I just completed a week long backpacking trip in the high Sierra’s and would like to share a few gear use reports:

I used a Heetsheets single under my sleeping bag for the week. I paid no attention to the various twigs, stickers, pebbles, etc. on the ground before laying it down. There were numerous pinholes by the end of the week, but no other problems resulted. I did not rig it as a fly, though.

On the first night I managed to tear a hole in it by grinding my boot heel into it while putting on boots and gaiters. I intentionally ignored it, though, and left it unpatched. It did not tear or spread a bit.

It was also rather breezy at night and I saw the edges flap and move about quite a bit, but there was no noise from it. I'm extremely pleased with how well the HeetSheet held up to a full week's rough use.

My SafeWater Anywhere inline filter did yeoman service between my large zip top Platypus "dirty" water bag and my "clean" water Camelback, using a replacement Camelback plug-in connector. I just scooped up the water, zipped it closed, plugged in the Camelback, strung it up on a tree limb or layed it up on a rock, left the Camelback on the ground, and let it drain. Overall, it was as quick and far easier than pumping. I mourn the closing of this company and the unavailability of this product, and hope they will return. Meantime, anyone know of a good source for a similar inline filter?

My Fenix 1xAAA Cree flashlight proved itself again. It was more than adequate for a forced night hike off-trail in rugged terrain, which I did a bit of for testing purposes only.

I also used a sub-1 oz. "Pepsi can" type alcohol stove, which proved just adequate for making cocoa or boiling two cups of water for freeze-dry meals, for which it consumed about 20ml of denatured alcohol. I don't think it would be suitable for more than solo simple meals, though. I used a Platypus bag as a fuel bottle for the first time, and it held up fine.

My collapsible hiking poles were real knee (and face, teeth, ankle) savers on steep, rocky ascents and descents. I've still not had need to use them to support a tarp, but I'm convinced enough of their value to never hike with a loaded pack again without them. Disabling falls and injuries are no joke to a solo hiker.

Prophylactic use of Ibuprophen before setting out seemed to help my family members who accompanied me for the first night avoid aches and pains. It was a tip I got from a Special Forces medic friend of mine.

My Dana Designs Racer-X pack was stable and comfortable enough, although seriously overloaded due to the requirement for 2 bear canisters, etc., although I wish I’d brought my Gregory Shasta instead.

As for keeping clean, I still swear by the following combination: A lightweight collapsible nylon bucket, Dr. Bronner’s pure Castile soap, and an MSR microfiber towel. This time, instead of using a bandanna as a washcloth, I cut a 3 inch square out of a cloth exfoliating scrub mitt I bought at Target. It worked much better and dried much faster than a bandanna. The towel also dried in a flash. I probably used less than 20 drops of soap fully cleaning myself and my alternating set of clothes daily.

Well, that’s all I can think of for now. I had a great time, perfect weather, and saw maybe only three other hikers other than the first and last days.

Jeff