpack. Soon I discovered TNF and gore-tex. By then it was too late to go back. Soon my addiction spread to biking. Now I am getting a job just to afford a new bike. It's not a bad thing really. We single handedly stimulate the economy.”

“Hi,
My name is pekka. I only stopped in the Target store while on vacation to make my daughter happy. But I slipped away from the girl's clothing department, "just to check out those E.Bauer items the TT folks were discussing." Well I was full of self-control, only examining the daypack that was on sale for only $45, noting that it had admirable features and came in green, my favorite gear color (along with khaki), and that I already had a couple day packs (though they are bright blue).

I admit I should never have touched it, nor even gotten the faintest smell in my nostrels, because by the time I got within range of Lee's Sports, just down the strip a few miles in Kalamazoo, I was into full-blown "must buy something" fever. Of course, no discount gear here. The sale racks were full of winter ski clothes. But the pack racks held a just-in Jansport Dart Frog daypack in sage green, with cool pockets and hideaway raincover, and definitely better suspension and quality than the E.B. pack -- and of course twice the price. But that no longer mattered in my feverish state.

As a travel souvenir, a new pack beats a snow dome anytime. Do I need help or is my self-medication for the fever appropriate?”

“Real addicts would get a smaller solo/2man tent for their trail ho arsenal.

Look into a cheap tarp, the bugs are not in full swing yet.

Bivy sacks/bags can add to the claustrphobic feeling one may already have zipped up in there sleeping bag. It will add warmth to your exsisting sleeping bag. It will also inhibit human vapor/moisture flow, created possible more clamminess within the sleeping bag. It is a nice piece to have but when the temp.'s are well above freezing I rarely use mine. REI Cyclopes

.”

“Well, I have a room of gear and use 3% of it. I'll admit that some of it is car camp gear, sucba,fishin,sno-skiiing,golf(used clubs once)roller blades,(used once,bout killed myself)A box of knives,somthin about my ego! LL and it is overwelming. Certain gear for the west mtns, other gear suits wet weather,cold weather etc. I like gear that is functional and high tech! My purse suffers. I sometimes swap gear at hikes. Which brings me to a gortex bivy. Sunshine, I will bring it to the FG hike, if you want to take a look at it, $75 bucks, will steal it. ClimbHigh is the manufacture. I traded walkindude for a bear cannister and it is not me. Great shape.He can elaborate on it if you wish to persue. A gearhead I am! Yo gear! Gimmme Mo!”

“I've been to Cabela's about 25 times since they opened last September. I've decided to quit my job and just live in my van at their parking lot. But I don't really think I have a problem. You people are all much worse off than I am.”

“LOL!

Sheesh, maybe if I had a JOB, there would be some potential gear whoredom. sigh...

In the meantime, I'll make do with and be grateful for what I have...unless, of course, I can find me a gear daddy!

;o)”

“I got a geer daddy!
(o:3

I do not need much stuff, reely.
I think we mite be gettin me a new leetle pakpak cuz my BIG Wenahaha pakpak is BIG.

If I need a sleepy bag I will use my daddys and he will hafta sleep on the nother end like a ball.

Mebbe some time I will get a bole, to.”

“Damn -- From the title, thought this thread might have nude pic.s of mtn gal on it.”

“Lee, ROTFLMAO! Good one!”

“They say one way to tell you're an addict when you start hiding your habit from others.
One of my favorite lines is "what do you mean honey, I've always had that sleeping bag/tent/etc."”

“Sunshine, I know how you feel. But I'd look at a solo tent rather than a bivy. My little Kelty Clark retails for $140, and offers slightly more room; ie., you can sit up, change clothes, and keep your overnight stuff with you without crowding. Vestibule sucks, though.”

“REI just had this gear sale. I was so proud of myself for limiting my purchase to a Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest and a pair of pants, both of which were on sale. Wasn't my Therm-a-Rest ultralight long light enough? A year ago, I just had to have it. It was over a pound lighter than my other Therm-a-Rest. I could get a full length Ridge Rest for 10 fewer ounces and cut off 1/4 of it for a seat pad while in camp. I could therefore save another 10 oz. by not bringing my chair kit. Saving 20 oz. for $12...it was a deal too good to pass up.

