Open Country 700 Watt Dehydrator

So you have that new titanium cookware. Your 850 fill power down sleeping bag is almost weightless. Tents are a thing of the past...tarps are all you need. Congratulations on getting lighter and making your backpacking experience more enjoyable. I am confident you have one more area to improve. Your menu...

Prepackaged food is a great convenience. One can hike all day, setup camp, open a can of Chef Boyardee, and relax. Unfortunately your canned food was heavy, not nutritious, and boring. Several options are out there to change this routine. Many companies make freeze dried meals that only require boiling water. These meals are much lighter than canned goods and are generally more nutritious. These meals also include a hefty price tag and chemical additives.

The smarter, cheaper, tastier, and more nutritious way to go is dehydrating your own food. I understand it appears like a daunting task. After buying a dehydrator and experiencing first hand what dehydrating food entails I can honestly say...it is a breeze.

Six months ago I purchased the Open Country 700 Watt food dehydrator. This particular model features 5 trays (expandable to 14), a fruit roll sheet, and a perforated sheet for small items. A guide book and manual were also provided. I have dehydrated many different fruits, vegetables, and meats in this machine with great results. Temperature range is great (95-160 degrees) which allows one to prepare herbs to jerky. Drying is uniform and the build quality seems adequate. Dehydrating foods in bulk then vacuum sealing them allows me to always be prepared for my next backpacking trip. My only criticism of this machine is a lack of a power switch. Unplugging and plugging in the machine acts as its power switch.
All food dehydrators need a fan and thus will make some noise. At about a foot wide counter top space could be an issue. Remember however that this machine does not have to be in the kitchen. Your dehydrator can reside in any place that has power.

I strongly recommend you to start dehydrating your own meals. In a no time at all you will be creating a menu you would be proud to serve to company at home or on the trail.

Performance: 7.5
Quality: 8
Weight: N/A
Price: 7.5
Tilt: 9

Total: 8

REI Camp Towel

We all have gear lists when we are planning an adventure. Sometimes we write it. Sometimes we memorize our list. Sometimes we tell our friends the list so we can blame them when gear is forgotten. I am confident that most people rarely forget important items. What takes a trip to the next level in regards to gear is the little things. An ultralight titanium mug or an almost weightless piece of candy that soothes your soul (and your sweet tooth).

REI's camp towel is one small item that really makes my backpacking adventures more enjoyable. The 85% polyester/15% nylon microfiber mixture really facilitates quick drying and admirable absorption rate. From doing the dishes, drying your tent, or practicing good hygiene these towels have many uses. Hygiene you ask? I hope you are removing all the dirt and grime from yourself before crawling into your $500 sleeping bag. All that crud will ruin your down not to mention disgust your bunk mate.

I have been using REI towels for around nine months and am yet to damage one (I have a small and a medium one). This product does not absorb odors and goes from fully soaked to bone dry in a few hours. This towel reminds me of what a SHAMWOW is supposed to be. Even when it is wet it will still absorb more.

My only possible criticism is I have seen some slightly lighter and cheaper towels on the market but I have no experience with them.

REI has various sizes to choose from. Wash cloth sized(small) to beach towel size(x-large). I strongly recommend this product even to the ultralight crowd at 2.2 oz.

Performance: 9
Quality: 8.5
Weight: 7
Price: 6.5
Tilt: 9

Total: 8

REI $9.50(small w/case), 2.2oz

Snow Peak Titanium Plate

Snow Peak always shows great attention to build quality and weight. While Snow Peak charges a high price for their wares I usually do not regret buying high quality items. The titanium plate I purchased over a year ago might be the only Snow Peak purchase I regret. Snow Peak delivered on quality and ultralight weight. The price is not even as bad as usual. My issue with this plate is where it fits in on my gear list. If I am going strict ultralight I am just eating out of my pot. If I need to serve more people than myself one person can eat out the pot and one from the lid. If I really need to have a separate serving dish I bring a bowl which is more versatile. In my past year of ownership I have used the titanium plate infrequently.

