Yes You Can!

Down in the town of Riverton, Wyoming I bought a mountain bike, used, for sixty bucks. It had a water bottle cage, good seat and 26 knobby tires. After test riding it, I told Shawn who was selling a multitude of refurbished bikes from his garage that I'd take it. Of course, I said, if you can keep it while I find a trunk rack for this little car.

He gave me some pointers and after checking the local outfitters and Ace Hardware, I headed to Walmart. They had one kind and the list on the back of the box was quite lengthy. $49.95 and tax and I was in business. I picked up some sticky backed red reflectors and a plastic sippy water bottle, and headed back to Shawn's to rig it up and haul it away.

It carries well after utilizing three bung cords to keep the wheel from bouncing and the petal from banging against the car. The third strap tightens the bike to the rack frame. All told, I can load and unload it myself.
Sometimes I forget the bike rack is on the trunk when I shut it. It sticks out a ways and can clobber you if you're too close.


I thought I'd have to get a pick up truck if I wanted to take a bike on the road trip. Not so. Thanks to Shawn from Riverton for telling me, Yes You Can!

Gear Review-Lightning 50 Pack

I just received my new Lightning 50 pack,  made by Alpinizmo. You can check it out at www.highpeakusa.com

My first reaction on getting it out of the packaging, was what a lot of straps.

As a minimalist and extreme ultralighter, my initial thought was there will be alot of trimming going on.

This pack is designed to fit x-Large down to x-small torsos. I planned to check that theory out immediately. I'm up at Lake Yellowstone. When the superintendent came for lunch, I brought out the pack, asked him to be my guinea pig. He is 6 foot 3 inches tall, about 240 pounds of muscle. He was wearing a heavy sweatshirt. At first it was a hard fit because I had cinched everything up to fit me, at 5 foot 2 inches tall, 115 pounds. Once adjusted properly, he said it fit fine. It looked like a day pack on him, though. The carry capacity internally of this 3 pound pack is 3,000 cubic inches. It feels amazingly light.

 

I packed the pack for a quick ski around Lake Location. We have about 6 inches of snow.

It was really easy to adjust the pack back down to my size. The main adjustment comes from a removable velco design that allows you to choose one of 8 slots to adjust for torso length. It takes less than a minute to do this. Then you put it on, the shoulder straps are well padded. A quick pull on side straps and it fits like a glove.

 

I thought about the advantages of this versatile sizing option. It allows you to buy a pack as a gift for someone, and know it will fit them perfectly.

It allows you to buy this pack as a gift for a youngster, knowing it can be adjusted to fit them through the years. Even if they don't use it that much, it will serve through the growth spurt, a very economical way to outfit kids for a great introduction to backpacking. With great gear, they will love the experience, not dread the overweighted cheap stuff many kids are forced to endure.

 

I skied for two hours, carrying my bear spray, a sleeping bag, apple, extra clothes. While on the trail, I tested a survival item, lighting dryer lint with one match in snow. It was a great test.

 

 

 

More information will be posted on this pack on my other blog,

http:www.brawnyview.blogspot.com

 

I have to admit, I think its a sharp looking pack. I love the zippers in the hood, the bottom compartment for easy access to my sleeping bag, the side pockets for water bottles and bear spray, and maybe best of all, the very trim, roomy hip belt pocket for my camera and lip balm. Now, I'm sure to take more photos.

 

 

pep

Cirro Jacket-Brooks Range Gear Review

I tested and did a review on this excellent but somewhat pricey jacket over at my other blog:
http://brawnyview.blogspot.com


The actual product page with the company's own specs can be found at:
http://brooks-range.com/cirro-jacket.html




I love this jacket and plan to take it with me on my drive out west. I'll be gone for six months and put over 5,000 miles on behind the wheel.

This jacket will be my mainstay because of the warmth to weight ratio, how sharp it looks, and the generous pockets. It really packs down small, feels luxurious, and never binds. That's very important on road trips. I believe it will look great with jeans.

I have the small jacket. For my personal thoughts on the sizing, check out my other blog. Basically, when in doubt, take the next larger size. I have a small, it weighs 10.6 ounces.

