Hi Jeff, so glad you enjoy the blog and thanks for the recommendation!
Thanks everyone for all the comments, it is a very photogenic place. I hope to get back soon!
Hi David, sorry but I don't have the gps coordinates. My friend and I had perseverance and a little luck on our side in finding the place.
The main reason is that the hexamid solo is very minimal with regards to space. It is very easy for snow to get under the tarp and as there is basically no extra room, any gear or person will get covered in snow. Also, the extended beak does not go all the way down to the ground, providing an additional entry point for snow. I think the Hexamid plus or double would be OK for snow camping, for a single person, but the solo is just too small a shelter. However, as long as the beak does not extend all the way to ground, none of the hexamid options will be totally secure in the snow.
Hi Josh, glad you find the review helpful! To answer your questions, yes I think the 3400 has plenty of space for a thru hiker. The 4400 was overkill and although I did fill it up a few times it was really not necessary. I personally prefer the white color, I believe it will stay a bit cooler than black. Of course, if you want to look like a ninja then go the all black route, that's cool too. Durability should not be an issue with either choice, HMG packs are durable! They will both be way more durable than the Arc Blast. Good Luck and Happy Trails!
Hi Al, sorry for the delayed reply but here are my thoughts. The fabric is waterproof, the seams are not. The hydration port and the top opening was not the point of entry for the rain water, it was the seams, which leaked up and down the body of the pack. I don't see this changing whether you are wearing the pack or have it sitting out, either way the seams will leak. You could try to seal them but I still don't think this will work very well. If you are expecting much rain then have a backup system to keep your stuff dry, which is good to do whether or not the pack is actually water tight. Enjoy!
Hi Cheri, thanks for checking out the review! I never came up with a solution for the hipbelt pockets, I just didn't use them for anything I needed to access regularly. As for the side pockets, I used a platypus bladder with a drinking tube so I didn't have to reach back whenever I needed to drink. Hopefully HMG addresses these issues. Feel free to send them an email with your comments, the more feedback they get, the more likely they will make changes.
Hey Jacob, thanks for the feedback! I drool over Nunatuk stuff but how can people afford it? As far as Zpacks stuff goes, I am still positive overall. I think Joe is really pushing the envelope for ultralight gear and I appreciate the innovation. However, there has to be the realization that his gear is not durable and that is the trade off for being lightweight. Also, I am not impressed by his claims of waterproofness or "water tight" whatever that is supposed to mean, I will stick with the more traditional manufacturers for anything critical. I am curious about his rain gear but based on my experience with his other gear I am skeptical.
I think you will like the windrider, now we can have matching backpacks! We just need to coordinate our clothing for maximum effect.
And yeah, lets do something, looks like it might be a good snow year!
I apologize but due to spam I have had to disable comments on this post.
Hi Merrily, I will do both!
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