Apr 20, 2012

New Spot II Satellite GPS Messenger

Spot GPS Messenger
Just got a new Spot GPS Messenger.  Got it for my son exploring China, but will use on my backpacking trips in the future.  BestBuy has these for $60.  www.bestbuy.com/site/SPOT

--- Snip --- The SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger gives you a line of communication when and where you want it, and emergency assistance when and where you need it. Stay connected regardless of cell coverage.

   SPOT Satellite Tracker Main Functions:


Check-in Using Spot
Check-in with SPOT - This feature allows you to let your friends and family know that all is OK with a pre-programmed message along with your GPS location is sent via email or SMS to up to 10 pre-determined contacts and your waypoint is stored in your SPOT account for later reference. Your stored waypoints can be easily integrated into a SPOT Shared Page or SPOT Adventure account. 

Help me SPOT - Ask for helpHelp! - In the event of a non-life threatening emergency, you can use this function to notify your personal contacts that you need assistance. [Optional $$] Additional SPOT Assist services can be purchased and programmed to your Help button as well. When activated with SPOT Assist, the Help button will notify professional services either on the land or water. SPOT has partnered with national service providers to offer non-life threatening assistance. 

Custom Message - This feature allows you to send your friends and family receive a pre-programmed, custom message along with your GPS location with a push of a button. 

911 SPOT with GEOS don't forget to buy insuranceSOS and 911 - Press and hold the SOS button to alert emergency responders of life-threatening events. The GEOS Emergency Response Center will work with public response agencies around the world, and call your emergency contacts to find out more about your situation and keep them informed of rescue progress. GEOS works with all rescue agencies from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and Coast Guard to local urban and rural 9-1-1 call centers. Optionally [$12/yr], GEOS will also dispatch private rescue agencies in those countries where public resources won't do. SOS sends a message and location update every 5 minutes until canceled. 



Track your Trip with SPOT Satellite Messenger[Optional $50/yr] SPOT Track Progress - This feature allows you to send and save your location and allow contacts to track your progress in near real time using Google Maps. With your SPOT account you have the ability to set up a SPOT Shared Page which allows you to show your SPOT GPS locations to others on a Google Map.


[Optional $$] Roadside Assistance - Using the SPOT help feature you can get roadside service 24/7  in the United States and Canada. Using your national roadside assistance provider the SPOT will pinpoint your location for the service provider to ensure quick service when you are stuck by the road. -- Snip --

Basic Service costs $99 for I'm OK, Custom message, Help and SOS.  Options: $49 for Tracking, which uploads your location every 10 minutes for 24 hours.  All info is available from a shared website.  You can see my site here: 
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0hrqqi2yppoug7SohQyH9WY2b6uXryKY5

Spot uses the Globalstar Simplex Data Service. Globalstar is a low Earth orbit satellite constellation for low-speed data communications, somewhat similar to the Iridium satellite constellation and Orbcomm satellite systems.
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Packing a Backpack


While trying to figure out how to pack my backpack, I found this great blog post by Eric "The Black" Aborbon.  http://blackwoodspress.com/blog/9556/how-to-pack-a-backpack/

I can take NO credit for this great graphic!
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Osprey EXOS 58 Backpack

Osprey Exos 58
I just got a new backpack.  It's an Osprey EXOS 58.  It weighs just 2.5 lbs!  My old pack weighted over 5.5 lbs.  While extremely light, it is much more versatile than my old one.    I had given up my pack top "lid" on my old pack to save weight.  I'm glad I get that feature back on my new pack.  It also has a pair of clips for hold your hiking sticks while hiking.
For more on this pack, see:
http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/superlight/exos_58

3-19 Update:  After a week on the AT with this pack, I absolutely love it.  All the pockets keep me organized.  The side mesh pockets allowed me to stash my Gatorade bottles while on the move and still hold my windshirt and/or trash I picked up on the trail.  The sleeping pad loops are a little short.  Just fits my RidgeRest.

