Braumeister

Great TR, J--informative, witty, and entertaining. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with the rest of us!

Just bought the ID Unishelter but haven't yet used it. It appears to be bomber construction and is very roomy. The note enclosed in the stuff sack suggested seam sealing the exterior seams (with the enclosed tube of Seam Grip, no less) if you will be using it in very wet conditions (which I did). Yes, it's a little heavy, but as I said, its construction appears to be bomber, and you can only beat the roominess with a "real" tent. This purchase was in preparation for an upcoming climbing trip after which I'll post more details about my experience.

Just traded in my Dragonfly for an XGK because the Dragonfly left me high and dry (for the second time) on a winter camping trip. I learned from the friendly and helpful Cascade Designs guy (they own MSR now) that the cone-shaped threads on the flame adjuster develop carbon deposits over time and cause the flame adjuster to no longer work properly. For $15, a special tool (that should have been provided with the stove in the first place) is available to solve this problem. With a little convincing, I ended up trading in the Dragonfly for the XGK in an effort to be completely over this "problem" that MSR still does not address with their new stoves.

Thanks to Tex for putting it into perspective for those of us who chose a different path than that of the "committed" climber. BTW, I am not a weekend warrior--due to multiple responsibilities and geographic limitations, I make it to the PNW for a week every year and climb Monday-Friday, an effort that I'm sure garners disdain from some of you. My climbing buddy and I are newbies but we know what the gear on our racks is for; and we climb hard, but not on routes that may be considered by others as hard routes. My mission in the mountains is to have lots of fun, be safe, and not endanger myself or others while I'm doing it. If this makes me a gumbie, so be it. Oh, yeah, and sampling local breweries is also high on the list...

Good post--glad you made it back down without serious incident. Would be a good one to post on the Newbie page...

Detroiters are already too busy attending Red Wings pub clubs--besides, I live 250 miles from Detroit (thank God!). Does "PDX" have something to do with Portland? Our July climbing plans are for Adams w/ home base at a friend's house in Hood River... Someone asked about where else in Michigan you can see sandstone? Well, in Northern Michigan we don't climb our sandstone, we paddle around it...

As I read through this board's threads on a near daily basis in an effort to alleviate office boredom and enhance my dreams of my next climbing trip to the PNW, I feel a kindred spirit with some of you. I'm intrigued by the Pub Club and some of the other adventures you all have here. My climbing buddy and I will be making our next pilgrimage in mid-July and would like to submit our application for joining you during our visit. Our qualifications include: 1. We LOVE Guinness, especially in tall glasses. 2. We climb. Whaddaya think? Can we join the club? Please be kind... Braumeister

Thank God! I thought you were suggesting that you don't drink!

Hello, all! A newbie here, looking to replace his climbing pack. I'm looking for something to fit the following bill: 1. ~3,000 c.i. for summit days & light overnighters 2. under 4 lbs. 3. space for tools 4. rugged build The North Face MG 45 seems to fit this bill--anybody have personal experience with this pack? Gotta' burn up that REI dividend... Braumeister