The Osprey Transporter BSA 115 Duffel bag is HUGE!

All Packed for the 2013 National Jamboree (sort of)

Everything I want to take (sort of)

Tonight we wanted to show some Venturers going to the jamboree what we are taking to the 2013 National Jamboree to some friends.  You see in the picture the Osprey Transporter BSA  115 (reviewed or presented in our blog here) and the REI Flash 22 (reviewed here).

Let me say this clearly.  There should be no problem with anyone getting everything they need for 2 weeks in this bag.

Osprey after the two large pillows and
the REI Flash 18 (black) were removed

Looking into the pack. Everything except clothes
and electronics and the two stuff sacks you see
are Kimberly's Sleeping Bag and Pad and will not
make the trip with me. This bag is huge.

Everything I (Steve) intend to take is currently in one of these two bags (sort of).  OK, to be honest, the idea was to gather all of the non-clothing items I want to take to the Jamboree and to see how much room I had left over for clothing.  So everything that isn't clothing (and isn't electronic) that I currently intend to take to the 2013 National Jamboree is in one of the two bags that you see. 

So if there is no clothing in the transporter why is it so full? What is in the bag that counts as clothing (wearable stuff) is my rain gear, two pairs of shoes (my Merrill's and my Keen Newport H2s), a large fleece that takes up too much room, swim gear, and a few misc. things.  OK, again, if there is no other clothing such as uniform, t shirts, underwear, socks, why is it so full?  There was room for both of my large bed pillows and Kimberly's Big Agnes sleeping bag and Sleeping Pad.  Oh and I threw in the REI flash 18 in case I want a even lighter day pack.  The Flash 22 you see has 1.8 L of water in the platypus Big Zip SL and two Camelbak bottles on the side, a coffee mug and a Stanley Drip Proof Coffee Mug all inside.  In the brain are my glasses, sun glasses, headlamp notebook, pen, and Benchmade Mini Griptillian knife.


As I update this posting I will detail what is in the duffel and provide links where I can.

See you at the Jamboree
Steve Myers (SM Troop B326)

The Ideal Day Pack for the 2013 National Jamboree

Exciting to open boxes with new gear inside

REI Flash 22 Day Pack & Go Bag

Yesterday the box from REI arrived and inside was two new ultralight day packs, the REI Flash 22, one in Parrot and one in Titanium.  We believe that these are our day packs for the 2013 National Jamboree. (Update: to add sale link to REI, $33.99 (regularly $49.50) sale on until May 27, 2013)

Two packs in a box: The
REI Flash 22 in Titanium and Parrot

 We have lots of packs and a couple of favorite packs we use most often.  Kimberly's favorite is a 2010 Camelbak (in about the 30L size) and Steve's is a REI Lookout 40.  The size of the lookout is great and with heavy straps and waist belt any load is well managed.  However, the idea of hauling the heavy 3 lb. 3 oz. pack around in the WV heat during the 2013 National Jamboree is unbearable. 

The 18 bag and the 22 bag on the right showing both
cinch at the top and showing 2 water bottle pockets on the 22

So at Christmas Kimberly got Steve a REI Flash 18 (see the black bag in the picture to the left).  A super lightweight bag (11 oz) that holds 18L, has a hydration port and hydration pocket and reverses to a stuff sack. The straps are quite lightweight and comfortable.  Steve has started using it for almost everything.  The drawbacks include no pocket for a water bottle and no small outside pocket for easy to grab items and the biggest is the top cinches up to a pucker that is covered only by a small slip of leather.  Basically that top of the REI Flash 18 says if it rains, your stuff gets wet.

The 22 has a top "brain" with outside
zipper pocket that covers the cinched bag.

So enter the REI Flash 22 which has all of the great qualities of the 18L and solves all of the problems with it as well.  The Flash 22 is only 1 lb. and the 22L bag is much larger than the 18L, that extra 293 cu inches seems to make a huge difference.  The 22 includes a full flap with pocket to cover the top, shield from the rain and add a much needed outside pocket for small quick to need/grab items.  It also includes two water bottle outside mesh pockets that seem generous in size.  It includes the same daisy chain strapping as the 18L for clipping on gear and includes a tool hook permanently attached, perfect for holding the hiking poles we might want with us.

