Gear-O-Meter

“Just so we have a backpacking thread.

On a scale of 1 to 10 rate the last piece of gear you bought. With 10 being the best.

Self inflating sleeping pad--10.”

“Arafat Doo Rag - 7”

“shoelace --- 10”

“The last thing I bought!”

“The Visa Card ---10.5”

“bacpac, that arafat doo rag thing is just hilarious. Are you going to post a picture of it? Is a new bathing suit considered gear? I got a new suit and I would rate it an 8. Yes, it is true, sometimes I swim w/ a suit on.”

“I will post a picture when you post yours.”

“Outdoor Research Mutant Modular Mitts -9.5”

“EMS non-stretch nylon cord: 9”

“NRS paddle gloves- 10!”

“Bacpac, aren't you at work right now?”

“If the gear companies would put their down short sleeping bags on sale at deep discount, then I would post that. The real last gear I bought was a compression bag for my V-4 tent that I struggle to stuff back into the bag it came with.”

“NRS paddle gloves- 10! Broke them in on a mini trip with skiracer and jerbear. That lazy skiracer let me do all the work while he lounged in the front of the kayak;-)

Any one ever see a bear in a Speedo? I have!”

“I am in my office. It is lunch time.”

“Pamster, on another hiking group, a question came up about gear stores in the Greensboro/Winston-S area. A young girl tent shopping. Do you know of any good stores?”

“LyndyS- You mean you visit other sites? I'm suprised at you! ;-) I've never hit the gear shops in Greensbor/Winston area (I'm in Durham). Swiss Miss lives in that area, you might want to ask her. I do know they have a Great Outdoor Provision Company there. It's a local company in NC. The store here in Durham is great and the staff is knowledgable as well as a lot of fun.”

“La Sportiva TRKs: so far, about a 9. I need to take them into those hills for the MUDs and PUDs.”

“you may have just started a shopping spree, i can't remember the last piece of gear i bought. got a pocket rocket for my birthday though.9”

“Petzl Tikka - 10
Platypus Hoser 2 - 9”

“LyndyS
In Greensboro:
The Great Outdoor Provision Company

Blue Ridge Mountain Sports

Both in Friendly Shopping Center within sight of one another.”

“Leatherman mini multi tool. Rating 4. I thought it would have pliers, but I do use the scissors.”

“Hmmm...

I can't remember what I bought last. It's been so long! Damn!!! I'm gonna go buy something at an outfitter right feckin' now!!!!!”

“That's the spirit roseymonster!”

“Yeah, my gear is so old....
hey, that gives me an idea...”

“i had the opportunity to test out several pieces of new gear this past weekend and all performed flawlessly....

lowe alpine contour4 internal frame backpack....9.5 (extremely comfortable but i miss having outside pockets....guess i'll have to buy some of the "add-ons")

kelty vortex2 tent....10 (although we didn't get rained on)

campmor down sleeping bag....10 (very comfortable, although too much bag for the hot weather)

therm-a-rest ultralight full length sleeping pad....9.5 (also very comfortable, although kind of a pain in the ass to roll up when i was in a hurry....i probably need to work on my technique)

therm-a-rest camp chairs....10 (these things are great....we used them with ridgerest pads in them and they got abused....thrown off a cliff, on the beach under wet, sandy conditions....very well made product!!)”

“Trojan Ribbed Lubricated Premium Latex Condoms (XL) - 10”

“new tent - outbound resolute 3 - give it a 7.. kinda heavy, but it will fit 3

misty mountain fleece pants - 9.. only wore them a half hour, they will be great in the fall.”

“Marmot Precip rain pants. 10. Doubles as evening pants if it gets cold. Used them in 4 days of rain, and stayed dry. Weighs 6.4 oz. REI rainpants were 11+ oz.”

“Hilleberg Nallo 2 tent. I rate it 10 plus.”

“Grivel Air Tech Axe. I haven't used it yet, but swingin' it around the gear room, I'll give it a 10.”

“Hi, I'm a newbie today. I just posted on the bivy thread as well. Anyway back to the subject. MSR Pocket Rocket. Lightweight and is a real torch! Huge fun. One canister 8oz lasted 4 days.”

“Oops, sorry, forgot to rate it. The Pocket Rocket gets an 8; fast, light, sounds cool when you light it, but loses performance when the canister gets low. Don't stick your tongue on the canister either, it gets pretty cold.”

“does it sound like a, er, uh, what's the word I'm looking for...oh yeah, a ROCKET?”

“uh...no, that's not it.”

“DAMN!”