Posts from — August 2008

To brew a batch of homebrew it takes about 3 hours and averages $40. Which amounts to 5 gallons or 128 oz. of delicious brew. Divide that 128 ounces by 12(ounces in your average bottle) and you get approximately 53. So for $40 I can brew 5 gallons of beer which equals 53 12 ounce bottles. A six pack of my home brew costs roughly $4.50 or $0.75 each to brew it my self. The average micro brewery beer is $8.00 plus tax per six pack.

Do the math!!

Learn to homebrew (it is pretty simple) and enjoy creating the exact beer you want with out all of the ridiculous costs! You would be amazed at what you can create. The New Complete Joy of Home Brewing is the bible for novices to experts, if interested in giving homebrew a shot pick up a copy!!

I currently have a Dogfish Head 90 minute (chocolate) IPA clone that is almost ready to enjoy!! I added a bit of chocolate malt to see what would happen!!!

Juice Box, UTM, and Brownie will be my lab rats for this one! Right guys??

Unless you are a fan of explosive projectile diarrhea, you have no doubt tried to come to terms with the safety of our backcountry water sources. It seems like the days of reckless abandon are gone when it comes to drinking from creeks, lakes, and rivers. With the ever present Giardia, cryptosopridia and a laundry list of viruses and bacteria which can lead to months on the porcelain throne and debilitating cramps, nausea, vomiting, as well as the afor mentioned EPD, we must filter, boil, irradiate or chemically purify our water to stay healthy in the backcountry.

I have in the past have tried every method and each have their drawbacks, some take hours, or fuel, or taste nasty. Others are cost prohibitive or rely on batteries which does not really work for extended outings. Even to this day I switch up what I am using on almost every trip because there is no all in one kick ass water treatment device. I am sold on none…yet.

I must admit that I do still drink untreated water often even though I have done the research and read the reports. I know better! And I still am playing with fate.

Think about the enjoyment of a trip and taking a few minutes out of the hike to filter/treat whatever your water. No big deal right? Then why do so many of us play russian roulette with our health? I don’t know, but I am making the commitment now to be safer. And as such I was looking for a new whiz bang water treatment to be my all in one when I came across the Reliance PUR Purifier of Water

The PUR system utilizes powdered iron sulfate and calcium hypochlorite which happens to be the same system used all over the world to clean up water for humanitarian missions, as well as in most water treatment plants in U.S. cities.

Basically you add the chemicals to nasty water and it congeals the funk and you then filter it out via a cotton sheet (check out the video). This new system is supposed to be the most effective and with a creek to mouth time of around 30 minutes it might not be to bad. Each PUR packet treats 2.5 gal. of water. So if I only need two water bottles full how am I sure to get just enough chemical?

PUR is also marketing a Reliance PUR Clean Drinking Water Kit which has two collapsible containers a stir stick and a few other items.

I think I might give this one a go and see how I like it, especially since it promises no chemical taste, after all isn’t that why we drink out of streams in the backcountry?

I will give a report once I can test it for myself, or if any of you have given it a shot let us know how you liked it. Whether you buy this kit or not always carry a backup method, such as my current favorite Potable Aqua Chlorine Dioxide Tablets - 20 Pack. They take a bit longer but are light and dummy proof!

Here is a list of gear sites that tend to have pretty good discounts on either current gear or last season’s picks. Some of these sites you really have to be ready to commit due to the speed at which the bargains sell. Aside from these sites don’t forget to check out Craigslist for your area or the local gear shops which often have a cork board where local folks try and unload gear cheap. Oh and when ever I check Craigslist I always look at surrounding areas. For instance Boulder, Colorado is a great place to score last years gear super cheap because not only is it a outdoor adventurers paradise but there are tons of college students that have to have the newest of everything and it is filled with trustifarians (hippies with trust funds) and this group is renowned for dumping tons of cash on gear they will never use, then selling it real cheap when they are in a pinch for a “pinch”. Good luck and score some sweet gear!!

• Campmor
  

• Sierra Trading Post

• REI Outlet
  

• EMS

• Moosejaw

• Backcountry

• Steep and Cheap

• Chain love

• HourDeal

• UltraRob

I cannot tell you how many times I have looked through outdoor magazines and felt the draw to escape to some of those exotic places and get my adventure fix. It seems like there is always some one out there having the greatest adventure in the world. Experiencing once in a life time events.

