April 29, 2010
Watching swan on Horn Pond
I have gone on several hikes with the Quasar and it has been functioning well on hikes as well as for carrying my laptop. I recently got a new larger laptop and I had to see how well it fit in the Quasar. To read more.
Categories: Reviews.
Tags: 4alloutdoors, backpacks, Osprey, pack, Quasar, Reviews
April 28, 2010
When the Icon Rogue 2 Flashlight arrived I was standing there staring at it. The cool factor on this thing is off the chart and my only fear was with the fact that I had to see if it was useful as it was cool looking. Read more here…
by Anderson Bowman
April 28, 2010
Categories: Reviews.
Tags: Flashlight, LED, Reviews
April 28, 2010
Just when I think that the T-shirt is the perfect piece of hiking clothing and nothing can improve upon perfections, the Columbia Trail Pro Short Sleeve Crew T-Shirt arrives. Not only is it soft and comfortable, but it actually looks like it might take the age old hiking t-shirt to a new level.
Read more here…
by Anderson Bowman
April 28, 2010
Categories: Reviews.
Tags: clothing, Columbia Sportswear, Reviews
April 28, 2010
by Arnie P
Horn Pond Conservation
I have been using the Org to carry my laptop to my tutoring class and it has been doing a great job at that. My laptop is safe and protected and it is comfortable to carry. My new laptop finally arrived and the first thing I did was to put the new laptop in the sleeve in the Orb. To read more.
Categories: Reviews.
Tags: daypacks, Osprey, Reviews
April 28, 2010
I have now used the Brooks-Range Elephant Foot sleeping bag for a total of 4 nights, but non have been as cool as the first night which I reported on previously. I have used the same hammock (my Hennessy Deep Jungle) and bubble pad on every trip. The bag has been all I could hope for as far as making my hammock camping much easier. But the bag does seem to attract storms…. OK maybe not, but the fact remains that on two of the four nights I experienced some pretty strong thunder storms and saw high winds on both those nights. BTW, the photo on the left is of Foster Falls and is from my most recent hike on the Fiery Gizzard in southeast Tennessee.
To read the rest of the review please click here.
Coy Boy
Categories: Reviews.
Tags: Brooks Range, Elephant Foot, sleepiong bag
April 28, 2010
Whether you like to hike, fish, ride your bike, or just like being outside, the SC upstate is a great place to be. With its beautiful lakes and mountains, there is something to offer for any outdoor enthusiast.
For the fisherman and boaters, the upstate of SC offers three beautiful lakes for all sorts of water activities.
View Larger Map
Read the Article
Categories: Outdoor Article.
Tags: articles, outdoors, South Carolina, travel
April 26, 2010
Buff in Merino Wool (Cru color)
I’m indecisive. Ask my husband. I can’t make up my mind ever. So, if I have to go and pack my bag for the trail, I wind up stuffing a hat, bandanna, earmuffs, and much more than that in to my bag. Talk about wasted space and weight!
Well, I have finally been schooled by the fine people at Buff. I no longer carry a boat load of extra layers. Instead, I carry one item. And that’s my Buff. In Merino Wool. That’s right. Merino Wool. I am now officially living the high life on the trail. And life, with my Buff, is good.
Click here to learn more of my thoughts with buff.
Categories: Reviews.
Tags: Buff, headwear, outerwear, review
April 26, 2010
Eureka! tents is donating tents to the OAISIS Institute in Haiti for each new fan on Facebook. These tents will help house orphans who lost their parents during the earthquake.
Participation in the “Sheltering Haiti 2010″ program takes less than a minute:
1) For every 20 new fans that join the Eureka! page, one tent will be donated to the OASIS camp in Haiti.
2) For every five (5) pictures or videos posted to the Eureka! Facebook page, one tent will be donated to the OASIS camp. Videos and pictures should detail an enjoyable, exciting or memorable Eureka! camping experience or demonstrate how to set up any Eureka! model tent.
