Win Heger
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2000
- Messages
- 3,386
Let me first state that I am an outdoor person, but most of my time is spent in NJ fishing on the Atlantic. Notice I didn't say catching.
We are not hikers or climbers!!
I just took a week long trip to Jackson/Yellowstone and used many items that were recommended here. We did quite a bit of day hiking but did no overniters. Here are a few mini-reviews, please comment:
Wind Shirt: Montrane, very light, and did a great job of blocking the wind. We hiked up Mt Washburn (10,000 ft) and it was quite windy and cold at the top. Pulled on the Montrane and instant warmth. A+++
Note: these run SMALL, buy at least one size larger!!
Camera: I had bought an Olympus Stylus 170 for a teenager I outfitted for a summer in Yellowstone. She loved it so I borrowed it. Could not
have been happier with a compact. My friend brought a Sony digital,
don't know model, she was way ahead of me in picture count and will be buying one of her own, but wants a more powerful zoom. This girl knows her cameras and I was impressed. We also had an older SLR Minolta with a 70-210 zoom, did well, but my Olympus was much more convenient.
Binoculars: Again, borrowed a pair of 8x22 Steiners from our young friend. Worked well but not enough power. My friend brought Steiner 7x50s that were much nicer to use, but much heavier. I'll either buy a pair of 10x42s or bring my 7x50s next time.You really want power for
wildlife viewing and stability was not really an issue.
Shoes: Went to Campmor and got a pair of Montrail low hikers. Worked great, did not test the value of Gore Tex. Problably a gimmick 'cause once the water is over your ankle, you're wet. I'll try them this fall.Always buy good hikers, we all were very happy we had good shoes.
For socks,I used Smartwool light hikers and they were fine, I had liners but didn't use them.
Underwear: We bought into the "wicking" style and were glad we did. I
sweat and these rocked. I had Terramar, my fiend had CoolMax, both were great. Temps ran from 27 to 75 one day. Wash in the sink at nite and they're dry in the AM. With layering we were always comfortable. No more cotton!!
Outerwear: I used an older Patagonia Polartec, was fine. My wife is cold all the time. She'd wear gloves and socks in the Tropics. On a friends advise I got her a Marmot Windstopper fleece. She loved it!!
Good prices at REI Outlet.
Raingear: I used an older Helly Hansen packable jacket. My wife used Red ledge. Both were fine, not much rain. If I was buying a new one it would be Red Ledge.
Gear: We all had Kelty day packs. I borrowed mine from my friend and it was larger than the others, worked great and I was able to carry extra water and clothes.
We used Nalgene Lexan water bottles and they were terrific. A
bladder style might have been nice but someone told me they get "yucky" after awhile. The mesh pockets on the Keltys worked well for the bottles. Tip: buy the 32oz., the 16oz are a little small.
I carried a Terzoula ATCF in a Graley sheath and a Phil Wilson
S30V utility fixed blade. Didn't really test either but they were there. The Wilson has been on my boat for a couple of months and it is great as a utility blade.
I had a Surefire E2e and a 6P along. Used them quite a bit and was thankful for there reliabilty. Also, had Petzl Tikka headlamps, but never used them. Night hikes were not reccommended do to bears.
Please, do yourselves a favor and go to Yellowstone. September was beautiful and hardly any crowds. Wildlife was very active!! Hope I
didn't bore everyone.
Win
We are not hikers or climbers!!I just took a week long trip to Jackson/Yellowstone and used many items that were recommended here. We did quite a bit of day hiking but did no overniters. Here are a few mini-reviews, please comment:
Wind Shirt: Montrane, very light, and did a great job of blocking the wind. We hiked up Mt Washburn (10,000 ft) and it was quite windy and cold at the top. Pulled on the Montrane and instant warmth. A+++
Note: these run SMALL, buy at least one size larger!!
Camera: I had bought an Olympus Stylus 170 for a teenager I outfitted for a summer in Yellowstone. She loved it so I borrowed it. Could not
have been happier with a compact. My friend brought a Sony digital,
don't know model, she was way ahead of me in picture count and will be buying one of her own, but wants a more powerful zoom. This girl knows her cameras and I was impressed. We also had an older SLR Minolta with a 70-210 zoom, did well, but my Olympus was much more convenient.
Binoculars: Again, borrowed a pair of 8x22 Steiners from our young friend. Worked well but not enough power. My friend brought Steiner 7x50s that were much nicer to use, but much heavier. I'll either buy a pair of 10x42s or bring my 7x50s next time.You really want power for
wildlife viewing and stability was not really an issue.
Shoes: Went to Campmor and got a pair of Montrail low hikers. Worked great, did not test the value of Gore Tex. Problably a gimmick 'cause once the water is over your ankle, you're wet. I'll try them this fall.Always buy good hikers, we all were very happy we had good shoes.
For socks,I used Smartwool light hikers and they were fine, I had liners but didn't use them.
Underwear: We bought into the "wicking" style and were glad we did. I
sweat and these rocked. I had Terramar, my fiend had CoolMax, both were great. Temps ran from 27 to 75 one day. Wash in the sink at nite and they're dry in the AM. With layering we were always comfortable. No more cotton!!
Outerwear: I used an older Patagonia Polartec, was fine. My wife is cold all the time. She'd wear gloves and socks in the Tropics. On a friends advise I got her a Marmot Windstopper fleece. She loved it!!
Good prices at REI Outlet.
Raingear: I used an older Helly Hansen packable jacket. My wife used Red ledge. Both were fine, not much rain. If I was buying a new one it would be Red Ledge.
Gear: We all had Kelty day packs. I borrowed mine from my friend and it was larger than the others, worked great and I was able to carry extra water and clothes.
We used Nalgene Lexan water bottles and they were terrific. A
bladder style might have been nice but someone told me they get "yucky" after awhile. The mesh pockets on the Keltys worked well for the bottles. Tip: buy the 32oz., the 16oz are a little small.
I carried a Terzoula ATCF in a Graley sheath and a Phil Wilson
S30V utility fixed blade. Didn't really test either but they were there. The Wilson has been on my boat for a couple of months and it is great as a utility blade.
I had a Surefire E2e and a 6P along. Used them quite a bit and was thankful for there reliabilty. Also, had Petzl Tikka headlamps, but never used them. Night hikes were not reccommended do to bears.
Please, do yourselves a favor and go to Yellowstone. September was beautiful and hardly any crowds. Wildlife was very active!! Hope I
didn't bore everyone.
Win
