I am looking for a good TD pillow, probably air. I am a side sleeper and I need to raise my head. I have tried stuffing clothes etc. in a bag, and I tried my down jacket. Any suggestions?

Serious responce http://cgi.ebay.com/Graham-FlexAir-Inflatable-Backpacking-Travel-Pillow-NEW-/190366901787?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c52c0661b#ht_729wt_905  I recall there being a smaller version of this.                                                                                                          humorous( to some) responce http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270673353089&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_1340wt_982

''All I need on the divide is....''  oh the tough decisions NEED versus WANT.

" Also you might like to look into this http://www.pr.state.az.us/parks/both/kids.html "                                                                                                                  Are you insinuating that Marshall needs to work on his Girl Scout badges

Made a call to Aquamira today, impressed with their customer service, they have know e-mail address but promise when you call You will speak to a live person, and so it was.
 My first question was, at prescribed dosages are the drops as good as the tablets. His answer was no. He explained that the drops are at a rate of 2 parts/million and the tablets are at a rate of 4 parts/million and for the drops to be as effective as the tabs one would need to double the dosage and double the dwell time for clear water and additional time for dirtier water. Note these are his recommendations as per EPA guidelines.
 My next ? was, will the drops at prescribed dosage kill most things in North American water.. short pause............ uhhhhhh probably.

Short answer Drops  2p/m kill everything   = probably(but doesn't meet EPA guide)
                  Drops  2p/m x2x2 everything = yes
                  Tablet 4p/m kill everything    = yes
 pre-mix of A&B for 5 min. minimum is very important.
other recommendations as per contamination- treat- threads on caps and lids, straws & drink tubes, zippers on bladders any where untreated water could hide. Suggested washing cooking, dinning and utensils  with a Aquamira solution.

 Related but not part of our conversation - Beavers are a BIG contributor of giardia to waterways (fence the old timers name for the sickness Beaver Fever)

I in no way am trying to prove anyone right or wrong, just trying to clear the cloud over these two same but yet different products.

Ride On, Tony

Toby, reading my post again, I don't see where I said Aquamira does not kill giardia.
  read your last link again, which is specific to Aquamira Drops #1 mentions bacteria #5 mentions kills bacteria and enhances taste #7 mentions kill  bacteria, no mention of cyst, giardia or viruses in any of those 10.
  On Aquamiras website they refer to Aquamira Drops as a water treatment and the only thing they mention it kills is bacteria and that it enhances the taste of treated water.
  However when you start looking at Aquamira Tablets the story changes They refer to the Tablets as a purifier and that it does as you put "KILLS EVERYTHING", but only with the longer dwell times.
 As for your first and second link I believe them to be correct but only if you are using Aquamira in the Tablet form/strength.
Toby FYI, I knew Aquamira was chlorine dioxide, I knew it was not bad stuff, I knew it doesn't contain chlorine and I had already checked the link.
 There is a grey cloud around the drops. The only difference is the tablets are a more powerful dose. Here is one of the links on the subject    http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=19236   

Ride on, Tony

Tablets are slow. See: http://www.katadyn.com/usen/technical-support/micropur-support/chemical-water-treatment/
30 minutes to 4 hours to kill cysts (giardia).

Aquamira is faster: http://www.mcnett.com/Aquamira-Water-Treatment-Drops-P208.aspx
15-30 minutes to kill EVERYTHING.

I've had giardiasis before, and it's no fun at all. Rather than wait hours for water, or rush it and risk getting sick, I think that Aquamira is a decent compromise. Fast, light, and safe. Pumps are good too, but heavy and somewhat finicky.

First, I am making no judgment on the effectiveness of Aquamira Drops, just sharing some things I have learned and read on backpackinglight.com and other sites.

I have had giardiasis after a 5 day solo backpacking/flyfishing trip into the Weminuche Wilderness while using Aquamira drops. Did the drops fail? was it cross contamination? was it ? You just never know.

 Some things I learned after that trip. All that Aquamira states about the drops is they are a water treatment (not purifier) that kills odor killing bacteria(nothing else) and enhances the taste of stored potable water. On the other hand Aquamira Tablets(katadyn mircopur tablets also) are a lightweight powerful... purifier.. killing bacteria,viruses and cyst ...EPA registered.
 Some on BPL suggest that for the drops to be as potent  as the tablets you have to triple the dosage and still adhere to the tablet suggested dwell times which range from 30 min for clear 68 degree water to 4 hours for 39 degree dirty water, others just  go with the 30 min rule and have had no problems.
  However ,most do concur that if you do not pre mix parts A&B for 5 min. you might as well not use it. Some pre mix per batch,some for the day others have pre mixed for several days.
 But then again, I know of people that never treat ( Colorado up high) water and have had no issues.
Said all of that to say this, let your conscious or GI tract be your guide. As for me now I use Aquamira or Micropur tablets for there simplicity and adhere to the 30 min rule.
If you want to go fast & light just dip and go. Most water cooties will not get you for 7-14 days after ingestion

Great design. Similar, in concept, to something I posted up earlier. What you came up with is what I had in the back of my mind when I started my project but I had no Sewing machine at that time. After lots of trial and error of my own I would like to make a few suggestions that helped my project.