To become a Eureka! Facebook fan please visit: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eureka/314399754758?ref=ts#!/pages/Eureka/314399754758?v=wall&ref=ts
Help Eureka! send 100 tents!!
Categories: Information.
Tags: donate, eureka, haiti, tents
April 23, 2010
by Arnie P
bring on the sun
The Columbia Blood N’ Guts long sleeve shirt is part of a high performance fishing gear series. By no means my father’s fishing gear, this classy light weight shirt is stylish and comfortable. To read more.
Categories: Reviews.
Tags: backpacking, Blood N' Guts, Columbia Sportswear, fishing shirt, Gear, hiking, Reviews
April 23, 2010
Benchmade 930 Kulgera Closed
I have been using the Benchmade 930 Kulgera Knife in the field for a month now. It is very sharp!
Read on to see what I think of the Kulgera.
Jenn K.
Categories: Reviews.
Tags: Benchmade, knife, Kulgera
April 21, 2010
Side view of the Lookout 45
The Mountainsmith Lookout 45 is new for 2010, but comes from a company with a long history of turning out great gear, especially packs. The pack is designed as a do it all pack and the website says it is “The perfect weekend size with a host of features to cover everything from your next hut trip to that off-route canyon hike.” But I’ll go one step further and say that with compact gear like a down sleeping bag and a small cook set it would be OK for week long adventures.
To read more about the pack click here.
Coy Boy
Categories: Reviews.
Tags: Lookout 45, Mountainsmith
April 20, 2010
Columbia Mobex, courtesy of Columbia Sportswear
~Stephanie
I’ve had the Mobex for a month plus and am happy to say I am mostly enjoying it. I’ve had the Mobex out for dayhikes as well as some more urban walking adventures (to the local botanical garden for example). So far, so good – it swallows up my normal gear load for a day hike with room to spare while being comfortable to wear.
Want to read more? Head over here for the full review.
Categories: Reviews.
April 20, 2010
April 20, 2010
by Andy Bowman
A few months ago I challenged myself to start trying to create, copy, or use recipes to make my own trail meals. There are plenty of websites and cook books dedicated to this hobby, but I wanted to see just what happens when someone like me tries to make their own food. Anyone can read a cookbook, but how many of us can really use it or its ideas to create palatable and easy to make trail food? Well, my first recipe is up and while I like it, it may not be the thing for you, but you can always give it a try. Breakfast Polenta ala Andy my first creation and I hope you enjoy.
Categories: Reviews.
Tags: Cooking, Food, How-To, Recipe, Trail Food
April 19, 2010
By Chaz
Well, the time has come to close the chapter on this outstanding pack. I have truly enjoyed it and it will stay as my go to pack for many years. Read more….
Categories: Reviews.
April 19, 2010
- The Mountaineers Books – National Parks Decks
The National Parks Decks by The Mountaineers Books may give you some ideas. Each deck features 33 cards detailing hikes, biking, and paddling (activities vary on the park). Additional cards include wildlife photos, flower identification, safety, ethics, tips, and an overview of the parks.
If you are going to Yosemite or Yellowstone/Grand Teton National Park this summer and need some help; check out my review.
Jenn K.
Categories: Reviews.
Tags: books, guidebooks, National Parks, Reviews
April 16, 2010
Well, it’s been just over a month, and I’ve managed to get a number of miles in on these shoes. While I haven’t managed to get these out for off-trail use, I have logged a number of miles hiking on dirt, sand and rocky trail in addition to urban use around town. Read on here to see how we’ve fared.
-Stephanie
Categories: Reviews.
April 16, 2010
Trailhead Top, image courtesy of Columbia Sportswear
Well, a month has passed, and I’ve been enjoying this tee from Columbia Sportswear. It’s got stretch, style, SPF and it transitions nicely from trail to town. Have a look at the full review
here.
-Stephanie
Categories: Reviews.
