Is That An M240?

[Stealth3kpl]

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I have this stove too. It's superb. Nowadays I use an MSR Reactor Stove to melt snow or just boil water for tea and freeze dried foods such as Mountain House.

Pete

 

My stove is now 19 years old (MSR whisperlight international) that I have used all over the world with different kinds of fuel. I can dissemble and clean it in the field. It simply works long as I have some liquid fuel (even gasoline) available.

 

 

[Rick]

Interesting thread.  I wish I'd had access to a Sony RX1rII when I was doing longer hikes.  

 

For a stove the SVEA 123 bought in 1970 still works great.  My Jan Sport hip suspension pack has served well for 40 years.  Never got used to soft packs.  Never understood why they aren't around anymore.  I guess cost to manufacture is just too much when a stitched pack can be made in China for nothing.

 

We would load 50b+ packs and hike in the Cascade Mountains for weeks at a time.  Later on, a typical pack would be 35-40 pounds.  

 

Rick

[jmahto]

Interesting thread. I wish I'd had access to a Sony RX1rII when I was doing longer hikes.

 

For a stove the SVEA 123 bought in 1970 still works great. My Jan Sport hip suspension pack has served well for 40 years. Never got used to soft packs. Never understood why they aren't around anymore. I guess cost to manufacture is just too much when a stitched pack can be made in China for nothing.

 

We would load 50b+ packs and hike in the Cascade Mountains for weeks at a time. Later on, a typical pack would be 35-40 pounds.

 

Rick

I think we should start a thread for backpacking and M.

 

I had to look up for Seva stove. Amazing how a sorted out technology lasts so long. I had an old and cheap Coleman external frame backpack which was soooo comfortable. I still have it for sentimental reasons. I guess fit is more important than cost. Same with cameras. Pleasure of using cam is more important than brand.

 

I don't chase most modern technology. A bamboo stick is good replacement for carbon fiber. I have stiffened my day hike backpack (for last 20 years) with thin bamboo sticks and I love it. Although I replaced aluminum with carbon fiber in my hiking backpack (arcteryx khazri) to lighten it since I didn't trust bamboo stick for load.

 

Going back to M. What I like is that it is a mix of modern and old. That's what I like.

[brill64]

"..He seems to be using an M240 too, but I can't quite make out the lens"

 

it's a silver chrome voightlander cv21.

[IkarusJohn]

Depending on where I'm tramping (NZ expression for trekking, hiking or otherwise heading into the bush with a pack on your back), I'll use either a 35 litre frameless pack or a 90 litre pack with a proper harness - the choice depends primarily on food.  I tend not to carry a tent, as that adds a whole new level of complexity.  NZ us well served with huts.

 

So, sleeping bag (it's Reflex coated, so I can sleep outside at a pinch), MSR Whisperlite cooker, pots, water bottle, rain gear and change of clothing.  Tramping here is mostly temperate, so I tend to tramp in shorts, adding long johns if needed (peculiar look, but very effective for keeping sandflies at bay). 

 

Camera gear needs to be accessible, so I add a bag to the waist strap at the front of my pack (strap looped over my shoulder if necessary).  With an M (with 50 Summilux) face down in the middle section, and 28 &75 Summilux on either side, or 21 Summilux & 90 Summicron, it's all quite compact.  This is the arrangement I used in Nepal some years ago - table tripod in my backpack.  I've found I can manage with 2 lenses, but in reality, a wide, standard and short telephoto is ideal.

 

The biggest challenge is getting out of bed to get the shot ...

 

PS - I've discovered that my Leki walking stick has a 1/4" thread.  Unscrewing the handle, I can then screw the pole directly into the tripod mount on the base of the camera.

Edited February 1, 2016 by IkarusJohn

[k-hawinkler]

 

 

Depending on where I'm tramping (NZ expression for trekking, hiking or otherwise heading into the bush with a pack on your back), I'll use either a 35 litre frameless pack or a 90 litre pack with a proper harness - the choice depends primarily on food.  I tend not to carry a tent, as that adds a whole new level of complexity.  NZ us well served with huts.

 

So, sleeping bag (it's Reflex coated, so I can sleep outside at a pinch), MSR Whisperlite cooker, pots, water bottle, rain gear and change of clothing.  Tramping here is mostly temperate, so I tend to tramp in shorts, adding long johns if needed (peculiar look, but very effective for keeping sandflies at bay). 

