Category Archives: Tips for the Backcountry

March 15, 2017 · 11:26 pm

Touring skins for skinny skis from old Telemark skins

Ever get the wax completely wrong when XC skiing? Or have to deal with breakable crust when touring?

Taking a beginner out and want them to have success on not so perfect snow or grooming?

I have a pair of old climbing skins from back when telemark skis were long and thin. By slitting them in

half and putting on new glue I have now two pair of skinny skins that will fit classic or skate skis.

After cutting I used a heat gun and a paint scraper to get the old glue off. Then put on new glue. Then I folded the front over 3 inches and insert a square ring of the right size to fit the ski tip (a loop of strong cord could also work in a pinch). The glue should hold it, but for extra safety a few stitches of thread made a nice backup.

Make some touring skins

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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Filed under Do It Yourself, Tips for the Backcountry

Tagged as climbing skins hack, cross country skiing, diy, oware tips

November 23, 2016 · 3:46 pm

How to replace a zipper slider

Usually the first part of a zipper to wear out is the slider. The metal wears away over time and no longer pushes the zipper teeth together. Replacing the slider is often a simple matter and takes only a blade or seam ripper and a needle and thread. If you have an Oware product with a worn out slider, contact me and I will send you a new slider for free. Here is a couple of videos on replacing a slider on a bug bivy.

Zip slider replacement Part 1

Zip slider replacement a part 2

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Filed under Do It Yourself, Oware Backpacking Gear, Tips for the Backcountry

Tagged as backpacking, bivysack.com, Oware, Zipper repair

October 4, 2016 · 5:12 pm

Thick Foam Pads Back in Stock, Stuffsacks for them too!

Plastazote Foam

Winter Thickness of 1/2″ (1.3mm)

Dark Grey

Closed Cell Foam Waterproof to a Hydrostatic Head of 3500 mm.

Will not go flat if punctured.

One of the lightest options for your PCT thru hike.

Add it to your summer pad for a winter trip.

R value of 2.

Without dimples or ridges that collect snow in your snow shelter or rain under your tarp and soak your sleeping bag.

Stuffsack (with strap loop for outside carry on your pack or on top of your bike panniers) available on some sizes. Drawstring has keeper mitten hook for outside carry of pad on pack. Stuffsack weight 1 oz.

Use the double wide in hammocks, for two people, or trim and layer for one person to extra width or cushioning.

Three sizes from two person width to torso size.

Torso size 20x40x1/2″ –weight 5 ounces

One person size 20x60x1/2″ –weight 7.5 ounces

Two person size 40x60x1/2″ –weight 15 ounces

Available in the USA only due to shipping costs on bulky items.

Free Shipping in the USA.

http://shop.bivysack.com/Foam-1-2-Thick-130mm-Sleeping-Pads-1FoamWinter.htm

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Filed under Do It Yourself, Fabric, Oware Backpacking Gear, Tips for the Backcountry

Tagged as backpacking, Boy Scouts, climbing, evazote, foam hammock pad, high adventure, hiking, outdoor education, Oware, Pacific Crest Trail, PCT, plastazote, SAR, Scouts, sleeping pad, stuffsack, wild, wilderness, winter camping

August 15, 2016 · 3:56 pm

Bought old set of old school climbing pro

Interesting combination of Chouinard 1st 2nd and 3rd Gen Hexcentrics, some unnamed hexes, some Camp/Chouinard Excentrics and a few Eiger Hexes. Add these to my 80’s Hexes and Stoppers and I will be ready for “No Cams Climbing Day” (Once I replace the slings).

Old hexs.

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Filed under Tips for the Backcountry

Tagged as Climbing pro, Exentric, Hexentric

March 28, 2016 · 2:28 pm

LInk to making mini containers from bottle and jar caps.

“What? You don’t save the plastic lids from bottles & jars? What were you thinking? Check the recycling. Now. How else to carry a few vitamins, or cough drops or whatever, without a whole lot of bulk or the risk that the tinfoil will open in your pocket?”

Mini containers made from jar lids.

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Filed under Do It Yourself, Tips for the Backcountry

Tagged as diy, Oware

January 17, 2016 · 11:45 pm