Ultralight Gear

[anarchopinko]

What brand is that mosquito net?

[wmdrtr]

Nice. Thank you.

[afterthefox7]

just use a trashbag, much lighter, that setup is too risky no water filter, no nothing. After you come home you can throw the whole thing in the trash can, GREAT!! now thats ultralite.

[afterthefox7]

just use a trashbag, much lighter

[enjoythewildUSA]

Is tha moquito net also protective from "no see'ems"

[knykills]

very nice! I wish that backpack would work for me but I tend to use a hammock about 50% of the time, I didn't even know they made bivys that are only waterproof on the bottom, will have to get one, I hate how stuffy most are.

[OnRappel]

Pretty cool. What is the coldest temps you would use that system?

[agun17]

My backpack alone weighs 3kg. But it rides so nice and comfortable.

[assholebjorn]

u wont grow hair on ur chest with a 3.3 kg backpack sonnyboy

[AbdMalil1]

@enjoythewildusa

Good point! I didn't think about that. See... I love YouTube when it's used in a productive manor! Everyone helping everyone!!!

Thank you

[AbdMalil1]

Since the bivy isn't waterproof, why use it? The tarp and a ground cloth is sufficient to keep you dry and the bug net keeps you bug free. Seems like a waste to me.

Thanks

[enjoythewildUSA]

@AbdMalil1 I'm sure that he uses it for the extra warmth.

[enjoythewildUSA]

I'm an avid backpacker but I've always used an enclosed tent. I'm just curious if you've ever had issues with red ants or other ground crawlies?

[enjoythewildUSA]

Can you advise re the manufacturer of the bivy and the bug net?

[knarfster]

28 oz Pack?!, is that with the sleeping pad? because that is WAY heavy.

[mormanman13]

@knarfster This video is from late 07 so its not too bad. But yeah its heavy for today's standards of like the G4 weighing 9 oz

[jahhmin]

Ever consider the UL Hennessy hammock setup instead? It comes with a tarp and mosquito net all in one, and you're off the floor so water wouldn't be an issue in case of heavy rains. It weighs 1 lb 15oz.

[mnhvide]

I love your bivyy-bag.

Where did you get it?

Looks nice and light -with very small volume packed up.

[kc7fys]

What is the make and model of the mosquito net? This video is one of the best out there. Excellent, and it appears you actually sleep in there.

[TyePossum]

I think that's the Equinox Mantis mosquito net.

[scotsman1000000]

Nice pritty cool. basicke

[sharkjerky]

How about cost?

[BCNW1]

Hi there. The prices are on my website in case you're interested. Thanks. ML

[andyactive]

good video..are you worried about critters going near you in the night?

[BCNW1]

I've never had a problem so far, but you can always stake both sides down which creates a floorless tent if you're in an area where there's reason to be concerned. Obviously, keeping an ultra clean camp is the best way to insure an uninterrupted nights sleep regardless of your setup. Thanks and best wishes. ML

[TheV0iceOfReas0n]

do you ever worry that with an open A frame the wind will suddenly spring on you and if it's raining, might blow water into your camp?

[BCNW1]

No, there is a lot more space under the tarp than you may think...the rain would have to come in almost horizontally to do what you suggest. If you are concerned about extreme weather moving in, you can modify to a lowered or staked out setup. Any time you use ultralight or minimalist gear, it requires more thought and responsibility on your part to make good decisions. Thanks for watching. ML

[coyoteforce]

Great Video ! Informative , Concise , and Well thought out ! Thank you!

[BRAXSTONE25]

I got that same back//i love it!nice vid

check out my cascade climb "bonanza Peak" vid adios

[s6675]

what stove do you use

[BCNW1]

When I use a stove, I use an ultralight one that I modified to burn wood. I have an article on my website with all the details in case you're interested. Thanks for watching. ML

[AppalachianSC]

How long did it take you to get to that setup? Years? Months? Obviously you've been a hiker for a long time.I have so much gear and it seems I'm trying to "fix" the gear I have to make it lighter when I have a funny feeling I need to just start over and buy lighter gear.Does that make sense?Should I sell what I have on WB or ebay and go for it? In your honest opinion?I think I balk usually because I have so many non-hiker freinds and I enjoy taking them out as well and I dont have two UL setups.

[BCNW1]

It's hard to answer your question as I don't know what gear you have that may be usable. My sleeping bag is by far the most expensive item in my setup, so if you have a good bag you're most of the way there. My tarp, bivy, and backpack put together are less expensive than most high end tents. I've been where you're at in the past and ended up giving a lot of my old gear to friends...once you go ultralight you won't go back. :>)

Hope this helps and please visit my website for more info. ML

[dmuirwatson]

thanks for having videos that you can actually learn from and not being one of these tools that buys all their gear from a military surplus store. this looks really pragmatic and workable, plus i have most of that gear already...yahoo for a new idea

[KonstantinKuehn]

i have a question... so im planning on going out into the sierra nevada mountains with a buddy and hiking through the mountain range for a couple weeks and anyway, there are black bears in the area and i was wondering if you would have a fire at night would you be safe from any predatory animals such as mountain lions or black bears??? is there anything that u can do to deter them??

