Hell's Gate-memorial day weekend trip

[pfredricks]

Does anyone have any interest in a 3 day 2 night memorial day weekend trip?? I personally dont have a destination picked out, but, would like to do a trip that weekend. Anyone?
Thanks
Pete

[jimserio]

remember this week is REIs 65 anniversary sale that means 20% off for members

Thanks for reminidng us! I still need to use my dividend from last year.

Coaster

[mttgilbert]

So I just tossed my new talus 50 into the pool. I am glad to say it did me proud, even after repeated dunkings it still floated like a champ. I had my laradas surplus laundry bag inside as a liner and several smaller alice packliners for my larder and kitchen. The zippers were the weakest point if it hadn't been for them I wouldn't have got any water inside. I would still like a boundary bag or other dry bag but I may just have to live with this. (if nothing else the wet padding will keep me cool) I learned from my brother in law that the military has a waterproof bag designed to fit OVER a sleeping bag with a person in it... boy just imagine the float-ability.... I hear they are available at laradas but I have never seen them there. As for swimming with the pack, I did a couple laps and found that as long as the bag is floating there is really not much you can do wrong. I tried tying a rope around my ankle and swimming as usual; no problems. I tried swimming and pushing it in front of me; slower but still no problem. I also tried swimming with the bag as a lifegaurd would a drowning person (arm around pack, sidestroke); yet again no problem. The biggest problem I had was draining the water that got in the pack out again. I had to actually turn the pack upside-down to pour out the water.
Oh well, overall I am pleased with the results

[pfredricks]

great test.
I guess you guys are about ready then???
Do you know where to drop off a vehicle?

[mttgilbert]

I am not familiar with gisela so I am not sure where exactly the car will get left, but I imagin once we get there it should be pretty evident. I think there is only one parking lot, so thats where we'll leave it. Actually, finding the other trailhead will be the tough part. (we'll just take along a printout of the instructions from the hellsgate trip and we should be fine)

Everything should be all set.

[jimserio]

Well, after looking at the packs at REI and ASU, I think I am going to just use my external frame pack and hope for the best. One of the associates at REI said he did Hellsgate with an external frame and he used a truck tube and bungied the pack to the tube. I'm gonng look for one of these tomorrow. If I don't find one, I'll buy a couple of those disposable inner tubes at Wal-Mart. I'll bring a bike pump for the truck inner-tube, but the sales guy said he just kept his attached to the pack while hiking. Not sure how that will work out.

Anyone else done something like this with an external frame with success?

Coaster

[pfredricks]

Those truck inner tubes are HEAVY- not to mention a pump.
I bought one of those cheapy inner tubes (for $2.99) at Target and it is reasonably thick. It seems to be made of a thicker vinyl. It also is pretty lightweight. I think it will stand up okay and I blew mine up in about three minutes by mouth. I can see where it could be left attached to the pack while inflated.
Good luck

[jimserio]

I saw the ones at Target you are referring to and almost bought one. They had a small one for children and a larger one (with a women modeling for it). They are extremely light but I think I'll need an extra just in case somethign happens to it.