Using ancient equipment

imported
#1

I’d like to hear from people who are using really old, even ancient, equipment and how it suits you.

For example, I’ve had the following items since 1982, 24 years ago, that still suit me just fine:

  1. Ensolite sleeping pad, 20x72, 1 pound.

  2. Sierra West 2-person tent, 3 pounds.

  3. Svea stove, 11 ounces.

  4. Sigg aluminum cookset for Svea stove, 1 pound 8 ounce.

Thanks.

Conan

Conan

#2

I was out the other weekend and used my 1976 Kelty D-4 backpack because I was carrying a lot of stuff for a group cookout we were having. Still the most comfortable pack I own for carrying a heavy load. I also have a Svea stove/Sigg cookset that still works great. I never use it anymore but can’t bear to part with it or my Optimus stove.

Big B

#3

I thru-hiked this year (nobo) carrying a Svea 123, an old aluminum cookkit (only the dish and lid), and a Kelty Tioga (c. 1974). However, if I were doing it again I would get a lighter pack and either use a pepsi can alcohol stove or just go cold.

Jim Moody (Mango)

#4

You know, you both raise good points. We’re sentimentally attached to what has worked in the past. But, at some point, the lighter stuff will replace most everything, just as a practical matter. The more we convert, the fact of lighter weight will make the decision for us.

Conan

conan

#5

I recall going light, as a young man, packing a military fanny pack, a space blanket and a wool blanket, a fold over grill, with steak and ham steak for breakfast, build a fire, and voila, the plastic “army” canteen, fit in a cup with handle, and that was what I made my soup in. Froze my ass off one night in the high mountains! Another time, I got a brilliant idea to take only a pair a lightweight karate pants, and got hit by hail, in July or August (high Uintahs), I used to carry a tent fly, silver/aluminum, no idea what it was made for, but it was some kind of smooth on the top side, almost reflective, some cord, and a handful of cheap aluminum pegs, tie it off to two trees, or one, and steak it out, use my poncho for a ground cloth, and did that a few times. Sadly, got a bivvy “tent,” but the dogs got eaten by a fluke of mosquitoes, this last time, starting to go up on weight, just got a sierra west, though I would get a fly for it, and give it a try, and I also got me a clip flashlight! there was another smaller two hoop tent, by sierra, but it was only about 20 square feet, and the dogs are too tight in a small tent like that, with me. looking at a eureka now.

Lewis

#6

With tarp or tarp/tent options you can find spacious shelters that weigh less than 1 lb.

rambler

#7

I wish I could contribute. I haven’t use my old stuff in years. I have since been en"light"ened a few years ago…

hoof