April 13, 2010
This hat has proven to be a winner in my book. I have continued to wear it a lot, especially when out hiking or kayaking. Since the hat is in the winter collection I have worn it during some pretty cold conditions and it did not disappoint me. However, since it is such a stylish looking hat, I wanted to see how it did in some much warmer weather, hoping it would be comfortable so I can continue to wear it this summer, especially when out on the lake in my kayak since I am so exposed to the sun. Just recently we have had a couple of days in the low 80s F, and while this is not what I consider hot weather, it did give me a chance to see how I liked wearing the hat on a fairly warm day.
To read the rest of the update along with the entire review please click here.
Coy Boy
Categories: Reviews.
Tags: Tilley Fedora
April 13, 2010
Image courtesy of SteriPEN
The Picturesque Washington cascades provide ample water sources in most areas I travel. As such I have developed a strong distaste for carrying significant volumes of water when I know I am never far from a cool and refreshing pond or stream. However those pretty streams and lakes can hide some quite nasty little bugs that can really ruin your day (or worse). I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to test the SteriPEN adventurer Opti and see how it stands up to back country use and against the filter/pumps that I have served me so well over the years.
Dave (the turtle) Wilkes
Read my initial review of this device here…
Categories: Reviews.
April 13, 2010
by Arnie P
Pyrenees on Merrimack River Trail
I have not worn a leather boot for a long time and I had forgotten that it does take time for the boots to go through a break in period. The good news is the comfort increases with use. The tops after several hikes are now very comfortable. I sometimes have to loosen the of the boots for better comfort. To read more.
Categories: Reviews.
April 12, 2010
It is probably not polite to mention new underwear and bad smells in mixed company, but for the next three months my experiences with my new pair of ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer Briefs are going to be open to all to read. Read more here
April 12, 2010
by Anderson Bowman
Categories: Reviews.
Tags: clothing, ExOffico, Reviews
April 12, 2010
Image courtesy of Benchmade
What could be simpler than a knife? A sharpened piece of metal with a handle attached, right? Well, if so what makes a knife with a 3.5” blade worth $135? Well I invite you to follow along with me over the next 3 months while I report on my experience using the Benchmade Model 147 – NimCub-II and see.
Dave (the turtle) Wilkes
Read the initial review here…
Categories: Reviews.
April 12, 2010
The Oboz Contour Trail Shoes have arrived. I am still trying to wrap my head around the idea of a shoe with a ‘bootie’, but I am sure that it will all make sense before I am done with this shoe.
Read more here…
April 12
by Anderson Bowman
Categories: Reviews.
Tags: Gear, Oboz, Reviews, shoes
April 11, 2010
by: Dave D’Abate
Hi-Tec Alpine Start Parka
You might already be familiar with Hi-Tec, a company that has been making great footwear for 35 years with an outstanding consumer value. What if I told you that after making technical innovations in the footwear industry, Hi-Tec will be launching a new line of Apparel this year? Your initial thought might be excitement at seeing some great new technical innovations in store for the Apparel market, and you are most certainly correct in that assumption!
According to the Hi-Tec Press Release,
“The inaugural collection was created with the same DNA that you’d expect from Hi-Tec brand; including the highest quality materials and components at the best possible end consumer value. This well-defined collection consists of 20 styles combined for both men and women, and it targets an active lifestyle consumer that requires the necessary technical features for the backcountry with styling that fits everyday life.”
Click here to read the rest of the review!
Categories: Reviews.
Tags: Alpine, Hi-Tec, Parka, review, Start
April 11, 2010
Cottonwood/Mustang Trails near Blue Diamond Nevada
After using the Osprey Hydraulics Raptor 10 pack for the past month, I think I have found my new favorite mountain biking pack. So far it has been on the trails with me in Southern California, Utah, and Nevada.
The Osprey Hydraulics Raptor 10 is a panel loading hydration pack that is marketed for mountain biking and fast hiking. It has a 600 cu. in. / 10 liter capacity and houses a 3 liter hydration reservoir.
Click here to see more of my thoughts on the Osprey Hydraulics Raptor.
Categories: Reviews.
Tags: Osprey, Raptor
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