Hi I'm Sarena "ATwanabe" Johnstone.  I have hiked and camped all of my
life. Started  backpacking about 10 years ago. I have hiked in
Pennsylvania, Michigan, Isle Royal, W. Virginia, sections of the AT, and
currently planning a month long hike on the Long Trail.  I picked my name
because I always "wanabe" on the trail. I belong to several different trail
organizations and mailing lists. I would be willing to test any gear, write
up any reports necessary and share them with as many people as possible.  I
would be very interested in testing gear made for women.

Thanks for considering me,
ATwanabe

Hey Jerry,
I would be interested in testing one of those filters.  I leave for a month
on the long trail on 8/25. That would make a good test and I am willing to
write up any reports necessary.
Happy hiking
Sarena "ATwanabe" Johnstone
110 N. Cherry St.
Mt. Gilead, Ohio  43338
419-946-6265
----------
> From: Jerry Goller Gear Tester <geartester@...>
> To: backpackgeartest@egroups.com; backpackinglight@egroups.com;
at-l@...; pct-l@...
> Subject: [backpackgeartest] First product to test
> Date: Thursday, August 17, 2000 12:48 PM
>
> We have our first manufacturer that wants us to test their product. It is
Seychelle Water Filtration Products. They were the OEM for SWA filters last
year. They are willing to provide 10 inline filters for testing. Please
remember this is not  a scam. We really have to use and comment on these
products, good or bad,  online or we are just stealing them. Don't for a
minute think you have to give a good revue. All anyone expects is a fair
and balanced one. If it sucks, say so. If it is great, say that too. Only
people from the geartest list can participate so join up if you haven't
already. Pass the word to your friends on the other lists, too. I just
can't wait to see how this goes....=o)
> Jerry
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> backpackgeartest-unsubscribe@egroups.com
>
>

"Gear Tester" King:


I am still confused. I already "registered" on the backpackgeartest
e-list.  And then I sent an introductory email describing some of my
background and contact/mailing information.

Does your latest email message (see below),
mean that I need to send another email indicating interest in
the water filter test?

Or was my previous "introductory" email sufficient?

You mention you are going to just forward 10 of the emails to
the manufacturer.  To which emails does this refer?
a.  The introductory
emails that a number of people (myself included) have already
sent out to the backpackgeartest list?

or

b.  We need to send a specific email to the list about volunteering
for the water filter test?


thanks

df


Sixteenth Note


David Foote
255 Emily Drive
Lilburn, Georgia 30047

PS:  I am interested in the water filter test.

----------

Jerry Goller Gear Tester wrote:
>
> I didn't make something clear. I'll get it right sooner or later. If you want
to participate in the water filter testing please send an email to the
backpackgeartest list. I don't want to send something to someone that isn't
interested in that particular piece of gear. I'm not sure how this first one
will go but I'm sure we'll get better at it. I'm just going to forward 10 of the
emails to the manufacturer so I guess you should include your mailing address.
If you don't we can see what happens. I don't know how far they are willing to
go, like emailing you for your mailing address. We'll see if that happens. When
you get the product be sure and let the list know. I need to know if there is a
problem and we need to know if this all works. Hope this is the start of
something good. Pass the word.
> Jerry
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> backpackgeartest-unsubscribe@egroups.com

I've been in the market for a water filter/purifier, and have been
frustrated by a lack of good reviews.  I would be happy to test the one
offered to the list (I have used a number of other brands, including Pur
and Sweetwater, so I would easily be able to compare the filter in
question to other ones I have used).  Even if I don't review it, I'm
looking forward to other people's input on it!

Stephen Payne
520 North Main Street
Meadville, PA    16335


"We sure liberated the hell out of this place."
         -- GI entering the rubble of St. Lo, France, 1944
***********************************************************
*    http://webpub.alleg.edu/student/p/paynes/war.html    *
***********************************************************
*      WW II Pictures, Essays, Information, and More      *
***********************************************************

Dear BP Gear Test:

I would like to participate in the Seychelle In-line Water Filter Gear Test.
I am a 53 year old male with 40+ years of hiking and backpacking experience.
I currently use a Sweetwater Silt Stopper II in-line with my Platypus Big
Zip 3 hydration system. I will be doing a four day hike on the AT at the end
of this month and would like to give the Seychelle a "real world" try.  In
the meantime I will do some backyard testing to establish flow rate, ease of
use, etc.  I will post a comprehensive report to this list no later than
September 7, 2000.