This plate cleans easy, is great to look at, and is very light (2oz). Be sure to have a thick layer of material between the plate and your lap because heat goes right through.

For those of you that must have a plate for the backcountry this is your go to product. In my humble opinion a bowl is more practical. Snow Peak does offer a titianum bowl which is lighter. I cannot however recommend it without trying it myself.

Performance: 8.5
Quality: 9
Weight: 9
Price: 6
Tilt: 5

Total: 7.5

REI $15.95, 2oz.

REI Travel Down +45 Sleeping Bag

Today I would like to share my experience with REI's Travel Down Sleeping Bag. This was the first bag I purchased that was not a $20 throwaway piece of junk. While I have some criticisms this bag has treated me well.

I really enjoy down bags. They are fluffy, warm, and light. The only real advantage synthetic has is price. I know some of you out there will cite synthetics improved drying ability as an advantage. Realistically if you get any sleeping bag wet you are screwed regardless of material. Bottom line: DO NOT GET YOUR SLEEPING BAG WET. The REI Travel Down uses the lowest rated down which is 600 fill power. Do not be turned off by not having the best down available, this is a summer bag we are talking about here. Some great qualities are present with this product. For starters it really packs small. I can pack my bag, pillow, and sleeping pad all in the same stuff sack. The temperature rating for this bag is accurate. I have used this bag in 45 degree weather and was comfortable. I have also used this bag in 30 degree weather which I would not recommend, I was very cold. The build quality of this bag is very good. I have had no rips or tears and the zipper has continued to function perfectly.

For those of you that require or desire copious amounts of room, this bag is not for you. Most people will easily fit but it is tight. For those of you that sleep on your back, you will have no trouble at all using this sleeping bag.

If you are hesitant to spend hundereds of dollars on a sleeping bag but want something better than bargin bin junk I recommend this bag. If you are willing to make a substantial investment other bags on the market are warmer and literally half the weight.

Performance: 7
Quality: 8
Weight: 5
Price: 8.5
Tilt: 7

Total: 7.1

REI $109, 28oz.

REI Sahara Convertible Pants

If you are still hiking or backpacking with jeans your next piece of gear most certainly should be pants. Jeans and other cotton products might be comfortable for day to day activities but they are poorly suited for the trail. Cotton gets wet and stays wet. Which means not only does it absorb rain and other environmental hazards it also absorbs sweat. Cotton takes more than 24 hours to air dry.

About 6 months ago I picked up a pair of REI Sahara pants. I am usually hesitant to buy store brand items but I liked the feel of them when I tried them on and also the price. These pants are made of Supplex Nylon. This allows for drying in minutes and provides immunity to odors. The versatility of transforming into shorts with little effort make these my go to pants during any season. Cargo pockets along the legs and standard pants pockets ensure you will have plenty of room for your gear. I love having a belt built into the pants. To tighten I just cinch the slack end and I have a perfect fit.

When venturing into materials other than cotton a common concern is durability. Intially I was concerned that my $60 pants would be burned or torn to shreds after only a few trips. I can honestly report that these pants can resist burning embers and marches through sticker bushes. I have yet to have a rip, hole, or tear.

My only critique of these pants is the gigantic bottom half. The section from your knee to your boot is very wide. This is typical of most convertible pants but these are much larger than usual. Normally the price for these pants is $60 but as of writing this post they are on sale for $40. I highly recommend this product.

Performance:7.5
Quality:8
Weight:7.5
Price:8.5
Tilt:8.5

Total:8

REI $40, 12.875oz

Mini Mag Flashlight

When it comes to flashlights, there are more choices than you can shake a stick at, even if you're good at shaking sticks. Today we're going to discuss a light that I've been using daily for about 3 months now, the Mini Maglite.

Operation is simple, twist on/off with flood or beam depending on how much you twist. The light output isn't anything to write home about, but it is more than adequate. It is also a krypton bulb, not an LED, which I kind of like. I personally find things to appear clearer in non-LED light, so I like having a "regular" bulb light on me.

