A follow up about this pack. It's going into it's 4th year, and still holding up great! I try to get out once a month although that doesn't always happen, but this pack gets used a lot! All the zippers, straps, and pads are in fantastic condition. I just returned from a 6 day solo hike of the STS in North-Central Pa. And like an old friend, this pack was a joy to bring along. I can't imagine finding a better backpack.

I have hiked many, many miles in these boots. I just finished a 6 day, 85 mile solo hike with them, and not one time did I have any problems with my feet. In fact, this is the only shoe I had on the trip. So 6 days in the same boot, other then taking them off at night to sleep. They offer great support, waterproof, and seem to be wearing great. The only thing I can say that is not totally positive, is they may run a bit small in size. I have bought many brands of boots over the years, and these are by far my favorite.

I got this headlamp FREE when I signed up for Climbing magazine. Now I have never paid more then $30 for a headlamp, and really don't ever seeing myself doing so. So the lamps I'm comparing this to are not the big money lamps. But I must say this one "shines" (booo) over all my other headlamps, all 3 of them... It has good adjustable movements, up and down, bright to dim. Battery life is great and has a good field of view or spread of light. I have used it many time winter backpacking in the dark, cooking, or just looking for stuff in the dark. And I almost always use it on the lowest light setting.

This is a great little tent lantern. Folds up small and puts out a decent amount of light. Also a nice added light source for cooking or anywhere you place it. Very handy, but I still like my old candle lantern a bit more.

I slept on this pad last weekend at the Gunks on a climbing trip. Way too big to bring on a backpacking trip, but great for car camping. Not the fastest to fill up but very thick and comfortable. They are big, two of them almost filled a 3 man tent. Great pad, just very big and heavy.

I got this on sale at Steep & Cheep but worth every penny at $69. It is the toughest tee shirt I have ever had. Plus being wool it's great if you sweet or get it wet because it dries fast and holds little water. The zipper front is great on hot days and the pocket is nice! Love this tee shirt.

I bought this bag last year before a trip to the ADK. I got it on sale so the price was right, I would have spent a little more to get something lighter if this one was not on sale. But I am very happy with how it worked in the cold damp north east weather. I used it with an inner liner to give me that extra 5 degrees of warmth. The temp on one night went well below zero and I was very cozy. But a big part of keeping warm is your sleeping pad too. Im 6 ft. tall and 185 lb. and fit in the regular fine. The half zipper is so so, but really didn't bother me.

I love this rope more and more every time I use it. It's going on 3 years old, and is standing up better then I ever could have hoped. It feels and handles great and is super lite. Even if you're just carrying it on your back as a second repel rope, you'll be amazed how much smaller it is then say a 10.2 mm rope. All Blue Water products are tops, I trust them with my life. Everything Cedar said below is true. Good stuff made in the USA.

I've had this tent for more then 2 years now, and seems to be holding up very well. Not the lightest 3 man, but I really only use it for car camping when on climbing trips. But I have also used it on backpacking trips, kind of heavy but doable... Have slept from 2 people, very roomy with 2.. and up to 3 people and a dog... not so roomy then... And even squeezed 4 adults in it one night in a pinch. You also have plenty of room under the vestibule to stash gear at night or cook.

I have been using the foam pads for summer backpacking for years and years. I do have an older Therm-a-Rest self inflating pad I've used for winter trips. But it was kinda heavy for the summer. BUT... now with the new Prolite I use this baby year-round and love it. It's almost as lite as my old foam pad, but offers so much more comfort and support. And if you take your time, this pad will roll up to half the size of the old foam pad. I am 6' and about 185 lbs. and use the large. Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age, but this is a no-brainer...

Great pad, Love it! The new lighter self inflating insides need to have a few breaths added to make it stiffer. But is great for all four seasons. Is much lighter then the old Therm-a-Rest pads just not as stiff. I am 6ft, and use the large. The extra width is great and seems to keep me warm from side to side...

I really do like this jacket, and I think it's one of the better looking shells on the market. The two down sides I found are it's not as warm as I hoped, but if you layer up you'll be fine. The other thing was it's not that highly water resistant. After a few hours in wet snow it did soak through to my skin. But that was your typical north-east wet snow. But if your in cold dry snow this is the bomb...

I use my Freedom pants for winter backpacking and snowshoeing and love them. They hold back wind, water and snow. The side vents work great, and they have more then enough packet room. I have used them in below zero temps with only one other layer and they kept me very warm. I go from a 33 to 34 waist and the med. is perfect. Love them!

