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Ultra Sil View drysack by Sea to Summit

May 21, 2012 gear, review, video 2

If you haven’t noticed, Sea to Summit gave us a bunch of stuff to review and I am happy to be putting it through its paces. Next on my list is the super cool Ultra Sil View drysack. This little baby boasts 3 significant features: Cordura fabric, a View window and a super light weight.

First out, this is a bit heavier than the ultra sil nano we looked at previously, but that is because of their choice of cordura, a heavier duty fabric, and the clear view port for seeing what is inside… I guess I could stop there, especially if you know Sea to Summit’s reputation, but for the sake of sharing what my feelings, read on!


I really like their Waterproof nano, light weight drysack (1 oz for a 13 liter bag), but for those of us who are forgetful and don know where they packed Xyz, this is worth the extra weight (1.5 oz for the 8 litre model I got).

Let’s start with the window. Itś made of TPU and RF welded on. I didn’t know what that all meant so I took a look. TPU is a plastic Thermoplastic polyurethane. Say that fast 5 times. That stuff is supposed to be elastic, abrasion resistant, as well as grease and oil resistant. I’m guessing they chose it to go along with Cordura’s durability

The RF welding is a process that bonds the materials and leaves the join as strong as the material itself. That is supposed to translate to being free of weak spots, something you don’t want on a drysack. It looks and handles great IMHO and I don’t see that window breaking any time soon… But don’t worry, we’ll be doing a long term review as well.

So let’s move onto the Cordura. They’ve chosen the growingly popular cordura fabric for this view line (comes in 1,2,4,8,13,20 and 35 litre models). Although it’s been around since 1929, cordura has only recently come into my radar (read 1-2 years). It’s known to be strong and durable, resisting abrasions, scuffs, etc. They’ve siliconized it to make it waterproof to give that much needed dry feature of drysacks. he he he.

This pack is almost double its ultra sil nano cousin of the same capacity, but clearly designed for harder wearing and better organizational skills. Still, at 1.5 ounces, you’re not suffering by turning to this for longer or rougher trips. Especially if you’re not easy going on your gear.

If you haven’t seen this new line, check it out on Sea to Summit’s Ultra Sil View page.

Pluses: Heavier duty fabric and a nice view port to keep track of where everything is.

Downers: Results in a slightly heaver weight.

My conclusions: For light, but not ultralight hikers, you need to check this out for yourself.

Check out a first impressions take I did on the ultra sil view here:

Ultra-sil Nano Drysack by Sea to Summit – Gear Review

May 14, 2012 gear, review, video 0

When it comes to backpacking, there’s one thing I hate, and that is stuff that gets wet in my backpack… Especially if it isn’t supposed to be wet. Stuff Sacks are good and drysacks are better. Sea to Summit‘s line of Ultra-sil Nano drysacks is not only good or great, it’s excellent.


When you see drysacks, they usually fall into one of two categories: DWR or silnylon. DWR stands for Durable Water Resistant. It’s a water resistant finish that is sprayed onto nylon and which results in a temporary  and limited water resistance. Depending on the brand and quality that resistance could be enough for you, but it’s not guaranteed to keep your stuff dry. Also, It does wear off over time. Silnylon on the other hand is completely waterproof. They take silicon and they impregnate the nylon with it resulting in something completely weatherproof and much longer lasting than the cheaper DWR coated fabrics.

Usually, this would make the silnylon a heavier choice, but because of their choice of fabrics, the Ultra-sil drysack from Sea to Summit is SUPER lightweight. I mean really really lightweight. You have the benefits of silnyon, but without the weight. To give you an example, the 13 liter bag that I have weighs in at only 1 ounce. That’s much lighter than the DWR bags I’ve purchased in the past. Now obviously it will be a bit more delicate, but not much: and so far, it seems like a worthwhile compromise.

Sea To Summit carries a full range of sizes for their ultrasil nano drysacks, ranging from 1 liter (at 0.5 ounces) all the way to 35 liters (at only 1.5 ounces). If you like to keep your stuff organized and dry, but don’t want to carry extra weight, this is definitely something you should check out.