 

Camera gear needs to be accessible, so I add a bag to the waist strap at the front of my pack (strap looped over my shoulder if necessary).  With an M (with 50 Summilux) face down in the middle section, and 28 &75 Summilux on either side, or 21 Summilux & 90 Summicron, it's all quite compact.  This is the arrangement I used in Nepal some years ago - table tripod in my backpack.  I've found I can manage with 2 lenses, but in reality, a wide, standard and short telephoto is ideal.

 

The biggest challenge is getting out of bed to get the shot ...

 

PS - I've discovered that my Leki walking stick has a 1/4" thread.  Unscrewing the handle, I can then screw the pole directly into the tripod mount on the base of the camera.

 

Thanks John.  I would love to see a picture of this gear on a human.  :-)

[jmahto]

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Depending on where I'm tramping (NZ expression for trekking, hiking or otherwise heading into the bush with a pack on your back), I'll use either a 35 litre frameless pack or a 90 litre pack with a proper harness - the choice depends primarily on food.  I tend not to carry a tent, as that adds a whole new level of complexity.  NZ us well served with huts.

 

So, sleeping bag (it's Reflex coated, so I can sleep outside at a pinch), MSR Whisperlite cooker, pots, water bottle, rain gear and change of clothing.  Tramping here is mostly temperate, so I tend to tramp in shorts, adding long johns if needed (peculiar look, but very effective for keeping sandflies at bay). 

 

Camera gear needs to be accessible, so I add a bag to the waist strap at the front of my pack (strap looped over my shoulder if necessary).  With an M (with 50 Summilux) face down in the middle section, and 28 &75 Summilux on either side, or 21 Summilux & 90 Summicron, it's all quite compact.  This is the arrangement I used in Nepal some years ago - table tripod in my backpack.  I've found I can manage with 2 lenses, but in reality, a wide, standard and short telephoto is ideal.

 

The biggest challenge is getting out of bed to get the shot ...

 

PS - I've discovered that my Leki walking stick has a 1/4" thread.  Unscrewing the handle, I can then screw the pole directly into the tripod mount on the base of the camera.

 

Please share If you have a picture of your camera bag attached to the waist strap. I am not able to visualize it.

 

Happy tramping (learned a new word today).

[alan c. davis]

I'm a lifetime hiker/bushwalker/tramper as well. About 13-14 day trips are the maximum for me. Most of my serious hiking is done in New Zealand and I go there every summer for about 3 weeks. My pack with 2 weeks food would come in around 19-20 kilos not counting water, but in New Zealand carrying water is not the problem it is in Oz. My preferred rucksacks for at least 30 years have been Macpacs. They are simply indestructible  and the only reason to upgrade is the harnesses keep improving. Having said that I'm seriously thinking about buying the top of the range One Planet Macmillan, it's a little lighter than my Torre plus they're still made in Melbourne. There's nothing wrong with the Torre but it's just a case of backpacking Gas. My latest stove is the MSR Windboiler which I used for the first time this summer. One of the best things I've ever bought. Love MSR gear, have had 2 of their tents the latest being the Carbon Reflex 1 which comes in at just over a kilo. Used to take my M6ttl on all hikes once but it was drowned in a failed attempt at crossing 5 Mile Creek in the Latham Con. Area  (S.I. N.Z.) some years ago so these days I take a Micro 4/3 camera with a zoom lens (GM5) carried in a Aquapac waist bag. Fits the little GM5 easily plus reading glasses and map. Love threads about hiking and gear, keep 'em coming.

[sdw]

This is fantastic, thanks for sharing. I read the article in National Geographic last year and I had no idea there was a BTS video. 

[IkarusJohn]

Thanks John.  I would love to see a picture of this gear on a human.  :-)

 

 

I was afraid someone would ask that. Give me a few days, I'll see what I can set up. 

[IkarusJohn]

I'm a lifetime hiker/bushwalker/tramper as well. About 13-14 day trips are the maximum for me. Most of my serious hiking is done in New Zealand and I go there every summer for about 3 weeks. My pack with 2 weeks food would come in around 19-20 kilos not counting water, but in New Zealand carrying water is not the problem it is in Oz. My preferred rucksacks for at least 30 years have been Macpacs. They are simply indestructible  and the only reason to upgrade is the harnesses keep improving. Having said that I'm seriously thinking about buying the top of the range One Planet Macmillan, it's a little lighter than my Torre plus they're still made in Melbourne. There's nothing wrong with the Torre but it's just a case of backpacking Gas. My latest stove is the MSR Windboiler which I used for the first time this summer. One of the best things I've ever bought. Love MSR gear, have had 2 of their tents the latest being the Carbon Reflex 1 which comes in at just over a kilo. Used to take my M6ttl on all hikes once but it was drowned in a failed attempt at crossing 5 Mile Creek in the Latham Con. Area  (S.I. N.Z.) some years ago so these days I take a Micro 4/3 camera with a zoom lens (GM5) carried in a Aquapac waist bag. Fits the little GM5 easily plus reading glasses and map. Love threads about hiking and gear, keep 'em coming.

 

I'm still using a Torre - love the Quantum harness. My tent is a MacPac Olympus - fabulous, but too heavy to carry. One of the things I love about tramping is stripping everything back to absolute essentials. Hard to get under 20kg for a long tramp though. 

 

I would never ever consider an SL for a NZ tramp (interesting idea, though). To be honest, I think I'd take an M-A. I know that may seem odd, but there's nothing to go wrong.  

[MarkP]

 

The biggest challenge is getting out of bed to get the shot ...

 

 

So true...

[Rick]

I'm a lifetime hiker/bushwalker/tramper as well. About 13-14 day trips are the maximum for me. Most of my serious hiking is done in New Zealand and I go there every summer for about 3 weeks. My pack with 2 weeks food would come in around 19-20 kilos not counting water, but in New Zealand carrying water is not the problem it is in Oz. My preferred rucksacks for at least 30 years have been Macpacs. They are simply indestructible  and the only reason to upgrade is the harnesses keep improving. Having said that I'm seriously thinking about buying the top of the range One Planet Macmillan, it's a little lighter than my Torre plus they're still made in Melbourne. There's nothing wrong with the Torre but it's just a case of backpacking Gas. My latest stove is the MSR Windboiler which I used for the first time this summer. One of the best things I've ever bought. Love MSR gear, have had 2 of their tents the latest being the Carbon Reflex 1 which comes in at just over a kilo. Used to take my M6ttl on all hikes once but it was drowned in a failed attempt at crossing 5 Mile Creek in the Latham Con. Area  (S.I. N.Z.) some years ago so these days I take a Micro 4/3 camera with a zoom lens (GM5) carried in a Aquapac waist bag. Fits the little GM5 easily plus reading glasses and map. Love threads about hiking and gear, keep 'em coming.

 

 

Ok, you like stories, here we go...   

 

About the time I joined the Boy Scouts, MSR was just starting up in Seattle.  REI was well known in our area and was my favorite store to visit in downtown Seattle.  A few years later REI started carrying gear by a new company called MSR.  Most of their first gear was climbing gear.  My first ice axe, which I still have to this day was a blue MSR ice axe.  

 

Soon after REI started carrying MSR gear, MSR opened a store in the same area of town to the original REI.  That was back when REI was a co-op and you joined it as a member.  

 

In the '60's, the CEO of the co-op was a guy named Jim Whittaker.  You might recognize his name because he successfully summited Mt Everest in the early '60s and became the first American to reach the summit, with his guide, sherpa Nawang Gombu - nephew of Tenzing Nordgay, whom you British members would be familiar with.  

 

Jim brought Nawang Gombu and his brother back to Seattle with him and they took the names, Jim and Jack Sherpa and started working for a new Company named JanSport.  JanSport was started by another Seattle guy, Skip Yowell and his friend Murray Pletz.  The company was named after Murray's girlfriend Jan.  

 

The dome tent was invented by Skip and Murray after they were caught in a snow storm on Mt. Rainier.  I was given a dome tent by Skip as a promotion back in the mid-seventies when I worked in a local Seattle sporting goods store that carried JanSport product.  I also received (at little cost) the internal frame backpack that I use to this day.  

 

Next, here in Seattle, another company was born that some may have heard of, The North Face, which was later bought by the parent company of JanSport.

 

Through co-op meetings and working in the sporting goods store I met all of these great men.  Not to mention seeing Jim and Lou Wittaker on Mt. Rainer in my youth, and listening to their lectures.  I have a memory of hiking up to Camp Muir on Mt. Rainier and seeing Jim and his brother Lou skiing down the Nisqually Glacier.  The worst sunburn I ever got was skiing down Mt. Rainier in shorts with a bivouac pack from Camp Muir while still in high school with a friend of my brother's.

 

The Pacific Northwest was a hotbed of innovation with a climbing mountain in our backyard (Rainier) and the 1960's were ripe with back to nature culture.  Add to that the Cascade mountain range and the Olympic mountains and rain forrest and it was the perfect area to incubate some of the greatest outdoor companies in the world.

 

​The glorious days of my youth were spent in the great outdoors hiking in sun faded scout shirts in the Cascade mountains.  Camera and fly pole not too far out of hand.

 

Rick

[jmahto]

Ok, you like stories, here we go...   

 

.......

 

​The glorious days of my youth were spent in the great outdoors hiking in sun faded scout shirts in the Cascade mountains.  Camera and fly pole not too far out of hand.

 

Rick

 

Loved reading all that.

 

In 96 when I climbed Rainier (with RMI) then I remember few sherpas in the guides with us. Don't remember their names now.

 

As for REI, my wife jokes that all my wardrobe comes from that store. Well, she will be 100% correct if REI starts selling dress shirt and pants too.

[Rick]

We also carried car batteries and ham gear to the top of mountains and made sling-shot longwire and dipoles in the trees and operated Ham Radio on field days.  I was older then... college.    

 

Oh, there were 2m repeaters in the mountains in the Pacific Northwest that were maintained by hams and SARnet for emergency situations, like search and rescue.  I always carried a 2m handheld radio (known as a walkie talkie) when ever I hiked in the Mountains.  It was the only thing at the time that could get out in case of an emergency.  

 

Often, when at a lake in the Cascades, I'd hike up the trail in the evening to a point where I could hit one of these repeaters and I'd talk to friends back in Seattle.  Non-emergency traffic was allowed.

 

Rick73

[k-hawinkler]

Thanks Rick.  A most fascinating background.  BTW, on your excursions did you ever run into bears?  TIA.

 

 

[jmahto]

Thanks Rick.  A most fascinating background.  BTW, on your excursions did you ever run into bears?  TIA.

I know the question was not directed at me but I have had two encounters so far (in Sierras). Encounter being not exact word though. "Visit" is a better word. Both times they (yes a group) came to our campground in the night and tried to get the food stored outside. I learnt a lesson that however careful you are in hanging the food, they will get to it. They can climb higher than you can imagine and from there jump to get to the hanging food.... and they don't give up.

 

After that bear container became my constant friend and I stopped complaining about the weight.  

[Rick]

Another local group here was K2 Skis.  This was another group that started, I believe, due to the local knowledge from engineers that developed fuel cells for Boeing.  The new K2 skis were made from Hexel honeycomb and fiberglass.  They were lighter and more flexible.  Local Olympic medalists Phil and Steve Mahre skied on them and made them famous.  I also remember K2 bought JanSport.  Spider Sabich Was also part of the K2 team, I believe.

 

Rick

[alan c. davis]

Rick, love stories like that. Interesting you bought up Nawang Gombu's name who I believe was the first person to climb Mt Everest twice. In 1976 -77 I and my partner at the time spent a year travelling overland from Australia to Europe. Having arrived in Calcutta, India from Burma we headed north to Darjeeling and one morning found ourselves in the Mountaineering Institute in that lovely little town. An Indian employee came over to us and discreetly pointed out Tenzing Norgay. I'm not necessarily a forward person but there was no way I wasn't going over to say hello to someone who had been one of my heroes. We introduced ourselves and chatted for some minutes which included taking several photos with him (still stored away in the archives some where). What a wonderful man he was. He mentioned having not seen Ed (Sir Edmund Hillary) for some time but was hoping to catch up with him later in the year. Also he took us over and introduced us to Nawang Gombu.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Rick]

Alan - Dig that picture up and post that picture.  I'd love to see it.

 

Great story!

 

Rick