In a message dated 9/3/2005 3:46:00 AM Eastern Standard Time,
jdeben@... writes:
Way to go Jim and Potable Aqua.  That makes me feel warm and fuzzy
inside.  What a wonderful community we have here Jerry.  You did
this, you should be very pleased.
######

Yikes, all that work building a reputation as Genghis Moderator down the
tubes.

Sheesh.

Jim S.

"He who laughs, lasts." - Mary Poole


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

HTML version is in the test area.

Heater Meals - Owner Review

Personal Bio:
Name: Mike Lipay
Age: 50
Gender: Male
Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight: 180 lbs (81.65 kgs)
Email: hiking AT westernpa.us
Area: Western Pennsylvania
Date: February 21, 2005


Background: I've been camping, hiking, and backpacking since the
'60s, mostly with the Boy Scouts though I've put on quite a few miles
solo, and with my kids.Throughout the year I act as a trail guide for
a local outdoor group, taking groups and individuals on day and
weekend treks in the Allegheny Mountains. I am, by no means, an
ultralight backpacker (my pack weighs in at 29-33 lbs - 13-15 kgs). I
prefer an external frame pack because I like to have places to attach
"things". I prefer a hiking staff to trekking poles, compass to GPS,
film to digital, fire to fuel. My backpacking is pretty much limited
to weekends, and one full-week per year (usually in the summer), with
a long weekend canoe trip tossed in. I pretty much stick to the
Allegheny Mountains (Pennsylvania and West Virginia); temps here
range from a winter average of 20 F (-7 C) to a summer average of 75
F (25 C); elevation runs from sea level to 3,213 FT (979 M); rains
are heavy from late March through early June averaging 14 inches
(35.5 cm) during that period.


Product Information:
Manufacturer:        Innotech
Type:                Self-contained meals with heating source
Website:             http://www.HeaterMeals.com

                       Meal Only          Meal Plus
Weight:              12 oz (340 g)      24 oz (640 g)
Packaged:            18 oz (510 g)      36 oz (1020 g)
MSRP:                $3.99 US each      $5.94 US each
                       $23.94 US 6-pack   $71.28 US 12-pack


General Data:
Unlike the usual hiking fare, Heater Meals are not freeze-dried or
dehydrated. They are ready-to-eat entrees (complete meals are also
available), which only require heating - and the heat supply comes
with it! At the time of this writing there are seven different Heater
Meals available: Chicken Pasta Italiana, Green Pepper Steak, Chicken
and Noodles, Mushroom Gravy Potatoes and Beef, Vegetarian Three
Cheese Lasagna, and Zesty BBQ Potatoes and Beef.

Complete meals are also available in all of the above offerings, plus
two breakfast choices: Pancakes with Apple Topping and Bacon, and
Pancakes with Blueberry Topping and Bacon. In addition to the entree,
complete meals include  a side dish, dessert, and a drink.

Both options also include plastic cutlery, napkin, salt, pepper, and
Mrs. Dash seasonings. No refrigeration is necessary, and Heater Meals
has a two-year shelf life.


Directions:

The meals come in a cardboard box the measures 6” x 8” x 2” (15 cm x
20 cm x 5 cm); inside the box is the meal, in a sealed plastic
container; three pouches: water, the heating catalyst, accessories
(cutlery, napkin, spices); and a styrofoam plate.

To cook you meal you simply
open the box
remove all contents
place the catalyst pouch on the tray
pour the water onto the catalyst
place the food container on the tray
put the tray, with the food, back in the box, close the tab
wait 10 minutes

After the 10 minutes is up, remove the contents from the box, peal
back the plastic cover on the meal container, add your spices (if
desired) and enjoy!

One note, this is a catalytic (chemical) heating system, which means
that the colder the weather the longer it will take to heat the meal,
if the temperatures are cold enough I find that I have only a warmed
meal. I do not recommend Heater Meals when the temps drop below 45 F
(7 C).


Personal Comments:

I’ve had most of the Heater meals and have found them quite tasty,
without being spicy. The meals are filling enough for a breakfast or
lunch, but I do take the Plus meals (side, dessert, drink), or my own
items, to round out a dinner.


Nutrition: Checking the information panels on the package of
Spaghetti and Meatballs I was impressed to find that there were no
preservatives, the meals are vacuum sealed. This meal contained 320
calories (110 from fat), and 1140 mg salt; but this is not a gourmet
meal for home, and I consider the added calories and salt necessary
on a good hike.


Pros                   Cons
Tasty                  Heavy
Easy to pack           Doesn’t work well in cold weather
Variety                Excess trash after the meal


Conclusion:

Considering the heft of Heater Meals (18/36 oz, 510/1020 g), I don’t
take these for every meal, but they do make a tasty break from the
usual freeze-dried fare that is common on treks. My personal
preference is to take these for lunches, where the breaks are not
long enough to cook a warm meal, but I still want something warm and
filling.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

EDIT: Granite Gear Vapor Trail - Anthony (TJ) Smith

Hi Anthony

The content is very good and well-written, but the organisation needs changing.
I have spelt this out below. Do not
worry about this: the structural changes are easy to do and will make this a
very good OR.

When you have made the changes, please Repost here and with the html in Test/OR.

Cheers
Roger Caffin
BGT OR Editor
-------------------------------
> City, State, Country - Pensacola, FL USA
EDIT: international readers may not know what FL stands for. Please spell out

> Product Description (from the manufacturer)
EDIT: while the Specifications should come from the manufacturer and your
measurements, the product description should
not be a repeat of what the manufacturer has on his web site. For a start, the
reader can click on the
URL you give to get that text. Secondly, we find only too often that the
manufacturer's description contains a lot of
useless hype and buzz-words
specific to that manufacturer. We want you to describe the item in YOUR words.

> sunny days while wearing my Vapor Trail, as well as various amounts of rain
Edit: I wear clothing, but I carry a pack.

> Summary
> The Vapor Trail is a basic backpack without a lot of frills. It does have a
EDIT: much of this would go well in the Product Description. This is what the
reader wants to find: detailed facts. But then you need to remove your other
comments from this section and put them
into a Discussion section. For example:
Prod Descr: 'The shoulder straps also have "load lifting" straps at the top'
(facts)
Discussion: 'which help shift some of the load closer to my back' (your
comments)

> Conclusions
Edit: I suggest this should really be 'Discussion' rather than 'Conclusions'.
See also the final comment below.

> So far, I have remedied this by not wearing items on my belt, instead looping
> them onto the straps of the pack.
Comment: good stuff. Problem described and solution offered.

> One method I have found to make packing a bit easier is to use stuff sacks
> to organize items contained within the pack.
Comment: More good bits. Yes, I have a drawer full of stuff sacks! I line them
with plastic bags, but I am paranoid and
sometimes we get very heavy rain.

Edit: You might like to add a 'Would I buy this again' section, and add a top 3
Likes and Dislikes? They are very common
and add a lot of value to the OR.

I will be OOP beginning now until around 5 or 6 pm tomorrow evening. Edits
for my OR for the Vapor Trail, posted last night, will be completed after my
return.
TJ Smith


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> It has been a while since I posted an OR.  It's good for the soul.
### Then consider your soul suitably refreshed :)

G'day Rick. I hope you had another good walk on the AT.
Many thanks for this Owner Review. I have a few small edits and a
suggestion for you and when you've addressed these, if you post back
with REPOST in the subject heading, I'll give you a folder to upload to,
Many thanks,
Graham

> ***************

> stream water, rain water, and mud.  During these experiences, I walked
> in the mountains, in the forest, on sandy beaches, and dry hot
> pavement.  I  I experienced heat, rain, sun, and every sort of trail

### extra '...I...' here

> blisters with the sandals.  The other attribute of the straps I
> appreciate is their simple design. The nylon webbing drys quickly when

### US/UK? -  I think we would spell this '...dries...'

> The sandals have performed very well while hiking the AT.  They do
take
> some extra care when placing my feet to avoid ankle injury, but this

### This read a little odd to me, as if it were the sandals taking the
care, so  '...They do need [alt. require?] some extra...' or '...I do
take some extra...' might read better

> When going down hill, it is nice not to have my toes crowded up
against

### '...downhill...' or '...down-hill...' would be more appropriate here

> the front of a pair of shoes.  Adjusting the strap tension is
important
> to walk down a hill comfortably.

### '...for walking down-hill comfortably...' might read better

> over the end of the sandal, then the strap is not quite tight enough.
> Walking down a hundred yards of steep down hill is a very good way for

### '...downhill...' or '...down-hill...'

> me to determine if the straps are set at the right tightness.

### It would be good to have a brief explanation as to the method of
adjusting the strap system, perhaps earlier in the review where you talk
about the 'attributes' and 'simple design' of the straps that appeals to
you.




--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.18/89 - Release Date: 02/09/2005

Owner Review: Chicken of the Sea food pouches

Here for your editing pleasure is a little contribution on backpacker
chow. BTW, if anyone has encountered pouched chicken or ham, I'd love
to hear about it. See the test folder at

http://tinyurl.com/9r9b2

Best,

Ted.





     Report Date: September 4, 2005


         Navigation

         Reviewer Background
         Product information in brief
         Website
         Introduction
         Use and Design
         Field Performance
         Summary




     Reviewer Background

     I enjoy walking in all its manifold forms, from a simple stroll in
the woods to multi-day backpack excursions. Though by no means an
extreme ultra-light enthusiast, from spring to fall my preference is
to carry a pack weight (before food and water) of 12 lb (5.5 kg), more
or less. In recent years, I've rapidly moved to a philosophy of
"lighter is better," within the constraints of budget and common sense.




     Reviewer Information

         * Name: Edward Ripley-Duggan
         * Age: 52
         * Gender: Male
         * Height: 6' 1" (1.85 m)
         * Weight: 215 pounds (98 kg)
         * erd@...
         * Catskills, New York State



         Product information in brief

             * Manufacturer: Chicken of the Sea
             * URL: http://www.chickenofthesea.com/
             * Product: Food pouches (various fish products)
             * Year of manufacture: 2005
             * MSRP: Not stated
             * Manufacturer's stated net weight (for Pink Salmon): 3 oz
net weight (85 g)
             * Measured net weight (analog scale): 3 oz (85 g)
             * Package size, Pink Salmon, as measured: 4.25" x 6.25" x
0.25" (11 x 16 x 0.6 cm) N.B. pouch size varies from product to
product, though most are in this range
             * Varieties tested: Albacore Tuna, Pink Salmon, Baby
Clams, Smoked Pacific Salmon, Crab, Smoked Oysters (also available,
but not yet tried, are Shrimp and various other tuna varieties)
             * Packaging: Foil pouch
             * Special storage needed: None



     Website

     Chicken of the Sea offers detailed nutritional information for all
its products (including these discussed here) on its website.


