G'day!
Im thinking on uploading a video or description of my train hopping load out for summer and for winter.
What kind of gear do you guys haul? Do you go all tacticool? Grey man? Average hobo? etc
Im thinking on uploading a video or description of my train hopping load out for summer and for winter.
What kind of gear do you guys haul? Do you go all tacticool? Grey man? Average hobo? etc
A video would be very interesting.
My gear is usually very minimal. Allows me to be much more agile in those moments that count. Osprey 48L pack with a 3 season synthetic bag is the bones. Depending on the trip: scanner, extra clothes, tarp and pad may make the cut. Food and water varies with distances, days traveled and locations.
Sometimes you end up with no gear. Like the time I took a nap on a suicide well with my pack over a hole before pushing it under the train while sitting up half awake. Lost a fishing pole with that train as well.
I tend to wear dark coveralls and other apparel that makes me look unsavory. The clever part is whats underneath that allows for shapeshifting into an average townie when appropriate.
My gear is usually very minimal. Allows me to be much more agile in those moments that count. Osprey 48L pack with a 3 season synthetic bag is the bones. Depending on the trip: scanner, extra clothes, tarp and pad may make the cut. Food and water varies with distances, days traveled and locations.
Sometimes you end up with no gear. Like the time I took a nap on a suicide well with my pack over a hole before pushing it under the train while sitting up half awake. Lost a fishing pole with that train as well.
I tend to wear dark coveralls and other apparel that makes me look unsavory. The clever part is whats underneath that allows for shapeshifting into an average townie when appropriate.
Haha. Oh man, the thought of accidentally pushing my bag off of a speeding train makes me cringe. Just being sat there like "Oh... shit", with no kit. That's why I wear a money belt with my passport, credit card and cash. Even if I lose everything else at least I have those essentials so I can rebuild/go home.
Coveralls is a good idea! Protect your clothes from the dirt so you don't look so dodgy and vagrant when you walk into town.
John, I'm still impressed you manage to fit everything you need into a 48L bag! I struggle with my 55 due to sleeping kit. I think I'll get a 70L. I don't mind the extra bulk, I'm strong enough to haul it around and it's not like it would be full all of the time. It just means I can fill it if I need to (food and water come and go all the time).
On the subject of kit, what tech do people carry? When I can afford it I'd love to buy a GPS, solar charger, new GoPro, reliable phone and maybe even a small but tough laptop (for backing up the camera's footage). However, that all adds up very quickly (cost and weight-wise). I was wondering if any of you carry similar stuff and how does it work out?
Coveralls is a good idea! Protect your clothes from the dirt so you don't look so dodgy and vagrant when you walk into town.
John, I'm still impressed you manage to fit everything you need into a 48L bag! I struggle with my 55 due to sleeping kit. I think I'll get a 70L. I don't mind the extra bulk, I'm strong enough to haul it around and it's not like it would be full all of the time. It just means I can fill it if I need to (food and water come and go all the time).
On the subject of kit, what tech do people carry? When I can afford it I'd love to buy a GPS, solar charger, new GoPro, reliable phone and maybe even a small but tough laptop (for backing up the camera's footage). However, that all adds up very quickly (cost and weight-wise). I was wondering if any of you carry similar stuff and how does it work out?
Aww man that would SUCK!!! losing my gear would be like loosing a loved one haha
I too wear important gear on my body, Dave. A 48L isn't bad. I use a 50 myself for 4 seasons and have been working on a weekend warrior 30L load out as well.
Anywho, I tried the video thing and it didn't pan out, so i took a picture and will list and talk about the gear. This is my 3 season list (in winter I'll change up a few things and add others)
Arcteryx Kyber 50L pack in Multi cam
Goretex black pack cover
Goretex Rain Gear
Goretex sealable bag (to keep water sensitive gear dry)
Merno wool base layers
Core loft mid layers
Arcteryx LEAF BDU in grey (for yard snooping)
Goretex lined hiking boots (can you tell that i love goretex yet?)
