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Field Test #6: Winter Wear
It must be a new year if an actual, honest to goodness blog post is coming at you, and it must be f'n January b/c there's still an F load of cold a$$ weather out there. As we've had a preponderance of winter of late, I had the opportunity to field test some 4th season gear, notably an ultralight down inner jacket/pants combo from Mont Bell.
Plus I rocked a really macho UL scarf
Sure, I nabbed these items pre-Wonderland due to the misguided notion that I was overly cold-sensitive, and not just previously enjoying several broken ribs. (It's every man for himself out there, after all). But hey, no worries: you can never have too much gear!
Though designed to be utilized primarily as an insulating layer, I found that both the Mont Bell UL Down Inner Jacket and matching UL Down Inner Pants were remarkably wind resistant on their own sans shell layer. Both are incredibly light, run a little big, and are truly excellent insulators.
I "performed" a good half dozen field tests with and without a shell layer, in both inclement and clear weather, to and from anywhere I needed to go while stuck for several weeks under 1.5+ feet of snow. FY, Snow Miser!
What an assjack. Regardless, I couldn't have been warmer and more comfortable rocking the Mont Bell combo in 20 degree weather usually only rocking Ex Officios and an OXT T shirt as a base layer, gloves, mitt shells, and Sorels over an average distance of ~5 miles and an average temp of ~25 degrees F. The fact that both run a little large provided not only for excellent mobility, but for the use of thicker capilene base layers on several occassions, which actually helped with sweat mitigation - these feels keep you very warm. In wet snow conditions I was comfortable wearing a Gore-Tex shell layer over both very easily as the down fill design is highly maleable and strong, and I would imagine being warm in sub-zero conditions using the Mont Bell jacket and pants as a solitary insulating layer.
In conclusion, I give the Mont Bell UL Down Inner Jacket and Pants my highest possible recommendation as an extremely light, high performance 3 season insulation layer.
XL Men's UL Down Inner Jacket: 8.1 oz. [my scales]
L Men's UL Down Inner Pants: 6.9 oz. [my scales]
Mountaineering Does and Don'ts
Starting to get ready for the Mt Hood climb, which if everything goes well will happen in May or June, a few important first tips. The most important, but not most commonly used skill hopefully, is the Ice Axe Self Arrest.
Anyone definitely needs to be better than the dude below. Within seconds of a fall, you can reach 30-40 MPH. If you cannot arrest in the first few seconds, there is a good chance you will not be able to stop until a tree, rock, cliff, or crevasse does it for you. If you have ever bitten it on Elevator Shaft you know what I am talking about. Witness this dude:
If the above happens and you are roped up with, say, 9 others, the following can happen. This outdoor adventure is definitely the next level. If something bad happens here, it may not just be cold, hunger, sore muscles, or inconvenience...somebody could die.
Caution not to be shown to significant others
At least we have a place to sleep the night before / after 15 minutes drive away
Anyone definitely needs to be better than the dude below. Within seconds of a fall, you can reach 30-40 MPH. If you cannot arrest in the first few seconds, there is a good chance you will not be able to stop until a tree, rock, cliff, or crevasse does it for you. If you have ever bitten it on Elevator Shaft you know what I am talking about. Witness this dude:
If the above happens and you are roped up with, say, 9 others, the following can happen. This outdoor adventure is definitely the next level. If something bad happens here, it may not just be cold, hunger, sore muscles, or inconvenience...somebody could die.
Caution not to be shown to significant others
At least we have a place to sleep the night before / after 15 minutes drive away
"The mosquitos are fine, but the bear at Indian Bar will really f**k you up!"
The mosquito repellent goes great with man-flesh, Franken!
Thanks McLovin
A big appreciative hats off to McLovin for coming through on all the trip coordination and supplies . Wednesday at 3:00 baby!
. Wednesday at 3:00 baby!
Another Item to add to Risk Mitigation
So, on Sunday I started feeling better, so I fabricated a couple of heavy duty chimney covers for the furnace and wood stove at the cabin. The lighter weight aluminum ones got pummeled by the massive amounts of snow this past year and I don't want to have to replace them again.
In the process of making these however, I sunburned the heck out of my face by arc welding these guys without a full face mask. I guess I should have studied a bit more to realize that arc welders produce the whole UV spectrum when in use...right in front of your face. Guess I should have taken metal shop at Wilson.
Nice Sunburn...with no sun!
In the process of making these however, I sunburned the heck out of my face by arc welding these guys without a full face mask. I guess I should have studied a bit more to realize that arc welders produce the whole UV spectrum when in use...right in front of your face. Guess I should have taken metal shop at Wilson.
Nice Sunburn...with no sun!
