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Movie - Swift Silent Deep
The Patch.
I am not sure what the precise definition of a documentary film is but that is usually the section of movies I find myself browsing in iTunes. Here is my latest favorite.
"Swift. Silent. Deep. An American Rebel Story" is about the Jackson Hole Air Force and how they changed skiing and ski operations and management.
Swift Silent Deep is to snow skiing what Dogtown and Z-Boys was to Skateboarding. Both are interesting and entertaining movies about a small group of people that are fanatical about something that broke the rules and sometimes the law. Ultimately, they won, convention had to give in to both of these groups and it changed their respective sports forever.
The Captain.
You have to appreciate and even like the characters and their stories. They are the epitome of passion. They were committed and they prevailed.
Check it out. I think you will like it.
News - High Hikers, Naked Subjects And Bad Trips
Published in the University Herald on 5-22-13
Ms. Powers, with her clothes on, sometime prior to ingesting the powerful psychedelic drug that caused her significant distress.
"Taylor Powers, a 21-year-old undergrad student at the University of Colorado Boulder, had gone hiking with her two 21-year-old roommates Sunday and when she ingested mushrooms. Next, she removed all her clothes and it took both roommates, Brian Mulligan and William Collins to restrain her while the authorities arrived.
According to the Boulder County Sheriff's office, Mulligan and Collins placed a 911 call at 5:24 p.m. Sunday and told police Powers was high on mushrooms and in distress.
She was located by a park ranger at about 5:48 p.m. high up between the second and third flatirons in Chautauqua Park.
A press release form the Boulder County Sheriff's office confirms it took the 35 rescuers from the Sheriff's office, Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, Boulder Fire Rescue, the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group and an American Medical Response ambulance an hour to restrain, cuff and get Powers into a rescue basket and down the mountain.
When they did succeed, around 7:50 p.m., she was transported to Boulder Community Hospital where she was treated and released later that night.
Powers was issued a summons for unlawful consumption of a controlled substance. Charges against her roommates are currently pending, but what those charges may be is still unknown.
"Further charges are pending against others involved," said deputies of the Sheriff who aided in the rescue.
Powers, a communications major, has not spoken to the media since the incident nor has she released any sort of public statement regarding her most recent day trip, including on her Facebook page, which contains photos of her hiking and skiing."
GREAT GEAR RECOMMENDATION - Patagonia Das Parka - Full Thickness Synthetic Insulation Layer
The Das Parka from Patagonia has been around for a long time, at least as measured by outdoor equipment industry standards, but it has recently gotten a remodel.
I don't mind telling you that I cringe when I hear that a solid, longtime successful product is getting a tune up. Based on a long distinguished list of past examples that usually means changes that I am not happy about. However, I am very pleased to tell you that is not the case with the Patagonia Das Parka. Not only did the Das Parka remain an outstanding full thickness synthetic bivvy or belay jacket, it is now better than it was.
One of the things that really worried me about the new version of this old standby is that they used the word sculpted when describing the new cut. I am not fat but I ain't skinny either so sculpted is not usually a word that is used in conjunction with my wardrobe. What I found interesting when I received the new Das Parka is that sculpted is a perfect word to use especially when compared to my previous model.
In fact, the old one looks a little sloppy and inefficient compared to the new one. It is similar to the difference between an off the rack suit and one that is well tailored or made for you. It is roomy in the chest and shoulders with plenty of length in the sleeves but close through the torso. that is the way it should be and guess what size I wear in both the old and new versions, an XL which is what I should be. A corollary benefit to this effort is that the Das Parka redux fits a little better under less than generous shells.
Now, if you are sporting a big old blow and haven't seen your belt buckle for a while, you won't like this but if you range from an athletic fit to the stocky draft horse there is just a little more to love build like me then you are going to be very pleased. And warm.
You might think that with a leaner cut you would have to give up valuable Primaloft insulation but au contraire mon frere. The new DP actually has more insulation than its predecessor, it is better insulation, it is better distributed and, drum roll please, the overall weight has been cut down by 2 ounces (my size XL weighs 26 ounces in the included stuff sack). That is just damn good design and sourcing work but then again we are talking about Patagonia so what do you expect. They use 120 grams of Primaloft Synergy insulation then an addition 60 grams of Primaloft One spread out across the chest, abs, and back. That is 180 grams of synthetic feathers versus 170 grams of Primaloft One in the old version.
If you are a detail wonk you can read them all here but suffice it to say that the best synthetic belay jacket just got better and I am very happy to recommend it to you. If you are going to be in very cold wet conditions where the use of goose down insulation is ill advised, this is your insulation layer piece. You are welcome.
Thanks.
Wade Nelson
Editor
Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.
We can be educated and persuaded but not bought, bullied or bs'd.
Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.
Reader Pics - BC Fish - Midwest Turkey
Here are a couple good ones.
Jonathan Hart not just fishing but catching Steelhead in British Columbia.
Dr. Britt and friends on a successful multi-state turkey hunt. So what's for dinner?
Looks like good times guys. Keep those pics coming and I will try to do a better job of sharing them.
GREAT GEAR RECOMMENDATION - Arborwear Ascender Pants
Although I have been referring to them in my raw field notes as the Arborwear Stretch Tech Pants they are now known as the Ascender Pant but everything else is still the same which is to say, outstanding. I love them.
A good pair of pants is like a great dog, a beautiful woman or a chilled shot of Crown. Whoa, nevermind, there is no way I can pull that one off without getting in some kind of trouble with somebody. Anyway, everybody gotta wear pants out there right, butt (pun intended), oddly enough, really good ones are hard to find.
I have already awarded Arborwear a GGR for their Original Tree Climbers' Pant. They replaced my cotton canvas Carhartts because they were more comfortable, cut better and just plain easier to move in. However, I am a huge fan of Tweave type synthetic fabrics in pants because they are ultra tough, water resistant, stretchy, light and breathable which just happens to be the same reasons I like the Arborwear Ascender Pants.
