Showing posts with label hiking gear. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hiking gear. Show all posts
Review: LifeStraw Go Water Bottle
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| LifeStraw Go Water Bottle |
One of the major
obstacles to hiking in Southern California is the lack of water sources. Not carrying enough water on a hike in the
mountains can put you in a life threatening situation. There are a ton of
stories of people who get thirsty and wander off trail in search of water and
get themselves lost. I ran into trouble
myself a few years back hiking up Mount Baldy when my girlfriend ran out of
water halfway up the mountain. I have a bad habit of bringing the absolute minimum
amount of water on a hike to save weight and I had underestimated the distance
of the hike. We chanced it, assuming that we would have a clean water source
somewhere along the way, only to find some dirty snow at the peak. We ended up hiking ten miles through the
mountains in the middle of summer with empty bottles. It was not a situation I
hope to repeat.
I looked around the internet
for a while for a viable way to purify water.
I actually tested two different brands of water purification tablets. Although
they would work in a pinch, they were both absolutely disgusting. The next thing I tried was a Katadyn water
filter pump. It was expensive, added
more weight to my pack than I would have liked and way too time consuming to
set up and pump for it to be practical for a day hike. I randomly stumbled across an ad for the LifeStraw
Go Water Bottle. I started to do a
little reading about the product and the first ting I saw was that Forbes
magazine gave them an award for One of the ‘Ten Things That Will Change The Way
We Live’ . I was intrigued.
After using the Go Water Bottle on the trail for 3 hikes, I
was in love. Simply put, the LifeStraw
Go Water Bottle is easily one of the best hiking accessories that I've ever used. It’s a BPA free water bottle with
a water filter built in to the straw. You can literally scoop water from the
stream into the bottle and drink it directly through the straw without waiting.
The water has absolutely zero bad aftertaste
as far as I can tell. The manufacturer claims it should filter 264 gallons of
water before the filter needs to be replaced and should filter out 99.9999
percent of bacteria and 99.9 percent of parasites. However, they do recommend using a water purification
tablet anywhere where human sewage might be present because it will not filter
out viruses.
The Lifestraw Go Water Bottle retails for $30, which is
about 1/3 of what I spent on my Katadyn water filter. The Go Water Bottle also
weighed less, 8 ounces vs 11 ounces and that’s not including the fact that you
still need to carry a bottle when you’re using the Katadyn filter.
You can attach the Go Water Bottle to your bag using the included
carabiner, or just shove it into a side pocket like any other water
bottle. I plan on ordering an extra one
to keep in the car in case I ever break down and need fresh water. This would
make a great addition to your emergency kit at home in case of some type of
water emergency. As a resident of Southern California in the middle of a 4 year
drought, it couldn't hurt to have one of these at home just in case.
You can pick one up on Amazon right now for 30 bucks here: LifeStraw Go Water Bottle
Using a Camera Stabilizer For Better Hiking Videos
I know that a lot of hikers like to shoot video, so I
thought I would do a tutorial about how I set up my camera stabilizer. There
are a lot of things that factor into a nice hiking video. If you’re not using a
stabilizer, you really won’t be able to get a good shot if you’re walking and
shooting at the same time. I put some side by side footage in the video above. The results are pretty drastic.
There are a lot of times when using a handheld camera stabilizer can really come in handy. You obviously won't be able to set up a tripod and a dolly and start wheeling around your camera in public wherever you want. A handheld stabilizer is also great in a situation where space is limited. Before you hit the trail, you should practice walking backwards with the stabilizer while keeping your subject at an equal distance from the camera to keep them in focus. Here is an example that shows what you can do with a stabilizer in a confined space on the fly. We were actually scolded by the woman working the sunglass hut for shooting without her permission, but we were finished before she could even complain.
There are a lot of times when using a handheld camera stabilizer can really come in handy. You obviously won't be able to set up a tripod and a dolly and start wheeling around your camera in public wherever you want. A handheld stabilizer is also great in a situation where space is limited. Before you hit the trail, you should practice walking backwards with the stabilizer while keeping your subject at an equal distance from the camera to keep them in focus. Here is an example that shows what you can do with a stabilizer in a confined space on the fly. We were actually scolded by the woman working the sunglass hut for shooting without her permission, but we were finished before she could even complain.
I’ve used a couple different models in the past, but I’ve
finally settled on a Roxant Pro video stabilizer. They sell for around 60
dollars on Amazon
with free shipping. I really like the
build quality. It’s also really light, you can fold it up and it works great
with with my GoPro, my point and shoot and my Canon DSLR. I also like that the
Roxant Pro stabilizer is easy to customize.
I’ll show you in the video how I use washers to fine tune it.
Here are five shots
you can do with a stabilizer to make your videos more interesting
1. Tracking shot while trail running: On a wide trail you
can actually run alongside someone and film them with a wide angle lens and get
a really great shot.
What should I put in my first-aid kit for a hike?
