Wazoo Survival Gear belt

If Drumpf becomes President, I’m going to update my survival gear. Prepare for the end of the world. 🙂

This proposed Cache Belt looks great.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

See more of their products.

via GearJunkie – Survival Situation? Check Your Belt

GRANITE GEAR – VIRGA 2 backpack

I bought the Virga 2, my 3rd Virga since seeing it recommended by gearjunkie in 2007. It is  lightweight at 1lb 3oz. But not all that durable.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

You can  buy directly from Granite Gear or Backcountry Gear.

Granite Gear does not seem to want to know me unless I live in the United States. In the end I bought from Amazon.com and had it shipped to an address in the States.

REI lists this pack, but does not have it in stock in many stores. 😦

Granite Gear truly does have crappy distribution.

 

cycle hiking Whidbey Island

Cycle hiking the Islands – trip report by site editor Rick McCharles

I caught the ferry from Port Townsend. Immediately cycled to Ebey’s Landing for the Bluff-Ridge Trail.

I started from the trailhead at the end of Ebey’s Landing Road. Here’s the view looking back to the start.

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Ebey Map

minimum 3.7 mile loop

This hike is ALL GOOD. The best I’ve found in the islands, so far.

There’s a prairie section leading to the bluff.

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Plenty of interesting things to see along the way.

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Almost everyone starts along the bluff, returns via the beach trail. But I enjoyed the breeze and vistas so much I decided to stay on the high road both there and back. 🙂

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To celebrate the great hike, I stopped in next at Kapaws Iskreme on Front Street in Coupeville.

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Coupeville is a nice little tourist town.

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Though I’d heard nothing about it I decided to stop in at Dugualla Bay State Park.

Turns out I could have cycled the trail, but instead I hiked it down to the ocean.

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The famous State park is Deception Pass. I decided to camp there. Next morning I’d cycle across the bridge to Hidalgo Island.

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It was a good spot. I slept in until 7:30am. Enjoyed a pot of coffee. And decided to explore the trails of Deception Pass by bike and on foot.

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Unfortunately I’d somehow acquired a slow leak. Adding air only worked for short bursts.

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I opted to head for the nearest bike shop. Save Deception Pass for future adventures.

Turns out it’s the most-visited park in Washington with over 2 million visitors / year. I’ll plan to stay for a couple of days next time.

related trip report – Whidbey Island – Ebey’s Landing

MSR Hubba NX tent

I just got the newest Hubba. It’s somewhat better than the previous model, seems to me.

I’m still using both.

Click PLAY or watch an by the manufacturer on YouTube.

Amazon

One guy spent 3 years bicycle touring and living out of his Hubba. (The older model.)

My second recommendation would be one of the Big Agnes one person tents.

related – Chris Townsend – Choosing A Wild Camp Site

Merrell Men’s Moab GORE-TEX®

My hiking transportation of choice.

Just bought my 4th pair over the past 5 years. In yet a bigger size. The bigger the better for me it seems when it comes to approach shoes. I’m up to size 10.

Moabs

Durability is terrific. I wish they had wider sizing than 2E. (“wide”)