As time goes on I’ll be letting you know how the bag holds out to normal backpacking use, but it’s definitely making it into my pack for this summer’s excursions!

Oh and it’s so light weight, it can double as a beachball when you’re bored at basecamp!

Have you tried out Sea to Summit gear before? Can you recommend any other sea to summit gear that’s worth adding to our pack?

Vapur anti-bottle – Gear Review

May 11, 2012 gear, review, video 4

A little while back, I was sent an unbottle from a company called Vapur. Actually, it’s more of an anti-bottle. It’s a vessel for holding water, anyway, and in addition to being BPA free and light, it is also packable when not in use. It’s the Vapur Element.

I’d been keeping a casual eye on the battle between hydration bladders, nalgene users and plastic bottle users and was aware that there was a growing trend to these half bag, half bottle options. I had been meaning to pick one up to try it, and fortunately for me, Vapur sent me one to try out.
It may go against what it stereotypically means to be a guy, but I read the instructions before trying it out. (pausing for the gasps of amazement to die down). The first thing that struck me was that it’s BPA free. I know this is becoming the standard, but it’s still something I look for in a drinking vessel. It’s got to be something that I can keep long term and that won’t break down and make me sick.
After that the cool dishwasher safe feature caught my attention. One thing that prevents me putting electrolyte drink powders in my water bladder is the difficulty of cleaning. I can’t get the smell out and I can’t scrub the inside out! I’m looking forward to putting drink mix in their and then trying out the dishwasher friendly results!
Although it looked tough, I was kind of concerned about how it would hold up under a hot dishwasher’s breath, so I devised a hard wearing test. I poured near boiling water in it several times on an 3 day outdoors trip and it didn’t get weak or damage any seams. Hey, it even served as a good hot water bottle!
Apparently you can freeze it as well and use it as an ice pack… I smell a test coming on!
This made in the USA product also has a really neat nozzle or head. It shuts solidly thanks to an inside seal and firm squeezing didn’t cause any leaks. It has a carabiner type ring on the top that can be hooked on to your pack or even directly on your belt and it doesn’t disturb me at all while I walk. That same loop can be used to whole the rolled up antibottle tightly to save extra space in your pack.
Oh and another benefit was that by blowing it full of air I had a really nice, soft pillow for sleeping on at night.
Although I haven’t completely abandoned my water bladder, I am impressed with how compact and lightweight these vapur elements are. I definitely will carry one with me this summer to help me decide what will work best for me and I would definitely recommend it to anyone that is looking for an alternative to that heavy nalgene bottle!
Do you use a Vapur or similar product? What do you think? Would you recommend it to others?

The Fire Puck – Gear Review

May 7, 2012 Fire, gear, review 0

A little while ago a company contacted me via youtube asking me to take a look at a product called “the fire puck”. It’s supposed to be a versatile firestarter that can be lit without other ignition sources and that burns hot and long. I decided to try it out for the first time on video and I was happily surprised at the result (Scroll to the bottom to see the video!).
 
The Background

The idea is simple. A weather resistant fire starter made with 65% organic materials that burns at 1400 degrees. The purpose is starting fires. The benefit is that it doesn’t need a lighter to start it and it stays burning for a long time, even in adverse conditions.
 
The Experience
 
So I tried an experiment. I thought I’d see if it could boil 2 cups of water using just that. It gave me a reason to get out and try it and see if it was worth taking on my survival trip.
 
Following the directions was easy.
 
Remove the Label –This is made of plastic and serves to keep the top and bottom on. The plastic doesn’t appeal to me as it is the only part that isn’t burnable. I think that it would be a better choice to use an adhesive paper tape for this part.
 
Locate the Striker –The Striker is easy to find on the top cap and is easily large enough to use as a striker.
 
Strike on the Starter Button –This works almost too well. I didn’t need to put much work into striking and immediately it started shooting flames. I even had to step back as the flames crept into a jet and shot a good 12 inches up above the puck.
 
Thefire puck continued to burn for at least 2 minutes more and remained burning quite strong. It didn’t boil the water, but it heated it up until it was uncomfortable to the touch.
 
