Blog Entries tagged 'bivouac'

Matt-MSR Hyperflow Gear Review

matthewblog@bowcast.com — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 01:00:00 +0100

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Gear Review- MSR Hyperflow

I will be doing a number of gear reviews in my blog and this one�covers the MSR Hyperflow water filter.� I�will be posting a few more gear reviews in the coming months as I�evaluate some of the new gear I used this season.�

Growing up I was introduced to backpacking at a young age.� We would filter our water from the alpine lakes for cooking but drink straight from the mountain springs and small streams.� I never once�got sick�and up until this year I have never carried a water filter on a backcountry hunt.� I�hunt near streams or springs that have a very low risk of containing harmful amounts of protozoa, bacteria, and viruses; however, it only takes one bad water source and�I could have gotten sick from any of these�disease-causing microorganisms. �I consider myself lucky that I have never gotten sick.� Weight and space were also a factor as I didn't want to pack the extra weight of my backpacking water filter, the MSR Miniworks EX, and I always carried backup iodine water tablets in my hunting pack.

This year I started hunting some new areas and I didn't want to worry about the water quality or where I would have to get it from.� I knew MSR was coming out with a new lightweight filter so I waited until they hit the shelf and purchased one after looking it over in the store and talking to the sales representative who had used one.� I discussed with him the concerns I had of clogging and durability which were the main complaints I had been reading about online and he reassured me that I would have no problems.

My first weekend of archery season this year was a 3 day solo bivy hunt where I put the Hyperflow to the test to see if it truly deserved a place in my Badlands.� I evaluated it on size and weight, ease of use, flow rate, and clogging.� I will discuss each of these factors and rate them on a scale of 1-10.

This filter is light on the scale and I gave it a 9 on size and weight.� This filter is the size of a small bike pump at 7 x 3.5 inches and weighs only 7.4 ounces!� I found it to be very easy to pack in the little pouch provided and it was not an item that took up unnecessary space in my Badlands.� This is one of the biggest benefits as size and ounces are critical when trying to keep your pack under 35 pounds for a 3 day hunt like I was.� To keep the weight down more I eliminated the velcro straps on top of the pre-filter and don't pack the quick connect bottle adapter.� After using this filter on a few hunts I don't ever think the Miniworks EX will hit the trail again as it is 16 ounces.

To use this filter is quick and painless so I pumped out a 9.5 on ease of use.� There is a clean side cover for the outlet spout which is to protect the spout from contamination.� After quickly removing the cover, you can either use the quick connect bottle adapter or pump right into your hydration bag like I did.� Then simply place the pre-filter into the cleanest water available and start pumping like you would with a bike pump.�

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Clean side outlet is what I am holding in my hand.

I used a two inch piece of the tubing and the Camelback Hydrolink filter adapter which allows you to quickly remove your bite valve and connect the filter.� After bleeding the line, I could simply pump my hydration bag full without the hassle of unpacking and then repacking.� Since my hydration bag is one of the heaviest items in my pack I keep it against my back and in the main compartment.� Before I had this filter, I had to unpack everything that was organized around my hydration bag, pull it completely out of my pack, and then try to fill it up in a spring or creek without filling it full of pine needles and leaves from the brush or water.� Now I simply attach the filter to my hydration line, keep my backpack on, fill it up to the desired level, reattach the bite valve, and continue hunting.

If you don't have a filter adapter then you can also use the quick connect bottle adapter.� This connects to the filter on the clean side and screws on most hydration bags or Nalgene type water bottles.

This filter doesn't drip it rips so I gave it a 9.5 in flow rate.� It comes with a pre-filter that floats on the water and has a large amount of surface area that provides an ample water supply.� This is evident by the approximate 20 strokes per liter giving it an approximate�3 liter per minute flow rate.� I would count my pumps so that I could estimate how much water I had transported to my hydration bag and know when to stop.� In comparison the Miniworks EX has a 1 liter per minute flow rate, a substantial difference.� This pre-filter will stop the larger debris from clogging the main hollow fiber filter and, just as manufactures always advise, I would try to place it in the cleanest water available to maximize the life of the filter.