As a result sometimes I feel trapped in my life, in my situation, in my town. I do not feel that I am not fortunate but you know the grass is always greener…right?

Not a chance! Come on, seriously. We are all fortunate to live on this great planet and can find awesome adventures around every local corner. I grew up in the south east and felt the draw to the hills from a very young age, although I had countless national and state parks all around me, I wanted more. I wanted to get out west. Eventually I did, I moved to Flagstaff, Arizona and I actually felt a rebirth.

I was surrounded by new and unique plants and animals. For the first time this city dwelling, beach bum was free in the desert southwest. What a shocker! For the next few years I had my old surfboard on the wall and sea shells around the house I was living like a beach bum at 6000 feet! It has now been 12 years since I lived at the beach and I actually still have the board!

As I became more familiar with my new surroundings, I felt more free than I had ever been. I began reading about the region and was able to explore through the writings of  one of my favorite authors, Edward Abbey. With Ed leading the way through his witty words and eco-terrorist leanings I became a desert rat with no holds barred.

The beach was so distant that I stopped hearing the ocean’s call and now I really don’t see myself ever living coast side again. Eventually I ended up in the Colorado mountains and although the desert pulls hard on my soul still, I know that this is now my home. And I need to stop wanting the past and learn about my own backyard.

I will never stop dreaming of far away lands. I will continue to travel when ever I get the chance. However I know that I am lucky to have the opportunity to look around eyes wide and explore this place.

So where ever you live take a step back find a local guide book, or look for a park (city, state, or national) and get out there. Change your perspective by looking at the intricacies of a leaf or the liquid landscape provided by the clouds. You do not need Banff, or the Mongolian Steppe, Iceland or Machu Picchu. Every where any of you live there are adventures to be had. Think about it. The key is to explore your own back yard, learn about the flora and fauna, the geology, the history. Get outside and live free!!!

Do not mistake this rant as one saying give up your dreams to travel. I encourage you all to travel and see more, what I am saying is often we miss the beauty of what is closest to us with visions of far away lands.

Sleeping bags have always been a point of contention for me. Primarily due to the fact that I am pretty rough on equipment. This is one of the few areas that the military served me well, in the Army you get a layered sleep system consisting of a very, very light summer bag, that snaps into a heavy, heavy winter bag that can snap into a Gore-Tex bivy. Pack all of that into stuff sack that at most will compress down to the size of a volkswagen and weighs almost as much!!! However as with anything the military uses it is built for abuse and to the powers that be that equals heeeaaaavvvy!

One outstanding feature is that you have all you need regardless of weather conditions, and since it is issued to you there is no money out of pocket! I actually held on to a few and use them occasionally.

Now for the general population choosing the right bag is essential to enjoyment of your camping experience. Remember no two people are alike, meaning everything about you is unique to you.

Factors to consider are:

• The area you do most of your camping, is it desert, mountain, jungle, humid, dry, cold, warm etc…?
• Do you generally sleep warm, or cold, do you move around a lot, do you sleep on your side, which side (it matters for zipper placement!)?
• Do you always sleep in a tent, or under a tarp or improvised shelter?
• Are you allergic to certain feathers that might be used in down?
• Size bag you want to carry (will it fit in your pack)?
• Do you prefer ultra light for greater distances, or cushy luxury?

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Sunday UTM and I brought team UpaDowna into the big time!! That’s right folks we won!!!!!

Over all I think team UpaDowna had a blast. For those that are not familiar with the race here is a quick run down.

Two teammates, one starts on a bike one starts running. When the biker reaches the first muddy obstacle they ditch the bike and complete the obstacle then takes off running, the runner arrives completes the obstacle grabs the bike and is off!! From what I remember the obstacles went like this. 1st was a climbing wall, second a 4×4 a-frame to which you must go over then under than over, weaving your way up it then down it, then a water crossing (I lost one of my shoes..but quickly found it!!). Next was a balance beam, then a cargo net climb and slide down one of those giant inflatable castle things, and finally the giant mud pit, to which you must cross with your partner.

I think we made it in 55 minutes or right around there, the results have not been posted but trust me we were not in the running for the championship, there were some animals out there.

The mud was thick and sticky, which made it interesting for riding a bike or running. Our deralliurs were quickly so mucked up they were useless, single speed next year for sure!!

Word to the wise, do not let UTM convince you to eat breakfast burritos the moring of the race…bad things happen!

If you are looking for a good fun day of play raceing and beer drinking this race is one you should consider.