Gear for a 9 Day Western Arthur Range Hike

[@ivesy379]

Hi mowser! Thank you for the insightful and informative review of the gear you use. I am on the verge of acquiring a new backpack. I am gravitating to the Hyperlite mountain backpack range and along with the porter 5400 85L that you own, I have also seen the southwest 4400, 70L. I have always had a one planet backpack and found the long size most definitely works well for me. Apart from the white colour of the 5400 that I'm not too keen about, I was wondering what your thoughts were regarding the 4400 70L vs the one planet mungo long 65L? The tall narrow long sized is absolutely essential for me but I absolutely love the one planet harness system. I'm also wanting to get prepared for a 6 day hike like the WAT. Have you got any pointers for a person like me who is 6"2' - 6"3'? Would be keen to slash >1kg plus in backpack weight if the benefits of the harness system is still there! Also keen to hear what you do regarding storage of your hydrapak flux 1.5L flask?

[@mowsertas]

Hi Stephen, Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for the question! For background - I am around 6’4” and I actually own both the Hyperlite porter 5400 85L AND the Hyperlite Southwest 4400 70L. I bought the southwest back in 2017 as my first foray into lightweight packs. It has served me very well over the years and I upgraded to the Porter for my longer trips of 7 days or more a couple of years ago for our [Spires trip](kzbin.info/www/bejne/boGtZZKhh82Wh5Y) as I just needed a little more capacity for my camera gear and food on longer hikes. I LOVE both packs. They are lightweight, durable and definately up to the toughest Tasmanian conditions. Before these, I used Osprey packs (Mainly the Volt 75L and an Osprey Aether prior to that) for over a decade as I LOVED their harness system. Prior to that, I had used a Macpac Cascade 90L as a guide for many seasons on the South Coast track as well as a 26 day epic walk in the South West of Tassie. I tell you all of this as it was a huge move for me to go from these well tested pack to something much more minimalist like the Hyperlite brand. I was dubious about the apparent lack of harness padding (when compared to these other packs) as well as the absence of load straps (the straps at the top of the shoulder that bring the pack closer to the shoulder). I was worried (especially with the Porter with which I would be carrying heavy loads with) that I would have sore shoulders and hips for entire trips. BUT after much reading of online reviews etc I bit the bullet and decided on first the southwest in 2017 and then the porter a couple of years later. In summary I can say this - I have absolutely no regrets with my purchase of the Porter. On its first trips to The Spires and Denison Range we faced some brutal scrub and climbs and it was excellent the entire trip. My good mate, Beaui had bought the same pack for that trip and was absolutely delighted with it. While the white colour wasn’t ideal (we passed through lots of burnt out forest), the brushed charcoal on the packs that is now present gives me fond memories of that first trip with the pack :). As a side note, Hyperlite do now make the Southwest in a black colour geni.us/sQr71 Not sure if it’s in Australia but in the past I have purchased direct from the states (although this may be more expensive these days). In Australia there may be some sites that have it available. Since it’s first trip the Porter has done 2 more trips of 8-10 days as well as some shorter trips and hasn’t missed a beat! I cannot see myself moving to another pack any time soon although I may try other packs from time to time as I like to test new gear. I haven’t actually used a One Planet pack but the Mungo 65L definately looks like a great harness system and in the past I have known people who loved their One Planets. If I were looking to save weight with my pack then a move to a similar volume pack such as the Southwest 4400 would seem like a sensible decision. Like I said, it was a tough decision and I think it is for anyone that has been using a full luxury harness system. BUT I have been trying to cull weight where ever possible for the last 4 or 5 years and the Hyperlite pack was a huge step in the right direction for me. I like to carry camera gear so I need everything else to be as light as possible. My other mate Woolza recently purchased a Porter for our recent Western Arthurs trip (after using Ospreys for 20 years) and he was definately happy with it on this trip. I think if you were to move to a hyperlite then shoulder pocket attachment geni.us/upjw for the pack is an essential add on for storing a phone or snacks. End of the day, I find the pack comfortable and don’t regret the move. I have carried up to 25/26kg in the Porter and 17kg in the Southwest and have been more than happy! In regards to the Hydrapack, I normally give it a good wash in warm soapy water and allow it to completely dry out before storing sealed in a container with my other hiking kitchen kit. With my water bladders I normally also wash and dry out in a similar way. In the past I have stored in the freezer but don’t tend to these days. No particular reason but I find if they are 100% dry then storing them somewhere clean and dry hasn’t presented any issues. See you out on the track!