One neat feature of both bags (18 and 22) is a backing that slides out of the back of the pack and gives you a "sit-upon" or is discardable giving you an even lighter bag, but with out the padding the backing gives you.  The backing in the 22 is heavier and stiffer than in the 18 giving a little more support to the bag, but also not allowing it to roll up to almost nothing like the 18L.  If you want to roll up the 22 and put it in your larger duffel or pack you might pull out the backing first.

Both bags have identical straps, very comfortable
and the sternum strap and waist belt do come off.
The 22 on the right also seems like the "holes" will
add comfort in the heat.

We have encouraged our Venturers and Scouts to maintain Go Bags for camping and for those times you just have to grab and go.  I like the idea of keeping this pack packed and ready to go. You can see a list of what should go in our Go Bags at http://trooponeakron.org/gobag.html.

We may have to create a post on what goes in our go bag too. for now here is the list of what is on page 264 of the Boy Scout Handbook:

1. pocketknife
2. first aid kit
3. extra clothing / insulation layer
4. rain gear 
5. water bottle 
6. flashlight /headlight
7. trail food 
8. matches
9. sun protection
10. map and compass

To that we would add insect repellent and our 1.7 lb. BSA UL Chair (ultralight-camp-chair-1.7-lbs-of-pure-pleasure.

See you on the trails of the Summit Bechtel Reserve
Steve and Kimberly Myers

A Glorious Weekend for Beginning Backpacking

Troop One Backpackers on the trail at Ohio Pyle State Park
(picture by Bob Biggs)

Can 11 year old scouts go backpacking?  A few intrepid souls from our favorite troop just did.

Our patch for the
first backpacking trip.

On the first weekend in May it was beautiful in the Ohio Pyle area of SW Pennsylvania.  While it was a perfect weekend for backpacking there and possibly everywhere, a few scouts set off on their first backpacking experience. They joined a few experienced scouts and set off to walk their first 9 miles with packs that were too heavy or didn't fit their small frame just right.

The patch we would like to make
design by Gabe Hunt, all rights reserved)

Welcome to the Akron based "Troop One Backpackers."  About a year ago we recognized a problem:  The Boy Scout Troop had essentially left the high adventure to our close sister Venturing Crew 2001.  After all, all of the troop trips to Philmont and elsewhere were Crew trips since the older scouts and the coed Venturers would make up the participants.  This means that no one backpacked until they were 14 and while there are a lot of good reasons to have scout's wait (such as expense and upper body strength), it is a loss not to get the youngest excited about this fabulous sport. And excited they are.

About a year ago, Eagle Scout Sam Hyde and backpacking "pro" and assistant scoutmaster Bob Biggs helped plan out a way to engage the youngest in hitting the trail.  Our idea is that each young scout that wants to sample carrying a pack should get a chance and when they are older they will enter the Venturing Crew raring to go.  This trip represented our second trip in recent years with young scouts. Listening to the scouts we will be doing this again very soon.

Perhaps, in the future, we can engage our pocket crew (see our story on the pocket crew) so the girls will also be ready for the backpacking lovers in our outdoor Venturing Crew.

On the way back from Ohio Pyle, these scouts were very attentive to the presentation on choosing the right backpack when they visited REI in Pittsburgh.

Steve and Kimberly Myers
 

Ultralight Camp Chair - 1.7 lbs of Pure Pleasure

This BSA Ultralight Camp Chair is Going to Jamboree!

The Lafuma next to the BSA chair.

Update (4/18/2017):  Scoutstuff.com  now offers a 2017 Jamboree Version. Rated at 300 lbs. I cannot say how it compares, but it looks like the original versions we love so much. It is slightly heavier at 2.25 lbs and more pricey than the 2014 version at $75.99.  Here is the link

2017 Jamboree® Travel Chair—Red

Item: 636658
We took our original chairs to the 2013 Jamboree and they were the single best piece of gear we had for the duration.

