More new gear!

“Just picked up new Leki trekking poles today, 15 more minutes I can leave the office and try them out.”

“Minor stuff: Trangia cookstove and MSR Titan kettle. Marmot Precip jacket, etc.

Tried out the stove and am satisfied. Not as light as a Pepsi can stove, but is more wind-resistant and seems to have pretty good fuel economy. A brass screw-on cap designed so that you can carry it with fuel inside is superfluous and heavy. Left it home.”

“Oh yeah, also a whole lotta f/d dinners and trail bars for local East-coast hikes and also my circumabulation of Mt. Rainier's Wonderland Trail ("Stoned Expedition" is resurrected, albeit in solo form)beginning 8/1 (have permit reservations).”

“Just got back from REI. Got a Grivel Pamir Ice Axe, another pair of Patagonia Expedition bottoms, and some other stuff.

Two weeks ago I got a Petzl Climbing Helmet and Grivel G10 crampons.”

“pfd's for Khatru and myself...they match too...new kayak paddle for the smokin bunny...water tight case for the new digital camera...tripod for the camera, too. That was it for this week.”

“Wow Snow Nymph...yer planning on stomping on some new territory. I see a transition occurring here.”

“Buddur, we did Mt Abbot without ice axes 2 weekends ago. It was scary seeing SnowDude slip and headed down the glacier. Luckily he stopped with the crampons before he picked up too much speed. Gotta learn how to use this new stuff. The crampons were kewl! This weekend is gonna ROCK!”

“Just got the Osprey Crescent 110 backpack & the Osprey Aether 60 & the Suunto Altimax watch & a new Platy bottle!

New gear rocks!

8D”

“I just received my new Osprey Aether 60 yesterday. Smokies, here I come!!!”

“How does that new one compare to mine, FG?”

“Very similar, bit. The side pockets are mesh instead of solid and are a little deeper, I think. I'll bring it to our next Monte Sano excursion and you can have a peek. I think I like the older one better, but there's really little difference.”

“Got my REI Downtime -5 bag last night. Don't like the color of it, but the price was right. :)”

“CMB -
You ARE crazy. That pack cost as much as both myu vechile payments, fo two months!”

“SG -

How much did you pay and how much dooes it weigh??”

“There's a pretty good discussion on the lightweight backpacker site about the differences between the 2001 and 2002 Aether 60 in case anyone is interested.”

“I love it!

8D”

“Osprey rules! Nice buys!”

“Thank you!

8)”

“that 110 is huge”

“I know!

8)”

“And he bought me a Osprey Luna 75..sweeeeeeeeet pack”

“That I did she is so worth it!

8D”

“Q, I think she got the same bag as sass. If so its 3lbs 8ounce and it cost about $200”

“Its more then that!

8)”

“I went to REI today is see if I could get some info on this weekends member only used gear sale. Sales person said that there wasn't that much good stuff. Yeah, right. He just doesn't want to me snag his gear he's got set aside :)

birch - thanks!”

“no, not more than that CMB”

“I think the 2002 one is $385.

8)”

“$415 tax and all”

“Well...if you have to have the most up to date model....;)”

“LMFAO!!!!

8)”

“.....I forgot to mention. When I was at REI today, they had a pair of snow shoes, can't remember what brand they were, for 80 bones. Might picks me up some.”

“I was JUST at REI tonight.....and got meself a brand new backpack! I can't believe it! I feel soooooo great about it! I have a small torso, (which sucks...) but was able to FINALLY find a pack that fits well, AND I can afford! I purchased the Kelty Coyote 4500. I read up on it, did a great deal of talking to lots of people about different brands/styles and such, and decided that this is the one for me! I'm hoping to test it out soon! I could be going to North Manitou Island next weekend! It'll be my first time there, and I hope the weather pans out nicely, if I do go! :-) ;-)”

“Kelty makes a good, solid pack, coyote13. You can't go wrong. I have two of 'em, they're bomb proof.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence FG! I need it.....I'm still a novice hiker/camper/backpacker when it comes right down to it, but was thoroughly talked to by an associate at REI tonight who knows her stuff. She told me all about my pack and the way it works....

When I finished work tonight, I just KNEW I was going to REI to get it. It took everything in me to contain my excitement as I walked in the store! LOL! The wonderful girl that helped me tonight, was just as happy and excited for me as she fit my newest acquistion to my size! I'm even thinking about just packing whatever I have here at my house, to simulate the weight of a full pack, and taking it on a day hike to get used to it.....”

“Did she bend the stays to conform to your back? If not, there are instructions with the pack. With just the right tweaking, the pack will fit you like a glove.”

“Yes.....actually she did do that! :-)

She also told me that once I do have it packed with all my gear, that it'll shift and I'll have to continue to make adjustments as I wear it.

Fortunately, I live semi-close to the store, so I can always go back there for more help.

Any other advice with this pack? I'd greatly appreciate it!”

“Sounds like you got it knocked, darlin'. Make sure you have a good pair of boots and go hikin'!!!”

“CMB - I got the bag for $199.”

“Ordered one of those custom topos that will cover the entire Dolly Sods and then some. Only one map to carry and it will be waterproof! It will get a field test in April or May after I rehab.”

“GEAR WHORES!”

“I wish I needed something! :(

I guess I'll go to the local gear store for lunch just for the atmosphere.”

“you could always buy me something.”

“Pastrami on rye ok?”

“i don't think those come in my size. now, it would be good if you could try on things to make sure they'd fit me. we're going to have to figure out if we have similar builds, with similar "equipment" if this is going to go well. aHEM!”

“I picked up a big box from campmor today - mostly stuff for the grandkids though. They love camping and I'm gonna get them out more often!”

“$199 now that is a buy!!!!!

8o”

“Hmmm, I haven't bought anything in 3 weeks....I must be coming down with something.”

“Here's some new gear action kind of. I just ordered a new hipbelt for my REI Rising Star pack to replace the original belt that I've grown to dislike. It's too thick and rigid and feels like an inner tube around my waist. I bought a Dana Design Killer B OSL hipbelt off Summit Hut. No plastic stiffner and thinner foam should work much better. Now I just have to get around to sewing it on and making some modifications.”

“I got there real early. They opened the doors and it was a race to the back of the store. The warehouse is a real small area, so it filled quickly. I couldn't even get close to the gear tables and people were cutting in and out of line.

I don't know, maybe I've out grown that rudeness. I left and picked up a pair of Atlas 733 snow shoes that were on sale for 89 bones.”