For Everything Else, There's Frankencard
Well, I got a chance to battle test my home made gear in the rainstorm this evening. First was the Frankentarp: Nylon line for ropes $0.50, oversize space blanket (doubles as a space blanket) $2.99. Lightweight aluminum tubing for tent stakes $2.19. Total cost $5.69. Total Weight: Space Blanket 2 OZ, Stakes 0.5 OZ, rope 0.25 OZ. Total Weight 2.75 OZ.
Bivy nice and dry. Even in a Downpour.
Hollow Aluminum Stakes. 6 Weigh < 0.5 OZ!
With this, my shelter, Bivy + Tarp = 22.75 OZ
Next, I tested my PCT / Franken bear hanging system. Cost: Small Aluminum Beaner $1.99. 50 Ft of 1/8" diameter nylon rope coated with silicone: $0.65, stake bag borrowed from the Mealy Grub $0. Total Cost $2.64. I am using my sleeping bag stuff sack as the food bag. Total weight: Beaner, Rope, and stake bag = 1.8 OZ.
All of the trees in my back yard are limbed up way high, so in true Franken style, I threw it over my neighbors power line that runs above a rear corner of my yard. When hoisting the grub, I was kind of worried I was going to pull the power line down, but it held. Everything works well except for a couple of issues: First, I have found that the clove hitch knot on the twig is fussy and has the disadvantage of having to thread the entire length of remaining rope through to tie it. I devised a knot which is kind of like tying a shoe lace around the twig. To do this, you don't have to thread a bunch of rope through and to get it undone, you just pull the small bows formed at the twig. I will show you at the next DN. Second, it was pretty windy out and the wind caused the food bag to spin a number of times. I had to wrangle with the thing for 1-2 minutes to get the two lines untwisted so I could get it down. Not sure what to do about this except deal with it.
Food bag hung over the power line. Don't try this at home.
Bivy nice and dry. Even in a Downpour.
Hollow Aluminum Stakes. 6 Weigh < 0.5 OZ!
With this, my shelter, Bivy + Tarp = 22.75 OZ
Next, I tested my PCT / Franken bear hanging system. Cost: Small Aluminum Beaner $1.99. 50 Ft of 1/8" diameter nylon rope coated with silicone: $0.65, stake bag borrowed from the Mealy Grub $0. Total Cost $2.64. I am using my sleeping bag stuff sack as the food bag. Total weight: Beaner, Rope, and stake bag = 1.8 OZ.
All of the trees in my back yard are limbed up way high, so in true Franken style, I threw it over my neighbors power line that runs above a rear corner of my yard. When hoisting the grub, I was kind of worried I was going to pull the power line down, but it held. Everything works well except for a couple of issues: First, I have found that the clove hitch knot on the twig is fussy and has the disadvantage of having to thread the entire length of remaining rope through to tie it. I devised a knot which is kind of like tying a shoe lace around the twig. To do this, you don't have to thread a bunch of rope through and to get it undone, you just pull the small bows formed at the twig. I will show you at the next DN. Second, it was pretty windy out and the wind caused the food bag to spin a number of times. I had to wrangle with the thing for 1-2 minutes to get the two lines untwisted so I could get it down. Not sure what to do about this except deal with it.
Food bag hung over the power line. Don't try this at home.
Who Knew?
1. Grits, dehydrated veggies, vegetable soup mix and water taste like bone dry, refugee CARE package wannabe, sandy parched dried-up river bed with just a hint of ass. Mr. Tosh would need to hike at least 23 miles a third past 4pm five days after tax day before he'd disagree.
2. Cost of having the ultralightest gear ever: $0. For everything else there's FrankenCard.
3. The first 33% and the last 33% of Into the Wild were equally awesome. Surprisingly so, I thought the former might be somehow more awesome than the latter. Can't speak to the middle 34%, but I can guess.
4. FoodSaver makes it more difficult to spike Ploss' grub with horse laxative and mescaline
5. Franken is carrying my pepper spray and bear bell as SteriPEN and Lying About Your Gear Weight tax:
2. Cost of having the ultralightest gear ever: $0. For everything else there's FrankenCard.
3. The first 33% and the last 33% of Into the Wild were equally awesome. Surprisingly so, I thought the former might be somehow more awesome than the latter. Can't speak to the middle 34%, but I can guess.
4. FoodSaver makes it more difficult to spike Ploss' grub with horse laxative and mescaline
5. Franken is carrying my pepper spray and bear bell as SteriPEN and Lying About Your Gear Weight tax:
There's That Dude.
Allow me to introduce myself: the name is McLovin and I return from a self-imposed if unplanned, extended exile to drop some nutritional knowledge on all y'all. While Franken remains vociferously opposed to freezer bag culinary delights, those of us ready to try something new have to keep in mind a primary rule of thumb: calories per ounce, or caloric density. Since our meal bases should consist of high carbohydrate foods, I examine here the big three: pasta, rice, and potatoes with an eye towards rehydration volume per serving, followed by a postscript on protein.