[@rowville22]

The black versions of the HMG packs are available in Australia and are even more durable than the white versions, being of a slightly thicker material with a weight penalty of about 100 g. I bought my Southwest 3400 55 L through Tom's Outdoors in Tumut. Like Mowser, I was initially concerned about comfort when moving from a more traditional harness system but found the pack surprisingly comfortable, even with 10 days' food for the McMillans Walking Track in Victoria. The pack's light weight really starts to pay off as you start eating through your food. For shorter trips they are a no-brainer, cutting around 2 kg off a standard old-school pack weight. With their roll tops and nearly 10 L of exterior pockets, the packs also hold more than their listed volume. It was a tight squeeze getting all my gear and the 10 days' food in the 55 L but I managed it. I loved your gear display Mowser, as I found it a great balance between weight and comfort considerations (a chair is surely mandatory for any of us over the age of 40), as well as durability and safety. So many of the ubiquitous US "thru-hiker" ultra-light set ups for walks where you're only ever 2 days away from the next town just don't work in Australia where the walking is so much harder.

[@mowsertas]

Thanks Rowville22, great to hear! Glad you enjoyed the video and yes, a chair is now very hard to exclude from my pack! Especially as the knees blow up occasionally! Australia is definately a different kettle of fish compared to a lot of thru hikes! It is nice not to have bears to worry about though! :)

[@bryce4442]

Glad I found your channel Mowser! Great content and well edited. Blows my mind that you don’t have 1000’s of subscribers, but I’m sure it will come. Keep the videos coming 👍🏼.

[@mowsertas]

@@bryce4442 thanks! Glad you enjoy! Only been having a proper crack at this KZbin thing for a couple of months. Lots more content on the way!

[@simplylifeau]

Thanks for the run down, got some handy tips 👍

[@mowsertas]

No problem 👍 have another 10am gear vid dropping some time in march!

[@simplylifeau]

Will keep an eye out. Wondering, you you seal the smaller fry bags you use within large inner sack? They hold a bit of air…

[@amonster8mymother]

The 4ds i cant wear them❤ my feet are too wide.

[@needtokeepwalking]

Damn whats your load out, 20kg. Made this comment a bit over halfway in so laugh at me if you say it

[@mowsertas]

With all my camera gear it was closer to 24kg from memory. Too much. Sub 20kg is where I need to be. Reviewing camera choices!

[@noneentered8946]

Thanks so much, I’ve been looking for an Australian multi day pack list for years

[@mowsertas]

No problem 👍 Glad I could help! New video will be following in the next month or so for another extended trip!

[@jonathan_krywicki]

Thanks for another great video @mowser - keen to hear your thoughts on goretex gaiters vs the s2s quagmire - reason looking at goretex is weight saving and drying time - looking at OR crocodile - appreciate any insights you can share

[@mowsertas]

Gaiter review coming soon! I have used both the OR Crocodile and the S2S Quagmires. The Crocodiles were great - lightweight, quick drying and very comfortable BUT as expected, they didn't perform well for me in really tough off track conditions. They are fine for well formed track and the like but when abrasion and rough terrain come into play they didn't perform as well as the quagmires and bits broke off and maybe if they used a harder plastic for strap tensioners and the like they may perform better. Overall the material was pretty good and didn't tear or perforate. The Quagmires have been my go to gaiters for years but I am currently testing some other gaiters as I would like something a little lighter. The Quagmires also have issues with the boot connector loops, buttons and boot straps. I do however absolutely annhilate them on rough trips! But until I find something almost as durable, they are my go to. About to try out the RAB Muztag Goretex so will do a review down the track on the them!

[@jonathan_krywicki]

@@mowsertas great - looking forward to it 👍🏼

[@amonster8mymother]

Heyya when you say "thermals" do you mean midweight? Do you mean baselayers? Long underwear? Do you wear the marino tshirt under the thermal layer? ❤

[@mowsertas]

Yep, base layers/long underwear (either midweight or thermal weight are what i go for). I don't wear merino tee under thermals. It's my tee that i tend to wear alone when i don't need a thermal.

