CELEBRATE THE OUTDOORS
40 years outdoors experience, extensive info on Mt. Rainier’s Wonderland Trail, original music, equipment reviews, off trail videos, other peaks in Mt. Rainier NP
Beyond Clothing: stitched in the StatesIn my quest to find gear that is manufactured in the US, the most elusive part of the job is clothing. However, there is a new/old company about to enter the outdoor retail scene based in Seattle, WA. Beyond Clothing essentially has a leg up on your typical start up: they have been making clothing for the military for a number of years.I am constantly looking for different ways to use helmet cams, and this usually means having multiple options for mounting them. I purchased a few items from Pacific Northwest local Rhino Camera Gear (rhinocameragear.com) and tested them on a recent biking trip (view here), notably the "Moose Neck" and the "Pro Pole 20." I received my items within 3 days and the quality is excellent. I especially like the promise of using the flexible Moose Neck to position cameras in odd ways. Another thumbs up for a local US manufacturer.
Enlightened Equipment Enigma 50I've been looking for a specialized fastpacking sleep solution for a couple of years. I've talked to Ben (Goosefeet) and Joe (ZPacks) about custom work, but solutions always bordered on the weights of the lightest bags, and I have a 1 pound bag already. I just didn't need yet another sleeping bag or quilt that simply saved me a few ounces over what I already have.
custom front pack full of camera gearThis is an update to my original post on packing cameras. I had such good luck with my smaller custom front pack from ZPacks and the insert that I made that I decided to do a second one. I had Joe make me a totally custom front pack out of cuben hybrid with the addition of two side pockets (for water bottles) and a mesh front pocket. The size of this front pack is ideal, I have just enough forward visibility that the pack does not interfere with foot placement (at least for any trails I have been on) and the attachment system is the same as my other front pack so I can mix and match.
Black Rock Gear Foldback MittsOne of the great things about the cottage gear industry is I just keep finding great companies. This usually comes about through reading blogs like this or through other online sites. I especially like it when I find a company that is locally based (Seattle area) and today we have a winner: Black Rock Gear. This company's reputation is based on meticulous sewing, great customer service and winning products. I have to wholeheartedly agree on all counts.I didn't have any big projects planned for this year so spent more time on photography than in the past. However, I did always have a helmet cam or two along so I did video when the mood struck. Notably, the light was perfect when skiing Whistler's Blackcomb glacier this year and there were moments when I was glad I took the shot. Ski, bike, hike; enjoy the Willis Wall Snippets for 2013, and get out there!
The following is from an email from reader Leif:
I've been following your posts on several Forums and here at your blog. I've been especially intrigued by the B4 combination and the underlying concept of using multi-use gear as a part of an UL solution. I have not seen any updates for this last 2013 season, so I thought I'd drop you a line. If you don't mind taking a few minutes, would you respond to these questions?
1. Now that you have some testing done, do you still like the B4 solution? If not, what is taking it's place?
2. Here's my understanding of your B4 system... B4 + 3/4 Cuben bivey + Zpacks Cuben Poncho. At one point I think I saw you using a Feathered Friends Wren Nano with some kind of partial down bag for lower body insulation. Do I remember that correctly? I'm not sure if that matters... more what I'd like to know here is what are you using now for an insulating layer while sleeping? A bag?
Long story short, I'd like to know what you're using now and (if possible) how I can buy / make the same solution for myself.
The Willis Wall Spin on outdoor gear is a series of short videos about gear I use, or gear I don't use because it didn't measure up in the field. This short is on the Sawyer MINI Squeeze Filter. This year I have been using a drink mix so have abandoned my usual filter water bottle. In practical use I like the MINI for a variety of reasons, including its small size, light weight and versatility. DISCLAIMER: Sawyer provided me with a free MINI on the condition that I blog about it, but made no demands on the content. I would have purchased one anyway.
Trail, Train and everything else minimalist shoesTrifecta: the situation wherein one has attained three achievements, qualities, etc., especially when these are of great importance.
After more than two years of training with barefoot style techniques, I finally hit upon a combo that works even for the trail.
I have become a cuben fiber convert when it comes to outdoor gear. The light weight and durability sold me, and I started purchasing certain cuben products over 3 years ago. Although there are many fine cottage gear companies that make cuben products, I have become a ZPacks regular customer for a couple of reasons. One, Joe Valesko offers incredible customer service, which fortunately is not atypical of the cottage gear industry. And two, he offers the customer the most variety in products at perhaps the most reasonable prices. I'll raise my couple of reasons a few more by adding that I've had custom items made beyond tweaking an existing product, like a 3/4 breathable cuben bivy and a custom front pack that I use for packing cameras. And up front I'll tell you that I've paid for everything listed in this blog article. Lastly, I have ordered a new completely custom front pack and a slightly customized hybrid Arc Slim pack, yet to arrive. I've purchased lots of gear over the decades, with some working out and some that didn't, but everything I have bought from ZPacks I've used to great advantage. Let's begin the ZPacks tour.
Pocket Tarp and GG The One on the PCT