Path: usage.csd.unsw.oz.au!metro!munnari.oz.au!murtoa.cs.mu.oz.au!csv.viccol.edu.au!dougcc
From: dougcc@csv.viccol.edu.au (Douglas Miller)
Newsgroups: aus.snow
Subject: Re: What gear would you buy?
Message-ID: <1991Jul21.132548.6787@csv.viccol.edu.au>
Date: 21 Jul 91 18:25:48 GMT
References: <1991Jul19.071612.18940@csis.dit.csiro.au>
Distribution: aus
Organization: Computer Services, Victoria College, Melbourne
Lines: 62

In article <1991Jul19.071612.18940@csis.dit.csiro.au>,
oscar@csis.dit.csiro.au (Oscar Bosman) asks for recommendations for new
snow-camping equipment:

>   Snow tent

The last tent I invested in was a two-person Eureka Caddis (a three
transverse hoop design).  The advantages I saw:

   o Long enough to sleep two tall people (I'm one).
   o Wide enough for two people to lie/sit with room between in the center
     of the tent for cooking.
   o An entrance and gear vestibule at each end.
   o Not too narrow at each end (some tent's force you to be much too chummy
     with the other person's feet when sleeping).
   o The floor widens slightly in the middle of the tent, giving gear
     storage space between you and the tent wall.
   o The tent is higher in the centre, giving more headroom for cooking
     (including hanging the candle lantern).
   o More room for (I think) less weight than other designs such as Macpac
     Olympus and Bushgear Jagungal.
   o It was cheap.

Another tent that I have used a lot is the Hallmark Snow Cave, which has
basically the same features as the Caddis, but with a different vestibule
design at each end.  It was out of production when I was looking at the
Caddis, but a new model is available now.

>   Pack

I've always used canvas; it stays dry inside.  Can't really give any other
advice here, as my Macpac Torre is 8 years old and presumably bears no
relationship to anything on the market today.

>   Stove

MSR WhisperLight: the lightest, most compact, stove available.  Plenty of
power.  Octane (shellite) is the most weight-efficient fuel.  I can fit it
with the right size fuel tank for the trip: 300ml (day trip), 600ml
(weekend), 1l (4 days or more).  It is not the easiest stove for getting a
low, consistent flame, but I don't have much need for long simmering.

>   (many small items: goggles, gloves, gaiters, compass, torch, etc.)
> 
> What brand/model would you buy and why?  Are there any bits of equipment that
> you think are particularly worth investing in?  Is it worthwhile buying
> themal underware? Which brand?  (Most of my skiing is weekends around Kosi.)

For clothing recommendations see my previous posting on the subject.

Snow shovel:

Salewa.  The lightest most compact one I've seen.  The handle can be
attached at right angles or in-line with the blade for "maddock" or "spade"
digging respectively.  In both arrangements there is a grip close to the
blade as well as the top of the handle so you can get maximum leverage
using both arms.  The blade is smaller than other shovels, but this hasn't
been a problem; it was used to create some mighty excavations last season
(the spiral staircase 2.5m down to Duck creek was my favorite).  The blade
is plastic but it's tough;  after one season of punishment the only damage
is very minor dents in the business end of the blade (from running into
sticks and rocks).
Path: usage.csd.unsw.oz.au!metro!seagoon.newcastle.edu.au!wombat.newcastle.edu.au!sysnet
From: sysnet@wombat.newcastle.edu.au
Newsgroups: aus.snow
Subject: Re: What gear would you buy?
Message-ID: <1991Jul22.173722.1@wombat.newcastle.edu.au>
Date: 22 Jul 91 07:37:22 GMT
References: <1991Jul19.071612.18940@csis.dit.csiro.au> <1991Jul21.132548.6787@csv.viccol.edu.au>
Sender: news@neddy.newcastle.edu.au
Distribution: aus
Organization: University of Newcastle, AUSTRALIA
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In article <1991Jul21.132548.6787@csv.viccol.edu.au>, dougcc@csv.viccol.edu.au (Douglas Miller) writes:
>>   Pack
> 
> I've always used canvas; it stays dry inside.  Can't really give any other
> advice here, as my Macpac Torre is 8 years old and presumably bears no
> relationship to anything on the market today.

The whole range of Macpac packs is still sold, albeit with a few minor
modifications.  Newer packs of other brands seem to have many of the features 
of Macpac, but are a bit lighter.
-- 
David Morrison, Manager, Networks and Comms, Uni of Newcastle, Australia
sysnet@cc.newcastle.edu.au or (VAX PSI) psi%0505249626002::sysnet
Phone: +61 49 215397