It is not a waterproof light, but it can withstand a quick submersion...like that time I dropped it in the creek. Just brought it out, turned it off, let it dry, and it was good to go. It also seems fairly shock resistant. I've dropped it more than once. Which brings us to a slight downside...it is a little slick. Also, I wish the lanyard hole was large enough to accomodate Paracord.

These arn't ultralight flashlights by any means at 3.78oz, and you can get much more performance/weight with a lot of other lights out there. They will easily fit in with a lightweight backpackers gear list though.

The best part about this light is the price. I got mine, with a sheath and 2 extra bulbs, for under $9.00. Hard to beat for what has so far been a very durable flashlight. It runs on 2AA batteries, also, so batteries are not expensive.

Other than backpacking, I find this light very handy and wear it almost every day in its nylon sheath. Good product for the price.

Performance: 5
Quality: 7.5
Weight: 3.5
Price: 9
Tilt:7

Total: 6.4

Can be found almost anywhere lights are sold for $8-$10.
3.78oz

Primus Isobutane Lantern

Let there be light...at your campsite. Today I would like to share my review on the Primus isobutane lantern. I have owned this product for over a year. I have always liked traditional fuel based lanterns. As a kid I fondly remember the big Coleman lantern illuminating the summer night. Light from an LED or bulb is too artificial for my taste.

This Lantern is well built and solid. I enjoy the added protection of the hard plastic case that is provided from Primus. This little guy puts out 80 watts of light and is adjustable. One criticism I have is a lack of different light intensities. For the most part you have a high, middle, and low setting. The glass that surrounds the mantle is glazed which is fantastic. Too many lanterns I have seen just have a clear glass globe. This makes the light too intense to look at and provides uneven lighting. This glazed globe makes great light. A nifty feature is the wire string the lantern is on. This allows you to hang it off of a branch or stick in the ground. Burn time is respectable. Using a midsized can of fuel I have had this thing go at full blast all night. The new model comes with a penzo ignition system which adds even more ease of use. Noise level is also low compared to other lanterns I have used. This lantern is one of the lightest around but I have seen some others that are slightly lighter. The case is rectangular and is 4.75 inches high with 2.75 inch sides.

This device is obviously not going to find its way into an ultralight backpacking setup but is appropriate for groups or those that like to have little luxuries. At 6.8 ounces you can make room in your pack for the Primus Isobutane Lantern. We have come a long way from the 3 pound beast of a lantern from oh so long ago.

Performance: 8
Quality: 8.5
Weight: 7.8
Price: 8.0
Tilt: 8
Total: 8.06

REI $59, 6.8 oz

ExOfficio Boxer Briefs

Today I would like to share with you my thoughts on a life changing pair of boxer/briefs. I know you must think I am mad but I cannot be anymore sincere. To properly explain my aforementioned bold statement I must get a little personal. I am about 5'7" and weigh 230 pounds. While I am strong and some of my weight is muscle, I have quite a bit of fat as well. As a heavy person I used to be the victim of inner thigh chaffing. What made things worse was my propensity to sweat without cause. When combining skin to skin contact and moisture, pain and suffering will ensue. While I always enjoyed backpacking, hours and hours of hiking would cause so much pain my trip would be close to ruined. My 12 hour shifts at the hospital would be spent in agony.

Enter the ExOfficio boxer/briefs...my life has been changed. These boxer/briefs have eliminated all skin to skin contact and moisture. Not only has my backpacking trips become endlessly more enjoyable but my daily life has vastly improved as well.

I have owned this product for about 6 months. Right away most people will be turned off by the price at $25 a pair...but worth every penny. Now that the only downside is out of the way lets get to the good stuff. ExOfficio has really made a durable product. I Have been rotating 3 pairs daily for 6 months. They get washed between each use so each pair has seen the washing machine, dryer, and actual use very heavily. I have seen no break down of the elastic. None of the fabric has been ripped or worn. The little logo has faded overtime but this has no effect on performance.
The comfort level is nothing short of sublime. The boxer/briefs feel like a second skin but are designed to give my boys plenty of room. These are more comfortable than any cotton boxers I have worn. During running, hiking, and working I have not had to re-adjust these.
No matter how much you sweat these boxer/briefs will wick all moisture away. The 94% nylon/6% spandex mix allow for quick drying and will not retain odors.

