[pct-l] SuperSecrets - Page 1

[hiker97 at aol.com (hiker97@aol.com)]

Let's get the flame wars going.  Here is my first Mark Twain installment of SS.  I think there will only be 4 pages as I condense things down and cut out all my saloon humor.  Remember, SS is just a buffet of ideas I find interesting.
 
1.  CAMERA: This changes all the time, but here are some good bets. First, the Canon Power Shot SD500 - 7 ounces. It is around $450. Or the Canon SD300 - 5 ounces at around $310. The SD300 has a 4 MP, 3X optical zoom, and a large 2-inch LCD viewer that takes EXCELLENT pictures. Its menus are not quite as good as the Casino ultra compacts, but still very good. Built like a tank.
2.  GORP: Consider the chopped nut bags in the cooking section of the grocery store. This will allow you to condense your mix and carry more product in less space. I season mine with popcorn salt, cheese salt, garlic salt, and butter buds. The produce section will have seasoned nut packages for putting on top of salads. These are great to add to the mix too. Also, in the cooking section you will find bags of mini M&M candy to add to the mix for sweetness. You might consider two GORP mixes. One salty and another fruit/candy.
3. SHOULDER and WAIST COMFORT If you think you need some extra comfort for the shoulders and waist belt, consider the seat belt shoulder pads from the Wal-Mart auto section. See the Auto Expressions sheepskin pads (the large smooth kind). 
4. WATER PREFILTER: Go to the store and buy a pair of large women's white stockings. Depending on the size of your water bottle (small stockings for intake hoses) cut off the foot section of the stocking. You now have an excellent stretch very fine-mesh prefilter for your container. Just slip it over the container top when you dip it into the stream, etc.
5. CLOTHING: Consider the SunPrecautions.com line of white 30 SPF hat, shirt, and pants. Specifically, Shade Hat with Crossover Drape, Ultra Athletic Shirt and pants, and Hand Guards. Very good gear. For rain I still consider Frogg Toggs very good ( around 17 ounces for both jacket and pants) and my current rain gear suit the XXL 10.5 ounce Driducks Micropore Rainsuit from GossameGear.
6. LIGHTING: Get the Petzl Zipka LED Headlamp (REI.com #675909). This is really a neat light that packs down to almost nothing because of the no strap design. Very cool and fun to use. Weighs around 3 ounces with lithium batteries.
7. MONOCULAR: Take a look at the $29.00 Brunton Echo Pocket Scope for your backpacking pleasure. This is a 7X18 monocular that weighs around 2 ounces and is just over 3 inches long. Check it out at REI.com ( #724-192-0011). Great size, weight, features, and especially price.
 
Your hiking buddy, Switchback
Trail Burp and Camp Chew Camp
(sorry ladies, I probably went over the line with this one)