My mailing address is:

George Cole
1023-B Willow Dr.
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Thank you.


______________________________________________
FREE Personalized Email at Mail.com
Sign up at http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup

Heya,

I'm Paula Anderson.  My trail name is Cheerio and I tried to
thru-hike
the AT this year ( 2000 ) but had to drop off trail in Va due to
plantar fascitis, heel spurs, and neuromas in my feetsies.  I'm
currently working on getting my feet back into shape so I can
backpack
again, which looks like it will be around late Sept. I cant test
anything that involves walking with a pack until then.   I'd love to
test lots of types of gear, specifically right  now I am interested
in
lightweight tents since I am in the market for one at this time.  I'd
even drive somewhere to car camp just to test tents right now!

I don't have a perm address right now as I'm staying with a friend.
Should have one in Sept and will notify you then.

This is a GREAT idea Jerry!  I"m really looking forward to learning
about new gear options!

Cheerio
Paula Anderson

I would be glad to test and compare to the current SWA filter.

Bill Thorneloe
4015 S. cobb Dr., #130
Smyrna, GA

--- In backpackgeartest@egroups.com, "Jerry Goller Gear Tester"
<geartester@h...> wrote:
> We have our first manufacturer that wants us to test their product.
It is Seychelle Water Filtration Products. They were the OEM for SWA
filters last year. They are willing to provide 10 inline filters for
testing.

I'll be sending notification of new products to test to all four of the lists
for the first few products. It is good advertizing for this list and lets
everyone know if this is working. After that the new product notification will
only go out on the geartest list.
   Jerry


------------------------------------------------------------------------------



------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
   backpackgeartest-unsubscribe@egroups.com





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Have a great day! :)

Nancy Crawford
Technical Support Engineer
ncrawford@...

I didn't make something clear. I'll get it right sooner or later. If you want to
participate in the water filter testing please send an email to the
backpackgeartest list. I don't want to send something to someone that isn't
interested in that particular piece of gear. I'm not sure how this first one
will go but I'm sure we'll get better at it. I'm just going to forward 10 of the
emails to the manufacturer so I guess you should include your mailing address.
If you don't we can see what happens. I don't know how far they are willing to
go, like emailing you for your mailing address. We'll see if that happens. When
you get the product be sure and let the list know. I need to know if there is a
problem and we need to know if this all works. Hope this is the start of
something good. Pass the word.
Jerry


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

We have our first manufacturer that wants us to test their product. It is
Seychelle Water Filtration Products. They were the OEM for SWA filters last
year. They are willing to provide 10 inline filters for testing. Please remember
this is not  a scam. We really have to use and comment on these products, good
or bad,  online or we are just stealing them. Don't for a minute think you have
to give a good revue. All anyone expects is a fair and balanced one. If it
sucks, say so. If it is great, say that too. Only people from the geartest list
can participate so join up if you haven't already. Pass the word to your friends
on the other lists, too. I just can't wait to see how this goes....=o)
Jerry


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

My name is Dan Halsey. I am 41 years old, married, with two teenagers.
I live in Burnsville Minnesota and have frequent opportunities to enjoy my
favorite outdoor sports.

I am a Hiker, Canoeist, Backpacker, and Professional Ski Instructor.
In the past I have been the Outdoor Program Chair for a Boy Scout Troop in
Minnesota and am currently on the marketing committe for the Minneapolis
council.

I am an advertising photographer by trade.

My goal for minimal equipment and maximum utility has slowly come to pass.
I need my equipment to work in all weather, temperatures and seasons.  Since
I enjoy many diverse outdoor activities I cannot invest heavily in limited
use gear.

My focus lately has been on stoves, footwear and shelters.
I love winter camping and the skills it requires.
My favorite places;  Florida Keys, North Shore Lake Superior, BWCA, Isle
Royale Nat'l Park, Quetico Provincial Park, Bitish Columbia... anywhere in
Canada.

