Gear Guy

Thursday, September 18, 2003

What should I do if my stove fails in the backcountry?

On a recent winter excursion in the Adirondacks, my Whisperlite stove failed. The fuel was pressurizing, but it wasn't reaching the ignition wick due to a...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

What's the cheapest sleeping bag for summer camping?

What is the absolute cheapest sleeping bag that the Gear Guy would recommend for summer backpacking? Some of us have several thousand dollars to spend on our...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Any ideas for a tent to sleep the whole family?

I need a big family tent that's not too expensive but rugged enough to last many camping trips. I've compared Cabela's, Eureka, Coleman, and Wenzel. What is the...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Any ideas for a tent to sleep the whole family?

I need a big family tent that's not too expensive but rugged enough to last many camping trips. I've compared Cabela's, Eureka, Coleman, and Wenzel. What is the...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Will convertible pants hold up in really nasty weather?

I was thinking about buying a pair of convertible pants following a trip to Mount Washington on which the weather went from warm to pretty cold. With a...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Are there any pitfalls to combining two sleeping bags?

I'm going on a climbing expedition where we'll be ascending into increasingly colder temps. I'm planning to take two sleeping bags, transitioning to the warmer...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

How well ventilated are single-wall tents?

What's the scoop on Eureka's Zeus EXO line of single-wall backpacking tents? They're inexpensive, light for the square footage, and look to have the same...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Will an external-fre pack be comfortable for multi-day hikes?

So, after a year or so of ultra-light backpacking, my wife and I are starting to bring my son along, which means I need a huge pack to haul accommodation for...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

When does gear stop masking those old-age aches?

Great Gear Guru: My hips hurt when sleeping on the ground, whether I've just humped a 60-pound pack or walked into my backyard. I currently use a Therm-a-Rest...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Are leather boots compatible with step-in crampons?

I'm looking for a pair of boots that will accept automatic crampons. I used to have a pair of leather boots with Vibram soles that accepted automatics. Does...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Are leather boots compatible with step-in crampons?

I'm looking for a pair of boots that will accept automatic crampons. I used to have a pair of leather boots with Vibram soles that accepted automatics. Does...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Are leather boots compatible with step-in crampons?

I'm looking for a pair of boots that will accept automatic crampons. I used to have a pair of leather boots with Vibram soles that accepted automatics. Does...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

What's your favorite plus-$500 point-and-shoot?

We know your favorite sub-$500 camera is the Yashica T4 Super. But, what are your favorite point-and-shoot cameras for $500 and above?

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Will the se gear setup suffice on Denali and Rainier?

I'm planning a summit attempt on Mount Rainier this August and a possible bid for Denali in May 2004, so am in the process of upgrading my gear, particularly...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Should I use a backpack to carry gear on a biking trip?

I'm planning a three- to seven-day mountain biking trip this summer. If I'll be riding up to six hours per day, what tent, sleeping bag, and backpack will I...