2 sets of gloves (heavy duty and fleece)
Touque
Wide brimmed hat
Ditty bag (repair kits, toiletries, fire starters, meds etc
Custom first aid kit geared toward heavy blood loss/shock stuff
Shit tickets (NEVER EVER forget hahaha)
Synthectic sleeping bag
Ground pad
Goretex bivy bag
Hammock (yes a hammock. quick to rig up and easy to conceal, kind of a luxury item IMHO)
Stove
Food/Water
Maps/GPS
Programmable radio with spare battery (ive all frequencies for western canada)
Battery pack for phone/GPS
Concealment vest for radio, wallet, and other essentials that don't go into the pack (in case of separation)
Flashlight with red light filter.
Head lamp with red light filter
Monucular
length of cordage
Balaclava
Cash
I too wear important gear on my body, Dave. A 48L isn't bad. I use a 50 myself for 4 seasons and have been working on a weekend warrior 30L load out as well.
Anywho, I tried the video thing and it didn't pan out, so i took a picture and will list and talk about the gear. This is my 3 season list (in winter I'll change up a few things and add others)
Arcteryx Kyber 50L pack in Multi cam
Goretex black pack cover
Goretex Rain Gear
Goretex sealable bag (to keep water sensitive gear dry)
Merno wool base layers
Core loft mid layers
Arcteryx LEAF BDU in grey (for yard snooping)
Goretex lined hiking boots (can you tell that i love goretex yet?)
2 sets of gloves (heavy duty and fleece)
Touque
Wide brimmed hat
Ditty bag (repair kits, toiletries, fire starters, meds etc
Custom first aid kit geared toward heavy blood loss/shock stuff
Shit tickets (NEVER EVER forget hahaha)
Synthectic sleeping bag
Ground pad
Goretex bivy bag
Hammock (yes a hammock. quick to rig up and easy to conceal, kind of a luxury item IMHO)
Stove
Food/Water
Maps/GPS
Programmable radio with spare battery (ive all frequencies for western canada)
Battery pack for phone/GPS
Concealment vest for radio, wallet, and other essentials that don't go into the pack (in case of separation)
Flashlight with red light filter.
Head lamp with red light filter
Monucular
length of cordage
Balaclava
Cash
That's an impressive list, Wolf! Next I want to see what it looks like packed into that little backpack! From the photo it looks like it would take black magic to fit it in there :P
For water do people prefer flasks over camelpacks? I guess flasks keep drink hot but they take up a lot of space compared to a camelpack.
Also you should post a close up pic of the kit in the bottom left quarter. And have you ever had to use the rope for anything?
For water do people prefer flasks over camelpacks? I guess flasks keep drink hot but they take up a lot of space compared to a camelpack.
Also you should post a close up pic of the kit in the bottom left quarter. And have you ever had to use the rope for anything?
It fits very well. Many items in that pic are worn on my person mind you. I'm also a mountaineer and long time member of the Alpine Club of Canada, so i know how to pack kit very well haha
Right now i carry two one litre nalgene bottles with insulator covers. My 30 litre pack will have a water bladder.
The items in the left quarter are mainly what i wear on my person. The vest, radio, notepad, spare radio batteries, phone accessories, knife, flashlight, cash. nifty thing about the radio that you cannot see in the picture is the ear piece. I love that piece of kit. Only i can hear the transmissions (even while on a noisy car) and its very discrete.
This load out is when I'm riding in the mountains and i use the rope for setting up my tarp, suspending my bag (in case of bears) while at camp and if need be it may be used in a rappel (my belt also doubles as a certified harness)
Right now i carry two one litre nalgene bottles with insulator covers. My 30 litre pack will have a water bladder.
The items in the left quarter are mainly what i wear on my person. The vest, radio, notepad, spare radio batteries, phone accessories, knife, flashlight, cash. nifty thing about the radio that you cannot see in the picture is the ear piece. I love that piece of kit. Only i can hear the transmissions (even while on a noisy car) and its very discrete.
This load out is when I'm riding in the mountains and i use the rope for setting up my tarp, suspending my bag (in case of bears) while at camp and if need be it may be used in a rappel (my belt also doubles as a certified harness)
Mate, that's awesome! I really like the kit vest with all the pockets for all the essentials. Where are you based in Canada?