My thoughts
 
Be careful. Once this lights, it gets hot very quickly. You don’t have to worry ignition difficulties or how long it lasts. This thing burns for a good 2 minutes at least and the heat is intense enough that it should ignite even damp tinder (if it hasn’t completely destroyed it by the time its done). It’s very effective and something to keep on hand for emergencies if you’ll be needing a super duper fool proof fire starter.
The Video
 

Hiking Sticks 101

April 30, 2012 DIY, gear 2

Jessica Stark contacting me about writing a guest post on hiking sticks. While modern, collapsible trekking poles are popular, there’s still a lot to be said for a good, solid walking stick that you’ve tailored to your own tastes. 

Hiking Sticks 101

by Jessica Stark

If you’ve been hiking, you’ve probably noticed people using hiking sticks. These hiking sticks, also known as walking sticks or trekking poles, may look funny, but they actually offer much assistance to even the most seasoned hiker. If you are considering becoming more of an avid hiker, check out how a hiking stick might be the exact tool you’ll need!



Hiking Uses

Hiking sticks  are a great when exploring any outdoor setting. On uneven terrainand rocky surfaces, they can help maintain balance. Leaning on a walking stick will help to prevent you from tripping or twisting an ankle. While you many think only older hikers would need a hiking stick, they enable people of all ages and fitness levels to walk long distances by giving support when you begin to tire or through long uphill stretches.

Hiking sticks definitley come in handy for crossing streams or testing out potentially unstable grounds. Your hiking stick can be used to uncover surfaces or test whether an unusual looking spot is slippery or unable to hold weight. Additionally, they allow you to measure how deep a stream is and where drop offs might occur. Examining surfaces and water with your hiking stick can prevent serious injuries.

Types of Hiking Sticks

Several types of hiking sticks exist, but the two main categories are metal and wood. Many people even make their own walking stick customized to their height and style. Walking sticks are available in most pharmacies, discount department stores, medical supply companies and even online; however, I recommend making your own wooden stick rather than purchasing one. By making your own, you will truly be able to ensure the proper height, weight and feel.

Customized Hiking Sticks

By far, the best hiking sticks are handmade. Wood is pliable and easy to work with, making it a great choice for hiking sticks. Because wood is easier to work with than metal, you can ensure that your custom hiking stick will be the exact height and weight that you need it to be.

Make your own trekking pole:

1.     Select a thick limb or piece of lumber that is just over shoulder height but is still easily carried. Avoid knotted wood as the knots may result in weaker wood.

2.     If your wood is already stick-shaped, shave layers away until it’s the right height (just below shoulder height) using a hunting knife or hand saw. Power toolscan be used to achieve the ideal shape if you are using a lumber board.  

3.     Remove the bark so that the stick may be dried out. The bark can be easily removed with a box cutter. Make sure you allow the wood to thoroughly dry before proceeding.

4.     Next, sanding can begin. Be sure to wear a sanding mask. Using a large piece of sanding paper that wraps around the stick, a sanding block or a palm sander, smooth the surface of the wood. Clear the sawdust away when you finish sanding.

5.     Once this step is completed, it should be wiped down with tung oil followed by minor sanding, reapplying the oil and then sanding one more time. Drying the stick between each process is mandatory. A final coating of floor wax and additional drying time is necessary.


With a bit of patience, you will have a custom hiking stick that can give you years of hiking aid. A well-made wooden hiking stick can provide you with support on the most rigorous of trails, so the next time you think a hiker looks funny with his stick, remember how these tools can be life-savers when you are deep on the trail.


Jessica is interested in camping and DIY projects. She enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring her surroundings and blogging on behalf of Sears and other brands she trusts.

Win Some Awesome Terramar Sports Gear

April 20, 2012 gear, prizes 1

Well, Thanks to all you awesome guys and gals out there we’ve been able to team up with Terramar Sports and offer you the chance to win some awesome Terramar Gear with an Outdoor Adventure photo contest! Terramar is going to choose 3 winners who will all get their hands on some Terramar Sports gear. Check the instruction below for the how-to.