[BCNW1]

It's always humbling for me to be in the woods with big predators, keeps things in perspective I guess. Statistically speaking the car ride to the trailhead is far more dangerous..followed by mosquitoes and ticks. Still, I understand how you feel and woodsmoke is considered to be a deterrent as animals have a natural fear of forest fires. A nice fire is a great comfort as well. Most important in to keep a super clean camp and let them hear you coming. Hope this helps and have a great time!

[pharmacy4thewell]

What kind of bivy is that and where did you buy it?

[BCNW1]

The bivy is available on my website. Just type Bushcraft Northwest into Google and you'll find me. Click on "Gear" and then look in the "Shelter" section.

Thanks for watching,

ML

[BelligerentAuthority]

Wouldn't all that be a death trap if a bear happens upon you?

[plutoplatters]

ultra light gear is bearproof.

[BelligerentAuthority]

I bet

[A5G36C]

it is if ya have an ultra light shotty

[plutoplatters]

@plutoplatters also... white shark  proof... almost forgot !

[nickynwong]

If a bear happens upon you, you're already in a death trap.

[corbaman]

A tent is just as much a deathtrap - only one exit.

[trakkaton]

I tend to make a mattress from leaves, sticks and soil. Saves me the mattress. Also, a polarfleece sleeping bag with a very warm vest might replace the sleeping back. I emphasize the head because most heat is lost over the head, so a fat woolen hat can replace a lot on the rest of the body (same applies to hands, feet, neck). The ultimate outdoor gear seems to be neoprene. Never cold, even if it's soaked. The mattress on your body.

[palmtreetoo]

Whoops, just saw it, disregard my last post.

[palmtreetoo]

Nice vid. Do they still make the bivy? Didn't see it on Equinox's website. You mentioned your website a couple of times...what is your website URL? Thanks.

[ArmyRanger10]

Wow your pack seems light for a multiday pack. My single day hiking pack weighs 36 pounds. Do you carry a water filter or a stove?

[BCNW1]

I always carry a water filter and usually the stove I modified to burn wood from my website. Keep in mind I only listed the base pack weight in the video. It doesn't include water, food, extra clothes, etc. Depending on the time of year and duration of stay, my pack will be between 15-25 lbs total weight. Hope this makes more sense. Thanks for watching. ML

[strokenskwert]

Great pack system! Other than sleeping, shelter, and hydro, how much does that pack (Equinox's Katahdin model?) hold as far as food, etc? I guess it depends on how big you sleeping mat is! I'm definitely intrigued...

[BCNW1]

The Katahdin holds 3350 cubic inches so there's plenty of room for food and clothing as the ultralight gear takes up very little space. My sleeping bag, bug net, and bivy only take up the bottom 1/3 of the pack even with the mat, and the tarp stays in the outside pocket. I load my Duluth Pack the same way. There's more info on my website as well. Thanks and good luck. ML

[strokenskwert]

Thanks! I may very well be sold!

[AppalachianSC]

Thats what I was getting at; you have the net sealed around your sleeping bag. Thanks!

[AppalachianSC]

How does the net hang over your bag? I really need to get some more protection from bugs I just cant decide whether I want to go the ultralight route such as yours or maybe use somthing like the full floored interior type nets. Do the bugs ever get passed your net at all? I really dont have a problem with insects besides mesquito's which are bad enough i just have a wife that wants assured protection. Any comments?

[BCNW1]

The net hangs by a cord which attaches to a line under your tarp. You can always rig a tripod or something if your not using a shelter for some reason. I've never had a problem with bugs getting through as the net has a nice draw cord to seal around your sleeping bag. Thanks for watching and please let me know if you have other questions. ML

[VeronicaMoser1]

yeah, you gotta keep that down dry. I use a synthetic quilt and a trimmed down ridgerest. I never slip off of it because there's no slippery nylon between me and the mat. You do stick to it though, a lot of people don't like that. I'm in the NW too and haven't had a problem with getting wet while sleeping. Did you make the bivy and tarp yourself?

[BCNW1]

No, the tarp and the bivy are made in the USA by Equinox Ltd. if you'd like more details on them, they're on my website in the "Gear" section.

Sounds like you've got a good setup there. Cheers, and good luck in your backcountry adventures. ML

[VeronicaMoser1]

Why the bivy? An 8x10 tarp is more than enough coverage, and a 3x8 2 mil polyethylene sheet is only ~2oz. and is way more impermeable than silnylon.