The Ascender Pants fka Stretch Tech Pants have become my go to field pants for almost everything. I have used them in the snow, triple digit heat and everything in between for weeks at a time without any babying whatsoever. They are tough as nails yet comfy as yoga pants or as comfortable as I think yoga pants would be if I actually owned any.
The pocket set on these is outstanding. At first I was irritated that there was only one BDU style thigh cargo pocket but I have grown to like the little pocket on my right leg because it fits my iPhone perfectly. The lower legs have zippers and velcro cinch straps which is great when you are sitting slash laying on the ground and trying to keep the creepy crawlies out. The Ascender Pants have internal suspender loops in addition to sturdy belt loops. They also have a protective fabric covering over the knees that doesn't seem to make them any warmer even when I am working hard or the weather is hot.
Like I said, these pants are very comfortable, super durable and my favorite field pants. My only gripe is that Arborwear isn't offering them in a coyote tan or foliage green...yet.
UPDATE - I just wanted to link something I said in a recent RAW NOTES FROM THE FIELD post with this GREAT GEAR RECOMMENDATION which should reiterate to you what I think of this product.
"...i am absolutely sure that these are the best outdoor pants on the market for 85% of what i do (and i have tried dozens of others). extremely comfortable and easy to move in because of both the cut and stretch capability of the fabric. they breathe very well but they also do a nice job of cutting the wind and sluffing light precip. and the pocket set is perfect. the right leg tool pocket is ideal for my iphone, the left leg is a well designed, highly functional bdu style velcro secured pocket on top of a vertical zippered one. the standard trouser hand pockets are deep, large and never ride up or spill their contents when i am sitting. i never use the back wallet pockets and don't think they are necessary on work pants but these are the best i have seen because they are sewn down flat and have a thin fabric top that is held down by velcro for security. i am telling you, these are exceptional pants for everything except heavy precipitation and thorns, briars, sticker patches etc (which is what the arborwear original tree climbers are for)."
I would however, request that Arborwear give us a couple other colors to choose from say olive and coyote and seriously consider a bib version for use with a climbing harness and or backpacking hip belt.
Thanks.
Wade Nelson
Editor
Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.
We can be educated and persuaded but not bought, bullied or bs'd.
Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.
Reminder - Raw Notes From The Field
Hey, we have seen a significant up tic in visits to the site recently which means there are a bunch of new people reading what I write. First of all welcome aboard. Second, check out the ABOUT US tab for some articles about who I am, my background and what we do here but it can all be distilled down to a 30 second elevator pitch that is serves as the footer of most of my posts.
By the way, while numbers or statistics are interesting and more readers is a good thing I guess, it is not the primary driver of I what I do here. My target audience, the marketing folks call them ELITE OUTDOORSMEN and AFFLUENT ADVENTURERS, is small. Like 50,000 people small. How did I arrive at that number? Good question grasshopper. That is about the number of fanatics and outdoor professionals in North America that care enough about their gear and what they do in the field to spend upwards of $3000 a pop for the very best optics from companies like Swarovski and Leica. The truth is I don't much care about the numbers, I am a soul surfer (North Shore, 1987) in that respect. As long as they generally trend up and the comments continue to be relevant and overwhelmingly positive then I am happy. And by absolutely any measure they are and I am.
Back to the reason for this post. RAW NOTES FROM THE FIELD posts are filed under the FIELD JOURNAL category and are just that, raw notes from my time in the field. Purposefully, they are not polished, spell checked more than once, or grammatically correct. I don't worry about punctuation, capitalization, wording or even the story line much because it is supposed to be a brain dump. I tend to do my best thinking out there and I don't want to inhibit the flow of backcountry consciousness by worrying about cleaning it all up to presentation specs. So, you new guys can stop emailing me, I know. It is that way by design and if there is a problem that needs to be addressed my unofficial post checker, Terry Howell, will let me know. Trust me, he doesn't miss a thing.
Are you tracking? Good. Later.
Raw Notes From The Field - Humphreys Peak Summit - 2013
the san francisco peaks. i have been here many times, made a lot of mistakes and learned many lessons. this has been my mountaineering training ground, my practice field. always nice to come back here and even though it is a relatively little mountain it can still be a very dangerous place.
i am spoiled with so much great gear and such a lowa, hanwag, asolo fan that i sometimes forget that i have other good stuff just a little farther back in the locker like these scarpa escape gtx boots. i was on my feet for 12 plus hours straight over varied terrain ranging from smooth dirt and tree root tangled trails to frozen side hilling and boulder strewn avalanche chutes. They are not quite as luxurious to the feet as the hanwags, they feel a little hard on the bottom of the feet after a while, but they are incredibly capable. they still deserve a great gear recommendation but I think I will use a thicker wool sock next time.
that is an arborwear ascender pants leg in the picture and i am absolutely sure that these are the best outdoor pants on the market for 85% of what i do (and i have tried dozens of others). extremely comfortable and easy to move in because of both the cut and stretch capability of the fabric. they breathe very well but they also do a nice job of cutting the wind and sluffing light precip. and the pocket set is perfect. the right leg tool pocket is ideal for my iphone, the left leg is a well designed, highly functional bdu style velcro secured pocket on top of a vertical zippered one. the standard trouser hand pockets are deep, large and never ride up or spill their contents when i am sitting. i never use the back wallet pockets and don't think they are necessary on work pants but these are the best i have seen because they are sewn down flat and have a thin fabric top that is held down by velcro for security. i am telling you, these are exceptional pants for everything except heavy precipitation and thorns, briars, sticker patches etc (which is what the arborwear original tree climbers are for).
i had not planned on summiting but the weather was holding, i felt good and i had the right gear with me so i pushed on to the top. 12,633 is the highest point in arizona. there is just something satisfying about getting up there, where ever that there might be.
spot 2 and garmin foretrex 401 continue to perform very well and are still my recommendations for backcountry comms and basic gps navigation.
these are my new communist buddies from red china. from left to right that's you you (sp), jackie chan (really) and panda express (or something like that). supposedly they were loitering in the snow bowl parking lot and just followed a guy with a dog up the mountain, all the way up the mountain with no water, no packs, no food and just the clothes on their back.