Here’s all you need to do: Head on over to the Terramar Sports Facebook Page and upload your favorite outdoor/adventure photo to their wall…. oh and make sure you tell them that you were sent by The Outdoor Adventure to be eligible to win. 

Anyone who posts a photo to their facebook wall saying that they were sent by The Outdoor Adventure is entered to win. The contest is only open for 2 days (Friday, April 20th to Saturday, April 21st) so hurry on over and show us your photos!

Don’t have a magazine-esque photo? Don’t worry, 2nd and 3rd place prizes will be chosen randomly to increase your odds of winning!

Oh wait, do you want to know what they’re giving away?

Grand Prize: GeoFleece Half Zip – this will go to the picture that inspires the Terramar Team the most!

Second prize: Thermawool Crew Top

Third prize: Thermadry Socks 

What are you waiting for? Head over to the Terramar Sports Facebook Page, upload a photo of your favorite outdoor adventure and tell them that The Outdoor Adventure sent you!

A huge thanks to Terramar Sports for letting us offer you some great gear!

Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Kitchen Sink – Gear Review

April 18, 2012 gear, review 3

Now, the next time we go backpacking with our two small children and my husband groans under the weight of his pack and asks whether I had packed the kitchen sink, I will be able to grin and say “yes! But that’s not the weight you are feeling.”

This sink is going to go with me every time I go backpacking from now on in. It is one of those items that the minute I saw it I knew I needed it. If the children run through every single item of clothing- no problem! If there is a pile of dishes to be washed (including a pot that needs to be soaked in hot water) – no problem! If my feet are sore after a long hike and I want to soak them in warm water – no problem! Dog bowl, personal bathing or simple water storage – the uses are endless!


This bucket is large enough to wash a pile of dishes or a shirt and a pair of socks and small enough to slip in anywhere in your pack (or even your jacket pocket). At only 1.7 oz this is an easy one to pack.

The sink is made from exceptionally strong nylon fabric and with well constructed seems, is as tough as they come. Sharp rocks, prolonged use – this sink can handle it! As the material is impermeable it is very easy to keep clean, just wipe or rinse and hang to dry (or if there is no time to dry, just stuff it back into it’s sack).

The micro stuff sack seams are fully taped to avoid unwanted leakage and has directions on the back on how to fold the sink properly.

The sink’s set up is a flick of the wrist and getting it back into the stuff sack is a work of moments.

Fill the sink near a water source and then use the convenient handles to carry it back to camp. I was very surprised at how much water it holds (10 liters) and how easy it was transport. I filled it with cold water before heading to where the hot water was boiling and found that I could have added a lot more water! The small package is deceiving in how much volume it can carry!

If using hot water, first put cold water into the sink before adding the hot (it can handle water temperature up to 140°F / 60°C). It is safe to use detergent but not bleach (who takes bleach backpacking anyway?!).

The Derlin stainless steel stiffener ring keeps the sink completely stable even in uneven or sloping ground. As the base is broader than the top it won’t tip over even if nudged with a foot.

The reinforced Hypalon carry handles are comfortable and make the transportation (even when the sink is carrying over two gallons of water) simple. Now there is no excuse to dump dirty and soapy water near the water source when there is such a simple solution! Carry the water as far as you need to and without getting wet!

This is a must have item in any backpacking gear. Being able to easily transport a large volume of water and store it in a stable container is invaluable. When things get dirty, it’s great to have something that makes it easy to clean up!

by Thamar A.
The Outdoor Adventure Team

Gear Provided by Sea To Summit

Gear Giveaway: Backcountry Week

April 12, 2012 #Winadventure, gear, prizes 19


Finally! Don’t tell me you’re tired of giveaways. To wrap up our more than a month of giveaways we decided to go out with a bang. We’ve got a pile of great prized to win, just enter below!
Here’s what  The Outdoor Adventure, My Life Outdoors, Wilderness Dave, A Little Campy, Hiking the Trail and Trail Sherpa have decided to throw into the giveaway (with of course support from all these awesome sponsors):

