Backpacking Water Storage – Nalgene, Disposable, or Hyrdration Bladder?

What’s the best backpacking water storage option for you? Nalgene, disposable, or hydration bladder?

Hiking & Backpacking Water Storage Options shown in the video:

Standard Nalgene 1 liter bottle (glow in the dark model)
Nalgene Canteen 1 liter
Camelbak Eddy Insulated .6l Bottle (Magenta)
Surplus GI Canteen 1 liter

1 liter disposable water bottle
16oz disposable water bottle
Gatorade Bottle 1 Liter

Osprey Hydraform Reservoir – 2 liter
EMS water bottle carrier (fits standard 1 liter Nalgene bottle) , insulated

Classic Gear Find – MSR Rapidfire Stove

A quick look at my latest used gear find, the MSR Rapidfire stove.

I picked this stove up for an upcoming winter trip in the Northeast, where melting snow will most likely be my primary, if not only, water source. Why did I buy a 25 year old canister stove when I have a modern version that cost and weighs a mere fraction? Liquid feed mode, that’s why! By running a gas stove with the canister inverted, I can manage to run my gas canister stove at considerably lower temperatures. Which is kind of a good thing when your only water source for several miles is in the form of fluffy white snow.

Now, you can buy a modern version from MSR that weighs less, no doubt about it, but it will also cost 2 to 3 times as much and won’t have anywhere near the historical geek value, so let’s give this a shot.

And yes, it does look remarkably similar to the MSR Whisperlite stove. We’ll get into all that in the full review video, I promise…

Fenix LD12 G2 Flashlight Review

My review of the Fenix LD12 G2 Flashlight for backpacking, camping, hunting and EDC (every day carry).

Manufacturer’s Specs:

Cree XP-G2 (R5) LED (max 125 lumens using singe AA battery)
Six outputs: Turbo-125 lumen (2hr 20min)
High-65 lumen (4hr 45min)
Medium-30 lumen (10hr 15min)
Low 3 lumen (100hr)
Strobe (125 lumen)
SOS (60 lumen)
Tail cap with momentary capability and side switch mode operation.
Anti-slip body with body clip.
IPX-8 Waterproof, 2 meters for 30 minutes
Limited lifetime guarantee from Fenix Lighting, US

Pitching a 3 Season Tent in Winter – Snow Camping

Pitching a 3 season tent for winter use. An excerpt from the full length video Snow Hiking Vermont – Winter Backpacking & Frigid Camping in the Green Mountains 

I’ll also show my favorite backpacking snow shovel, as well as how I create some “dead man” anchors to secure my three season tent in the snow using regular plastic grocery bags, since aluminum spikes would simply slip out of place in the deep snow.

Tent shown is a Kelty Salida 2.

Location is the Big Branch Wilderness Area within Vermont’s Green Mountain National Forest.

For a detailed look at the gear I packed for this trip, check this video out: Winter Backpacking Gear List for 15 Degrees – Snow Camping and Clothing Options

Sawyer Mini Vs Saywer Squeeze Water Filter System

For this gear video, I’ll compare the Sawyer Mini Water Filter & Sawyer PointONE Squeeze water filtration systems for backpacking and camping.

How to Make a Reflectix Pot Cozy for your Ultralight Cook Pot

How to make an ultralight Cook Pot Cozy using Reflectix for Backpacking and Camping.

A simple, lightweight, and inexpensive way to insulate your cook pot, and save your hands from burns. Great for steep cooking dehydrated meals like Ramen noodles and keeping food & beverages hot longer when you’re out in the wilderness.