1 Increase the angle of the front strap, this will help lift the bag from a more central point and also help pull it towards the seatpost. Should help with sway. (red lines)
2 You WILL need to add a piece of heavy weight( or several layers) material to protect the drybag from the seat rails and adjusting bolt. If not, after a little use you will end up with a kinda dry bag. (green)
3 Attach your top strap to the protective piece rather than the seat rails. (blue)
4  If I sew one up( now that I have a sewing machine) , thinking I might add a narrow pocket to the bottom to hold my 3-12" tarp poles and/or my hand pump, anything to make the bottom more rigid.(yellow)  

I have reduced the weight of my version of a bag harness to 12oz.. Sewing one could cut that weight close to half. Thinkin now.    

''The owner rides 29ers and sold me a tire right off his personal bike. He also held Matt F. and Brad K.'s bike and box/shipped them home for them. He even let me leave my bike in the shop while I shopped at the grocery store across the street.''

 Mick is one of the nice guy. If your ever at his shop and have time to chat, ask him about his adventures. He's had some of his on.

Another question...
So I'm going to run it for sure after some practice with it this past week.  My question is, what can I do for use as a quick disconnect so I don't have to re-run the tubing through the frame bag after pulling out the bladder?  I know there are quick disconnects for the bite valve part but I need a quick disconnect from the bladder to the tube itself since I'll pull the bladder out to pump in water.  That way I can leave all the tube routing in place.
Does this make since and if so what is out there that would work?  I haven't bought a bladder yet so if there is an all in one system let me know.  Currently using an MSR Hyperflow filter with a camelback but am willing to look at other options.
Thanks all.

use one of these, http://cascadedesigns.com/platypus/hydration-systems/hoser/product  ,the outlet is on the lid, just remove and unscrew the lid. Also the outlet is on the corner of the bag allowing most of the water to be sucked out if pointed in the correct direction

Thanks for the advice everyone, I have always used Shimano's but I also break the ratchets on them on a monthly basis, and they are heavier to boot. I have to start trying stuff out, just don't have tons of cash to try too much stuff, plus it is still butt as cold in Gunni. Back to Experimentation!!!(thanks Marshall your words of advice ring in my head as I plan and plan) Jefe

 

I have replaced the ratchets on Shimano, Bontrager and now on my X-Alps with Sidi ratchets. The Sidi shoes were worn out but the ratchets just keep on going.

Found this article over on Backpacking Light of interest.  http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/myog_3mm_plastic_tarps.html

Where did you get/create those elevation profiles?

They were created on Topofusion.

Taking advantage of  snow days here in the Plains. August 1 will be here soon, won't it.

Next on my list to compare is the Camelbak Octane....anyone with any experience?  Weighs just a pound.  http://www.rei.com/product/811759

If color doesn't matter, here's a deal on a Octane.  http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___85231

 "What I need to figure out is how to mount the tubing on the stem so it's not just dangling around." 


 Google this- retractable badge reel. It works very well for me, just attach the line to hose about midway and clip the reel to handlebar bag, brake or shift cable, etc.  Would show you a pic but everything is off the bike right now.   

My bookmark still shows the colors, try this link, I sent it to my self and it still shows the colors.  http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=200334849650645495946.00047e45e4239031f00c3&start=0&num=200&sll=46.7248,-112.807617&sspn=1.269004,2.221985&z=7

Good DNA is good luck!

true that.

You forgot the most important of all:  luck.

No luck needed if you have the right DNA 

Tony, I've never before heard of anyone using a CO2 for shock purposes.  Obviously, as you said, very real potential for damage if you overdo it.  That aside, however, I'm curious - any faster-than-normal pressure loss when you've used the CO2?  In tires CO2 leaks out much faster than air, which is why it's only a temporary fix.  Not sure about fork seals and their relative imperviousness, but in most forks the pressures are certainly higher than in MTB tires.

Any first-hand experience one way or another?

Joey, don't recall it being a problem. Could be the high pressure but low volume of a shock chamber. However temperature change does effects the pressure of CO2 more than compressed air.  I always have CO 2 with me but never a pump, so my shock pump is CO2.

 Toby,  I have yet to do the out, so not yet worried about the back. Hoping to get the out done in 2011. Was thinking that Stephan could do with the CTR like Scott has done with the AZT and run 2 distances at once. I can see it now the  CTR EVM ( extra value meal) or the CTR SSM ( super sized meal).   Wonder how many would consider it?

                                                                                               Tony