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Your Laptop’s Best Friend!

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:28:31 +0100

Hey, what’s going on here? I thought this was a site showing and recommending quality recreational and camping equipment!

Yes - but a lot of today’s campers and recreationalists have become avid bloggers and photographers, so stuff sacks have become very hi-tech! There is so much you can do with your laptop computer during those seemingly endless rainy days huddled under the tarp or those hot summer afternoons lazing by the lake. You can write and archive long email dairies to your friends and family, describing the hike you’ve just been on, downloading the pictures from your camera to free up space on your memory card, or write an eyewitness account of the Sasquatch sighting you just experienced! Maybe even use the Wi Fi service at that fishing lodge you are finally able to visit. Introducing – ta da – your laptop’s best friend! This is probably the world’s best and toughest laptop case - a case that can both bounce around in the back of a dusty pickup or fit snugly in your SUV’s pristine roof box. This Pelican 1490 Laptop Computer Case is ideal for camping, since it’s padded, dustproof and watertight. Furthermore, it’s got ergonomically curved padded shoulder straps, allowing you to just sling it over your shoulder. The fact that this case is crush proof makes your precious laptop perfectly protected from a potentially fatal blow from your heavy cooler or heavy packs in the belly of a West Coast floatplane on the way back from that fishing trip.

The Pelican 1490 Laptop Computer Case is lightweight, with easy open Double Throw latches and has stainless steel hardware and padlock protectors, which will defy the attacks of salt water. The handle is comfortably over-padded and the case also has an automatic pressure equalization valve. It can accommodate a 15” screen laptop. It can also handle temperatures between 210 F and -10F (which is more than I can say for me). All in all, in this day and age, when people feel lost without their laptop, I think the Pelican 1490 Laptop Case may just become a favorite piece of camping equipment. Check it out.

Need A New Camping Stove To Include In Your Outdoor Equipment Gear?

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:25:57 +0100

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!

Looking For A Spacious Tall Tent? Here It Is!

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:12:56 +0100

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. Happily, I’ve found the ultimate answer to all my wishes! It’s the Eureka Copper Canyon 1312 Tent. This large family tent is the perfect solution to cramped spaces. You know how horrible it is when your outdoor equipment gear is piled up in the entrances and all that sand and dirt gets hauled in all over your nice clean sleeping bags as you’re scrambling over the gear because there’s no floor space and there’s no room to stand up in? Thank heavens those days will soon be over! This cabin style tent has a floor area of 156 square feet (bigger than some of the rooms in my house!) and the center height is 7’ 3”. It’s an 8 man, 9-pole cabin style tent that comes with a detachable awning that shades the tent front area for a space that is 8.5’ x 5’. It also has a removable divider curtain that creates two rooms if you want some privacy. There are 2 big D-style side doors that offer a seperate entrance into each room. And, not only that, this tent has 6 windows, 8 storage pockets and a camping gear loft. Wow, I can hardly wait! Move along Old Man Winter – Lady Spring is fast approaching. The Eureka Copper Canyon 1312 Tent is here and all is right with the world! Come and see for yourself this fabulous, spacious tall tent.

Add This To Your Outdoor Equipment Gear – Your Life Could Depend On It!

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:50:12 +0100

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 conditions. It is called the ACR Microfix 406 GPS Personal Locator Beacon and it is instrumental in quickly alerting search and rescue teams to your location via GPS if you are seriously injured. The Microfix GPS transmits your coordinates within 100 meters radius, via the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system, with your registered, unique, digitally coded distress signal, which allows the authorities to identify you by name. It sends two types of signals, a digital (new standard) and an analog signal that is recognized by satellites and aircraft with the SAR Homing Frequency signal. It floats and its battery capacity is for 24 hours continuous use in -20c and 8 hours in -40c. The life span of the battery is 5 years and the whole unit can be stored with no adverse effects for 11 years. It transmits under water and is operational for 10 minutes submersed in 10 meters of water and 1 hour submersed in 5 meters of water. It only weighs 283 g (10 ounces) so it’s no hardship to slip it into your hiking gear backpack. It comes complete with a holster and lanyard, which can be removed for mounting it on a backpack, a belt or a life vest. This little item could save your life. Don’t you think you’re worth it?

Introducing The MSR Denali Evo Ascent Snowshoe – Bring On The Snow!

