tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post5032179499455962764..comments2024-01-29T21:23:15.795-08:00Comments on dirtmonger: Sysytem Check: Gear Reviewdirtmongerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12764867892426257306noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-45472417872638987182013-09-10T10:57:38.527-07:002013-09-10T10:57:38.527-07:00It has been a wet summer out in Four Corners area....It has been a wet summer out in Four Corners area. I hope NM was still green for you too! What a beautiful sight...<br /><br />I soak my Vlop in water about an hour before eating and let the mixture sit in its container in the outer mesh pocket of my Kumo Superlight. It doesn't take long to rehydrate them and letting them soak in the sun actually makes the mixture warm or of ambient temperature. But an hour usually makes the mixture more palatable. It is just like cooking it, just over a little bit longer period of time, and it soaks while I hike. So it turns out to be very efficient, healthy, convenient, and clean. I go into a little more details on my 'I am: Stoveless' entry.dirtmongerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12764867892426257306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-82008590418773971602013-09-10T10:26:58.601-07:002013-09-10T10:26:58.601-07:00The San Mateos and Magdalenas were not dry. The Ma...The San Mateos and Magdalenas were not dry. The Mateos were drenched while I was there, raining on me first two nights. That descent from Blue Mountain into the valley inside the mountains, coming from the south, where I finally found that unmarked junction with Apache Kid trail off the FS road was like a swamp, wet up to my knees crossing multiple runoffs! The Maggies had some rain, not as much, but the plants and animals were happy with recent moisture. So you chew on refried beans and TSP? Do you rehydrate them prior to eating?<br />B.Well<br />b.d.wrenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-52728667198239006482013-09-08T09:36:54.824-07:002013-09-08T09:36:54.824-07:00Thanks for your thoughts. I totally agree on findi...Thanks for your thoughts. I totally agree on finding a good camp spot for a comfortable night sleep. With many miles on trail and hiking for days on end you can become pretty efficient and observant in finding good ground to throw out a thin pad.<br /><br />Im envious of yer hike in the san mateos and the maggies. I loved that section. Hopefully you had great weather.<br /><br />As far as my diet, my main meal course is my Vlop mixture (veggie slop, a dehydrated mix of refried beans, amongst a slew of veggies and tvp). Ive not used vitalyte but i may just look into it a little more. I just use water. Im in the process of re-inventing my menu for next year. In my Vlop this summer i realized i needed more carbs, as my constant cravings in town for carbs and sweets told me so...dirtmongerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12764867892426257306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-315675092139208102013-09-08T07:27:03.749-07:002013-09-08T07:27:03.749-07:00Dirtmonger,
Great report. Can't seem to post a...Dirtmonger,<br />Great report. Can't seem to post a comment, but I keep trying. I also ditched airpad in the southwest. Just hiked from Monticello to Magdalena, through San Mateos and the Maggies. Thought of your comments as I wandered semi-lost on those nearly abandoned trails.<br /><br />My GG sleeping pad is just fine, as long as I hike hard enough to be truly tired at the end of the day. Finding a good site is helpful, too, though any place will do when it's getting dark.<br /><br />I know you go stoveless, so what do you like to eat on the trail? Do you rehydrate with something like Vitalyte? <br />b.d.w.renAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-89490109319472674622013-09-06T15:07:37.785-07:002013-09-06T15:07:37.785-07:00Thanks for the question and reading...
My MontBel...Thanks for the question and reading...<br /><br />My MontBell windshirt got soaked on trail if it rained hard enough over a period of time, say 30min. I should add that I picked up a lightweight plastic poncho for the GET and CT that proved to be useful and functional. I wore the windshirt underneath. I chose the windshirt because of the aridity of the southwest. I just so happened to hike the GET in e monsoon season. This year started off dry then the monsoons got heavy.<br /><br />I have a high tolerance for e uncomfortablity one might express. I loved my sleeping pad no matter how thin it is. It didn't bother me one bit. I would raise caution to a neo air in the southwest. I think it would surely pop with all the spikes, sharps, and pricks of the desert.<br /><br />I spent many years hardening my body to sleeping on the floor. I slept fine on to of rocks, hard dirt, and clumps of tussock. A long as e sleeping pad blocks the cold from the ground is really all that matters to me.dirtmongerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12764867892426257306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088382655965294916.post-27003233679500974352013-09-06T10:29:50.915-07:002013-09-06T10:29:50.915-07:00Lots of good gear ideas tempered by real world use...Lots of good gear ideas tempered by real world use (not just ultralight armchair fantasy).<br /><br />I see no raingear except for your Montbell wind shirt. My windshirts usually get soaked and clingy in a rain, almost useless. How did this work for you?<br /><br />Also, I found on a recent hike that the minor increase in weight of a Thermarest Neo Air XLite 3/4 (about 9oz total) brought a huge increase in comfort. Sleeping pads have come a long way. It might be something to try.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com