Great review! I have a similar load out for this kind of trip. A few things I do differently... with the sleeping bag (I have the same Aegismax) is to not put it in a bag, just cram it down inside the water proof bag. You get space savings because it fills empty space instead of being a "ball" so to speak. I also carry a 4" to 6" bushcraft knife instead of a hatchet. The weight savings is huge and you can use it with a solid branch to "hammer" the cutting edge thru your smaller cut logs for smaller, easier starting kindling. Also a first aid kit with a tourniquet is paramount IMO. I also swap out my tent for a hammock and tarp, and I actually get a better sleep even with a bad back! Weight savings is negligible on that though so whatever floats your canoe! 😆 Cheers
Planning a solo trip to Saranac lakes, gonna take my sweet time moving up it, my camera gear will be an interesting logistic challenge. I wonder how bad bugs in early may will be.
make sure you baby the heck out of that katadyn befree. awesome product when new, but becomes clogged very easily. shake and swish all you like...does nothing. after it starts to plug and you lose flow rate (and you will), don't squeeze the bladder too hard. they break and leak far too easily.
I was impressed with the filter actually. I took your advice and I only filled it with the cleanest water from the center of the lake. So far no reduction in flow. I also flushed it with the recommended bleach solution when I got home so hopefully that will keep it in good condition. Even if the filter only lasts a few trips that's money well spent I think.
That's a lot of stuff my friend. You can get everything needed in a 75l pack.
Thanks for sharing the loadout. I always enjoy these videos so I can re-evaluate what I take on my trips.
Great review! I have a similar load out for this kind of trip. A few things I do differently...
with the sleeping bag (I have the same Aegismax) is to not put it in a bag, just cram it down inside the water proof bag. You get space savings because it fills empty space instead of being a "ball" so to speak. I also carry a 4" to 6" bushcraft knife instead of a hatchet. The weight savings is huge and you can use it with a solid branch to "hammer" the cutting edge thru your smaller cut logs for smaller, easier starting kindling. Also a first aid kit with a tourniquet is paramount IMO. I also swap out my tent for a hammock and tarp, and I actually get a better sleep even with a bad back! Weight savings is negligible on that though so whatever floats your canoe! 😆
Cheers
Planning a solo trip to Saranac lakes, gonna take my sweet time moving up it, my camera gear will be an interesting logistic challenge. I wonder how bad bugs in early may will be.
Early may is usually bug free. Bring warm clothes and rain gear!
@@alex-pope Sounds good thanks for the tip.
I wear rubber-soled moccasins (slippers, basically) as camp shoes. light, compact, and cozy.
make sure you baby the heck out of that katadyn befree.
awesome product when new, but becomes clogged very easily. shake and swish all you like...does nothing. after it starts to plug and you lose flow rate (and you will), don't squeeze the bladder too hard. they break and leak far too easily.
Thanks for the tip. We'll see how this goes...
I was impressed with the filter actually. I took your advice and I only filled it with the cleanest water from the center of the lake. So far no reduction in flow. I also flushed it with the recommended bleach solution when I got home so hopefully that will keep it in good condition. Even if the filter only lasts a few trips that's money well spent I think.
Thanks for your review. I’m sucking up as much information as possible as I’m attempting to cut as much weight as possible (getting old).