     Introduction

     I am (based on the comments of wife, family and friends) an
excellent cook, but on the trail I eat very simply. I am not a big fan
of "backpacking food," those freeze-dried entrees etc. prepared
specifically for the camping market. While some of these are wholesome
enough, others variously taste odd, do not reconstitute adequately, or
are simply not to my taste. The main advantage that they offer, that
one can eat them from the packet and thus save washing-up, is pretty
much obviated by the fact that I carry a single small titanium kettle
for heating water, cooking and eating, so my cleaning chores are truly
minimal.

     The pouches for backpacking food are also rather substantial in
size, and thus take up precious bear canister space. This packaging is
extra weight that I must haul in and out of a wilderness area, as well
as a waste of natural resources. While the small foil pouches used by
Chicken of the Sea (and other manufacturers offering similar products)
do of course have some weight, they are very compact, take up little
space, and once used can be folded down to a very small size in the
waste bag. I am absolutely sold on them.

     Use and design

     I first started to see foil-packaged fish products on supermarket
shelves about two years ago. Previously, I had used cheese, dried
Italian sausages, and the occasional small can of chicken or even Spam
to add pizzazz to my evening meal (usually a Lipton meal or the
equivalent). I find that my appetite tends to diminish while
backpacking, at least on trips of the length I usually do (two to ten
days), and so I do need some inducement to eat well. Doing so is
important, as (at the very least) a solid evening meal promotes warm
sleeping in cooler weather. However, a pasta dish with a few slices of
sopressatta just doesn't make my mouth water at the end of a long day!

     The Chicken of the Sea pouches are very easily handled. Unlike
canned fish, which is stored in a fair amount of water or oil, the
contents of the pouches are generally pretty fully drained. The 3 oz
(85 g) package of tuna is stated on the package to be equivalent to a
6 oz (170 g) can, and my experience tends to confirm this—one packet
makes a handsome amount of tuna salad, etc. There's no surplus liquid
to haul as there is with a can, and the associated issue "how can I
drain this can without attracting bears?" is pretty well avoided.

     The packages are small, slim and flexible, and (as noted) squeeze
nicely into a bear canister. At the same time, I have found them very
sturdy, and I have no concern, short of extreme carelessness, that I
will puncture one prematurely. Opening the packet is simply a matter
of tearing across at a precut notch. Once open, if I want a tuna or
salmon salad, it is simplicity itself to take a small plastic pack of
mayonnaise (of the kind offered by some fast-food stores), and squeeze
it in and mix it with the fish in the package with a plastic fork. The
result, served with crackers or pizza bread (I usually carry one or
the other), is delicious. This also works well with crab (and, no
doubt, shrimp, but I have yet to find this product in a local market).

     For dinners, the smoked salmon is very tasty with a bit of cream
cheese (which keeps well without refrigeration) and a bagel.
Similarly, the combination of reconstituted flavored dried potatoes
with smoked salmon chunks is a favorite of mine (this is low cuisine,
not haute cuisine). A packet of Lipton Teriyaki Noodles with crab or
clams added is a delight (especially if one can find some wild leeks
and greens to combine with the dish), and the same could be said for
any number of similar combinations. Tasty gumbos, chowders, tuna
casserole and all sorts of goodies are all easy to prepare with
nominal cooking time.

     What of nutrition? Some of this line of products contain added oil
(some of the tunas, the smoked oysters) and are handy for adding oil
to the diet (something many backpacking foods lack). To take the Pink
Salmon as an example (which is wild fish, not farm raised, according
to the packet text), a single serving of a 3 oz (85 g) packet provides
90 calories, (30 from fat), and 15 g of protein (65 g are needed in a
2500 Calorie diet). Since salmon is a slightly oily fish, there are
525 mg of Omega-3 fatty acids (according to the package), which
promotes good cholesterol. These pouches are a good source of healthy
protein for the backpacker, as well as providing diverse and
interesting flavors and textures.

     Freeze-dried meats (available from some of the backpacking food
manufacturers) are lighter still, of course, but need a good deal of
soaking and cooking (thus consuming fuel, which partly offsets any
weight saving) in order to be made edible. They are also in my
experience, hard to find and by no means cheap, and are probably none
too good uncooked. I find good quality jerkies, dried sausages,
cheeses etc. continue to be handy foods, especially for lunches, but
the availability of fish in pouches has greatly improved my trail
diet. I consider the development of this form of packaging to be a
substantial boon for backpackers and hikers.

     Field Performance

     I have used Chicken of the Sea pouches here in the mountains of
New York State (elevations to 5300 feet, 1615 metres) at temperatures
down to a bit below freezing. I have found that even with those
products stored in oil, there seems to be enough residual water to
make them difficult to use if carried and stored well below freezing.
Having said this, they will defrost adequately enough for cooking if
stored for a few hours in a warm inner pocket. I've noted no issues
with warm temperatures—I have exposed pouches to well in excess of 90
F (32 C) with no ill effects to the food or me.

     Summary

     The Chicken of the Sea food pouches offer a superior alternative
to much of the standard backpacker fare. The quality and flavor are
uniformly excellent in all of the products tested.

     Pro

         * Inexpensive and easily purchased.
         * Light packaging, little surplus weight from water, generally
no draining needed.
         * Small, flexible and easily stored in a bear canister.
         * Can be eaten cold as well as hot.
         * Easily opened by tired or chilled hands.
         * Does not deteriorate at warm temperatures.

     Con

         * Not as convenient for low temperature use (true of
water-packed pouches in particular).

--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "graham blamey" <gg@h...> wrote:
> > It has been a while since I posted an OR.  It's good for the soul.
> ### Then consider your soul suitably refreshed :)
>
> G'day Rick. I hope you had another good walk on the AT.
> Many thanks for this Owner Review. I have a few small edits and a
> suggestion for you and when you've addressed these, if you post back
> with REPOST in the subject heading, I'll give you a folder to upload to,
> Many thanks,
> Graham
>

Hi Graham,

I made all corrections and added some words about adjustment.  All
your suggestions were spot on. The HTML version has been updated in
the test folder here:

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/OWNER%20REVIEWS/Chaco%20Z1%20-%20Ri\
ck/

or http://tinyurl.com/dp839

Chaco Z/1 Colorado Sandals
Owner Review by Rick Allnutt, August 24, 2005


PERSONAL BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Rick Allnutt
52 Year old male
183 cm (6' 0'') in height
74 kg (163 lbs) in weight
Shoe size (US) 11
Email address: rick (at) BackpackGearTest (dot) org
Homepage:  Risk's Ultralight Hiking Page
Trailname: "Risk"
I live in Dayton, Ohio


BACKPACKING BACKGROUND
Over the last several years, I have become an ultralight camper with a
three-season base pack weight of about 17 lb (8 kg) and skin out
weight of 25 lb (11 kg). I have completed many section hikes on the
Appalachian Trail (AT) in all four seasons, with a total mileage of
about 1000 miles (1610 km). I am a gearhead, a hammock camper, and I
make much of my own equipment.

PRODUCT INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Chaco, Inc.
Year Manufactured: 2005
Manufacturer's Link: http://www.chacousa.com/index.html
MSRP: US$90.00
Weight is not listed on the manufacturer's website
Measured Weight (size 11): 2 lb, 0 oz (910 g) for the pair

FIELD CONDITIONS

Since I bought the shoes in June, I have walked on the AT for 9 days
and about 260 mi (420 km).  In addition, I walked an overnight hike in
the Adirondacks totaling about 25 mi (40 km) and have walked an
estimated 150 mi (240 km) in day hikes. I have used the sandals when
kayaking a number of times and they have repeatedly been immersed in
lake water, stream water, rain water, and mud.  During these
experiences, I walked in the mountains, in the forest, on sandy
beaches, and dry hot pavement.  I experienced heat, rain, sun, and
every sort of trail surface. Temperatures  ranged from 50 F (10 C) to
99 F (37 C).

REVIEW

I have also reported on a similar Chaco sandal, the Z/2 Terreno. In
fact, I liked that pair of sandals so much that I went into an
outfitter knowing exactly what I wanted - another pair of Chacos. The
main difference between my old sandal and my new Z/1 is that there is
no provision on the Z/1 for a separate loop going around the great
toe.  The other difference is that the strap system on the Z/1 is just
a bit wider.  The width of the straps on the Z/1 is 1 in (2.5 cm). I
see both these aspects of my new sandals as very positive.

I chose the Colorado sole for the sandal because it allows me to shave
a few ounces off the weight of the pair, and because the Colorado sole
does not trap mud. It stays much cleaner when walking on wet paths.  I
have not noticed any lack of traction with the Colorado sole, despite
its appearance as a less aggressive lug pattern than the Terreno.  The
rubber is sticky on rocks, and reasonably soft. After about 435 mi
(700 km) of walking, the center of the sole has worn down to the base
of the tread depth. The factory does offer tread replacement if I ever
wear the surface through, and I may end up needing that service one day.

Chaco sandals have a unique strap pattern which fits my feet just
about perfectly. Of considerable note to me is the crossing point of
my great toe is at the ball of my foot instead of out further on the
first toe like many other sandals. This has proved to be important in
preventing blisters with the sandals.  The other attribute of the
straps I appreciate is their simple design. The nylon webbing dries
quickly when it gets wet and does not hold water against my skin like
many other strap systems have done. This contributes to a complete
absence of blisters on my feet when hiking with Chaco sandals.  I have
never had even a small blister with my previous Chacos, nor with my
Z/1 Colorado sandals,

The sandals have performed very well while I have hiked portions of
the AT.  They do make me pay attention when placing my feet on or
between rocks to avoid ankle injury, but this extra care makes my
walking through the woods more graceful and quieter.  It is also good
for my knees and back to walk quietly.  I normally wear a pair of
thick backpacking socks with the sandals. I have found that fuzzy
socks do not creep up under my feet like lightweight liner socks. When
it rains for any length of time, I usually put on a pair of breathable
waterproof socks.  This keeps my feet a little dryer and more
comfortable.  However, when I need to ford a stream or do wet walking
for an hour or less, I just take my socks off and let my feet get wet.

