skiing

Grab your gear and go | Here’s everything you’d need to build an adventure go bag

Grab your gear and go. In the military, especially in Ranger School, you are taught and instructed to never have more than one item out of your ruck at a time. It was always entertaining to see some guy in the position next to me with both boots and socks off just as that fateful high pitched squeal of an artillery simulator kicked off. In school, you never wanted to be that guy.

As I’ve transitioned into civilian life, I still strive to never be the one that gets left behind because I didn’t have my gear in order. Many people have go-bags, medical kits, and emergency rations in their vehicles or homes, but neglect the fun stuff. There have been a couple of occasions throughout the years where I’ve missed out on a quick trip to the mountains or a last-minute adventure because I didn’t have my gear together. I vowed to never let that happen again.

The Adventure GO BAG

I previously kept two large Pelican Cases in the back of my truck for easy access to my gear on the go. This worked great for a while until I needed to transfer the gear to a friends vehicle or throw it on my back to pack into distant camp. I’ve since transitioned to three items for storing and transporting all my necessary adventure gear.

As the seasons change I will adjust the contents of my gear to the specific activities or sudden trips that may come up. Although most of the gear may change, the following is gear that never leaves my adventure go bag no matter the season:

First-aid kit
1″ roll of Gorilla Tape
50 feet of 550 cord
Knife
Fire starting gear
Headlamp with extra batteries
Tent
Pad
Stove with one small and one medium fuel canister.
LifeStraw
Bladder Filter
Extra Nalgene
Helmet – One helmet I can bike, ski, and climb in
GOR-TEX Jacket
Polartec Hoody
Lightweight synthetic-fill hoody
Weather resistant softshell pants
Base-layer, top, bottom, and t-shirt
Ranger panties
4 pairs of socks – I keep a mix of SmartWool, Darn Tough, Serket, and Wigwam. They all have different warmth, thickness, and a variety I like to choose from depending on the activity.
Lightweight synthetic gloves
Wool cap
Flip Flops – Have to keep happy feet after a long day on the trail or the mountains.

*A sleeping bag should never be stuffed for extended periods of time and is therefore omitted from this list. With everything else packed it only takes a minute to stuff the bag and go.

Gregory Stash Duffle 115L

My go to duffle is the Gregory Stash Duffle 115L. The 115 liters of space allow me to throw in everything I need and have it ready at a moments notice. Having one large heavy-duty duffle for storing gear is essential. Too large and you end-up keeping it packed with more gear than you will ever use. Too small and you run out of room for trips and events that involve multiple sports and activities.

When traveling there is enough room to keep my primary backpack, summit pack, the gear listed above, and any additional equipment. In the winter this includes a baseline of alpine climbing or skiing gear (minus skis of course). Summer and fall allowing me to throw in rock climbing, mountain biking, or other backpacking necessities – the extra weight is worth it.

The Stash has a full length zipper that allows for easy access to all items and makes stuffing in extra gear a breeze. The built-in shoulder straps with reinforced stitching make this duffle pretty darn comfortable if you need to haul in a large quantity of gear. I did just that on a recent “find the rock climbing spot that no-one has been to before” trip. What was thought to be just a few hundred meter hike turned into over an hour of searching and plenty of boulder hopping to reach the crag.

This duffle behaved more like a pack and was able to haul all the necessary climbing gear, food, and water for an evening at the crag.

Gregory Stash Duffle Specs

Big, large, huge, zippered opening to main compartment provides exceptional access to interior
Can be carried with padded backpack harness straps or with traditional duffel-style handle
Top of bag is padded for comfortable carry against back
Zippered exterior pocket with key clip
Compression straps on each end
4 tubular webbing grab handles
800 D Ballistic and 1680 D Ballistic Nylon main body materials
MSRP — $109, but can be found for less online.

Gregory Alpinisto 50L

I own a number of packs and still use them for very specific purposes and when I have ample time to plan and pack. For my grab and go pack I’ve transitioned to the Gregory Alpinisto 50 liter as my do-it-all adventure pack. Although intended for alpine climbing, this pack is capable of multi-day trips in a variety of conditions. From three and four-day backpacking trips, long day hikes, or alpine climbing in the Cascades, this pack checks all the boxes.