I was making my way to the counter and passed by the stoves. I just had to look at that new MSR Pocket Rocket. Wow! $35 retail and only 3 oz. (4 oz. with the heavy plastic case)! A Primus fuel cannister for it weighs 8 oz. I'll bet my fuel bottle with the equivalent white gas weighs that much. Naaaah...I already have a perfectly good stove...an MSR Dragonfly. It weighs a full pound...a little more with the OR padded case and spare parts kit. The stove would fit in my cook pot without any trouble so I wouldn't need the case. It's so simple, you don't need spare parts. Hmmmm...saving almost another pound for $35 plus the cost of a fuel cartridge. Done!

Now, I feel a little guilty that I have 2 stoves. I can justify that by saying the MSR Pocket Rocket won't be good for winter. Three sleeping pads? Well, I can always keep the thicker, heavier ones for car camping. I'll see if I like the Ridge Rest. If not, it was only $12.

Yup, I'm a gear ho all right!”

“I have the OR standard bivy, and I love it. SImple and not that pricey!”

“I'm not addicted, it's a disease, man! I can't help it.”

“like tommy said, the kelty clark looks like a good solo tent. joel has one. it's pretty roomy, for a solo.

reioutlet.com has it, on sale, for $99.”

“Hi, I'm Existential Boy. I have two packs, looking at something other than a 4-season tent, multiple devices for water purification, and mounds of life-sustaining pack gear in my garage, but I'm not addicted (no matter what my wife says)--I can quit anytime!

(Say, could you spare a few bucks for some new rain gear?)”

“Hey, I'm no addict, I can handle my gear!”

“Hello, my name is Shawn, and I am a backpacker . . . .”

“I'm not addicted either! I will eventually use all 11 sleeping bags and 6 tents! LOL”

“Ldhiker <--Potential gear daddy, talk to me AmyG

; )”

“Yo Bear!
If you bring that bivy to FG, I just might want it back! LOL! I think that may be the shelter to use on the New Hampshire trip.
And I ain't trading the Cannister back for it. Any thing else you may need?
Yo Bivy!”

“Violin, how'd you know I snuck my new day pack inside when my wife was at work? And the down vest and second hammock are stashed in the new big pack that she did see only the outside of. And did someone say new rain gear? My plotting is underway on that. But that's it, I swear. After that I'll quit. Really. No, really.

Hey buddy, can you spare some change for some seam sealer?”

“WD-ill swap ya back!”

“Yo AmyG-- LDHiker is tall, dark and handsome!!!

My family loves trail ho and calls me that every chance they get. Two new backpacks snuck into my house last year and 2 new sleeping bags and......”

“HAHAHA Jerbear!!”

“OOOOH, I almost forgot! I've still got a 50 dollar gift certificate to use at my local outfitter! That's how they get ya, you know...
I mean, come on! How are you expected to go into a palce like that with free money and not go over? why....it's INCONCEIVABLE!
>:D

Yes, MP, but what kind of GEAR does he have? heheheh
Hey LD, don't I know you from "somewhere"? Welcome to the funneee farm!”

“My name is Spam. I too am a gear HO but am going through rehabilitation right now. I haven't bought any gear now since 14 Feb and am only contemplating a new tent. I already have 5 fartsacks,3 tents,3 backpacks,5 pairs of boots, 2 stoves and a pair of tights that I will likely never wear!”

“I got a Mountain HardWear MicroMesh bivy this spring for bug and splash protection under the terp. It was only $50 and, very suprisingly, not at all claustrophobic. It is not waterproof, of this I am certain. What will you be using yours for, Sunshine?”

“terp - LOL at me”

“I'm not hooked really, I'm not... I'm in control.
Everytime the UPS truck turns down our street, my wife says to me..." Ok, what did you order now?"

My wife came home yesterday and I had my new SD Orion setup in the backyard . I asked her who's new tent is that? She said it's yours dear. I said It isssssssssss isn't it!
:P”

“You're not a gear ho IF you really need & use your stuff. I NEED all 3 of my backpacks, just because I changed my mind a couple times on what was best, so what? I NEED both of my day-packs, just because I changed my mind a couple times on what was best, so what? I NEED all 3 of my tents, just because I changed my mind a couple times on what was best, so what? I NEED my OR Advanced Bivy....so, now, maybe, just maybe, I'm thinking a tarp, not sure which one, not sure why, just thinking that maybe I need a tarp...”

