http://www.yellowstoneassociation.org/store/product.aspx?productId=1154&categoryId=31
I also recommend getting the two books below, one for general fishing guidance and one for trails and campsite guidance.
Showing posts with label gear. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gear. Show all posts
Friday, July 29, 2011
Good set of maps and books
The Yellowstone Association has a really good price on the maps set for Yellowstone National Park at
http://www.yellowstoneassociation.org/store/product.aspx?productId=1154&categoryId=31
I also recommend getting the two books below, one for general fishing guidance and one for trails and campsite guidance.
http://www.yellowstoneassociation.org/store/product.aspx?productId=1154&categoryId=31
I also recommend getting the two books below, one for general fishing guidance and one for trails and campsite guidance.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Kids’ Camelback “Scout” Review
After Paul did so well on our little introductory hikes last week in Yellowstone, I knew it was time to get him a backpack. He’s a HUGE fan of the Camelback hose and drinking out of them (actually, most kids love it). And I’m tired of carrying around all of his stuff…Soooo, welcome to the real world, kid, now it’s time to carry your own stuff (!) 
We checked out the bags available at the local sporting goods store that is locally owned and operated, and we found the Camelback “Scout” to be the best option for us. As far as Paul is concerned, as long as it had a hose he could drink out of, it was good to go. I wanted it to be able to carry some stuff, too! Eventually, Paul came around to liking the idea of being able to carry his own stuff, too. I knew he liked this one because he wore it around in the store for thirty minutes.
We haven’t done any hikes with this backpack yet, but Paul likes hit. He has been wearing it nearly all waking hours since we bought it. He keeps it handy to drink out of, which is also very good right now as we are in full-on POTTY TRAINING mode, and constantly drinking water has made success on the potty an easy thing to do. So, this purchase is already a big check in the win column.
As for size, it is admittedly a bit bigger than I wanted. But this was the smallest version that had any cargo capacity. Paul is 35 pounds and about 38-40" tall, and the backpack works ok for now, and he'll grow into it. I wanted him to carry a couple diapers, a change of clothes, and some snacks. This carries all that and has more than enough room without getting too heavy. I think Paul will be wearing this backpack for at least three or four years before it gets too small.
Fifty ounces of water is a lot for a little kid to carry around. If a gallon of water is 64 ounces and weighs nearly ten pounds, then this 50 ounces comes in at around eight pounds. Paul weighs 35 pounds, so that water is nearly 25% of his body weight and would be equivalent of me at 180 pounds carrying 45 pounds or 4.5 gallons of water. That’s A LOT! It looks like he can handle it, and he doesn’t seem to mind too much, but I’m only filling it about 2/3 full for him until he grows some more.
The pack has 763 cubic inches of storage space, which is pretty big. The adult version of a M.U.L.E. has only 439 cubic inches. The bag currently has three diapers, a little container of wipes, several cereal bars, a couple of small cars, and a few small books, and it’s only about half full. Of course, with the weight of these items and a 2/3 full bladder, it’s at the edge of being too heavy for him.
The main “competition” I saw when deciding what to buy was another Camelback called the “mini-mule.” I have an adult M.U.L.E. from many years ago that I still use and love, but this kid’s version has almost no cargo capacity (listed at 153 cubic inches) and certainly nowhere near what the “Scout” has.
All in all, I think this was a great purchase for $50, and I can’t wait to get Paul out on the trail with it!
Paul drinks from the hose. He loves his Camelback hose!
Side-view of the pack shows it comes to just below his waist. This hasn’t interfered with his walking yet. It is a bit big on him, but he’ll grow into it quickly. There is a side pocket for other items, too.
Front-view shows see-thru window for identification/contact cards for the kids. Or you could put your map in it.
Another see-thru window in the main compartment. I guess I’ll put a backup identification card in here.
From Amazon...
We checked out the bags available at the local sporting goods store that is locally owned and operated, and we found the Camelback “Scout” to be the best option for us. As far as Paul is concerned, as long as it had a hose he could drink out of, it was good to go. I wanted it to be able to carry some stuff, too! Eventually, Paul came around to liking the idea of being able to carry his own stuff, too. I knew he liked this one because he wore it around in the store for thirty minutes.