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| First-Aid Kit for Hiking by Black Diamond Outfitters |
There is no definitive right answer when putting together a
first-aid kit for hiking. Every hike is
unique. My kit is based on the dry, hot, cloudless weather
in Southern California. At first glance, the list below seems huge, but my kit only weighs about a
pound. I buy everything in travel size and small individual packets. I'll add a picture below this post so you can how small the items above pack up in your kit. My own first-aid kit
has saved me many, many times. The most common items I use are my
windbreaker, my headlamp, my sunscreen and my toilet paper/hand-sanitizer. The most common item I need is extra water. Have a suggestion for something to add to my kit? Add it to the comments at the bottom.:)
My Kit:
Light wind-breaker jacket
Hand Sanitizer
Small roll of toilet paper
Extra plastic bag
Matches
Flashlight or Headlamp with fresh batteries
Steri-strips
Gauze
Bandaids
Moleskin
Advil
Benadryll
Anti-diarrhea medicine
Anti-diarrhea medicine
Extra Inhaler for Asthma
Small roll of duct Tape
Safety Pin
Antibiotic Ointment
Alcohol Prep Pad
Length of Rope
Compass
Map of the area
Iodine Tablet or Chlorine tablet for emergency water
purification
Needle and Thread
Small empty water bottle for carrying extra water
Sunglasses or a hat
Pair of light gloves
Sunscreen
A few non-lubricated condoms for protecting electronics
during a storm or river crossing |
| Small First Aid Kit For Hiking |
What backpack should I buy for day-hiking?
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| Tahoe Backpack by Granite Rocx |
If you’re looking for an inexpensive multi-purpose backpack
for hiking, there are a couple key questions that I would consider:
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Does it have waste strap and a chest strap?
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Does it have low-profile design?
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Does the pack fit my torso length?
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Does it have plenty of extra compartments for
easy access to your gear?
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Is it made from a high quality, lightweight, ‘ripstop’
material?
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Can you attach additional gear to the outside?
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How long is your intended hike?
·
Can I afford it?
If someone asked me for a recommendation for a day-pack, my
first choice would be the Tahoe backpack made by a company called Granite Rocx.
For 65$, no one makes a comparable pack with anywhere near the number of
features as the Tahoe. It has an adjustable waste and chest strap. It has a low profile design that keeps the
pack close to your back when you hike. It has 3 large compartments with a ton
of extra smaller pockets for gear access. It’s made from ripstop nylon. It has
a compression buckle to attach a tent, a nylon gear stash on the outside of the
backpack for holding your beach towel and it has a insulated detachable cooler that
can hold 12 beers. The Tahoe also has a
feature where you can unzip the main compartment and strap a beach chair to the
backpack. I’ve never seen another pack with that feature. This is the best
beach backpack on the market at any price point.
I’ve hiked with a ton of backpacks and this is the first
pack I’ve ever used that satisfies the medium between the too small camelback
type backpacks and the over-sized internal frame backpacks that hurt my
shoulders. Last week, I took my Tahoe on a 17 mile round-trip up Mount Wilson in Southern California. It was the first hike I've done in months where I didn't have shoulder pains. You can order it directly from Granite Rocx website or through
Amazon for 65$. I’m not the only person who loves this pack, it currently has a
perfect 5/5 rating from users on Amazon. Hope this post was helpful on your quest for a new day-pack.
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| Granite Rocx Tahoe Backpack |
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| Newport Beach Picnic |
Hiking from Chantry Flats to Mount Wilson
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| Hiking to Mount Wilson with my trusty hiking pole and Granite Rocx backpack |
Some general Advice
about hiking the loops from Chantry Flats to Wilson:
There is a lot of confusing information online about hiking
the loop from Chantry Flats to Mount Wilson. I’ll try to cover the basics in a single
paragraph and give more details in the rest of the post. Including a stop at Cosmic Cafe on the top of Mount Wilson,
this route is over 16 miles long and should be considered strenuous. The Cosmic Cafe has extremely limited hours
and is only open on weekends in the spring, so be sure to check the hours. You will
also need a forest adventure pass or purchase a 5$ parking pass from Adam’s Pack Station at Chantry Flats.
Don’t get locked in the parking lot, they close the gate at 8 pm. Make sure you
have the appropriate gear for the hike. The temperature can fluctuate up to 50
degrees colder at the top of the mountain, so a jacket and gloves is definitely recommended.
Bring plenty of water and a headlamp. Most of the loop is in a canyon and you
don’t want to get stranded without a light if the sun goes down. Make sure your boots are in good shape and wear
a long pair of comfortable socks to avoid getting blisters. Make sure you have a comfortable backpack.
This is one of those long day hikes where a camel-back type backpack is too
small for your extra gear and an overnight backpack is overkill. This was my first hike with my new Granite Rocx daypack
and it was a life saver. I have shoulder
problems when I hike with a heavy load on my shoulders, so I had to find an ultra-light
backpack with a bunch of extra compartments for all of my gear. This was seriously the first time I've hiked
all year without any shoulder problems.
