The Trip is Canceled…

Sunday, January 20th, 2013

The Bare Truth

The Bare Truth

Sadly, due to quite a few reasons, I have to cancel my trip across the country.  You see, this journey was never supposed to be about me or just for me; I aimed to share this journey with everyone from the start.  It wasn’t just some vacation or a badge I could wear on my chest and say, “Look what I did!”… it was supposed to be much more than that.

This trip was supposed to serve as an inspiration for all to get outside more often, be more active and live a longer, healthier, more fulfilling life.  I feel that a disconnect from nature is one of the biggest reasons why childhood obesity keeps climbing, which is why I really wanted to spark interest in kids and their parents.

But had this journey been nothing more than a vacation or something I could brag about, then I could easily go and not worry about recording, editing and posting videos or writing a book.  I could have camped the whole time and shared the experience with only those I spoke to in person.  That would have saved me a lot of money, since I wouldn’t have to pay for hotels and a lot of extra equipment, but that wasn’t the case.

It wasn’t a selfish trip; it was a selfless trip.  And when I noticed that donations weren’t coming in as quickly as I had hoped they would, partially because Indiegogo put code on my crowdfunding campaign that kept it from showing up in search engines until I complained about it for weeks, I started to modify my plans so that I would only be staying in a hotel once a week.  That meant that I’d be roughing it most nights of the week, I’d need a lot more battery power, I’d only get to shower once a week and I’d have to carry a lot more food with me.  I was willing to change the plans I spent 6 months organizing, so that I could post daily videos, and put myself at a little more risk because I believed in this journey that much.

But after checking my newly revamped budget I started to realize something… I wanted to inspire others more than they wanted to be inspired.  I have been talking about this journey for over a year and if even now there is so little buzz about my journey then it appears that it’s not really what you guys want… at least at this moment.  Sure, I can’t even afford the food and hotel stays of the revamped budget, but I worked my butt off financially and physically to make this happen.  I worked to earn more money in the last few months than I earned in all the rest of the year put together.  The last workout I did was a 22.5 mile run in the snow, with a 40lb weighted vest on and a backpack, with a 70 ounce water reservoir in it, strapped to my back.  And as I sit here typing this, 4 out of my 10 toenails are purple…

I really wanted to make this happen for you guys.  Not everyone would be able to complete such a journey and I wanted to show you all what it would be like, but there doesn’t appear to be much of a demand for something like this… at least at this point.  I can’t force you to be interested in something, so I won’t plan another big trip like this until there is a substantial demand for it.

But if you’d like to see and take part in what I will be doing with the rest of this year, then feel free to watch the video below…

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Backpacker’s Cache and UDAP Pepper Power

Monday, January 14th, 2013

Be Prepared.

Be Prepared.

Bears can be a really be an issue when you spend a lot of time outside, in THEIR territory, so you need to get yourself these two tools to ensure you stay safe on the trail.  I’m going to be walking from Delaware to California soon, and I’ll be covering a lot of ground out in the woods, so there is a chance I may cross paths with a bear.  And you can read up on all the tactics on what to do whenever you are spotted by a bear, but there is a way to keep them from coming at you.

You see, pepper spray is a great way to get a bear to stop running at you and think twice about coming after you again.  Yes, you will need to spray it at the right time and you need to be sure to spray their face, otherwise they might just keep coming, but not all bear deterrent sprays are created equal.  Some don’t shoot that far, some only give you a tiny stream of pepper spray, some aren’t that spicy and some run out after a few small bursts.  So what happens whenever the bear’s out of range, or you miss and end up using the whole can?  Well, you might be screwed at that point and have to play dead, or scare off the bear another way.

Or you could avoid a situation like that and get some pepper spray with a range of 35 feet, which shoots out a dense fog of the hottest bear spray formula around and is in a bottle so big that you’d have to hold the trigger down for 7 straight seconds to empty it.  And that’s exactly why I got some UDAP Pepper Power in the Super Magnum size (13.4 ounces).  This pepper spray will outperform any other bear deterrent out there, and for good reason… the president of the company was mauled by a grizzly bear!  Sure, they had some pepper spray, and put it to good use, during the attack but it wasn’t bear pepper spray and it was only a 4 ounce container.  So,  he set out to make a bear pepper spray that outperformed every other spray out there, in every way he could think of, so that others could avoid what he went through.

And you can see me test out the spray in the video below, but sometimes you’re not even awake when a bear crosses your path; sometimes you’re asleep in your tent.  Did you cook too close to your tent?  Do you have food in your tent?  Did you hang your food from a tree the right way?  I mean, when a bear’s hungry they are going to sniff out some good food and you don’t want to get in the way of them.  But the problem is that hanging your food from a tree can be a hassle, and some parks don’t allow you to use that tactic, so what other choice do you have?