Grand Prize:
GearPods Backcountry Kit – Gearpods Review
Trek Light Double Hammock with Hanging Kit – Trek Light Interview
Gerber Octane via the Outdoor Pros – Gerber Octane Revew 
Beyond Coastal Travel Kit
Survival Strap – Review coming 
Second Place Prize:
Merrell Shoes via the Nature Shop
Enter to win here:

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Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight / Watertight Medical Kit .7 – Gear Review

April 9, 2012 gear, review 1


It goes without saying that it is far better to practice safety and prevention than to have to use first aid. Those of us with young ones in tow must especially take extra precautions and preventative measures to ensure the safety of our children, as we guide them in understanding safe discovery of the outdoors. However, many times medical complications occur of which no amount of safety and forethought could have prevented.  Sometimes, as I lay out what to pack I realize it’s mainly an assortment of emergency medical gear for any possible backcountry disaster scenario I might have thought up as I lay awake in the night.  It’s a good thing my husband is able to reign me in, and I am currently able to minimize our ‘portable emergency room’ to a mere bulging gallon-sized zip-lock bag. I realize I’ve still got some minimizing to do. Unlike my bulging gallon-sized ziplock, the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight and Watertight Medical Kit .7 weighs only 8 oz. and measures 6.5″ x 8.5″ x 2″. As you can imagine, when I received it I picked it up and then looked in the box for the rest of it. I’m just not so sure I’m cut out for this ‘Ultralight’ business. My husband, on the other hand is thrilled to leave the huge zip-lock bag at home and grab the AMK Medical Kit .7 for his trips with the guys.

The proprietary DryFlex™ bags of the AMK Medical Kit .7 claim to be water-tight. So, I put this claim to the test by putting the whole kit in the kitchen sink for a while; I then proceeded to forget about it. I came back a few hours later to find it still bobbing happily in the water. While the outer bag was wet, the inner plastic bag held the contents dry inside. While the inner bag plastic doesn’t seem to be of the best quality, it does do its job. To maintain the water-tight seal, one would need to ensure that the zip-lock style seal at the top is thoroughly pressed together after each use.


Here is what is included in the kit, sealed up inside the proprietary DryFlex™ bags:


Bandage Materials
3 Bandages, Butterfly Closures
2 Dressings, Non-Adherent, Sterile, 3″ x 4″
1 Bandage, Conforming Gauze, 2″
5 Bandages, Adhesive, Fabric, 1″ x 3″
2 Dressings, Gauze, Sterile, 2″ x 2″, Pkg./2
3 Bandages, Adhesive, Fabric, Knuckle
2 Dressings, Gauze, Sterile, 3″ x 3″, Pkg./2 

Bleeding
1 Gloves, Nitrile (Pair),
Hand Wipe 

Blister / Burn
1 Moleskin, Pre-Cut & Shaped (11 pieces) 

Duct Tape
1 Duct Tape, 2″ x 26″ 

Fracture / Sprain
1 Bandage, Elastic with Velcro, 2″ 

Instrument
3 Large Safety Pins
1 Splinter Picker/Tick Remover Forceps 

Medication
2 After Bite Wipes
2 Antihistamine (Diphenhydramine 25 mg)
1 Aspirin (325 mg), Pkg./2
3 Ibuprofen (200 mg), Pkg./2 

Wound Care
4 After Cuts & Scrapes Antiseptic Wipes
3 Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Single Use
3 Alcohol Swabs
1 Tape, 1″ x 10 Yards
1 Tincture of Benzoin Topical Adhesive


In addition to this thorough kit, one might want to add a few additional items such as altitude or antidiarrheal medications, snake-bite kits, or other gear to fine-tune for your specific location or medical needs. While this thought process has certainly encouraged me to over-pack, careful consideration of risks should not be ignored. Knowing the terrain, climate, and creatures are essential for the customization of your personal medical kit.


But, as it turns out the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight and Watertight Medical Kit .7 is a convenient way to carry the essential medical gear needed for 1-2 people for a short low-risk weekend trip. Designed for adventure-seeking enthusiasts and the inevitable bumps, cuts, and bruises that come with exploring the unknown, this watertight kit is a sensible addition to your day pack, diaper bag, bike pannier, purse, or whatever you might have on you when the urge for adventure strikes.


