The "Official" Fiddleback OFF-TOPIC thread!!!!!!!!

Packs are definitely in the n+1 category.

It's informative and fun hearing everyone's well thought out requirements and needs for the packs they've chosen. All of these are great companies with outstanding customer service and I don't think any are a bad choice. Thurin, I think it's only natural to become a fanboy when you find people you share so much common philosophy with.
 
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Thought I'd repost this since we're on the subject of packs.

thurin said:
I'm hitting the road in a couple days for a nice long weekend of camping and bushcrafting.

In addition to getting to play with my favorite knives (the Bushfinger, Camp Nessie and Camp will be going) I'll be testing a new day hiking setup. I've swapped out a Hill People Gear Highlander that I've used for the last 3 years for a HPG Connor.

Connor on the left loaded up:


Lots of redundancies here, some of which is because I like playing in the woods. I'm also medium speed, moderate drag, and don't mind carrying plenty of stuff, even if I'm just wandering around in the woods for the day.

I use Kifaru Pullouts to add some organization, although with the velcro panel in the Connor I plan on swapping some of those out for tool rolls and other pouches that I can mount to the panel.

Left to right and top to bottom:
Mountain Hardware Dry-Q rain jacket and Mountain Tech fleece with Air Shield Elite.
Water jugs and cup, TP and sanitizer, clothing pullout, technology pullout, poncho tarp, FAK pullout, fire kit and cookset pullout, paracord and braided ridgeline, saw, food pullout.



Unpacked:

Tech Pullout: spare batteries, spare light
Fire and Cookset Pullout: GSI minimalist, Trangia with extra fuel, HD aluminum foil windscreen that I keep having to replace (need to make something more permanent), matchcase, Ferro rod, fat wood, saw scraper, stand for Trangia, tinder (PJCB, lint, wet fire) in an Altoids tin.
Clothing: neck gaiter, hat, winter gloves, spare socks and sock liners



The other part of my standard carry is a HPG Heavy Recon Kit Bag with:
Map Case with map of the area I'll be in, Field Notes and pen and pencil, gloves, headlamp, paracord, Tops Turley #23 kit with most of the stuff replaced, more fire starting stuff, compass, ear plugs, marking tape, emergency blanket, sun stuff, potable water tabs and bag, TP, flashlight, TOPS Tibo knife, compact glasses. There would also normally be some food in here, Clif bar, Energy Gel, Drink mixes.



I'll also have various stuff stashed in pockets and on my belt like leathermans, SAKs, flashlights and of course a belt knife riding in a dangler.
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Here's my new Mystery Ranch Scree. Have been wanting to try out a tri-zip for years and finally found one I can afford (please, no debates about origin. I'm well-versed in both sides). My Dana Bomb pack may not get as much use this summer.



 
That pack is sweet! I love the tri-zip. Oh boy... I'm going to end up owning a couple new packs because of this conversation.
 
Great post Thurin. I like your approach towards packing. I have a lot of small pouches that I use for organization in bigger packs. Never really thought to use them in my smaller packs with the exception of my fire kit and FAK. I guess since I've been using the Maxped stuff for a while now I started relying on the pack for organization. It's funny how you can fall into a mindset simply because it's provided for you. Anyway, seeing how much gear you carry and how well organized it is, I'm very interested in the empty bucket concept. I think today I'm gonna get all my small pouches re-organized and see where I stand.

So far I've found packs that I think would work for me at HPG, MR and Kifaru. Now I just need to do a little more thinking and a little more researching.

I like that scree John. Is the inside the same as the ASAP? Just curious. I'm definitely not about to debate origin. That's just my thing. :D I think I'd go with the ASAP because I like being able to attach stuff to the outside of a pack when I need a little extra. :thumbup:

Thanks to everyone for all the info. My mind is spinning a little but I'm sure this will result in a pack that will keep me satisfied for a long time to come.
 
Did I miss a FF vacation post or something? I can't find Fiddleback Friday 7/01/16?????????
 
aztec506 said:
SMH. Dang I'm such an idiot. Ive been retired since 2003, disabled, most days are the same - don't even know which day of the week it is, geez. Thanks for the quick response Phillip.
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i think most of it has to do with being retired. i know when im on vacation i tend to lose days as it doesn't matter.
 
aztec506 said:
SMH. Dang I'm such an idiot. Ive been retired since 2003, disabled, most days are the same - don't even know which day of the week it is, geez. Thanks for the quick response Phillip.
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Or it's because your a Texas living in Tucson... you've lost track of reality! ;)
 
I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday weekend. My wife and I headed out to one of our favorite spots. The weather has been beautiful. This is a very nice local campground that we go to. Admittedly it's not hard core but it makes for a relaxing time.

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Setting up the smoker
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Smoking a Boston Butt is exhausting work. :D
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Dave, I like your style. You guys seem to really have a great time enjoying this part of your lives.
 
trestle said:
GoLite appears to have been resurrected as My Trail Company and they're still in Boulder.
http://mytrailco.com/
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Ya. I have a hard time supporting them with how Golite went down. After liquidating the company, they were able to pay off the secured creditors, but didn't pay the $6M they owed to suppliers and landlords. Coupounas bought the Golite IP for $5,000 and is trying again with crowd funded investments. While the gear is really cool, I'm not sure I can get on board.
 
Trestle, that MR looks like a good pack. Look forward to hearing how it works out.

MajorD - awesome setup! Enjoy the weekend.
 
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