A bear canister!  And a bear canister is a sturdy container that a bear can’t pick up and take away, and can’t figure out how to get inside of it.  So, they end  up playing around with it for a bit, get bored and leave.  And I got myself a Backpacker’s Cache because bears haven’t figured out to get into these canisters and it’s a pretty big container.  And all you have to do is make sure not to eat in or around your tent, put all your “sniffables” inside the container and then set it on the ground, a good distance away from where you sleep.  It’s a lot quicker and more efficient.

But if you’d like to see how the canister works and how powerful the pepper spray is then check out this video…

WHERE YOU CAN GET ONE?

If you want to get the same exact can of bear spray that I have then CLICK HERE to get one, with a hip holster included.  And there are different sizes made by the same company, if this one is out of your price range.

But if you want the bear canister then CLICK HERE for that.  You can get a case for it on that site as well, and you might even be able to find some liner bags too.

HELPFUL TIPS

It’s probably a good idea that you test out your bear spray when you get it, just to be sure it works and that you know how to use it, but only do a short, fraction of a second burst so that you don’t waste it.  In the heat of the moment you want to be able to quickly spray a burst of pepper spray, and not end up spraying yourself or failing to pull the trigger in time, so practice a little bit.

And the liner bags will really help lock in your food smells, so it’s a good idea to get a few of them.  But the canister probably should also be filled with ANYTHING you’re carrying that has an appealing scent.  I mean, if you use lotion that makes you smell like a fruit basket then a bear might want to check out that lotion bottle, so put that in the canister as well.  If they’re not use to smelling it then they’re going to want to check it out, so don’t keep it on you in the tent.

WANT MORE?

If that wasn’t enough then check out the official Backpacker’s Cache site, here: http://www.backpackerscache.com/

And check out the official UDAP site, here: http://www.udap.com/

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Lifesaver Bottle 6000 (Ultra Filtration Water Bottle)

Friday, January 4th, 2013

Bottoms Up!

Bottoms Up!

If you plan on being in an area without clean water for an extended amount of time, or like to plan for the unexpected, then you need to get yourself one of these water bottles!  I got the Lifesaver Bottle 6000 to help keep me hydrated at all times when I walk from Delaware to California next year, and I wanted to show it to you all because it’s an amazing piece of hiking gear.

I know I’m going to be going through areas that have no running water, like the deserts in Utah and Nevada, and I may not be able to carry enough water to get me through those areas.  And after a lot of research I realized that the best option for me was going to be a Lifesaver Bottle.

Now, they’re not cheap, which is why I was hesitant at first, but mine will filter 6,000 liters of water before I’ll need to put a replacement filter in it, so it’s going to last a LONG time!  And they’re so easy to use, they pump quickly and it will filter out bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, chemicals, parasites, fungi, cysts, pesticides and even medical residues.  So, you could pretty much take someone’s sewage water, filter it through this bottle and then drink it, if you had to!

And THAT is why I don’t mind paying a little extra for it.  It’s going to last a long time, it filters almost everything out and it even will stop working once you’ve gone through 6,000 liters, so that you don’t drink contaminated water.

But if you need a little more convincing then check out this video to see how well it filters out what you see in that pitcher…

WHERE CAN YOU GET ONE?

If you want to get the same exact bottle I have (the 6000 model) then CLICK HERE and pick one up today!  But if you want to go with the cheaper model, which filters 4,000 liters, then you can CLICK HERE to grab yourself one of those.  They’re great for hiking and also for preparing for things like natural disasters.  And if you want to stock up on replacement parts they have extra sponges, carbon filters, main filters, padded bags and everything else you can think of, available on those pages as well.

HELPFUL TIPS

As I mention in the video, make sure your cap up top is really screwed on there well before you prime it and go to use it, otherwise it might leak and you’ll risk contaminating water out in the field.  Otherwise, as long as you leave a little water in the bottle when you store it and keep up on replacing the carbon filters and main filters then you’ll be good to go.  It’s pretty easy to use and it should last you quite a long time, but if you want to ensure that it lasts as long as possible then look into getting a padded bag for it.

WANT MORE?

If that wasn’t enough for you then check out the official site, here:  http://www.lifesaversystems.com/

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Quechua 2 Seconds + II Instant Tent and Selk’bag 4G Classic Sleeping Bag Suit

Sunday, December 9th, 2012

Putting Them to the Test!

Putting Them to the Test!

If you’re all about comfort and hassle-free camping then you need to check out this instant tent and sleeping bag suit!  I’m going to be leaving on my 7 month long journey, from Delaware to California, soon so I wanted to start testing out my gear and show you all what I’ll be taking with me.

And when I was planning this trip, I didn’t want the hassle of setting up a tent every single night and then having the same hassle of taking it down in the morning.  I mean, some days I’ll be traveling 40 to 60 miles on foot, and I don’t think I’ll be in the mood to waste any time getting some sleep.  So, I started looking into instant (pop up) tents and came across a company called Quechua.  They really seem to make the best instant tents out there, but the problem is that they’re not really sold in the United States.