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One thing I did was to remove the velcro straps that are on top of the pre-filter as I didn't see a need for them and they kept it from sitting flat on the water which is important so you don't suck in air while filtering.� The only issue I had while filtering the first few times was that I would occasionally pull the pre-filter off the water and suck in a little air.� To keep from doing this I would put it in a calmer portion of the creek so it wouldn't float away and then tilt up at an angle because it was at the end of its line.� Also I moved the part of the pump with my hydration line and kept the inflow line as steady as possible.�

I haven't had this filter clog or slow down once so I gave it a 9.� I didn't give it a 10 because I'm sure I could have clogged it in some of the muddy waters of the elk wallows I saw this year but I don't know anyone who would filter water from a mud bath pit.� Also the water that I filter from is usually very clean and clear so I'm sure there are some areas that have murky water with lots of sand or silt that could cause a clog or reduction in flow for this or any other filter.� I have never had any issues with a clogged filter and I always try to find the cleanest water source to prevent these types of issues.� If the filter does clog there is a quick backflush process that should clear it.� To maintain the filter and flow�MSR recommends backflushing every 8 liters.� Pick your puddles wisely if you have to use them as a last resort.

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The Hyperflow retails for around $100 and is effective against protozoa and bacteria.� It will not filter out taste like a ceramic filter will, such as the Miniworks EX, or chemicals/toxins.� In the areas I hunt the water tastes great but if this is a concern just take a pack of Wilderness Athlete Hydrate and Recover to mix in and this filter will work great for you.� Overall I found this to be a perfect backcountry hunting filter that I will now be carrying in my pack until something new comes out that tops its effectiveness and size.� For more information go to http://www.msrgear.com/watertreatment/hyperflow.asp and learn more about this product.

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Time Tested Bivouac Gear

south@eastmans.com — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 07:35:20 +0100

I’ve gotten a handful of requests to post my gear list. Over the last decade or so, I’ve tested a bunch of backpacking and bowhunting gear in the backcountry. Some of it has stayed, much of it has not. I continue to try out every new gadget on the market that seems like it could improve my equipment list or my experience in the outdoors. What I’ve got in my pack works well for me and I feel is some of the best stuff out there on the market.

Tent:

For the last couple of years, when I’ve hunted out of a [[tent]], I’ve used the MSR Hubba. This year, I likely use the same tent on my early season hunts. I also have the HP, which I’ll use later in the year. The original Hubba has more netting in the doors, allowing better ventilation in warmer weather (see a test of the Hubba HP in the last issue of EBJ). A set of Fibraplex [[carbon]] poles will lighten my load by about 6 ounces over the standard issue aluminum ones. The late season; I have a hunt in [[North Dakota]] in October, will see the HP in use. A little warmer with the solid panel doors, it’ll resist the cold winds better too.

Sleeping bag:

Early season: I like the Marmot Hydrogen. Rated at 30 degrees, this 1 lb, 5oz bag is killer. I bought a smaller stuff sack than came with the bag from the factory. It now stuffs down smaller than a nerf football. If you are going into a hunt that you may run into early snow, but also will face warmer temps, bring along a pair of synthetic or wool thermals to boost the temp rating. For the later season I use a Marmot Helium. This 15 degree bag weighs only about 2 lbs.

Sleeping pad:

I’ve been using a Therma-rest Prolite 3 full length since they came out. I bought the stuff sack for the short version and with careful, tight rolling, it will fit in the smaller package. I usually have problems bulking out with my loads, so everywhere I can save a few cubic inches, I’m really happy to. I’m really happy with the pad, but there are a few things you need to know if you are going to use it. Never sleep on the bare ground with it. The material is really thin and even a pine needle can puncture it if it pokes it at the wrong angle. Carry a patch kit with you. The patch kit is hot melt glue that is heated in boiling water, so if you aren’t carrying a stove, you won’t be able to do a field repair to fix a leak. I’ve never had a valve go out on me, but I have repaired hole in the field before.

I might use the Z-rest this year, but the bulk of it usually keeps this one on the shelf at home. The great thing about this one is that you can use it for a glassing pad, or unroll it mid-day, flop it on the ground and take a nap.

Stoves:

If you are just boiling water to rehydrate meals, the Jet Boil can’t be beat. It boils water faster, using less fuel that the other stove out there. I can do an 8 day bivy hunt with one of the small fuel canisters that fits inside of the Jet Boil cup, boil water for oatmeal, hot choc and freeze dried, on one fuel canister!

If you are wanting to cook up some back strap, you could probably get a frying pan to balance on the top of the burner, but you’d probably be better off going with a MSR Pocket Rocket or a Brunton [[stove]].