What essentials do you carry in your lightweight medical kit? Does the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight and Watertight Medical Kit .7 include something you don’t? We would love to hear your input, so please comment, share on Facebook, and send us a tweet!


Reviewed By:
Tabea B
The Outdoor Adventure Team


Gear provided by Adventure Medical Kits

Digital Week Giveaway – Spring into adventure

April 5, 2012 #Winadventure, gear, prizes 9



Well, we’re on the internet and so are you. That probably means we know a bit abouts the interwebs. That’s why we’re having a Giveaway focused on things digital.


For the last couple months, We at The Outdoor Adventure along with in no particular order: My Life Outdoors, Wilderness Dave, A Little Campy, Hiking the Trail and Trail Sherpa have been working together with a whole bunch of outdoors companies to bring all you guys more than a month of giveaways. This week we start our Digital week with this list of wonderful prizes:
Enter to win below!

Grand Prize:
A free Sherpa Site for 1 year
Yodel App
Stick Pic
Buff USA Merino Wool Buff – review
Appalachian Trials book
Maneaters Bears DVD – Review

Second Place Prize:
Survival Strap



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AlpineAire Foods Freeze Dried Food Pouches – Food Review

April 4, 2012 #Winadventure, gear, review 0

This past weekend a group of friends and I did a quick overnight backpacking trip to the Ozette Triangle on the Olympic Coast. We were blessed with clear blue skies and warm temperatures for our 9.4 mile roundtrip hike with sea stacks, deer, sea lions, and ocean scenery for as far as you can see.

I was set for with food for the weekend with my freeze dried meals from AlpineAire Foods. Their meal pouches can be used for quick lunches or dinners and with so many assortments, variety is rarely an issue. AlpineAire Foods offers a limited number of instant gluten-free meals and a large selection of individual items. Over the weekend I had a chance to try out some of their gluten free options, so I hope this review is helpful for those with gluten free requirements.


Up for review today:

1.       Black Bart Chili with Beans & Beef (GLUTEN FREE!) Weighs 6 oz and makes two 1 cup servings.

2.       Texas BBQ Chicken with Beans (GLUTEN FREE!) Weighs 5.5 oz and makes two 1 cup servings.

3.       BananasFoster (GLUTEN FREE!)  Weighs 4 ounces and makes two 1 cup servings.

4.       Blueberry Honey Granola with Milk (Contains Milk & Wheat) Weighs 6.5 oz and makes two 1 cup servings.


After our hike in to camp, we set up our tents as far as we possibly could from the hordes of school children on a ‘Spring Break Adventure Camping Trip.’ We hunkered down and I quickly boiled water with my MSR Reactor Stove System. After removing the small white colored oxygen absorber packet inside the pouch, I poured the required 2 cups into the Black Bar Chili with Beans & Beef pouch. I gave it a careful but thorough stir, and sealed it back up so that it could cook for the next 10-12 minutes. I can’t really remember what I did in those 10-12 minutes. I probably threw rocks at stuff, stoked the fire, or made fun of my brother in law. It was probably all of the above. I always like to wait the full extent of the time, as there are few things as disappointing as biting into incompletely cooked freeze dried food. OK, there are actually a lot of things more disappointing but that’s beside the point. Just don’t shortchange yourself from the full extent of flavor goodness by being too hasty.

As a Texan boy I know a thing or two about chili, so my standards are fairly high when it comes to traditional southern food. Now that my review has hopefully gained credibility in your eyes I will continue. With spoon in hand I proceeded to devour the Gluten Free Black Bart Chili with Beans & Beef. I was pleased with the consistency, as it has the texture of chili one would make at home – complete with beefy chunks and plenty of spicy beans. At first I worried about upsetting my stomach, as usually spicy food can make for an unpleasant atmosphere for my fellow tent mate and anyone who dares to hike downwind. But, much to the joy of all those around, the only waft in the breeze was of the cool salty air billowing in from the ocean that night. Overall, I felt satisfied with the allotted portion and comforted on a cold night with my belly full of delicious Gluten Free Black Bart Chili with Beans & Beef.