When going downhill, it is nice not to have my toes crowded up against
the front of a pair of shoes.  Adjusting the strap tension is
important for me to walk downhill comfortably.  Fortunately, adjusting
the straps is quick and easy.  There is a single
continuously-adjustable buckle on each sandal as seen in the photo
above.  However, all the straps, excepting the heel strap, can be
adjusted by pulling the strap material through tunnels in the sole of
the sandal.  I find that if my toes begin to creep over the end of the
sandal, then the strap is not quite tight enough. I tighten the strap
at the buckle and then pull some slack from the portion of the strap
that fits over my distal toes thus giving my mid foot an optimal strap
tightness. Once I understood the strap can be pulled through the sole,
setting just the right tension in each portion of the strap became
intuitive. I have found that when I walk down a hundred yards of steep
hillside, this makes for a very good way to determine if the straps
are set at the right tightness.  If an adjustment needs to be made, it
can be done in the field.  The whole process takes me less time to
accomplish than reading this paragraph.

Occasionally I stumble on a rock or a root.  I am almost always using
two hiking poles, and these keep me from falling.  The front of the
sandals protect me well enough from such accidents, that I have not
hurt a toe when tripping on an obstacle since I bought the sandals.

Things I really like about the sandals:
- No blisters
- Fast drying
- Comfortable

Things I would change:
- Nothing at all

Will I buy another pair of Chacos when this pair eventually wears out?
  Certainly!

Hi Colleen -

Nice review (being able to talk about the bluff-charging bear, among
other experiences you've had, lends quite a bit of credence to your
conclusions!)

That said, there are a few edits here - several were ones that could
have been caught by spell-checking, so do consider that next time
before submitting the review.

Once you've made the changes, you may upload to the folder:

Reviews > Cook Gear > Bear Resistant Containers > Bearikade Expedition

Be sure to check "Owner Review", and of course consider posting to
the Test folder before uploading your final review. Good work!

Regards,
Steve

[EDITS FOLLOW]

...
Tested Weight: (including three stickers I put on it myself)
***EDIT: You seem to be missing your tested weight...

...
The top lid is removeable and locks on at
three different points, and the bottom cap is not removeable.
***EDIT: "removable" for both instances of the word

...
Elevations have ranged from 4000 to over
13,000 feet (1200 to over 3900 meters).
***EDIT: Use commas or not - but make these consistent

...I cannot recall the number of nights it has been used, if I count the
trips I remember it adds up to at least twenty - but I'm certain the
number is higher than that..
***EDIT: remove extra period

...
The inside of the cansier is light grey, and as such isn't a dark,
gaping black maw in which food disappears.
***EDIT: "canister"

...
W have used the Expedition pretty hard.
***EDIT: "We"

...
There are three locks, which can be opened from
the outside by using a qaurter or a similar-sized metal washer.
***EDIT: "quarter"

[END OF EDITS]

We would like to remind you of this upcoming event.

POLICY: Repost or Revised

Date: Monday, September 5, 2005
Time: 6:15PM CST (GMT+08:00)

Dear Group

In respect of Owner Reviews, the two terms REPOST and REVISED
are often used in the subject line.  They have two different
meanings and communicate valuable information to the Edit Team,
therefore we ask that you use them as directed.

(a) If you are reposting your Owner Review in response to an
EDIT, please include REPOST in your subject line as directed by
your Editor.

(b) If your Owner Review has not yet been taken up by an Editor
and you wish to make changes and resubmit it, please do so
including REVISED in your subject line.

I hope this clarifies things.

Regards
Andrew Priest
Senior Edit Moderator

A few minor changes. Still in the test folder at

http://tinyurl.com/9r9b2


******


     Owner Review: Chicken of the Sea food pouches

     Report Date: September 4, 2005


         Navigation

         Reviewer Background
         Product information in brief
         Website
         Introduction
         Use and Design
         Field Performance
         Summary




     Reviewer Background

     I enjoy walking in all its manifold forms, from a simple stroll in
the woods to multi-day backpack excursions. Though by no means an
extreme ultra-light enthusiast, from spring to fall my preference is
to carry a pack weight (before food and water) of 12 lb (5.5 kg), more
or less. In recent years, I've rapidly moved to a philosophy of
"lighter is better," within the constraints of budget and common sense.




     Reviewer Information

         * Name: Edward Ripley-Duggan
         * Age: 52
         * Gender: Male
         * Height: 6' 1" (1.85 m)
         * Weight: 215 pounds (98 kg)
         * erd@...
         * Catskills, New York State



         Product information in brief

             * Manufacturer: Chicken of the Sea
             * URL: http://www.chickenofthesea.com/
             * Product: Food pouches (various fish products)
             * Year of manufacture: 2005
             * MSRP: Not stated
             * Manufacturer's stated net weight (for Pink Salmon): 3 oz
net weight (85 g).
             * Measured net weight (analog scale): 3 oz (85 g)
             * Package size, Pink Salmon, as measured: 4.25" x 6.25" x
0.25" (11 x 16 x 0.6 cm) N.B. pouch size varies from product to
product, though most are in this range
             * Varieties tested: Albacore Tuna, Pink Salmon, Baby
Clams, Smoked Pacific Salmon, Crab, Smoked Oysters (also available,
but not yet tried, are Shrimp and various other tuna varieties)
             * Packaging: Foil pouch
             * Special storage needed: None



     Website

     Chicken of the Sea offers detailed nutritional information for all
its products (including these discussed here) on its website.


     Introduction

     I am (based on the comments of wife, family and friends) an
excellent cook, but on the trail I eat very simply. I am not a big fan
of "backpacking food," those freeze-dried entrees etc. prepared
specifically for the camping market. While some of these are wholesome
enough, others variously taste odd, do not reconstitute adequately, or
are simply not appetizing to me. The main advantage that they offer,
that one can eat them from the packet and thus save washing-up, is
pretty much obviated in my case by the fact that I carry a single
small titanium kettle for heating water, cooking and eating, so my
cleaning chores are truly minimal.

     The pouches used for backpacking food are also rather substantial
in size, and thus take up precious bear canister space. This packaging
is also extra weight that I must haul in and out of a wilderness area,
as well as a waste of natural resources. While the small foil pouches
used by Chicken of the Sea (and other manufacturers offering similar
products) do of course have some weight, they are very compact, take
up little space, and once used can be folded down to a very compact
size in the waste bag. I am absolutely sold on them.

     Use and design

     I first started to see foil-packaged fish products on supermarket
shelves about two years ago. Previously, I had used cheese, dried
Italian sausages, and the occasional small can of chicken or even Spam
to add pizzazz to my evening meal (usually a Lipton meal or the
equivalent). I find that my appetite tends to diminish while
backpacking, at least on trips of the length I usually do (two to ten
days), and so I do need some inducement to eat well. Doing so is
important, as (at the very least) a solid evening meal promotes warm
sleeping in cooler weather. However, a pasta dish with a few slices of
sopressatta just doesn't make my mouth water at the end of a long day!

     The Chicken of the Sea pouches are very easily used. Unlike canned
fish, which is stored in a fair amount of water or oil, the contents
of the pouches are generally pretty fully drained. The 3 oz (85 g)
package of water-packed tuna is stated on the package to be equivalent
to a 6 oz (170 g) can, and my experience tends to confirm this—one
packet makes a handsome amount of tuna salad. There's no surplus
liquid to haul in as there is with a can, and the associated issue
"how can I drain this can without attracting bears?" is pretty well
avoided.

     The packages are small, slim and flexible, and (as noted) squeeze
nicely into a bear canister. At the same time, I have found them very
sturdy, and I have no concern that, short of extreme carelessness, I
will puncture one prematurely. Opening the packet is simply a matter
of tearing across at a precut notch. Once open, if I want a tuna or
salmon salad, it is simplicity itself to take a small plastic pack of
mayonnaise (of the kind offered by some fast-food stores), and squeeze
it in and then mix it with the fish in the package using a plastic
fork. The result, served with crackers or pizza bread (I usually carry
one or the other), is delicious. This also works well with crab (and,
no doubt, shrimp, but I have yet to find this product in a local market).

     For dinners, the smoked salmon is very tasty with a bit of cream
cheese (which keeps well without refrigeration) and a bagel.
Similarly, the combination of reconstituted flavored dried potatoes
with smoked salmon chunks is a favorite of mine (this is low cuisine,
not haute cuisine). A packet of Lipton Teriyaki Noodles with crab or
clams added is a delight (especially if one can find some wild leeks
and greens to combine with the dish; I often augment my dishes with
wild foods), and the same could be said for any number of similar
combinations. Tasty gumbos, chowders, tuna casserole and all sorts of
goodies are all easy to prepare with nominal cooking time.

     What of nutrition? To take the Pink Salmon as an example (which is
wild fish, not farm raised, according to the packet text), a single
serving of a 3 oz (85 g) packet provides 90 calories, (30 from fat),
and 15 g of protein (65 g are needed in a 2500 Calorie diet). Since
salmon is a slightly oily fish, there are 525 mg of Omega-3 fatty
acids (according to the package), which promotes good cholesterol.
These pouches are a good source of healthy protein for the backpacker,
as well as providing diverse and interesting flavors and textures.

     A few items in this line of products are oil packed (some of the
tunas and the smoked oysters come to mind) and these are handy for
adding oil to the diet (an essential for good diet that is lacking
from the diet of many backpackers). The amount included is not so
great that it swamps the dish—I just empty the pouch straight into the
pot, oil and all. This works well with (for example) cajun-style
dishes or chilis.

     Freeze-dried meats (available separately from some of the
backpacking food manufacturers) are lighter still, of course, but need
a good deal of soaking and cooking (thus consuming fuel, which partly
offsets any weight saving) in order to be made edible. They are also,
in my experience, hard to find and by no means cheap, and are probably
none too good uncooked. I find good quality jerkies, dried sausages,
cheeses etc. continue to be handy foods, especially for lunches, but
the availability of fish in pouches has greatly improved and expanded
my trail diet. I consider the development of this form of packaging to
be a substantial boon for backpackers and hikers.

     Field Performance

     I have used Chicken of the Sea pouches here in the mountains of
New York State (elevations to 5300 feet, 1615 metres) at temperatures
down to a bit below freezing. I have found that even with those
products stored in oil, there seems to be enough residual water to
make them difficult to use if carried and stored on the trail well
below freezing. Having said this, they will defrost adequately enough
for cooking if kept for a few hours in a warm inner pocket. I've noted
no issues with warm temperatures—I have exposed pouches to well in
excess of 90 F (32 C) with no ill effects to the food or me.

