As many of you have noticed, Outside San Diego has been dormant for a while. This is due to a number of reasons, the primary being that I just returned home from an extended tour of Sierra Nevada Mountains with my family. My wife and I decided that our young children were a great age to explore the wonders that our home State of California holds, and we took them on an RV trip with our little RV that the kids Dubbed “Peanut Buddy” (don’t ask) through Mammoth Lakes, into Yosemite via the Tioga Pass, into Kings Canyon and finally Sequoia National Park where we ended our trip. I will be writing up more information on the trip in the next few days, but I though I would pass on a few pictures of one of the most spectacular places on earth today as we get back to reality, and unpack and decompress from our adventure.
REI’s Anniversary Sale begins today. They have a bunch of really great promotions going on, as well as a 20% off coupon for members. Here a just a few of the deals they have happening at this sale:
I am pleased to welcome Veronica Giancola as a contributor to Outside San Diego. Veronica is a seasoned hiker and backpacker with years of practical experience under her belt. Please enjoy her first test report on the REI Venus 70 backpack.
I love my new pack! I have been backpacking for many years. I thought tender spots on my shoulders and hip bones were a part of the sport. That is until I got my new woman’s specific REI Venus 70.
This pack is so comfortable even with a heavy load trudging through deep snow on snow shoes. There are many adjustment straps to make this pack contour to and fit my body specifically.
The hip belt fits me like a glove. I love the adjustment system designed to tighten by pulling from the hip forward. The belt was generously padded and designed to fit my narrow waist. I like the zippered pocket on the hip-belt for quick access to energy snacks and sunscreen.
The shoulder straps are comfortable and I hardly noticed the pack for the entire trip. It fit me well and distributed the weight evenly. I didn’t get any tender spots even after 14 miles uphill with 43 pounds.
I also really like the u-shape access zipper into the main compartment. It allows for easy access to my gear at any location inside the pack.
I wish the top compartment converted into a daypack. As it is designed, it is not removable. I also wish there was a small compartment inside the top so I could organize my keys, ID and money. I do like where the zipper access is positioned so that I can reach back and access the top compartment without having to remove the pack.
It’s obvious that a lot of thought went into the little details that make a pack my best friend on the trail. REI thought of many niceties like: a waterproof zippered compartment on the outside for items I may need to access quickly such as rain gear, hat or gloves; zippered access into the sleeping bag compartment and compression straps on the bottom of the pack for my sleeping pad or tent. Last but not least there are 2 daisy chains on the outside for the last minute camp shoes I wanted to carabiner and take with me.
Thank you REI for your thoughtful design and excellent fitting pack. I will recommend it to my friends.
Clean water is arguably the most essential element to a safe comfortable backpacking trip. In many places in Southern California packing in all the water required for the duration of a trip is the only option available. Water weighs in at approximately 8 pounds a gallon. and you need at least a gallon a day in moderate conditions to function without getting dehydrated and loopy (more if it is hot, or you are exercising a lot). Like most backpackers, weight is a concern to me, and carrying 32 pounds of water sends shivers down my overloaded spine. The good news is there is often a better way. Many of the places I backpack have plenty of water in streams, ponds, puddles and any many other creative sources. The bad news is these water sources are often contaminated, and can be hazardous to your health. A water purification device is the solution to this problem.
Over the last 4 months, I have had the fortunate opportunity to carry and use the Steripen Journey LCD, which is a water purification device that uses UV light to destroy the pathogens in untreated water sources. In the past I have always carried a mechanical filter to purify my water in the backcountry. While I have no complaints about the functionality of my mechanical filter, I have always wondered if there is a lighter simpler solution. The Steripen Journey is that solution in a number of situations, but has some limitations that one must be aware of before chucking out that mechanical filter.
The The Steripen Journey LCD is a lightweight (4.5 oz including batteries) electronic device with a sturdy glass probe housing a UV element. The probe is shaped in a way that it is easy to fit into the mouth of a Nalgene bottle, where the UV element is activated by a button on the handle end of the unit. The Journey LCD is unique in that it has a small LCD screen that indicates that the process has been successful through a series of universal symbols (happy and sad faces). The process of purification is better explained through this description taken directly from the Steripen website;
I have used the Steripen Journey in a number of backpacking situations, and can confidently say I have yet to get a water born illness in the time I have been using the unit. While I am not conducting a scientific test of it’s effectiveness, the six or so trips in which it has been the primary purification method, it has been successful, so I am confident it works. The light weight simple unit has yet to break or be damaged, but I do tend to baby it as I do with any electronic unit that I bring into the backcountry. The unit is an elegant solution for purifying water. The unit does not have any moving parts, and when enclosed in its sheath it is a compact unit that is easy to pack and carry. The case even included a belt loop for easy access on those really thirsty days. The unit uses CR123 size batteries which are powerful, long lasting, and easy to come by most everywhere. They do appear to last a long time, as I am still working on my first set after nearly 4 months of use.