Let’s fast forward through the night to breakfast time the next morning. I could slow this down and tell you about how well I slept in the Adventure Medical Kits Escape Bivy that night, but you can just read all about it here. So, there I sat on the log eating Blueberry Honey Granola with Milk. Now most would just add the required ¾ cup cold water and call it granola, but I like to add ¾ cup hot water and call it porridge. Somehow, I just feel like it sticks to my ribs better that way. Knowing I have a warm breakfast helps me get out of the tent on the cold mornings too. Now, because this is a review I get to say whatever I want. So here’s my whatever: it’s bland. While I felt full and ready to tackle the trail, I also felt like I should have packed some brown sugar to sprinkle on top. I felt it just needed a little something extra.

Pack up camp. Hike. Hike. Hike. Scenic view. Stop. Lunch Time. (That’s my version of another fast forward.)


On the menu for lunch is Gluten Free Texas BBQ Chicken with Beans.  As with most pouch foods, I removed the oxygen absorber packet, added 2 cups boiled water, and waited 12 minutes. To be honest, I kind of eyeballed the water pouring it in this time, and think I might have added too much. The consistency was rather soupy, but again, that might have been my fault. I did enjoy scooping out the chunks of chicken and found them to be enjoyable, but was decidedly disappointed by the overall flavor of the meal. Like the granola, it just needed a little something extra, but this time a little brown sugar wouldn’t have sufficed. In the end I just felt obligated to finish the meal, and let’s just say I added a little something extra to the wafts in the breeze this time around.


Now before you think I’m a Negative Nancy, pause and consider my review of the Gluten Free Bananas Foster Dessert Meal. This meal only required ¾ cup of boiling water, but still required the full 12 minutes to cook in the pouch. AlpineAire describes this dessert as sliced bananas, cinnamon, and brown sugar that swim in a delicate vanilla sauce. Having never had Bananas Foster before, all I could do was glance down at the brown mush and then shrug my shoulders and dig in. The taste was a fairly sweet, banana-y flavor and the texture was chunky and chewy. As I continued to eat I realized that I had not mixed it as well as needed, and had to remind myself to pay more attention to getting deep down into the corners next time. Having the correct utensil can make all the difference. My short little spork can be such a nuisance for mixing freeze dried meals, leaving me licking sauce off my hand and yet evidently clumps of powder still evade me. We ate this as a group snack, but it ended up being more of a spork feeding frenzy. The only complaint was that some weren’t waiting their turn in the spork line-up. It almost got crazy.


Take a look at the AlpineAire website and keep their freeze dried food options in mind as you prepare for your next adventure. These meals are also perfect to keep in any of your home or car survival kits. Be sure to take a peek at the whole section dedicated to those who seek Gluten Free options. With all of their variety of selections, there is sure to be a flavor you will enjoy! Thank you AlpineAire for the opportunity to review a sampling of your freeze dried meals.


Reviewed By:
Tim B
The Outdoor Adventure Team

The SOL Origin™ Surivival Tool by Adventure Medical Kits – Gear Review

April 2, 2012 gear, review 1

The SOL Origin™ is an awesome concept and cool piece of gear for the realm of survival kits. The SOL Origin™ is the lightest, most space efficient, and most durable survival kit on the market. Weighing only 6.25oz and measuring 3.875″ x 2.75″ x 1.5″, this ABS- plastic waterproof case can fit easily in the palm of my hand.

Incredibly, the list of tools integrated into the hard case is actually quite expansive. 