Multiple accessory pockets, modern ice tool attachments, and a designated crampon pocket make this pack a do-it-all gear hauler. The comfortable waistband, ergonomic back panel, and side or top openings make this pack not only comfortable, but easy to access. For shorter adventures or for a day at the crag, the pack can be synched down. The crampon pocket is the perfect size for a guidebook or water bottle when not carrying a pair of crampons.

The material is burley and has multiple reinforced stitching points. The gear loops on the waist belt aid in organizing climbing gear while wearing the pack. If you dabble in a variety of outdoor sports and activities this pack may suit your needs as well. The weight, comfort, versatility, and competitive price make this pack a perfect all-rounder.

Gregory Alpinisto 50L Specs

Stowable crampon pocket with puncture-resistant TPU panel
Stowable, adjustable ice axe attachments
Removable top lid, aluminum frame stay, HDPE framesheet, bivy pad, and hipbelt padding
Top-loading design with side zip access to main compartment
Removable lid pocket with occipital cutout and security pocket on underside
Single wand pocket
Hydration sleeve with locking zip hose port
A-frame ski carry slots with sled pull loops
Side compression straps with integrated ice axe retention
Rope strap and emergency haul loops
Expedition hipbelt with dual gear loops and ice clipper slots
High-visibility exterior and interior liner
Dual-layer HD nylon bottom panel
Sizes: xs – L
MSRP — $239, but can be found for less online.

CiloGear 20L WorkSack

Next to my pack and easily stuffed inside of my duffle is a CiloGear 20L WorkSack. If there is a better summit bag or pack for multi-pitch trad climbs, I haven’t found it. Based out of Portland, Oregon, these guys make every pack to order. Their small operation produces packs that are used and coveted by some of the best climbers and adventurers the world over. I know I’ve got this guy on my wish list.

When on a multi-day climb and you want to move fast to the summit and back, this is the pack to take. At only 330g (10 oz) this pack weighs next to nothing and packs down in into a larger pack until needed. I’ve used this pack on numerous occasions climbing throughout Oregon and California. On longer mountain biking days I used this pack with a hydration bladder and still had plenty of room for lunch, jacket, and other luxuries. The greatest benefit is how this pack rides on your back. It sits up high and between your shoulder blades. It doesn’t get in the way and makes access to a climbing harness a breeze.

CiloGear 20L WorkSack Specs

Weight – 330g
Material: Dimension Polyant VX07: 70d nylon ripstop laminated in a five ply sandwich with dacron X-Pac for rip resistance and structural stability. This fabric is 200 psi waterproof.
Colors: black, red, grey
Two side mesh pockets
Inner ninja pocket for keys and other small items
Inner sleeve that will fit a hydration bladder. I cut a section from an old foam pad to use as a bivy seat and it also protects my back from any hard or sharp objects.
MSRP — $69

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Overall, find what combination works for you. These are what I use today, but I may find something else that works better a week down the line. The most important thing is to always be prepared, have fun, and never miss out on an adventure again. Grab your gear and go. If you have an adventure go bag, let us know what you carry and why.

Check out this setup for more great adventure ready ideas.

NW Alpine Belay Jacket: Chosen for it’s warmth, toughness and minimal packed size

The NW Alpine Belay Jacket is a compressible and very comfortable synthetic-fill jacket built for cold and damp environments. What’s intriguing about this jacket is the apparent design quality and the company’s manufacturing location. NW Alpine began in 2010, and has since continued to produce top-quality alpine gear, cut and sewn in Portland, Oregon. It is very rare to find a quality U.S.-manufactured synthetic jacket capable of competing with the big producers in the outdoor industry. As it stands, it appears NW Alpine is sticking a foot into the industry’s doorway.

You can read more about NW Alpine’s history and vision here.

My goal is to give a quick first impression 0f the fit and features of this jacket, with a full review to follow in the coming weeks.

Colors available: Glacier Blue

nw-alpine-belay-jacket-front — (Image Courtesy: retailstudiopdx.com)

Sizes available: S-XL

Weight: The listed weight of a medium is 21 ounces. I confirmed this on my personal scale to be 20.88 ounces.

In a market where companies are boasting lighter and lighter weights for their products, integrity has slipped, with many posting numbers that aren’t accurate. If a company is not truthful about the weight of the product, what other aspects of the product’s performance are they not telling the consumer? It is refreshing to see NW Alpine post a weight that is rounded up instead of down.

