The-Atlantic-thefemalesurvivalist

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!

I just received my new Lightning 50 pack,  made by Alpinizmo. You can check it out at www.highpeakusa.com

My first reaction on getting it out of the packaging, was what a lot of straps.

As a minimalist and extreme ultralighter, my initial thought was there will be alot of trimming going on.

This pack is designed to fit x-Large down to x-small torsos. I planned to check that theory out immediately. I'm up at Lake Yellowstone. When the superintendent came for lunch, I brought out the pack, asked him to be my guinea pig. He is 6 foot 3 inches tall, about 240 pounds of muscle. He was wearing a heavy sweatshirt. At first it was a hard fit because I had cinched everything up to fit me, at 5 foot 2 inches tall, 115 pounds. Once adjusted properly, he said it fit fine. It looked like a day pack on him, though. The carry capacity internally of this 3 pound pack is 3,000 cubic inches. It feels amazingly light.

pep

I tested and did a review on this excellent but somewhat pricey jacket over at my other blog:
http://brawnyview.blogspot.com


The actual product page with the company's own specs can be found at:
http://brooks-range.com/cirro-jacket.html




I love this jacket and plan to take it with me on my drive out west. I'll be gone for six months and put over 5,000 miles on behind the wheel.

This jacket will be my mainstay because of the warmth to weight ratio, how sharp it looks, and the generous pockets. It really packs down small, feels luxurious, and never binds. That's very important on road trips. I believe it will look great with jeans.

I have the small jacket. For my personal thoughts on the sizing, check out my other blog. Basically, when in doubt, take the next larger size. I have a small, it weighs 10.6 ounces.

I love this sleeping bag. It is 100% synthetic, with extra fill for feet and chest area, a true woman's bag.
It is the first bag that's ever fit me just right. That means as soon as I get in it, the warmth is felt because I'm not heating up that extra foot at the bottom or that extra width at the shoulders.
My bag and the specs can be seen at :Women's Casper Sleeping Bag

I've modified a lot of other sleeping bags, and they've been good, but if you want one that fits from the start, check it out.

Eureka
makes a lot of gear. I have a Spitfire I tent, and it is very well made too.






The three-quarters zipper is two way, with a substancial draft tube, triple stitched in a fabric which feels luxurious. I slept in shorts and sleeveless t-shirt, no socks needed.




The zipper can open all the way, without any stress on its componants because of the triangular web in place and seperation feature. This allows you to use it as a quilt on warm nights.







A specially designed hood gives comfort and warmth. This 15 degree bag weighs 2 pounds 15 ounces, and came in a serious compression sack. I'm using a silnylon stuff sack however, and keeping the compression sack for clothing.






I love the color, a deep gray, mint green top tone. The bottom has a circular footbed, which kept my feet toasty, yet not feeling claustrophobic. I appreciate that.

I keep it hung up using the two loops sewn into the bottom when not in use. Other features include an inside chest pocket for those nighttime things.
I found turning over was easy, not getting twisted up in a too large bag.

Of course, if you're a taller woman, they have those too, as well as men's bags.I'm so happy with this one it's the one I'll bring to the Grand Tetons this summer. I'll be able to test it in high elevations from May to October, the length of my seasonal job.

Fleece comes in various weights and fabric content.
The quality you'll find with brand names is worth the money. Although I bought some wonderful fleece jackets at Old Navy in 2009 in one of their blow out sales, when I really need a serious warm layer, I pull out my Patagonia.

It's a wonderful woodland green with one chest pocket. It doesn't have a hood, my only regret. It's a pull over, and weighs 15 ounces, a winter weight. The sleeves are plenty long, a key factor in choosing an insulating layer.

I love that even after many years of trail use, living in it for days on the Colorado Trail it is in very good condition. It still doesn't "pill", a sign of high quality fleece.

Brand names are costly. Look for them at thrift stores, on sale or as gifts. Think of them as an investment. Unlike cheap fleece, they will last a very long time.