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Erich Knaak

Camper/Hiker // Skier // Climber // Alpine Skier // Nordic Skier // Snowshoer // Mountaineer // Boulderer // Backpacker

Erich Knaak: #2,507 of 167,143 More Information

27 Reviews:

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27 Yes

2 Questions:

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2 Answers:

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1 Photos:

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  • Stomping Grounds:

    Pacific Northwest
  • Bio:

    Flyfishing
    Backpacking
    Downhill/XC Skiing
    Snowshoeing
    Winter Camping
    Alpine Scrambling
    Beginning Climber
    Mountaineering First Aid Instructor
    Drinking wine by a lake...

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Well used - used well!

Well used - used well!

Asolo Power Matic 200 GV Boot - Men's

February 11, 2009

High alpine lake relaxation!

Helpful Votes: 3 Yes

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Good Compression - Weight

Sea To Summit eVent Compression Dry Sack

Sea To Summit eVent Compression Dry Sack

Rating for this product: 5 July 30, 2010

I use one of these for my 15 degree Marmot Helium and 0 degree Mont Belle sleeping bags - not at the same time. There's plenty of room for an extra base layer and some dry socks along with the bag. I really like the eVent Dry Sacks for the ability to push all the air out and save space. If you're thinking about it you probably need it.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Good Pack

GoLite Jam Backpack - Men's - 3050cu in

GoLite Jam Backpack - Men's - 3050cu in

Rating for this product: 4 July 30, 2010

I'm 6'1", about 195 lbs. with broad shoulders - I purchased the large version. The pack is very well made with quality materials. Took this pack on two trips so far. 2 nights and 4 nights. Both times I carried loads in the 30-34 lb. range and the pack was very comfortable. The pockets are on the waist strap are very convenient, all packs should have them, especially in this fast and light category. The compression hooks on the bottom along with the straps on the side make small loads stable for day trips from camp along with the hydration pouch. Going from a 70 liter 4+ lb. pack this thing is a dream. I would purchase this pack again.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Only one trip but I'm happy

Marmot Atom Sleeping Bag: 40 Degree Down

Marmot Atom Sleeping Bag: 40 Degree Down

Rating for this product: 5 July 30, 2010

Took this bag on a 4 day trip in the Enchantments and have no complaints. It's light and packs very small. At temps in the low 50s in a Rab eVent Superlight bivy it was plenty warm. I'm looking forward to some cooler nights to see how low I can go with this thing. I'm 6'1" with broad shoulders and have enough room to move around in the long version. I'm very happy with the warmth to weight ratio.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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The North Face Mountain 25 Tent - 2-Person 4-Season

July 15, 2010

Yes, there are mesh doors. One at each end. Also two 'eyebrow' mesh panels at the top. All covered by solid panels that unzip and can be tied out of the way.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Comfort has no price

MontBell U.L. Super Stretch Hugger #0 Sleeping Bag: 0 Degree Down

MontBell U.L. Super Stretch Hugger #0 Sleeping Bag: 0 Degree Down

Rating for this product: 5 April 16, 2009

This is one of my best pieces of Winter gear. I camp in the snow quite a few times each Winter. I can handle being cold all day but if I'm cold at night it's a whole different story. This bag fits me well, I'm 6'0'' with a 44' chest. When I went to bed this weekend on Rainier my toes had been numb for several hours. Within 20 minutes only my nose was cold. It was < 20 and the winds were heinous. The bag is light, packs small and dries out quickly. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

1 Comment

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Sweet Bottle, or is it?

Optimus Fuel Bottle

Optimus Fuel Bottle

Rating for this product: 5 February 23, 2009

This bottle is fantastic. It keeps the fuel on the inside and the rest of the universe on the outside. What more could you ask for?

I just got back from a snow camping trip and my bottle was the talk of the camp. "Wow, a green bottle." "Hey, your fuel bottle is not red like everyone else, you are a true rebel-a unique individual." "That's so unconventional, you should try to fit in." "Nice green bottle, Tool!"