Material:

Shell: 30-Denier nylon
Liner: 20-Denier nylon
Insulation: Four ounces of Primaloft One in the torso and three ounces of Primaloft One in the hood and sleeves.

MSRP: $270

Fit and sizing: When I pulled this jacket out of the box and held it up, I was slightly concerned that it was going to be too boxy for my body type and liking. I am 5’9″ and 170 pounds, and the medium fits me very well.

It is designed as a belay jacket, so there is room to layer underneath, but still retains an athletic fit. I can wear the jacket with just a t-shirt underneath without it feeling like it’s floating around or baggy. The inner liner, as stated on NW Alpine’s website, is very smooth and allows for easy donning and removal without snagging or bunching.

Hood: The hood easily fits over a helmet, but is not so large as to be cumbersome and floppy in high winds without a helmet. There are two pull tabs on either side of the collar for quick adjustments and to really batten down the hatches. However, there is no adjustment on the rear to pull the the sides of the hood and increase peripheral vision.
Sleeves: The sleeves are long enough to allow for fully extended arms without exposing my wrists. The elastic cuffs are tight enough to prevent the sleeves from slipping over my hands or riding up my arms, but have enough give to easily slip over a pair of gloves.

Length: The torso length of the jacket allows me to bend over or squat down and not expose my lower back to the elements. This jacket could be used while climbing in very cold conditions, as it is long enough to be worn under a climbing harness and not come untucked during vigorous movement. The lower hem of the jacket has an adjustable pull cord on either side of the zipper. The only downfall I see with these is that they require two hands to operate. I see no problem with this as I do not continuously adjust the hem of my jackets. I’m a set-it-and-forget-it kind of person.

Features: The jacket has two unlined hand-warmer pockets (probably not a big deal that they’re unlined, since, if you are wearing this jacket, you are probably wearing gloves as well) and one right-sided outer chest pocket. The handwarmer pockets have a 6″ zipper but have a large 7 x 12″ interior. The chest pocket has a 5″ zipper and 6 x 6″ interior—large enough to hold a pair of sunglasses or other small accessories such as a headlamp, but not large enough for items such as maps or goggles.

The interior of the jacket has two very roomy fine-mesh stretch pockets that measure at 10 x 12″. This is a standout feature of the jacket due to the pocket size and breathability. These pockets enable the user to dry out wet climbing gloves while wearing their dry gloves belaying. Back to climbing? Boom, dry gloves. I have even utilized this pocket style on other jackets to dry out a damp pair of socks around camp. The inner stretch pockets are perfect for keeping items dry, warm, and out of the elements.

Belay Jacket Inside Mesh Pocket — Inside stretch mesh pocket

Two-way zippers allow for the lower portion of the jacket to be unzipped and moved out of the way when using a belay device, while still keeping the upper half of the torso protected from the elements.

The jacket is very compressible for its warmth and fill weight. Although I have not had the opportunity to use it with a compression sack, I managed to fit the jacket into a 7 x 6″ accessory bag with room to spare.

Application: As the name suggests, the NW Alpine Belay Jacket is intended to be used as a belay jacket or be worn during activity in very cold conditions. During the short time that I have had the jacket, it has been in the rain multiple times and kept me dry and warm. Though not meant for use in a squall or downpour, I plan on testing this jacket in a variety of conditions outside of the norm.

Pros:

1. Lightweight

2. Warm

3. Super cozy (my wife keeps stealing it to wear when reading in the evenings)

3. Packable

4. Plenty of room for storage and drying out wet items

5. Two-way zipper

nw-alpine-belay-jacket-zipper — Center zipper with chest pocket

Cons:

1. No rear hood adjustment

2. Hem adjustment requires two hands

3. Chest pocket will not fit larger items such as goggles

Bottom Line: Upon initial inspection and given the short duration I have been able to use this jacket, I am very impressed with its warmth and features. The durability factor is, at this point, an unknown, but will be found out shortly and covered in the full review. I have reason to believe that this belay jacket is one of the best synthetic jackets of its kind on the market and would serve the seasoned alpinist to the northern dweller very well.

Rating: 4/5

The NW Alpine Belay Jacket can be purchased online at nwalpine.com.