     Summary

     The Chicken of the Sea food pouches offer a superior alternative
to much of the standard backpacker fare. The quality and flavor are
uniformly excellent in all of the products tested.

     Pro

         * Inexpensive and easily purchased.
         * Light packaging, little surplus weight from water, generally
no draining needed.
         * Small pouches, flexible and easily stored in a bear canister.
         * Can be eaten cold as well as hot.
         * Easily opened by tired or chilled hands.
         * Does not deteriorate at warm temperatures.

     Con

         * Not as convenient for low temperature use (true of
water-packed pouches in particular).

Hello again, Graham.

Now that I'm at home, in front of the computer with the book in my
lap, I can address a couple of items in the edit.

--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "graham blamey" <gg@h...>
wrote:

>
> > **********
> > THE SUBJECT MATTER
> > **********
> > The book deals with most every foot issue a backpacker could ever
> > encounter, from blisters and black toenails to parasthesia and
> > neuropathy. All subject matter is presented in easy-to-
understand,
> > layman's terms and John's makes the subject matter interesting by
>
> ### Sp.? paresthesia or paraesthesia
>

I'm not sure if one of these is a typo on your part or not. In my
report, I spelled the word exactly as the author of the book I am
reviewing spelled it...neither of which you have given as an option.


> ### As you go on to say that the book is in easy-to-understand
layman's
> terms, might it be an idea here to do the reader a favour and
write this
> as '...paraesthesia (A skin sensation, such as burning, prickling,
> itching, or tingling, with no apparent physical cause) and
neuropathy
> (any pathology of the peripheral nerves)...'
> These are my definitions of course, and you might have more
concise ones
> that would be better
>

My point in this section was that the author covers everything from
serious medical conditions (or at least what sound like that to me,
a layman) to the banal (like black toenails)...not to give a medical
education. Anyone who *has* parasthesia will care and know what it
is; anyone who doesn't won't give a hoot about it...but will
probably interpret it in the way I intended. The definitions are not
important to the value of the review because this is not a medical
forum.

Additionally, I haven't even bothered to *read* the sections about
parasthesia or neuropathy because of the way I have used the book.
As the review mentioned, the book is organized so that it can be
read straight through, or the reader can quickly thumb to areas of
interest. I have done the latter and the mentioned conditions do not
apply to me.

Regarding the edit on my successful results, I intentionally did not
put which strategies I used in this review. My fear was that people
would read it and discard the book's relevance to their needs
(e.g., "Oh, I've already tried taping and it didn't work for me").
However, I think I've addressed your concern and mine, too, with my
new version.

Your other edits are being incorporated and I will re-upload soon.
Thank you for your help with my review! :)

Lynne

---
Lynne Durham
Benton Harbor, Michigan USA

Hi Graham!

Here's my new version. The HTML is at:

http://tinyurl.com/c23er

Thank you in advance!

Lynne

-=-=-=-=

Owner review: Fixing your Feet by John Vonhof


NAVIGATE THIS REPORT

Book Information
	 Owner Information
	 Reviewer Experience
About The Book's Author
	 The Subject Matter
	 The Organization
Who Would Like This Book?
	 This Is Cool
	 This Could Be Improved
Note
	 Summary

BOOK INFORMATION
Publisher  Wilderness Press
Book Web site  http://www.footworkpub.com/
Cover price  USD17.95
Edition/publication date  3rd edition, published May 2004
ISBN
	 0-89997-354-X
Pages  340
Weight 	 1 lb 4 oz (567 g)

OWNER INFORMATION

Owner
	 Lynne Durham
Gender  Female
Height  5' 10" (1.78 m)
Weight  153 lb (69 kg)
Age  43
Email  lynnedurham AT yahoo DOT com
Location  Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA
Date  September 5, 2005

Back to top
REVIEWER EXPERIENCE

I have hiked and car camped all of my life, mostly in the relative
flatlands of the lower and upper peninsulas of Michigan, but also in
areas east of the Continental Divide, such as South Dakota, New
England, Kentucky, Florida, Ohio, Indiana, and more. I put in
extensive mileage dayhiking and trail running with a pack, as I
train for ultramarathons and adventure racing events. I have
competed in both sprint- and expedition-length adventure races and
gone as far as the 50-mile distance in ultramarathoning. I have
dayhiked from rim to rim in the Grand Canyon and will do so again in
October.

I also enjoy snowshoeing, and I am a paddling and climbing novice.

Back to top
ABOUT THE BOOK'S AUTHOR

He's not a podiatrist or a physician of any type, but John Vonhof
may have treated more foot problems than many physicians ever see.
An avid ultrarunner, adventure racer and hiker, John has taken a
keen interest in the foot problems in athletes. Over the course of
25 years of athletic interest, John's learned a lot, and he has a
lot of athletic friends who know a lot. In Fixing Your Feet, John
and his friends share their wealth of knowledge.


Back to top
THE SUBJECT MATTER

The book deals with most every foot issue a backpacker could ever
encounter, from blisters and black toenails to parasthesia and
neuropathy. All subject matter is presented in easy-to-understand,
layman's terms and John's makes the subject matter interesting by
sprinkling anecdotal stories throughout and quoting many, many foot-
dependent athletes, including some of BackpackGearTest.org's very
own members. John volunteers at many events, taking care of feet
problems so that athletes can continue their events.

Back to top

THE ORGANIZATION

The book is broken down into several sections:

     * Foot basics, including the very first section which explains
which foot specialists a reader may want to consult
     * Footwear basics, which teaches you everything you ever wanted
to know about shoes, insoles and orthotics
     * Prevention, with 11 different sections on preventing foot
trouble, including 159 ways to prevent blisters
     * Treatments, offering ways of coping with foot issues and
offering suggested items to keep in your foot care kit
     * Resources, which includes several appendices, a glossary,
notes and two indices

This organization allows the reader to peruse the book straight
through or move from topic to topic as needed.

In the ultrarunning world, people often say "We are each an
experiment of one." Keeping that in mind, John's solutions are often
about offering a variety of approaches rather than saying that one
definitive approach is the only way to go. For example, several
taping techniques for blister prevention are shown, and 9 lacing
options for solving shoe issues are illustrated.
Back to top

WHO WOULD LIKE THIS BOOK?

This book could be very useful for anyone who spends a lot of time
on his or her feet. It's especially useful for people who prefer to
take care of minor foot issues on their own, people who have
consulted a physician and not been satisfied with the results and
people who want to prevent problems before they happen.

I've had the book since Christmas, but I've followed many of John's
suggestions even longer as I've read his advice on mailing lists.
During that time, I've consulted his advice on a variety of issues,
with successful results:

     * blister prevention. Although I do not usually get blisters, I
do when walking in deep, sandy areas like dunes. I have used taping
techniques from this book to prevent blistering when walking in
dunes. The book gives many other strategies for blister prevention
as well.
     * dealing with blackened toenails. I have drilled a hole in a
blackened toenail to relieve pressure and allow me to continue on in
an event as recommended. The book offers several points of view for
dealing with blackened toenails.
     * plantar fasciitis. I have used the book's recommendations for
exercises and icing to help relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis.
The book discusses several options for dealing with plantar
fasciitis.


Back to top
THIS IS COOL

     * Gives you strategies that could keep your hike going when a
injury threatens to make you get off the trail
     * Easy to read, easy to thumb through
     * Has allowed me to successfully deal with foot issues


THIS COULD BE IMPROVED

     * I really like this book -- I don't have any complaints about
it.


NOTE

There are some totally gross photos of macerated feet. They're in
black and white, so they're not overwhelming – but if these don't
convince you to take good care of your feet, I'm not sure what will!

SUMMARY

Fixing Your Feet is a valuable addition to any athlete's library and
can be especially useful to backpackers.

Back to top

I no longer have a delete option available for the following OR URL:

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/OWNER%20REVIEWS/OR%
20Fixing%20Your%20Feet%20Lynne%20Durham/

-or-
http://tinyurl.com/94euy

Can someone please delete for me?

Thank you in advance,

Lynne

---
Lynne Durham
Benton Harbor, Michigan USA

That's done Lynne,
Graham

--- In BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com, "Lynne" <lynnedurham@g...>
wrote:
> I no longer have a delete option available for the following OR URL:
>
> http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/OWNER%20REVIEWS/OR%
> 20Fixing%20Your%20Feet%20Lynne%20Durham/
>
> -or-
> http://tinyurl.com/94euy
>
> Can someone please delete for me?
>
> Thank you in advance,
>
> Lynne
>
> ---
> Lynne Durham
> Benton Harbor, Michigan USA

Thanks Rick.
All looks hunky-dory to me.
When you're ready, you can upload to:
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Footwear/Sandals/Chaco%20Z1%20Sandals
Usual caveats apply.

Many thanks for taking the time and submitting your Owner Review,
Graham



--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.18/90 - Release Date: 05/09/2005

Thanks Graham.  I uploaded the report, deleted the test version, and as
a bonus, cleaned up the OR test directory.

Rick

graham blamey wrote:

>Thanks Rick.
>All looks hunky-dory to me.
>When you're ready, you can upload to:
>http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Footwear/Sandals/Chaco%20Z1%20Sandals
>Usual caveats apply.
>
>Many thanks for taking the time and submitting your Owner Review,
>Graham
>
>
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

thanks, Steve.  since i've been using Composer i have fallen out of the
good habit of using my spell-checker.  and yes, i've seen the
discussion about this on the main list, i've just fallen prey to the "i
don't misspell words" ego trip.  lousy typos.  thanks again for the
edits.

-colleen

I'm back from my overnight.  Going to look over my edits from Roger for my
Vapor Trail OR now.
TJ Smith


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Here's my edited OR for the Vapor Trail.  HTML can be found at
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/OWNER%20REVIEWS/GGVT%20-
%20TJ%20Smith/ or http://tinyurl.com/cawaq.
TJ Smith

Owner Review
Granite Gear Vapor Trail Backpack

Personal Biographical Information
Name – Anthony (TJ) Smith
Age – 30
Gender – Male
Height – 5' 10" (1.78 m)
Weight – 155 lb (70 kg)
Email Address – tjsmith1946@...
City, State, Country – Pensacola, Florida USA
Date – August 30, 2005
Background – I have been camping for a little over 5 years now,
mostly car camping. I have recently begun backpacking, and I am
constantly adding new gear to my "collection" in an effort to get my
gear list tailored more towards backpacking. Most of my backpacking
trips are short duration, not more than one or two nights. I am
planning some longer trips in the near future.