Pasta
You went to college; you ate lots of Top Ramen. And why wouldn't you? It's so cheap it's practically free, it's filling, can be cooked simply and safely no matter what state you're in and damnit it's pretty tasty too. But can you call it pasta? Yes, technically true as is its more exotic cousin, couscous, and both can be made quickly with a minimum amount of water. Let's check it out. Note: nutritional value based upon preparation with included sodium bomb seasonings.
Where's Chef B's money? People always trying to screw Chef B.
Maruchen Oriental Flavor Ramen: Serving Size 1/2 block of noodles w. Seasoning (42.0 g)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 190
Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8.0g 12%
Saturated Fat 4.0g 20%
Sodium 890mg 37%
Total Carbohydrates 25.0g 8%
Dietary Fiber 1.0g 4%
Sugars 0.5g
Protein 4.0g
Water required: 8-10 oz. is sufficient to cook and rehydrate 2 servings (1 package or 2.96 oz.) of ramen
Near East Parmesan Flavor Couscous: Serving Size 2 oz (56.0 g) [about 1/3 cup]
Amount Per Serving
Calories 200
Calories from Fat 14
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1.5g 2%
Saturated Fat 0.5g 2%
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 580mg 24%
Total Carbohydrates 41.0g 14%
Dietary Fiber 2.0g 8%
Sugars 3.0g
Protein 8.0g
Water required: 8 oz. is sufficient to cook and rehydrate 2 servings (2/3 cup or 3.95 oz.) of couscous.
The likely 2 servings per meal for each results in 84 grams of ramen yielding 380 calories and 16% of daily carbs, and 112 grams of couscous yielding 400 calories and 28% of daily carbs. The couscous gets the edge vote for caloric and carbohydrate density as well as water requirements albeit at a cost in weight, and personally the ramen wins on taste - couscous has the consistency of baby food.
Rice
Instant rice is unfortunately limited to the white variety, though long grain instant rice is available from several brands such as Uncle Ben's; wild rice options require way, way too much water. Even so, some instant rice still requires upwards of 10-12 oz. of water for a single freezer bag serving - pushing the limits of what's practical from a single 34 oz. pot. As 1 cup of instant rice can be cooked with 10 oz. of water, this is the serving size upon which we'll focus.
Uncle Ben's Instant Long Grain White Rice: Serving Size 1/2 cup dry (52.0 g)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 190
Calories from Fat 4
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.5g 1%
Sodium 15mg 1%
Total Carbohydrates 43.0g 14%
Dietary Fiber 1.0g 4%
Protein 3.0g
Thus 1 cup (104 grams or 3.67 oz.) of instant white rice yields 380 calories and 28% of daily carbohydrate.
Potatoes
Taters turn out to be fairly calorically dense, and damn tasty too - but at a slight cost of carbohydrates vs. rice.
Country Style Potato Pearls: Serving Size 3 Tbsp (23 grams)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 90
Calories from Fat 10
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 2%
Sodium 310mg 13%
Total Carbohydrates 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 1.0g 4%
Protein 2.0g
Potato Pearls require only a 2 to 1 water to spud ratio so as little as 7 oz. of H2O need be boiled to get your tater on!
Thus a comparable four servings (92 grams or 3.24 oz.) of instant potatoes yields 360 calories and 24% of daily carbohydrate.
How many calories in $240 worth of pudding?
Tale of the Tape:
Ramen: 2.96 oz. yields 380 calories and 16% of daily carbs
Couscous: 3.95 oz. yields 400 calories and 28% of daily carbs
Rice: 3.67 oz. yields 380 calories and 28% of daily carbs
Potatoes: 3.24 oz. yields 360 calories and 24% of daily carbs
After just receiving a call from Ploss, Grits will make an appearance on the post-script as well will some thoughts on daily protein requirements.
Pasta
You went to college; you ate lots of Top Ramen. And why wouldn't you? It's so cheap it's practically free, it's filling, can be cooked simply and safely no matter what state you're in and damnit it's pretty tasty too. But can you call it pasta? Yes, technically true as is its more exotic cousin, couscous, and both can be made quickly with a minimum amount of water. Let's check it out. Note: nutritional value based upon preparation with included sodium bomb seasonings.
Where's Chef B's money? People always trying to screw Chef B.
Maruchen Oriental Flavor Ramen: Serving Size 1/2 block of noodles w. Seasoning (42.0 g)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 190
Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8.0g 12%
Saturated Fat 4.0g 20%
Sodium 890mg 37%
Total Carbohydrates 25.0g 8%
Dietary Fiber 1.0g 4%
Sugars 0.5g
Protein 4.0g
Water required: 8-10 oz. is sufficient to cook and rehydrate 2 servings (1 package or 2.96 oz.) of ramen
Near East Parmesan Flavor Couscous: Serving Size 2 oz (56.0 g) [about 1/3 cup]
Amount Per Serving
Calories 200
Calories from Fat 14
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1.5g 2%
Saturated Fat 0.5g 2%
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 580mg 24%
Total Carbohydrates 41.0g 14%
Dietary Fiber 2.0g 8%
Sugars 3.0g
Protein 8.0g
Water required: 8 oz. is sufficient to cook and rehydrate 2 servings (2/3 cup or 3.95 oz.) of couscous.