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:40:48 +0100

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 on your snowboard/skiing trip as a safety item. With the EVO Flotation Tails (sold separately), you eliminate the need for several pairs for different uses, if you are using heavy packs for instance. Recommended load without tails is 90-125 lbs and with the 6 in tails the recommended load is 125 - 175 lbs. Its crampons on either side work very well and you will enjoy superior traction through steel traction blades with their saber teeth, crampons and moulded braking bars. The bindings are easy to use, hold up very well and they can be worked on with your gloves or mitts on. Its Televator heel lifter reduces calf fatigue and therefore makes climbing more easy and efficient. These MSR Denali Evo Ascent are one of the most used snowshoes among “die hard” snowshoers in Alaska. They say once they’re on your feet, you don’t think you have anything more than your boots on! Come see.

Check Out These Karhu XCD Guide Backcountry Mountaineering Skis

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:41:58 +0100

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 that made it possible for you to climb those slopes that become icy during spring nights. The Karhu XCD Guide Backcountry Ski is a ski that, because of its efficient Omnitrack NoWax positive base pattern system for climbing, allows you to leave your skins at home. This ski is also very light thanks to Karhu’s light slim Greenlight core. The Karhu XCD is a modern wide touring ski with steel edges, which allows for a controlled downhill descent as well as being comfortable during touring over open mountainous areas. It is also a classic blend of Nordic and downhill design, which makes this ski a very versatile product. Recommended bindings for this ski is the “Rottefella BC”-system but if you want a little better action in those advanced downhill turns, a Rottefella Chili is more appropriate. Come and have a look.

Exploring The Many Choices Of Children’s Sleeping Bags

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:27:38 +0100

When deciding on which of the many diverse types of children’s sleeping bags to choose, I think the first question is what type of child is it for? For instance, if your child doesn’t like to be bundled up, a mummy type sleeping bag might not be the way to go. On the other hand, if your child squirms around a lot in the night, a mummy bag with an attached sleeping pad might be perfect. For the child who likes to feel unencumbered, perhaps the jumpsuit type of sleeping bag would be just the ticket. There are many different features offered on various top quality children’s sleeping bags. Come and have a look at some of them. Let the fun begin!

A Large Family Tent To Start A New Family Tradition

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:27:15 +0100

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 excellent investment for the family! If you have a couple or three kids there is more than enough room to use this camping equipment tent as a cottage alternative (even if they each bring a friend). To paraphrase the manufacturer, here are some great features of this big tent.

Large, separate inner tents offers the occupants lots of privacy
Huge living area ideal for storing equipment, having meals or just lounging around
The solid fabric doors have built in mesh door panels and mesh vents to help promote airflow, reduce condensation and keep bugs out!
Add or remove sleeping pods depending on how much storage space you need and how many occupants you have
Take away one or more inner tents and you have a large, free standing shelter

The amazing part is that it’s easy to assemble, too! A totally innovative feature of this large family tent is that the tent poles are made out of Ubertech shock corded poles consequently they are super strong. Also, because it has a completely waterproof, fully sewn in, tub style floor, absolutely no rain or bugs (or mice!) can get in. So, what do you think about initiating a new favorite family tradition of tent camping instead of cottaging? Check out more info and pictures of this big, tall tent here.

You’re Going To Love This 2009 Eros 6 Person Family Camping Tent!

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:18:33 +0100

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, because this tent is so spacious, there would still be tons of room to store all of our camping gear. What more could you want? Quality, you say? Well, the way The Camping Equipment Company has designed and built the check this out.

Your Personal Mobile Hot Tub Spa!

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 22:20:15 +0100

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 your RV to your favourite camping spot. Just take it out of the box, push a button and watch it self inflate. Fill it up with fresh water, plug it into your inverter and let it heat up to 104F. Then, turn on the air jets, jump in with your loved one(s) and/or friends and be totally pampered!! I really recommend this 73” wide, 28” high spa with its 130 air jets massaging bubble system. The Aero Hot Tub Spa includes a filtration pump and a zippered cover (with a lock) to prevent animals or objects from entering the pool uninvited. Also, you can relax knowing that this product has a 12-month warranty on controls and heater and a 3-month warranty on the hot tub itself. What if you set it up in your back yard, between camping trips? Imagine coming home from a hard day at work and jumping into this soothing spa! Or, imagine…! Come check it out.