Welcome, guest [login | register]

Posted by ministercreek on March 22, 2008 at 5:11:41 pm EDT
In reply to Re: Looking for a new sleepng bag posted by kutenay on March 21, 2008 at 6:27:11 pm EDT

Thank You for the reply.

Who is Bob Collins? He is the former owner and founder of Appalachian Outfitters in Peninsula Ohio. This guy (along with his employees/cronies) pushed on people the idea the only good gear out there was either from Sierra Designs or Mountain Hardware or MSR. I think you get the point.

I do understand what Mr. Kutenay saith. Out in the wilderness literally hundreds of miles from the nearest "civilization" one has to have the proper gear to stay alive. No dispute with that. I fully agree.

That is exactly the reason why I do test gear-to see what works and what doesn't. I put to test (spending whole Winters camped outdoors) testing various tents and sleeping bags. What I post comes from actual useage.

My only "sin" (according to Mr. Collins and like-minded individuals who post on backpacker.com) is the fact I don't believe in or use those BIG name brands.

So far I used gear from Diamond Brand, LL Bean, REI, ALPS Mountaineering, Chinook, The Backside, SunnyRec, Trekk, Campmor, Cabela's, etc. I will confess I once did own an Sierra Designs tent (the Cosmos). The tent was ok (no real gripes with the weatherproofness) but to be perfectly honest I could not see how it was in any way superior to any of my other smaller-brand tents I own. Maybe it's all in the brand name or something. Just ask Bob-I did purchase it from his trendy backpacking shop when my Diamond Brand tent was being repaired at the DB factory in North Carolina. Here's my review on this SD's tent: http://www.trailspace.com/gear/sierra-designs/cosmos/review/4869/

As for me, I started out backpacking and Winter camping in Ohio, my home State. I did many backpacking trips down in the Wayne National Forest, in the hilly Appalachian Plateau region of southeast Ohio. Wonderful place I might add. Then in 2004 I moved to Wisconsin (for work). I continued this excellent ourdoors lifestyle. My first year in Wisconsin I camped in the dead of Winter at Devil's Lake, Governor Dodge S.P's and at the Black River State Forest, plus in the pine woods directly behind my house. I spent literally whole Winters in my tent as I already made mention. All men know this. I can tell you the former landlord (Randy Wruck and one of his church friends Phil Shadler) made fun of me at one of his church functions only because I was sleeping in my tent in the middle of Winter, in the coldest of months. Apparently they did not approve of my "activities".

Now again this year I have been invited back to work for the State of Wisconsin-DNR at Devil's Lake State Park. My real goal however is to work in Ohio's Wayne National Forest as an Laborer. I simply love the Forest.

Replies

View: flat | threaded

• Re: Looking for a new sleepng bag - ministercreek 18:25:07 03/24/2008

Post a Reply

Before replying, please read the complete thread.