May 3rd, 2007 06:12pm
spryken
227 views
I always try to do my due diligence before buying new gear. I read the magazines, talk with friends and search the Internet. I even belong to a couple of Backpacking forums. I try to leave no stone unturned.
I had found a great site and then promptly forgot it. I don’t even remember what I was researching (sigh). But I ran across it again. BackpackGearTest.org It has a wide variety of gear reviews done by owners of the equipment and by testers. The reviews by testers are detailed; including an Initial Report, a Field Report and a Long Term Report. The testers really give the gear a good going over and repeated tests. Multiple testers review the same equipment, giving a better overall view of the gear in question.
I have found it to be a good resource. Check it out!!
Entry Filed under: Backpacking, Gear
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May 2nd, 2007 02:39pm
spryken
330 views
Previously, I had posted a series of 5 articles on Water Treatment. Since that time, I have discovered (thanks to Glenn at Scoutmaster Blog) the US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine a site where they review commercially available water treatment options. They tested for bacteria, viruses, Giardia and Cryptosporidium using both mechanical (filtration) and chemical options.
Based on their findings, I need to review and update my recommendations.
First, let’s look at the Chemical options.
The only chemical treatment option that effectively treated all 4 pathogens was the Katadyn Micropur tablets. All of the other chemical options had trouble with Crypto and Giardia. One of the treatment options that I was thinking of getting was the Steripen UV treatment, it rated lowest for all 4 pathogens. The other “new” technology that I was looking at was the MSR MIOX purifier. It did well for bacteria, viruses and Giardia but not Crypto. Based on cost ,ease of use and effectiveness, the Katadyn Micropur tablets get my nod for the recommended chemical treatment option. We used them on our Philmont trek in 2005 and I noticed no chemical taste. Prefiltering is recommended to remove the “floaties”.
Now let’s look at the filters. The only filter tested that equaled the Katadyn Micropur tablets in effectiveness was the MSR Sweetwater Purifier. There were other MSR filters that did not do as well, be sure you look for the Purifier. The MSR Sweetwater Microfilter failed for viruses.
Katadyn had 2 filters that were effective against bacteria, viruses and Giardia and were also acceptable against Crypto: The Exstream Water Bottle and the Exstream XR Water Bottle.
HTI and GenCol had several filters that were acceptable for all 4, see the website for details
From my previous posts, the issue I have with filters is that you have to keep them cleaned and maintained properly in order to get optimal results. Once contaminated on a trek, you have no water treatment options other than boiling unless you carry additional weight and treatment options.
My recommendation:
For price and effectiveness - Katadyn Micropur tablets
Entry Filed under: Backpacking, Boy Scouts, Gear
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May 1st, 2007 11:42am
spryken
298 views
My Troop is planning a 50 mile combination Backpack/canoe trip in June. We will be hiking approximately 34 mile on the Appalachian Trial, from Clingsman Dome to Fontana Dam, then canoeing on Fontana Lake. In preparation for this trip, I have been trying to walk 3 miles at lunch most days. Yesterday, I hiked the Loblolly trail in Raleigh, NC. It is approximately 6.5 miles long.
The Loblolly trail is a bit unusual in that it crosses 3 different jurisdictions, William B Umstead State Park, Schenck Forest (NCSU) and the Raleigh Parks and Recreation Greenway system. Each section is reserved for hiking with bicycles, motorized vehicles and horses prohibited. One end of the trail is in the State Park and the other in the parking lot of the RBC Center, where the Carolina Hurricanes play hockey.
I started in the State Park. There the trail travels through forest, up and down to cross Richlands Creek. This section is the most strenuous, but is still only moderately strenuous. Most hikers would have not trouble at all. It travels 2 1/2 to 3 miles in the State Park.
The trail then crosses into Schenck Forest, a research forest for the Department of Forestry at NC State University. The trail follows Richlands Creek. While the trial in Umstead State Park is wide and appears well traveled, here it is narrower and looks less used. Following the creek more closely, the trail is more grassy and ticks are a concern. The trail circles a small lake and there is one of the few signs of civilization. There is a neighborhood that backs up to the lake.
Leaving Schenck Forest, I traveled through a tunnel under Wade Avenue. The trail is now part of the Raleigh Parks Greenway. This section is only about 1/2 mile long and travels along Richlands Creek. More grassy fields and even traveling. I crossed another tunnel under Edwards Mill Rd and up a hill into the parking lot of the RBC Center. All total 1 hour 50 minutes to travel 6.4 miles according to my GPS.
Wildlife spotted:
- 2 black snakes
- 1 copperhead
- 1 egret
- small herd of deer
- 1 red fox
This is all in a “civilized” area!!
Entry Filed under: Backpacking, Boy Scouts, Hiking
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January 11th, 2007 11:03pm
spryken
6,665 views
Please join me in congratulating Matt B, my nephew. Our family’s newest Eagle Scout. It has been a long, hard road but the journey is over. With 2 uncles who were the first 2 Eagle’s in their Troop and the first in our family, Matt had quite a bit of pressure to complete the requirements of Eagle. Early on in his life, he was told that there was no option of not completing his Eagle Rank.
He has made us proud. As with most Eagle Scouts, Matt is highly thought of in his community, a “natural” leader.
Fly high, Matt. Remember, once an Eagle, always an Eagle. You now embody the spirit of scouting. You may not realize completely the impact that all of your work towards the Eagle Rank has had on your life now. But as you get older and look back on what scouting has meant, you will see that it has shaped who you are as a person and as a citizen.
I have told you how proud I am?
Technorati Tags: Boy Scouts, Scouts, BSA, Eagle Scout, Eagle
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Entry Filed under: Boy Scouts
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January 10th, 2007 07:29am
spryken
1,269 views
This BBQ sauce was traditionally made by my grandmother every year for Christmas Eve dinner. She would serve it with a baked turkey breast and green ham. For those of you who thought green ham was only in Dr. Suess, it is really just the uncured ham, so more like a pork roast.
Jiffy BBQ Sauce
1/2 c vegetable oil
3/4 c chopped onion
3/4 c ketchup
1/3 c lemon juice
3 T Worchestershire Sauce
2 T prepared mustard
salt to taste
1/2 t pepper
In a dutch oven, cook onions in oil until soft. Add remaining ingredients and simmer 15 minutes.
BBQ Chicken
Jiffy BBQ Sauce
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breast
Add the chicken breasts to the prepared BBQ sauce. Place the lid on the dutch oven. Arrange coals on lid and bake for about 2 hours. The chicken should easily pull apart with a fork. Shred the chicken in the sauce. Serve on buns or over rice.
Technorati Tags: boy scouts, scouting, bsa, cooking, recipe
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Entry Filed under: Cooking, Recipes
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