Contributions by adbrothers (4)

I have used this water filter twice since I bought it. The first time was for an overnighter in the Mt. Charleston Range of southern Nevada. The second time was for a six day trip to the Ruby mountain range in Northern Nevada. I will be writing about my observations on the second trip since this gave me the best chance to evaluate the product. The filter worked great, no one was sick the whole trip. They also give you some dye to test your filter to make sure it is working. I tested it before I went and after I got back and it was clear, proving that it was working. I used the filter extensively since I was the only one filtering water for our group of three. The water filter didn't clog even once, but then most of our water was from snow fed streams and lakes. At 9 to 11,000 feet most of the water was going through solid rock with little chance of small particles to get into the water. The water filter was nice since you could pump water both on the up and down stroke. It was a little hard to hang onto though, since the body isn’t very big, but by putting one of my fingers between the filter and the housing it was manageable. I wouldn’t want a heavier or bigger filter but one that was easier to hang onto would be nice. Conclusion: Overall this was a great filter. It had its drawbacks due to its size and filtering water but it wasn’t annoying enough not to keep or buy the filter again. People always tell me that they would rather have the lever than the up and down motion of this pump. Personally I would rather have a purifier than a filter, especially when they are close to the same price. I can recommend this filter and would buy it again.

I had the Ultralite but it was too thin and I wanted a little more comfort. So the ultralite went to the dog (labrador), and I picked up the Guidelite. The Guidelite is great, you are still sleeping outside but it takes out all the little rocks and pine cones. (I don’t recommend leaving the big rocks) This mattress was comfortable and one I can live with for years to come. It is a little bigger and heavier than the ultralite but it still is right there for the comfort zone.

Since I turned 40 I seem to like a little more comfort. I never owned a sleeping pad before but I thought this would be great since it was so small and Light. I tried it on one trip and it was nice if you were laying on your back but if you laid on your side your hips and shoulders dug into the ground. I thought for that kind of comfort I could do without. So my Labrador carries the ultralite (my dog likes it and it saves the floor of the tent from her nails), and I went to the Guidelite.

I bought this bag after having another Kelty bag that weighed over 4 lbs. I couldn’t believe how light it felt. The down really does lighten the bag. I weigh all my gear when buying it and this sleeping bag weighed, without the stuff sack, at 2 lbs 2 ounces on a digital scale. The first night I slept by a mountain lake at around 10,000 feet that still had ice on it. My tent door was fully open letting the wind blow thru it. I woke up in the middle of the night because I was cold so I shut the door down and slept the rest of the night just fine. The rest of the trip I slept with the door partially open and the sleeping bag was warm enough. Temperature ratings on bags are pretty much just something to go by. Do I think I could handle 20 degrees in this bag? Well, yes I do but I would probably want to have the door of my tent closed. Do I think my wife could handle 20 degrees in this bag? No I don’t, she is too warm blooded and I would have to have a military extreme cold bag for her. I really like the price on this bag compared to other ultralite bags and it almost feels like a down comforter when sleeping in it. The zipper goes a little more than half way down the bag and the bag doesn’t crowd my frame. (I am 5'9" and weigh 175 lbs). I can bring the zipper all the way up for the mummy effect which keeps you warm. But I would rather control the temp of the tent by closing and opening the door. With this sleeping bag you are giving up a lot of fill, so I would definitely have a mattress or foam pad. Like any bag make sure it is long enough and wide enough for you.