This tent is a tank, but in a good way. It's not the lightest tent for the job, but has so many little plus's I feel it's worth it. The ventilation system is great. I have been held up in this tent during snowstorms with my partner, cooking under the vestibule, packs under the other end of the fly with all our sleeping gear and clothing and did not feel closterfobic. It also retains heat inside more then any other tent I have had. I have not had the chance to use it in very high winds yet, but am sure it is up to it. I do however ask my partner to carry the fly if I'm carrying the tent, to help even out the load if we are going on multi-day backpacking trips.

This is a very good cold weather sleeping bag. I have used it in weather as cold as 5 degrees and slept like a baby. The half zipper takes some getting used to, but really didn't bother me. I am 6' tall and 185 lbs. and had plenty of room with the reg. size. Like most bags, the zipper did snag if your not careful. I am from the northeast and use it for all my winter backpacking trips. But the key to keeping warm is not just a good sleeping bag, but also a good sleeping mat. This is even more true when using a down bag. But all in all, I am happy with this product and the price is great.

I bought this because of the lite weight, one of lightest on the market I think. It's not the easiest to adjust to fit, but once you have it fit to your head size it's an easy on and off. Just a quick turn of the ratchet on the back and it's snug. Also breathes well to help keep you cool. Sits kinda high on your head, so it makes me look even goofier then normal...

This is the best looking biner I have ever used. Not too big, but big enough to clip a ton of things into. Never snags the rope or runners, a joy to use.

This is my favorite carabiner. Very easy one hand use, and never snags on the rope or runner. I wish I bought more then I did. Cant go wrong...

Now this is just my opinion, but I think this product is too small for me. I'm sure they are strong enough and the gate works fine. It's just that I have big hands and was not crazy how little they are. Also did not like that I can't mix and match them with my other biners. But if your cool with using just them on your rack, and into the ultra lite weight thing. They are cool. I mostly use them for hanging stuff on my pack.

This is just an OK biner. I trust them to hold a fall, but not the best when you go to un-clip. They seem to hang up on the rope or runner if your not careful. Black Diamond has other much better biners on the market.

Great product! Easy one hand use, and still lite weight for it's size. I use them on all my runners. This is a very good all-around biner.

The trick to this is to let it melt in your mouth, don't chew it. You can chew it if you don't mind crunchy ice cream. But the taste is pretty good, and my kids are crazy about it... A fun treat...

A good hot meal and the new bigger size is enough to fill you up. I like to use a bit less water to thicken it up a bit. Just dont open it up too soon and it will be tender.

Great idea and simple to use. If you do any multi pitch climbing, you will find this very helpful. Great for hanging belays or clip into protection and take a rest.

This bag is the best, no question. I have two, and used them on every climb I have ever done. They work as a storage bag, carry bag, rope tarp and even use them as a backpack to carry a 2nd rope for long repels. It even has a place to keep your keys. Very well made and very lite. You cant do any better for the price.

This is a very well made pack and does work well as a haul bag. On the down side, it's just not big enough to hold everything you need for a long day out. Bought this before we went to City of Rocks. It held a ton of trad gear, but if you don't want to go back to your car or camp, you'll need something bigger. But for short trips and moving your gear from climb to climb it's great. It's not the most comfortable pack if you don't think before you pack. But I have had almost 40 lbs. stuffed into and hanging off of it and lived... But with no frame offers little support for your back. But it is tough as nails...

I don't know why the others don't like this, it's really good for freeze dried food. If it's crunchy that just means you ate it too soon. Make sure you read the direction and stir it after you add the boiling water. I only use 12 oz. of water to make it a bit thicker rather then 14oz. It has always been tender from start to finish, just maybe a bit salty. The new larger size is great, really fills me up after a long day of hiking.

This is one of my favorite meals from Mountain House. The new bigger size is great for a hungry man. I use 12 oz. of water rather then 14 to make it a little thicker. It truly is a great tasting meal and enough to fill you up after a hard day of hiking.

I bought my wife this pad two years ago. She is not a "herd core" Backpacker, so I worry about keeping her happy when we hike. She uses this pad in all seasons, and Loves it! It really is self inflating and with an extra breath or two of air you can make it even more firm for bumpy ground. It's lightweight and rolls up tight. Seems to be wearing well, and shows little signs of age. Just don't store it rolled up, we keep it stored under our bed laying flat. And the kids use it when they are watching TV in our room.

This is a great all around rope. I have used Blue Water ropes for years and really trust them. This is my top roping rope. But have also used it for lead climbing with my 9.4 on big walls. Seems to be standing up very well and shows little signs of age.