the kuiu chugach jacket in olive worked as advertised, especially when the weather turned.
and it fits like a proper mountain jacket. here i am wearing a patagonia micro puff jacket under it and as you can see i still have room to switch that out for a full thickness insulation layer like a das parka (primaloft) or a western mountaineering (down) meltdown or flight puffy. even when fully layered for the worst of weather i am not restricted or compressed.
then, as is often the case, the weather changed. the wind picked up to gale force, the clouds rolled in, the temperature dropped ten degrees in five minutes and it snowed intermittantly the rest of the day.
and here, from the good folks at the ski lift lodge & cabins, is my just rewards for a hard days work and a few good deeds. that is a world class chicken quesadilla, of which i am something of a connoisseur, and a cold glass of coors (pronounced kerrs) banquet, my new favorite beer.
so get out there and do it. the best beta on gear and techniques comes from long hard days on the mountain.
cheers my friends.
Sitka vs. Kuiu
This one... 
...or this one?
Kuiu or Sitka Gear, that is the question.
Well, I was all set to post an interesting story about the top two waterproof breathable shell layers on the market for high activity, western style, mountain hunters. It is interesting because the two guys that run the companies, Jonathan Hart and Jason Hairston of Sitka Gear and Kuiu respectively, producing these outstanding products were once partners and are in fact responsible for changing the high end hunting gear segment. Regular readers know that bringing best in class mountaineering level clothing to the hunting community is an issue I have been bitching and moaning about since the early 90's, long before Messrs. Hairston and Hart began the revolution, or at least the civilian side of it, at Sitka.
I was also prepared to, finally, render an opinion as to which one of the two shell sets I think is the best but a nagging doubt keeps me from hitting the publish button. The problem is that I'm not yet completely confident in the soundness of my own conclusion. I feel like I need to do another head to head test in controlled conditions before I make my recommendation public. It is important to me to be sure because there is a lot riding on this. We're not talking world peace or a cure for cancer kind of stuff here but there are a lot of people interested in how this turns out so I want to make certain I get it right.
Anyway, sit tight and stay tuned. I will have more for you all on this very soon.
Thanks.
Wade Nelson
Editor
Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.
We can be educated and persuaded but not bought, bullied or bs'd.
Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.
Wild Things Gear - Customized
Looking for a piece of gear that is a little more fine tuned to your specific needs or just want a particular color combination. Wild Things can help.
Wild Things has been making great gear for mountaineers and the military for a long time but you may not have had much exposure to them. That's because while they have continued to evolve as a company they have not sold out to the big box retail model, they have stayed true to their passion of making high performance clothing and equipment for high performance outdoorsmen. I like that.
In fact, in an era where some manufacturers are expanding their lines to the point that you can't figure out what to look at let alone buy, Wild Things has streamlined their product offerings to the best basics which I think makes a lot of sense. They believe in the products they make and don't feel the need to fill their catalog with a bunch of extraneous crap (those are my words not theirs), however, they understand that their customers have diverse wants and needs too. Their solution? Give the user the ability to customize those products.
For example, I am looking at their Insulight Jacket. I get to choose the materials, the colors, the type and amount of Primaloft insulation, whether I want a hood or pockets and then the size that I need. I can even have my name put on it. My theory on this piece is to have two identical jackets made. One with 2 ounces of Primaloft One and the other with 4 ounces. That would take care of my light and medium insulation layer jacket needs exactly the way I want. Nice, huh?
Editors Note - One more thing, like Kuiu, Wild Things is a consumer direct manufacturer which means they don't sell to a middle man retailer and that is reflected in their prices. Actually, Wild Things has been doing that for a long time and it seems to have worked pretty well for them.
Check it out.
Thanks.
Wade Nelson
Editor
Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.
We can be educated and persuaded but not bought, bullied or bs'd.
Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.
GREAT GEAR RECOMMNEDATION - Solitaire - A Documentary
If you have an iTunes account (you should), an iPad (you should) and 57 minutes (please) give yourself a little treat and check out a documentary movie called Solitaire from Sweet Grass Productions. It is really something to watch especially if you ache to get out and up on a mountain.
Absofreakinglutely beautiful country and a cool presentation style. And take note of the sponsors like Patagonia and Hilleberg The Tentmaker.
Cheers.
Raw Notes From the Field - Kuiu Chugach Verde - iPad Mini Mapping
mothers day up high.
it has been a tough couple of months around here with regard to mothers. we lost both my mom and schams wife within just a few weeks of each other. i know death is part of life but that doesn't make it any easier to accept in my opinion. it sucks all the way around but we are all doing our best to drive on and work through those events. short choppy steps, one in front of the other. for me, nothing puts things in perspective better than being on the mountain so that is where i headed.
here i am at about 10,200 in 40 degree weather and 30 plus mph winds. that is the kuiu chugach jacket in the new verde camouflage pattern. i like the camo and the jacket but kuiu has changed their sizing. ugh! that is an xxl and it will barely fit a base and patagonia nano puff jacket on me.
hey look, i have been a husky jean wearing, stocky, fire plug pretty much from day one so i am used to things not fitting me just right but there is no way i should have to even consider an xxxl in the chugach just to accommodate a medium or full thickness insulation layer (not to mention that kuiu doesn't make an xxxl). my two other chugach jackets (original vias and olive solid) are xxl and they work very well with everything but this new kuiu shell cut won't work for me. to bad, except for the lack of elastic in the cuffs (come on guys that is such an easy fix), it is a damn fine jacket and i really do like the verde camo.
the whole size thing is a bugaboo and always has been. size charts seem to change everytime a new head of design is hired and interestingly enough the changes seem to be geared towards people built like them because that is normal, right? but I will tell you this, arcteryx has been in this business for a long time and they seem to have it right and whats more, they seem to keep it right. very few size surprises from the canandian dead bird company which i know plays a part in their customer loyalty and satisfaction efforts. example, the gold standard of waterproof breathable shell jackets is the arcteryx theta ar and my size xl works perfectly with everything (meaning thin, medium and full thickness insulation layers) in my system.