Water Purification:

This depends entirely on where I am hunting. If I know I’ll be getting my water out of clear running streams the whole hunt, I’ll either pack [[iodine]] or [[bleach]] in a visine bottle. Two drops of bleach per liter out of the reclaimed visine bottle, 15 minutes and you have the least expensive way to treat water I’m aware of. I learned this one from the Pacific Crest Trail through hikers. Some of these guys are keeping their pack weights down to 12 lbs or less without food and water!

If I have to pull water out of a spring, pond or murky stream, I’ll use a filter. I always look for a [[water filter]] that can be cleaned in the field. I had a filter clog on me in [[Colorado]] with a replaceable paper filter cartridge (a Pur Hiker, now the Katadyn) after only a couple of gallons were run through it. The water was pretty murky pond water, but those were the conditions I was facing for my water source for 10 days. I didn’t have a replacement cartridge, so dealing with water for the balance of the week was a drag. More recently, I had my MSR Miniworks filter clog on me. That one has a field serviceable filter, but it had reached the end of its lifespan. I knew it was getting bad when I left on the trip, but thought I could get one more week out of it. Next time I’ll be smarter.

This year, I’ll be using the MSR Hyperflow. I just ordered it online from REI, it has been impossible to get locally. This filter can be back flushed in the field- no more dead filters! It pumps like a fire engine at 2.75 liters per minute and weighs less than a half pound. If you are unsure of how you’ll be getting your water, this is the method I’d recommend. This is probably the single new item I’m most excited about testing out this fall.

Backpack:

I plan on using the Badlands 4500 as well as the new pack from Sitka when it comes out. The Badlands worked out great for me last year, just about the right size for the gear I pack with me. I love the large side pouches for the spotting scope and tripod.

Optics:

I’m going to try out some of the glass from Nikon this year. I’ve been hearing rave reviews about their top end binos. I plan on using them for most of my stuff, with one hunt thrown in the middle using my Swarovski’s. That will give me a good opportunity to compare the two after using the Nikons for a while.

Tripod:

I’ve been using the Outdoorsman with a Jim White head. Hard to beat that combo, though I’d like to find something a little lighter. I don’t know if you can go much smaller in tripod size and still support a full size spotting scope. The obvious route would be to look at a carbon fiber tripod, but the weight savings isn’t as much as I expected when you are comparing like sizes.

Game bags:

No brainer, Alaskan Game Bags. You can’t beat these for weight, bulk and their quite durable. I carry one when I’m hunting [[mule deer]] or four when I hunting elk. I can fit a whole boned out buck into one bag.

Misc:

I’ve been using a Black Diamond [[headlamp]] for years now, but have just got a Petzl Tikka with an extra lense that is red. I expect to get a brighter light with newer technology and the red lense should work well when I’m hiking up to glassing spots before first light.

I always carry an extra pair of socks for each day I’m going to be away from base camp. I like to try to take care of my feet as best as I can. You certainly could just carry one extra pair and wash the dirty one, hanging them off of the back of your pack to dry. I don’t end up at water consistently enough daily to count on that option.

I carry a pair of fleece gloves and a fleece hat for windy mornings while I’m glassing. I also carry a stretchy skull cap to wear on nights when it gets cold.

For bathing, I like to use Field Bath towels. They are pre-moistened and substantially thicker than baby wipes. I figure on two per day. You can leave them out and let the moisture in them evaporate, rehydrate them when you need them if you are concerned with the extra weight. You’ll definitely appreciate them at the end of the day.

When I was at the Outdoor Retailer’s show, I came across another item that I’ve added to my pack, the Gorilla Pod. It is an ultra small [[tripod ]]that has flexible legs. It is available in different sizes to hold cameras of different weights. It is much more versitle than a standard tripod, while weighing just a few ounces. The flexible legs will wrap around a tree branch or will set up on top of a round rock. This will be a great addition if you don’t carry a tripod or want to take self timer pictures of yourself glassing while using your tripod to hold your scope

South

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Hunting in Bear Country

south@eastmans.com — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:29:17 +0100

I thought I would call out one of the comments I received about the bear mauling directly on the blog. Thanks for the question, my response is below.

Comment: I guess your story summed up my wife' s main objection to my planned solo trip this fall. Can you explain ways to decrease the likelihood of becoming a playtoy for a bear?

