the No Particular Topic topic

[trekker76]

Signal whistle and lifestraw, both never used yet.

[Lamont]

What do you always pack but never or rarely use?

This "the Olight i1r EOS 130 lumen USB rechargeable keyring torch which I bought. Half the size of my pinky and I have small hands" My back up torch.
Who said "the best place to keep a back up battery is in another torch"?
Seems the best of both worlds, runs down -charge it. It is miniscule.
Folding sunnies-(4cms X 4cmx X 1cm) lost my proper ones this morning and so glad I had these as backups. BUT ..I found my proper ones by the water --bugger- after I had unpacked my rucksack for a second time.

[trekker76]

Anyone like tardigrades, the worlds toughest animal?

https://www.livescience.com/57985-tardigrade-facts.html

[johnw]

What do you always pack but never or rarely use?

Most of it

[Neo]

Hi has anyone tried pre-soaking regular rice, any tips?

[Aardvark]

Hi has anyone tried pre-soaking regular rice, any tips?

We cook , then dehydrate the rice. Cooking time in the bush is minimal then. Pre soaking could be undertaken but we haven't found it necessary.

[Tortoise]

Q: What do bed base slats and some gaiter hooks have in common?

[north-north-west]

Q: What do bed base slats and some gaiter hooks have in common?

They always fail at the worst possible time?

[Tortoise]

Q: What do bed base slats and some gaiter hooks have in common?

They always fail at the worst possible time?

Very good suggestion.
But nah. Very hard to attach properly (maybe it's my just foot and STS gaiters), but slip out by themselves with the greatest of ease. How does that work??

[north-north-west]

Hooks always slip out when scrub-bashing without an understrap. It's a matter of ensuring they're snug and secure from the start. (And sometimes bending them a bit more or opening them up when they've been knocked around by the rocks.)

[Neo]

Adding a loop of bungee or cable tie may help, depending on the shoe layout.

[Tortoise]

Hooks always slip out when scrub-bashing without an understrap. It's a matter of ensuring they're snug and secure from the start. (And sometimes bending them a bit more or opening them up when they've been knocked around by the rocks.)

I always use an understrap, and they're so snug to start with that it takes a lot of huffing and puffing to get them on. I remember now, I did take to the STS hooks with a pair of pliers, and that did help. I prefer Tasgear gaiters, whose hooks are a breeze to put on, and have very rarely come out, but they won't go around my ankle brace with some of my bushwalking shoes. My best old shoes they worked well with have now died.

But what's with the bed slats??

[Tortoise]

Adding a loop of bungee or cable tie may help, depending on the shoe layout.

Hmm. Can't quite picture what you mean, Neo.

[north-north-west]

But what's with the bed slats??

I doon't use a bed with slats (except when staying over with mates), so that one's outside my experience. But I think Murphy's Law has something to do with it. Or even Mrs Murphy's Corollary.

[Neo]

Hi Tortoise, one pair of shoes where I skipped the lacing holes closest to the toes meant I didn't then have a spot to hook the gaiter to, so was able to add a cable tie to hook into. Thought maybe you could add a similar thing to your boots. A bit more distance maybe adds some tension.

I also find if my Tasgear gaiters can slide up and down the calf a bit they are less likely to come unhooked.

[Neo]

Have been carting around this piece of Tyvek home wrap for at least 9 months!

Trimmed today to 2.4x1.4m with the plan to fold 100mm around the edge, giving a 2.2x1.2 footprint for under a 3x3 tarp

It's super noisy but should be good to lay on. Still plenty of life in my current heavy duty space blanket but showing a few pin holes.

That blanket is hiding somewhere, this luxurious 2p lump of Tyvek weighs in at 208g.

[Neo]

This arvo have been working on a Helinox Ground Chair repair. Careful step by step and a few photos but the test just failed spectacularly...
Had a few years of good sitting so not chasing a warranty, next up will be to try the Alite Mayfly.

[crollsurf]

Im using Polycro instead of sarking (Tyvek equivalent) ATM and although the Polycro is lighter, I find the Tyvek a lot more managable.

I dont bother with a chair but I must admit I was tempted by the Alite Monarch

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[Neo]

Some people live in air-conditioning.
After 18 months on the road I still feel a bit weird being indoors. Windows and doors open!

Looking forward to 2019 sleeping mostly in a tent, or under a tarp (ticks & leeches permitting).

Touché myself! Still not turning on the aircon but I do like it when wandering into a shop or borrowing a modern car. Have enjoyed being super lazy in a house this month Day strolls only.

[trekker76]

One of the not fun things about the wet season here. Near new hush puppies, worn 3 weeks ago at christmas, kept dry at bottom of shoe rack. Pulled them out today and greeted by the green monster. You think you have everything covered, but there is often something in a 'growth stage' you are missing.

[crollsurf]

Used to be a Hush Puppy fan but...

Anyway it's looking like a scorcher on the East Coast for the long weekend. Thinking the high country or some canyoning are the only options. Hopefully the forecast of rain will keep some away.

I'm thinking a visit to the Rams Head Range and across to Mt Townsend. Anyone else got plans for the long weekend?

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[johnw]

Way too hot for me to consider anything much at present. Maybe an easy stroll along the Coast track in Royal NP, that would be about my limit right now as you often get a good sea breeze coming off the ocean. Yes, KNP would be nice up top but too far away for me for just a couple of days.

[Lamont]

33 degrees at the oceans edge at 5.30 am on my walky runny thing Ocean Grove main beach.(Bass Strait). Dry as bone out as you would expect in the wind, within 15 seconds of entering the house -flop sweat!
A hot night here is a very rare thing. Very rare.
Anyone else out in the heat this morning walking, exercising and can relate the temperature?
Must be hotter inland? Anyone got some temps inland from their verandah thermometers?
Canberrans?
South Ozzies-you must be baking like chickens over there?
Centrists? Inlanders?
Really curious about 5.30 to 6 am temps, as this is almost always the coolest time of day.

[Huntsman247]

Too many people on long weekends in the bush.
Just got back from a trip today. Stinking hot especially on the uphill stuff in the sun. But we got out by lunch to a cold beer and pub meal. Met a couple walking in just as we were leaving with heavy packs and a distance to go. I thought they were bonkers...

[Neo]

New get-about, boot stocked with minimalist car camping and bushwalk kit, a backpack and weeks clothing behind the passenger seat

[trekker76]

very nice

[crollsurf]

Light and easy. You'll be suprised where that car will get you if your Ok with the ocassional scratch down the side.

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[north-north-west]

Waste of a very nice body to get it in that (lack of) colour.

[Moondog55]

Waste of a very nice body to get it in that (lack of) colour.

Exactly the same colour the new million dollar Bentley Sport is available in, I'd rather have the Bentley tho.

[north-north-west]

Waste of a very nice body to get it in that (lack of) colour.

Exactly the same colour the new million dollar Bentley Sport is available in, I'd rather have the Bentley tho.

I'd rather have a 911. But red, of course.