I woke up and crawled out of the warm blankets to the waking murmur of the pine and sequoia grove in Kings Canyon National Park, in which we were camping, with hot coffee on my mind.  The air was cool, and the patches of sky between the tree blue as I set up the camp stove, and basked in the relaxing ambiance that only mornings in the Sierras can produce.

My silent reverie was shattered with a thunderous “THUMP” as a heavy dense, spiky green Lodgepole pine cone dropped two feet from where I was working on setting up the coffee pot.  “That would have really hurt if is hit me” I thought as the last shock waves reverberated through the forest loam.  I strolled over to the pine cone,  picked it  up and was admiring it for it’s weapon-like properties when a loud “CLANG” directly behind me made me nearly jump out of my skin.  I spun around, in a heartbeat, to see another freshly dropped pine cone rolling off the steel bear box where it had just landed, inches from the camp stove.

“That is really odd” I thought as I sat down in my camp chair just a few feet where I was standing, shaking with the adrenaline (normally reserved for white knuckle drive home through Los Angeles after a relaxing camping trip in the Sierras) coursing through my body.  I pondered as to why two pine cones dropped in the space of a couple minutes as I brushed off the pine needles that were dropping on my head at an unprecedented rate, disturbing my vision, and further distracting my pre-coffee muddled thinking process.  I looked up to see what kind of stealth wind was blowing pine needles exclusively above my head, and could not get a good view through the deluge,  so I stood up to get a different angle.  Just as my butt left it’s perch, the grandaddiest pine cone of them all made a free fall into the very chair I was just occupying. The elastic nature of the seat rebounded that great big heavy pine cone right to my feet, where it glared at me with malicious intent.

I am fairly freaked out at this point, and I quickly made my way out from under the tree and into one of the small blue patches of sky I was admiring as I woke up,  and marveled at the way karma was trying to work me for tossing those pine logs into the fire with a little too much relish last evening.  I resigned myself to a long desperate trip through the trees, dodging pine cone mortars in a quest for  tree free topography which was nowhere in the vicinity.  In my glum reverie, I began to be aware of the commotion in the branches of the tree that was attacking me.  Everywhere where this commotion went, there was a chatter, and eventually I made out chubby little brown form causing the noise and commotion.  My karmic fear eased to a curiosity as I tracked the little brown form busily making its way through the lower branched of the Lodgepole pine,  inspecting each tip for a pine cone and rapidly chewing off the cones he thought worthy and dropping them to the ground. This squirrel was not part of a plot by mother nature trying to take me out, but a busy little rodent making a living.  I was not part of a cosmic plan to take my life, Mother Nature was just going about it’s business despite my intrusion.  I pulled my chair a safe distance away from the tree, and enjoyed the view while my my coffee began to percolate away.

Jetboil is listening to it’s critics, and is expanding its line to offer several new stoves that will fill out niches left open in its current lineup.

The first new stove line is the SOL-AL and the SOL-TI which are going after those lightweight backpackers who have refused to carry the 14 oz of Flash, and 15 oz of the PCS (personal cooking system) despite the compact functionality of these units.

As indicated by their monikers, the SOL units come in Aluminum and Titanium, and weigh in at a diminutive 10.5oz and 9oz respectively. Jetboil is marketing these as true 4-season canister stoves, and tout their new “Thermo-Regulate™ Burner Technology” as being effective down to 15F. Sounds like they have a real winner with this unit.

MSRP for systems:

Sōl Ti – $149.95

Sol-Al – $119.95

The next line of units are called the ZIP-AL which brings to the market an simple inexpensive canister stove to those who do not need the bells and whistles of the Flash,  and want reduced weight from the PCS.  This essentials only Jetboil will be retailing at a reasonable $69.95, and will weigh in at 11.75oz

The new Jetboil Zip

In addition to the stoves, Jetboil has a whole lineup of accessories, including a group cooking companion cup and a  canister recycling tool that further expand the functionality of their line. I am looking forward to getting my hands on these fantastic new offerings from Jetboil,  and am really excited to see the innovation that brought us the revolutionary PCS continue to evolve.

Lightweight efficient insulation is a key to any adventure in the California backcountry.  Whether it is the unpredictable weather in the Anza-Borrego Desert, or or the chilly evenings in the Sierra Nevadas, it is essential to have a way to keep warm.  Jackets do not come more efficient than the Patagonia Nano Puff Pullover.