“Yes, I'm getting there. I just bought more stuff: small hydration pack, silt-stopper, long underwear, a rain cover for my pack.

I also just signed up with REI - that's the ultimate sign isn't it?”

“hi, i'm gonzo and i'm an addict....we are all addicts....we wouldn't be here talking about all our stuff if we weren't....that's how addicts behave....”

“Lookingglass & I have purchased all our hiking/camping items at one time, tent, thermarest, stove, backpacks etc. I did save buying hiking clothes for last.

This year, I just finished outfitting myself with motorcycle gear and clothes. At this point, I don't think I can afford to get interested in any other sports, lol.”

“I'm going this weekend to REI to get new Trekking Poles.
I had this Massive jar of pennies and cashed them in just yesterday. It came to $105. I believe that should cover it.”

“I got caught tonight sneaking new gear into the house. My Gear Daddy took my plastic away. Gear probation sucks.”

“Pretty Cool, WD... I got me a Harley Jar with lots of daily spare change... I guess I goota start another one for my future new gear. I wonder if that's anything like my future ex-wife?”

“Gear is always better than an X-wife. Sometimes better than your current wife. LOL!”

“Hi, my name is trailbuddy, and I have a problem. I have a nice backpack, tent and sleeping bag, but I don't have a nice good looking girl to share them with. How do I overcome my addiction?”

“If I were a Doctor...
I would prescribe long walks in wilderness areas. If you can't carry ALL of your gear with you, well then...
you'll just have to plan more trips so your other gear gets a chance to go too.
How would you like to be the tent/pack/stove/etc. that never gets to go?”

“Trailbuddy...see AmyG's post above”

“I got lots of unused gear. I'm looking for a good home for some of it.”

“Yes, it all starts so innocently...

One day, you are with a friend, who is getting out his gear and organizing it. You find yourself looking longingly at the shiny gadgets and the dirty (yet somehow ruggedly sexy) clothing, and the next thing you know you are drooling over dog-eared Campmor catalogs, frantically memorizing prices, weights, and specifications.

You move on to obsessively reading every thread on Trail Talk. You worry about whether your Eureka tents are really worthy, or if you should get a Bibler or Hilleberg. You are torn between paring your packweight and spending more money.

Finally, judgement day arrives. You find yourself with a basement full of gear organized by its use. You hardly have time for trips between scheduled maintenance of your multiple stoves, and updating your spreadsheets of gear weights and packing lists. You find yourself tearfully posting on the Gear Junkie Support Group
thread, or the Stuff Storage
thread, and you know that you have finally lost all hope of ever overcoming your addiction.”

“I need a bear canister.
but I'm pretty sure you don't want to part with yours WD.”

“pekka!! That's the daypack I bought. Mine is sage green, too. Man, you have good taste. Ain't it cool?!

Le Subtil, I want to use it on short trips without the kids. I prefer tents to tarps and thought a bivy might be both smaller and more economical.

I'm going to check out that Kelty Clark for $99. Thanks everyone!”

“pekka!! That's the daypack I bought. Mine is sage green, too. Man, you have good taste. Ain't it cool?!

Le Subtil, I want to use it on short trips without the kids. I prefer tents to tarps and thought a bivy might be both smaller and more economical.

I'm going to check out that Kelty Clark for $99. Thanks everyone!”

“TrailBuddy, start clicking on your name from one of your posts, which will bring you to where you posted your name & state. Add your e-mail, a bio, and scan a photo of yourself, and send it to this site. If you want info on posting a pic here, let me know.”

“Naw, I'm keeping the Bear Can.
I just got old gear that has been replaced. Still got some use left but I don't need it anymore”

“Hey lipstick hiker: as you've tutored me in the past as to how to go about relationships with the womenfolk, maybe you could help me out here. How in the hell DO you post pics here? I've been here 2 months and still don't have a pic. And I really need one if I want to be considered for Gear Daddy/Cabana Boy or whatever!”