Teryho Chata, Vysoké Tatry-Czech and Slovakia Adventure Part 2

After spending time in my wife's hometown we traveled by train to Slovakia, the High Tatra Mountains. We spent four days hiking some of the most beautiful mountains I have been in. This is our trip up to a high mountain lodge called Teryho Chata.

Check and Slovakia Adventure Part 1 - The Arrival, Mushrooms and More

In August of 2017 we spent three weeks in Czech Republic and Slovakia. We visited with family, getting out into nature hunting for mushrooms and canoeing, and then an epic adventure in the High Tatra Mountains in Slovakia. This is part 1, The Arrival, Mushrooms and More.

Dogs take flight At the Woods and Water Expo

Having just got back from an 18 day hiking trip in Europe I decided what better way to get back into normal life than to take the boys to an outdoor expo. Flying from east to west always has a greater impact on me than vise-versa. There is a 6 hour time difference so I wake up at three o'clock in the morning with my body telling me it's 9am. It can take few days to convince it otherwise. When you consider the daunting task of editing over 20 hours of video clips and 1200 pictures from the trip, I needed something to distract me and get away for a bit.

I had always wanted to go to the Woods and Water Expo in Imlay city Michigan but somehow always missed it. It seems to come so early in the year; but maybe that's just me. In October, when I'm getting ready for bow hunting season, I realize that I had missed it.

Ultimate Air Dogs is an organization out of Florida that trains dogs in dock jumping. This is where the dog handler throws a toy in the air off the end of a dock and the dog tries to catch it and splashes into the water. Some of these dogs jump over 25 feet! it's really quite amazing to watch.

I put together a video montage of over a dozen dogs jumping into the water. Some are very athletic and others are just simply lovable. I had fun watching them and making this video, I hope you enjoy it too.

The Dakota fire hole, a juicy stake and Schrade knives.

It was a beautiful day in late April. It was warm and the sun was shining. I couldn't think of anything better to do than to get out into the woods. I had recently purchased a Fobachi Folding Survival shovel and had been wanting to try it out. I had never dug a Dakota fire hole before, I had seen them in pictures. They seemed like a cool idea. I am not sure why they are called a "Dakota" fire hole, I suppose it is because that is where they were first used or it could just be a clever name to grab your attention. Either way, today I was going to dig one.

After I loaded the truck I though it would be good to have some lunch. There is a meat market right near my house so I though I would pop in and see what was on sale. Much to my delight they had Denver stakes on sale, that would be perfect.

You'll have to click on the video fro the rest of the story... :-)

The Pioneer Hiker 40L-A REAL Hiking Backpack for Kids

When it comes to kids hiking backpacks choices can be limited. Though you can find many with their favorite cartoon character on them, those are are primarily made for kids to have fun with at home and school but are a far cry from the durability you need for a weekend on the trail.

When I was searching for a REAL hiking backpack for my boys that are ages 6 and 9, I looked at many 30-40 liter backpacks and found is they are made to fit adults, maybe smaller adults, but adults none the less. The shoulder straps and waste straps at their smallest configuration were still to big for a 6-9 year old to comfortably carry on the trail all day. As we know, proper fit is very important. Last thing you need on the trail is to have your child uncomfortable and complaining about hurting shoulders and such. We want them to have fun and remember hiking favorably.

Pioneer Hiker 40 L

After trying out many smaller sized packs I came across the Pioneer Hiker 40L. This is a serious pack. I was quite skeptical at first. It had all the bells and whistles I was looking for but it was only $40 on Amazon. How good could it be? Well, let me give you the details first.

This is a 40 liter pack with 2 main compartments. The largest compartment is quite roomy and will hold a decent sized sleeping bag, a change of clothes, and personal hygiene items. The second compartment has plenty of room for snacks and maybe their favorite stuffed animal because you simply cant hike with out that. This pack also comes complete with a sleeve that will hold a 2 liter water bladder. Hydration is very important and the kids feel important having a hydration bladder like mom and dad.

Roomy main compartment with
water bladder sleeve.

On the outside of the pack it has a waste strap that adjust down to accommodate the small hip size of a child. This was a problem with several other packs I tried out. It is kind of pointless if it will not fit snugly on the hips to carry the load. There are also small pockets on each waste belt that snacks and my son put his trusty compass in one.

I should point out that I put in only about 12 lbs of stuff plus 2 liters of water. As a 6 year old that was plenty of weight. My 9 year old carried closer to 20 lbs. There was room for more but I didn't want to over burden them as we were planning on hiking 8-10 mile days. They did fantastic and never heard a single complaint.

The shoulder straps are quite well padded and comfortable. There are also load adjuster straps on the shoulders to pull the load up to the child's body like good quality adult packs. This is important so that the pack is not pulling back on the shoulders causing aches. I did not found this in any other kids packs unless they were over $150 which was out of my price range. Yes, I'm cheap. There is also a chest strap attached to the shoulder straps that adjusts down to fit smaller sized torsos. 

