Michael:

I finished the 2012 Marathon des Sables two weeks ago.  After 250km of running through the Sahara desert, my buddy’s Gorilla held up exceptionally well (see photo below).  You should really consider specifically marketing your Gorilla packs for the ultramarathon and adventure racing crowd – there’s simply nothing lighter and better.

I tried to get my Murmur 2.0 to work, but my uncertainty about the shoulder straps prevented me from using the gear.

Nonetheless, my Gossamer Gear poles worked great and I hope to use your new Gorilla 2.0 during my next race.

Best regards,

Alfonso Chan

Gossamer Gear,

Just returned from the Philippines with the Minimalist and heading out to South America on the 10th. I will do an article covering the use of the Minimalist in both locations with some photos.

More to follow.

Thanks again for the great gear, it has been put to good use.

Much appreciated.

-RB

This year, Glen and Michael, along with Trail Ambassadors Disco, Paul and Rik all helped to staff the Gossamer Gear booth.  It was an amazing show for all of us.  Disco released his book I Hike and had copies to sell at the show.  We had the chance to show off our updated product line and to hear some feedback.  Thanks to Paul for the pictures above!!

Francis spent nearly 3 years traveling and backpacking in 25 Eastern European countries. It started with a 5-month trip in 2004. He returned in 2008 to spend 3 years exploring all the countries again. The Hidden Europe is Book Two of the WanderLearn Series.

There are 25 chapters (one for each country). Each chapter:

• Examines an Eastern European country’s history, food, language, sites, stereotypes, and drinking habits.
• Covers Francis Tapon’s personal adventures in that country.
• Ends with a short summary of what practical things you can learn from that country.

Check out this multi-year odyssey that many dream about in his new book, and now you can go along to see for yourself.

Helllllooooooooo

We are in Franklin North Carolina having finished two milestones:  1.  Finished Georgia, and 2. Completed 100 miles.

It is a rainy day and we hitched to town to dry off.  It is almost scary how fast we got a hitch and then a ride within town to a motel.  We know it can not always be this easy.

We are meeting lots of hikers of course.  Lots of young people that are fun to talk to.  I love how excited they are about everything…and it’s fun to see what they pull out of their pack.  (one guy had 16 books…he is now called the word bringer).  Then there are people that have hiked it already giving everyone else advice.  We have decided not to tell people that we have hiked it unless they ask.  It’s funny the previous hikers are so busy telling you how to do it and what’s next that they never get around to asking you if you’ve done it.

It is really nice to be around all this green.  We have been munching on sassafrass and digging all the rododendron and spring flowers.

Love to all,
The Noodleheads

ps.  the pic is of us on day 1 with our 2002 buddies.

Hey Guys,

I’ve been meaning to send you these shots for a while now. I helped take a group of Scouts to Philmont Scout Ranch this past summer and loved my GG poles. Stout and super light. I bought a MP+ before the trip but got guilted into taking my big Kelty by a leader with more Philmont treks under his belt because he said I wouldn’t have enough room for all the food. Bad decision. Iran into a crew all carrying their MP+ packs and had a bad case of the “why did I listen to him” anyway. I think that was the crew I saw on your splash page awhile back. The good news was, my conversion over the last few years into an ultralight mindset had my gear kit so trimmed that I ended up with empty space galore in the pack and my max weight on a full food and water load day was just at 35 pounds (7 of that the pack). Lesson fully learned there. We are planning our trek for 2014 now and my goal is to get the whole Troop transitioned by then into light is right and more fun to boot. My MP+ is all I have used since then and my youngest son is loving the Gorilla he got last year. Now my oldest is saving for a GG pack to complete our family conversion. Thanks for helping me to lighten my load!

Kirk Swann

Gossamer Gear recently participated in a clinic to help spread the lightweight  gospel at our local Boy Scout Chapter.  At this clinic, our own illustrious Grant Sible led a pack makeover.  This is part two of a two part video featuring him showing how one can reduce weight by merely leaving unneeded stuff behind.   Watch as Grant does a pack makeover of one of the clinics participants and reduces over 10 pounds!  Stay tuned for Part 2.

Gossamer Gear recently participated in a clinic to help spread the lightweight gospel at our local Boy Scout Chapter.  At this clinic, our own illustrious Grant Sible led a pack makeover.  This is part one of a two part video featuring him showing how one can reduce weight by merely leaving unneeded stuff behind.   Watch as Grant does a pack makeover of one of the clinics participants and reduces over 10 pounds!  Stay tuned for Part 2.

The  2012 Gorilla™ Ultralight backpack from Gossamer Gear is the proud successor to its award winning namesake.  Built on the same platform as the original we have upgraded it for durability, functionality, and feature set.

This Gorilla™ is constructed largely of our custom 140 denier Dyneema GGridstop™ fabric for a sweetspot  blend of toughness and weight. The 2012 Gorilla™ now sports 6 exterior pockets for loads of options for organizing and accessing your gear. The Gorilla™ Ultralight is a top loader and utilizes our OTT™ (over-the-top) closure system for a simple, solid, secure closure that also includes an integrated zippered top pocket.   Also new is a taller more padded hipbelt with integrated pockets for a plusher more comfortable ride.  Completing the harness is our new comfy curved shoulder strap system and groovy new EZClip™ sternum strap and accessory mounting system. The 2012 Gorilla™ backpack has an updated compression system that works with the OTT to compress vertically as well as horizontally.  This compression lacing also serves to lash a jacket, foam pad, or other gear to the sides or top of the pack.  Inside the pack you’ll find an updated version of our proprietary  removable stay and an inegrated hydration sleeve.   At just over a pound and a half complete the Gorilla™ remains Ultralight to the core and is tougher and more feature rich than ever.  See more at the Product Page.