Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: BWCA minimalist
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VaderStrom |
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Aldy1 |
I keep upgrading to lighter gear but I also seem to be adding more luxury items, like camp chair and kitchen sink. |
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arm2008 |
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deepwater |
I am curious, what gear do you refuse to buy and why? I will go first. I refuse to by any expensive outer wear. Most of the time I don't even bring a rain coat. Just a lot of wool. |
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missmolly |
unshavenman: "lundojam: "Also, I refuse to buy clothes that feature the manufacturer's name prominently, especially if they have a rep for expensive gear. I get status through height. :) Self-deprecating humor is the best. Ironically, it takes a tall man inside to poke fun at himself. |
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deepwater |
RunningFox: "I’m not a minimalist, but I respect those who are. I often wish I were, but I like being warm and comfortable too much. What does he bring? |
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carmike |
However, I can't imagine I'd ever bring an insulated food pack. |
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Duckman |
You can get just as good or better at the grocery store and on your own with the same weight for a fraction of the price. |
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RunningFox |
I remember some early trips that were outfitted in the minimalist style and with poor quality equipment. I recall being at least somewhat miserable. Then I went on a trip with Stu Ostoff and found his approach to best suit my taste. So I bought nearly everthing he typically brings on his guided trips. So far Ive been happy with this style of tripping. |
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Banksiana |
deepwater: "RunningFox: "I’m not a minimalist, but I respect those who are. I often wish I were, but I like being warm and comfortable too much. Three portages worth of stuff! Including milk and cereal, blue jeans, coolers, etc. You name it, probably in the kit. |
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lundojam |
One bias is that I tend to give the side eye to folks with new gear. I'm not sure why. Same with music gear and fishing rigs. I like the look and feel of time-tested equipment, and tend to regard (unfairly, I know) people with shiny stuff as wannabes. I'll take the faded Duluth Pack. Maybe I read too many Western novels in junior high in which the cowhand/reluctant gunfighter protagonist had to deal with "dudes." So, to answer the question, I rarely upgrade for that weird reason and also I'm a tight-ass. Not buying a $200 non-wood paddle any time soon. Also, I refuse to buy clothes that feature the manufacturer's name prominently, especially if they have a rep for expensive gear. I get status through height. :) |
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pamonster |
Unfortunately I can't contribute.....I like new gear and constantly make adjustments to my kit. If I can upgrade I will, unless the gear has special meaning. I'm the guy spending more then he should to save an oz or try the latest and greatest new trinket lol |
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unshavenman |
lundojam: "Also, I refuse to buy clothes that feature the manufacturer's name prominently, especially if they have a rep for expensive gear. I get status through height. :) I'm only 5'9" so I have to buy lots of expensive gear! ;) |
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ZaraSp00k |
when solo all my vittles and drink are made in a Al teapot or roasted over fire which I bought in the late 70's for about 5 bucks when in a group if somebody wants to bring more exotic equipment I'm perfectly happy using it, but don't expect to do the cooking and me the cleaning, I'll split equally though |
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fadersup |
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missmolly |
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deepwater |
straighthairedcurly: "I have tried having a lightweight chair along, but they just annoy me and I find I rarely bother setting it up. So now I just leave it behind." If I was going to splurge on one piece of gear it might be a camp chair.... |
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TrailZen |
We dry most of our food, saving lots of weight (and money) there. We carry a saw, but not an axe or hatchet, again for weight considerations. Using Crazy Creek chairs lets us use 3/4 length sleeping pads and put the open Crazy Creeks under our legs. Adding carbon paddles a couple years ago was another nice change, and our shoulders told us the first day out that they were worth the money. To answer your question, I can't name a piece of gear I'd refuse to buy if that gear reduces my portage weight and affordably lets me continue tripping in the BWCA/Q. TZ |
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straighthairedcurly |
bwcadan: "I do not plan to buy a blue barrel. My Duluth packs will have to do me until they fail, and that does not seem likely any time soon." +1 Maybe because I used to do 30+ day trips, I have never had the urge to put all that heavy food in one place. Even for shorter family trips, I divide the food among the packs. |
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bwcadan |
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4keys |
Unfortunately my body has aged even tho my inner me doesn't think so. So I had to upgrade to a thicker air mattress to allow me to sleep without my hips aching. Talked my husband into getting a CCS tarp, which he now loves. A gravity filter is much easier than a pump. And I really like the Helinox chair cuz it was getting hard to get off the ground. Now if they could magically raise the tent door /fly height for when you need to get out of the tent in the morning... Probably won't get a spork, mucks/waders, tinder stove, or dog tent. Or solar shower. Or gps unit. |
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Karl |
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straighthairedcurly |
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jfinn |
I will absolutely be upgrading to a Savage River Deep Creek to save the weight when the time is right. That will be an upgrade I very much look forward to. John |
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boonie |
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deepwater |
bwcadan: "I do not plan to buy a blue barrel. My Duluth packs will have to do me until they fail, and that does not seem likely any time soon." Agreed. My food pack is a bag. Keep a clean camp. |
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gravelroad |
missmolly: "I still use a Coleman Peak stove after decades of using a Svea 123. " Pure sacrilege! Especially because an early version of the former once tried to kill me, whereas the latter has never let me down at temps as low as -30 ºF over decades of using it. :-) Multi-use products have a better chance of being loaded in my boats for trips. Here's a stellar example: Sleeping pad + chair + boat loading pad + paddle float for ocean kayaking + emergency splint + ? |
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Jaywalker |
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