My 6 year old son
wearing the backpack.

This pack had all the features I was looking for in a small pack and is completely adjustable. It will adjust to his growth for years to come. I even put it on and it fit me and I'm over 6 foot. Though it did look a little silly on me. 

My next concern was it's durability. It is only $40 and I know the saying is typically true, "you get what you pay for." Well, I'm happy to say that after a 4 day trip in Kentucky's Red River Gorge and several small trips last fall, it looks as good as new. All the seems and zippers help up perfectly. It seems to be well made with quality materials. I cannot recommend this pack enough for your serious pint sized hiker.

I ordered the Pioneer Hiker 40L from Amazon.com 

This is an non-solicited review of this backpack and is my own finding and experience with this backpack. Yours may be different than mine so do your due diligence and homework before buying.

3 Awesome Budget Backpacks!

Is the cost of equipment keeping you from getting out on the trail and experiencing great adventures? Equipment should not be a roadblock in the way of your dream. There is a lot of budget priced gear that is quality made and functions just as good as the expensive stuff. Name brands are not everything, often times you are paying a lot more just to have the name on it. Those products might have a few more bells and whistles but those are just fluff, you don't need them.

NEW OUTLANDER ADVENTURE 45+5L

Here are a few budget priced backpacks that are awesome. Introducing the: Teton Explorer 4000, Teton Hiker 3700, and the New Outlander Adventure 45+5L. 

TETON EXPLORER 4000

TETON HIKER 3700

I have used them a lot and they have not failed me even in extreme situations. They are very rugged, comfortable and work great, All are made with quality material and the workmanship is perfect. Check them out in this video review where I go over the details, specs and features of these backpacks. Each also has their own respective video where I go into more detail. Check them out! Stay awesome and keep adventuring! 

Epic Failure!

Ok, Sorry I haven't posted in quite a while. I have several videos I will be posting soon. I did some reviews on budget priced backpacks. As you know if you follow me, I am cheap. Like many others I don't have a lot of money for hiking, kayaking, bushcraft etc. so I try to find quality products that are cheap and I share my findings with you. Anyhow... moving on.

So, last time I said that I needed to loose some weight. Well.... hasn't gone so well. I actually gained 2 pounds. :-(  grrrr.  I was doing well and had lost 10 pounds in February, but then it all came crashing down in the most dramatic and epic fashion.

First, incident the derailed my course, I had jammed a stick in my eye while picking up a baseball in the dark. Ouch! that smarted!I didn't see the tree right in front of me when i bent over. When the branch smashed into my right eye it tore the outer layer about the size of a pencil eraser. It also stabbed the muscle above my eye which effected my left eye also so I could not use either eye. It took 3 weeks for my sight to recover. So, what did I do? I laid around on the couch getting fatter.

Part 2. All this laying around caused my back to go kind of funky which pulled on the tendon attached to my knee, which is already bad, hence the reason to loose weight. This caused my knee to swell up and hurt really back when I tried walked. Once my sight returned, my knee was so bad I still could not exercise resulting in two weeks of physical therapy to get it corrected.

At this point I thought I could get on with my weight loss plan but that was not to be the case. For some reason my son decided to bring home the flu from school and share it with me, another few days of bed rest. once I recovered from that I was finally able to start exercising. this lasted all of about a week when I woke one morning about 5 am and my lower back was completely out. Apparently the 3 sets of 5 crunches the day before was way too much for my dilapidated body. A trip to the chiropractor and I discovered I had strained my lower back muscles and was ordered to lay flat and alternate ice and heat for the rest of the week and then take it easy after that for a while.

So, now here I am, 2 pounds heavier than when I started. only I can fail a diet so epicly. well, i'm not giving up. I am pulling myself up by my boot straps and getting back at it. I have recruited help from a fiend that will keep me accountable and he will share some ideas on better nutrition and he introduced me to a product line called Advocare that is supposed to give me more energy, reduce cravings, and increase my metabolism. So yesterday I started the 24 day challenge! I went on line and signed up last night. I don' think it's working though, because I weighed myself this morning and I hadn't lost any weight at all. Ha Ha Ha. Ok, seriously. I ordered the kit it will be here in a few days. and then I will get started. I hope to keep you posted on my success! or failure as I am really good at doing. Cheers! thanks for reading.

5 Emergency Survival Tinders Found Round the House

If you find yourself in an emergency survival situation are you prepared? Making fire is one of the most important skills to ad in your survival. You need it to stay warm, cook food and sterilize water. These five  items you can keep on you, in your car and should be a staple to your survival kit. Most of them you can find around your house right now.

Dryer lint

Dryer lint is naturally dry and fluffy. It is quite possibly one of the best tinders out there and it’s free. It is very light weight and compactable so you can take a lot of it and it doesn’t take up much space.

It will catch a spark very easily and makes a nice flame. It is one of the items I keep in my survival kit. The downside of dryer lint is it burns fast so once it catches a spark you need to act quickly to get it into your twig bundle or it will burn up.

