Paracord Crafts (urban blue camo and desert digital)

Black Diamond Distance Z-Pole Trekking Poles (coincidence that z poles can also stand for zombie apocalypse poles? I think not!) (gear review)

Trekking poles are a must have item for me. I am surprised when I see survivalists of any kind not including them (or even one, or even a trekking staff) as a part of their bug out kit. As the trekking pole manufacturer Leki would put it: "Four legs are better than two".

I was first introduced to trekking poles three or four years ago. I liked them right away and had them with me on nearly every hike as well as about a half the time when walking my dog.

My first poles were a pair of black diamond ellliptic adjustable aluminum poles picked up from REI (that link is pretty much the newer version of the poles I had purchased).

The elliptical shape offered more stability and the adjustable height worked really well. Occasionally if I pushed the poles past what they were supposed to be doing (running with trekking poles through the foothills etc.) the  poles would slightly collapse and shift down. This happened pretty rarely and was fixed by tighting the locks that held the pole in position.

My newest poles are the :  Black Diamond Distance Z-Pole Trekking Poles

I saw the new z-pole series at REI and was intrigued by their design. I liked the fact that they were compact as adjustable poles but ridged like fixed poles. It was the best of both worlds!

Z-poles, Banjo "side mounted dog" (his leash was tethered to my belt), Vapor  Trail loaded up

To test these poles I went hiking through mixed terrain in the sandia mountains. The trail we picked would lead us over forest, mud, ice, rocks, dirt, tree mass etc. This was the first real test of the poles.

The hike covered about 4-5 miles. I am wearing my Granite Gear Vapor Trail loaded up with 25 lbs of beans and about 10 lbs of water.

Damnit Banjo

Price: 5 out of 5 (about $100 bucks)
Durability: Tentative 4 (I have only just gotten them, so far so good)
Cool Factor: 5 (the pole collapse assemble with a kevlar core...bad ass)

Final Verdict:
4.66 out of 5

Paracord Crafts

I attempted my first paracord bracelet tonight. I am happy with the results. I made the bracelet while watching the Cobert Report on Hulu. I followed these instructions on Instructables.

It is slightly too big for my wrist.

Ugh...Check yo Camelback

I almost missed this.

Yuck! Check yo camelbacks! (that's mold btw).

Backup/Training B.O.B: Vapor Trail (lightweight backpack review)

I imagine TEOTWAKI (the end of the world as we know it) aka The Zombie Apocalypse might happen very quickly and relatively unexpectedly.

Being forced to travel on foot carrying your bug out bag is something that you should be able to do.

I need to get in shape!

My ideal bug out bag weight is around 60-70lbs. This is the target weight that I will train to travel on foot with. I am a bit out of shape and need to get to this ideal weight eventually. My plan is to take this pack on weighted dog walks and weekend day hikes to build up my strength/fitness levels. 

Secondary B.O.B : Granite Gear Vapor Trail 3600

This pack was my first non-jansport backpack. As an outdoors noob I was immediately facinated with Ultra-light/Light-weight backpacking. I liked the user reviews on this pack and could buy it at my local REI. The pack cost me around 60-70$.

I have owned this pack for 3 or 4 years and I use it all the damn time. It can be compressed enough to take as carry-on and packs enough gear for weekend trips/Day hikes etc. It is light, simple, yet very sturdy. Good weight distribution.

I am beginning with 25lbs.

 If only I could find something that weighed 25lbs, was cheap, and could also add to my long term food storage...




(wait for it)

WOOT!

I picked these beans up at Costco. They fit the backpack perfectly. So far the weighted walks in the suburbia that I live have been pretty easy. I need to take this out into the mountains and start training on varied terrain.