G4 Completed!

Posted by: PaHiker

G4 Completed! - 02/28/15 10:46 AM

Hey, I just wanted to thank everyone for their help. The instruction could, from a novice standpoint, use some updates.

Anyway, finished the pack last night weighs out at 273g! (9.6 oz) Compare this to my Gregory Mountain pack of the same (approx) size at 2,750g (6lbs). I'm a little leery because of my sewing abilities (nil before this), but if it holds the next three weeks this is going to be a real lifesaver on next month's GC hike. Regardless, I will be taking my Gregory with me, as I don't trust the airline baggers.
Posted by: Matt Keenan

Re: G4 Completed! - 02/28/15 03:58 PM

Congrats on the finished pack dropping 5lbs off the back will definitely be nice. Make sure you aren't trying to care more than 30 lbs in that bad boy though 20 is usually where I enjoy my myog G4 the most. Cheers and Congrats again on completing the pack truly awesome your part of the club now! Enjoy your hike, post pics on here I would love to see some highlights.
Happy trails
Matt
Posted by: PaHiker

Re: G4 Completed! - 03/02/15 08:08 AM

My plan is to keep the weight in the 15-20lb range. The three heaviest items now are:

  • Sleeping bag - original Blue Kazoo (shifting down, which they will pry from my cold, dead, hands) at 1,280g, 2.8lb
  • Lightning UL2 tent 1,770g, 3.9lb
  • Food/stove/fuel - I am using the cat stove with 4oz of heet and a small (2 cup) titanium pot. All of this is weighing in at about 2,267g, 5lb, including a bear container reqd by the NPS.
Posted by: Matt Keenan

Re: G4 Completed! - 03/02/15 02:37 PM

"Which they will pry form my cold dead hands" Haha alright well it sounds like you should be good, are you going to be sharing the tent with another person?

Have you thought about making the jump the a tarp with an inner? If you can make a backpack you would have no problem making a tarp. Ripstop by the roll sell silnylon at a very reasonable price(no affiliation just a happy customer) Something to consider for future trips, if you don't feel like your current set up meet your backpacking goals. smile

Bear canisters are a pain but they keep our food safe and more importantly they keep the bears safe.

Happy Trails
Matt
Posted by: Dryer

Re: G4 Completed! - 03/02/15 05:27 PM

Nice! I can relate to the Gregory. I have a Lowe Specialist II I relegated to "storage bag" after I discovered ultralite packs. Is that weight with or without strap foam?
I don't use foam cushioning in mine...that's where spare socks go. (The shoulder and waist straps.)
Posted by: 4evrplan

Re: G4 Completed! - 03/03/15 10:06 AM

Can we see pics?
Posted by: bluefish

Re: G4 Completed! - 03/07/15 01:16 PM

That's a significant reduction in weight! Congrats. I'm going 4/2
and have gone before. Never seen anything about a bear can being a necessity, as there's no bears down in the canyon. They're rare on the rims. Ursacks,Loksacks or other rodent proof sacks may serve you better. If you're on the corridor trails, campsites will have ammo cans. I'm using cookie tins with a homemade locking lid, and they are fine against ravens, squirrels, mice and ringtails. Do some research and you might lose a little more weight out of the pack. http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/bc-food-storage.htm
Posted by: wandering_daisy

Re: G4 Completed! - 03/08/15 06:07 PM

I am not sure the Ursack is rodent proof. I recall reading somewhere that the sharp teeth of rodents can gnaw through the fiber. It is designed for bears who are stronger but have duller teeth.
Posted by: bluefish

Re: G4 Completed! - 03/08/15 06:51 PM

I wasn't sure, so thanks WD. After doing some research on various and sundry sites, many of the bags succumb to ravens or persistent rodents. The cookie tins seem to have the best record for keeping out the smaller critters. Doesn't hurt we had some in the kitchen cabinet just waiting to be up-cycled. Bears, of course, would have them flattened and bit through in micro seconds.
Posted by: SurvivalDad

Re: G4 Completed! - 04/04/15 01:24 PM

Pics would be really cool, please.