We haven’t done any hikes with this backpack yet, but Paul likes hit. He has been wearing it nearly all waking hours since we bought it. He keeps it handy to drink out of, which is also very good right now as we are in full-on POTTY TRAINING mode, and constantly drinking water has made success on the potty an easy thing to do. So, this purchase is already a big check in the win column.
As for size, it is admittedly a bit bigger than I wanted. But this was the smallest version that had any cargo capacity. Paul is 35 pounds and about 38-40" tall, and the backpack works ok for now, and he'll grow into it. I wanted him to carry a couple diapers, a change of clothes, and some snacks. This carries all that and has more than enough room without getting too heavy. I think Paul will be wearing this backpack for at least three or four years before it gets too small.
Fifty ounces of water is a lot for a little kid to carry around. If a gallon of water is 64 ounces and weighs nearly ten pounds, then this 50 ounces comes in at around eight pounds. Paul weighs 35 pounds, so that water is nearly 25% of his body weight and would be equivalent of me at 180 pounds carrying 45 pounds or 4.5 gallons of water. That’s A LOT! It looks like he can handle it, and he doesn’t seem to mind too much, but I’m only filling it about 2/3 full for him until he grows some more.
The pack has 763 cubic inches of storage space, which is pretty big. The adult version of a M.U.L.E. has only 439 cubic inches. The bag currently has three diapers, a little container of wipes, several cereal bars, a couple of small cars, and a few small books, and it’s only about half full. Of course, with the weight of these items and a 2/3 full bladder, it’s at the edge of being too heavy for him.
The main “competition” I saw when deciding what to buy was another Camelback called the “mini-mule.” I have an adult M.U.L.E. from many years ago that I still use and love, but this kid’s version has almost no cargo capacity (listed at 153 cubic inches) and certainly nowhere near what the “Scout” has.
All in all, I think this was a great purchase for $50, and I can’t wait to get Paul out on the trail with it!
Paul drinks from the hose. He loves his Camelback hose!
Side-view of the pack shows it comes to just below his waist. This hasn’t interfered with his walking yet. It is a bit big on him, but he’ll grow into it quickly. There is a side pocket for other items, too.
Front-view shows see-thru window for identification/contact cards for the kids. Or you could put your map in it.
Another see-thru window in the main compartment. I guess I’ll put a backup identification card in here.
From Amazon...
Product Description
Amazon.com
The Scout from Camelbak is a kid's specific hydration pack ideal for young explorers who want to head out on the trail with cargo and hydration. The 50-ounce Antidote Reservoir with Quick Link System keeps kids hydrating without reminders, while 763 cubic inches of capacity carry the kid essentials without bulk. Equipped with a lightweight air mesh harness and a diamond mesh back panel, the Scout provides seamless support and comfort in kid-specific sizing.
Pack Specifications:
 Antidote Reservoir with Quick Link System. |
- Hydration Capacity: 50 ounces (1.5 liters)
- Cargo Capacity: 763 cubic inches (12.5 liters)
- Torso Length: 14 inches (36 centimeters)
- Pack Weight: 13.4 ounces (380 grams)
- Diamond mesh back panel
- Air mesh harness
- Large main pocket for layers
- Organizer pocket for trail map, sunglasses
- Carries: extra layers, food, trail maps, sunglasses
- Low-profile design for unmatched stability
- Air-light fillport cuts weight
- HydroGuard technology to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and prolong reservoir life
- PureFlow tube
- Patented Big Bite Valve for easy drinking
- Easy-to-clean wide-mouth opening
- Quick-seal cap tightens in just a quarter turn
Product Description
The ideal pack for the young explorer who wants to head out on the trail with cargo and hydration.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Gear Info: SPOT Connect
I don't have a SPOT Connect, but it sure looks cool. It is satellite positioning with a text capability.
