Author: PRW

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CamelBak Beginnings

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If you have found yourself wondering— with the unlimited amount of time you have reclaimed by texting instead of emailing— what CamelBak is really like, read through our mission statement and values.

AN IDEA BORN FROM THE MOST BASIC HUMAN NEED — THIRST

It’s 1988.

Bicycle enthusiast, Michael Eidson, is competing in the “Hotter’N Hell 100.” And that’s exactly what it is: a 100-mile road race in the grueling summer heat of Wichita Falls, Texas. Water is vital to surviving the race, and there are few places to refill a water bottle. Eidson, an emergency medical technician by trade, decides to fill an IV bag with water and slip it into a white tube sock. Yes, a tube sock. Then he stuffs the contraption into the back of his bike jersey, throws the thin hose over his shoulder and clamps it with a clothespin.

Hands-free hydration is born. And Eidson is able to drink as he pedals…while the other racers laugh and fiddle with their water bottles.

OPERATION HYDRATION — THE ROAD TO SURVIVAL

Jeff Wemmer, a competitive cyclist who fell hard for CamelBak, was so impressed by the product that he started bringing packs to races to sell them. Talk about a fan. CamelBak eventually hired him, and in 1993, Jeff embarked on a road trip to keep the start-up running during very tough times.

Company lore has it that Jeff visited bike shops from Florida to California, pitching our renegade product from the back of his motorcycle. Each order Jeff faxed back to the factory literally breathed another day of life back into CamelBak.

THE REST IS HISTORY

It took courage, conviction and imagination to evolve from an IV bag in a tube sock sold by a motorcycle-driven sales force of one. Our core values remain the same and drive everything we do – from inventing the hydration category to becoming the world’s leading maker of hydration solutions.

Oh yeah…about those bikers who laughed at Eidson? Well, chances are they’ve got a CamelBak strapped to their back or in their bike cage these days. Go figure…

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Rambling Review: GSI Outdoors Halulite MicroDualist

ArizonaWanderings-424x200 From Arizona Wanderings a Rambling Review of the GSI Outdoors Halulite MicroDualist…

“Everyone is looking for that all in one cooking setup that is lightweight and packable. My wife and I often backpack together and so some of the smaller solo systems do not fit our needs. We have been using the GSI Outdoors Halulite MicroDualist for the past couple of months and have been really impressed with the functionality of the whole system.

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All the pieces– The GSI Outdoors Halulite MicroDualist is comprised of multiple pieces of cook and dinnerware.

–       One 1.4 L Pot with a strainer lid

–       Two 14 fl. oz. insulated mugs,

–       Two 14 fl. oz. bowls

–       Two Sip Tops for the insulated mugs

–       Two Telescoping Foons

–       A Stove Bag,

–       Welded sink which is also the carrying bag

The whole Halulite Microdualist system weighs around 18 ounces making it a lightweight option for a backpacking trip.

Field Use:
I packed the GSI Outdoors Halulite MicroDualist on several long dayhikes in order to heat up lunch, coffee and tea. The MicroDualist also made the journey into the Grand Canyon where it served as our entire cook kitchen. At almost six inches tall and only 18 oz. the GSI Microdualist is perfect for a a day trip where you need a hot lunch but also excels on a multiday trip into the backcountry.

Breaking everything down, here are some of the highlights from the GSI Outdoors Halulite MicroDualist. The main cooking pot is the perfect size for two people. When boiling water for Ramen, coffee, or a couple of Mountainhouse meals, the 1.4 Liter Halulite cooking pot does the trick and allows you to boil enough for two people at the same time. With a folding rubber-coated handle and a strainer lid, GSI Outdoors seems to have thought of everything. The pot itself is made from Halulite, a proprietary alloy that also conducts heat better.” I’ve banged and dropped this pot more times than I would like to admit and it looks as good as new.

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When I first opened up the Halulite Microdualist I was confused because I only saw two plastic container/cup/bowls. GSI strategically made two of the plastic bowls a bit smaller so the fit snugly together and save a ton of room.  Two of the cup/bowls have a nice insulating sleeve complete with a Sip-It top for a hot beverage or soup. The plastic containers are made out of GSI Outdoor’s Infinity plastic which claims to not absorb food odors the way that other plastics do.

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Prognosis:  The GSI Outdoor Halulite MicroDualist cookset is a great option for two or more campers/backpackers. It provides functionality and durability while on the trail.”