I received a Nano Puff several months ago, and it did not take long for it to become one of my utmost favorite insulation pieces.  I am a huge fan of down insulation,  but have become a fan of the thin, warm (even when wet) properties of the PrimaLoft One polyester insulation that fills the Nanpuff.  I was very skeptical at first look at this piece as it appeared much too thin to possibly provide any sort of warmth,  but I was sold after backpacking into Little Harbors on the western shore of Catalina, and using the Nano Puff to ward off the cold winds blowing off the vast Pacific Ocean. This jacket is almost magically warm for its bulk.

The Nano Puff was purposely designed to be a minimalist piece.  the front zipper only comes down half-length,  and the only pocket is the zippered chest pocket that also serves as it’s stuff sack.  the cuffs and hem are finished with a narrow strip of elastic, and do not have any adjusters (nor do they need it).  The cut is generous,  and the jacket almost feels like you have nothing extra on except for the additional warmth.  The “traffic cone” orange color of the jacket I was sent is interesting, but it does come in a range of other  less  (and more) conspicuous colors. the minimalist design gives the Nano Puff an average weight of 10.2 oz, although my XL sized piece hit the scales at 11.3 oz.

I am really jazzed about this jacket.  In a place like San Diego where you most often do not need a jacket,  but it is critical that you have one for the times when Mother Nature throws a curveball,  a light, minimalist, high performing piece is the ideal companion.  The Patagonia Nano Puff comes really close to being the perfect jacket for exploring Outside San Diego.

As many of you have noticed, Outside San Diego has been dormant for a while. This is due to a number of reasons, the primary being that I just returned home from an extended tour of Sierra Nevada Mountains with my family. My wife and I decided that our young children were a great age to explore the wonders that our home State of California holds, and we took them on an RV trip with our little RV that the kids Dubbed “Peanut Buddy” (don’t ask) through Mammoth Lakes, into Yosemite via the Tioga Pass, into Kings Canyon and finally Sequoia National Park where we ended our trip. I will be writing up more information on the trip in the next few days, but I though I would pass on a few pictures of one of the most spectacular places on earth today as we get back to reality, and unpack and decompress from our adventure.

REI’s Anniversary Sale begins today.  They have a bunch of really great promotions going on,  as well as a 20% off coupon for members.  Here a just a few of the deals they have happening at this sale:

25% Off All Camelbak Packs, Water Bottles & Accessories!

Jetboil Classic Cooking System $64.99!

Garmin GPS at REI. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee! Plus free Shipping for REI Members.
20% Off All Thule Racks, Car-Top Boxes & Accessories during REI Anniversary Sale!
15% Off All BOB Strollers during REI Anniversary Sale! Ends 5/31.

20% Off All Chariot Bike Trailers & Accessories during REI Anniversary Sale! Ends 5/31.

Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx GPS $199.99 during REI Anniversary Sale! Ends 5/31.

20% Off all Mountain House Freeze-Dried Food!
30% Off all REI-Brand Titanium Cookware!

I am pleased to welcome Veronica Giancola as a contributor to Outside San Diego.  Veronica is a seasoned hiker and backpacker with years of practical experience under her belt.  Please enjoy her first test report on the REI Venus 70 backpack.

I love my new pack! I have been backpacking for many years. I thought tender spots on my shoulders and hip bones were a part of the sport. That is until I got my new woman’s specific REI Venus 70.

This pack is so comfortable even with a heavy load trudging through deep snow on snow shoes. There are many adjustment straps to make this pack contour to and fit my body specifically.

The hip belt fits me like a glove. I love the adjustment system designed to tighten by pulling from the hip forward. The belt was generously padded and designed to fit my narrow waist.  I like the zippered pocket on the hip-belt for quick access to energy snacks and sunscreen.

The shoulder straps are comfortable and I hardly noticed the pack for the entire trip. It fit me well and distributed the weight evenly. I didn’t get any tender spots even after 14 miles uphill with 43 pounds.

I also really like the u-shape access zipper into the main compartment. It allows for easy access to my gear at any location inside the pack.

I wish the top compartment converted into a daypack. As it is designed, it is not removable. I also wish there was a small compartment inside the top so I could organize my keys, ID and money. I do like where the zipper access is positioned so that I can reach back and access the top compartment without having to remove the pack.