It works, buy it.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Nice Stove

Optimus Nova Plus Stove

Optimus Nova Plus Stove

Rating for this product: 5 February 23, 2009

I've used several liquid fuel stoves but this is the first I've owned. It's very solid, sturdy and well built. Works well below freezing and puts out plenty of heat to melt snow. It's much quieter than most of the MSRs I've used and it simmers well. This is a fairly new purchase so time will tell but I'm happy with it after two snow camping trips.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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My New Favorite Hat

Arc'teryx Embroidered Bird Baseball Hat

Arc'teryx Embroidered Bird Baseball Hat

Rating for this product: 5 February 23, 2009

Sweet logo and a good fit for my noggin. Plus it makes me look hot!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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I love these boots!

Asolo Power Matic 200 GV Boot - Men's

Asolo Power Matic 200 GV Boot - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 February 11, 2009

I have a couple pairs of Asolo boots. I swear these guys broke into my room while I was asleep and took molds of my feet, all their size 11 boots are made on this model. For me, the the fit is perfect! I can't say enough about these boots. I've used them for long multi-day trips, short hikes, snowshoeing and scrambling. My feet always feel great when I get back to the rig at the end of the day. My feet have stayed dry and never get hot in these boots. I hope they're still making this model when these wear out!

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Damn Fine Pants

Mountain Hardwear Typhoon Pant - Men's

Mountain Hardwear Typhoon Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 January 7, 2009

These pants fit me like a glove with a pair of fleece pants under. They're light as a feather, waterproof and breath very well. My only knock on this product is that my big-ass feet don't fit through the short zip area with my hiking boots on. I'm happy with these pants.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Fantastic!

Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket - Men's DO NOT USE

Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket - Men's DO NOT USE

Rating for this product: 5 January 7, 2009

Extremely light! The fit is perfect but that's subjective. The hood fits very well, helmet or not. It's cut perfectly for a harness. I don't miss the pit zips as it's very breathable. The merlot color is nice. I do not regret the purchase.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Good Poles

Black Diamond Trail Shock Trekking Pole

Black Diamond Trail Shock Trekking Pole

Rating for this product: 5 January 2, 2009

I like these poles much better than my Leki's. The adjustment is quick, easy and stays true. The shock absorption works well and makes long hikes much more comfortable. Since I started using poles my knees can handle much longer days and these are the best poles I've used.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Good Axe

Black Diamond Raven Pro Ice Axe

Black Diamond Raven Pro Ice Axe

Rating for this product: 5 December 16, 2008

I've toted this thing all over the Cascades. Much better than the 100 lb, circa 1930's axe I was using. It's a light weight and solid tool. The only self arrests I've done with it were for practice and it works well. Not much to it, it does what an ice axe is supposed to do. Not for ice climbing but a good mountaineering tool.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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OK Stove

Jetboil Classic Personal Cooking System

Jetboil Classic Personal Cooking System

Rating for this product: 3 December 16, 2008

This is a fantastic stove if you want to boil about 2 cups of water in the blink of an eye at above 20 or 30 degrees. Beyond that it's an OK cooker. I have the stabilizing feet, the pot stabilizing thing, the frying pan and the coffee press (don't bother). On the plus side: it's very packable, light, quiet, lots of accessories, gas is available at lots of local places. The negatives are, cooks slowly thus goes through lots of gas unless just boiling water.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Good for Cooking Eggs

MSR Alpine Folding Utensils

MSR Alpine Folding Utensils

Rating for this product: 4 December 16, 2008

I never would have purchased this but got it as a gift. I laughed it off but it's a real part of my backpacking kitchen and works like a charm. Sturdy and functional. And for a couple bucks, hey, why not?

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Nice Cookware

MSR DuraLite Classic Cookset

MSR DuraLite Classic Cookset

Rating for this product: 5 December 16, 2008

This is the first set like this I've owned. I bought these after a trip with someone who had them. I like the size and weight and they cook and clean up well. I use plastic utensils and usually eat straight from the pot to save on clean up. The non-stick surface has lasted well for the last 3 years. Get 'em.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Dig the Goat!