Dan Halsey
213 Crestride Dr.
Burnsville, MN 55337
952-898-4564

My name is Patrick Smillie, I'm a 22 year old geology student from
Calgary, Alberta.  I have been a huge fan of the outdoors for as long as I
can remember.  I love backpacking, backcountry skiing, climbing, pretty
much anything that gets me out of the city and into the mountains, and I'm
always looking for new and better ways to enjoy my time up there.  I spend
most of my time outdoors in the Canadian rockies, though I have backpacked
extensively throughout western North America, from the Alaska to Arizona,
and everything in between, and even a little bit in Europe.  I am
currently planning a through-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, slated for
the summer of 2003.

Patrick Smillie
3619 - 3 St. SW
Calgary, AB
Canada  T2S 1V6

Thanks, Jerry, from starting this list!

I'm an avid backpacker at the high end of my 30's.  I've never done
anything close to a thru-hike, but I've taken many weeklong trips in
Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Arkansas.  Although I've become a
lighter packer, I'm still working toward the packer's nirvana, aka
ultralight.  My primary motivation for lightening my base load is to
make room for my kids' stuff and WATER.  It seems that I've got to
tote all my water nearly everywhere I go in Texas, my home state.

The BPL list has really got my gear-nerd juices going, so I'm looking
forward to seeing the posts on this list.

Tall Texan

Yes, I am one.  GEAR JUNKY.  I love gear and useful gadgets.  I believe I
would be a valuable member of the group because of my diverse outdoor
background.  I am a divorced mother of two, with three grandchildren.  I've
played outside all my life, from horseback camping, fishing, boating, skiing,
mountain biking, hiking and backpacking, with new emphasis on long distance
hiking.  As a professional engineer, I might add a pragmatic point of view.

My shipping info is as follows:

Christine F. Jennings
JDSAengineers, inc.
3780 12th St Suite B
Riverside, CA 92501-3833

I'm a 34 year old woman and have been hiking and backpacking for the
last 12 years.

I spend most of my weekends (year round, braving both winter and
black fly season) hiking and backpacking in the White Mountains of
New Hampshire.  When I have more time, I tend to travel further
afield.  Most recently, I thruhiked the AT in 1999.

On other travels in the U.S., I've hiked in the Rockies, Cascades,
Olympics, Grand Canyon, Paria Canyon, and Yosemite.  Outside the
U.S., I've hiked in Switzerland, Austria, Mexico, Norway, China, and
Nepal.

High up on my list of places to go next includes Kilimanjaro, Ranier,
and a PCT thruhike.

I am now a fairly lightweight backpacker, open to lightening my load
more but not at the risk of safety.  My friends know me as a resource
and often ask for my opinion of gear before they make purchases of
hiking gear.  I also actively contribute to at least one email list
of hikers and backpackers where a primary focus is gear talk.

I welcome the opportunity to objectively evaluate gear and provide
feedback to manufacturers in order that they might provide the best
gear possible.

Thank you,

Mara Factor

P.O.Box 441645
Somerville, MA 02144

(Street address for UPS deliveries available upon request.)

My wife and I have been backpacking for some 30 years now, and
would be interested in testing gear for the manufacturers, as well
as writing reviews on gear tested.
Having been in the hiking/backpacking arena for a while, we have seen
numerous fads, as well as the accompanying products go the wayside,
just because no one took the time to use and review the gear. We
picked up on alot of gear just by trial and error and believe that
an experienced field test is the best way to sell a product.
We can be contacted at:
Marc and Val Lanni
2445 Tiffentown Rd
Vicksburg, MS 39183
601-437-6572

   Thanks for your time
      Marc and Val

Hi, my name is Duane McDougall I'm a 45 yr old married to a 42 year
old and we both backpack 5-6 times a year in Mi where we live and 1-2
times out of state per year. I'm a big guy at 6'7" 250 lb so I
require big stuff! If you need my address or phone # please email me
private and I'll send it to you...Duane

Hi, I'm Pete Asprey.  My family lives in Norther CA, not far from
Yosemite Valley.

I've got enough stuff to outfit a party of four, and with far too
much weight...but never enough of the right stuff.  Just returned
from a Mt Whitney climb and a solo walk of a piece of the John Muir
last week, and RESOLVED to carry LESS.  I tried and liked the Sierra
Zip stove (first time for me).  Another 1st was a solar battery
charger for my digital camera, mp3 player and headlamp.  Techie
gear?  Me? Naw, see my website at http://www.asprey.net/pete (not yet
updated for this years trips).

Typically, I do 7-10 day hikes in the Sierra Nevada, New Mexico (Gila
Wilderness) or Colorado (often the San Juans).