It’s obvious that a lot of thought went into the little details that make a pack my best friend on the trail. REI thought of many niceties like: a waterproof zippered compartment on the outside for items I may need to access quickly such as rain gear, hat or gloves; zippered access into the sleeping bag compartment and compression straps on the bottom of the pack for my sleeping pad or tent. Last but not least there are 2 daisy chains on the outside for the last minute camp shoes I wanted to carabiner and take with me.

Thank you REI for your thoughtful design and excellent fitting pack. I will recommend it to my friends.

Clean water is arguably the most essential element to a safe comfortable backpacking trip.  In many places in Southern California packing in all the water required for the duration of a trip is the only option available.  Water weighs in at approximately 8 pounds a gallon.  and you need at least a gallon a day in moderate conditions to function without getting dehydrated and loopy (more if it is hot, or you are exercising a lot).   Like most backpackers, weight is a concern to me, and carrying 32 pounds of water sends shivers down my overloaded spine.  The good news is there is often a better way.  Many of the places I backpack have plenty of water in streams, ponds, puddles and any many other creative sources.  The bad news is these water sources are often contaminated, and can be hazardous to your health.  A water purification device is the solution to this problem.

Over the last 4 months, I have had the fortunate opportunity to carry and use the Steripen Journey LCD, which is a water purification device that uses UV light to destroy the pathogens in untreated water sources.  In the past I have always carried a mechanical filter to purify my water in the backcountry.  While I have no complaints about the functionality of my mechanical filter, I have always wondered if there is a lighter simpler solution.  The Steripen Journey is that solution in a number of situations, but has some limitations that one must be aware of before chucking out that mechanical filter.

The The Steripen Journey LCD is a lightweight (4.5 oz including batteries) electronic device with a sturdy glass probe housing a UV element.  The probe is shaped in a way that it is easy to fit into the mouth of a Nalgene bottle, where the UV element is activated by a button on the handle end of the unit.  The Journey LCD is unique in that it has a small LCD screen that indicates that the process has been successful through a series of universal symbols (happy and sad faces).  The process of purification is better explained through this description taken directly from the Steripen website;

” UV purification works as the ultraviolet energy emitted by the light is absorbed by the cells of the microbe, preventing cell enzymes from ‘reading’ its DNA. Without intact DNA, microbes can’t reproduce to make you sick. The process is simple but effective, destroying over 99.9 percent of harmful microorganisms.”

I have used the Steripen Journey in a number of backpacking situations, and can confidently say I have yet to get a water born illness in the time I have been using the unit.  While I am not conducting a scientific test of it’s effectiveness, the six or so trips in which it has been the primary purification method, it has been successful, so I am confident it works.  The light weight simple unit has yet to break or be damaged, but I do tend to baby it as I do with any electronic unit that I bring into the backcountry.  The unit is an elegant solution for purifying water.  The unit does not have any moving parts, and when enclosed in its sheath it is a compact unit that is easy to pack and carry.  The case even included a belt loop for easy access on those really thirsty days.  The unit uses CR123 size batteries which are powerful, long lasting, and easy to come by most everywhere.  They do appear to last a long time, as I am still working on my first set after nearly 4 months of use.

The Steripen Journey relies on batteries and electronics to function and this is a minor (and perhaps unfounded) concern of mine.  Any longer trip, one must be very confident that the electronics and power of the unit will maintain it’s integrity during the course of the trip.  While the same hold true with a mechanical filter, I am more capable of fixing a mechanical part in the field than I am diagnosing and fixing a circuit board problem.  To be fair, the unit has never given me a reason to doubt that it will work regularly and consistently, but is a factor when deciding one what type of unit to pack for a given trip.

My primary concern with the Steripen technology has more to do with the terrain I often hike in than the functionality of the unit.  While my trips to locations with clear free flowing water sources have proven the Steripen Journey LCD the ideal companion for zapping the nasties from the water, a recent trip was less than ideal for me while using the Steripen.  I was backpacking through San Mateo Canyon Wilderness on a recent very rainy weekend, and set camp, and went to the stream down the hill for water.  The copious amounts of rain had filtered through the oak trees, and the oak leaves littering the area, and had picked up a significant amount of tannins from the trees, staining the water an unappetizing brown yellow.  While the water was not what I would call cloudy,  it certainly was not clear.  The Steripen recommends that if the water is not clear that you use a prefilter to filter out the suspended particles.  I tried the bandanna that I had carried for this purpose, and was not able to completely clarify the water.  I worried a little about the effectiveness of the UV light in this type of water, and really did not enjoy drinking the unappetizing color, but did not get sick, so all is right in the world.