Traveler Gift Guide: Four Items Everyone Needs

Admittedly, I am an awful person to gift shop for. It has been my mission to achieve and maintain as minimal of a lifestyle as possible. Two years ago my father asked what I want for Christmas, insisting he get me something. At the time I was in the process of selling or giving away everything which I owned to live out of a backpack. Any additional items would have been a burden, not a prize possession. Looking back, after two years of minimalist traveling, this is the list of items I wish I had known about. This is the short list of great gift ideas for the traveler on your shopping list or for yourself.

Luci solar lights by MPowerd

One of the most important aspects to a minimalists pack is that, well, it is minimalistic. The Luci light is deflatable to the size of a pancake, provides multiple illumination settings, and best of all is fully rechargeable. No need to carry extra batteries means less weight, less waste and less space. Additionally, I am a sucker for a company with a benevolent mission. MPowered has a goal of empowering the lives of the 1.5 billion people living without electricity. Through there “Give Luci” program, people have the ability to help provide handheld solar lights to people in developing countries. At one point I had three of these incredible lights. I’m down to one now as I gave the others to a couple of kids in a tiny village in the mountains of Guatemala so they can read at night. So Dad, I could use a couple more, hint hint…. Great company, great cause, great product, great price…

Price: $9.99 to $24.99

You can learn more and purchase here.

Hydro Flask

There are few things as satisfying during a long, difficult trip as taking a big drink of freezing cold water after it has been in your bottle for hours. It calms you. Plus, you literally have to drink water every day or you will die. What better way to say I love you than, “Please don’t die of dehydration. Oh and by the way, I want your face to make smiles and drink cold things that are supposed to be cold and warm things when they are supposed to be warm.” Sizes range from 12, 18, 21, 24, 32, 40 and the monster 64oz. growler. The 21oz standard has been my go to bottle day in and day out all year.

You can read more about my feelings toward what I consider to be the best water bottle on the market here.

I still haven’t been able to get my hands on the the 16oz wide mouth coffee thermos yet, so grandma, hint hint….

Price: $21.99 and up, depending on bottle size

You can learn more and purchase here.

Blue Ridge Camping Hammock by Lawson Hammock

I had the privilege of meeting Wes Johnson, the owner of Lawson Hammock while traveling last summer. It was no surprise to me that he had created what is very possibly the most bad ass hammock on the planet. Wes has what I would call, “true stoke” when it comes to the outdoors. In the time before and since we met, I have completely lost count of the number of surf hostels, beaches and random spots I’ve camped at. Most coastal hostels offer a cheaper “camping option” that still allows access to amenities like WiFi, bathrooms, showers and communal kitchen.

Don’t have two trees? That’s fine, the Blue Ridge Camping hammock doubles as a tent, making it exactly what a traveler needs, VERSATILE. At just over four pounds, the BRCH is ideal for full time dirt bums or weekend warriors. If that isn’t enough, the Blue Ridge Camping Hammock was rated number one by both Backpacker and Outside magazine.

Mine was tragically stolen in Costa Rica, so I could use another one Uncle Ron, hint hint….

Price: $169.99

You can learn more and purchase here.

VIRB XE action camera by Garmin

Traveling is all about the experience. I have never used a better device to capture those experiences. I have been putting mine to the ultimate test, “Is the VIRB Ranger proof?” So far, it is not only Ranger proof, it is Ranger friendly. I find the ease of use much simpler than any of my other action cameras. The picture and video quality is not as negatively impacted by the water proof case as the others. The transition from video to photo mode is seamless. Additionally, those brainiacs at Garmin figured out some sort of wizard magic and enabled you to overlay data on top of your video. The camera features a visual display of your speed, altitude and even your G-Force! Not only can you see the data in real time, but you can overlay it over the video so you have numerics to back up how hard you actually hacked that wave, or mountain bike turn, or the spill you took climbing!

The VIRB is also fully comparable with the mounting hardware for other popular action cameras. I have found that the surfboard hardware is actually a lot more sturdy than ones I have used in the past. The battery life is about two hours and the unit is water proof up to 50 meters. The sound quality is significantly better than any other action camera I have used while in their water proof housing.

Price: $399 for the “XE” model, or $299 for the “X” model (A few less features but still badass)

You can learn more and purchase here.