If the piece of gear fits my needs, I would test the heck out of it
and document my experiences, adding suggested improvements (or making
them in some cases), but am pretty selective (i.e., want only gear
that "fits").

My diet is Zone (balance of nutrients) and I'd sure like to find some
lightweight/compact foods that I can eat. (Most are WAY too high in
simple carbos and FULL of lousy hydrogenated fats).  So far, I mostly
dry my own meats and tried dessicating home-grown raspberries--quite
good but tart.

Willing to test the right, light gear or new healthy foods.

Pete

Greetings!

My name is David Foote.
(great name for someone who spends alot of time walking).

Trail name is "Sixteenth Note"
(requires a very convoluted explanation involving
musicianship, hockey, hiking style and acronyms)

I live in suburbs of Atlanta.
Profession is engineering management in high tech field.

Age is . . . . . oh, yeah, I almost forgot.  It's 42 now.

Backpacking & Outdoors Experience:

Partly genetic:  My dad was leader of high-adventure
backpacking and whitewater excursions for juvenile delinquents
and "at risk" kids long before that kind of thing became
politically correct.

Boy Scout:  camping and backpacking mostly in Georgia, Tennessee
and North Carolina

College:  participant and leader of Outdoor Recreation @ Georgia Tech
(ORGT)in backpacking, rock climbing and whitewater rafting/canoeing.

US Air Force:  Outdoor survival training
(ultra, ultra lightweight backpacking)

Also, volunteer participant in 2 year medical study on
effects of anaerobic exercise and activities
(running, biking, swimming, hiking/walking).
(See!!  I've been a guinea pig before!)

Current:  Boy Scout troop leader/assistance (backpacking, caving
and whitewater trips)  (average 1 per month)

Several solo or small adult group backpacking trips each year.
(average 25 - 50 miles; 3 days - 7 days)

Most memorable backpacking trips:

Chilkoot Trail (Alaska-Canada)
Grand Canyon (115 degrees in shade)
Boundary Waters (Minnesota-Canada) (canoe, portage & backpacking)
All of Cohutta Wilderness (100+ miles)


I love the outdoors and would love to help manufacturers
improve the experience for the avid backpacker as well
as attract novices to the endeavor.

Contact Info:

David Foote
255 Emily Drive
Lilburn, Georgia 30047
dfoote@...


PS:  Also have 15 year old son (Boy Scout) who loves
backpacking as well.


df

I'm basically your regulation size and weight, self-contained, and
self-propelled four season backcountry traveler.

I started out hauling #10 cans of beans and tuna fish in a canvas
rucksack as a Boy Scout in Troop #666 33 years ago and my
experiences include an Appalachian Trail thru hike, the Long Trail,
an unguided winter traverse of the Presidentials in New Hampshire, 90
of the New England Hundred Highest, and a multitude of peaks and
trails in Colorado, the Cascades, Adirondacks and the Catskills. I
have also covered a wide range of altitude from sea level on the
Olympic Peninsula to soloing at 18,500' on Orizaba in Mexico.

All through these experiences I have made a hobby of selecting,
rejecting and modifying various pieces of gear.

While I thoroughly enjoy beating up my own gear during backcountry
escapades, I would not mind mauling someone else's equipment
instead. In exchange, I would be happy to submit a report describing
how the piece performed during it's stay in my pack along with any
suggestions for improvements or alterations and, in the event of it's
untimely demise, the remnants of the gear for scientific analysis.

Gerry Gladu
14 Commonwealth Ave
Shrewsbury, MA, 01545

Hi there

My name is Jack Young.

My wife and I backpack for +1 week at a time at least 3 times a year and
take weekend trips at least once a month.

We live in northern CA and hike in the desert SW, the coast, the sierras and
our favorite place --YELLOWSTONE!!!

I would be happy to run any gear through it's paces and give detailed
feedback.

I also run the
http://www.egroups.com/group/lighttrailfood
mailing list and would be most interested in testing cooking gear.

thanks for setting up this mailing list.

off belay,

Jack
________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

I am a 50 year old professional, hiking 2-4 weeks per
year along with the occasional weekend event. I am
into lightweight gear, but with a mind to maintaining
comfort and safety. Fun and sport are as important as
tall tales about the hike or equipment. As with most
hikers, I can probably outfit 2-3 hikers with the gear
purchases over the past 25 years of hiking. I would be
happy to assist in development of lighter and sturdier
gear, especially packs, cooking supplies and shelters.