I have categorized this product as ultralight. The reason for this is not because they are that much lighter than cotton boxers (they are about an ounce less). The other reason they are ultralight is I only need one pair in addition to the one I start with, no matter if the trip is two days or two weeks. Wearing a pair all day then washing before bed ensures I always have a clean pair.

I give this product my highest recommendation. Spending $25 dollars now will provide daily comfort for many years to come.

Performance: 9.5
Quality: 9.5
Weight: 8
Price: 4
Tilt:10

Total: 8.2

REI $25, 2.875 oz.

March 20, 2010 Backpacking On Appalachian Trail

With the snow melted and some warm weather upon us the OD adventure crew could finally get out on the trail. We began the day at 11:30. We checked our gear, ate, and began our drive to the Hamburg reservoir (a 45 minute drive). We reached the reservoir around 1:00 and were pleased to see many other folks enjoying the beautiful day. From the reservoir the Appalachian Trail can be accessed easily.

We had two goals this trip. Our first goal was to do some scouting on a new campsite. Our second goal was to hike to the Pinnacle after setting up camp. The Pinnacle is a fantastic lookout point over Berks county. Our first goal was met without any resistance, which was a little disappointing. I was looking forward to a challenge and many miles of hiking and scouting with my pack on (I really need the exercise). The site we found could not be passed up however. This little wonder was off the trail and nicely hidden by trees and other foliage. A creek located about 75 feet away provided water and soothing ambient sound. Next time we will try to resist this site and find someplace further.

After setting up camp, shooting some videos, and taking some pictures we anxiously awaited for one more member of our party who had to come late. Upon arrival we began to cook dinner. Both Jared and I were testing new penny stoves. I purchased mine online while Jared made a homemade one. Both stoves did very well (look for some thoughts and reviews in the near future). After a lovely pot of shells and cheese, tuna, and dehydrated broccoli we began our hike to the Pinnacle...

The Pinnacle was located about 3 miles from our site. With flashlights and walking sticks in hand we took to the spooky trail. The moon was in crescent form but was particularly bright. Most of the time we walked with lights off. Along the way we saw several thru-hikers who had settled in for the night. 100 Feet before the Pinnacle a large and deliberate pile of stones came into view. This pile of stones was approximately 12 feet high and 15 feet in diameter. These rocks are a pseudo monument of sorts. Each person who visits the Pinnacle is to add to the pile. Over the years tons and tons of rock has been placed here. Past the stones a magnificent view awaits. Large flat rock provides a comfortable place to rest after your laborious hike. The lights from the cities are brilliant and the dark of night provides a very special atmosphere. One drawback to a night time hike is photography is not possible, at least with our current equipment.

About five minutes after arrival Carl, one of our group members, whispered " I hear a noise?" A few seconds passed by... "I HEAR GROWLING!!" The three of us stood up ready to defend ourselves. About 35 feet away we could see big glowing eyes in the darkness. My heart raced as I processed what I saw. This was not our imagination, those eyes we coming in very quick and the growling was menacing. Less than three seconds later the beast was upon us...I felt relief wash over me. We were not under attack by some wild animal, another hiker did not have his dog on a leash. The dog was not attacking us, he was just guarding his territory. The owner of the dog awoke from his sleep and called his dog back. After enjoying the view and regathering our wits we began to head back to camp.

When we reached camp we prepared a midnight snack and discussed our anger at pets not being on leashes. A little while later we turned in for the night. I was excited to use some new gear I picked up. This would be my first night sleeping on the NeoAir from Therm-a-rest and my new bag from Western Mountaineering. Jared had a new tent and sleeping bag he was testing as well. Keep a look out for reviews on stoves, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, and tents in the near future. Initial impressions on my gear was excellent, I slept very well.

What a great first trip of the season. See you on the trail soon.