The Steripen Journey relies on batteries and electronics to function and this is a minor (and perhaps unfounded) concern of mine. Any longer trip, one must be very confident that the electronics and power of the unit will maintain it’s integrity during the course of the trip. While the same hold true with a mechanical filter, I am more capable of fixing a mechanical part in the field than I am diagnosing and fixing a circuit board problem. To be fair, the unit has never given me a reason to doubt that it will work regularly and consistently, but is a factor when deciding one what type of unit to pack for a given trip.
My primary concern with the Steripen technology has more to do with the terrain I often hike in than the functionality of the unit. While my trips to locations with clear free flowing water sources have proven the Steripen Journey LCD the ideal companion for zapping the nasties from the water, a recent trip was less than ideal for me while using the Steripen. I was backpacking through San Mateo Canyon Wilderness on a recent very rainy weekend, and set camp, and went to the stream down the hill for water. The copious amounts of rain had filtered through the oak trees, and the oak leaves littering the area, and had picked up a significant amount of tannins from the trees, staining the water an unappetizing brown yellow. While the water was not what I would call cloudy, it certainly was not clear. The Steripen recommends that if the water is not clear that you use a prefilter to filter out the suspended particles. I tried the bandanna that I had carried for this purpose, and was not able to completely clarify the water. I worried a little about the effectiveness of the UV light in this type of water, and really did not enjoy drinking the unappetizing color, but did not get sick, so all is right in the world.
The Steripen Journey LCD is a great lightweight solution to purifying water in a great number of situations. In addition, it would be a fantastic tool to bring when you are traveling outside the country, and water contamination is a factor. The small discrete unit would be a perfect way to assure clean drinking water wherever you may be. The Steripen has been reliable throughout my testing, and I have remained free from water born illness after a number of times using the unit. The Steripen has proven to be reliable and durable enough to survive the rigors of backpacking. Be sure to have an effective method of prefiltering water if you expect to encounter cloudy or stained water sources, as these conditions can render the UV light ineffective. Overall I am very happy with the Steripen Journey LCD, and plan to continue making it a part of my water purification arsenal in the future.
My wife planned a great backpack for this last weekend to help celebrate my upcoming birthday. It was a fantastic trip full of friends and fun. The original plan was to take advantage of our pilot friend Ollie, and use his skill and connections to fly into the Catalina Airport in a couple of small planes and then hike down into Little Harbor on the Western side of the island for an evening of frolicking on the beach.
We received a disappointing phone call late on Friday evening letting us know that one of the planes we were using had been grounded due to mechanical problems (better to find out then and not in the air). Never giving up, my wife put her resources to work, and we were soon on a boat going from Long Beach to Avalon. The plan from there was nebulous, but we managed to arrange a ride to the airport and begin our hike.
Catalina Island is a fantastic place to hike. I is one of those rare coastal wildlands, full of interesting creatures and plants. Within minutes of leaving the airport facility after a lunch at the great little restaurant we ran across a buffalo grazing on the side of the road. These Buffalo, numbering at about 150, were originally brought to the island in the 1920s as props for a silent western film that was produced on the island, and never removed. The Catalina Island Conservancy now monitors and maintains a herd of about 150 that give the island a unique charm. These Buffalo are huge, and are worthy destination when visiting the island.
Our first glimpse of Little Harbor, and the campground in the distance made my heart soar. This beach front camping destination is beautiful, and was not crowded. We arrived in the late afternoon after a mellow 6-mile hike with enough light to explore the area a bit, and set up camp. The host in the campground delivered several bundles of wood to our campsite, and we enjoyed an evening around the fire listening to the waves crash on the shore and the bullfrogs croaking in the channel of a small stream that emptied into the harbor.
