Page 71 - Southern Oregon Magazine Spring 2018

A WA R M -W E AT H E R

OU T DOO R

S E ASO N

Is your gear ready?

BRYANT HELGELAND OF MOUNTAIN PROVISIONS

W inter steelhead fishing is winding down and that means backpacking, hiking, rafting, kayaking and trout fishing seasons are about to

kick off. Time to get your gear out of storage and give it a once-over.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WASHED YOUR SLEEPING DID YOU DRY OUT YOUR FILTER BEFORE STORING IT FOR
BAG? HOW WAS IT STORED? SAME FOR YOUR PUFFY. THE WINTER? DID IT FREEZE?
• Storing them compressed will shorten their lifespan, as natural • You filtered out all the nasty stuff, but if you didn’t open it and let
and synthetic fibers can’t rebound from compression forever. it dry when you got back, then you’ve been storing a petri dish.
• Body oils and dirt decrease loft (which is what keeps you warm).
Washing with an appropriate down or synthetic soap can help • Run a diluted solution of bleach (two to five drops per liter)
revive loft as well as benefit tent mates. Given enough time out through it, and then flush with standard tap water.
there we all stink, but best not to start the trip that way.
• Ceramic and microfiber tube filters may be compromised by
DOES YOUR TENT OR PACK HAVE ANY NEW CRITTER freezing. Do a pressure test on them before relying on their
HOLES? DOES IT SMELL OF MILDEW? filtration effectiveness.
• Wash it in the bathtub with an appropriate tech wash for
synthetic fabrics. DO YOU USE A LIQUID FUEL STOVE OR CANISTER?
• Liquid fuel stoves could use a good spring cleaning. When you pull
• Repair holes with Tenacious Tape and seal the edges with Seam it apart to clean it, do so over a tray to keep track of loose parts.
Grip. Since you planned well and dismantled it before you used it for
DO ALL YOUR PACK AND TENT ZIPPERS STILL WORK? the first time (with instructions in hand), you should know where
• Sticky? Try a lubricant like Zip Tech from Gear Aid. every part goes.

• Separating? Lightly crimp the zipper front to back across the nose • Is your fuel more than one year old? If so, it’s probably gone bad.
with pliers.
• Canister stoves require almost no maintenance. You’re probably
• Need to be repaired? Send the item or items back to the good to go on this item.
manufacturer before everyone else figures out they need to do
the same.

spring 2018 | www.southernoregonmagazine.com 69