Stoves

When I started looking at stoves I knew what I wanted. I have used several different types of backpacking stoves, and have never really been happy with what I had. I started with a cheap butane stove, this worked but it had no wind screen and did not produce the energy needed to cook well with. Latter I upgraded to another butane stove. Wile this one worked better, the efficiency was the same, poor. The compressed bottles are not reusable and do not last long. Every time you need more fuel you have you buy a new canister. Another problem I have found with butane is its performance at high altitude. The higher you get the less pressure there is in the canister, this make your performance plummet. I have not beed happy with butane when you need it the most, when the weather is cold. The efficiency of butane goes down the colder it gets. combined this with high altitude and you have yourself a virtually useless stove. I have always used white gas. although the fuel may be heavier I think you get an all around better product. I own a Primus Omni Fuel and have field tested a MSR XGK EX stove and I must say I have fallen in love with them both. The power that both these stoves is seen in operation. Unfortunately it is heard as well but the aren't the loudest stoves on the mark either so I figured its a good compromise.
I have

Packs

Over my years of hiking I have learned many new ways of doing things. Having started down the trail before I could walk I have grown up learning the skills necessary to endure the conditions of Washington State. These skills were challenged when I started hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. I found that a long distance hike cannot be treated the same as a weekend hike. I knew this before I started down the trail of course and I had thought I packed accordingly.
As it turns out, packing this way actually made things more difficult for me. I had the gear that I needed for the trip; the problem wasn't having too much or too little. The problem was simply that my gear was not meant to go out on these kind of excretions.
After completing the first section trail I knew that I needed to change out my technology to accommodate these kinds of trips. I was not about to go ultralight with my gear. Everyone I talk to that uses this method seems to have the same problem, the gear does not last. This is not a surprise to me at all. I look at the design as material used to make these ultra light products and the bottom line is that they are just not built for longterm use, especially in Washington State. My gear would not be used just on the Pacific Crest Trail. I would be taking this stuff into some of the harshest conditions imaginable. I needed something that would last the torment of Washington and fit the need for the Pacific Crest Trail.
I started with my pack, the first thing that I saw with packs nowadays is the lack of strapping on the outside of the pack. Sure this saves weight and clutter, but it sacrifices convenience. with the type of hiking I do I need to be switching gear types all the time. Most of the switches are small, it is inconvenient to tear apart my pack every time I need something. The second thing I looked for was the design of the main compartment, was it functional enough to allow me into my pack without taking all my gear out. I chose the REI Mars pack, this is a mid size pack that is a little bulkier than your average distance pack, but it will and has proven itself time and time again. I have hiked with it in the blistering heat and pouring rain with no complaints.