Eureka Casper Sleeping Bag Review

I love this sleeping bag. It is 100% synthetic, with extra fill for feet and chest area, a true woman's bag.
It is the first bag that's ever fit me just right. That means as soon as I get in it, the warmth is felt because I'm not heating up that extra foot at the bottom or that extra width at the shoulders.
My bag and the specs can be seen at :Women's Casper Sleeping Bag

I've modified a lot of other sleeping bags, and they've been good, but if you want one that fits from the start, check it out.

Eureka
makes a lot of gear. I have a Spitfire I tent, and it is very well made too.






The three-quarters zipper is two way, with a substancial draft tube, triple stitched in a fabric which feels luxurious. I slept in shorts and sleeveless t-shirt, no socks needed.




The zipper can open all the way, without any stress on its componants because of the triangular web in place and seperation feature. This allows you to use it as a quilt on warm nights.







A specially designed hood gives comfort and warmth. This 15 degree bag weighs 2 pounds 15 ounces, and came in a serious compression sack. I'm using a silnylon stuff sack however, and keeping the compression sack for clothing.






I love the color, a deep gray, mint green top tone. The bottom has a circular footbed, which kept my feet toasty, yet not feeling claustrophobic. I appreciate that.

I keep it hung up using the two loops sewn into the bottom when not in use. Other features include an inside chest pocket for those nighttime things.
I found turning over was easy, not getting twisted up in a too large bag.

Of course, if you're a taller woman, they have those too, as well as men's bags.I'm so happy with this one it's the one I'll bring to the Grand Tetons this summer. I'll be able to test it in high elevations from May to October, the length of my seasonal job.

Patagonia Fleece-Gear Review

Fleece comes in various weights and fabric content.
The quality you'll find with brand names is worth the money. Although I bought some wonderful fleece jackets at Old Navy in 2009 in one of their blow out sales, when I really need a serious warm layer, I pull out my Patagonia.

It's a wonderful woodland green with one chest pocket. It doesn't have a hood, my only regret. It's a pull over, and weighs 15 ounces, a winter weight. The sleeves are plenty long, a key factor in choosing an insulating layer.

I love that even after many years of trail use, living in it for days on the Colorado Trail it is in very good condition. It still doesn't "pill", a sign of high quality fleece.

Brand names are costly. Look for them at thrift stores, on sale or as gifts. Think of them as an investment. Unlike cheap fleece, they will last a very long time.

South Col-Four Season Tent-Review

I received my South Col Four Season Tent yesterday and set it up this morning. I was really looking forward to seeing this signature tent by Brad Johnson, a man with over 35 years experience in mountaineering.

Unfortunately, the first time I set it up, one of the long aluminum poles broke right in the middle of the section. I created a repair sleeve from an old hiking pole of mine, carefully sanded it down and threaded it over the dome pole. Directions on how to make your own pole repair sleeve can be found at
http://brawnyview.blogspot.com

This is a beautiful tent. Weights as follows: 9 pounds 7 ounces for the entire shipped weight, which includes 23 serious winter stakes, generous carrying case, body, fly and poles. I divided up the sections to see the weights into three, the capacity of this nearly square dome:

body is 3 pounds 3 ounces, fly is 3 pounds 6 ounces, and the rest of the equipment would add up to 2 pounds 12. The carrying case could be replaces with a simple silnylon stuff sack, saving nearly 3.5 ounces.

Its easy to pitch this tent, even for one person. Stake down the 4 corners, select and prepare poles for tent by laying diagonally across body. Place ends in grommets, gently curving and raising poles, clipping body to poles near bottom so they don't fall over.

The fly has two doors, just like the body. Sweet for couples sharing a tent.

This gear loft clips into place via decent plastic hooks. Of course, limit the weight suspended in this loft to minimal things or you'll risk a collapse. After seeing how easily one pole snapped, I am hoping that was a freak accident, but have placed extra repair sleeves in the stake bag.

This carrying case has handles and a length wise zipper. Roomy enough for winter pack ups when cold things expand and a person doesn't want to fight with a minimalist bag.