Cotton balls with petroleum jelly

If you can’t get your hands on dryer lint, cotton balls are a great alternative. They catch a spark very much like dryer lint but are a little denser and sometimes go out. If you mix petroleum jelly into your cotton balls they will burn a bit slower giving you more time to get it into your twig bundle but it also makes them a little messy to work with.

Jute twine

Yes, the same twine they use to wrap hay bales and Christmas trees is an excellent tinder and has been used for ages. Just peel it in to single fiber strands, rub it in your hands and make a bird’s nest like shape. This will catch a spark and burn for about 30 seconds. It doesn’t burn super-hot so make sure you have plenty of thin dry twigs to add to it once it catches a spark. Jute twine is a dual-purpose item. It can be used as a light rope for binding logs, hanging a tarp and more. This is a great addition to your survival kit.

Fine Steel wool

Surprisingly, fine steel wool is another great tinder. It will burn and burns hot. It is a good choice if your twigs are damp. It is a bit difficult to work with but once it catches a spark it burns hot and quickly so be prompt at getting it into your twig bundle. Steel wool is also light weight and compactable so it won’t take up much space in your survival kit.

Char-cloth

Char-cloth is a charred cotton cloth that burns slow and hot much like charcoal. The disadvantage of Char-cloth is it takes a bit of prep work, though you can buy it on some online stores. To make char-cloth you need a small metal tin like a mint candy tin. Cut some small squares of 100% cotton cloth and put it loosely in the tin. Light it on fire in a couple of spots and close the lid. Let it sit until it quits smoking. Once cooled open the tin. The cloth should be all black. If it is not, fluff it a bit and relight the spots that are not black. Store it in a seal-able plastic bag, it can get messy. Char-cloth catches a spark well and burns slower and hotter than dryer lint.

whether I'm out hiking, kayaking, fishing or just out for the day. I always keep some of these items with me. They are very small and take up almost no space. Consider keeping a bag of dryer lint in you glove box when traveling. It is better to be prepared and not need it than to be caught in an emergency situation without it. 

Immediate Action Required

There was a time when I worked construction. After that industry fell apart I worked as a mechanic in a bus factory so I was always on my feet and moving. Now I sit at a desk so it should be no surprise when I stepped on the scale and it screamed to me 274 lbs, however, I was still a bit shocked and disappointed. Immediate Action is Required!

So here is the plan. I will be going on a few major hikes this spring, summer and fall and I need to drop a good 40 lbs or more. This is going to be tough. So, I am saying good bye to carbs, sweets, flavor, second portions, and snacks. And I am saying hello to exercise. I am going to the Pigeon River forest area, Shingle Mill trail in mid May, so I have 2 months to loose as much weight as possible. I need a good dose of will power, I love food. it will not be an easy task but one that is neccesary. I need to be in good health for my boys, my adventures and my general well being. I beg you to keep me accountable. If you use the My Fitness Pal app let me know I would like to connect with you.

My Top 7 Favorite Cook Sets

When I started hiking I was overwhelmed with all the options for cooking on the trail. As I looked for the prefect stove most that were recommended were out of my price range, $50-$100 or more. Here is a list of 7 excellent cook sets that are affordable.

Hike Therapy

It was a beautiful spring-like day in February, I had to go out to the woods. It had been a long dreary winter; no ice for ice fishing, very little snow, brown, gray, drab dismal, depressing. I needed some adventure. Granted it was only a short day hike but it was just what I needed to melt away the stress. Join me as I venture out, do a little exploring, making fire, cooking lunch and enjoying a cup of tea in the woods

Winter Blues, Maybe Winter Camping

Here I sit. Another cloudy, dreary day. Winter in the Thumb of Michigan, a mixture of browns, grays and gloom. At least that's how I am feeling. I long for the trail, the forest, mountains, anything but this somber, wintry landscape. Okay, I am painting a dismal view. I cant help it, this time of year depresses me. Some years ago I took up ice fishing which was a great way to pass the winter blues, but this year the temperatures have bounced between upper twenties and low forties. so, needless to say, no ice. I have found myself instead living vicariously though my favorite hiking, hunting, and fishing YouTube channels.

 Maybe I should take up winter camping. I was looking 4 season tents over the past week trying to decide the best quality with the best price. They are much more expensive than 3 season tents. I think I have settled on the High Peak Enduro Backpack 2 Person , 4 Season tent. It is a very roomy 92.5" x 49" tent. It has a full rain fly with a 23.6" storage area that will easily accommodate a backpack and boots. It only weighs in at 7.4lbs, not bad for a heavier winter tent. It's rated to handle winds up to 60 mph. This tent sells on Amazon for around $150. I admit it's not the best 4 season tent on the market, but it is a lot cheaper than many others. The Hillberg 4 season tents that average $800 - $1200. For as much as I would use this tent I think the High Peak Enduro is a good buy and will suit my purposes.

So, how do you all survive the winter blues? I would love to hear some ideas.