Category: gear

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Matador Freefly16 packable daypack

Kraig and Dave on The Adventure Podcast frequently recommend Matador products.

As I travel much of each year, I use packable daypacks nearly every day on those trips. Often it carries my laptop and other essentials for short trips.

Often I use it to carry my daily groceries.

The Matador Freefly16 has replaced my my Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil® Dry Day Pack. The Matador is slightly heavier and bulkier, but much more robust and full-featured.

This 16 liter backpack is built from waterproof Cordura® with sealed internal seams and sealing zippers.  Incredibly light and seriously equipped, Freefly16 is ready for whatever’s ahead.

Dimensions:

  • Unpacked 17in x 11in x 8in
  • Packed 4.75in x 2.75in diameter
  • 4.8 oz

details 

Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo.

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top 10 hikes – Zion Narrows, Utah

One of our top 10 day hikes in the world

Zion Narrows Top-Down

Photo Steven Shattuck 2017

AT A GLANCE

  • in Utah’s Zion National Park
  • 16 miles (25 km) from Chamberlain’s Ranch to Temple of Sinawava
  • June through October best months
  • in places chasm up to 1,968 ft deep and 20 ft wide
  • walk in water about half the time
  • 9 – 13 hours. Confirm the time of the last shuttle out of the park!
  • a long, tiring day or you can camp overnight. Be aware that there are only 12 campsites available and they book quickly. Start as early as possible if you are doing it in a day.
  • Permit is required
  • water walking shoes, long hiking stick and dry gear recommended
  • National Park Service closes the hike when flow rate is over 150 cubic feet per second (cfs). And might close it at any time in case of Flash Flood Warning.

Read more on our Zion Narrows Information page.

 

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Ursack AllMitey bear bag

I use an Ursack on every overnight trip — except where a Bear Vault is required.

In fact I have two Ursacks and have carried both on longer trips for greater capacity.

Next time I need to replace one of those I’ll go with the best of their product line, the Ursack AllMitey.

  • 10.6 liters
  • Spectra (ballistic polyethylene), Kevlar
  • 13 ounces

Ursack recommends using an odour-barrier bag as a liner (sold separately).

Details.

Click PLAY or watch it in action on YouTube.

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NEW Hyperlite 3400 Windrider pack – first look

I purchased the pack online from Hyperlite for US$365. Shipping to Canada was an additional $40.

With the pack I also ordered a small Pod which fits inside without wasting any space. I put it on the bottom with light items including clothing.

NOT inexpensive. 😕

That said, after my first overnight hiking trip, I’m very happy with the Windrider.

  • light (32oz) but not as light as my usual Virga 2 (18.5oz)
  • incredibly durable
  • waterproof finally!
  • expandable to 55L plus 3 big mesh pockets

Many on the PCT this year were carrying the white version. I much prefer black.

I’d say it’s the best looking lightweight pack available right now.

maximum capacity

Click PLAY or see it on Vimeo.

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PCT Days – Cascade Locks, Oregon

Aug 16-18, 2019 near Bridge of the Gods.

schedule

Pacific Crest Trail Days (an event produced by Outdoor Viewfinder), is a 3-day summer festival that celebrates outdoor recreation, with a focus on hiking, camping, and backpacking.

Attendees are able to learn about outdoor products from exhibiting sponsors, participate in activities, games & presentations, win awesome gear at the raffle, watch a series of films, and get great deals at the Gear Expo….

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I’m STILL carrying a wide mouth Nalgene

Amazingly, Nalgene is 70 years old.

Yet their classic is still my water bottle of choice.

They are selling limited edition 70th anniversary bottles for USD $11.54.

Or you can enter the contest to win one.

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2 Foot Adventures mobile gear shop

PCT schedule 2019:

  • Warner Springs, CA – March 15 to May 16
  • Lone Pine, CA – May 24 – June TBD
  • Etna, CA – July TBD – Aug TBD

I met Mary and Charlie at Warner Springs and really appreciated their advice on very light hiking gear.

I bought my first pair of Injinji toe socks. They worked well.

2 Foot Adventures carry Granite Gear, my pack of choice for many years.

But I was convinced to try a Hyperlite next time I’m buying.

100% waterproof Dyneema®. The external mesh pockets are bigger than my Granite Gear. Weight is a bit more, however, at 2.17 lbs | 34.82 oz | 987g (Black).

There’s no doubt I should switch from sleeping bag to quilt soon. The Jacks R Better “Sierra Sniveller” 20 degree is my choice, so far.

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Palm Springs to Paradise Cafe – day 3

Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles 

Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Having hiked 1 day and 2 hours so far … I took a zero in Idyllwild, California. 😀

Most PCT hikers take a zero in Idyllwild. It’s one of the most popular towns on the PCT. Party time. But most hikers have put in 10 hard days or more to get here.

Civilization

I hadn’t planned on taking a zero. I was fresh.

But the day prior my beloved MSR Hubba tent pole broke in two places. It took a couple of hours, one splint and plenty of duct tape to hack a fix.

There’s one good gear shop in Idyllwild – Nomad Ventures.

By the time I got the tent fixed and packed up … it was Noon.

The library opened at Noon. Free internet. A chance to fully charge all my electronics. I couldn’t resist. One thing led to another and …

… the library closed at 5pm. Too late to get back on the trail.

I returned to the $5 PCT camping area and set up my fragile tent. Again.

Reportedly the least expensive rooms in town were $150 / night. And were full.

Dinner was rotisserie chicken, my favourite townie food. And then I headed over to Higher Grounds Coffee Shop for LIVE music on Friday night.

I hung around the campfire until 10pm. That’s an hour later than usual. Hiker midnight is 9pm.

PCT hikers were in holiday mode. One insisted I have a beer.

OK.

Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6