Its easy to see the designer of this four season tent appreciated wind. There are many staking points, guying points both at top and bottom. The heavy bungee cording at guying points shows the designer had significant experience with wind. This tent will stand up to bad weather because of the added flex, where for some tents there would be rigidity.

I'm really looking forward to a trail testing of this South Col tent. Lets pray for snow.

Product Review-Sticky Back Velcro

I've been shopping for Velcro to sew onto silnylon for a tent project. Seems all I find around here locally is the sticky back variety. Sure, I can and have ordered stuff from fabric -hardware outfitters (Quest in Florida, Noah Lamport in Los Angeles, Outdoor Wilderness in Nampa Idaho). But by the time I pay shipping and handling on 5 yards, and wait a couple days, then drive into town again to pick it up, buying locally just made more sense. And I was in the mood to get this tent project done for the next expedition.

So, picking up a 20 foot package of black sticky-back brand name Velcro at Walmarts I headed home to put it to the test.

I sewed a sample onto silnylon. In no way did it want to stick on its own. It sticks to no-see-um netting, but only on a short term basis.

It looked like the machine would handle it. Sadly, I did not know the glue would build up until only gasoline would remove it from the needle. The thread breaks with the glue buildup as well, making the process of sewing by hand even laborious.

Bottom line, this is not a product to use on your backpacking gear.

I was able to place small staples through the fabric and Velcro as a temporary stitch, and will continue to sew it, dealing with the stickiness.

Lesson learned: the sticky back Velcro can be used with paper products, or perhaps to hold decorations on shelves. Next time, I will order regular Velcro, and wait for the shipping process.

Brooks-Range Ultralight Tarp-First Impressions

I received this ultralight tarp yesterday and have looked it over. My first impressions are good. I see many possibilities for the multi-functional features sewn into the 20/20 denier "Intrepid "ripstop. The above photo shows the tarp in the 5.5 x 7.5 pouch it came in with a Velcro top closure. I admit, I switched it to a 5 x 9 ultralight silnylon ditty bag for easier stuffing.

The fabric itself feels very silky. For this reason, and the fact there is hook and loop (Velcro) sewn into the entire perimeter of the tarp, I can see it as a vapor barrier or bivy sack.

There are many warnings that come printed on sewn in labels. This is stuff an ultra lighter knows. Stuff about flammability, possibility of asphyxiation, and that bottom line it is ultralight and the product has limited life expectancy. This is very good information, and very important for anyone getting into ultralight backpacking. I applaud Brooks-Range for going the extra mile.


In this photo I tried to show the difference in fabric coating. One side is very shiny and the other side matte. I imagine the slicker side is more weather resistant. The matte side would feel better against the skin, if that application were used.

This last photo shows the centrally placed reinforced through-hole which allows one to set up with a hiking pole in the middle. I also see a way to suspend this tarp from a branch using this through-hole and "washer" from the underside. This would make the tarp even more spacious without need for a center pole. A person could also install a hanging loop. The through-hole is well protected so I don't anticipate any rain leakage here.

I look forward to field testing this tarp. Red is useful in hunting season, or emergency applications.

Check out http://brooks-range.com/ for this product, and many other mountaineering and backpacking products. There are sleds, sled-packages, and larger tarps.

Vasque Trail Runners, A Review

Last summer in Yellowstone I was bound and determined to find the ultimate trail shoe. I didn't care what it cost.

Finally, I found these Vasque. Not a high top, yet not a low either, it offers support and good tread with just the right amount of flex.

Personally, I also favor a dark colored shoe. The white, or heaven forbid baby blue or pink, trail shoe is not my style.
There's just too much tramping through mud, water and brush for anything else.

I did put an extra shoe insert in these due to the trauma my feet have been through in past years. For this reason, I always wear a thick sock when shoe shopping so that there is room for extra cushioning.
Also, I shop in the evening when my feet tend to be more swollen. This insures I don't end up with a too tight fit.

These Vasque are a lace up shoe, genuine leather upper. A year after purchase, they still have good tread, lining is still intact, and I anticipate much more use out of them.

My feet love these shoes. They are lightweight, yet sturdy.
Keep the feet happy and you can go places.