Following the bear mauling I experienced, you'd probably expect that I'd take every precaution available to avoid a repeat. Because of the circumstances of the mauling: surprising the mother and cubs at close range, inside her comfort zone, I haven't changed the way I spend my time in bear country much. I recognize that it was really a freak accurance and that not every bear has intentions of making a snack out of me. I don't always hang my food, as reccomended, but when I'm leaving my basecamp unoccupied I do. I try not to stash food in my tent where I sleep, though I'm not as diligent about it as I should be. I carry pepper spray, though I don't have as much faith in the new stuff as the old. I give sows with cubs a WIDE berth (which is probably the most significant habit I have changed). I don't carry a side arm, too much weight and not legal in many states during the archery season. I think my encounter was one of those "struck by lightning" chance happenings. I literally don't loose any sleep over another encounter.

That being said, when there is unusually high numbers of bears, or as I encounter in Colorado a few years ago, food sources that were low for the bears, I do take extra measures that I don't loose my food to them. Hanging your food is a pain in the rear, but is a good precaution to avoid bear/human conflict. I've even spent time on the rivers of Kodiak during the salmon runs. Food is plentiful, and we spent many a night with the frying pan unwashed from a fresh salmon dinner right outside the tent. Never had a problem, but food was plentiful for them then. Come October/November and it is a whole different situation. Food sources are much more limited and the bears are more aggressive. That is when I'd really be swiveling my head around looking for problems.

South

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Sleeping Pads

south@eastmans.com — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:49:53 +0100

Besides providing a more comfortable nights' sleep, sleeping pads provide another important function; insulation. I vividly recall one bivouac trip I made. In an effort to shave a couple of pounds or so off of my packs weight I decided to leave my pad at home. Several hours into the night, with chattering teeth I realized what that second function was. Since that time, technology and innovation has reduced the weight and bulk, now providing several options at around and just under a pound.

The closed cell foam pads offer the lightest option at just under a pound, but doesn't provide quite as much cushion or insulation as the self inflating models. For cold weather camping the insulation factor becomes more important. Cost is about $20-$40 depending on if you buy one of the blue foamies at Wal-Mart or a fancier one at a backpacking store. If you are short on space in your pack, keep in mind that you may save a little weight, but you pay for it in bulk.

For the past couple of years I've been using the Therm-a-rest Prolite 3, a full length ultra light inflatable pad. I've been really happy with it, but recommend carrying a patch kit if you are hunting in rocky terrain. I really wouldn't recommend sleeping straight on the ground with this pad, use a tarp or ground cloth if you are not using a bivy or a tent. It weighs in at 1 pound 4 ounces and sells for about $80 bucks. You can save 7 ounces and go with the shorter version, but I've found I don't sleep well when my heels are resting on the ground. This phenomena, when I shared with my hunting partner, I was later soundly cursed for. The following year his pack weighed 7 ounces more after I'd pointed out my problem, he suddenly became acutely aware of his sore heels as well.

A company I just became aquainted with at the Outdoor Retailers Show last month is Pacific Outdoor Equipment. They make a plethora of sleeping pads-- foam, inflatable and hybrids. They have some pretty slick designs, check them out @ pacoutdoor.com

Another option for an inflatable is the Thermo Lite by Insul Mat. It weighs about an ounce less than the full length Prolite and will save you about $15 bucks.

The next blog I'll cover stoves. Give me a shout and let me know if there are some specifics that you'd like to see covered, I'd be happy to cover it...just post a comment to this blog entry with what you are interested in.

-South

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Lightweight Sleeping Bags

south@eastmans.com — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 07:00:08 +0100

One of the bulkiest items on your gear list for a [[bivy]] hunt is probably your sleeping bag. If it has not been replaced in the last couple of years, chances are you can not only shave off some weight, but also significantly reduce the bulk. Almost all of the major sleeping bag manufacturers are offering sub 2 pound 3 season down bags now. Some have reduced the weight down to as little as a single pound and can be stuffed into a sack half the size of a nerf football. For my early season hunts in August and the first week of September I like a bag rated at about 30-35 degrees. Any later in the high country and you are increasingly flirting with the chances of sub-freezing temperatures. For those hunts I drop down to a 20 degree rating. Some of my favorite bags are from Western Mountaineering, Marmot, Mountain Hardware and Feathered Friends.

Down is graded by measuring how many [[cubic inches]] it takes to weigh one ounce. A 600 fill is 600 cubic inches per ounce. Several things to keep in mind as you shop for a featherweight bag is the higher quality the [[down]], the lighter the weight and the better the insulation it provides. You should be looking for a minimum of 700-fill-power, with 800-900 being preferred. The difference between a 600 and a 800-fill-power bag of the same temperature rating can be over half a pound. The higher the number, the greater the loft and compatibility for the same fill weight.

