Alpine Designs “A” Frame Backpacking Tent

Posted on by Rob Drews

Take your backpacking trip back in time a few years with this early 70s A frame tent by Alpine Designs of Boulder Colorado. The always innovative George Lamb and his team did a great job on this simple, classic tent incorporating some great features.

This single wall tent features zippered screen and full door entries at either end making it ideal for two occupants. The tent also has zippered floor access at one end. Construction is achieved via four half inch diameter collapsible aluminum poles ran through the tent pole casing and lining into a machined aluminum member at the top. A draw cord running though the tent peak at the ends runs through this member and is staked into the ground. The rain fly sits over the top and ties to the tent cords or stakes into the ground on it’s own in some places.
Approx Measurements:
Packed Weight: 7lbs
Packed Size 18″ x 11″ x 6″
Erected Measurements
93″ head to toe
59″ across
45″ high

Alpine Designs External Frame Backpack

Posted on by Rob Drews

Early external frame pack boards were made from wood or solid metal, then came the aluminum. The innovators  at Alpine Designs saw  a new  progression in this pack made of a PVC plastic frame. It’s definitely one of the most unique external frame packs I’ve encountered, and probably for good reason. The use of plastics instead of aluminum seems to save no weight at all (if not adding some). It’s also hard to imagine this plastic could withstand the stresses, shock and temperatures of an aluminum frame. Still this pack has survived rather well with no cracks and all plastic hardware intact.

Regardless of materials, this pack is very well constructed with plenty of details that make it Alpine Designs. Leather zip assist tabs, integrated pack handle on the frame, and innovative lace loops to secure the top hatch to name a few.  This pack also features very thinly padded shoulder and waist straps. It has no lashing squares but does have two pair of D rings on the underside.

Pack make-up includes:
1 top entry main compartment
1 front entry second main compartment
2 top entry side canister pockets
2 front entry secondary side canister pockets
1 small front entry compartment on the outside of the secondary main compartment.

1980’s The North Face Gore-Tex Anorak Parka

Posted on by Rob Drews

This North Face Gore-Tex anorak style parka represents technical innovations for the company in the early/mid 80s. Traditional 60/40 cotton blend materials are bypassed in lieu of the emerging weatherproof fabric known as Gore-Tex. Advancements in materials have pushed design by allowing the parka to remain weather proofed with more seams backed with waterproofing (note the seams mid sleeve). The growth of the brand from the “Brown Label” garments is also evident in the use of branded hardware. The embossed buttons (used on later “Brown Label” pieces) label screened cord locks and emblemized zipper pulls attached to TALON loop zippers. This piece is also clearly designed for a woman as evident in the contoured waist.

1/2 zip with zip and snap closure. Innovative two-piece hood with peak and elastic draw closure ran through a nylon sock for optimal, form-fitting tightening. Nylon lined front zip kangaroo pocket with pass-through velcro closed hand pockets. Elastic cord cinch at bottom.

This piece is in very nice shape. Almost no signs of wear with no holes or stains. All stitching is in nice shape and the Gore-Tex fabric backing is in great shape. Color is pretty much dead-on Navy Blue. Refer to the picture of the back of the parka for truest representation of the color.

Measures:
neck seam to cuff: 27″
across at slimest: 17″
across at bottom: 19″
top of zip to hem:  25.5

This Parka is currently available on the BCV  eBay store

Sierra Designs single Man Backpacking Tent – Oakland CA

Posted on by Rob Drews

Classic Oakland California era Sierra Designs single person backpacking tent.  This tent looks as if it borrows structural engineering from Spanish architect Félix Candela using arches to make a simple yet durable structure.

Includes all original pieces:
Tent
Rain Fly
Plastic composite and aluminum poles (8 pieces)
5 stakes
1 Sierra Designs Oakland CA tent bag
Small Sierra Designs Berkeley CA stuff sack (added bonus)

Condition wise this tent is in great shape for its age. No holes or rips in the tent body or fly, all seams are complete and the zippers work great. Some blue has transferred to the white of the tent top after being stored rolled up for years. Floor of the tent is remarkably clean, indicating the tent was used very little.  Has a little of that old nylon tent smell but has been airing out for the last two weeks and will continue to until point of sale.

Approximate Measurements:
Packed weight: 4.5 lbs
Packed size: 28″ x 6″ x 3.5

Set up:
44″ tall at front
15″ at feet
95″ head to toe
44″ across