Big Agnes / Helinox have really expanded their chair line from the ultralight to larger car-camping versions and even a rocker. Do check out Big Agnes / Helinox at this link. 

Update (3/31/2014):  The Chair is back at Scoutstuff.com.  We have no idea how long it has been there, but it was there today. Here is the description.

"BSA® Backpacking Chair

Item: 618758

Availability: In Stock

$49.99

This BSA-exclusive, top-quality design combines affordability with strength and durability. The sturdy frame-with 250-lb. weight capacity-is made from anodized aluminum tubing with reinforced aluminum alloy joint hubs for added stability. Seat, back, and arms are made of 600D PVC with mesh inserts. Lightweight and portable, chair folds up quick and easy, and weighs just 1.9 lbs. Black. Imported."

These were the greatest comfort at the National Jamboree and has been on most of our camps and trips since! 

Update (5/6/2013):  We took the BSA UL chairs to the NE4VOA Summit in PA and toted and used these chairs in a number of instances.  We can assure you that these chairs are worth it!..

Our review of the LaFuma Micro Popup Chair from REI last July is our second most popular blog post.  We still like those chairs, but two new chairs from the Boy scouts of America are now here in our house and part of @scoutingcouple's favorite gear.  We first saw them in the jamboree catalog and you can see them at scoutstuff.org where they currently sell for  

Even holds a Jamboree
Scoutmaster comfortably!

$59.99.  We showed these at our Jamboree Troop and Crew meetings and there were a lot of promises to run out and buy them.  The fit in a duffel or a backpack and while 1.9 lbs packed is heavy by ultralight standards, it is so worth it to have a back and a comfy spot when you stop moving.

Turns out that Kimberly's National Jamboree crew (F610) will be camping about 2 miles from my Troop (B326) at Jamboree and it will be great knowing that when we meet in her camp or mine or at Summit Center or a ton of other places we can "sit a spell" in the beauty of those WV hills and watch the action of scouts and venturers having fun. (Or we might just find a quite spot in them their woods and sit and visit in solitude. Wondering if it is possible to visit in solitude when 40,000 youth as so near... ).

carrying case in the seat

As the ad in scoutstuff.or says this is "The ultimate camp chair!" It features "the same aluminum pole technology used by DAC in their trekking poles and tent poles, this camp chair is light, strong, and comfortable. With a carrying bag and breathable mesh backing, this chair is one to always keep on hand in your pack or gear bin."  While they list the weight as 2 lbs, I pulled out the backpacking scale and packed the chair is 1 lb 14.2oz and without carrying case it is 1 lb 11.2 oz.  Seriously ultralight - 1.88 lbs packed and 1.7 unpacked.

If fits sideways in my day pack,
yes completely inside.
I have it sticking out for scale.
It is a 40L REI Lookout Day Pack

We will be testing these out at the NE Region Area 4 Venturing Summit and will let you know how they worked out, especially in and out of our day packs and how they fit with all the other items we may want to carry daily at the Jamboree.  I can already tell you that setup and take down is a snap.  I even handed our two packed chairs to two scouts that had never seen them and asked them to set them up and they did so pretty quickly.  then didn't want to get out of them.  There is no way to set it up incorrectly since the pole structure is ONE PIECE where every link is shock-corded.  The joints seem very heavy and strong plastic.  The "feet" seem on tight and secure. I did worry when some of the scout leaned back in them, but while I was worried the chairs seemed to take it.

The BSA chair is 13.5" off the floor
compared to the Lafuma's 8.5"

Sitting in the chair is very comfortable, at first it doesn't seem firm and then you realize it is flexing giving you a feeling that is moves a bit with you almost like a bit of rocking.  Not sure I am explaining that well, but the flex moves from worrisome to comfy very fast.  The other night I sat in it for an extended time during a meeting (when I could get one of my assistant scoutmasters out of it). I love the Lafuma Micro Popup Chair, but this one wins hands down for me for two reasons.  First is its smaller size (14" packed vs, 29" folded) and lighter weight (1.9 lbs. packed vs. 2.5 lbs folded).  Second, the seat height of 13.5 inches vs. the Lafuma's 8.5 for me makes all the difference in how gracefully one can get up out of the chair.  One of my 6'5" friends agreed, the seat height really helps.  If the Lafuma gets better points, it has to be in the feet.  If the ground is mushy, I think the rounded feet of the Lafuma will hold better than the sharp points of the legs on the Lafuma. 

