He Devil will be summited. And in order to accomplish this goal I need just a small amount gear and supplies. Not enough for a full pack and too much for pants pockets to hold.

Decided to being along The North Face Lumbar Pack. This pack will double as a bag for the plans rides to and from Idaho and is small enought to stuff in my pack when not in use.

Will do a full review on this bag upon return. Thinking I am really going to like not having something on my shoulders as we are cruising up loose rock.

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Scott

This trip requires three individual components of gear. First a town page for the first and last days. Second, a backpack with all the necessary gear for the hiking portion as well as the tent, sleeping bag and clothing for throughout the trip. And lastly the specific gear and clothing for the rafting portion. So the question at hand is... How the "HELL" do you get all of this on a plane and to Idaho in one piece? 

I have had a big Eastern Mountain Sports duffel for almost fifteen years. I went to use it for the trip and found out that it has seen better days. The bag just took too much abuse over the years and I decided it was time for a new bag. I recently purchased the Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) Camp Duffel, XXL. This bag is large enough to adequately hold all three components of my gear and there is room to spare for the gear I will be receiving when I arrive in Idaho. 

I will use this bag when going winter car camping to hold my puffier clothing, snow pants, tent and sleeping bag. I love having that one big bag that can hold it all. I know this bag will also handle the rough airline baggage handlers well too.

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Scott

I love my ENO Singlenest. I take it with me camping, backpacking in the summer and the dead of winter. There is nothing like relaxing between two trees and swinging back and fourth. I debated on whether to take it or not on Hell Hike and Raft, but knew I would miss it once I got there. I also saw one of my other teammates gear line up photo's with her ENO in it. Once I saw that, I knew I would be uber jealous and miss my hammock. So, in the pack she will go. I am not bringing the rainfly or the netting as I will be sleeping in my tent. 

I have visions of sitting in my hammock with my new friends around, the sun setting, a warm fire, amazing food and huge majestic mountains surrounding me. It doesn't get much better then that my friends!

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Scott

When my REI dividend came around this Spring, I knew exactly what it was going to go for. Last fall I went on a multi-day trip in a very well broken in pair of Merrell's that I have loved for years. I think I took them on just one to many trips. I was time to retire my comfy yet worn out boots. 

My new boots for the foreseeable future are the Oboz Bridger BDry Boots. Comfortable, and the best part... a quick tie capability, which is a huge plus. This is what actually sold me on the boots. No doubt, they are super comfortable, but the ability to get them on and off quickly and effortlessly is what made them sold.

There aren't many boots on the market that you could almost wear everyday. These are that comfortable and are that true of a fit. These will be the boots I wear while hiking and climbing, as mentioned in another review I will be wearing Crocs for camp shoes and Keens for rafting.

Stay tuned for how well the Oboz do in Hell.

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Scott

Weight is always a issue for all of us. And we all need a knife when on a hiking trip. In addition scissors, tweezers and a screwdriver always come in handy. One of my latest purchases fits the bill on all of these requirements and more. The Gerber Dime multi-tool also has a exposed beer opener. Always important!

This baby weighs in at just over two ounces and folds wicked small. 
I see lots of uses for this device, and it is substantially lighter then some of my other pocket knifes which have significantly less functionality. 

Stay tuned after Hell Hike and Raft to hear about how useful this little tool was.

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Scott

It's a GoPro! There is nothing left to say. Strap it on to ... something, anything and record your world of adventure.

That is all!

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Scott

*Sorry for the GoPro attachment noise in the video.

We all have to eat. And we all need proper utensils to do so. Recently I had to pick up a new set, namely because this is the number one thing constantly lose out of all my gear. So i purchased the Sea to Summit 7075-T6 Aircraft Alloy Alpha Light two piece Spork and Knife set.

Weighing in at just over half an ounce and with a mini-carabiner, I hope to not lose this set anytime soon. I certain I would bend or damage the set, they are virtually indestructible! 

I am certain many pics of us eating great food provided by America's Rafting Company will be fourth coming!

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Scott 

Want to keep up with where in the world Hiking Forward is while on Hell Hike and Raft? 

Thanks to a team member SPOT we are offering the link below (click on the Where in the World logo) to track out movements though the Seven Devils and Hells Canyon. Keep in mind data won't start flowing on the map till September 2md, 2014.

I recently purchased a SPOT and will use this image again to alert readers when they can check in and find out Where in the World is Hiking Forward.

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Scott

Today I used both of these items. And as you can visibly see in the video below... the steam and humidity in the air, today was for sure the day to try out clothing that will hopefully make one more comfortable in these kinds of conditions. Just to let you all know it was 95 plus and the humidity was just off the charts. While I hope we don't experience temps like this in Idaho, knowing that these articles do as advertised in Illinois conditions makes me confident moving forward.

First, the REI AirFlyte Shirt, a value indeed. Its vented sides and back allow for maximum airflow to keep you dry and when wet allows the shirt to dry quickly. Unlike some wicking shirts that allow sweat to build up this shirt kept me cool and smelling fresh even in very warm and humid temps today. 

Underwear, we all wear it on trail. However the real question is does your underwear help or hinder your trail experience and performance. I will admit I am new to EXOFFICIO. I have only heard the best of comments and reviews on all their products. And, now I know why! I may have to clean out the underwear drawer and only wear these from now on. Its like night and day. 

I can't believe I am talking about underwear on my site. But, I truly believe this is one of those things that can make or break a trip for some when it comes to comfort and overall experience. We always see "that" person hiking in jeans or cotton. We never see what is underneath. What is underneath can cause just as much irritation and or require more pairs which increases weight and decreases the overall experience. 

I have purchased two pairs of EXOFFICIO Give and Go Boxers and I wish I would have bought ten! More to come on both of these products after Hell Hike and Raft.

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Scott

We all need one thing while on trail. Water! How we get it and clean it may be different from one another. But, one thing is for certain we are looking for an easier and more cost effective way of turning natural water in to clean drinkable water. My fellow outdoor nuts I give you the Potable Aqua Electrolytic Water Purifier. While, not on the market yet, I am testing the unit as part of my ambassadorship with Potable Aqua. 

Compared to filters and other devices which require either manual pumping or are limited on the amount of water you can purify, the PURE is in a league of it's own. Utilizing a provided USB plug to power the device you can purifier 150 liters of water on one charge. Run out of juice? No problem! On the back of the PURE is a solar panel to also charge it when the power gets low. A solar panel? Did I stutter? No! A solar Panel!

As mentioned before, filters only last so long and the cost a ton of money. The PURE will last for 60,000 liters of water purification. 

Stay tune for a full review after I return from Idaho!

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Scott