Terry Smith lost about 60-90 minutes coming off Red Meadow above Whitefish by taking the wrong road.  Bummer to have that happen when you are expecting a town so close (and food).  But, he has been rolling along quickly.

Based on the speed that Jeff Lodge went thru Richmond Peak, he couldn't have hit much snow or deadfall across the trail.  Seemed like a normal/decent pace to me.

Also, based on upper 90 degree temps in Kalispell, I imagine that mile of snow at Red Meadow should be much smaller by Sunday when riders are first hitting it.

In general, I avoid the rainy nights, so you are correct that just using the tent body would work for the majority of my trips.  Or, a bug bivy style. 

I have been using a regular bivy, but between the condensation problems and having to get in/out in the middle of the night, it is a pain in the ass for this 50yr old body.

This setup is my attempt to get light weight for a longer, week long trip.  Eventually working up to multiple weeks (TDR).  It did occur to me last night that I could hang 6'x6' mesh from the pole above my head for sleeping.  Anything more than that is taking too much bulk (compared to tent body).

I own a North Face Tadpole 23, older model and a great tent. But somewhat heavy to lug the entire setup around if I don't need to. Using the rainfly and ground sheet I can cut weight substantially.

However, in the Iowa summers we are frequently camping in buggy fields and as you can see, this setup leaves lots of space for mosquitos, gnats, etc to eat me up at night.

I suppose I could grab a large section of netting and drape it between the poles and rainfly. Thought of nuking the ground with deet as an alternative.

Any other ideas or pics if what others have done?



Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

I'll take those.  Message coming your direction

Snow is melting fast in Montana - unseasonably warm temps.

Graves Creek Snotel at 4300 feet - I believe top of that first pass up Graves Creek is around 5300 feet
4/1/16 - 30"
4/8/16 - 24"
4/13/16 - 13"
http://wcc.sc.egov.usda.gov/reportGenerator/view/customSingleStationReport/daily/500:MT:SNTL%7cid=%22%22%7cname/-29,0/WTEQ::value,WTEQ::median_1981,WTEQ::pctOfMedian_1981,SNWD::value,PREC::value,PREC::average_1981,PREC::pctOfAverage_1981,TMAX::value,TMIN::value,TAVG::value?fitToScreen=false

Has anyone managed to see how the winter has been along the route?  I just checked weather in Salida and noticed that they're already hitting 70 degrees during the days.  Short of tracking the weather pages for day-by-day weather information, I'm wondering if there's been any discussion about the conditions over the winter and what it might mean for June.

This http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/webmap/index.html#elements=&networks=!&states=!&counties=!&hucs=&minElevation=&maxElevation=&elementSelectType=all&activeOnly=true&hucLabels=false&stationLabels=&overlays=&hucOverlays=&mode=data&openSections=dataElement,parameter,date,elements,location,networks&controlsOpen=true&popup=&base=esriNgwm&lat=47.4522&lon=-113.7943&zoom=10&dataElement=WTEQ&parameter=PCTMED&frequency=DAILY&duration=I&customDuration=&dayPart=E&year=2016&month=3&day=23&monthPart=E will get you to the SnoTel sites.  Should go straight to the Eureka spot.  You can monitor for current snow depth there.  

8+ years on hydros. 3-5000 miles each year. Not a single problem. Get decent brakes and don't worry. I currently run Shimano XT.  Had some Avid Elixirs that would brake fade during travel to higher elevation, that was a known problem with that model.

Same with all of my travel and race partners, no problems, with one exception of a bent rotor after a crash. Easily fixed.

I don't see the fascination with BB7s. A contaminated cable and poor performance as a result seems more likely.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

On cold and longer gravel rides, I'll put one bottle in the cage (upside down as Lenta suggested) and the other in my jersey pocket under a layer or coat.  When the first is either depleted or frozen, then I'll go to the 2nd bottle.  I've had decent luck thawing a bottle by placing under the coat as well, but essentially an ice pack on the back is not a pleasant experience.

Studying the Divide route, on all but a few days, you will hit a town every day. Sometimes several times a day.  This does provide you with a sink to wash hands and clean contacts. I think that with careful planning that will help greatly.

Wyoming Basin and those 2 big spots in southern colorado, northern NM are the exceptions that I can think of.

I only have a low level vision problem, but do wear contacts.  My tour divide plan was to bring two pair. Wear for 7-8hrs and then change into 2nd pair. Having them bump around in new solution for the majority of the day would clean them.  I'd also bring another set or two for backup.  However, that is becuase I have monthly disposables. So cost is probably a lot less than yours.

Glacier Park and riding the Going to the Sun highway. But read up on the time restrictions

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Older map is: www.eatsleepridegreatdivide.com

Newer map (from memory) is: www.td15-eatsleepridegreatdivide.com or very similar to that

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

I don't have my setup yet, but when I do, I'll have a cache battery.  Simply becuase I can top it off during the day and then recharge computer/phone etc when I'm sleeping. Overall, I think it gives me more options.

I would charge battery during the day.  Run lights directly off the dynamo at night.

Nice bike!  I like that partial frame bag idea.  What do you usually store in it?  Looks like a great size

Reading with interest, but only about the concept as I likely will never toe the Colorado Trail start line.

But, throwing out a slightly different idea. 

What if you had mandatory, group overnights every 2nd night?  Some people might push harder the first night and create more time that second afternoon/evening for better rest.  Others might go halfway and stop and create even days.  It would allow some flexibility in differing styles, but still allow the safety and community off every other night.  I don't know the route, but maybe that makes your stopping points easier.

Interesting concept overall.

Do you still have this tent?

If so, is it the same as pictured here?  http://www.tarptent.com/protrail.html

I assume that the poles in your picture take the place of the hiking poles in the pictures at the above link. Is there a front and back pole included?

^^^ good point, I'm using the Klymit pad, the blue one with the holes in it and the built in pillow.  Plenty comfy, but not sure if it has any insulating value

Thanks for the additional replies and help.

Quilts - I've certainly thought about them, but (like many) I have my doubts.  Not that they don't work, but that they won't work for me. I really do sleep cold.  I do believe that I have a buddy with one locally that I could try.

MontBell - nice stuff, thanks for the referal.  Small packing, light weight.  The #2 seems perfect.

I'm open to down, would probably prefer it, thus the REI Igneo.  Goal is to keep it under $300 retail and hoping for coupons to drop that price.  I do have a bivy and I originally hoped for what you were also thinking (adding 10 degrees or so of comfort). I was even hoping to add a bag liner like the Sol series, but I just don't think that will work for me with the current bag.  Overall, the current 45 degree bag isn't a loss, it works perfect for the summers.