Positives:
  • Ice Axe clips hold my hiking poles when traveling. 
  • Hiking pole Stow-and-Go works perfectly.  Great
    • Putting one pole in the Stow-and-Go and using it to prop my arm while holding my umbrella worked great.
  • Found that the lower Inside-out compression is best inside to not hinder putting my Gatorade bottle in the side mesh.
  • Easily bottle to and from the side mesh pockets without missing a stride.
  • Air Suspension back panel kept my back cool.
Negatives:
  • Vertical access zips is really a pocket, not access to main bag.  Can be difficult to get stuff in these when bag is packed.
  • Hip belt buckle seams a little small...  But working great so far. 
4-19-12 Update: Backpacker Magazine May 2012 scored the Osprey Exos 46 as most stable ultralight pack, and scored just below GoLite Jam 50. See http://www.backpacker.com/gear-review-osprey-exos-46-backpack/gear/16631

6-25-12 Update: Found a great review on backpackgeartest that describes the pack in detail:
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Packs/Internal%20and%20External%20Framed%20Backpacks/Osprey%20Exos%2058%20Backpack/

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Mar 20, 2012

Washing Clothes on the Trail

To wash clothes on the trail, get a 2 gallon zippered ziplock bag and label it “Wash”.  Every couple days follow these steps:
1. Place clothes into bag
2. Add water (cool or warm – not hot)
3. Add two drops of Campsuds or Dr. Bonner's
4. Massage bag for a few minutes or carry on backpack where it cannot leak on dry items.
5. Drain water by broadcasting away from camp area or into campfire ring.
6. Refill water in bag - shake to rinse suds from cloths
7. Add two drop of bleach to sanitize and agitate for several minutes.
7. Drain water into sump area
8. Hang out cloths to dry, or pin to outside of backpack
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Seam Sealing Silnylon

Looking for info on seam sealing my new Stoic windshirt, I found this great article from seekoutside.com on the process:

Seam Sealing Instructions

Our tents and tarps need to be seam sealed to provide the best protection from the elements. Seam sealing is a simple process, and should take less than half an hour. Although you can seal seams without pitching the tarp or tent, it is easiest and cleanest  to pitch them and seam seal the tents and let them dry a bit. You need a couple hours of pretty good weather to let the sealer dry. It should be noted, that when finished, it is normal for the seam to feel tacky to the touch, but not be wet.
To perform this you will need:
  • A clear silicone based sealant e.g. a small tube of clear GE premium waterproof Silicone sealant available at hardware stores.
  • A 1/2″ foam brush
  • A few ounces of odorless mineral spirits
  • A clean container to mix the silicone sealant and mineral spirits
Here are the steps:
  • In a clean small metal or plastic container , put in some of the clear silicone sealant and add in some odorless mineral spirits.  I mix it to more of a room temperature buttery consistency.  With GE I use only a small amount of mineral spirits but with the others I need to add more.
  • Once you have the consistency, I find it easiest to dab some on the corner of the foam brush and spread on the seam. It is easiest to do this while you are inside the tent, since it’s easier to reach the whole seam. Lower seam portions may need to be done from the outside and you certainly won’t harm anything from doing the outside or both sides.
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Mar 7, 2012

Backpacking Mac & Cheese

1 Box Kraft Mac & Cheese Thick and Creamy
2 1/4 Cu Water
1.5 Tbs Olive Oil
Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning to taste.

Boil water, add noodles and boil 2 minutes or until flame goes out
Pour into quart freezer bag, in FBC koozie.  Soak for 15 minutes.
Stir in cheese, chicken if you have some, oil, and Tony's.

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Mar 6, 2012

Georgia AT GPS Track and Waypoints

I've merged tracks and waypoints I've found for the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail; Springer Mountain to Dick's Creek Gap.  I'll add the rest of Georgia waypoints soon.  Shelters and track are there already.  Points of Interest were gathered from Backpacker magazine.

In Garmin and GPX formats.
georgia-appalachian-trail.gpx
georgia-appalachian-trail.gdb
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Feb 20, 2012

iPhone 4 as GPS

Credit: adventurealan.com
Found an awesome article on using an iPhone 4 as a GPS (and camera) for backpacking.
http://www.adventurealan.com/iphone4gps.htm
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Feb 15, 2012

Tarptent

Credit: Henry Shires
For my tarptent, I modified Henry Shires' design.  I used tyvek housewrap, and made it with an integral ground tarp (folded the edge the is staked into the ground).

See the design here.  http://www.tarptent.com/projects/tarpdesign.html
I'll update this with my modifications soon.
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Feb 13, 2012

My Packing List

I'm using a super website called GearGrams to record all my backpack supplies and weights. See http://www.geargrams.com/list?id=5824  Below is the overview for my current pack list.

You can setup your own gear list at the main geargrams.com site.

http://www.geargrams.com/list?id=5824 
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