quick story. about twenty years ago i was looking for a new mountaineering jacket so i went to see dale stewart at the arizona hiking shack (aka ahs rescue). i found one i liked and in the size i thought i should wear and asked dale for his opinion. he looked at what i had picked out and said that i had a decision to make. did i want to look cool or be cold? huh? then he explained that the jacket i picked out as well as the jacket that most people pick out was too small to work as a proper mountain jacket because they can't handle layers properly. so, he asked again, when you are up there in the middle of a hairy ass storm, do you want to look cool or be cold?
i found out for myself over the years that he was absolutely correct. if your shell is too tight either you can't wear the right layers under it or you will compress so much dead air space out of the ones you do wear that their ability to insulate ie keep you warm will be severely diminished. here is the bottom line. shell jackets that are too small restrict your movement, compress dead air space out of your insulation thus reducing its thermal efficiency, and , here's something that everybody misses, it eliminates the chimney effect that helps evaporate water vapor (perspiration) because it is too close to the layer underneath. although that last one is more for when you are moving and probably not wearing an insulation layer.
so, as we say in the big time management consulting business, the take away message here is that snug fitting shells might look cool but they don't work as well as they could on the mountain. this is not about fashion boys, its about performance, safety and ultimately survival.
other gear used;
under armour ss t shirt - still very good
arborwear original tree climbers - great pants but better suited to flatter ground imo. the ascender pants are better for the steeps due to their stretch capability (wish they made an ascender bib with no belt to interfere with my pack belt)
yates instructor belt - if you have to wear a belt this is the one, it is flat and not bulky but dependable
hanwag mountain light boots - great, especially their exceptional gription, yea that's a real word, on wet rocks and tree roots
danner socks - thick dense wool like smartwool used to be
rei active stretch zip t neck - a great, very versatile piece that i am having a hard time replacing
on a completely different subject, i continue to play with the digidapter from the outdoorsmans and how it works with my various optics. it really is a great little device that makes what i had even better.
a picture taken with my new ipad mini through a set of swarovski 15x56 slc binos via a digidapter. pretty good, huh?
here is the set up. easy, quick and it works.
i also continue to work on backountry communications devices. i have been working with inreach and spot to test and improve their products. the ipad mini with verizon cellular capability has been thrown into the mix as well.
the inreach is still big and clunky but it is consistently faster by a minute plus than the SPOT 2 (about one minute for a notification to pop up on my cel phone versus about two minutes). of course the inreach also gives you a legitimate real time texting ability when paired with a smartphone or the ipad mini on the right.
newer ipads and iphones contain basic gps chips that are assisted by the cellular network connections. i am trying to figure out how worthwhile (in terms of carrying another piece of battery powered gear) and feasible it might be to use the ipad mini in the field for topographical and ariel photographic maps. i can tell you so far, the mini is very cool and the maps slash photos are very useful but the cellular connection seems to be very important to its effectiveness which poses a problem for they backcountry "no service available" type dude.
while my iphone 4s is handier, the location services enabled mapping function makes a giant sucking sound while it drains the battery and that raises the issue of recharging or auxiliary batteries.
we will see if all of this is just gee wiz cocktail party stuff or it actually provides an edge in performance and safety.
stay tuned on that.
Canadian SAR In Trouble
Here is an interesting, er, troubling article about the Canadian Search And Rescue system, once considered among the best in the world. And as is most often the case, the trouble is not with the people in the field or SAR leadership, it is the politicians that are fouling things up.
Unfortunately, it usually takes a high visibility incident to get the government to pay proper attention to the issue and make it right. Of all the things that government does that it shouldn't do, it amazes me that "leadership" can't get the most basic things right which is properly deploying public resources to save lives. Oh, if I were King for a day...
Mr. Mackay, if not for the sake of your own countrymen, think of the tourism dollars at stake and if that still doesn't get your mind right on this issue let me speak in terms I know you can understand. Consider the disastrous effect that a string of unnecessary tragedies on your watch might have on your political career.
Raw Notes From The Field - Life Is A Trip
good morning! life in the high desert comes with a gopher snake on the front porch, coyotes in the backyard and scorpions in the garage. Someting is always trying to get you here. it does make things interesting and you learn to watch where you put you hands and feet first. coop and i average about two frantic screams a week from the women of the house. ooh, is that sexist? i don't know but it is accurate.
somebody didn't put the ladder back where it belongs and now i have a squatter to deal with. a dove decided to make this precarious perch a home. it has been there about a month now and it just hatched a couple of babies. what are you gonna do.
as a management consultant i see the world through the critical eyes of a coach or instructor. i constantly see processes that need to be examined, addressed, changed and improved so it is a shock to my senses to have to spend two hours at a place like the motor vehicle department. i just want to hand someone my business card and say please call me, i can make this better. i would probably just burst into flames at the irs or congress.
what if the motor vehicle department was run like...
...the apple store?
always a positive experience at the apple store. whether it is information or product, i am a very satisfied apple customer. desktop, laptop, smartphones, music and movies. this time it was the aquisition of a new ipad mini with verizon connection which i am hoping will become a backcountry mapping solution for me but more on that later.
Arcteryx Alpha SV Mitts - Cold Weather Protection For Your Hands
Arcteryx Alpha SV Mitts if you are cool, mittens if you aren't. The leashes are removable and I love the gauntlet tightening slash loosening mechanism, it works like a charm. These are sturdy but not clunky mittens worthy of the Alpha designation.
I don't know who I like better, UPS or FedEx. They are both great companies and I am always excited to see either truck rolling in hot with loads of gear goodness. A truly awesome day is when they show up at the same time. It's like a date with your two favorite woman on the same night and they are both totally cool with it. That happened twice this week, the UPS FedEx thing not the two chics, and one of the packages contained a brand new pair of Arcteryx Alpha SV Mitts.