Product Information
Manufacturer – Granite Gear
Year of Manufacture – 2004
Manufacturer URL – www.granitegear.com
Stated Weight – 1 lb 14 oz (907 g)
Stated Size – 3600 cu in (59 L)
Weight as Delivered – 2 lb 3 oz (1106 g)
Size – Regular
MSRP – US $150.00
Product Description – The Vapor Trail is a basic backpack without a
lot of frills. The pack does have a hydration sleeve inside the
pack, with a small outlet hole at the top of the pack. The pack is
basically a cylinder with compression straps, and an extension
sleeve at the top with a draw cord, that is cinched tight to close
the pack and then rolled down. There are 2 straps that cross the top
of the pack, with plastic buckles to connect the straps across the
top of the pack and contain the rolled up extension sleeve. There
are also compression straps on the front of the pack, used to cinch
the pack down around the load contained within. This is to stabilize
the load, as the pack does not have much suspension to secure the
load.
Attached to the back of the pack, there is a padded, curved hip
belt. The belt has a plastic buckle at the ends of the straps to
secure the belt around the waist, and there are adjustment points on
both sides of the buckle as well as on both sides of the belt where
it attaches to the pack. The pack also has padded shoulder straps,
which only have minimal adjustment to tighten or loosen the straps.
The shoulder straps also have "load lifting" straps at the top which
serves to stabilize the load carried. The back of the pack is also
padded, with rigid stabilizers running the length of the pack and
contained within the back padding. There is also a pocket on either
side of the pack, made of an elastic material, for items that need
to be easily accessed (water bottles, etc.) The Vapor Trail is only
available in one color combination, which is listed as Sage and
Black. The main body of the pack is black, and two flaps on the
front, which the compression straps attach to, are Sage (a green
color.)

Field Information
Locations Used
I have used my Vapor Trail in numerous locations throughout
Northwest Florida. I have accumulated an approximate total of 25 to
30 trail nights of use in the time I've had the pack. During my use,
temperatures have ranged from a high of 95 F ( C) to a low of 32 F
(0 C). I have experienced clear sunny days while carrying my Vapor
Trail, as well as various amounts of rain from light drizzles to
fairly heavy rainfall. The trail conditions I have experienced have
ranged from well cleared, well maintained trails to dense brush that
required careful maneuvering to avoid getting stuck in the brush.
I have also used my Vapor Trail on a few car camping trips, as a
convenient method of carrying my equipment. Currently, the majority
of my gear stays stored in my Vapor Trail, ready to head out at a
moment's notice.

Discussion
Right now, the Vapor Trail is my first choice when traveling the
trail for more than a day hike. I find the pack fits my torso very
well, I am able to stabilize loads better than any other pack I own,
and keep the load closer to my body. I attribute part of this to
the "load lifting" straps attached to the shoulder straps, which
help shift some of the load closer to my back and not have the load
hang so far away from my body. All this leads to a more comfortable
trip, which gives me a more enjoyable experience. When using the
Vapor Trail, I can carry more weight than in my older frame pack in
more comfort for longer distances, due to the padded hip belt
distributing the load well onto my hips. The only problem with fit
that I have found, and this is not exclusive to the Vapor Trail, is
that the hip belt prevents me from carrying items on my belt (such
as a multitool.) The belt does not ride properly, and causes the
item on my belt to "dig in" to my waist, causing a great deal of
discomfort in a relatively short period of time. So far, I have
remedied this by not wearing items on my belt, instead looping them
onto the straps of the pack.
The padding of the hip belt, shoulder straps, and back pad all help
to make the Vapor Trail quite comfortable to wear. I have found that
the padded back allows some flexibility in placement of items within
the pack, as they are not as likely to poke me in the back as with
other lightweight packs I had tried previous to the Vapor Trail. One
concern I had with the amount of padding and the conditions I travel
in (most of the time) is that the padding would absorb my sweat and
begin to smell. I have not yet had this occur, and have not had to
wash the pack.
I am able to carry spare clothing, rain gear, my sleeping bag and
foam pad, Hennessy Hammock, cooking gear, and food for 2 to 3 days
with ease. I do not even need to use the extension collar when
carrying this gear. Early in the use of this pack, I did have to
modify my packing methods to accommodate the nature of a lightweight
backpack. One method I have found to make packing a bit easier is to
use stuff sacks to organize items contained within the pack. I am
still modifying my methods as I change out specific gear items and
as I gain more use with the pack and find I'm needing different
items at different times than anticipated. I also consider the
hydration sleeve an asset, as hydration bladders are currently my
preferred method of carrying water.
The pack has held up well in the terrain I have traveled. I have
caught it on several snags and brush, and the fabric has not ripped
at any point yet. I have gotten a few scuffs and marks on the
fabric, but nothing that has penetrated through. Any dirt and debris
I have gotten on the pack has cleaned off by just brushing the pack
with my hand. The seams and stitching do not show any signs of
fraying or coming unstitched yet.
The Vapor Trail has done quite well with the precipitation I have
encountered on my trail experiences. I have yet to experience
significant leakage, even without using a dedicated pack cover. The
small amount of moisture I have had come through the pack was kept
off my gear inside by the use of the stuff sacks. When storing my
pack at camp, I have used a garbage bag as a pack cover to ensure
the contents did not get wet with the pack sitting still, and this
has worked so far.

Would I Buy This Again?
Overall, I am extremely pleased with my Vapor Trail and look forward
to many more miles on the trail with it. With the minor issues
noted, I feel the Vapor Trail is the best suited pack for my
backpacking needs, and I don't foresee this changing in the near
future.

Likes
1. Hydration Sleeve and outlet port
2. Padded hip belt and shoulder straps
3. Durability

Dislikes
1. Inability to carry items on my belt while carrying the pack
2. Learning curve to pack items within for carrying comfortably
3. Limited color choice

PLEASE READ THIS EMAIL IN FULL. IT IS MOST IMPORTANT!

Thanks for your Owner's Review.  It has been added to the Owner
Review Queue and will be picked up by an Edit Moderator soon.  Do not
worry if nothing happens with it for several days.  All our Editors
are volunteers and your report will be subject to an official edit
within fourteen days. If you have not had a response from an Edit
Moderator via the Yahoo Groups list within this timeframe, please let
me know directly at jdeben@....

To assist in this process, if this is your first Owner Review we ask
that you post only ONE Owner Review for edit at a time. Our
experience is that it is more efficient for both the Editors and
yourself, if you post your first review, have it edited, approved and
uploaded before you post your second and subsequent reviews.  This
way we can work with you on addressing any standard BGT policy edits
which you can incorporate into your second and subsequent reviews
before submission.

If you are new to BackpackGearTest.org, welcome to the community!
The Editors will work with you, within their own time constraints, to
get your first two Owner Reviews approved and upload in a timely
manner.  Once these first two Owner Reviews have been approved and
you have submitted your Tester Agreement you will be eligible to
start applying for Tests.

You may receive edits or comments from other members of the group.
These edits and comments, while not official, should be considered
carefully, and if you find them substantial, revise and re-post your
review. Incorporating member edits and re-submitting to the list will
usually result in a better review, as well as making things easier
for the official Editor. Please put REVISED in the subject line of
your re-submitted review, if you take this route or make any changes
to your review BEFORE the review has been taken by an Edit Moderator.

Additionally, it is important for you to monitor the Yahoo Groups
list to keep track of the progress of your Owner Review.  Once an
Editor has taken your OR and made the necessary edits they will post
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have incorporated these edits into your review please use REPOST in
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If you'd like to keep track of the progress of your OR, the entire
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If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask via
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Regards
Jamie DeBenedetto
Edit Administration Officer

PLEASE READ THIS EMAIL IN FULL. IT IS MOST IMPORTANT!

Thanks for your Owner's Review.  It has been added to the Owner
Review Queue and will be picked up by an Edit Moderator soon.  Do not
worry if nothing happens with it for several days.  All our Editors
are volunteers and your report will be subject to an official edit
within fourteen days. If you have not had a response from an Edit
Moderator via the Yahoo Groups list within this timeframe, please let
me know directly at jdeben@....

To assist in this process, if this is your first Owner Review we ask
that you post only ONE Owner Review for edit at a time. Our
experience is that it is more efficient for both the Editors and
yourself, if you post your first review, have it edited, approved and
uploaded before you post your second and subsequent reviews.  This
way we can work with you on addressing any standard BGT policy edits
which you can incorporate into your second and subsequent reviews
before submission.

If you are new to BackpackGearTest.org, welcome to the community!
The Editors will work with you, within their own time constraints, to
get your first two Owner Reviews approved and upload in a timely
manner.  Once these first two Owner Reviews have been approved and
you have submitted your Tester Agreement you will be eligible to
start applying for Tests.

You may receive edits or comments from other members of the group.
These edits and comments, while not official, should be considered
carefully, and if you find them substantial, revise and re-post your
review. Incorporating member edits and re-submitting to the list will
usually result in a better review, as well as making things easier
for the official Editor. Please put REVISED in the subject line of
your re-submitted review, if you take this route or make any changes
to your review BEFORE the review has been taken by an Edit Moderator.

Additionally, it is important for you to monitor the Yahoo Groups
list to keep track of the progress of your Owner Review.  Once an
Editor has taken your OR and made the necessary edits they will post
their comments to the list with EDIT in the subject line.  Once you
have incorporated these edits into your review please use REPOST in
the subject line. When your OR has been approved by the Editor they
will use APPROVED in the subject line.

If you'd like to keep track of the progress of your OR, the entire
Owner Review Queue is posted to the list on Fridays.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask via
the list or contact me directly.

Regards
Jamie DeBenedetto
Edit Administration Officer

APPROVAL: Katadyn Hiker Water Filter - Josh Cormier

Hi Josh

A couple of very small items for you to consider, but otherwise it is fine. You
are clear to upload to the folder
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Water%20Treatment/Filters/Katadyn%20Hike\
r%20Water%20Filter/Owner%20Review%20by%20Josh%20Cormier/

Well done: on to the second one now.
Roger Caffin
BGT OR Editor
-----------------------
> - Claimed Cartridge Capacity: Up to 200 gallons (757 L),
Edit: I am sure their 200 gal is a rough estimate, so you could make a rough
conversion here of 750 L. However, more
precise conversions are justified in other places.

> - Hose Length: 36” (0.91 m)
> - Measured Hose Length: one at 38" (0.97 m) and one at 33” (0.84 m)
EDIT: ?? Should that be 'Claimed Hose Length: 36” (0.91 m)' ?