Bill Thorneloe
4015 South Cobb Dr., #130
Smyrna, GA 30080

My backpack experience spans 34 years (I'm 44) and thousands of
miles. Since my long trail hikes (John Muir Trail, 1973; Tahoe-
Yosemite Trail, 1974; Pacific Crest Trail, 1977), most of my
backpacking experience has been cross-country (or remote trail)
travel in the Sierra Nevada. I usually go out for 7-10 days. Between
backpack trips, day hikes (primarily in southern California
mountains) keep me saner.

My gear-testing experience includes testing packs and apparel (first-
generation GoreTex!) for Dick Kelty (hence, our trail name: Kelty
Kids) before and during our PCT thru-hike. Grounded in traditional
(read: heavy) backpacking techniques, I'm anxious to join the
ultralight generation.

Currently I'm an author of computer-related books and documentation
(only the good ones!).

Carl Siechert
Pasadena, CA
(626)792-1666

Howdy!

My name is James McGinnis and I would be available/interested in
testing products. I am 41 years old and have been a backpacker/camper
for over thirty five years.

James McGinnis
1512 VERA CRUZ
Plano, Tx 75074
(972) 881-9405

Hi there,
  I would like to test gear suitable for a older woman.
My name is Marge Prothman, (trail name - the Old Gal).  I hike  most of the
year round, unless I am skiing.  I would definitely be interested in trying
lightweight products.
thanks,   Marge - the old gal

Available to test backpacking gear and write reviews:

Large, powerful male able to break most anything or at least give it
fits. At 6'1", 250 pounds, I don't qualify as a lightweight backpacker,
but a lot of my equipment certainly falls into the "lightweight"
category. As a result, I've had to modify my "bull-in-a-china-closet"
ways.I've managed to preserve some pretty delicate equipment in pristine
condition through a lot of miles, but if you want to find stress limits,
I'm your man.

Most of my backpacking is done on the west coast (with an occasional
foray into the Na Pali in Kauai), from Ensenada to Vancouver and from
the Pacific inland to Arizona. I've been drenched in Canada, baked in
Death Valley and covered head to toe in red dirt in Hawaii. I'm most at
home in the Sierras, however, at or above 10,000'.

Like most backpackers who've spent any time at REI, I've got more
equipment than I need, and certainly more than I could ever carry at
once. That would include seven or eight backpacks ranging from load
monsters weighing 7 pounds and more to ultralight packs coming in at 13
ounces, five or six stoves from Esbit through Snowpeak to Dragonfly,
four or five sets of cookware from $6 Walmart greasepot to expensive
titanium pots, several sets of trekking poles, several kinds of shelter
from ultralight tarp to three-man tent, etc.

I've built my own gear from time to time, including a tarp, a net tent
and a sleeping quilt, and my next project will probably be a modified
ultralight backpack.

I'm a co-founder of the Over The Hill Hiking club, a professional
photographer and a semi-articulate writer, located in the Los Angeles
area.

I can follow clear directions and I ask pointed questions when I can't
figure something out.

	 david

Hello all, my name is Tim Scott and I am an avid hiker and
backpacker.
I live in New Hampshire, and most of the hiking that I have done has
been in the Northeast area. I began hiking while in college, sometime
around 1994, and I haven't looked back since.

Last summer I completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, which
was the best experience of my life. This summer I took a trip to
Colorado where I got to do a few day hikes, most notably Long's Peak
(only 53 more to go!).

I also am an avid winter hiker, making a trip to the Whites as least
once a month, usually more, to hit the trail where there are more
people than bugs (and there are usually only a small handful of
people). I have yet to get into winter camping, but it is something
that I am interested in, and would like to try at some point this
year.

I would be very interested in testing various hiking and backpacking
gear, and giving a full report to the manufacturer and to the various
hiking lists that I am a member of. For three-season hiking/camping I
am most interested in light and ultra-light gear. There have been
some
amazing improvements in the weight of gear in the last few years, and
I would love to see even more. I am also interested in winter
hiking/camping gear as well, especially gear designed for extreme
cold.

My information is as follows:

Tim Scott
330B Stage Rd
Nottingham, NH 03290