A sleeping pad is one of those choices that for the inexperienced they have delusions of wonderfully padded cozy bedding much like they enjoy at home. Unfortunately the reality is far from the delusion. Don’t get me wrong there are some really cushy pads out there that can make sleeping on the cold hard ground a bit more appealing, but I have yet to experience a pad that will bring you “home”. All of these pads come in different lengths and thickness and some even fold to make packing easier!

There are really only two types of pads that are utilized today; closed-cell and self-inflating. With recent introduction of the down filled pads such as the Exped Downmat 9 Sleeping Pad. There used to be open-cell pads but they ended up being more trouble than they were worth and most manufacturers have since discontinued production. (more…)

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

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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For this awesome Leatherman!!!

Not really but come on $40,000!!! Holy crap!! How many of these will really sell? I mean it is unique I think only 25 will be made I just cannot justify it.

However I bet JuiceBox has three!!

This lady was out hiking on her property and was mauled by a bear. More than likely a result of the loss of habitat in the California mountains due to the recent fires.

She had two big dogs with her and was still mauled pretty good, kind of makes you think about the balance between man and nature. She was able to get away from the bear and drive herself to find help!

If nature ever got really really pissed, humans, with our soft skin, lack of sharp pointy teeth or claws we really wouldn’t stand a chance…unless we pave the world. Wait a minute, maybe that is why the wally worlds and super mega churches are so popular. They take up an insane amount of land and pave what ever they can. That explains it! Come on folks it is o.k., they are protecting us from all of the animals that want to eat us. Now why didn’t I realize that earlier!!!!

(for those of you that can not figure it out…JuiceBox, that was pure sarcasm)

However if this bear ever comes for my stash there will be a war and I WILL win, never get between a Yeti and his beer!!

The bear picture was not one of the bears mentioned in either article but does show how bears are doing their best to blend in and assimilate into human society.