New Website - New Domain
Monday, February 15, 2016
Monday, February 15, 2016
Saturday, February 6, 2016
We've said it before and we'll say it again. Having the right gear makes all the difference in your backcountry experience. Black Diamond has been a leader in the climbing and ski industry for many years now, but even the products directly unrelated to skiing and climbing they excel at. The Orbit Lantern is the perfect example of functionality and reliability when it comes to needing light around camp.
Weighing in at 2.9 ounces without the batteries, it is an impressive little light that gives off 105 lumens of light. With the ability to dim the light by the press of a button, you are able to secure over 70 hours of usable light. New for 2016, the Orbit has dual function as a lantern and a flash light. They have embedded a 50 lumen flash light into the base of the lantern giving you even more versatility for your evening adventures.
We love to hang the Orbit from the gear loops in the tent and use it for easy reading, getting changed, or simply to play a round of cards on a dark stormy night. Needless to say, the Orbit is a great option for any backpacker looking for a little more functionality over the standard headlamp. No blinding your friends with this when in the tent, like you would with a headlamp.
Happy Trails my friends!
Black Diamond Orbit Lantern Review - Backpacking Lighting
Saturday, February 06, 2016
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Video information here: Sierra Designs Nightwatch 2
When Sierra Designs rebranded and made some major adjustments to their products a couple years ago, they reintroduced themselves back into the spotlight of innovation and smarts for the everyday outdoorsman. For the backpacker who isn't concerned about going ultralight, the Nightwatch 2 person tent is a great addition to the Sierra Design line up of tents.
Overview:
A room with a view! The Nightwatch tent is new for Spring 2016, allowing the user to roll back the rain fly exposing the stars and creating awesome ventilation, yet keeping you away from the bugs.
Sierra Designs has made some major adjustments that give them an edge and separate them from the highly competitive field of outdoor recreation. Introducing the awning style rainfly and removing the traditional vestibule is the noticeably major difference in the new Sierra Designs tents, but there's so much more. Ultimately focusing on the end user helps them stand out above the rest of the competition.
Nightwatch 2 Features:
When Sierra Designs rebranded they made changes to the design that every other company has been doing for years. Removing the traditional vestibule to make the entry to the tent more inviting and less awkward. We've all been in a tent where it's raining, you've zipped shut the vestibule keeping you out of the rain, but you find yourself adjusting your backpack stashed under the vestibule making sure it's not getting wet.
Sierra Designs has solved the issue with this, creating gear closets accessed from the inside of the tent removing your gear from the door of the tent. The other benefit of removing the vestibule is the ability to slightly zip down the window giving ventilation and being able to look outside and see what's happening.
The other main feature of the Nightwatch tent is how it gets its name. Being able to roll back the rain fly exposing the night sky and creating excellent ventilation. This feature is important because one might argue how it differs from other tents. Being able to keep the rain fly attached and quickly rolling the fly down in inclement weather, rather than looking for a place to stash the unattached fly and scrambling when weather arrives.
The Nightwatch 2 also features 2 additional small doors the act as doors when the rain fly is rolled back, or as access to the gear closets when the fly is fully attached and covering the tent body.
Technical Specs:
Minimum Weight: 4 lbs, 7 oz
Packed Weight: 5 lbs, 0 oz
Internal Peak Height: 43.5 in
Interior Area: 30.50 ft
Overall this tent is a well designed piece of equipment that any backpacker would be happy with. There are some drawbacks to the design that may not suit a few people too well. A valid concern is dragging muddy, wet boots through the tent to place in the gear closet. The drawbacks around the design are minimal to the overall benefits of how it creates a better outdoor experience for the everyday backpacker.
Sierra Designs Nightwatch 2 - Room With A View
Tuesday, February 02, 2016
Sunday, January 24, 2016
These and other questions are something to think hard about when it comes to whether or not your body is going to be able to recover after many miles of hiking. Here at Backcountry Exposure, we've been doing a lot of research on the various popular hammock systems available. We've been able to spend time with a few options, and have set our hearts on the Wildhorn Outfitters Outpost Hammocks and the included Litespeed Suspension System. For the price and what is included, you just cannot beat the setup that Wildhorn has put together.
Lets face the facts here people. A camping/backpacking hammock made from nylon is the standard across all companies whether it's Hennessy, ENO, Grand Trunk or any other. They all feature high quality triple stitching at the seams, and have a gathered end with a loop of some kind of cordage or dynema material with a biner or loop system. Then there's various tree strap suspension systems that are available, whether it's simple 1 inch webbing you purchase on your own, or sophisticated straps like the Atlas straps from ENO. All of the options on the market though don't hold a candle to the ease of use and simplicity that is the Litespeed System.
The Litespeed tree straps and suspension system is so easy to use it takes what feels like seconds to setup. The gathered end of the hammock is put together with Amsteel and wrapped around a metal cinch buckle. 200 pound rated nylon straps, 11 feet in length are fed through the buckle making it a simple grab and pull to tighten. So easy that you may question if you did it right, but don't worry, it's right and it's awesome!
The Outpost hammocks come in two sizes, the Outpost 1 a single and the Outpost 2 a double. Both of them are 11 feet in length but are different in width, with the Outpost 2 being 6'4" wide, it's plenty big for two people to hang, or for sleeping.
If it we're me buying a new hammock or my first time buying a hammock, my recommendation would be the Outpost before looking at any other options. It's a great product at a great price!
Wildhorn Outfitters Outpost 2 Hammock Review
Sunday, January 24, 2016