Holy cow are they nice. From just a design standpoint I think they are the best that I have ever seen. Idiot straps, adjustable wrists, removable liners made of double thickness Polartec Windpro, leather palms and an exterior fabric featuring a highly durable Gore-Tex called N80p-x. Best of all, they fit like they are supposed to and they feel like they were made to work hard in cold snowy weather.
These are the high loft Polatec Windpro liners removed from the shell. They will do nicely most of the time but it would be nice to have a goose down liner option for the super chilly dog situations.
As with all Arcteryx products and especially the Alpha line these are made with best in class materials and the very highest craftsmanship. That is what you expect for your money and that is what the dead bird continues to deliver.
Add these to the other Arcteryx SV gloves and the Hanz Nomex liners that are in my system and I think my hands are covered about as well as they could be. That is a good thing because I still need all my fingers for counting.
My size large pair weighs 9.3 ounces.
Thanks.
Wade Nelson
Editor
Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.
We can be educated and persuaded but not bought, bullied or bs'd.
Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.
Marmot Minimalist Jacket - Blaze Orange Color
Marmots Minimalist Jacket has been a strong contender in the technical shell segment for a long time. It has everything that a mountaineering jacket should have and as the name implies nothing extra. And this year it is offered in a nice bright orange.
One of the most common questions I have gotten over the almost five years I have been this is about a good waterproof breathable shell jacket in blaze orange. It is usually from search and rescue folks who for obvious reasons need to be seen in the backcountry but sometimes it is from a hunter or birder.
Anyway, as I know all too well myself, a good high end shell in orange is hard to find. Well, here you go. The Marmot Minimalist has been a strong performer for many years and it is a fine jacket with good features and design including extra long pit zips, Gore-Tex Paclite, and a helmet compatible hood.
If you are looking for a dependable shell for wilderness work but it has to be in high viz orange, this is what I would recommend. However, you better act fast because if history tells us anything on this issue it is that this color will not be offered next season (a mistake in my opinion). You have been warned.
Thanks.
Wade Nelson
Editor
Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.
We can be educated and persuaded but not bought, bullied or bs'd.
Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.
NEW GEAR ALERT - Digiscoping With The Outdoorsmans Digidapter
Looking about seven miles away at Thompson Peak (on the horizon) through a Swarovski STX 85mm spotting scope. Using the Digidapter from The Outdoorsmans and my Apple iPhone 4S attached to the eyepiece I took very good still pictures and video of the radio towers (see them on the iPhone screen) that sit on the summit. Very cool.
I am not a huge fan of spotting scopes. Never have been. It isn't because they aren't useful because they absolutely are for some things. It is mostly because I don't like looking through one eye while trying to keep the other one closed or covered. It just isn't comfortable for me which is why I like the big Kowa Highlander Prominar binoculars so much for long distances.
However, the new Swarovski modular spotting scopes with their big beautiful eyepieces and objectives are pretty damn good. Awesome is actually a better description. And just for the record, I am a straight tube guy all the way. Add the new Digidapter from The Outdoorsmans to an iPhone and you really have something special. Easy to use, simple to set up, light weight, and it works like a freaking charm.
This months full moon taken with a cell phone through a spotting scope via the Digidapter. Pretty impressive don't you think.
UPDATE WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Want to capture what you see in your binos or spotter? Here is what you need; a smartphone (I am using an iPhone 4S), a Digidapter from The Outdoorsmans, a smartphone case to attach the Digidapter to or you can purchase a fully assembled one from The Outdoorsmans, the appropriately sized adapter ring for the optics you are using, and the spotting scope or binoculars of your choice (I am using the most excellent Swarovski STX 85mm spotting scope).
All the components you need to digiscope easily and effectively with a smartphone. Note that I am using a phone case (on the left) with the Digidapter already attached by The Outdoorsmans but you could buy the Digidapter by itself and attach it to the smartphone case of your choice.
The smartphone case with Digidapter plate attached and sized ring screwed on are coupled with an iPhone. It is now ready to go on the spotting scope.
The Digidapter equipped iPhone is designed to slide straight onto the spotting scope eyepiece. No need to screw it on, just push it on and pull it off. The aluminum rings are perfectly sized for your optics to fit just right.
The Digidapter equipped iPhone is seated on the eyepiece of the spotting scope and ready to use. It goes on and comes off easily and quickly but sits securely on the eyepiece. Don't let the eyepiece cover on the left confuse you, I really should have removed it from the spotting scope and taken it out of the picture altogether for clarity but I didn't think that far ahead.
Ready to take still pictures or videos in portrait orientation...
or landscape and it is easy to change from one to the other. All you have to do is rotate it up or down.
Here is the same set up for a set of Swarovski Swarovision EL 12x50 binoculars. Although these require a separate and different sized adapter ring (they have a number of different sized rings to go on the Digidapter for various optics) it works just as well and is just as easy to use.
The Digidapter is elegantly simple to use. It goes on easily and quickly, it stays put, and it works very well meaning it allows you to take great pictures using gear you are already carrying. And the wonderful features of the iPhone let you share it all with friends or post to Youtube for the world to see instantly. You really have to marvel at what technology allows us to do now.
The Digidapter is the slickest system I have seen yet for digiscoping with binoculars and spotting scopes. Furthermore, it is very light and compact so it is tailor made for the Hardcore Outdoorsman but that really shouldn't surprise anybody. All of the products from The Outdoorsmans are born on the side of a mountain while doing the kinds of things we like to do. The company is run by hunters producing well thought out, high quality innovations that solve problems and make life in the field easier or more productive for other hunters. The Digidapter is an outstanding example of their practical can do approach to how they run their business and serve their customers. Well done guys.
Thanks.
Wade Nelson
Editor
Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.
We can be educated and persuaded but not bought, bullied or bs'd.
Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.
