 I remember, back in November, talking about all the “soft deep fluffy snow blanketing our mountain trails”. Well, here it is, the 26th of January, and the local mountains are almost bare. I just got back from walking the dog and realized that the grass is very green, there are fat buds on the bushes and tulips are shooting up all over the place… AND… there is next to no snow on the mountains! This isn’t actually very good since we’re hosting the Winter Olympics in a couple of weeks; however, it is affording us an excellent opportunity to get in some early spring camping. So, here we go on our first outdoor camping trip of the year (and decade!). We’ve decided to take two weeks and do a little exploring on some of the local hills (away from the Olympic venues). We’re going to set up a base camp and do a few two-day outdoor hiking forays. Because we’re still recuperating from the indulgences of the Christmas holidays and are a little bit (ha, ha) out of shape, we are going to go as light as we can on the hiking camping gear. There are a few things I can skimp on but a good camping stove is not one of them. For a change we are going to try the EtaPower EF Trail Stove. This stove is the lightweight version of the original Eta Power EF stove. A net stuff sack and a lid have replaced the storage bag and frying pan. It weighs only 27 ounces and it’s about the same size as the Jetboil GCS but it is reported to boil water faster and be more fuel-efficient. They say that a 220-gram gas container (sold separately) will heat enough food for two people for at least 6 days, which will be just perfect for us. As well as the net stuff sack and lid, this EtaPower EF Trail Stove comes with a Piezo electric ignition, windscreen, burner stand, a 1.7-liter pot and handle. I am really looking forward to using this stove for the first time to make the first cup of hot chocolate on our first outdoor camping hiking adventure in the first year of this new decade. Let the games begin!
Posted by Vicki. Posted In :
Vargo Outdoors
January 12, 2010
 Before we know it, spring will be here again. I am already feeling the urge to go camping welling up in me. It’s time to start bringing out my old hiking camping gear. But...yikes…my tent has a rip in it! It also stinks after a winter in a damp storage locker. I guess it’s time to look for a new tent! This time, however I’ve made a wish list. It has to be easy to erect and be a tall tent with tons of space. Tall and spacious enough to comfortably stand and walk around in. Happil... Continue reading...
Posted by Vicki. Posted In :
Altrec Outlet
December 16, 2009
 In light of all the disasters that occur in the back country every year, one has to wonder why people don’t take precautions by adding a beacon to their outdoor equipment gear. Don’t let your outdoors fun end in tragedy! This simple device, for instance, is a great help in locating those unfortunate trekkers who have been buried by large avalanches or who are incapacitated in other ways, like finding themselves in personal danger in whiteouts or other horrendous weather condition... Continue reading...
Posted by Vicki. Posted In :
MP Gear
November 16, 2009
 Maybe now when we are already having soft deep fluffy snow blanketing our mountain trails, we should look into buying a new set of snowshoes. Let me tell you about the MSR Denali Evo Ascent, a fantastic lightweight yet rugged snowshoe that offers extraordinary performance on icy and steep surfaces! They have strong Unideck injection-molded decks, which are tapered for a more natural walking position. They can accommodate a large boot, which makes this shoe perfect for bringing in your pack...
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Posted by Vicki. Posted In :
REI
November 8, 2009
 With summer leaving us in such haste, all we can do now is plan ahead for a long season of snow and winter fun. Have you ever thought of upgrading your skills from cross-country skiing to the little more challenging sport of mountaineering skiing? It’s so much easier now than it used to be. The typical mountaineering ski was, up until quite recently, a big fat ski that weighed substantially more than your regular cross country ski. Not only that, you used to have to carry special skins tha... Continue reading...
Posted by Vicki. Posted In :
REI
September 24, 2009
Posted by Vicki. Posted In :
Altrec Outlet
September 1, 2009
 A favorite summer tradition for many families is to rent a cottage for a couple of weeks. With these difficult financial times it can be tough to justify the expense, however, with a little ingenuity, I think that we have found a wonderful alternative that might even outshine the cottage tradition. Take a look at this Sarengo 10 person family camping tent. This large family tent costs only a portion of what a two-week cottage rental costs and it can be utilized over and over again. An exc...
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Posted by Vicki. Posted In :
Camping Equipment Co
August 21, 2009
 Take a look at this beauty. I admit I’m in love! Even though this is considered a family tent, and an excellent one at that, and even though there’s only two of us, I really want this tent. I find camping is so much more comfortable if you don’t feel cramped and the Eros 6 Person Family Camping Tent would provide us with ample space to spread out in. Its’ two pod design is perfect. With us sleeping in one pod, we can have our dog sleeping on her own bed made up in the other pod and...
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Posted by Vicki. Posted In :
Camping Equipment Co
August 4, 2009
 Imagine
a relaxing soak in your very own hot tub spa after a long days travel in your
RV to your favourite campsite? Even if you don’t own an RV or even go camping,
this spa is for you, too! This Portable Affordable 211 gallon Aero Hot Tub Spa provides
relaxation at its best! It is self-inflating, seats up to 4 adults and plugs
into any 110 V outlet. You set it up without tools and you can fold it away
easily for storing or traveling. Visualize bringing it in you... Continue reading...
Posted by Vicki. Posted In :
1800 Pools
July 25, 2009
 Little did I know, when I was first miraculously dragged out of the water, finding myself standing shakily on 2 clumsy water skis, holding on to a simple rope for dear life behind a belching speedboat, that I was going to be enjoying wakeboarding almost a 3rd of a century later!! After a few years in hiatus (and after being double-dared by my friends) I recently bought a Liquid Force Custom Thruster Wakesurfer 2009 and I’ve never looked back! It didn’t take me long to master the shorte... Continue reading...
Posted by Vicki. Posted In :
Evogear
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