Morning dawned with perfect weather and prime conditions to take a hike up to a rocky point that promised sweeping views of the western side of the island. Several of us followed the beach to some narrow drainage channels in the hillside, and picked our way up through the rocky rough terrain to the point. Along the way we came across a baby rattlesnake sunning itself in the middle of the narrow path we were following. After some ogling and concern that it may be dangerous to get to close, the snake gave us a disgusted look and disappeared through the bushes. The views from the top were fantastic, and the buffalo grazing near the point was very entertaining.
We wimped out a little bit by arranging for a shuttle bus to take us back to Avalon, but this did give us more time to explore the area around Little Harbor, and gave us the opportunity to have a lunch in Avalon, and catch a 2pm boat back to Long Beach where we ended the trip with great memories and plans to make it back soon.
Kona bikes is sponsoring their third annual Shoot The Ride Photo contest. Here is what they have to say about it.
“The rules are simple. Send us your absolute best.
Tell a story, capture an epic moment, be creative, and make sure it has something to do with bikes and bike culture. We’re not totally particular if you’re Kona specific or not. That’s how cool we are. These contests are all about sharing the essence of what it means to ride a bike…any bike.
Damn straight. “
First Prize gets a $500 credit to the Kona store, while 2nd receives $150 and third $50. I have had the pleasure of riding a Kona Zing Deluxe road bike for the last couple of month, and can confidently tell you that Kona makes good stuff. I have been having a blast grinding out the miles on this sleek aluminum framed street machine. So if you are a 2-wheel enthusiast, and want some gear get that camera out there and shoot a cool pic.
The conditions could not have been better for an overnight snowshoe backpack in The Inyo Craters area of Mammoth Lakes than it was this last weekend. There was lots of snow, sunny balmy weather, and lots of fun and friendship to go around. 2010 was as nice as 2009 was brutal. Here are some images of our trip as well as a short video of the 2009 snow camp for some perspective.
As the green tendrils of spring begin creeping their way through the backcountry in and around San Diego, I thought now would be a good time to highlight some of the fantastic winter gear we at Outside San Diego have been testing.
Osprey Manta 25 Daypack
The Osprey Manta 25 Daypack is one of the most thoughtfully designed daypacks I have come across. Osprey has really taken the hydration pack concept to the next level by adding a frame sheet into the bladder itself, providing integrated support for the heaviest element in the pack: Water. The details, such as a magnetic bite valve clip, and a lined sunglasses pocket help to really bling out this fantastic pack.
Polarmax TransDry Cotton Shirt
The Polarmax TransDry Cotton shirt has seen me through some very soggy winter backpacking trips unscathed, and proving the mantra “Cotton Kills” is not true if you are wearing the most technical cotton on the market. The TransDry shirt brings the comfort of cotton, with the moisture controlling abilities of synthetics. I am really looking forward to Polarmax adding summer weight TransDry clothing to the line up, so I can wear cotton all year long. Transdry Cotton Shirts will be available soon, so stay tuned to where you can get your hands on one.
GoLite Adrenaline 0 Sleeping Bag
This last weekend, I had the opportunity to try out the GoLite Adenaline 0 degree sleeping bag on a chilly snowshoe backpack (more on the trip later this week). The temperatures dropped to the mid teens, and I was as toasty as ever wrapped in this fluffy cocoon of down filled goodness. This 800+ fill power 4-season down bag just breaks the three pound mark, and is incredibly comfortable. I am looking forward to a few more trips burrowing into the warmth of this bag before the weather warms up too much to use it.
Sierra Designs Vapor Softshell
The New Sierra Designs Vapor Softshell Jacket has reinforced my belief that a quality softshell is a fantastic all around piece for Southern California Backpacking. Pair it with a superlight insulation sweater such as the Patagonia Nanopuff ( stay tuned for a full review of both the Vapor and the Nanopuff in the months to come) and you have everything you need for all your Southern California Three Season backpacking. I was a little worried about the durability of the fused seams and the lightweight material, but a weekend of bushwhacking through pine forests eased any anxiety about the durability of the Vapor Softshell
Beyond Coastal Sunscreen
Sunscreen is one of those often overlooked, but important components of being outdoors. I have had the opportunity to use Beyond Coastal’s offering through this winter and into the spring, and I am happy with the primary result; no sunburn. I have used both the Active SPF 30 Sunscreen, and the Natural SPF 30 Sunscreen, and they both work very well. The Active formula is a little less thick than the Natural Formula, and spreads easier, but the Natural is made from a natural formula that is easier on the skin, and has become the go-to bottle of sun protection when I am headed out the door.