Raw Notes From The Field - Swarovski 10x50, 12x50, And STX Spotting Scope
trying to decide between the swarovski swarovision el binos in 10x50 or 12x50. side by side on a tripod is the only way to go. both are absolutely fantastic edge to edge so it really boils down to personal preference. i keep gravitating back to the 10s, they are a little brighter which makes sense because they have a little better exit pupil but like i said this is splitting fine hairs.
happiness is finding out that one of your children stole the iphone charger out of your rig. the beatings will commence when i go 23 at my 48.
the new swarovski stx spotting scopes are about as good as I think you can get. they are simply excellent and the fact that you can swap out for 65, 85, or 95mm objectives means the ultimate in flexibility. more proof that the boys at swaro are whipping everybody elses ass in the sport optics field. hey leica and zeiss, like my bomb tech buddies say, try to keep up. i am not sure that i have ever used this word on this site but i will now. sensational. this spotting scope is sensational. it is so good it makes me want to own one which is a big deal because i don't like spotting scopes and don't carry one as long as i can get cody or cody to carry one. i might actually carry this one.
inreach unit continues to work as advertised. more on that later.
aaaahhhhhhh.....
new country music song lyrics from thompson square "this life would kill me if i didn't have you. couldn't live without you baby, i wouldn't want to" after 25 years of marriage i couldn't say it any better than that.
posted with my iphone from the field. ain't technology great.
DARPA Seeks Replacement For Satellite GPS Technology
What will future military position location devices look like?
The U.S. Army is concerned that it has become too dependent on current global positioning technology and given how prolific it is throughout their inventory maybe they are right. If satellites are taken out or their signals jammed we have a big problem so the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency or DARPA is looking into how location capability can be made smaller, more reliable and independent of orbiting spacecraft. Here is the full article.
Insulation Layer - Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket
The newest addition to the RACK OF GREATNESS is the Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket. This one is in classic black, as all insulation layer jackets should be.
I have told you about the Patagonia Micro Puff Jacket and how it is the synthetic insulation layer jacket part of my multipurpose outdoor clothing system but it is just a touch heavy for my late spring slash summer load out. Oh yea, well the good people at Patagonia have an app for that. Damn straight they do. Same jacket but lighter, thinner and more compactable. They call it the Nano Puff Jacket. See in the over all naming scheme of things, nano is smaller than micro. Get it. Good, I knew you would.
My Micro Puff contains 100 grams of Primaloft Sport insulation and weighs 19 ounces (XL). The Nano Puff by comparison has 60 grams of Primaloft One tipping the scales at just a smidge over 12 ounces (XL).
Pat says either of these could be worn as an outer garment but I say nay nay. That is fine around camp or inside your sleeping bag but the exterior shells are too light and wispy to be worn out and about without the protection of a shell layer which is OK with me because I am a layer guy. BTW, both the Nano and Micro are available in hoody versions if you are into that sort of thing.
One interesting note, the Nano is cut a touch slimmer through the shoulders than the Micro. Not Rab or Mountain Hardwear snug in that area but less full cut than Arcteryx or other Patagonia products.
Fit and finish is typical Patagonia, meaning top notch. This liner jacket is the perfect companion to my Marmot Precip shell layer Jacket to sit in my day pack until the weather rolls in or night fall.
Thanks.
Wade Nelson
Editor
Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.
We can be educated and persuaded but not bought, bullied or bs'd.
Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.
NEW GEAR ALERT - DeLorme inReach SE - Stand Alone Two Way Satellite Texting
DeLorme Launches Next Generation of its Award-Winning inReach Satellite Communicator with GPS – Essential Gear for Outdoor Enthusiasts, Hunters, Boaters, Recreational Aviators, and Global Travelers
inReach SE with Color Screen and Virtual Keyboard Offers Expanded Standalone Text Messaging Capabilities, Adjustable Tracking Intervals, Pairs with Popular Mobile Devices
YARMOUTH, Maine – April 11, 2013 – DeLorme, the innovation leader in personal satellite communications and navigation technology, has announced the launch of its newest product inReach SE (Screen Edition). With 90% of the world’s surface lacking cell phone coverage, inReach SE is essential gear for the traveler or outdoor adventurer to keep them connected and safe anywhere in the world. inReach SE remains the only satellite communication device that can both send and receive text messages in its price category.
The newest generation of inReach builds on DeLorme’s award-winning technology to keep outdoor adventurers, boaters, aviators and travelers connected when off the grid or in parts of the world where cellular communications are limited. With the expanded standalone capabilities of inReach SE, users benefit from a color screen, virtual keyboard, slim design and a long-lasting internal lithium battery. In standalone mode, inReach SE provides free-form texting capabilities of up to 160 characters to any cell phone number, email address or social media page.
Using DeLorme’s Earthmate App, inReach SE pairs wirelessly with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch to access topographic maps and NOAA charts and to make text messaging even more convenient. inReach SE is also compatible with Android devices.
With the ability to maintain satellite signal lock even in difficult GPS environments, inReach SE also offers global SOS capabilities, adjustable tracking intervals from 10 minutes to four hours, and remote real-time follow-me/find-me tracking and ping-me locating. In the event of an emergency, the interactive SOS capability of inReach automatically triggers remote tracking and allows users to describe and update their situation so proper resources can be deployed.
“Whether you’re deep in the backwoods, floating on a remote lake, or simply traveling abroad, anyone can benefit from the comprehensive functionality of inReach SE,” said Michael Heffron, DeLorme CEO. “Over the last two years we have been listening to customer feedback, so the next generation of inReach includes many new features based on their input. The internal rechargeable battery and the on-screen, free-form texting are especially beneficial, making on-the-go communications more convenient and delivering peace of mind to family and friends easier than ever before.”
inReach operates over the Iridium satellite network, providing truly global two-way satellite communications, high network reliability and low-latency data links (less than 60 second delivery of messages end-to-end) anywhere on Earth, with no gaps, fringe or weak signal areas.
The follow me / find me tracking feature of inReach provides GPS position updates allowing family and friends to follow the user’s trip as it happens. Family and friends can log into a dedicated MapShare page to follow a detailed breadcrumb trail, ping a location, and send messages to the inReach owner. In the event of an emergency, the built-in SOS button can be activated to trigger a distress alert with delivery confirmation and it automatically activates the remote GPS tracking feature. GPS tracking assists search-and-rescue personnel with homing in on the user’s location, whether stationary or on the move.