Imagine you are on a solo trek into the backcountry, and extended fishing trip in grizzly country or the Appalachian Trail or the John Muir Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail. Or you are out on an extended backcountry skiing tour with plans to set up a tent in the middle of the winter. Turn this thing on and it reports your position on a map that your family, friends, and all your blog readers can read. You can also send very simple text messages to just say your o.k. so those same people can stop worrying if you froze to death, broke a leg, or became grizzly lunch. And yeah, you can update Twitter and Facebook.
A few years back, I took a Globalstar satellite phone on the John Muir Trail with me just so I could tell family that I was ok. That brick and some extra batteries weighed about five pounds. That combined with my other then-amateur backpacking skills put my pack weight over the top such that I wasn't able to do the whole thing.
This SPOT connect weighs 4.9 oz (with batteries!) and connects to your smartphone via bluetooth. Of course, you'll have a small solar power device for your phone, so no extra weight there.
$169.99 for the blue-tooth device.
$269.98 for the stand-alone device and a year of service.
I don't think I'd ever buy one, but if you have a fly shop, bike shop, ski shop, white water rafting shop, or any other kind of adventure shop, I'll bet there is a good market for renting these things. I'd pay a couple bucks a day to let my wife know that I'm trotting along ok in the backcountry. I'd certainly pay up to about 75% of what a satellite phone would cost if I was using this on an extended trip...probably up to $100 for a month of backcountry time.
Imagine you are on a solo trek into the backcountry, and extended fishing trip in grizzly country or the Appalachian Trail or the John Muir Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail. Or you are out on an extended backcountry skiing tour with plans to set up a tent in the middle of the winter. Turn this thing on and it reports your position on a map that your family, friends, and all your blog readers can read. You can also send very simple text messages to just say your o.k. so those same people can stop worrying if you froze to death, broke a leg, or became grizzly lunch. And yeah, you can update Twitter and Facebook.A few years back, I took a Globalstar satellite phone on the John Muir Trail with me just so I could tell family that I was ok. That brick and some extra batteries weighed about five pounds. That combined with my other then-amateur backpacking skills put my pack weight over the top such that I wasn't able to do the whole thing.
This SPOT connect weighs 4.9 oz (with batteries!) and connects to your smartphone via bluetooth. Of course, you'll have a small solar power device for your phone, so no extra weight there.
$169.99 for the blue-tooth device.
$269.98 for the stand-alone device and a year of service.
I don't think I'd ever buy one, but if you have a fly shop, bike shop, ski shop, white water rafting shop, or any other kind of adventure shop, I'll bet there is a good market for renting these things. I'd pay a couple bucks a day to let my wife know that I'm trotting along ok in the backcountry. I'd certainly pay up to about 75% of what a satellite phone would cost if I was using this on an extended trip...probably up to $100 for a month of backcountry time.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Re-use Huggies Wipes Container to Make a Fly-Box!
I make an effort to recycle and re-use when possible, mostly because God has demanded that we take care of what He gave us. So, when I realized last year that we have A LOT of Huggies wipes containers going into the recycle box, I thought there had to be a way to reuse it. I thought I’d try making a fly box out of it, and I was successful.
This is a really easy way to expand your carrying capacity for flies, and it is really inexpensive. Here are the steps….seriously very simple!:
1. Find empty containers of the Huggies wipes that come with a box of diapers. Ask anyone with kids! You want the thin container that comes free with a box of diapers, not the really thick box that is purchased separately.
2. Get a pad of fly box refills.
3. Open the empty wipe box.
4. Apply fly box refill to one side. You can try both sides, but I find that putting flies on both sides results in squashed flies. If both sides will have nymphs, then you should be able to do that with no problem.
5. Go fishing!
This is a really easy way to expand your carrying capacity for flies, and it is really inexpensive. Here are the steps….seriously very simple!:
1. Find empty containers of the Huggies wipes that come with a box of diapers. Ask anyone with kids! You want the thin container that comes free with a box of diapers, not the really thick box that is purchased separately.
2. Get a pad of fly box refills.
3. Open the empty wipe box.
4. Apply fly box refill to one side. You can try both sides, but I find that putting flies on both sides results in squashed flies. If both sides will have nymphs, then you should be able to do that with no problem.
5. Go fishing!
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