The Steripen Journey LCD is a great lightweight solution to purifying water in a great number of situations.  In addition, it would be a fantastic tool to bring when you are traveling outside the country, and water contamination is a factor.  The small discrete unit would be a perfect way to assure clean drinking water wherever you may be.  The Steripen has been reliable throughout my testing, and I have remained free from water born illness after a number of times using the unit.  The Steripen has proven to be reliable and durable enough to survive the rigors of backpacking.  Be sure to have an effective method of prefiltering water if you expect to encounter cloudy or stained water sources, as these conditions can render the UV light ineffective.  Overall I am very happy with the Steripen Journey LCD, and plan to continue making it a part of my water purification arsenal in the future.

My wife planned a great backpack for this last weekend to help celebrate my upcoming birthday.  It was a fantastic trip full of friends and fun.  The original plan was to take advantage of our pilot friend Ollie, and use his skill and connections to fly into the Catalina Airport in a couple of small planes and then hike down into Little Harbor on the Western side of the island for an evening of frolicking on the beach.

We received a disappointing phone call late on Friday evening letting us know that one of the planes we were using had been grounded due to mechanical problems (better to find out then and not in the air).  Never giving up,  my wife put her resources to work,  and we were soon on a boat going from Long Beach to Avalon.  The plan from there was nebulous, but we managed to arrange a ride to the airport and begin our hike.

Catalina Island is a fantastic place to hike.  I is one of those rare coastal wildlands, full of interesting creatures and plants.  Within minutes of leaving the airport facility after a lunch at the great little restaurant we ran across a buffalo grazing on the side of the road. These Buffalo, numbering at about 150, were originally brought to the island in the 1920s as props for a silent western film that was produced on the island, and never removed.  The Catalina Island Conservancy now monitors and maintains a herd of about 150 that give the island a unique charm.  These Buffalo are huge, and are worthy destination when visiting the island.

Our first glimpse of Little Harbor, and the campground in the distance made my heart soar.  This beach front camping destination is beautiful,  and was not crowded. We arrived in the late afternoon after a mellow 6-mile hike with enough light to explore the area a bit, and set up camp.  The host in the campground delivered several bundles of wood to our campsite, and we enjoyed an evening around the fire listening to the waves crash on the shore and the bullfrogs croaking in the channel of a small stream that emptied into the harbor.

Morning dawned with perfect weather and prime conditions to take a hike up to a rocky point that promised sweeping views of the western side of the island.  Several of us followed the beach to some narrow drainage channels in the hillside, and picked our way up through the rocky rough terrain to the point.  Along the way we came across a baby rattlesnake sunning itself in the middle of the narrow path we were following.   After some ogling and concern that it may be dangerous to get to close, the snake gave us a disgusted look and disappeared through the bushes.  The views from the top were fantastic, and the buffalo grazing near the point was very entertaining.

We wimped out a little bit by arranging for a shuttle bus to take us back to Avalon, but this did give us more time to explore the area around Little Harbor,  and gave us the opportunity to have a lunch in Avalon, and catch a 2pm boat back to Long Beach where we ended the trip with great memories and plans to make it back soon.

Kona bikes is sponsoring their third annual Shoot The Ride Photo contest. Here is what they have to say about it.

“The rules are simple. Send us your absolute best.
Tell a story, capture an epic moment, be creative, and make sure it has something to do with bikes and bike culture. We’re not totally particular if you’re Kona specific or not. That’s how cool we are. These contests are all about sharing the essence of what it means to ride a bike…any bike.
Damn straight. “

First Prize gets a $500 credit to the Kona store, while 2nd receives $150 and third $50. I have had the pleasure of riding a Kona Zing Deluxe road bike for the last couple of month, and can confidently tell you that Kona makes good stuff. I have been having a blast grinding out the miles on this sleek aluminum framed street machine. So if you are a 2-wheel enthusiast, and want some gear get that camera out there and shoot a cool pic.

Shoot The Ride

In other news,  here are a few cool deals to get you set up for a summer full of backpacking and camping:

The conditions could not have been better for an overnight snowshoe backpack in The Inyo Craters area of Mammoth Lakes than it was this last weekend. There was lots of snow, sunny balmy weather, and lots of fun and friendship to go around. 2010 was as nice as 2009 was brutal. Here are some images of our trip as well as a short video of the 2009 snow camp for some perspective.