Dirtyhip

The build is completely done. We went with diesel because the fuel is radily available in the rig and the system is pretty cheap to install. Lots of labor but the parts were not bad. Cheap Chinese diesel heaters work fine. The van is totally done. We are adding a pantry, and I will post pics of that and we consider this a complete build now. New shocks because it needed them. The things is sponging out in a bad way. Shocks are a part of maintenance like brakes and tires. I also added a new Berkey filter. It has water filtration in the van but I wanted more.

No, so I guess this is fine that one is gone.

It kinda freaks me out. My husband was not at all concerned. Even if we had springs, he said you just buy a spring compressor.

A new update for Maxine. A new diesel heater has been installed. It was warm and toasty in there after we fired it up. I forgot to take pics. We had toi drop the gas tank for this job. It came out great. Next up are new shocks. We are contemplating taking it somewhere when we pick up my bike. Good times.

I sold the CX bike. It was sitting too much. Maybe I don't need 5 bikes. 4 is plenty good. I hope so too. The Giant wasn't working. The weight ratio just sucked.

Yeah, what a fucked up reality. Nice bikes are too expensive without a pro deal. So, difficult decisions had to be made. Happy about the Orbea, but this is what I had to do.

Kinda sprtan on options, don't ya think?

Oh yeah, I am out of my element and the learning process is waking up my old brain from years back. Ice Axe bungee attachments! Out of my skill level and needs for now, but hey, they are there.

I had this ground pad on using the other loops. Yuck. I like it better this way. I am googling how to use these. This pack.is.tpp.advanced for my current skill level. Haha. The little cord things look pretty specific. It likely serves a good purpose.

My buddy said he hates the dishes too. He mentioned water. I told him I don't have a lot of plans for camping without water much. Maybe on a rare occasion, and dehydrated stuff will be the answer for that.

Please explain. Can't you just reheat in the mini mo?

Even the trainging aspect of this, adding weight and charting my progress, has been rewarding and fun. Even if I only manage to do some overnights, then it's a win. I look forward to crafting some rice recipes for the trail. I really do want that mini mo stove. It is kinda cool. I have a few friends that might loan me their jet stoves untl I get equipped. I am not thrilled about carrying the Whisper. It is heavy and very outdated.

THat is what I thought. Has my body whanged that much? I guess it did. The straps and adjustments were way off. The outdoor guy said "Maybe you loaned your pack?" I couldn't remember but the straps were so badly adjusted. He got me setup again and I trained with that old pak for the last couple of months until I saved enough the the new pack. I am super stoked.

Mr original pack was an external frame REI backpack. I loved it. It carried my camp things for many miles through the high sierras when I was in my twenties. I did love the myriad of zippable storage areas. I got into more serious climbing and converted to that popular Mountainsmith frostfire from the 90's. It was good on my back but the duffel was hard to find things in. The Osprey is a similar style but with many more options. I would have been find with the Frostfire, but my padding was all falling apart and very uncomfy on my back. I got a great deal on my Osprey. $236. $60 off the list. My outdoor store guy made me feel pretty good cause I was fretting about the bear bag thing. I was wondering if I will need a canister, but they are heavy and annoying. The outsoor guru guy said he still uses the 'ol bear bag method. I plan to just do the same. I have my bear bell and cordage with a little bag for tossing the rock. I used to be a very good mountaineer and rock climber. I feel like i barely know anything about this these days. It's coming back to me. I have been reading a lot about how people do this these days. My experience seemed to be bigger gear and heavy packs. Now things are leaning towards the fast ultralight style. I am not fast with thia. I am careful and methodical when I backpack. The bag came with a rain cover. The idea is that you cover your back with this thing with you hike in the rain. Seem bougey and unecessary. We will see, Lifetime warrant on the Osprey stuff. They will fix your zips, etc. Although, my Frostfire zips are fine. It was the foam back that fell apart. I have been dilligently training with it, but at 20 pounds, the thing was bothering me a bit. Just more annoying than actual pain. The clips were no longer smooth and they seemed to not like clipping easily

Osprey Aether. I think my pad is on wrong. I like it the other way. My back.pad was wore out. 30 years later, new tech.

Osprey Aether. I think my pad is on wrong. I like it the other way. My back.pad was wore out. 30 years later, new tech.

My friend made it home. I didn't cut anything but did enjoy the shenigans. I don't have ornaments or a tree stand, so I just go and watch. We are planning to buy a tree this weekend to plant.

It's time for a tree.

Frost heave and humidity conditions just right

Peace, Health and Abundance for everyone.

That is a stab worthy transgression.

After years I still love this pan. I think I like the Field cast iron surface better than the Stargazer but the handle on the stargazer is way better than the field. You need a handle as leverage for the weight. The field is more awkward and short, IMO. They both have cheater tabs that help. I like to one arm everything when I cook. You need the other hand to direct the food, oil, water you dumping out. You need wrist strength for these pans.

They say you can. I don't believe them. This is why it i nice to have a dual burner. You can just lift it off for a moment. The only thing that I have found to be immediate is gas. But, gas has it's laundry list of toxic problems. The brief sniff of gas, possible leaks in your environment, and you can't run solar.

My all clad is fine. I don't use an all clas saute anyway.

I made recommendation to someone here on a topic exacty like this. I was made fun of for a few days over it. I think people here would know what I recommend anyway, so I don't make pan recommendations anaymore.