Grab your gear and go | Build an adventure go bag

The Adventure GO BAG

First-aid kit
1″ roll of Gorilla Tape
50 feet of 550 cord
Knife
Fire starting gear
Headlamp with extra batteries
Tent
Pad
Stove with one small and one medium fuel canister.
LifeStraw
Bladder Filter
Extra Nalgene
Helmet – One helmet I can bike, ski, and climb in
GOR-TEX Jacket
Polartec Hoody
Lightweight synthetic-fill hoody
Weather resistant softshell pants
Base-layer, top, bottom, and t-shirt
Ranger panties
4 pairs of socks – I keep a mix of SmartWool, Darn Tough, Serket, and Wigwam. They all have different warmth, thickness, and a variety I like to choose from depending on the activity.
Lightweight synthetic gloves
Wool cap
Flip Flops – Have to keep happy feet after a long day on the trail or the mountains.

*A sleeping bag should never be stuffed for extended periods of time and is therefore omitted from this list. With everything else packed it only takes a minute to stuff the bag and go.

Gregory Stash Duffle 115L

This duffle behaved more like a pack and was able to haul all the necessary climbing gear, food, and water for an evening at the crag.

Gregory Stash Duffle Specs

Big, large, huge, zippered opening to main compartment provides exceptional access to interior
Can be carried with padded backpack harness straps or with traditional duffel-style handle
Top of bag is padded for comfortable carry against back
Zippered exterior pocket with key clip
Compression straps on each end
4 tubular webbing grab handles
800 D Ballistic and 1680 D Ballistic Nylon main body materials
MSRP — $109, but can be found for less online.

Gregory Alpinisto 50L

Gregory Alpinisto 50L Specs

Stowable crampon pocket with puncture-resistant TPU panel
Stowable, adjustable ice axe attachments
Removable top lid, aluminum frame stay, HDPE framesheet, bivy pad, and hipbelt padding
Top-loading design with side zip access to main compartment
Removable lid pocket with occipital cutout and security pocket on underside
Single wand pocket
Hydration sleeve with locking zip hose port
A-frame ski carry slots with sled pull loops
Side compression straps with integrated ice axe retention
Rope strap and emergency haul loops
Expedition hipbelt with dual gear loops and ice clipper slots
High-visibility exterior and interior liner
Dual-layer HD nylon bottom panel
Sizes: xs – L
MSRP — $239, but can be found for less online.

CiloGear 20L WorkSack

CiloGear 20L WorkSack Specs

Weight – 330g
Material: Dimension Polyant VX07: 70d nylon ripstop laminated in a five ply sandwich with dacron X-Pac for rip resistance and structural stability. This fabric is 200 psi waterproof.
Colors: black, red, grey
Two side mesh pockets
Inner ninja pocket for keys and other small items
Inner sleeve that will fit a hydration bladder. I cut a section from an old foam pad to use as a bivy seat and it also protects my back from any hard or sharp objects.
MSRP — $69

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Check out this setup for more great adventure ready ideas.

Watch: Raw interviews of the Special Operations veterans who participated in the ‘Thrills before Pills’ Big Mountain Heroes Documentary

SOFREP TV’s Kickstarter campaign to fund their “Big Mountain Heroes” documentary is open through the end of April. This project follows five Special Operations veterans on a journey into the outdoors and captures their “thrills not pills” approach to addressing personal challenges from their military service. Leading filmmakers shot the documentary on 4K RED cameras in some of the most beautiful and challenging mountains in the world outside of Chamonix, France.

Check out the raw interviews from the veterans (Former Army Ranger Isaiah Burkhart, former Army Sniper Nick Betts, former Army Ranger Leo Jenkins, and former Navy SEAL Brandon Webb ) who participated in the documentary.

Help get this veteran project kickstarted by clicking here.

Originally published on SOFREP

Mammut Nordwand Pro Jacket

When it comes to high-end alpine outerwear, most people haven’t heard of Mammut. But Mammut Sports Group AG, a Swiss company founded in 1862, has been supplying the outdoor enthusiast and mountaineer with high-quality equipment for over 150 years. Although popular in Europe, it’s remained under the radar in the U.S. for some time. But recently, REI, Backcountry.com, and other niche shops started carrying more Mammut gear, and it is steadily gaining popularity in the U.S. market. The Swiss design, construction, and fabric technology are geared for alpinists, extreme skiers, and ice climbers, yet we can all benefit from this technology. My last trip to British Columbia with my brother for some deep backcountry powder skiing was a great test for the well-thought-out design of the Nordwand Jacket.

