Thursday, May 31, 2007

MSR Pocket Rocket Stove


First impressions : Well it's small. Like most "screw on top" of stoves it's darn small and light. The arms of the stove seem well made and will be stable with a larger pot on them. It comes in a nifty plastic container so it won't get lost in your pack.(yes it's that small)


Well when I was fitting the Backpack yesterday I figured I might as a well see how the stove works in the wind. The wind wasn't terrible. I'd say probably between 10-15 mph. Setting these little stoves up is super easy. My one worry is how much fuel will be used boiling water? I know it depends on altitude and a lot of other variables. I screwed the fuel source on to the bottom of the stove and fired it right up with a match. I shut it off and moved the stove so it was directly in the wind no shelter from my body at all and again no problem lighting. I also tried lighting with my small butane lighter. Again no problem. We'll see how she boils water soon enough.

Update: June 3rd 2007

Took the little stove out for a overnighter. I boiled water twice and made some scrabled eggs in the morning. It worked great for both. From the weight of my fuel can it didn't use a lot of fuel either. I was able to turn it down and gently cook the eggs. I was impressed.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

McDonald's

Why do I keep going back? It's been a few months since I've been to one. I had pretty much given up on them. This mornings encounter is why.

I had a hankering for a breakfast bagel. So I decided o wait in line with the rest of the cattle, making there way around the big red roof. I got my bagel, hash browns and diet coke. I sat down at work and proceeded to eat it all gone.(as my mother use to say) Almost immediately my stomach started turning.

WHY!?!? It tasted good...what the heck is wrong with there stuff? I guess my body is just reminding me why I've avoided them for the past few months. I think every one else should do the same.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

XPG Ultralight Pack :

My first impressions: I picked up this pack this weekend . I was going to get a Kelty but I went with this because well, I work for Cabela's so I should give our product a try. I got my stuff home and started to pack things in it. Just to fill it a bit and see how the zippers hold. I've heard that some Cabela packs don't handle being packed tight well. The bottom compartment held my sleeping pad and bag just fine. The zipper lay out was interesting. I'm not sure if I like it or not yet. I'll know more after my first hike. Everything fit and I was happy with that. Pack feels pretty heavy, but I'm sure it's actually pretty light compared to what I use to carry.



Update : May 30th 2007

Walked around the hills on the soccer field with a full load today to see if I couldn't get the straps adjusted. After a little fiddling I think I have i to where I'd like it. The adjustment to raise and lower the hip belt was very easy. There were also some load adjustment straps that pulled the pack closer to me which I felt was or might have been a problem. I'm very happy with all the adjustments on this pack. I also wanted to see how it would be getting things out mid hike. Just like I was going to stop and have lunch. So I stopped and pulled out the stove, pots and pans, and fuel. I don't like the fact that a pair of compression straps run over the zipper. I also didn't like the fact that they attach together behind a set of pouches that hang on the sides. Also the pockets are apposed. So if your getting something out of the small back pocket it's odd reaching in to the other larger pocket cause your spilling out what wouldn't spill out if the zippers were on the same side. Make sense? Over all I'm still happy with it. No ripping seams or bursting zippers yet.

Update : June 3rd 2007

Took a little test hike with the pack. My load is about what I'd carry for a two day outting. It's even got a few extra things. Even with these extra's it's still not full. I also removed the outer pockets. This even didn't fill the pack. I'm starting to think that a 5000ci pack is a bit too much. It carries very well. My problem with the pack is how the top fasten's. It's limp. It wont tighten up. The pocket system is also odd. After my little outing this pack is going back. The pack just isn't for me. For one it's too large. Second the limp top really bothers me. Other then that it is a great pack. It's just not for me. In time I may try the smaller pack and see if it would meet my needs.

Limp top

Monday, May 28, 2007

Up and Coming Reviews ...

Well I have a full Kit now. I need to put some butane in a lighter but other then that I'm thinking I'm ready to go backpacking. I have purchaced a bunch of different products that I'm excited about doing write up's on. I'm going to take some pictures of the products and try to write a before, during and after review.




Driving home

It's odd how one's mind can totally take over sometimes. I've made the trip to my parents house more times then I can remember. Tonight driving home I had a lot on my mind. Things I need to do, things I need to get, lots of things. All of the sudden on the way home tonight I noticed I had missed a large portion of the drive home. Not miss as a wrong turn, but miss as in I don't remember driving it. My mind had taken the wheel and let my brain wonder around in my thoughts. I wasn't tired, It just happened.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Getting started

I've thought about starting a Blog for a long time. How ever I'm not oonne to just go with the flow and make a blog for no reason. My purpose for this Blog will be to write some reviews of products I'm trying and hopefully pass some of what I've experienced with these products on tho others. I also want to try and keep a record of feelings and thoughts. There's a lot going on in my head now days and sometimes you just need a place to put it all. It will be a odd mix of things, but again it's more for me then any one else.

Enjoy

Zero