So what is on your 2011 Christmas wish list?

[gary c.]

I'm far from an ultralite kind of guy so the NeoAir All Season at 72in with a 4.8 R value still sounds pretty good to me at 19oz. It's the $150 price tag that keeps me from giving up my Big Agnes. I've been useing my BA for something like 6rys and never had a problem with it thank goodness.

[rlown]

Russ,

balzaccom wrote:
Don't have much of a list this year---we have what we need.

Unless someone can send me some free time? I always appreciate THAT one!


why is it semi-retired types never have free time?

Remember that nature abhors a vacuum! So our schedule fills up!

Paul,

I'd even pay for a little extra time!

Merry Christmas!

Mike

Ok.. here's some more free time. Mike, you've posted 830ish times.
Let's say that you didn't have to think much and that's 5 minutes a post..
830 posts x 5 mins per post / 60 mins/hr = ? 70ish.. That's a weekend trip right there!

In fact, we should be flattered that you spare your spare time with us..

Now.. Back to the Christmas festivities..

PS: Gary, I'd go with the long neo aire as well.

[rlown]

ok.. so, i'm thinking none of us got a neo air, stuffed in a bearikade, wrapped in a WM vest, stuffed in a WM sleeping bag for Christmas..

Now.. All I want is for it to start snowing really hard! tired of it just being cold.

[oldranger]

Russ,

I'd think you'd be happy with what you've got this year of all years!
Looks like we will finally start getting some weather up here in Oregon for the first time in a month, beginning tonight! Hoping it reaches the Sierra, too.

Merry Christmas

Mike

[markskor]

ok.. so, i'm thinking none of us got a neo air, stuffed in a bearikade, wrapped in a WM vest, stuffed in a WM sleeping bag for Christmas..

Just sitting here reminiscing... thankful that I actually own that wish list above, (all except the questionable NeoAir), and content in that nothing in the way of gear is necessary. Sometimes we "Oldsters" do not realize how lucky we are: Living within a day's drive of our Sierra, having the years and experience, accumulating the best and lightest of equipment over time, and not having to start up from ground zero.

Imagine trying to build your kit now...Add up the WM's, the Tarptent, that backpack, Bearikade, stove, vest, fishing gear...probably/certainly thousands of dollars spent. Most of us Old Farts have it all.

Agree with Mike though, would trade it all in for another 20 years of great backpacking adventures. Thus my wish list is simple: Another great season of continued health and hiking.

See you all on the trail next season and hopefully for many more seasons after...
Sigh, even Mike too.

Merry X-mas
Mark

[gary c.]

Just like Mark wrote, I feel like a pretty lucky guy. Friday a couple buddies and myself were able to make a day run to Bishop just for the road trip. Recon'd a group site for next summer, bought some bread, bought some jerky, and even had time to throw a few flys on the Lower owens. Beautiful weather, good friends and home by 6:30 makes for a wonderful late December day.

[Snow Nymph]

I need new body parts. I woke up xmas morning with lower back pain. I haven't had that in almost 2 yrs. :-( I went snowboarding anyway, and caught an edge which tweaked my knee so now I'm hobbling around. Seeing a chiro in 1/2 hr, so maybe he can fix me for the new year.

I have all the gear I need, but when I get home I'm replacing my ancient ice axe with the lighter Black Diamond Raven Pro. I have a gift certificate for REI from Scott.

[quentinc]

I need new body parts.

On a recent backpack I was rocking (as the kids say) plantar's fasciitis, tennis elbow in both elbows (from using hiking poles), my usual creaky knees and a scratched cornea (from crap blowing in the gale force winds). But the good thing is I know this is all a complete coincidence and has nothing to do with age. (well, at least I'm on good grounds when it comes to the cornea).
Best of all, I'm ready to go out and do it all over again starting tomorrow.

[rlown]

hmm.. no one mentioned fishing tackle.. On a lunch break a couple months ago, I went to drool over rods and reels at Sportman's Warehouse. I think I know what I want, but told no one.. Probably wouldn't have mattered, but the rods and reels will be in my possession before the next backpacking trip.

Body parts: acquired as required.. but, hopefully not.

[LMBSGV]

Santa put a Bearikade Expedition under the tree after I went to sleep. Woke up Christmas morning and there it was.