Pairing the inReach SE via Bluetooth with the Earthmate App turns a mobile device into a global satellite communicator and navigation tool. Real-time GPS location, tracking and text messages are overlaid on the digital maps for easy navigation and position location. inReach owners get exclusive, unlimited access to DeLorme’s topographic maps and North American NOAA charts, which can be downloaded via an Internet connection prior to departure and remain available in the Earthmate App even when outside cellular coverage.
Suggested retail price for inReach SE is $299, with annual satellite subscriptions beginning at $9.95 per month. Four-month seasonal and special aviation plans with more frequent tracking intervals are also available.
Here is some more information from DeLorme.
EDITORS NOTE - Looks very promising. Two way satellite texting and SOS capability without having to pair to a smart phone. I am already working on getting a test unit and hope to have some beta for you soon.
It is nice that the SE will have a more managable form factor. It is 1 inch taller but 1/2 inch narrower, 3/4 of an inch shallower, and over an ounce lighter than the brickish original.
I am concerned about one thing though, the SE is said to use rechargable Li-ion batteries. That could be problematic for extended field use. Let's hope DeLorme has a work around for that.
Rescue Streamer - Daytime Distress Signal
500 feet above a survivor in the water with an orange PFD.
500 feet above a survivor in the water with a Rescue Streamer.
Most of the search and rescue missions I participated in began after dark because that is usually when the call for help came in about an overdue party. Having spent a great deal of time looking from both the air and the ground for people in trouble, I can tell you night time searches are much easier and the chances of finding someone much greater. Fires, flashlights, and emergency strobe lights all show up fairly well at night. If we are using night vision goggles then they stick out like a sore thumb and are hard to miss. In fact, I have found people by the flash from our anti collision strobe lights bouncing back off the reflective trim on their shoes or packs using night vision goggles. Gen 3 NVGs are that good. However, at some point, the sun always comes up and that can be a problem if we have not yet found you.
Daytime signaling is an entirely different story. It is a big problem because there is so much out in front of or under me that it is very difficult to create enough contrast between the target and background so that I can see it unless I am looking directly at it. Even then I could miss it if a tree, rock, or wave gets between us at just the wrong time. Then there is the human factor that a lot of SAR guys don't talk much about. We could be too high or going to fast. I could be tired, not feeling well or just not that into it today. Worst of all, maybe I have already decided in my head that this is a lost cause and that there is no way we are ever going to find you (the needle) in this stuff (the haystack). That was never a problem for me because I am just too anal retentive obsessive compulsive but it has happen to guys, good guys, that I know. The point is your daytime distress signal has to be both distinctive and persistent to be seen. And being seen is what SAR is all about. Being seen or getting seen as an old pilot once described it makes all the difference in the world.
Fire works well during the day if you can get the smoke to be thick enough and the right color but it requires a great deal of attention and energy and they can dangerous if they get out of hand.
Canned smoke is great (usually a thick dark orange plume of smoke) but it is heavy, the cantainers get hot, there is a limited amount of volume, and I have had them malfunction where they actually started small brush fires (not one of my finer moments).
Signal mirrors are very effective but they require precision aiming, things have to be in the right position, and somebody on the other end has to be looking in your direction. To be candid with you, I carry one but I am not a big fan of mirrors. I prefer something more omni-directional, passive and on all the time. Something more like a high visibility flag.
Secure one end using the attached cable loop and a trekking pole and weight the other with your pack or a big rock to keep the Rescue Streamer deployed properly on land. Small plastic rods spaced throughout its length keep the Streamer from flipping over. They also keep it afloat.
That is where the Rescue Streamer comes in. They make a number of different models including ones that use lights but for our purposes I prefer the most basic model because it is the lightest and smallest yet still very effective in water (it floats), snow, open terrain, on a rock face or strung between trees.
At 6 inches long, 1.5 inches in diameter and 3.7 ounces the Rescue Streamer is light and handy. Unrolled it is about 25 feet long which helps it stick out and be more distinctive against almost any background.
I have always taught that it is unnecessarily risky to rely on just one thing to help you out of a jam in the backcountry. Some argue that I am over prepared but they have not seen profound fear, pain and desperation in as many faces as I have so they don't understand. When the shit hits the fan and you really need help out there it is best to have a number of sound strategies working for you. An effective daytime visual signaling device that fits well with your system is one of those strategies. This is the one that military pilots all over the world use and it is the one I like and use.
Consider what you do, how you do it, and where you do it to determine if a Rescue Streamer makes sense for you.
Thanks.
Wade Nelson
Editor
Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.
We can be educated and persuaded but not bought, bullied or bs'd.
Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.
News - PETA To "Stalk Hunters" With Drones
The Cinestar Octocopter is among the UAVs that PETA is reportedly looking to purchase for the purpose of watching hunters.
If you are a hunter you are going to love this one. According to this article in U.S. News & World Report People for The Ethical Treatment of Animals or PETA is shopping around for a suitable drone to "stalk Hunters".
The group says that it will "soon have some impressive new weapons at its disposal to combat those who gun down deer and doves". That is deliberately provocative language that indicates to me that they are more interested in confrontation and headlines than anything else.
Although they won't disclose exactly where they are planning their operations they specifically mention targeting Big Horn Sheep and bow hunts.
This is a really bad idea. I predict that PETA will not be able to resist the urge to progress from observation to harassment for very long if at all. Either way their presence is not going to be appreciated by people engaging in a legal heavily regulated activity. If there is trouble, and you know there will be, PETA will be the ones that started it.
News - Grey Group To Live Stream Best Ranger Competition
If you can't be at Ft. Benning to watch this grueling competition in person go to Grey Group Training and watch the live stream 24/7. Costs are being picked up by The National Ranger Association. Very Cool.
The fun starts April 12th, 2013.
Thanks Grey Group and Rangers.
