Category Archives: Backpacking Gear

Six Moon Designs Wild Oasis Shelter

Backpacking Gear, Shelters, Tents

Wild Oasis 12

A while back I posted about Dave Chenault’s Pyramid Shelter article. At that point it dawned on me that I have not discussed this shelter previously. The Wild Oasis seems to be a shelter that often gets little love. It has been around for quite a while; I bought mine in 2008. But I don’t see many people talking about it these days. I typically only used mine for those days when I expected a lot of flying insects. But since I decided to do a review, it occurred to me that I should use it more often.

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How to Start a Forest Fire

Backpacking Gear, Camping, ,

JUST GO TO THE MANY BLOGS AND WEBSITES OF BACKPACKING EXPERTS AND FOLLOW THEIR EXAMPLE

Okay, it is a pet peeve of mine.

“I’m mad as Hell and I’m not going to take this anymore” - Howard Beale (played by Peter Finch, from the movie Network)
“I’m mad as Hell and I’m not going to take this anymore”
– Howard Beale (played by Peter Finch, from the movie Network)

Yesterday I was reading a review of a wood stove on a well known backpacking blog and I notice about 6 inches of leaves and brush have been cleared from around the base of the stove.

Only problem is, the flames from the stove extend a few inches above the pot, which is sitting on top of a wood burning inferno of a stove. The entire assembly height is at least twice the width of the cleared area. Knock the stove over and you have a forest fire.

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The Business of Backpacking

Backpacking Gear

LOOKING FOR GEAR

A friend of mine sent me an email asking me to look at a couple of reviews for a new backpacking product. Okay, I like to help my friends. Both reviews were on personal blogs. That’s okay, I like checking with people who actually use gear and provide honest feedback. Whenever looking at new gear and considering someone’s opinion, it is best to get a feel for that person’s experience and whether or not they have a vested interest in the product. Real everyday users can provide the best feedback.

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My Backpacking Watches

Backpacking Gear, , , ,
(L-R) Military, Swiss Army brand, Timex. (The bands on the Military and Swiss Army watches are not the originals).
(L-R) Military, Swiss Army brand, Timex. (The bands on the Military and Swiss Army watches are not the originals).

Are they gear? Doesn’t almost everyone bring one with them?

Okay, a theme with a lot of gear I talk about is a disdain for technology. I have hiked without a watch and find that I am pretty inefficient. A watch helps me plan distances, keep track of my pace, and ensure I get back in time so my wife isn’t worried about my safety. In clear weather it is fairly easy to determine the approximate time without a watch, but in bad weather you lose that ability.

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