We are providing information on gear based on our own personal experience and opinions of gear we use. On one occasion a manufacturer sent us some free samples to review. I already owned last year's version so I like their stuff. We do not get any income from our reviews or money for advertisement. Manufactures have no input on our reports. Links to products are provided for your convenience and generate no income for us.

I know how hard it is to sort through all the options for something as basic as a camp stove and even harder how to pick the best choice for your situation. We hope to help you in making your own decisions. Our opinions and budgets differ from each other and I believe having those contrasting opinions between Chic and I will cover a broader audience. What works for me may not be the best fit for you.

HERE IS THE GEAR IN MY PACK

BACKPACKS
  1. Backpack: Jeremy Jones Minimalist 45L Snowboard Specific - This works out well for a mountaineering pack even if you are not backcountry split boarding which is what this pack is designed for. The beefy straps for the snowboard on both sides and the back can hold large items like a tent or snowshoes, etc. and it eliminates the hassle of strapping stuff on to a pack. I especially like the side zip to get into the main compartment. (40 oz) [Note: this pack is no longer available but I would check out their current year's version. I'm hoping they have only improved on it.]
  2. Backpack: GoLite Odyssey 90L - Best load carrying pack ever made and weighs two pounds empty. I use it on multi week backpacks and pack rafting. (55.0 oz) [Discontinued]
  3. Summit pack: REI Flash18 Great pack to have stashed in your back pack for those peak bagging days when you go light and fast. It's all fabric so it rolls up nice and tight and weighs nothing. (8.0 oz)
  4. Backpack Rain Cover: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil - Packs down small and is light so I pretty much always have it in my pack. (4.5 oz)

SLEEPING GEAR
  1. Summer Bag: Sierra Designs Wicked Fast Bag - To save weight there is only down on the top half of the bag and the system relies on an insulated sleeping pad to keep your bottoms side warm. This bag is crazy warm and I can rarely zip it up in the summer. I have slept in it down to five degrees F. The best part is that it compresses down to about the size of a Jet Boil. (23.6 oz) [Discontinued]
  2. Winter Bag: Sierra Designs Nitro 0 - The warmest bag I've ever had and it's light. [40 oz]
  3. Sleeping Pad: Therm-A-Rest Neoair Xtherm - Light, warm and comfortable. A good air mattress was a game changer in my comfort level in the backcountry. (17 oz)
  4. Bivy Bag:
  5. Compression Sack:

SHELTER SYSTEM
  1. Summer Tent:
  2. Winter Tent:
  3. Solo Tent:
  4. Tarp:
  5. Ground Tarp:
  6. Guylines:
  7. Stakes:
  8. Winter Stakes:

COOKING GEAR
  1. Bear Canister:
  2. Stove:
  3. Cup/Pot:
  4. Water Treatment:
  5. Water Container:

CLOTHING WORN
  1. Hat:
  2. Bandana:
  3. Base Layer Upper: Icebreaker Merino 150 Long Sleeve Crewe - I only put natural fibers against my skin. I especially like this base layer for its fit and cut. It is long enough that it covers your buns too. (5.5 oz)
  4. Insulating Layer: Patagonia R1 Pullover Hoody 3/4 Zip - Anyone that does high output activities in winter needs this hoody! Absolutely the best insulating layer in winter for hiking/skinning uphill. It has a comfortable wide operating temperature range.
  5. Long Sleeve Shirt: KÜHL AirKÜHL Hoody - I prefer to wear a long sleeve shirt in the summer to keep the sun off my skin verses using sunscreen. 
  6. Soft Shell Jacket:
  7. Hiking Pants: KÜHL Radikl Outsider Pant - When my REI Acme hiking pants finally wore out I had a hard time finding something to replace them and then I ran across KÜHL's hiking pants. I love the durable material yet there are stretchy panels that make them comfortable. The pants have straps on the cuffs to keep stuff out. This year's version has two huge map pockets on the thighs which is a must have for me. If you find a better hiking pant I want to hear about it.
  8. Belt:
  9. Socks:
  10. Boots:
  11. Gaters:

CLOTHING CARRIED
  1. Stuff Sack:
  2. Jacket:
  3. Rain Jacket:
  4. Rain Pants:
  5. Head Net: