It all started in August, when I moved into my own apartment. In the past, camping equipment between my roommates had been communal and stored in a larger residence. Living on my own, in an apartment with seemingly negative storage space, I quickly realized that the camping equipment which I now had to amass and store on my own, just wasn't realistic.
Being a person that fully invests myself into an idea or resolution of a problem, backpacking trips, gear research, and the hunt for gear and apparel sales, has become my mission, the recipient of my free time, and the focus (a needed direction for a lone wolf) of my emotional energy.
All of that being said, I think I might be on a first name basis with every Rei employee in the Southern California area. I've spent hours wandering through the stores, carefully inspecting everything from fuel canisters to underwear, and asked an absurd amount of questions pertaining to each item. The results of consultation, online user reviews, product comparison and price consideration, are (so far) thus:
1. Gregory - Deva70 backpack
2. The North Face - Cat's Meow Sleeping bag
3. Therm-a-Rest - ProLite Plus Sleeping pad
4. My most recent purchase (last night), and perfectly timed due to the immense amount of rain we're getting here in California: Marmot - PreCip Rain Jacket.
This obviously isn't a very comprehensive list of gear, but I've got my lust list ready and waiting for the funds to purchase:
1. Every employee I've talked to are Rei has told me that I don't need this tent. I've been pushed towards and encouraged to buy an MSR, Rei, North Face, just to save money, they all keep saying that I wont notice the nearly 2 pound weight difference. I want what I want, and what I want is the Big Agnes - Seedhouse SL2 Tent
2. A couple of these, to supplement my camleback: Platypus - SoftBottle.
3. Snow Peak - Starter Kit Stove.
4. As it would turn out, I've got VERY expensive taste in boots, but am going to settle for a more realistic option in the Keen - Pyrenees Hiking Boot.
5. Not being one that likes to be without access to assistance, the Mophie - Juice Pack Reserve Battery for my iPhone.
I'm doubting that I'll have much of this lust list purchased before my impending trip in January, but with the help of my hiking buddy, we'll share the weight of my Rei - Hoodoo 3 Tent, and just make due.