But if you have a little time on your hands, and want to check on eBay, you can have one sent to you from overseas.  Now, I got the Quechua 2 Seconds + II Tent, to give me a little extra room inside, but not be too big that I couldn’t strap it to my backpack.  And I will admit that it’s a lot bigger than most hikers will want their tent to be, when it’s inside its carrying case, but it’s not too large that you can’t strap it to a good external frame backpack.  And you can have it up, staked into the ground and be inside it in less than 3 minutes, which is exactly why I got it!  And it breaks down just about as quickly.

I also got to thinking about how I hate waking up on a cold morning and having to crawl out of my toasty warm sleeping bag.  So, I started searching for some alternatives and came across a company called Musuc, who made an actual sleeping bag suit.  It has arms, legs, a hood and plenty of insulation.  So, you don’t have to worry about leaving that warmth until your body is warmed up enough to hop out of your sleeping bag!  And I love how the hood can double as a pillow, there is ventilation for warmer nights, you can pull your hands into the bag so that you’re completely covered and you can walk around while wearing your sleeping bag.

But, why don’t I cool it with all these words and give you some visuals!  Check out the gear in the video below…

WHERE CAN YOU GET ONE?

As I said, it’s kind of hard to find this tent for sale in the United States, but I got mine on eBay.  And even though the guy who I bought it from doesn’t appear to sell them anymore, you can >> CLICK HERE << to see who else is selling them.  And if you want a different model you can search around on eBay and I’m sure you’ll find it!  It might take a little longer to be shipped to you, and cost a little extra for the shipping, but they are awesome tents so it’s worth it.

But the Selk’bag should be a lot easier for you to locate; I got mine from Amazon.com and you can >> CLICK HERE << to see what they have for sale at the moment.  They have all different sizes and colors for you to choose from, so you can get one for the whole family!

HELPFUL TIPS

If you have any trouble breaking your tent back down, just study the pictures that are on the inside of the carrying case.  It might seem confusing, and you might think you’re going to break it, but once you get it pushed down far enough it starts to twist by itself, and suddenly the instructions start to make sense.

And you’ll want to make sure you get a sleeping bag that fits your body, so that your movement isn’t restricted.  So, if you’re around 4’11″ to 5’5″ then go with the medium, if you’re 5’4″ to 5’11″ then you can get the large, and if you’re 5’11″ to 6’4″ you’re going to have to go with the extra large.  And hey, there are even kids sizes.  And it might be a little difficult to walk on a hill in this suit, since there’s padding below your feet, but use the velcro strap around your ankles and, after you tighted the strap, you should be able to walk a little better.

WANT MORE?

If that wasn’t enough for you then check out the official site for Quechua, here: http://tente.quechua.com/en/

And the official site for Selk’Bags, here: http://www.selkbagusa.com/

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Highest Point in Delaware and Cape Henlopen Beach

Saturday, November 10th, 2012

Cape Henlopen Beach

Cape Henlopen Beach

If you love state high points and beaches then you’re going to want to check this out!  Now, Delaware may not be home to the highest of all high points, but you can’t skip over the easy ones; it’s just as special as the rest of them.

And I didn’t just head to the beach to head to the beach… this beach is quite relevant to my future.  You see, as most of you know, I’m going to walk/run across the country next year and this beach is actually the starting point of my journey.  And I have to say, the beach at Cape Henlopen is gorgeous!  It goes on for miles and miles and it was nearly empty when I went, but the wind, crashing waves, hungry birds and jets flying overhead kept me company.

And now I’m sure you’re ready to watch the video below to see it all for yourself…

HOW DO YOU GET HERE?

If you want to check out Delaware’s high point, in Wilmington, Delaware, then CLICK HERE for directions.  The high point marker and sign are right beside the sidewalk, but you can turn into Ramblewood Drive and find a place to park alongside the road there, like I did.

And if you want to check out Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes, Delaware then CLICK HERE for directions.  This will take you to where you want to park if you want to see the start of the American Discovery Trail, and there’s a trail that goes right to the beach from there.  But be aware that you will have to pay a fee to get into the state park.

HELPFUL TIPS

There are actually three different high point markers in the same general area, but the one you’re looking for is directly beside the sidewalk.  In fact, the sidewalk has a notch cut out of it so they could avoid pouring concrete over the marker; it’s hard to miss, even if there are some leaves over it.

If you don’t really care about seeing the start of the American Discovery Trail and the signs they have there, then you can park in the huge parking lot right before the road I direct you to above.  The bigger parking lot is right outside of a bathhouse and a boardwalk, so you can get to the beach just as easily from there.

WANT MORE?

If that wasn’t enough for you then check out the official site for Cape Henlopen State Park: http://www.destateparks.com/park/cape-henlopen/

And here are more pictures:

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