2. Backpack 2017 Trips 179--187

Pre-Trip 186

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GOODBYE MYSTERY RANCH, HELLO SEEK OUTSIDE
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GOODBYE MYSTERY RANCH, HELLO SEEK OUTSIDE

This trip report is a pre-trip report for the upcoming Trip 186 into Citico wilderness.

This is an external frame pack, by the way.

My entire Mystery Ranch G7000 pack experience must be shelved due to a poor hipbelt design which uses hard plastic hipbelt stiffeners which end up eating into the flesh on my hips.

So I ordered a Seek Outside Brooks 7400 pack and here I am trying it out with some weight.

  • GOODBYE MYSTERY RANCH, HELLO SEEK OUTSIDE
  • Showing a possible configuration for my gear.
  • The bottom shelf straps hold my tent and other horizontal rolls.
  • The shelf strap in action at the bottom of the pack.
  • This is the Merlin daypack which is designed to attach to the pack bag and will hold many items.
  • These are called Gatekeepers and they replace the usual style Quick Release/Side Release buckles on most packs.
  • The double hipbelt buckles.
  • The optional quad buckle to replace the two buckles if desired.
  • The hipbelt is attached to the pack frame this way.
  • The hipbelt "clevis pin" bolt is secured with this 3/8 inch lock nut.
  • First aid kit for my new pack---a couple 10/32nd bolts and pertinent locknuts---and a couple washers in case the hipbelt grommets deform and widen. Also a 3/4 inch wrench for the bolts.
  • The pack tool I found at a backpacking store in Cleveland, TN.
  • As I spend my nights in the backyard I notice yet another Thermarest dying before my eyes. This is their 40th Anniversary pad. Zoe dog investigates.
  • Zoe is very disappointed in Thermarest.
  • Hour # 1 in the sun.
  • Two hours later in the sun. Piece of crap.
  • There's some discussions on Whiteblaze about washing your down bag or otherwise it won't loft up as much and won't keep you as warm. <br /> <br /> To dispel this myth I posted these two pics---One showing my Western Mountaineering Puma bag in 2007 when it was new.
  • And here's the bag in October 2017---never washed in 10 years . . . and yet the loft is fine.
  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo

  • Will Skelton

    on October 25, 2017

    Never heard of that brand, hope it works well.

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