I will be testing the Watershed Animas 40L in as many ways as possible over the next few months. As an avid hiker, cyclist, and kayaker I should find a few different ways to put it through the paces. I hope to establish how it works for each activity and most importantly, will it keep my gear dry. It is a dry bag after all. To read my initial thoughts and get a good overview of the Animas please click here.
Coy Boy
I decided to take advantage of the great May weather to hike a section of the Tuscarora Trail. I had heard of the Tuscarora Trail but really didn’t know much about it. It was built in the 1960s as a potential alternate to the AT north of Shenandoah National Park. It is a 250 mile trail that begins in Shenandoah National Park and reconnects with the AT on Blue Mountain in Pennsylvania.
You can read my full trip HERE
Time for me to complete this review for the Sealskinz Cold Weather Glove under the unique conditions we are all experiencing. My outdoor activities have continued but with changes like covering my nose and mouth with a bandanna and keeping my distance from others. I reduced food shopping to every 2-3 weeks, but I continued to take local walks. I wore Sealskinz gloves when temperatures were below the mid 60’s.
The lower temperature was about 25 F and the upper range was in the high 60’s. My walks were in my neighborhood and were from 60 to 90 minutes. One part of my walk is along Silver Lake. There are no houses along this stretch of the lake and the view is always good.
I was not surprised when my hands were comfortable at the lower temperatures. Ii surprised me that my hands were still comfortable when the temperatures were in the upper 60’s. At some point during the walk I could feel sweat rolling down my calves. I could feel the warmth on the back of my hands caused by the intensity of the sun on the black surface of the gloves. I wore a black shirt that day and my back felt like it was burning.
My back felt like it was burning, yet I was not feeling anywhere near that hot on the back of my hand. The outside of the glove felt hot to the touch. I think this speaks well for the insulating properties of these gloves.
To read more please click here,
The EcoVessel Wine and Whiskey tumbler is a great little cup – it performs as advertised!
Since my last update, I have used the EcoVessel Port Wine and Whiskey while on three overnight backpacking trips on the AT in Maryland; for coffee on two long dayhiking trips on the Maryland AT; and of course for hot and cold beverages while at home. Temperatures ranged from 28 F at Pine Knob Shelter on the AT to the mid 50’s during one of my lunch coffee breaks on a day hike.
You can read my final thoughts HERE.
