An Upcoming Adventure With the Gods

Photo credit: Backpacker Magazine

This coming weekend, I get to return to the woods and mingle with the Gods in the Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. I have been waiting, rather impatiently for this trip to arrive. It's been way to long since I have been able to get out. My adventures lately have been filled with hoping from plane to plane or cab to hotel, living in the urban jungle adventuring from one city to another. Enough of that! It's time to get outdoors and enjoy time with my friends from my local hiking and adventure club. 

This trip will allow me three nights and four days to explore the Shawnee National Forest and Garden of the Gods. Even though it is the beginning of November the colors in Southern Illinois are supposed to be fantastic still. This is a trip I am really looking forward to for the purposes of seeing my good friends for the Corn Desert Hikers and relaxing by the fire, however their is work to be done.  

I want to give you a sneak peek into some of the amazing gear that I will be bringing a long to put to the test and review for all of you. Stay tuned once I return for full reviews on the following products:

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Photo Credit: Rockys2v

Resection Athletic Trail Shoes by Rocky® are men's extreme sport and trail shoes. It's about performance and comfort with a special, unexpected safety feature. These are shoes that will keep your feet dry on the trail while gripping the terrain; or they may help save your life.These trekkers have a VapourFlex® four-way stretch waterproof shroud. VapourFlex is a patented waterproof, breathable and elastic tech fabric designed for outdoor gear. Run or trek where you like, these are waterproof shoes. Forget zippers; these trail running shoes have waterproof self-locking asymmetrical zippers. Water isn't getting in!

You'll have sure footing on and off the trail with outsoles that feature a Vibram® compression molded trek rubber compound. This trekker has a proprietary wave underlay texture for element traction and shedding.

(product description from Rockys2v.com)

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Sierra Designs Mobile Mummy 800 4 Season Bag
The most innovative sleeping bag I have ever encountered on the market. I am trilled and excited to give this bag a true test. Living in the north I plan on using this 4 season bag rather often throughout the upcoming winter. And if this winter was anything like last winter the 800 fill is going to pleasantly welcomed. 

In addition to the 4 season capabilities of this bag it offers some interesting features:

Ultralight Jacket Hood With No Cords Or Toggles It moves with you, while fitting comfortably snug around your face like the hood on a jacket. 

Zipperless Arm Ports Ready for instant use, our arm ports have no zippers, toggles or hook-and-loop closures to get in the way.

Garment-Style Shoulder Design When you’re upright in the bag, our tapered design rests on your shoulders—not your head.

Centrally Placed, Ventable Zipper The 58" zipper is easier and more natural to operate. Dual sliders can be zipped from the bottom for venting.

Draft-Prevention The draft collar, tube, and curtains keep warm in and cold out.

Stowable Footbox Foot box can be tucked up with toggles to prevent the bag from dragging when you walk around.

(product description from www.Sierradesigns.com) 

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Awesome feature - the ability to keep bag on but let your arms free.

The footbox attaches to the rear of the bag for mobility.

d.light S300 Solar Lantern 
The d.light S300 provides bright white light at a wide angle, enabling the illumination of an entire room.  The S300 features 4 brightness settings, providing up to 16 hours of bright light (100 hours on the bed light setting). A USB port provides the ability to charge smart phones, and a  battery indicator shows the charge level. Lightweight (350g), it comes with an ergonomically designed handle and top strap, which offers maximum flexibility for use in the home, workplace, or outdoor environments. 

• Four brightness settings
  • 4 Hours on High
  • 8 Hours on Medium
  • 16 Hours on Low
  • 100 Hours on Bed-Light
• Charges Mobile Phones
• Free 2-Year Replacement Warranty
• > 5 Year Lifetime
• No Battery Replacements Needed
• Solar Panel: Includes 4 Meter Cable
• Dual Solar / AC Charging
• Full Charge from Solar/AC – 8 Hours
• Battery Charge Level Indicator
• Glow In the Dark On/Off Button
• Weather, Dust and Impact Resistant

(product description from www.dlightdesign.com)

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Photo Credit: Today.com

Pat's Backcountry Beverages 
What do all crave after a long day of hiking? Or want to have by our side during an awesome campfire with friends? BEER! Well thanks to good people and Pat's Backcountry Beverages not only are they giving us the opportunity to have beer but also awesome soda flavors too in the backcountry. I am really looking forward to trying this product out. Not only for its convenience and flavor but to show it off to my friends from my hiking group. People have heard of the backcountry beer but seeing and tasting will be believing. 

Introducing the most environmentally-responsible carbonated beverage system on earth! This awesome little addition to your gear list is engineered with an emphasis on rugged durability and first of it's kind functionality. In it's more docile state, it functions as your standard, everyday water bottle (yawn). However, when you decide to kick it into high gear and unleash the technology hiding under it's cap, you get a burst of refreshing carbonation to energize any beverage of your choice. So no matter how far your wanderlust leads you down the trail, you can still enjoy a crisp, carbonated beverage anywhere on the planet. Cheers!

(product description from www.patsbcb.com)
 

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