The Nordwand (north wall) Pro Jacket is a hard-shell jacket in Mammut’s Eiger Extreme Collection featuring Gore-Tex’s top-of-the-line Pro Shell 3-Layer fabric weighing in at only 550 grams. Mammut decided to use Gore-Tex’s 3-layer Pro Shell fabric for its extreme abrasion resistance, ultimate water shedding capabilities, and breathability. While the competitors’ hard-shell jackets feel more like you’re wearing a stiff bag-like jacket, the Nordwand feels supple, remains flexible, and generally fits better due to its athletic cut.

I’m 6′ tall, 200 lbs, and I wear a size medium or large in a North Face jacket. After determining what type of insulation I wanted to layer under the shell, due to Mammuts slender fit, I chose a size XL in the Nordwand jacket. Mammut’s Eiger Extreme Collection offers several insulating options that coordinate with the jacket and pants, making for a very flexible garment “system” suitable for various activities. I use the Eiswand Fleece under the shell for warmer temps. The Eigerjoch Light with Polartec Alpha insulates me on the colder days. And if mother nature is really turning down the temperatures, I can even fit the down insulated Eigerjoch jacket under the Nordwand Pro Shell.

One of my favorite features of the Nordwand Jacket is the removable snow skirt. I tend to use this jacket for more than skiing, so I really like that, when the snow skirt is not needed, I can simply unzip it from the jacket. When installed, however, the skirt has a rubberized grip material that helps keep it from riding up. But Mammut does one better and has installed snap loops that interface with the Nordwand Pro pants, preventing any chance of that uncomfortable snow intrusion while shredding through deep powder.

The Nordwand Jacket also features front outer pockets that are located higher than typical jackets, which allows access even while wearing a climbing harness. The bicep pocket is a nice feature for easy access to your wallet, phone, or any other small item. The interior of the jacket includes one small zippered pocket as well as two mid-sized mesh pockets that can accommodate your gloves or an extra hat. In addition, the hood has multiple adjustments to get the fit just right and can expand to be worn over a helmet.

One complaint I’ve had about other jackets I’ve used in the past are cuffs that don’t work with my gloves and arms that ride up when outstretched. The Nordwand solves both of these issues with longer forward-articulated swept arms and a switchback-style sleeve hem adjustment that allows for a tight seal over or under your gloves.

In a market segment as competitive as outerwear, it’s the small details and features that separate the Mammut Nordwand Pro from the pack. All zippers are waterproof to keep the elements out. A textured anti-slip pattern on the shoulders keeps your pack from sliding around. Reflective logos help your climbing partners locate you while using headlamps. Additional soft-touch material around the opening of the hood and an extra flap to cover the zipper on the inside protect your chin and face. Plus, every piece that bears the Eiger Extreme logo is individually serial numbered and has a scan tag to guarantee its authenticity with Mammut.

At $749.95, you’re making a significant investment in your gear. But rest assured, in true Swiss fashion, Mammut has left no stone unturned in the design of this jacket, and they include a lifetime warranty for peace of mind. It will hold up under the most extreme environments and will get you safely off the mountain. I’ve been very pleased with the Mammut gear and now own most of the Eiger Extreme collection as well as a ski pack and various safety gear. It’s refreshing to find a company that still focuses on providing functional garments for various mountain activities, unlike some of its competitors that have become more fashion-oriented.

Mammut Nordwand Specs

Material: [membrane/laminate] Gore-Tex Pro (3-layer), [face fabric] 84 percent polyamide, 16 percent elastane, [lining] polyamide
Waterproof rating: Guaranteed waterproof
Breathability rating: Guaranteed breathable
Colors: Cyan, Black, Orange
Fit: Athletic and articulated
Hood: Fully adjustable, helmet compatible, roll-up
Pockets: [external] two pack-compatible hand, [internal] one stash, two hand warmer
Venting: Front-access underarm zips
Powder skirt: Yes, removable
MSRP: $750
Warranty: Lifetime