Leki Corklite Aergon Trekking Poles
I have used the Leki Corklite Aergon Trekking Poles for two weekend backpacks thus far, and I am super impressed with the new speed-lock system. These poles work great, and are much easier to extend and maintain than the old system with the internal locking system. The handles are comfortable and the poles have proven to be durable, handling the abuse I has shelled out without a whimper.
I had the somewhat dubious pleasure of spending a very soggy weekend backpacking with a Wilderness Basics Group to the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness area this last weekend. This fast, high mileage backpack from the northern edge of the park down into the canyon bottom was punctuated by almost continual rain from lunchtime on Saturday, until it finally tapered off sometime late into the evening. Despite the meteorological challenges, the trip was a grand success, with a weekend of great hiking and camping in one of the most beautiful wild places in the region.
San Mateo Canyon Wilderness area is on of the few big open spaces in Southern California that are close enough to the Pacific Ocean that the habitat is affected by its vast body of water. The area is lush, with the canyon bottoms filled with oak and sycamore trees (and tons of poison oak). Our campground was situated on an old sand bar above a pretty stream tumbling through the rocks, with a small beach where one could relax and listen to the water gurgle if the weather was more cooperative. While it is still early, the wildflowers in the area are set to explode. A trip through this area next month should be a very colorful experience.
I have always been a down jacket kind of guy. I love the feel of down, and the lightweight warmth that it provides. I have always worried about the classic achilles heel of down, and avoided bringing it on trips where I thought there would be any sort of precipitation involved, bringing my heavy bulky fleece instead. I have never really considered the synthetic insulated jackets as a backpacking piece, as I thought they would be as heavy and bulky as my fleece jacket.
This perception changed the day that the GoLite Cady jacket arrived on my doorstep. The GoLite Cady jacket features a recycled polyester shell and 3M’s Thinsulate insulation. The jacket is manufactured from recycled content. This jacket is fairly thin, compact, and loaded with features for such a light jacket. The GoLite Cady Jacket has quickly become my go to piece when the weather gets a little nippy both in town and on the trail.
This jacket has zippered side hand pockets, a couple of interior pockets (one with an iPod port), and pitzips. The jacket fits loose enough that I can layer underneath, but is not bulky, and does not make me look like the Michelin Man. The collar has a nice soft fleece lined liner, and the elastic cuffs on the sleeves are functional, comfortable and simple. The front zipper has a double slider that allows one to open up the bottom while the top remains zipped. Unfortunately, this feature makes it much harder to engage the zipper, and I often struggle getting it zipped up. The jacket comes with a small stuff sack that fits the packed jacket nicely. I would prefer a reversible chest pocket that would double as a stuff sack, as I always carry the included stuff sack, so the extra weight would be negligible.
The GoLite Cady jacket has been everywhere with me the last few months. From rain to snow to blowing winds, the Cady jacket has kept me warm in an amazingly thin sleek package. The inclusion of pit zips in an insulated jacket allows for an expanded usage, as I could ventilate the jacket while doing moderate activity (such as hiking and snowshoeing in cold weather) without having to take it off and put it on during breaks. The jacket would be even more versatile if it had a DWR finish, and would shed precipitation rather than soak it up. Despite the propensity to wet out easily, it remains warm, even when the outside is wet. Layered with a waterproof shell, you have a fantastic do it all combo that will serve you well in just about any condition.
GoLite has taken a good synthetic insulation piece, and have made it as functional as possible, while maintaining their core philosophy of using recycled materials whenever possible. This jacket is well made and well thought out, demanding consideration for those in the market for an insulated jacket.
Over the last 4 months, I have had the fortunate opportunity to carry and use the Steripen Journey LCD, which is a water purification device that uses UV light to destroy the pathogens in untreated water sources. In the past I have always carried a mechanical filter to purify my water in the backcountry. While I have no complaints about the functionality of my mechanical filter, I have always wondered if there is a lighter simpler solution. The Steripen Journey is that solution in a number of situations, but has some limitations that one must be aware of before chucking out that mechanical filter.
San Mateo Canyon Wilderness area is on of the few big open spaces in Southern California that are close enough to the Pacific Ocean that the habitat is affected by its vast body of water. The area is lush, with the canyon bottoms filled with oak and sycamore trees (and tons of poison oak). Our campground was situated on an old sand bar above a pretty stream tumbling through the rocks, with a small beach where one could relax and listen to the water gurgle if the weather was more cooperative. While it is still early, the wildflowers in the area are set to explode. A trip through this area next month should be a very colorful experience.
