GEAR REVIEW: Edible & Poisonous Plants of the Eastern States – Cards (2)

4/28/10 •

I purchased these little flash cards from a seller on ebay about 3 years ago, but I couldn’t find them on there as I wrote this. They are available HERE, however for about $8 which is pretty much what I payed for them.

GEAR REVIEW: Mountain House Emergency Meal (5)

4/14/10 •

I’m always on the lookout for good trail grub as well as good bugout options. Mountain House consistently puts out some pretty good products, but I’d never seen this one before, so I gave it a whirl.

All together, I like this product – even though I’m not a fan of this particular variety. If I see them again, I will buy a few. It’s an all around good option for me for both hiking and the bugout bag.

My New Favorite Knife – Mora 860MG – Homemade Survival System (10)

12/30/09 •

I’ve posted before that I carry the RC-4 by RAT Cutlery as my primary Bushcraft knife. But I also occasionally carry a wood handled Carbon Steel Mora for my ultralight excursions. Both knives are great, but each has its shortcomings. The Mora with its light weight and plastic sheath, felt like a toy and the carbon steel would rust overnight unless I was VERY diligent about oiling it after each use. The RC-4, bulletproof and thick as a pry bar, is unwieldy for intricate tasks like skinning small game or filleting fish.

I wanted a compromise…

GEAR REVIEW: Swedish Army Trangia Cookset (4)

11/12/09 •

It’s funny how things come full circle…or nearly so.
When I started my journey into bushcraft and self-reliance, I started by relying on military gear.  It’s what I know and I know I can trust it.
Then I found that much of the military gear I was relying upon could be replaced by lighter but just as [...]

New Look and What's Coming Soon (1)

10/09/09 •

I wanted to change up and simplify the blog a bit. It just seemed too noisy, and while I’m happy to review and endorse a product I use and believe in, I’m not going give free advertising to companies whose products I don’t believe in – so goodbye facebook and twitter links.
I also updated [...]

GEAR REVIEW: The Human Body (2)

8/20/09 •

When it really comes down to it, we’re all equipped with the same remarkable piece of gear. A human body. Granted, each of our bodies is in a different state of repair (or disrepair) but we all have one, and the vast majority of us have no idea how to use the damned things.
Why do [...]

Ode to My iPhone (6)

7/23/09 •

Today, a two-day conference in Chicago that I was attending came to an end and I had a few hours to kill before catching my train home.
So, I thought, I wonder what there is in Chicago that is camping/hiking gear related? I grabbed the iPhone and opened up one of the coolest free apps ever [...]

GEAR REVIEW: Go-Lite LiteSpeed Pack (Further Impressions) (0)

7/22/09 •

I’ve actually had a chance to take the pack out for a stroll with a complete load.
My full ultralight load, including food and water for 3 days is about 20 pounds.  A few days ago, I went on a five mile hike.
I can’t say enough great things about this pack.  Coming from a frameless camelbak [...]

GEAR REVIEW: Equinox Globe Skimmer Ultralight Tarp (More Impressions) (1)

7/09/09 •

Tried a new setup with this tarp and decided to share some pics.  NOTE: I’d only use this in bad weather in an area where I knew the ground wouldn’t flood and there were no trees to hang my hammock from.
I was able to set this up in about 3 mins.  Nice shelter for when [...]