APPROVAL: Granite Gear Vapor Trail Backpack - Anthony (TJ) Smith

Hi Anthony

Yes indeed, the structure is now good.

You have a LOT of commas which are quite redundant. We've been through the
'comma wars' and don't want to repeat them,
but maybe you could go through your text and try to take out as many commas as
possible. This is a style matter and the
details are up to you. The following is an example:
> The pack is basically a cylinder with compression straps, and an
> extension sleeve at the top with a draw cord, that is cinched
> tight to close the pack and then rolled down.
In this case the commas actually obscure the meaning, at least for me.

Otherwise I have no edits for you, and you are clear to upload to
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Packs/Internal%20and%20External%20Framed\
%20Backpacks/Granite%20Gear%20Vapor%20Trail/Owner%20Reviews/Owner%20Review%20by%\
20Anthony%20Smith/
(I can't put the '(TJ)' in your name as the brackets are not accepted by the
system.)

Cheers
Roger Caffin
BGT OR Editor

Thanks for your help Roger,
The review has been uploaded, I'll start on my next.


                                         Josh Cormier

Asolo Fusion 95 GTX Hiking Boots

Reviewer Information

Name: Ryan L. Christensen
Age:  41
Gender:  Male
Height:  6’2”
Weight:  225
Email address:  bigdawgryan@...
City, State, Country:  Idaho Falls, ID, U.S.A

Backpacking Background: I started hiking, camping, and
some backpacking when I was 12 and continued, on a
regular basis, until I was 25.  After that, with the
exception of tent camping with the family once or
twice a year, I did not do much until about three
years ago.  Then, after the long hiatus due to work,
young children, and a bad back, I resumed hiking,
camping, fishing, and biking.  Now, I have early
teen-age boys with whom I am sharing my love for
hiking, backpacking, camping, and fishing.  As a
result, they are quickly developing their own love for
the outdoors, as well as their own skills in these
sports.  During the past three years, we have hiked,
or camped nearly every month, year-round.  We try to
vary our experience with differing conditions: desert,
forest, meadow, and mountain; in the spring, summer,
fall, and winter; be it sunshine, rain, wind, or snow.
  Together we took up backpacking this summer, with two
separate trips.  We plan to do this regularly.  As we
gain experience, we will expand the scope of our
adventures

Product Information

Manufacture: Asolo
URL:  http://www.asolo.com
Contact: Asolo, (603)448-882
Year of Manufacture: 2005
Listed Weight: 2 lb. 14 oz for a pair
Height: 5”
Material of Construction: water-resistant suede and
Cordura uppers, Gore-Tex lining, polyurethane and
rubber soles, and rubber toecap.
MSRP: $155.00

Product Description:
I was looking for a lightweight, medium-height,
Gore-Tex boot for hiking and short (3 -5 days)
backpacking trips.  A friend suggested that I consider
Asolo boots.  Therefore, I went online and found the
Asolo FSN 95 GTX for a steal of a deal.  They arrived
in a typical cardboard shoebox complete with tissue
paper in each of the shoes.  Also included in the box
was a sheet listing all the items I had purchased, a
UPS return label, and Gore-Tex guarantee information.

Right out of the box, the shoes looked great.  They
looked well designed and well constructed.  I really
liked that there were only two sets of eyelets to lace
up each time.  The particular boots I ordered were
three colors: gray, dark gray, and rust. The actual
colors on the boots were identical to those shown on
the website.

The very first time I put these boots on they felt
great.  They fit true to size, at least in my case.
The foot bed was comfortable, and I really liked the
padded top portion of the boot.  Although my friend
told me Asolo boots only require minimal breaking in,
I did not believe him.  Therefore, I decided to wear
these boots to work in order to break them in.
Although I work in an office, I walk outdoors for
approximately 30 minutes each day during my lunch
hour.  The first day I wore them to work; I had them
on my feet for approximately fifteen hours straight;
including the 30-minute walk at lunch.  I wore
Smartwool crew hiking socks with them and had no
blisters or hot spots after wearing them that long.
The second time I put these boots on, they seemed to
fit as if I had worn them on many outings.

Field Information:

My first field outing with these boots was a 3-day
hiking trip on the prairie of Wyoming, Martin's Cove
to be exact.  The first day of the trip, I only hiked
seven miles on a sandy trail.  The boots felt quite
comfortable, the arch and ankle support were
excellent, and I did not get a blister or even a hot
spot.  With the tongue attached most of the way up the
shoe, I did not get any sand in my shoes.  The tread
pattern is such that small rocks are not caught in the
tread (I hate rocks in my tread).  The second day of
the trip, I hiked about twelve miles.  These miles
included sandy trails and some scree inclines.  The
soft rubber sole provided excellent traction and
support on the scree.  Again, I was blister and hot
spot free.  The last day of the trip was another seven
miles on the sandy trail with no problems.

The second field outing was the first test of my Asolo
FSN 95 GTX boots on a backpacking trip.  This was a
two-day trip up Sheep Creek Peak near Swan Valley,
Idaho in June of this year.  The trip plan included an
eight-mile hike in with nearly 5,000 ft increase in
elevation.  The hard-packed trail had occasional loose
rocks.  There were even a few downed trees and larger
rocks to overcome.  In addition, there were several
snowfields to cross.  I was carrying a forty-pound
pack, and the Asolo FSN 95 GTX boots provided great
footing and stability under the load.  The soles of
the boots were firm enough to support the load, but
soft enough to give good traction on the rocks and
tree limbs.  Although the lugs on the sole are not
overly deep, they were deep enough to provide good
traction in the mud and the snow.  And, true to the
waterproof claim, the boots keep my feet dry as I
crossed runoff and small creeks, and hiked through the
snow.  Unfortunately, the snow was too deep, and we
were only able to hike in about four miles, with an
increase of 3,500 feet in elevation.  The boots
provided good stability and traction hiking back down
the mountain.  One thing that I noticed is the
close-to-the-toe lacing of the boots held my foot in
place quite well.  In some other boots, my foot has
slid forward when descending mountains, and I end up
with bruised toes.  This was not the case this time
with my Asolo FSN 95 GTX hiking boots.  I was very
pleased with how they performed on this trip.
Although Asolo does not tout these boots as a “real”
backpacking boot, I believe they are quite suitable
for three to five day trips with a moderately heavy
pack.

My third field outing was a fishing trip that required
climbing down and over a large lava rubble field to
get to Warm River in Island Park, Idaho.  The Asolo
FSN 95 GTX boots provided great ankle support,
stability.  The sole was flexible enough and the
rubber soft enough to provide good traction as I
climbed over the rubble field.  The rubber toecap
protected my toes, as I bumped my toes several times
both climbing down and climbing back up the lava
rocks.  I was glad the boots had toecaps—these are a
first for me.

Summary:

The Asolo FSN 95 GTX boots are an excellent choice for
a lightweight, medium height, waterproof hiking and
backpacking boot.  Last week, I learned that
Backpacker magazine liked it too—selecting it as an
Editor’s Choice in 2001.  So far, they appear to be
quite well constructed and quite durable.  Time, and
several more miles, will determine just how durable
these boots really are.

Things I like:

1. Easily broken in
2. Durable
3. Good ankle and arch support
4. Toecap
5. Close-to-the-toe lacing, with only two sets of
eyelets to lace up each time.
6. Clean up is quite easy with soap and water, and a
light brushing
7. So far, there has been no pilling of the interior
lining

Things I do not like:
1. None at this time.





Ryan L. Christensen
E-mail: mailto:bigdawgryan@...

"Excellence is not an act, but a habit."  Aristotle




______________________________________________________
Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.
http://store.yahoo.com/redcross-donate3/

PLEASE READ THIS EMAIL IN FULL. IT IS MOST IMPORTANT!

Thanks for your Owner's Review.  It has been added to the Owner
Review Queue and will be picked up by an Edit Moderator soon.  Do not
worry if nothing happens with it for several days.  All our Editors
are volunteers and your report will be subject to an official edit
within fourteen days. If you have not had a response from an Edit
Moderator via the Yahoo Groups list within this timeframe, please let
me know directly at jdeben@....

To assist in this process, if this is your first Owner Review we ask
that you post only ONE Owner Review for edit at a time. Our
experience is that it is more efficient for both the Editors and
yourself, if you post your first review, have it edited, approved and
uploaded before you post your second and subsequent reviews.  This
way we can work with you on addressing any standard BGT policy edits
which you can incorporate into your second and subsequent reviews
before submission.

If you are new to BackpackGearTest.org, welcome to the community!
The Editors will work with you, within their own time constraints, to
get your first two Owner Reviews approved and upload in a timely
manner.  Once these first two Owner Reviews have been approved and
you have submitted your Tester Agreement you will be eligible to
start applying for Tests.

You may receive edits or comments from other members of the group.
These edits and comments, while not official, should be considered
carefully, and if you find them substantial, revise and re-post your
review. Incorporating member edits and re-submitting to the list will
usually result in a better review, as well as making things easier
for the official Editor. Please put REVISED in the subject line of
your re-submitted review, if you take this route or make any changes
to your review BEFORE the review has been taken by an Edit Moderator.

Additionally, it is important for you to monitor the Yahoo Groups
list to keep track of the progress of your Owner Review.  Once an
Editor has taken your OR and made the necessary edits they will post
their comments to the list with EDIT in the subject line.  Once you
have incorporated these edits into your review please use REPOST in
the subject line. When your OR has been approved by the Editor they
will use APPROVED in the subject line.

If you'd like to keep track of the progress of your OR, the entire
Owner Review Queue is posted to the list on Fridays.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask via
the list or contact me directly.

Regards
Jamie DeBenedetto
Edit Administration Officer

Here's my next try:


MSR WhisperLite Internationale™

Personal biographical information:
· Name:  Josh Cormier
· Age: 25
· Gender: Male
· Height: 5’ 11” (1.80 m)
· Weight: 175lb (79 kg)
· Email address:  swifteagle1 at hotmail dot com
· City: Los Gatos, California
· Date: 28-Aug-05

Backpacking background:
I joined the Boy Scouts when I was 11 and have been camping and backpacking
ever since. I like to do challenging trips ranging from week long to weekend
in mountainous areas. I would classify my gear as mid weight although now I
am trying to move more toward lightweight. I now go backpacking at least
once a year in the Sierra Nevada Mountains as well as monthly car camping
trips with the Scouts.