Backcountry.com Goat Not Cotton T-Shirt - Short-Sleeve - Men's

Backcountry.com Goat Not Cotton T-Shirt - Short-Sleeve - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 December 12, 2008

Don't buy this shirt. Seriously. It's out of stock in my size and I want more of them! If you wear large just move along. This shirt pulls the sweat off your body and dries quickly - without the stink. Backcountry.com, if you get more of these shirts in, don't change the cut, it fits me perfectly! I have similar shirts from REI, Underarmor, Patagonia, etc. - this one rules!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Black Diamond Trail Shock Trekking Pole

December 9, 2008

Can the baskets be swapped out for larger snow baskets? I have Leki poles and have threaded snow baskets for them. Since those poles suck I want to replace them and it would be very cool if I could use the snow baskets I already have.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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My Favorite Day/One Night Pack

Osprey Packs Kestrel 28 Backpack - 1600-1700cu in

Osprey Packs Kestrel 28 Backpack - 1600-1700cu in

Rating for this product: 5 December 9, 2008

I'm sold. This pack has everything I need in a Winter day pack or light overnighter in the warm months. I pack heavy on day trips. I like to be prepared. Plus, a platypus of Merlot is a nice touch at lunch on a sunny peak.

The hydration pocket holds my 100 oz. CamelBak reservoir just fine and if I don't take that, the mesh pockets will fit a Nalgene bottle on each side.

I live in Seattle so the built in rain cover is worth the weight. The pockets on the hip belt rock! One for camera one for small binoculars or compass.

The trekking pole thing seems ridiculous -- until you use it. It looks a little funny but works very well.

I've used the big top mesh pocket to carry a snow shovel, and with a couple of straps was able to tie down my MSR snowshoes on top of that. Avalanche probe gets strapped on with the side compression straps. And there's room outside the main compartment for even more.

I keep my first aid equipment (I'm a mountaineering first aid instructor) in the bottom of the main compartment and I like the fact that I can access it easily through the lower zipper.

I haven't overnighted with the pack yet but I've packed it up to see that everything fits. I'm sure I could do a Spartan over-night with this pack.

As far as comfort goes, everyone is different. This pack works for me better than the half dozen or so I've used in this size range. I would buy this pack again in an instant! Osprey makes a quality product. I have the Argon 70 as well.

Helpful Votes: 4 Yes

1 Comment

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Worth Every Penny!

MSR Denali Evo Ascent Snowshoe

MSR Denali Evo Ascent Snowshoe

Rating for this product: 5 December 9, 2008

I put a whole bunch of miles on these snowshoes in the WA Cascades this year both with and without a huge winter camping pack. The televators are awesome. Until I had a very long, very steep, serious ascent I wasn't a believer but after a few steps I flipped them up and was AMAZED at how awesome they work! Others in my group were smoked at the top but I was feeling groovy. The decks are indestructible but get scratched up. Battle scars. The grip is great on uneven snow/ice. They twist a bit in late-season corn but what wouldn't? These shoes are very easy to strap down to your pack. The only part I see failing is where the binding hinges on the shoe. An extra pin and split ring might be worth carrying and for this kind of scratch should be included. Buy these, go out, be happy!