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Halulite MicroDualist

From: Arizona Wanderings, Rambling Review- GSI Outdoors: Halulite MicroDualist

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UK Pro: Pole 36XD

If you use a GoPro to capture all of your endeavors. Then you need to be able to capture the best wide angle filming perspectives. To get the best angles check out the Pole 36XD from UK Pro. The new pole from UK Pro telescopes to expand you field of view. The 2 stage telescoping design expands from 17in to 36in.

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Whispbar Review from Overland Journal

yakima3Not too long ago, Overland Journal did a comprehensive test of aftermarket roof racks including a Yakima system. Since that review, Yakima has brought an entirely new base rack system to market, and in the process redefined the metrics by which all rack systems are measured. In a word, the Whispbar system is–brilliant.

Designed over the course of decades by a Rolls Royce engineer, the Whispbar is a quantum leap forward in rack design. The most noticeable improvement over previous racks is in the aerodynamic shape of the cross bars. Not only is the Whispbar system dead quiet at highway speeds, it slices through the wind to save precious fuel. For the overlander punching a square box of a vehicle into the air, this may not seem like a proper benefit, and who knows maybe it isn’t. What overlanders will instantly appreciate is the stout construction of the Whispbar system and its ability to shoulder heavy loads.

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During the installation of our Whispbar rack, we were instantly impressed by the complexity and execution of the design. Every component is well built and crafted with exacting precision. Installation of the Whispbar on the factory rails of our test Jeep was straightforward and resulted in a system capable of carrying 165 pounds with ease. Yakima’s 165 pound recommended maximum load seems extremely conservative, but well noted all the same. To say it’s solid is a gross understatement. With a few turns of an allen key, it becomes an unyielding part of the vehicle’s exterior, incapable of so much as a hint of flex or slight wiggle.

The Whispbar base rack comes in a variety of formats. Our test rack features captive crossbar ends for a sleek, efficient appearance with no excess bar overhang. There is also a through-bar variant for people needing to maximize overall bar length. The HD system is designed to provide maximum utility with standard tie down points. These are systems that make traditional round and square bar systems seem archaic.

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When we first inspected the Whispbar system it seemed like an obvious compliment to a more pavement biased automobile. It does look fantastic on a sport wagon, and even atop most sports cars. Having now used it to haul various loads on our test Jeep, we now see the full potential of the Whispbar…

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From: overlandjournal.com

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CamelBak Podium Arc Run Collection

Introducing the Podium Arc Run line.

We have 1-, 2-, and 4-bottle running belts as well as the Podium Arc Quick Grip handheld.

Completely customizable for proper fit and hydration capacity

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GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Series Cookware

19614_415531691867432_1976273739_nA GSI original design…

Premium performance with exceptional value. A technically advanced blend of everything your camp cookware should be. Let’s talk about GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Cookware– it’s highly-conductive, lightweight aluminum. Honest, dependable and more attractive than ever. Bugaboo is the dependable, non-stick option for all your outdoor cooking needs. These high-quality aluminum pots and pans are light enough for backpacking, yet heat evenly enough to satisfy the most demanding camp cook. On the outside, the durable, high temperature paint on Bugaboo series cookware protects the aluminum core from both abrasion and oxidation and provides a beautiful, gloss finish. Plus, each piece is fully-formed then coated with two layers of durable nonstick coating for added scratch resistance. Teflon Classic Coating- two layer coating, good scratch + abrasion resistance & non-stick performance. It’s material is made of- High-Temperature coated Aluminum- lightweight, even-heating, brilliant & gloss finish.

GSI Outdoors features numerous Cook Set, Frypan, Griddle & Mess Kits Designs

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Bugaboo Camper

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Bugaboo Backpacker
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Bugaboo Base Camper- Small
Bugaboo Base Camper- Medium
Bugaboo Base Camper- Large
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Bugaboo Frypan- 8″
Bugaboo Frypan- 10″Bugaboo Frypan- 14″

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Bugaboo Griddle

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Bugaboo Mess Kit

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CamelBak 2013 MULE NV & HAWG NV

Check out the 2013 CamelBak M.U.L.E. NV and H.A.W.G. NV. Our updated back panel contains articulating pods for extreme ventilation and helps lighten the load on your back. Mark Weir does some product testing and tells us about his favorite features.