[BCNW1]

The bivy is to keep you and your bag on your mat, as well as providing extra protection from water and abrasion. Well worth the 6oz. I don't use a heavy bivy because, as you suggested, my setup offers great protection from the elements.

Regarding the tarp, silnylon is half the weight, tougher, and quiet(this is why it has become such a popular material). 8x3 is nowhere near enough coverage for the PacNW but the important thing is that your setup works for you. Thanks for watching. ML

[VeronicaMoser1]

oops, I meant the 3x8 for a groundsheet, replacing the need for the silnylon bottom of the bivy. Do you have problems with slipping off the mat at night? It looked like you're using a quilt, right?

[BCNW1]

I use 800+ fill down bags instead of quilts as I've found them to be warmer. Slipping off the sleeping mat is a common problem without a bivy unless you have a sleeve or a way to attach the mat to the sleeping bag. Even with this arrangement, I like the extra protection from dew, frost, and mist that the bivy provides. The waterproof portion of the bivy goes up the sides a bit which also helps. In good weather and if you're not an active sleeper, a ground sheet works fine, too. Thanks, ML

[andrewsacht]

Awesome setup. Thanks for the video.

[ilikeotwatch]

In the Pacific NW, rain falls down, up,sideways and backwards. How practical is that open tarp in very wet situations?

[BCNW1]

A common misconception about tarps is that they don't protect in rain and bad weather. This stems from a poor setup, or the wrong type of setup for the conditions. I've used this tarp in rain, sleet, snow, and hail without a problem. Coverage can be improved by lowering the ridgeline, staking one or both sides to the ground, using the 10ft center along the ridgeline for more length, even setting it up as a lean-to (my next video). Hope this helps and thanks for watching. ML

[andrewsacht]

Rain falls up? Now I'm curious. You should post a video of it.

[10XBAD]

cool.

[0MrENigma0]

Thanks for your videos! I have never been camping, but I have a growing interest and have been reading up on bushcraft as well as watching what ever tutorials I can.

[rsjfc250]

Why not use a Gore-Tex Bivy. It'll be an ounce or two heavier, but you won't have to worry about a small sprinkle turning into a raging torrent in the middle of the night.

[BCNW1]

I've had some bad luck with gortex bivys in the past and found they did not breathe as advertised (especially for the price). Perhaps the new versions are better. Which is your favorite in gortex? Any breathability issues? I'm always open to testing new gear. ML

[rsjfc250]

I use a Canadian Military issued Bivy and the times I did use it, I had no breathability problems at all. It's a great peice of kit. I'm sure if you looked around at some surplus stores you would be able to find one. I haven't weighed mine but I'm guessing it's at a pound, if not less.

[eightwillwontcannot]

do you use a 3/4 length thermarest or full length? I am thinking about switching to your setup, from a Hennessy Hammock + sleeping mat & bag. Thanks!

[BCNW1]

I always use a full length prolite 4 season. Saving a few ounces is not worth risking a lousy night's sleep, in my humble opinion. That goes for the sleeping bag, too...be sure to bring enough bag for the weather especially when fires are prohibited. Thanks for watching, and please let me know if I can be of future help. ML

[Gokutms4]

did ur prolite 4 come with a stuff sac or is that something u have to buy speratley

[Gokutms4]

hey, what is the stuff size of your equinox bivy sack?

[BCNW1]

It packs into a 5"x5"x2" mesh bag.

[Gokutms4]

how often do u go on overnight hikes byurslelf

[MrJowee]

What kind of sleeping bag?

[BCNW1]

The one in the video is my throw around Cabelas down bag. On the trail, I prefer bags made by Western Mountaineering.

[WeekendAdventurer]

Sweet setup! What "anchors" the netting to the top corners of your pad and the middle section of your sleeping bag?

[BCNW1]

The netting actually has a bottom to it so your sleeping bag/pad slips inside and anchors it down. Then I just find a few sticks and use them to peg out the four corners.

[bobdacker]

Great set up but what do you do if it rains constantly? Use a hammock to get up off the ground?

[BCNW1]

Ultralight gear is very similar to natural shelters in that the barrier between you and the natural world is minimal. For this setup, you have to pick your campsite carefully and avoid low spots that are prone to collecting water. That being said, you may have to improvise which is why ultralight gear goes so well with bushcraft. When I use a variation of this setup in snow, I'll use natural materials to raise my bed off the ground as is done in a makeshift lean-to. Hope this helps. ML

[n2jmb]

Great video!!! What brand and model Bivy bag are you using?

[BCNW1]

Hi, sorry for the delay in my response (technical problems with posting). It's an ultralight bivy made by a US company called Equinox. If you can't find one near you, they are available through my website. Thanks for watching.

ML

[4ancientarts]

nice gear

[thanrose]

Great set up. Thx.