Outside San Diego

A few random thoughts before I wrap things up and head out on the trail for a while. I will be back soon, hopefully with grand tales of my families adventures in the Eastern Sierra.

I had a good time at the Kayak demo day yesterday. I paddled a great yak made by Perception called the Search 15.

One-Heel Drive has a great review on Dan White’s book called The Cactus Eaters

Mike Lee, a staff writer for the San Diego Union-Tribune wrote a good article about the 100th anniversary of the Cleveland National Forest, and the Forest Service attempts to balance the competing and often divisive interests in the land. Mr. Lee does a good job at providing a snapshot man’s history in these lands, and sparks my interest in checking out Jim Newland’s book on the Cleveland National Forest.  Be sure to take a look at the video interview and slideshow that Jim Lee created and is available through the  link.  The Cleveland National Forest is within driving distance of 10-million people,  and contains many of my favorite places.  Happy 100 Birthday!

San Diego Kayak Adventures and Wilderness Systems Kayaks are having a demo day this Sunday 6-29 from 10am-2pm  at Bahia Point in Mission Bay.   Come check out Wilderness Systems line of super fast “Tarpons”  (my personal fishing yak) and The super stable  “Ride”.   If you ever considered paddling or fishing from a yak,  come check out some of the bes, fastest, most stable rides out there.

As a blog dedicated to the wonders of San Diego, Southern California I think it is important to also recognize the companies who are creating quality services and gear in the Southern California area.  Keeping it local is growing so much more important as energy prices soar.  Reply to this thread and let me know about those great outdoor companies that are based in our area from the biggest to the smallest.

I was browsing the web, and I came across an interesting video with Wayne Gregory (founder of Gregory Backpack) on Pack fitting. He talks about fitting a Gregory pack, but I think the information applies to all packs.  Pack fitting is somewhat a mystery to a lot of people,  but so important.

Check it out here:

Pack Fitting

The town of Julian is hosting the inaugural Julian Starfest on August 1,2 and 3rd.  This 3 night stargazing party looks to be great fun for us amateurs as well as those well versed in Astronomy.   This is just the homegrown event that gets me excited about San Diego County and all that we have to offer.

Related to the Starfest,  I was recently at a talk given by Borrego Spring’s own star guru Dennis Mammana and he brought us the news that Borrego Springs is in the process of becoming one of the few Dark Sky Cities. For those of you who have experienced star gazing in the Anza Borrego, you will recognize why preserving the night sky is so incredibly important.  For those of you who have not had a chance to experience one of the most spectacular sites in our area;  be sure to make a point of heading out to our desert as the summer turns to fall, and the temperatures become bearable again for us mortals.

Tom Mangan’s blog Two-Heel Drive alerted me to an interesting post in regards to the Spot Satellite Messenger at Backpacker magazine. Read it here. There is a lot of buzz regarding this device, and rightfully so, as it is shaping up to be a revolutionary product. Whether is is a lifesaver, or lulls one into taking irresponsible risk is solely up to the user, but the article brings up interesting points as to the piece of mind of the ones at the receiving end of the message.

The responsibility for ones safety in the backcountry has been on my mind as I have just recently read Bill Bryson’s book A Walk In The Woods and am in the middle of Dan White’s book Cactus Eaters. Both of these books feature woefully ill prepared hikers departing on epic journeys on the AT Trail and the PCT trail respectively. Both books are great reads with lots of humor and insight on the human condition as one challenges oneself to a life changing journeys. Neither book would be as entertaining if something truly tragic would have resulted from the lack of preparation. While I suspect some of the drama unfolding in these books are a result of creative license, the unnecessary peril portrayed should give pause to the readers. I guess my convoluted point is; would a device like the SPOT provide these guys with a false sense of security, pushing them father, or is it a safety net that will save many lives? …You decide.

I went on a fantastic Kayak fishing trip this weekend aboard the Ocean Odyssey. We went to San Clemente Island, and had a great time on a wide open Calico bite with fish that have never seen a lure swim through their territory. All my fish were released to fight another day.

I finished a feature article about the trip for Adventure Trip Magazine. You can find it here: Kayak Fishing SoCal Style.

If you are looking for a trip of your own, contact Rick at San Diego Kayak Adventures to book yourself on the October trip.

Here is a short video I shot from my camera on the boiler rocks in the afternoon.

This is quick update about my activities on BackPackGearTest.org

I have submitted a couple of different test reports in the last week.

The first is a field report for the Big Agnes Three Wire Bivy  The resting for this bivy is going well, and it is performing fantastically.  I went into testing wondering how I would like bivy camping.  After 2-months, I am happy to report that I am growing more and more fond of the practicalities of bivy camping with each trip.  At this point,  I think I will continue using the Big Agnes bivy beyond the scope of the test.

The second is an Initial Report for a unique cup from England called the Flej Solo Cup.  This cup looks to provide a great set of features for a camping cup,  and I look forward to bringing it into the field with me and seeing how it performs.

There is a cool new site that just launched this month called Adventure Trip Magazine

Here is how the site describes itself:

“Adventure Trip Magazine is an online magazine catering to those of us who seek out travel destinations beyond the routine. We take you places the average person only dreams of traveling. Trips that create unfamiliar experiences and unforgettable memories.

Adventure travel has become one of the most exciting ways people see the world. An adventure can be defined in several ways. It could be a backpacking jaunt through the Alps, paddling up the coast of California, or spending two weeks learning a new language in a remote village.

We hope to be the place you visit often to dream. Stop by and see where we’re going each day and begin planning your adventure trip of a lifetime now.”

You will even see some content by yours truly,  so  stop by once in a while and fulfill your desire for trippy adventures.