Product Description:

Specs:
· Minimum Weight: 11.5 oz (330 g)
· Packaged Weight: 15.5 oz (460 g)
· Measured Weight: 12 oz (340 g)
· Manufactures web site: http://www.msrcorp.com/
· Year of Manufacture: 1995
· MSRP: $ 79.95

My Description:
The stove comes in a nice heavy duty bag made out of thick rip-stop nylon.
The stove folds up to fit in the bag with its wind screen, heat reflector,
fuel pump and repair kit. There is enough extra room in the bag to keep a
waterproof container with matches in it. When everything is in the bag it
makes a nice compact bundle that fits easily into the side pocket on my
backpack.

Note: The stove I used was bought before the shaker jet model was produced.
Later it was upgraded by me to include the shaker jet. This review describes
both, and gives a good account why the shaker jet is a good addition.

Initial use:
I bought this stove right after I returned from summer camp, to be more
accurate my dad bought it for me while I was away. I was only 15 and was so
excited since I had wanted this stove for a while. My family and I stayed at
the beach for as week, right after I got the stove, so I figured I could
show it off to the family and get used to it by using it to heat water for
hot chocolate in the mornings. Connecting the hose to the fuel bottle is a
bit confusing even after using it for years, but knowing what the connected
product looks like helps. Putting pump in the fuel bottle, opening the stove
legs, and connecting the hose to the fuel bottle took all of 2-3 minuets.
The next step was pumping the fuel bottle with 20 pumps, no problem. When I
went to prime the stove is where I encountered my first problem. Turning the
fuel on, I filled the small bowl at the base of the stove. Here’s where
things went wrong. After lighting the fuel in the bowl the large, seemingly
uncontrolled flames are somewhat unexpected and almost made me panic.
Remaining calm I took a step back and waited, as the fuel in the line
started to heat up it squirted more fuel into the already full bowl. As a
result the bowl overfilled, spilled fuel on that table and caught the table
on fire! I quickly picked the stove up by the fuel bottle and placed it on
the ground. Once the fire was under control and the stove was preheated, I
placed it back on the table, turned the fuel back on, and the top burned
lit. Once the top burner was lit I placed the stove back on the table and
opened the fuel valve another crank. When the stove is at full blast it
sounds like a miniature jet engine, and boils water fast.

My instructions for priming the stove would be as follows:
· Turn the valve counter clockwise ¼ turn or until fuel starts to seep out
· Allow enough fuel out to barely cover the bottom of the bowl (don’t fill
the bowl)
· Turn the fuel off and light the fuel in the bowl
· When the flames are almost out turn the fuel valve back on slowly
· If liquid fuel starts to fill the bowl again turn the valve off and follow
the above step
· Once stove is lit turn the valve to get the desired heat, do not turn more
than 3 revolutions

Field testing:
Despite the eventful first test of the stove, I kept it and have continued
to us it over the past 10 years. It has been my constant companion on
backpacking, car camping, and beach trips.

One of the trips I took this stove on was a 50 mile backpacking trip around
Yosemite National Park. We had pleasant weather all week except for the last
day when we had rain and hail early in the morning. The first night of the
trip as we got our stoves out I noticed two other people had the same stove
as me. I walked over to them and was surprised to hear grumbles and
complaints about their “crummy” stoves. I asked them what the problem was
and they talked about the stove not lighting or bursting into flames and
catching the ground on fire. Right there I probably could have picked up to
stoves for almost nothing, but being a nice guy I showed them how to
properly light the stove. Once we got their stoves lit following the correct
process they burned great, running just like mine. Later in the trip I
noticed as I was priming my stove that the fuel was not shooting straight up
but rather to one side. Great, now I’d have to take my stove apart and clean
out the jet which was probably clogged with carbon. Taking the stove apart
was pretty easy, all I did was follow a few simple steps. First I unscrewed
the priming pan from the bottom of the stove. Next I removed the fuel line
from the bottom of the stove. Then I took the tool and being careful not to
bend the fuel line, unscrewed the jet. Now I took the tool with the tiny
piece of wire on it and poked it through the hole. I try to do this from
both sides to scratch as much carbon off as possible. Putting my stove back
together took a little time as I had slightly bent the fuel line and now
things did not want to line up as they should. Once the stove was back
together I primed it and lit it with no problems in time to make my
breakfast. I had to do this stove cleaning 2 times during the trip, which
was a pain and made me look toward getting the shaker jet model.

Right after this trip I went into my local REI store to gaze in jealousy at
the shaker jet model stoves. To my surprise they were selling just the fuel
lines from my model and shaker jet model stoves. This I could afford, so I
bought the shaker jet fuel line for my poor stove. Getting home I fitted the
new shaker jet fuel line in place of my old one, it fit fine. Next I took my
stove outside to test, so I could see how it performed. It fired up like
normal and ran like it was brand spanking new. I used to always have to tune
my stove before every trip by cleaning the jet and running some gas through
it. Ever since I put the shaker jet in I have never had a problem, or have
had to tune it before a trip.

On another backpacking trip after I had installed the shaker jet fuel line I
went with a group into Emigrant Wilderness in the Sierra Nevada Mountains to
a place called Granite Lake. Although it was late early august we
encountered about a foot of snow from late one day and overnight. I left my
stove out overnight as a usually do since moisture and cold don’t seem to
bother it. Getting up in the morning after a miserable night I found my
stove cold and covered with snow. Shaking the stove of and clearing a place
for it on a rock I primed it like usual and fired it up. I worked like
normal and made me a cup of hot chocolate before I could say
brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, ok so it only heated the water but I was glad it worked so
well.

I would not normally put other peoples experience in my review but I believe
this is an important lesson. Someone I know was tuning their stove in
preparations for a backpacking trip. After priming the stove he lit it and
the stove barely burned. Turning the valve counter clockwise to allow more
fuel to flow in didn’t help the stove burn any better. Giving it a few more
turns the valve popped out and sprayed gas all over the place. Of course
this all caught fire and created a huge fire ball burning his hands.
Fortunately he has almost no scars today to show for this. The lesson is to
make sure the stove is properly connected and DON’T fully unscrew the valve.
I’m not really sure if the stove was not properly assembled or the valve
just got unscrewed to far. No fault is being placed, I just want others to
be aware of potentially dangerous issue. Knowing this I still love and use
my stove and have had no such issues, I just follow basic safety rules for
my stove operation. These rules include: Always make sure flammable things
are cleared from the stove area, think about how you would put out a fire if
one started, THINK before you act, if your not sure ASK or don’t do it, and
NEVER leave your stove unattended.

Pros:
· Cools of quickly
· White gas can be used as a cleaner or fire starter
· Heats water fast

Cons:
· Instructions are not so easy to understand leading to incorrect initial
lighting of stove
· Stove pump rings can leak after lengthy non use providing possible
hazardous situation




                                     yee, haa
                                        let'er buck

                                          =0)

                                         Josh Cormier





>From: "chcoa" <jdeben@...>
>Reply-To: BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com
>To: BackpackGearTest@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [BackpackGearTest] ATTN: Josh Cormier - Owner Review - (Katadyn
>Hiker Water Filter) -
>Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2005 23:44:42 -0000
>
>PLEASE READ THIS EMAIL IN FULL. IT IS MOST IMPORTANT!
>
>Thanks for your Owner's Review.  It has been added to the Owner
>Review Queue and will be picked up by an Edit Moderator soon.  Do not
>worry if nothing happens with it for several days.  All our Editors
>are volunteers and your report will be subject to an official edit
>within fourteen days. If you have not had a response from an Edit
>Moderator via the Yahoo Groups list within this timeframe, please let
>me know directly at jdeben@....
>
>To assist in this process, if this is your first Owner Review we ask
>that you post only ONE Owner Review for edit at a time. Our
>experience is that it is more efficient for both the Editors and
>yourself, if you post your first review, have it edited, approved and
>uploaded before you post your second and subsequent reviews.  This
>way we can work with you on addressing any standard BGT policy edits
>which you can incorporate into your second and subsequent reviews
>before submission.
>
>If you are new to BackpackGearTest.org, welcome to the community!
>The Editors will work with you, within their own time constraints, to
>get your first two Owner Reviews approved and upload in a timely
>manner.  Once these first two Owner Reviews have been approved and
>you have submitted your Tester Agreement you will be eligible to
>start applying for Tests.
>
>You may receive edits or comments from other members of the group.
>These edits and comments, while not official, should be considered
>carefully, and if you find them substantial, revise and re-post your
>review. Incorporating member edits and re-submitting to the list will
>usually result in a better review, as well as making things easier
>for the official Editor. Please put REVISED in the subject line of
>your re-submitted review, if you take this route or make any changes
>to your review BEFORE the review has been taken by an Edit Moderator.
>
>Additionally, it is important for you to monitor the Yahoo Groups
>list to keep track of the progress of your Owner Review.  Once an
>Editor has taken your OR and made the necessary edits they will post
>their comments to the list with EDIT in the subject line.  Once you
>have incorporated these edits into your review please use REPOST in
>the subject line. When your OR has been approved by the Editor they
>will use APPROVED in the subject line.
>
>If you'd like to keep track of the progress of your OR, the entire
>Owner Review Queue is posted to the list on Fridays.
>
>If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask via
>the list or contact me directly.
>
>Regards
>Jamie DeBenedetto
>Edit Administration Officer
>
>
>

Hello Erin,

Here's your edits for your owner review. It's quite a good start to
your second OR, although if you are able to add some information on
your experience with the water resistance of the lamp (e.g. have you
worn it through torrential downpours without problems?) that would be
helpful.

I also need to see a section on "Field Conditions," detailing the
range of temperature, weather, elevations and locations (and anything
else pertinent) in which you have used the lamp (you touch on this
under usage, but insufficiently). This is a standard OR and report
feature.

It doesn't have to be all inclusive, just enought to give the reader a
sense of the extremes of conditions in which the lamp has been used,
and the type of terrain. This last is very important. If I were
reading this review as a purchaser, I'd want to know if you had found
the light adequate for off-trail use, for navigating twisty trails,
and for camp use.

Best,

Ted.


> Weight: 125lbs (57kg)

### EDIT: space between integer and unit please, 125 lbs (57 kg)

> Email address: hike2summit@y...
> City, State, Country: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
> Date: 10 September 2005

### EDIT: Since the review date is not a biographical detail, it's
better listed below the review title.


>
> Review: Black Diamond Moonlight Headlamp (2003) MSRP: $29.95US

### EDIT Drop "Review:"

>
> Weight without batteries: 83 g (2.9 oz)
>
> Weight with batteries: 118 g (4.1 oz)
>
> IPX rating: 4

### EDIT I'd leave this out of the list of parameters here, and
discuss its implications in terms of waterproofness in the main text.