For a 30-40 degree bag I'd recommend saving a few ounces and go with a half length zipper. Chances are you are not going to get too hot with the higher rating. If your budget will only allow the acquisition of one new bag, but your hunts cover the early August to late September time frame, I'd recommend going with a 20 bag with a full length zipper. You'll be a little warm in the earlier part of the season, but will be able to unzip to help regulate body heat. I made the mistake of sleeping in a 20 degree bag in Nevada with a half length zipper and roasted every night. Marmot has a bag that is rated at 40 degrees and only weighs a featherweight 1 pound. This would be a great bag for warmer climates in the early season. You can pack a long a set of silk or polypropelene thermals and buy a few extra degrees of comfort.

While you might be tempted to find a really roomy bag for greater comfort, keep in mind dead spots mean cold spots. The more contoured the bag the warmer it is going to be. Draft tubes, like baffled collars, help keep heat from escaping on lower temperature bags. Many of the bags are made in a couple or more different lengths so you won't have to be carrying any more weight than necessary. The shell of the bags are made from many different materials. Some are designed to save maximum weight, some for durability and others for maximum [[waterproofing]].

The first thing I do when I buy a new bag is get another stuff sack one size smaller than the one provided. I've found I can reduce the bulk by at least 25% or more. Don't leave your bag in the stuff sack for extended periods as the down will eventually loose its loft and thus its insulating ability after extended periods of compression.

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Introduction to Bivouac and Backcountry Bow Hunting

south@eastmans.com — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:38:30 +0100

My goal in this blog is to help you learn the ropes of [[backcountry]] hunting. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or have never spent the night out in the wilderness, I think there will be something for everyone. I invite your questions, comments and critiques. The first several entries I plan on covering gear choices in greater detail than I was able to cover on the podcast. After that I’ll go into some specifics about mule deer hunting in the [[alpine]]. As I get input and feedback, the [[blogs]] will likely take off on other tangents of the readers’ interests.

Through the years I’ve spent in the mountains, I’ve had more than one fellow bowhunter comment that I put in way more effort trying to fill my tags than I need to. I the west can be hunted without the burden of a backpack, but that is one of the things that appeals to me. My first [[bivouac]] trip was a solo venture when I was 17 years old. Since that time I’ve spent the majority of my hunting seasons well off the beaten path. I love getting to hang around a campfire in the evenings with a couple of buddies, swapping old stories, but even more anticipated is throwing a pack load of gear on my back and leaving base camp for a few days. Maybe I was born a couple of centuries too late, but I love the feeling of being the first person to glass a big canyon or distant ridge (even if it is just for that season). Often times I leave base camp with a specific destination in mind, only to get lured further and further. Having a [[bivy]] camp on my back gives me the freedom of wandering further and longer without having to worry about what I’m going to eat or where I am going to sleep. It gets me further into the backcountry, farther away from other hunter pressure, provides me the flexibility to be able to move if I encounter hunter pressure and allows me to hunt undisturbed animals. The “work” part of carrying my pack all day has become just another part of the hunt; I don’t think of it as an anchor, rather a liberating piece of equipment. It gives me great satisfaction knowing I’m carrying all I need to survive for up to a week at a time.

While I’ve used bivouac hunting mostly in my pursuit of [[mule deer]], there is hardly an animal better suited for it than [[elk]]. For starters, most of the time you don’t need a [[spotting scope]] for elk. That’ll shave off 3-8 pounds off of your pack weight when you add in the tripod. Because elk are gregarious and wander over large areas, it is often necessary to cover large tracts of country in order to get into elk. Enter the bivy hunter. If you locate a herd of elk at last light, far from your base camp, you’ll be in good position for a morning hunt without the commute. Sleeping on the mountain will save you a lot of energy from commuting to and from base camp. Longer nights in the sleeping bag translate into a fresher, sharper hunter.

Start thinking about how bivouac hunting could fit into your hunts this fall. Like Aneal pointed out during the bivy podcast, it isn’t just a tactic for western animals. For me, it goes beyond just being a more effective way to hunt. It is a closer connection to the past; less reliance on the civilized world. Distractions from nature, the very reason we spend our time outdoors, are minimized. No radios drowning out the sounds of the night or campers insulating us from the unknown. It adds another element to the hunt, another part to plan, execute and perfect. Now when I go on a hunt where I am not living out of my sleeping bag, I feel like I there is something missing.

The subject for my next blog will cover sleeping bags and pads. What to look for and some of different options out on the market. I hope you’ll check back in a couple of weeks for the next entry.

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south@eastmans.com

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