Chantry Flats Loop to
Mount Wilson:
Landmarks on the loop:
Chantry Flats, Upper Falls Trail, Cascade Picnic Area, Spruce Grove Campground, Sturtevant Trail,
Mount Wilson Observatory, Cosmic Cafe, Mount Wilson Toll Road, Upper Winter
Creek Trail, Chantry Flats.
The hike to Mount Wilson starts in the Chantry Flats parking
area. From the parking lot, You head downhill on a winding paved road all the
way to the canyon floor. Then head North on the Gabrielino Trail towards
Sturtevant Falls. Make a left at the Fern Lodge Junction and continue North on
the upper Falls trail, or hike to the
falls and then scale the incline on the left of the falls to reach the trail. This
shortcut has eroded quite a bit in the last few years, so I don’t recommend it. Continue North-West. You will pass the Cascade
Picnic area, the Spruce Grove Camp and you will pass the spur trail that heads
to Newcomb Pass. You will eventually
reach the junction for the Sturtevant Trail to Mount Wilson. This is the trail
you want. Make a right onto the Sturtevant Trail and head up to reach the
summit of Mount Wilson. From this junction, it’s approximately 3 ½ miles of
endless switchbacks up the mountain. Once you reach the summit, you will see
the Mount Wilson observatory telescope. From here, follow the paved road to the
Cosmic Cafe. There is a large bathroom facility and a fill station for water bottles
at the observatory. To head back to
Chantry Flats, the trail starts in the parking lot directly adjacent to the
Cosmic Cafe. Its partially eroded and not obvious, even if you’re standing next
to it. You hike down the steep trail until you reach the wider dirt road marked
as The Mount Wilson Toll Road. This Road is no longer in service because of the
landslides that block it. Head South on the road until you reach the junction for
Upper Winter Creek Trail. Hike until you reach the trail junction for Hoegees
Camp. Do not hike to Hoegees Camp, stay
right instead at the junction to remain on the Upper Winter Creek Trail. This
trail heads slightly uphill for the first half mile, but will lead you around
the mountain and downhill for the remainder of the trail right into Chantry
Flats. The loop is approximately 16
miles round-trip. It took us 8 hours to finish it, but we did stop for an hour
at the top for lunch.
Notes on the trail:
I was not in shape for this hike. Not even close. I've only
hiked once in the past 3 weeks, and this was a poor choice to get back into
shape. The switchbacks absolutely murdered my legs and tender toes. Many
websites incorrectly list the loop at 12 miles. In actuality, its over 16. The
parking lot at Chantry Flats is insane on the weekends. People were parked on
both sides of the road a mile away lining both sides of the road down the
mountain.
The Spruce Grove Campground is the only place on the trail
where we passed an outhouse. The campground was almost full, which is surprising
for the start of April. The last 3.4 miles of the Sturtevant Trail to the
observatory are a murderous, never-ending, unrelenting set of switchbacks and
inclines. The trail spur to the Mount Wilson Toll Road at the Cosmic Cafe parking
lot is damn near impossible to find. We had to ask another set of hikers to
show us where it was. There is no way we would have found it on our own.
Directions:
From the 210 Freeway
in Arcadia, take the Santa Anita exit North and follow Santa Anita Avenue for
1.5 miles to the yellow gate. Continue 3 miles up the narrow winding road to
Chantry Flats parking area. It can easily fill up on the weekends, so expect to
see cars parked along both sides of the road. Don’t forget your Forest Adventure
parking pass.
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| Gabrielino Trail |
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| Sturtevant Falls |
Pacific Crest Trail Gear
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| Hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail |
This is a cool blog about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. I've started doing some preliminary research for a hike of my own in the next few years. The author of includes a lot of gear reviews. The picture above is a re-post from her website.
http://www.walkingwithwired.com/2011/11/complete-pct-thru-hike-gear-review.html
And here is a link to another great website with resupply points on the Pacific Crest Trail.
http://www.planyourhike.com/
And another amazing resource
http://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/long-distance-hiking/
And here is a Google map for the entire Pacific Crest Trail
Pacific Crest Trail Google Map
Hiker Wore Sneakers in The Snow, Got Hypothermia
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| Noob Hiker |
I don't know how I missed this story. I have an Google alert
for "hypothermia+hiker+Darwin". This guy should be permanently banned
from hiking in California.
Amazon Deals on Hiking Gear
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| Affordable Hiking Pack: Teton Explorer 4000 |
TETON Sports Explorer 4000 Internal Frame Backpack Amazon Price 65$
For 65$, this backpack was less than half the price of most name brand backpacks with similar features. I shopped around for a few weeks looking for a good deal on a hiking backpack and this bag is seriously on par for quality with all of the major brands. In fact, it's quite a bit nicer than a lot of the expensive bags I was checking out in REI. I loaded it up today with all of my gear. My 3 pound spring sleeping bag fit snugly in the