>
> Battery power: 3 AAA (included)
>
> Bulb type: 4 SuperBright LEDs
>
> Burn time: 70 hrs
>
> Distance: 18 m (6 ft)
>
> *as per manufacturer's stats

### EDIT: use of the asterisk would usually indicated that the starred
items are manufacturer's stats, the rest not. None are so marked, but
I'm sure that some come from that source. Would you please go through
and star those which do (or otherwise indicate, and which don't. If
they all come from the mfr, you need to add to this list the weight of
the lamp with and without batteries as measured by you. Personal
confirmation of measurements is a flat-out "must" in ORs and reports.
Thanks, Erin!

>
>
>
> Excerpt from the site http://www.bdel.com/

### EDIT I'd prefer this in the form:

Website: http://www.bdel.com/  (appended to stats)

Then new paragraph. "The following is excerpted from the website..."
We like to have the website info as part of the initial profile of
information about the item.


> Usage:
>
> I purchased this headlamp in an effort to update myself in the
backpacking
> community.

### EDIT Sorry, I know what you are saying, but it reads really oddly.
Why not just "I purchased this headlamp to upgrade my backpacking
gear" or words to the effect.

  I was a dedicated MagLite user before, but wished to experience
> the hands-free feeling that only a headlamp provides. The Moonlight has
> accompanied me on all of my overnight adventures since its purchase.
It has
> been a faithful companion to the top of 25 mountain peaks and
adventures in
> California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Canada. I've
> used it in snow conditions, in caves, and while climbing. I've even
used it in
> the backyard in search of my black-as-night dog. I use the Moonlight
so much
> that it stays in my common closet at home for quick access.

### COMMENT: I hear ya! I keep a headlamp in my car, three in my
bedroom to hand out to my wife and kids during our frequent power
outages... You get the picture.

>
> Lighting:
>
> The Moonlight provides a wide beam of bright light from its 4 LED
bulbs.
> While it easily illuminates nearby objects such as those tasks done
around
> camp, hiking with it can be a different experience. The beams do not
pierce
> the darkness as a halogen bulb would do, so I do not hike very fast
if using it
> as my sole source of light. In snow conditions however, where light is
> reflected back on the snow, hiking can be a much brighter
experience. I've
> found that the beams provide enough light for climbing in the caves
of Utah
> and on other rock walls.

### EDIT: Could you comment on any color cast to the beam (usually
blue)? Does it create problems under certain conditions e.g.
mapreading? If this is not an issue with this headlamp (and it may not
be), ignore.


>
> Comfort:
>
> The battery pack attached to the back of the straps provides a nice
> counterbalance to the actual light piece

### EDIT "actual light piece" would read better as simply "lamp"

  in front. The straps are made of a soft,
> stretchy, and comfortable material. They do not pinch my head or
grab on my
> hair. I have a super sensitive head, so I can feel all of the
Moonlight's 4.1 oz.
> but it does not give me a headache.

### EDIT Is the lamp stable? Does it tend to move on your head if you
take a jaring step? How is it on a helmet (if you are climbing and
caving)? Or a hat?

>
> Adjustability:
>
> One feature I really like is the pivoting angle of the light piece.

  While it moves
> together as one unit, the unit can be pivoted an entire 180 degrees.

### EDIT This is a nice feature, missing in many lamps, which rotate
only 90 degrees, and you are right to draw attention to it. However,
the way you have written this isn't that easily comprehended.
Something like "One feature that I really like is the ability to pivot
the lamp vertically through 180 degrees" would be better.


>
> Battery:
>
> The battery pack holds tight,

### EDIT meaning "it doesn't accidentally open" or "it molds well to
my head?" I'm not clear which you are saying.


  but also allows for a quick and easy switch of
> batteries. In my experience, actual battery power seems to last
forever, though
> I have never tested it quantitatively. The unit holds 3 AAA batteries.
>
> Summary:
>
> The Black Diamond Moonlight headlamp is rightfully named: while it
has a
> surprisingly bright output, the output only goes so far. It is a
proven basic
> headlamp that has accompanied me every time I go outdoors, and
sometimes
> more.

### EDIT "and sometimes inside." What the "more" is is not clear to me.

  Its durable construction means it can be crammed into pockets or flung
> around without sustaining so much as a minimal scratch. It is small,
light and
> compact. The straps have balled a little with so much use, but they
have
> retained their soft, stretchy and comfortable feel. I think I should
like to test
> battery life in a range of temperatures some day, but for now the
Moonlight
> serves my purposes.

### EDIT: While I encourage you to test the battery life (and perhaps
consider using lithiums at cold temperatures) I don't think it's
necessary to mention a future test. Could you come up with a different
final sentence, please? Given that you have expressed some mild
concern about the "reach" of the light perhaps you could incorporate a
comment such as "Despite a few reservations about the range of the
beam, the Moonlight serves my purposes."

>
> Likes:
>
> *Bright light
>
> *Adjustability options
>
> *Tough and durable
>
>
>
> Dislikes:
>
> *Weight of something on my head

### EDIT "The weight of the lamp on my head" maybe?

> Why didn't George W.  think of this? e
>
> Gas rationing in the 80's  worked even though we grumbled about it
>
> It might even be good for us!
>
> The Saudis are boycotting American goods.
>
> We should return the favor.
>
> An interesting thought it to boycott their GAS.
>
> Every time you fill up the car, you can avoid putting more money into
> the coffers of Saudi Arabia.   Just buy from gas companies that don't
> import their oil from the Saudis.
>
> Nothing is more frustrating than the feeling that every time I
> fill-up the tank, I am sending my money to people who are trying to
> kill me, my family, and my friends.
>
>
>
> I thought it might be interesting for you to know which oil companies
> are the best to buy gas from and which major companies import Middle
> Eastern oil:
>
>
> Shell............................ 205,742,000 barrels
> Chevron/Texaco......... 144,332,000 barrels
> Exxon/Mobil............... 130,082,000 barrels
> Marathon/Speedway... 117,740,000 barrels
> Amoco............................62,231,000 barrels
>
> If you do the math at $30/barrel, these imports amount to over $18
> BILLION!
>
>
> Here are some large companies that do not import Middle Eastern oil:
>
>
> Citgo......................0 barrels
> Sunoco..................0 barrels
> Conoco...................0 barrels
> Sinclair..................0 barrels
> BP/Phillips..............0 barrels
> Hess.......................0 barrels
> ARC0.......................0 barrels
>
> All of this information is ! available from the Department of Energy
> and each is required to state where they get their oil and how much
> they are importing.
>
> But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of gas
> buyers.
>
> It's really simple to do.
>
> Now, don't wimp out at this point ... keep reading and I'll explain
> how simple it is to reach millions of people!!
>
>
> I'm sending this note to about thirty people.
>
> If each of you send it to at least ten more (30 x 10 = 300) ... and
> those 300 send it to at least ten more (300 x 10 = 3,000) ... and so
> on, by the time the message reaches the sixth generation of people,
> we will have reached over THREE MILLION consumers!
>
>
>
> If those three million get excited and pass this on to ten ! friends
> each, then 30 million people will have been contacted!
>
>
>
> If it goes one level further, you guessed it.   THREE HUNDRED MILLION
>
> PEOPLE!!!
>
>
>
> Again, all you have to do is send this to 10 people.
>
> How long would all that take?
>
>
>


Eric Palmer
1700 West Plum St. #57-G
Fort Collins, CO 80521
970-492-9670 (home)
970-219-8833 (cell)

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

Not true:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/gasoline/saudigas.asp

mike


On Sep 7, 2005, at 6:25 PM, Eric Palmer wrote:

>> Why didn't George W.  think of this? e
>>
>> Gas rationing in the 80's  worked even though we grumbled about it
>>
>> It might even be good for us!
>>
>> The Saudis are boycotting American goods.
>>
>> We should return the favor.
>>
>> An interesting thought it to boycott their GAS.
>>
>> Every time you fill up the car, you can avoid putting more money into
>> the coffers of Saudi Arabia.   Just buy from gas companies that don't
>> import their oil from the Saudis.
>>
>> Nothing is more frustrating than the feeling that every time I
>> fill-up the tank, I am sending my money to people who are trying to
>> kill me, my family, and my friends.
>>
>>
>>
>> I thought it might be interesting for you to know which oil companies
>> are the best to buy gas from and which major companies import Middle
>> Eastern oil:
>>
>>
>> Shell............................ 205,742,000 barrels
>> Chevron/Texaco......... 144,332,000 barrels
>> Exxon/Mobil............... 130,082,000 barrels
>> Marathon/Speedway... 117,740,000 barrels
>> Amoco............................62,231,000 barrels
>>
>> If you do the math at $30/barrel, these imports amount to over $18
>> BILLION!
>>
>>
>> Here are some large companies that do not import Middle Eastern oil:
>>
>>
>> Citgo......................0 barrels
>> Sunoco..................0 barrels
>> Conoco...................0 barrels
>> Sinclair..................0 barrels
>> BP/Phillips..............0 barrels
>> Hess.......................0 barrels
>> ARC0.......................0 barrels
>>
>> All of this information is ! available from the Department of Energy
>> and each is required to state where they get their oil and how much
>> they are importing.
>>
>> But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of gas
>> buyers.
>>
>> It's really simple to do.
>>
>> Now, don't wimp out at this point ... keep reading and I'll explain
>> how simple it is to reach millions of people!!
>>
>>
>> I'm sending this note to about thirty people.
>>
>> If each of you send it to at least ten more (30 x 10 = 300) ... and
>> those 300 send it to at least ten more (300 x 10 = 3,000) ... and so
>> on, by the time the message reaches the sixth generation of people,
>> we will have reached over THREE MILLION consumers!
>>
>>
>>
>> If those three million get excited and pass this on to ten ! friends
>> each, then 30 million people will have been contacted!
>>
>>
>>
>> If it goes one level further, you guessed it.   THREE HUNDRED MILLION
>>
>> PEOPLE!!!
>>
>>
>>
>> Again, all you have to do is send this to 10 people.
>>
>> How long would all that take?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> Eric Palmer
> 1700 West Plum St. #57-G
> Fort Collins, CO 80521
> 970-492-9670 (home)
> 970-219-8833 (cell)
>
> __________________________________________________
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