Griffith Hylands After Trip Gear Report

 After an adventure like Griffith Highlands peak bagging over two days. Some would call Hellriding. One starts thinking of gear used and what worked and didn't. 

Griffith Highlands Peakbagging June 2nd -4th 2025

So in that theme, this won't be a look at everything more just a look at certain bits of kit used and what will potentially if needed to consider for the future changes or acquiring.

Napier Sprtz Cove-

A few weeks before the trip was looking at solutions to upgrade the truck camping a wee bit. A way that would both decrease the bugs and creating some more space. More space while also not leaving it all open for rain if it does to come in. Spotted on Amazon a potential solution that was cheaper. After numerous measuring and overthinking took a risk and ordered.  After it arrived and a couple of parked on the street dry runs to see if it will work it did.

Once in actual use up in Griffith it did what looked at it for. First off it kept the majority of the bugs out of the back when was sleeping. The ability when closed to unzip the window slightly to allow some airflow through the bug mesh while keeping the bugs out. Decreased the lack of airflow problems one would get if had to close the back fully up.

This was worth it and will use again in future till it wears out or get a different vehicle.

GSI Outdoors Camp Kitchen Kit-

A bit before the trip got a GSI Outdoors Camp Cook Kit via Costco. Have  looked online and find the same kit with all stainless steel cooking utensils and appears can only find this all metal version through Costco.

It did well for the cooking I did. However did run into a small problem that being that my packable fry pan is non stick and metal utensils can't be used as will destroy the non-stick. That means will be looking for a solution which if one watches alot of camping videos especially on Instagram from Japan or South Korea. And found a solution what some call Beef Noodle Cookset.

Beef Noodle Cook Set

Though after watching Youtube channels like Small Base Camp have a couple of other things to add to the wishlist.

Hookabike-

In 2004 after a couple of times dong the wearing the Stylus as a bike pack drill spotted something on IG from Grizzly Munro's IG account. The Hookabike kit that would allow one if needed could put on the pack straps a plastic plate that would allow one to carry the bike as a back pack and making it easier to use one hand or both if needed to navigate technical terrain while hoofing it

Hookabike

And as can be shown in the peak bagging photos and videos it was used. And made the technical scrambling sections easier as could use one of both hands as needed. The money was well spent for the reduction of pain and suffering, This was a good item and will use in future again.  Especially when know will return to Griffith in future.

Hydration_

Over the last 3 years have made some mods to ways I carry water on the Stylus and as well as Rootdown. In this case we are focusing on the Stylus. 

I had found the system from  Hardside Hydration that allowed one to use a 1L or larger Nalgene type bottle to hydrate from And ordered  kit from Original Free Range the Hand Free Hydration Combo.

Hands-Free Hydration Combos

 Especially after the 4 Peak Traverse and draining all my water. started thinking how could add capacity for a larger bottle. Have a mount could swap out the normal bottle cage for something that could hold a 1L Nalgene type bottle. And think have a made in Canada solution. 

Fauna Components Stainless Steel Cargo Cage

Will be taking a closer look at it in person when I take a trip this year to Vancouver. Say that as it looks like it would with a Voile Strap  hold a 1L Nalgene type bottle no problem Which would if used in conjunction with the Original Free Range Hydration Rig have already allow me to carry more fluids on hot days or in remote locations.

The other addition to my kit would be and will be a paper map of the Griffith area from Back Roads Maps. As it would increase the safety factor in an area with large areas where there is no cell service,

CCON57 TOPO Map - Griffith

The only other thing would do gear wise would be to finally replace the lost GPS bar mount unit to track the ride. Instead of using the phone. It would reduce the drain on the battery. Did similar when got the GoPro to use the cell phone for video the least amount possible. Which has been a benefit. So need to look into that.

Those are the one's ger wise that standout after the trip. I could analyze and overthink every bit of kit however that would be overwhelming review. And keeping it simple is better. So just the one's that stand out.

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Griffith Highlands Peakbagging June 2nd -4th 2025

   Jamiesons Mtn I spotted 2 and a half years ago while perusing the Peakbagger App. And after watching Grizzly Munro Diaries started looking at it closer. Jamiesons Mtn and three other peaks spotted in the Griffith Area. And had an idea. 

June 2nd implemented the plan after waiting 2.5 years and headed north towards Griffith to make it happen. This would different as it didn't involve a race of some kind and some sort of involvement. This was all for me and would be a much more challenging adventure then a race.

Got to Griffith and headed up Hyland Creek Rd which is really more like an Ontario FSR to where base camp would be. I won't share that location as I believe doing so would increase potential overuse and putting people who are not equipped for remote areas into a potential bad situation. 

Once there and set up the Ute for camping. Got the gear ready to head out to bag Jamiesons Mtn. To avoid regurgitating the same info and details  click on the link below for the details.

Jamiesons Mtn Peak Bagging June 2nd 2025

 Once back at camp made food and was the first use of the new kitchen kit I acquired. Though had to be careful as metal utensils and non stick pan/pot don't go well together. Simple one pot meal. There will be a hack gear review of things used in a separate write up.

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That first night in the back of the Ute wasn't too bad with the sort of truck tent thin bought  and got to work with my truck. Mosquito levels where definitely low as the set up kept them to a minimum. While the ability to open the mesh window a wee bit kept the ventilation going. Had a very good sleep that first night. 

After waking up and being lazy in camp. geared up for the next days adventure challenge and headed out. Like above more details in the link below for the blog write up.

Griffith Highlands 4 Peak Traverse - Peak Bagging June 3rd 2025

After finishing the traverse and back at camp for lots of water and other fluids as it had been a hot adventure. Decided it would be a wiser decision to stay an extra night and drive home the next day while not as tired. So hung out with Jake a truck dweller who was camping there over the summer and met while there. 

Yes admit am jealous of his truck camp set up, I mean way more room to sleep and do stuff. Though not ideal if one also uses their truck also for local errands and such. Maybe have an idea for a project truck related will come of it or finally attempt.

After a second nights sleep which wasn.t as good as the previous nights. No idea why just seemed to kind of more toss and turn. Maybe was too done physically after the traverse in challenging terrain. Who knows. After hanging out a bit more and helping out Jake to run to the Griffith village store for propane and other stuff. It was homeward bound after a successful adventure. 

It would only be after getting home that the debate of if or when would go up to Griffith again that discovered a reason. Spotted Three Mountains and wondered if there was a possibility to get one of the three high points. After a Google search found out there is.

Three Mountains- Peak

So yes if can will return in the Fall for a similar adventure though maybe focus on the one and not multiples. Make it more relaxing trip. Bonus of going in the Fall say September is minimal bugs.

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