[@amonster8mymother]

@@mowsertas ok I thought the base layer was underwear.

[@amonster8mymother]

Trying to get a road cyclist explain to me how they dress is super difficult I'm not really sure. For cycletouring. I dont think there is any particular logic same for backpacking. I was following a mountaineer for a while for winter gear. I find it really confusing. Maybe here in Canada I've just gotta do a certain style and stick with it but already seems to be a mix of other peoples styles. I dont wear fleeces I wear soft shells instead. I think the soft shells replace the fleeces. And I dont wear gortex rain shell because I have a silnylon tarp poncho so I wear a wind breaker instead. I have a wind vest and i use that like from cycling. Rapha makes a good wind vest but i have a mec one. 👍.

[@amonster8mymother]

If you can use second hand gear then it's good. Pretty funky looking too. I have some Adidas track suits that I use as mids. None of them have hoods so I have a north face zephyr mid with a hood but that's just for -20. 👍

[@goughytas]

Hey, firstly thanks for the great content. It’s refreshing to get some gear discussion and reviews with a Tassie slant. As you know the conditions here don’t match the maintain or many of the US based people that do these types of reviews. I had a question about the quilt, I’m going through what you sound like you’ve done and that’s buy hundreds of dollars worth of stuff that you a year or less later think hmm not what I wanted. I’ve always been against quilts for no reason, never used one. I guess I’ve been is some winter snow situations where I’ve been cold all night in a reasonable bag. What are your thoughts, obviously you have one and recommend it, any cold spots sleeping directly on the sleeping pads and or drafts, arms touching the tent floor etc? Interested to know your thoughts, I’m looking to get a lighter bag, current bag is a Macpac epic 800, it’s heave and too hot, causing condensation and or sweating.

[@mowsertas]

Hi Goughy, Glad you're enjoying the content and thanks for the question! Yes, the decision to go with a quilt was a really tough one for me. I probably spent a couple of years thinking about it before i made a decision but in the end I wanted the weight saving. Even with the lighter bags I do have, for the colder walks where I want extra insulation, even taking a polartec liner or similar results in sleep system as heavy as my winter bags. I've slept in my quilt (Katabic Gear Alsek, Long 900fp) which weighs 600g and rated to -5 degrees celsius for 21 nights so far and have not felt cold. Note that this has been in Tassie months of October, February and March when the weather is milder. However I have had a few cold nights, especially March 2022 in the mountains when we had a couple of mornings with a decent frost and temperatures (according to my watch) of -1 and -2. On those nights it was no problems. I probably wouldn't be game to take the quilt on a winter trip or from a trip from probably May to September. The only thing I will say with quilts, is that I have found they take a little getting used to. The strapping system (that hold it to your sleeping mat) while good did take a few nights to get adjusted to my like but now I have a good setup. On those cold nights if the strapping comes loose you can get a draft into the bag but this is quickly fixed and if you have thermals on it generally isn't an issue. I don't miss the hood of the sleeping bag at all and wear a beanie if it's cold. On the whole, I'm really happy with my choice. I plan on heading into the Eldon Range next March and I think the quilt will definately be coming on that lengthy trip! Cheers!

[@PedroArvy]

Just wondering what length of rope you take?

[@mowsertas]

The ropes I have specifically for pack hauling are normally around 15m long. Haven't had to use it for a long time but for any trip to the Arthurs or Mt Anne then a rope this long should suffice. When we have had to use in the past, we have only ever used these for pack hauling and not for climbing support.

[@jacquitaylor7683]

Awesome video! Unfortunately the link to the gear in the description doesn’t work for some reason 😢

[@mowsertas]

Sorry! Fixed now so it should work at this link: mowsers-youtube-links.super.site/mowsers-gear-for-the-western-arthur-range-2023 You can also check out lighterpack here: lighterpack.com/r/ohajew

[@jacquitaylor7683]

Thanks, works now 😊 Did you take a day pack for side trips?

[@mowsertas]

@@jacquitaylor7683 Ah yes good point! I ended up throwing one in at the last minute! I only needed it a couple of times but always very handy. I take the Osprey Ultralight daypack. amzn.to/3mwO10X