Helpful Votes: 8 Yes

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Not Impressed

LEKI Super Makalu COR-TEC PA Antishock Trekking Poles - 1 Pair

LEKI Super Makalu COR-TEC PA Antishock Trekking Poles - 1 Pair

Rating for this product: 2 December 9, 2008

These may be good poles and I just don't know it. I have used others but these are the first I've owned. My main issue with these is how difficult they are to adjust and the fact that they don't lock all the time. When it's raining or if your hands are really cold it's difficult to tighten them enough to keep them adjusted properly. Maybe I'm just weak. On a 5 mile decent I'll have to stop to readjust at least two or three times. For the price I expect more. If they get wet make sure you dry them off before collapsing them. Even if you don't use them and it's cold. The condensation will cause corrosion in a heartbeat. The shock absorption is a very nice feature. I'll be replacing these poles in the next couple of months.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Fantastic Tent

MSR Hubba Hubba  Tent 2-Person 3-Season

MSR Hubba Hubba Tent 2-Person 3-Season

Rating for this product: 5 November 13, 2008

I've used this tent camping alone and with a partner during all 3 seasons and it's perfect. It has held up well, is super easy to set up, and the weight is good if not great. I've used the fly and footprint configuration once to save weight and it worked well. I've even used it in the snow once with snow pegs. After use I set the tent up in my basement for a couple of days to make sure it's dry before storing. The air flow, even with the rain fly is adequate in the summer given a decent breeze. Well made, nice pole configuration, easy to set up and worth the price.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Almost too warm

Mountain Hardwear Nailhead Pullover - Men's

Mountain Hardwear Nailhead Pullover - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 November 10, 2008

Great casual fleece shirt. I wear this thing around on cold days instead of a jacket. Perfect ski resort-ware. Well made and very soft on the inside, none of those scratchy threads you just can't seem to hunt down. I my buy another as a backup.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Wanna Stay Warm?

Mountain Hardwear WindStopper Tech Pant - Men's

Mountain Hardwear WindStopper Tech Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 November 10, 2008

These pants are awesome. I've used them snowshoeing, under ski pants and around camp in the Cascades during winter. They stand up to a lot of kneeling and snow cave digging. They're comfortable and keep me warm at 10 degrees F. Worth the money, for sure.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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It's 10 buck for a reason

Mountain Hardwear Hardwear Hat - Men's

Mountain Hardwear Hardwear Hat - Men's

Rating for this product: 1 November 10, 2008

The cheap plastic buckle broke after about 2 weeks. You get what you pay for.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Great Shovel

Black Diamond Deploy 3 Shovel

Black Diamond Deploy 3 Shovel

Rating for this product: 5 November 7, 2008

After a winter with this shovel I'm very happy with my purchase. I've dug several snow caves and it's a good size for working in tight quarters. It packs well in either one of my backpacks and the weight is not an issue. I toss this shovel in my Jeep any time I think I may run into snow, haven't had to dig out yet! I'll probably purchase the long handled version of this shovel because when I need to move a lot of snow I find myself kneeling to save my back.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Good Dayhiker

Osprey Packs Talon 22 Backpack - 1200-1300cu in

Osprey Packs Talon 22 Backpack - 1200-1300cu in

Rating for this product: 4 November 7, 2008

This is a very light pack that makes it easy to take along the 10 essentials. I particularly like the pockets on the waist strap and the hydration bladder sleeve.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Sweet Pack

Osprey Packs Argon 70 Backpack - 4272-4638cu in

Osprey Packs Argon 70 Backpack - 4272-4638cu in

Rating for this product: 5 November 7, 2008

It took me a full day on the trail with a 60lb load to get it adjusted correctly but after much trial and error I've got it dialed! I went to a brick and morter retailer who didn't carry this pack but the next size up, I think it was 85l. The suspension is the same on both packs so I was able to get fitted before ordering from backcountry.com. I've only done 2 3-day trips since purchasing this pack but I'm very pleased. The option to remove the top of the pack and use it as a fanny pack (I hate fanny packs) turned out to be very convenient for some side-trip scrambling near camp. Ditto with the hydration pack. The pockets are convenient and the whole thing very well made. I would buy this pack again, for sure.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Add some class to your trip.

GSI Outdoors Wine Glass - 10 fl. oz

GSI Outdoors Wine Glass - 10 fl. oz

Rating for this product: 4 August 7, 2008

Light and packable. Helps to add a bit of sophistication to a backpacking trip, more so than doing shots of Jager out of a Platypus.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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