I do a lot of solo backpacking and I got this to keep my wife and kids happy. Never had any GPS tracking devices before, so I don't have anything to compare it to. I used it on my last 7 night trip, and the Mrs. got every OK check in I sent. And it is cool how you can go back and see your trip on Google maps. Seemed a bit pricey after buying it and signing up for all the services, $300. But then again, if I'm on my back with a busted femur somewhere, $300 to send for help will seem cheep...

I have used this sock all summer hiking. Very well made, just a bit short for me. Have used them with and without inner sock.

This is the best water purifier on the marker. I bit heavy, but well worth the extra OZ's. You will get a lot more life out of your cartridge if you backwash it now and then. But if your winter backpacking make sure it's not below freezing temp, or it will ice up in the filter and not work. I'll keep it inside my coat for an hour before using to keep this from happening.

This is the best water purifier on the market. But before you buy a new cartridge, try back washing it first. You can get a lot more life out of your cartridge if you backwash it now and then.

This is my weekend pack. I use the Gregory Palisade 80 Backpack for my longer hikes, but this guy is a good size for weekend trips if your not bringing a ton of stuff. I'm not crazy about the way you get in and out of the top, but it's quick. It sits well on my back and have no problem carrying 30 lbs. with it. I'm 6 ft. tall and weigh 185lbs and have the Med. size. It also works great for hauling my climbing gear and have used it on big wall climbing. Gregory is one of the best pack makers around, and have never had a Gregory pack I didn't like. They also last of years and years...

I have the Gregory Palisade 80 Backpack and the large cover. It JUST fits when the back is loaded, I should have bought the XL. But it still works and does the job. I use it every night to cover my back from rain and dew. Packs up small into it's own case. It's always with me on hikes. And looks so muck cooler then a trash bag...

I love these little guys. I have #1 to #6 and find they will go where other cams will not. Lightweight, strong and fast to place. You cant beat them for smaller cracks. Metolius makes a great product and I use them with the Master cams and Supercams. I took a long fall on a #4, and she held fast. Good stuff!

I have used the Metolius Master cams from Yosemite to the Gunks and love them. I have two sets, and depending where I am will carry them all on my rack. They work great on shallow and deep, vertical and horizontal cracks. They never seem to walk as much as the Metolius Supercams, or my Black Diamond cams. Metolius makes a first class product and although they are lightweight, I trust them with my life.

I have all three Metolius Supercams. I dont use them as much as the Master Cams, but do find myself looking for it when they are not on my rack. The range is good, but not as great as they say. They tend to walk a bit more then the Master cams, but do have there place. I find that they go in quick when your in a jam and want a fast protection. Metolius makes a great product and this is one of them.

I bought this for my son. He is about 70 lbs. He love this harness, very comfortable. We also take his sister climbing, who is about 45 lbs. The harness fit her great as well. It goes on easy, and the kids feel very safe in it. I see plenty of room for this to grow with my son. Am very happy with this product, would buy one again.

Great locking biner. Not too big that it takes up room on you rack. But big enough to get the job done. Great classic design that works for many years.

I have spent much more money for a harness before, and they don't come close to this one. This is the most comfortable harness I have ever owned. It goes on super fast & feels great. Look no further, this one does the job and keeps you safe.

I got these rain paints as a gift for my birthday. I also got the Atomic DT Jacket. They work great as a set, and I stayed dry inside and out. I used them on my last trip to the Black Forest of Pa. It rained 2 out of the 4 1/2 days of our trip. I never had breathable paints before and was amazed how well they work. They also pack down to almost nothing, and weigh even less then my flip flops. I like the paints, and really love the jacket. Thanks Mom!

I got this jacket as a birthday gift from my mom. I used it on my last trip to the Black Forest of Pa. It rained 2 out of the 4 1/2 days we hiked. This is my first breathable rain jacket, and it really works! And it work better then I thought. I have had waterproof jackets and just put up with the sweet, but never again. It is also super light and packs down to almost nothing. Well worth the money. Or if you have a great Mom like me, makes a great gift! Thanks Mom!

We picked this up for our last backpacking trip. I was a bit let down. Not what I thought to be a good meal. It was filling, but not something I would buy again.

Another fantastic meal from Mountain House. This is a great break from the pasta. Very filling, and this one will feed two people. I wouldn't be surprised if the wife tried to push this one off as dinner at home.

OK, now I'm an "Old School" climber. I took about 20 years off from the rocks. But an employee of mine asked me to teach him the basics of rock climbing. After one day of teaching I was hooked again. I thought it was time to hang up my old shoes, EB's... I got a pair of five ten's, wow, they feel great and the amount of grab and edge is amazing. Now I'm only going from shoe's that are 20 year old, but I love them. No blisters, no blood, and I have all my toenails. It's never too late to go back. Sure, the 5.12's are a thing of the past, but so are the shoe's that kill your feet.