Specifications from ScoutStuff:

The BSA UL chair in its bag.

Best Use: Backpacking Chair
Frame Type: DAC Aluminum Pole Technology
Pack Weight: 2 lbs / 900g (actually 1.88 lbs packed 1.7 unpacked)
Pack Size: 14" H x 4" W x 5" D / 35 × 10 × 12 cm
Assembled Dimensions: 26" H x 21" W x 20" D / 65 × 52 × 50 cm
Seat Measurements: 13.5"/ 34 cm from ground; 13.5"/ 34 cm deep
Load Capacity: 300 lb/ 136kg

Here is a puzzle, the BSA chair looks exactly like the Big Agnus Helinox, but the specifications seem to be a bit different, for example the BSA chair is rated for 300 lbs, the Big Agnes at 350 lbs.  I have included a link to the BigAgnus Helinox so you can see for yourself.  Also, my favorite store REI carries a REI branded Flex Lite Chair that looks just like the BSA chair, but is rated for 250 lbs.  It lists 1 lb 12 oz weight which is consistent with ours.  I think a road trip to REI is in order to try theirs out.  The REI and Big Agnus Helinox are both more expensive than the BSA chair.  Good job BSA!The advantage of spending more is you can get them in their offered colors.  For example here is the red one at our store.

Steve and Kimberly Myers

Our 100 Liter Duffel Bag by REI and the Osprey Transporter BSA Jamboree Edition

Update:  May 23, 2013 I actually packed the bag with all I want to take and it is HUGE (see here).

Republished and upgraded (from July 2012):  For those that asked to see our 100L duffel bags.  Here is the link to REI Cargo Adventure Duffel. (That link is no longer at REI, here is a close substitute at REI)  It is huge and also convenient. Best parts: large expandable side pockets and the backpack straps zippered away on the bottom. Somewhat awkward to carry on your back, but so much easier than lugging it at your side. Highly recommended for car camping and regular travel.  We took these to the Summit Shakedown since they require one duffel and one day pack for each participant.  Additional great feature is our Lafuma chairs (see our review)fit inside since they are only 29" long.  The National Jamboree will provide a duffel to all participants.

Update:  While the REI is our personal duffel, the National Jamboree will provide one made by Osprey (see a picture of the 115L duffel here).

From blog.scoutingmagazine.org, Photos by W. Garth Dowling/BSA

Second Update: On February 7, 2013 Byran at Scouting Mag posted a link to the actual Osprey Transporter BSA 115 liter duffel. And here it is ... (size corrected -- see response from Bryan below)

From the blog: "The bag measures 27 by 18 by 12 inches (length, width, and depth). The capacity is 5,797 cubic inches, or 95 liters. There are three compartments: the main pocket, one at the top that also holds the backpack straps, and another on the flap of the main pocket."  [Response from   Bryan February 7, 2013 @ 9:15 am
Good news — I measured wrong! Bigger is better, and these are definitely 115-liter bags. Thanks for pointing that out, Steve.]  Yeah!  [But Chris on the same site posts a link to something that looks the same.  (Osprey Transport 95).  So time will tell.

We will have more comments when ours arrive. The first comment is our 29" chairs will no longer fit inside.  I know leaders can take a chair to the Jamboree now, so that is not a real problem, but a disappointment all the same. Still two more packs to hang in the closet with care. 

