Tag Archives: camping

Review: GMT Solar Lantern [Verdict: Works]

Posted on August 12, 2009 by Steven Leckart

The SL900 is a relatively-lightweight, dead-simple-to-use lantern that sports two solar panels, LEDs and a 6V 4AH sealed lead acid battery. You simply leave it in direct sunlight while hiking, hanging or whatever, and it will charge up enough to … Continue reading →

New SPOT GPS Tracker: Lighter, Smaller, Silver!

Posted on July 22, 2009 by Steven Leckart

SPOT, maker of the life-saving GPS device, is upgrading its hardware. The next iteration is advertised as 30% smaller and lighter than the og SPOT. It will also be available in silver. Which is nice, cause pretty much everything clashes … Continue reading →

Review: Three sleeping bags for cold-ish nights

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Lisa Katayama

Big Agnes Peggy SL The lightest and best-looking of the three, this women-specific bag with 800 goose down kept me toasty all night, and collar seals kept wind from seeping in through the neck. Instead of more puff, which is … Continue reading →

Review: Therm-A-Rest Sleeping System

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Steven Leckart

Kevin Kelly pointed me to the idea of ditching a sleeping bag for a tech blanket. He learned the tip from Ray Jardine, who extols the virtues of lightweight backpacking and camping in a series of books, including the recent … Continue reading →

10 non-gadgety things you’ll probably need for car camping

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Lisa Katayama

Besides a tent and sleeping bags, here are a few essentials you don’t want to forget if you’re going car camping. 1. A day pack: You don’t need a major weekend pack since you have your car to lock stuff … Continue reading →

Review: The North Face Minibus 2-person tent [ultra-roomy]

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Lisa Katayama

Sleeping in a tent doesn’t have to feel claustrophobic at all. The North Face has a new 2-person tent called the Minibus 23, which is as comfy as a… minibus. With 35 square feet of floor area, it’s the size … Continue reading →

Tick Removers: Which Do You Use?

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Steven Leckart

“Uh, I think I snapped it…” I got my first tick on the BBG camping trip. I was lucky. I didn’t even know it was there until it was gone. I brushed it off in the shower somehow without leaving … Continue reading →

Photo: camping with geeks

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Lisa Katayama

Steven Leckart and Brian Lam enjoying the great outdoors. This post is part of a Theme Day: BBG on Camping.

Review: Three headlamps for dark nights

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Lisa Katayama

Petzl Tikka Plus 2 The Tikka Plus was my favorite of the three headlamps I took with me on our camping trip, and that’s why it’s the headliner of my review. It emitted a soft, clear light, and at three … Continue reading →

Camping gear for dogs

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Lisa Katayama

My dogs Ruby and Malcolm came with us to Lake Mendocino on the BBG camping trip. Outward Hound and Ruffwear are both excellent brands for outdoor gear for dogs &mdash Ruffwear’s lightweight Flophouse foam pad has a waterproof base layer … Continue reading →