The likely 2 servings per meal for each results in 84 grams of ramen yielding 380 calories and 16% of daily carbs, and 112 grams of couscous yielding 400 calories and 28% of daily carbs. The couscous gets the edge vote for caloric and carbohydrate density as well as water requirements albeit at a cost in weight, and personally the ramen wins on taste - couscous has the consistency of baby food.
Rice
Instant rice is unfortunately limited to the white variety, though long grain instant rice is available from several brands such as Uncle Ben's; wild rice options require way, way too much water. Even so, some instant rice still requires upwards of 10-12 oz. of water for a single freezer bag serving - pushing the limits of what's practical from a single 34 oz. pot. As 1 cup of instant rice can be cooked with 10 oz. of water, this is the serving size upon which we'll focus.
Uncle Ben's Instant Long Grain White Rice: Serving Size 1/2 cup dry (52.0 g)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 190
Calories from Fat 4
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.5g 1%
Sodium 15mg 1%
Total Carbohydrates 43.0g 14%
Dietary Fiber 1.0g 4%
Protein 3.0g
Thus 1 cup (104 grams or 3.67 oz.) of instant white rice yields 380 calories and 28% of daily carbohydrate.
Potatoes
Taters turn out to be fairly calorically dense, and damn tasty too - but at a slight cost of carbohydrates vs. rice.
Country Style Potato Pearls: Serving Size 3 Tbsp (23 grams)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 90
Calories from Fat 10
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 2%
Sodium 310mg 13%
Total Carbohydrates 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 1.0g 4%
Protein 2.0g
Potato Pearls require only a 2 to 1 water to spud ratio so as little as 7 oz. of H2O need be boiled to get your tater on!
Thus a comparable four servings (92 grams or 3.24 oz.) of instant potatoes yields 360 calories and 24% of daily carbohydrate.
How many calories in $240 worth of pudding?
Tale of the Tape:
Ramen: 2.96 oz. yields 380 calories and 16% of daily carbs
Couscous: 3.95 oz. yields 400 calories and 28% of daily carbs
Rice: 3.67 oz. yields 380 calories and 28% of daily carbs
Potatoes: 3.24 oz. yields 360 calories and 24% of daily carbs
After just receiving a call from Ploss, Grits will make an appearance on the post-script as well will some thoughts on daily protein requirements.
Meal Planning: Caloric Intake
I figure that we'll be burning between 4,000 to 5,000 calories per day on the WLT and perhaps even more should our daily mileage go up to 20. That said, there's no way that we'll hit that we'll hit that caloric requirement without resorting to a mix of peanut butter, olive oil and/or pringles, but who wants to eat THAT. My experience tells me that for a week long trip, we'll want to hit around 2,000 calories per day to feel full and the deficit will be fine.
My daily caloric intake is as follows:
Note: items in yellow are estimates
This is a lot of grub for me per day. This provides a pretty steady flow of calories (aka calorie drip) over the course of the day and should provide enough sustenance to get us through the most heinous days. This is a modified list from what I carried for the Olympics last summer in that one freezedried lunch was replaced with the Probar (similar calories, no cooking) and the evening meal is now homemade with an additional protein bar to heal muscles. The Larabar in the evening is mostly for insurance in case I'm freaking hungry before bed (which is likely)! Note: there's no additional insurance for Franken in this list so hoping that his creator added enough brains to cover for this trip!
Send more cops!
My daily caloric intake is as follows:
| Grub Item | Calories |
| 2 Oatmeal | 260 |
| 1 Gu2o gel | 100 |
| 1 Larabar | 190 |
| 1 Probar | 370 |
| 1 cup GORP | 300 |
| 1 Electrolyte | 140 |
| 1 Dinner | 400 |
| 1 Protein Bar | 290 |
| 1 Larabar | 190 |
| 2,240 | |
This is a lot of grub for me per day. This provides a pretty steady flow of calories (aka calorie drip) over the course of the day and should provide enough sustenance to get us through the most heinous days. This is a modified list from what I carried for the Olympics last summer in that one freezedried lunch was replaced with the Probar (similar calories, no cooking) and the evening meal is now homemade with an additional protein bar to heal muscles. The Larabar in the evening is mostly for insurance in case I'm freaking hungry before bed (which is likely)! Note: there's no additional insurance for Franken in this list so hoping that his creator added enough brains to cover for this trip!
Send more cops!