S&K Troop B326 and Crew F610

October Nights, Hypothermia and REI

@REI Settlers Ridge, PA

Be Prepared...  

for a dirty and fun cavern exploration experience with clothes you can get dirty.  Check.
Have a change of clothes for after the shower and a bag to put all the dirty cloths in.  Check.
Make sure you have plenty of warm layers not counting the dirty ones. Not checked.
Make sure you are prepared for a sudden rain storm while you are still at the caverns.  Not checked!
Make sure you are ready to find your tent and sleeping bag blown over and soaked when you get back to camp.  Not checked!!

This can challenge even veterans, it is a tragedy for the inexperienced and under prepared.  With air temps in the 40s, soaked and shivering scouts had to be dealt with.

Scouting underground

Laurel Highlands in Autumn

2010 before the dirt...

Well we are off to Laurel Caverns in PA today four our almost always annual visit to do some spelunking. We will be staying at the Heritage Scout Reservation, but will spend most of Saturday at the caverns.  The leaves should be beautiful for our passion for photography and the youth are guaranteed to come out dirty and happy.  Those in the lower cave will be the dirtiest and possibly the happiest.  Check out their website for all of the adventures Laurel Caverns offer scouting. 

And for us, a highlight will be to have the troop and crew visit REI at Settlers Ridge.

Caving has an important place in scouting and we have a responsibility to care for the environment of these fragile places.  The BSA Field book has a great chapter on it (and it's free). Also at caves.org there is a great page on BSA and Caving.  Linked there is the Guide to Safe Scouting and policies about caving that any leader should be familiar with.  In particular all should know about the tragedy called white-nose syndrome and what the BSA's responsibility is to help not be part of the problem.

Will it be like 2008 or 2010?

Well scouts know how to stay warm ... 2010

UltraLight Backpacking for Scouts

Mike Dubrall (miked@50miller.com) brings us a good read on scouts getting into ultralight backpacking.  (HT http://www.scoutingnews.org/2012/07/10/ultralight-backpacking-for-scouts/).  He says "The only way to significant lower your pack weight is to replace your backpack, tent/shelter, and sleeping system – often called the “Big Three of Backpacking” and pay the price at the cash register."

I will never get my pack weight down to 15 pounds, but he is right that significant changes can be made in the sleeping system, pack and tent.  Elsewhere, we have reviewed our Big Agnes tent (4.6 lbs), our small sleeping systems (mine is 2.47 pounds) sleeping bag, pad and pillow, Kimberly's is 3.4 pounds), and my pack is an REI flash pack (REI link) (3 pounds) and Kimberly's Gregory Jade (REI link) is 3.97 for a total of 7.7 lbs for me and 9.7 for Kimberly -- that is tent, sleeping system and pack.  Not so bad for a couple of aging scouters.

Here is Mike Dubrall's chart from his blog for your comparison.  Where does your stuff fall?

Source:  50miller.com

Big Agnes Copper Spur 3 UL Tent Review

The big Agnes Copper Spur 3 is the ideal tent for us.  We saw this as the Backpacker Magazine tent of the year 2011 and loved its features.   We went to REI in Pittsburgh and with our substantial member rebate purchased our most expensive tent so far.

We have purchased quite a few tents and this is absolutely our "go to" tent for all outings.  It is worth every penny, er, dollar.

See our review after the jump.

Best Purchase(s) Ever

Earlier in this blog, Steve told you about his small sleeping system. This post is about my system.

After spending a 4 day camping trip laying on rock in the early 2000's, I had decided camping would require cots and a very large tent to accommodate them. The large tent then begged to be filled up with more and more gear. On scout trips the scoutmaster was easy to find because all you had to do was look for the largest tent in the group. It wasn't long before our camping accommodations were referred to as the "Taj Mahal". We had all the comforts of home, but being the last ones to set up and the last ones to tear down was getting old.

My Small System

My small system

Next summer we are heading to the National Jamboree in Mount Hope WV and will spend a few days sleeping on the floor of a church as 90 youth and adults tour southern WV before we enter the Summit Bechtel Reserve.

Sleeping on the floor isn't the greatest idea, but I intend to be comfortable.  Kimberly has a similar system and may share hers with you in a later post.  (Update: she does here)