NEW GEAR ALERT - Patagonia Encapsil Down Belay Parka - A Game Changer?
Could this be the new benchmark in puffy goose down jackets? It sure looks that way.
Patagonia has a long rich history and it is one of the very best soft goods makers in the business so when they make a big deal about a new product I pay attention.
Two things caught my eye about the new Encapsil Down Belay Parka. First, the International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory (yes there really is one) in Salt Lake City gave the down in it a fill power rating of 1000. That is a first. Ever. Second, the down is said to be water repellant. Well, given what the Arcteryx people said about the new crop of water resistant down treatments and their lack of durability that is something that needs to be examined closely. However, if the Patagonia claim is true, that is a very good thing indeed.
There is a lot more to this belay parka that warrants positive comments like the 100% independent baffle and differential cut construction but the big hook for me is that the head of R&D for Patagonia simply wanted to build the very best down jacket ever made regardless of cost. And you all know how much I dig that kind of fanatical, passionate approach to producing great gear.
Indicative and notable. The Spring 2013 Patagonia catalog spends four entire pages on this new product which says a lot about their level of excitement and how big a deal this is to them. Here are a few quotes that do a nice job of explaining the problem and their new solution to it.
"Down is warmer, lighter and more compressible for its weight than any other insulating fiber-natural or synthetic. The drawback: When wet, down loses its ability to loft and insulate. for this reason, the development of water-repellant down has been a holy grail for outdoor companies for decades."
"Water-repellant down garments are, for the first time, now available from several manufacturers. Patagonia, however, has taken a unique approach, one that not only produces water-repellant down, but that delivers a significant, additional advantage no one else can provide: an off the charts, unprecedented fill power of 1000."
"Encapsil is unique to Patagonia (proprietary). The plasma-treated down technology, process and manufacturing equipment are all patent pending."
"Down's insulating power comes from its loft. Tiny spaces of air trapped between down plumules are warmed by body heat to form a pillow of warmth around you. The world's best down has the highest loft (measured as fill power, the number of cubic inches one ounce of down will fill). We use 800-fill-power goose down in garments for alpine use. One ounce of 800-fill-power down treated with Patagonia's Encapsil technology carries an unprecedented fill power of 1000."
"Encapsil technology uses safe, silicone-based chemistry, free of fluorocarbons. The down is activated with low-level radio frequency waves until the surface of the down's molecular structure begins to shift slightly. A tiny amount of siloxane is then deposited onto each plume, adhering to its changed molecular structure in a virtually permanent synthesis to make it hydrophobic, stronger and more efficient."
"...we've achieved the highest-performance down available anywhere."
Patagonia believes so much in this technology that they bought an interest in the the Texas company that developed the technology to make Encapsil. They put their money where their mouth is and that too speaks volumes to me.
Also, here is a link to Patagonias blog that adds more detail to Encapsil and tells the inspirational (to me at least) story about the committed people that made this happen.
This is very interesting on a number of levels. I am hopeful and optimistic but only because it is Patagonia. More on this later so stay tuned.
UPDATE - I have been having a very nice conversation with one of the Patagonia designers who has restored at least some of my faith in big companies. It is good to know that there are still people in this business with a full tank of give-a-shit. Real gear heads that just want to make the very best equipment and then actually go out and use it in the field. Refreshing. On the other side of the coin, the coffee commandos in the PR department are too busy to return their messages. Figures.
NEW GEAR ALERT - Backpack - The Outdoorsmans Long Range Hunter -
The new Long Range Hunter Pack from The Outdoorsmans builds on the original Optics Hunter Pack with more capacity and useful refinements. Note the trekking pole sticking out the top of the right side long pocket but a full size tripod with pan head is fully contained in the left one.
The Outdoorsmans has been working on a new pack called the Long Range Hunter and though it isn't quite yet available for purchase they are finally letting me show you the prototype. It builds on their successful Optics Hunter Pack by using the proven external frame and basic bag layout but it has one big new feature in addition to a number of evolutionary improvements that make the Long Range Hunter Pack an outstanding choice for the hardcore backpack hunter.
The Long Range Hunter offers flexibility and increased volume when you need it. Converting the pack to XL size is simple and takes just a couple of minutes. Unzipping the main bag extension and adjusting the lid straps adds approximately 1500 cubic inches and brings the total cargo hauling capacity to about 7500ci.
When extended and fully loaded the the pack is about 8 inches taller but vertical and horizontal compression straps keep even oversize loads tight and under control. Popular features like the lid binocular pocket and gun slash bow carrier remain.
Upgraded harness and belt set make the Long Hunter even more comfortable and capable for long distances and big loads. The pack is in its 6000ci or regular configuration in this picture.
This is the best pack yet from The Outdoorsmans. The Coyote Brown color works in any environment and with all camouflage patterns. The new materials and design of the harness and hip belt are higher quality and perform better than previous models. The 1000 denier Cordura fabric puts it in the overkill classification which is exactly what I want in a pack that is going to be put to extreme use in remote locations.
I know that there is a trend towards whispy backpacks but do you really want a blowout 15 miles from the truck with an elk quarter or Coues deer and all your gear on your back? No you don't so spend your weight savings efforts somewhere else dear reader. Trust me on this, don't go all modern sensitive man on your full size backpack. Go heavy duty or stay close to the truck with the other campers.
My major contribution to the design of this model are the enlarged side pockets that allow better access to the tripod and other long items when the pack is fully loaded. I would still like to see four of the pockets on this pack eliminated but that is nit picky personal preference stuff and my brother likes them so I guess they are gonna stay for the time being. Over all the design works very well for its intended purpose which comes as no surprise to me. This pack, like all The Outdoorsmans products, are designed by hunters for hunting which is why they are so good. The Long Range Hunter continues that legacy by being the most versatile hunting pack on the market and one that you absolutely have to consider for big game backpack hunts.
I will update this post with progress reports from the field.
UPDATE - This pack will also come in Multicam 500 denier and True Timber camouflage patterns. Call Cody at 1-800-291-8065 for availability.