Like many of you out there, I've recently been bit by the smartphone craze. The functionality and capability of today's smartphones have taken the instant availability of information to a whole new level and with it, a whole market has been created to help protect this investment. … [Read more...]
Jeep D30 to D44 on a Budget
For years many have said that I am running on borrowed time with the front axle in my CJ. The stock D30 has been in my CJ since I got it in 1997 with the only modification since then being the 4:10 gears installed a few years ago. I was told it would never hold up to the abuse it gets but it has never let me down. It was abused for several years … [Read more...]
A Gathering of Okies
Rock climbing in Oklahoma? Normally, when someone thinks of Oklahoma, they think of a flat and dry landscape with tumbleweedsrolling across the prairie. But this could not be further from the truth. Local adventurers know that southwest Oklahoma hosts some of the best rock climbing in the Midwest and a local favorite is Baldy Point…also known to … [Read more...]
M-Rock 673 Camera Bag
M-rock bags are overbuilt, reliable pieces of gear for the professional and amateur photographer. The latest offering from M-rock lives up to this heritage. I am a fan of this bag! With messenger-inspired styling, it does not look like a camera bag which I find refreshing and helpful. … [Read more...]
Expedition One Front Winch Bumper for Jeep JK / Warn Powerplant Winch
I have been wheeling with the Expedition One front winch bumper (with the Rubi-skid) and the Warn Powerplant for three months now. The bumper has taken a severe beating with the powdercoating mostly holding up and the Rubi-skid adequately protecting the weak spots near the radiator and the sway bar motor. … [Read more...]
Flash Stove by Jetboil
There are times when there are only one or two people and there isn’t a need for cooking a large meal. There are also times when something as simple as a can of soup or hot water for coffee or cocoa is all that is desired or needed and in other situations likebackpacking, you want to utilize space and weight as best you can and a smaller cooking … [Read more...]
GoPro Hero HD Helmet Camera
This time last year we had the opportunity to test the original Hero and had some really good chances to test it in different environments and situations to see what it could do. A surprisingly small camera it packed a large array of options that it could be used for, the Hero was able to take still shots like any other camera, bursts of stills … [Read more...]
Lowa Renegade Hiking Boots
The Lowa Renegade GTX mid-rise boot is perfect for day hikes and overnights where weight is a concern. Out of the box the boot needs little break in time before it’s ready to tackle the trails. The Vibram® sole provided a moderate amount of flex and good traction when ascending on a recent climb in the Pacific Northwest, and the seamless, … [Read more...]
Lowa Terek GTX Hiking Boots
When I received the boots in the mail, I wore them around the house for about an hour that afternoon to help break them in before a climb up Longs Peak (14,256ft., 5k elevation gain, 15 miles roundtrip) in Colorado. We opted to hike via the Keyhole Route with my wife and our good friend. This was my third time to ascend this route and I felt it … [Read more...]