Here is what the SOL Origin™ has to offer:

1.       TinderQuik fire starting tinder

2.       150lb-test braided nylon cord

3.       Mil-spec stainless steel wire

4.       Emergency sewing kit

5.       Fishing kit

6.       Flip-up Rescue Flash signal mirror with retro reflective aiming aid

7.       One-hand-operable Fire Lite fire starter

8.       Removable liquid-damped compass

9.       Fully-functional AUS-8 drop-point folding blade knife

10.   Ultra-bright LED light integrated into the knife handle

11.   100db rescue whistle

12.   Backcountry expert Buck Tilton’s survival instruction manual

But, what is a review unless you put it to the test, right? So, I took the SOL Origin™ with me this past weekend on a short overnight backpacking trip to the Ozette Triangle on the Olympic Coast. While I did not use all of the gear included within the SOL Origin™, I do have a few comments on the tools which came in handy during our short 9.4 mile overnight trip. Of course, we were a far cry from a survival situation, in which the gear within the SOL Origin™ would be most utilized.

The SOL Origin™ fit easily into one of my small side pockets on my pack, which I usually rarely use. In the event that I would slip on the rocks and land on the gear didn’t worry me as the SOL Origin™ keeps its contents secure and dry in the ABS- plastic waterproof case. In the event of a drop the SOL Origin™ did not bust open as some small cases tend to do, but instead the hinged clasp remained securely clipped against the body of the case retaining the small tools safely inside.


At one point I slid the SOL Origin™ into my cargo pocket on my pants, to see if it would hinder my hiking abilities or jiggle around in my pocket too much. It’s always best to keep survival gear on one’s self instead of the pack, anyway. While it was noticeable, I did not feel it was an inconvenience to carry it in my pants cargo pocket because it is so lightweight. I can’t say the same thing for my former emergency survival kit that we usually pack on our trips, that thing wouldn’t fit in my pocket even if I divided it in half as it’s basically a gallon sized ziplock packed full of weird and wonderful emergency gear. It was reassuring that in the event that I needed to ditch my pack for any reason, I would still have what it takes to survive perfectly packed in my pocket. That’s where that handy 62+ tip sheet would come in handy, because honestly I don’t actually know much about wilderness survival. Only a short 7 years ago I was perfectly happy sitting in my perfectly air conditioned living room in Houston playing video games, and the only hiking I did was to the fridge to get another Coca-Cola. Then I met my adventure-loving wife from the Pacific Northwest who turned my whole world upside down and introduced me to this thing they call ‘Fresh Air’. Even if you go outside in Houston, it doesn’t exist. But, my point is that I better not lose that little folded sheet or I’m doomed.


I took charge making the fire for the night. I whittled a piece of dry drift wood into shavings and slivers using the SOL Origin™ AUS-8 drop-point folding blade knife, then I made a small little fingerling ditch in the fire pit. I placed the SOL Origin™ fire starting tinder perpendicularly across the little ditch, creating a teepee of shavings and slivers over it. Using the one-hand-operable Fire Lite fire starter I lit the SOL Origin™ fire starting tinder, which quickly caught fire and remained in flame for at least 2 minutes. In that time the shavings and slivers caught fire, and I was able to add small sticks and then larger ones to create quite the cozy fire in under 10 minutes. I also had used the one-hand-operable Fire Lite fire starter to light my MSR Reactor stove to boil my water for my AlpineAire freeze dried meal that night. The SOL Origin™ AUS-8 drop-point folding blade knife was also perfect for slicing off the top of my AlpineAire pouch like a ninja.


While I do not have some hardcore survival story to tell you how I used every piece of equipment you should rest assured that with the SOL Origin™ in hand you have what it takes do something useful with your time until rescue teams are able to find you. Just be sure to signal with the handy flip-up Rescue Flash signal mirror with retro reflective aiming aid and the 100db rescue whistle to help them find you. The whistle really works, while we didn’t want to test it out on our trip my wife made sure to empty her lungs into it only 2 inches away from my sleeping face this morning. I’m not a morning person, but when my ears are still tingling 2 minutes after I’ve woken up then I’m really not a morning person. She made up for it with a steaming latte delivered to my desk with a smiley face drawn on top with caramel sauce. I’m a sucker for those kinds of things, and she knows it.


I can’t wait to test out the SOL Origin™ fishing kit when we hike to a fresh water lake on our next trip. I’ll give you an update when I do. Have you had a chance to try out the SOL Origin™? Please comment, share, tweet, and connect with us on Facebook! We would love to hear from you.

Reviewed by:

Tim B
The Outdoor Adventure Team

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