Thanks. Right now i am in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan.
Pretty flat here but there are a few nice features nearby. This was taken from my last ride this past weekend.
Do you find that MTP or Multicam kit is too bright? A lot of people criticize it and say it's too reflective and night, whereas something black may be better. Have you come across this Sinwolf or Dave?
looks like that solar charger really was the MVP of your last trip Dave Whats the ONE most important gear? besides money/clothes obv.
Sleeping kit! You need to be able to bed down in tight little places, and in wet weather if need be. Make sure you practice wild camping a lot so it's second nature to you.
In terms of being able to charge my phone, are solar chargers a must, or could I use a cord or a stove with a usb port?
I'm just wondering what would be more efficient.
I'm just wondering what would be more efficient.
Hey Dave,
when you say practise wild camping, why? - for efficiency, keeping food away from bears, in bad weather? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I though it was a case of turn up, set tent and sleeping bag and anything else, sleep. I'm not a complete noob, camped a lot, haven't done any wild camping tho, so that's why I was wandering why you need to practise it.
when you say practise wild camping, why? - for efficiency, keeping food away from bears, in bad weather? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I though it was a case of turn up, set tent and sleeping bag and anything else, sleep. I'm not a complete noob, camped a lot, haven't done any wild camping tho, so that's why I was wandering why you need to practise it.
probably just to get comfortable sleeping in weird ways (not a nice soft bed)
Yeah, just get used to setting up your kit and sleeping on rough ground, and in different weather conditions. If you're not used to sleeping out in wilderness types of places then you probably won't sleep very well when it matters. Another skill with wild camping is choosing the best spot to sleep. Camp sites have everything set out nicely for you. Wild camping has a lot more factors to consider. Can't have too much practice :)
Hi Dave,
could you please tell me exactly what kind of radio scanner you used in your Fat Freight Hop? Thank you a lot!
could you please tell me exactly what kind of radio scanner you used in your Fat Freight Hop? Thank you a lot!
@tom
Multi cam works well however, I prefer the grey man approach as MC sticks out like a sore thumb to both civilians and law enforcement especially if seen near the tracks. Now I use just muted colours like black, grey, green.
Multi cam works well however, I prefer the grey man approach as MC sticks out like a sore thumb to both civilians and law enforcement especially if seen near the tracks. Now I use just muted colours like black, grey, green.
Yeah I'd like to know about that scanner too. It seemed to be quite useful...
Better late than never (I think)... the scanner was... errrm... I'm not sure. Jim lent it to me at the start of my trip. All I know is that its brand was Uniden :P
how do we get in touch with jim to get one(or just the frequency)
The frequencies can be found online easy.
wiki.radioreference.... ...annel_Plan
www.radioreference.c... .../?aid=3881
look like there all in the 160 to 161
www.radioreference.c... .../?aid=3881
look like there all in the 160 to 161
you where right sinwolf, din't think it would be that easy
I don't bring near as much as I once did when I first started train hopping. I am not old by any means however age has caught up with me and my back can not handle what it once did. I use to carry roughly 50 to 60 pounds of gear without much of a issue however those days are long gone.
My loading weight now is roughly 30 to 35 pounds in the winter and roughly 20 to 25 pounds in the summer. It really all depends on the person and what one can and will be willing to carry.
My loading weight now is roughly 30 to 35 pounds in the winter and roughly 20 to 25 pounds in the summer. It really all depends on the person and what one can and will be willing to carry.
@SinWolf
YOu look like you can right out of the video game PubG in that picture hah! Great!
YOu look like you can right out of the video game PubG in that picture hah! Great!
Heh heh
@SinWolf Do you typically buy food along the way or do you bring it, I am sort of debating doing some freight hopping but I don't know if it's better to bring or buy food along the way.
May your rides be Comfortable (as possible that is) and may your luck not run dry :D
May your rides be Comfortable (as possible that is) and may your luck not run dry :D
Depends on how far I go. Typically if I’m only doing a short A to B then B to A trip I’ll bring everything I need. Longer trips require restock.
