The-Atlantic-thefemalesurvivalist

This was both a learning project and a minimalist ultralighter's fascination. I've had this fantastic Marmot 30 degree sleeping bag ever since I bought it in Damascus while on my Appalachian Trail thru hike.
I washed it by hand in 2009 and dried it in the dryer, restoring the loft completely at that time. It served as a top quilt in Yellowstone last winter, a great piece of gear no matter what outdoor or indoor adventure. But, the quilt is also a great piece of gear and I've thought about making a down quilt for a long time. Put both projects together and you have the video below.


Be patient when working with clean down. Its like corralling clouds. Like the fluff from dandelions.

One thing I realized: a full sized sleeping pad, trimmed to fit this quilt, will provide the bottom insulation. Normally I use a three-quarter length ultralight pad.

One of the easiest way to dig a cat hole is to find a pine tree and use your hiking pole. Check out this short video. You can use a stick too, if you're just camping or hanging out.


I always wash my hands afterwards. Only you can prevent giardia.

Just a reminder, starting tomorrow, until the 14th, you can get book two of the River Survival Series free at amazon.com

This end of the world as we know it, post grid collapse thriller series pits good survivalists against flesh eating cannibals bent on enslaving every human being.
This free promotion allows authors to get their work out to the readers. I hope to receive good reviews at amazon so others can get a feel for the series. Book Two, All Hell Can't Wait, is filled with action. Our heroes in Rivertown must fend off raiders. We learn much of their history through backstory, the tragedies that made them the No-Prisoner-Warriors they are today. Thanks for your interest and reviews.

What I've been up to lately.

I always carry bear spray in the back country. A simple caribiner clip hooks it right to the belt loop, allowing a instant self defense weapon.

Here in Centennial in the Snowy Mountain Range, population 270, the library is open and having a book sale. Lots of Mystery-Action, Fantasy and Politics, the older couple running this event have it well organized and friendly. No cell service in town, but Wifi is nearly as good.

Remember, beginning July 10 through the 14th, the second book, All Hell Won't Wait, will be free at amazon.com. The River Survival Series is a post grid collapse, or TEOTWAWKI thriller.

If you're camping along the Great Basin or Wind River Range, you'll know how sweet big trees can be. I found this campsite online and decided all the great reviews I read made it seem a no brainer.

The owner, Dee, is a lot of fun. She makes everyone feel welcome and I hated to leave! Seemed like family. I know I'll be back. Shout out to my new friends George and David who were working in the area. They are hilarious and fun to hang with at the umbrella table.

Down in the town of Riverton, Wyoming I bought a mountain bike, used, for sixty bucks. It had a water bottle cage, good seat and 26 knobby tires. After test riding it, I told Shawn who was selling a multitude of refurbished bikes from his garage that I'd take it. Of course, I said, if you can keep it while I find a trunk rack for this little car.

He gave me some pointers and after checking the local outfitters and Ace Hardware, I headed to Walmart. They had one kind and the list on the back of the box was quite lengthy. $49.95 and tax and I was in business. I picked up some sticky backed red reflectors and a plastic sippy water bottle, and headed back to Shawn's to rig it up and haul it away.

It carries well after utilizing three bung cords to keep the wheel from bouncing and the petal from banging against the car. The third strap tightens the bike to the rack frame. All told, I can load and unload it myself.
Sometimes I forget the bike rack is on the trunk when I shut it. It sticks out a ways and can clobber you if you're too close.


I thought I'd have to get a pick up truck if I wanted to take a bike on the road trip. Not so. Thanks to Shawn from Riverton for telling me, Yes You Can!