Out of all the Mountain House meals, this one seems to fill me the most. It's not my favorite for taste, but it's not bad. You can't go wrong with most of Mountain House meals.

This is another good meal from Mountain House. You can thicken it up a bit by using less water, about 3 or 4 oz less. This is a good meal for one person, but not enough for two hungry men.

Out of all the Mountain House meals, this is my favorite. But when it says serves two, that's if you make something else to go with your Lasagna. A very hungry person can eat this in one sitting. And also try adding just a bit less water to make it thicker. Good Eats...

I got this for my wife last year and she loves it. I also used it once for a winter trip and felt the difference on the frozen ground. I always had the Therm-a-Rest ridge rest because of the light weight. But I used this pad on my last hike this summer, and I must admit for just a little extra weight you get a better nights sleep. I think it's time for my old bones to use a blow-up pad. Also, I really love the way it self inflates, very cool.

I bought this pack for my wife before our trip to the Smoky Mt. She had been hiking before, but never for more then one night. This time she needed to carry a weeks worth of "stuff". Plus, as the week went by, her and I seemed to get more and more of our childrens equipment. I was amazed how much gear she could carry. I have always had Gregory backpacks, and have never been disappointed. I was jealous of the amount of outside pockets she had, even more then my Gregory Palisade 80 Backpack. She also liked this too, as she was always taking something out of her back for the kids. And when you get your backpack, take the time to adjust it to your body, this makes all the difference in the world. You can have the best equipment money can buy, but if you don't take time time to fit it properly it will never feel right. She never did any complaining about pack, just the rain... But everything she had did stay dry. Bottom line, this is a great Backpack.

I have 3 bottles, one 11 oz and two 20 oz. I am using the MSR WhisperLite stove, and the 11 oz will last about 3 days if your cooking for two people. And the 20 oz will go about a week for two people. The cap has a rubber O-ring that seals the bottle from leaking. So no need to over tighten the cap, just give it a good snugging and your good to go.

This is a good cheep mat for summer time. It's very lightweight and gives you some cushion. I cut the 72" down to about 60", just enough to pad me from my head to knees. Cutting it also helps keep the rolled up size smaller.

This is my first white gas stove. I have always had a butane stove and after using it for the first time I thought to myself " Why did I wait so long" I love this stove, and no more guessing how much gas I have left. It is not very good at simmering, but I'm not the greatest cook, and I am backpacking. If I want to cook a fantastic meal I'll do it when I get home. It has never let me down, and I really don't take that good care of it. I clean it now and then and use a little oil on the "O" ring. It's very lite and packs down great. I store it inside my 4 QT. pot when hiking.

These are great socks for the money. Not too thick and very comfortable. I use then with an inner sock and even with wet feet for two days on my last trip, no blisters. Here is the link to the inner socks. They work great together. http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Backcountry-SynthTrail-Crew-Sock-3-Pack/BCC0218M.html

I use these socks as an inner sock to a thick wool sock for hiking. My last trip left me with wet feet for two days, and no blisters. Plus, you know your big time when your socks are made for a left & right foot...

Great book, gave me tons of info before our trip in July. The Smoky Mountains are so big with many trails. Many camp sites need reservations, this gave us a very good idea how to plan our trip. It's also not too heavy to put in your pack.

I bought this bag for my son last Christmas. He used it on our Smoky Mt. trip and loved it. We got wet 2 or 3 times and it dried quickly. Not too heavy for a young boy to pack, and has room for him to grow into. I also used it last winter along with my bivy sack in -0 weather and was very happy. I have an EMS bag from the 80's and would think about replacing it with The North Face bag. Good Stuff.

I have had this pack for one year now and love it more and more with each trip. It is a bit large for a weekend hike, but still does the job. I have done an 8 night hike with this pack and had enough room for the trip. Gregory makes a fantastic product. I have the medium and am 6 ft & 185Lbs. and it fits great. I have had up to 55 Lbs in my pack and never felt like it was not carrying right on my back. If you need a great pack for a week long hike and want something that will last, buy this pack. I bought my last Gregory pack in 1989 and it is still in great shape.

I have used this tent for two years now and it has never let me down. I have even used it in the ice and snow with the footprint. It is a great one man tent but is a bit small for two big men. Although I have used it with two men, you run out or room quick. But it is the perfect size when I take my wife or son along. Lite, but tough.