Showing posts with label snow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label snow. Show all posts

12/01/2011

Surviving Cold Weather: Simply Survival (Greg Davenport's Books for the Wilderness) Review

Surviving Cold Weather: Simply Survival (Greg Davenport's Books for the Wilderness)
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The best part about this survival guide is Davenport's descriptions of "improvised" items. Most people don't plan to be in a survival situation in freezing temperatures, and may not have the proper equipment. He teaches you how to use survival items you have purchased and may have with you (such as an avalanche beacon or a signal flare), but also what to do in a situtation in which you don't have what you need (improvising snowshoes, stick and shadow compass, etc). The section on constructing emergency shelters gave detailed instructions for many options depending on what resources are available - trees, ice, and/or deep snow. He even provides pictures as proof of his methods. The information on how to obtain food, especially berries, and how to navigate without a map or compass was also extremely helpful. The only disappointing thing for me in this book was the information on animals. Many of the descriptions seemed cut-and-pasted, with really no specific tips on how to avoid polar bear attacks versus brown bears versus pumas.
I bought this book because I live in Alaska and was hoping to learn something that would keep me from becoming one of the many people that do not survive in the wilderness out here because they are unprepared! I bring it with me when I go backpacking or camping, because you never know. I recommend reading this book if you spend time outdoors in cold weather, whether you put yourself in risky situations or not. You'll learn not only how to be prepared but how to stay alive if you are lost or find yourself without adequate transportation, food, or shelter.

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The first in "Greg Davenport's Books for the Wilderness" series, "Surviving Cold Weather" covers the techniques and equipment necessary for surviving in ice and snow. Photos and drawings illustrate gear and techniques. The book covers the five survival essentials--personal protection, signaling, sustenance, navigation, and health--as they relate to the cold. Topics include: how to dress for winter; how to create a campsite and what to use as shelter; how to keep warm; how to signal for help with aerial flares, smoke, mirrors, and whistles; finding and purifying water; finding and preparing food; protecting yourself and your supplies from wildlife; how to use a map and compass; how to travel on snow and ice with snowshoes, skis, and crampons; and how to avoid and deal with avalanches. Upcoming books in the series are "Surviving Open and Coastal Waters," "Surviving the Desert," and "Surviving the Jungle."

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9/26/2011

Keep On: The Story of Matthew Henson, Co-Discoverer of the North Pole Review

Keep On: The Story of Matthew Henson, Co-Discoverer of the North Pole
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Keep On! The Story of Matthew Henson, Co-Discoverer of the North Pole is a picturebook biography of intrepid African-American explorer Matthew Henson, who is often overlooked even though he discovered the North Pole along with the more famous Admiral Robert Peary. Matthew Henson was the most valuable member of Peary's team; he repaired equipment, hunted, traded with and learned from the Inuit. After an eighteen year odyssey he and Peary were the first to stand at the top of the world; yet due to the racial climate of the era, only Peary was widely remembered and credited for the achievement. Award-winning artist Deborah Hopkinson brings to life this stirring, little-known saga of a born explorer.


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9/15/2011

The Antarctic: From the Circle to the Pole Review

The Antarctic: From the Circle to the Pole
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I had to go to the post office to pick up my package and couldn't wait until I got home to open it. I opened it right there in the post office, "This is beautiful," I said out loud. The layout is so perfect for the pictures - it opens lengthwise. Other people standing in line all had to take a peek and loved it too.

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Antarctica remains largely unknown and infinitely fascinating. Stuart Klipper has traveled to Antarctica six times in twentyyears to photograph this astounding body of workoffering a sweeping look at this majestic continentwhich has lately become central to global climate change concerns. Shot in panoramic format—the only way to encompass a landscapethat seems to stretch on forever—Klipper's work captures major features and surprising details: ships suspended in the frozen seaglowing blue icebergsvistas of endless snowand troops of penguins. This volume's substantial sizepanoramic shapeand unique vertical-opening case emphasize the grandeur of these austere and lovely photographs from the bottom of the world.

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3/28/2011

MSR Overland Carbon Trekking Pole Review

MSR Overland Carbon Trekking Pole
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100% utilitarian and light as a feather! Mine have not seen "rugged" use (as of the time of this writing), but handle my weight (240) with ease under urban conditions. Based on over-all build and other observations, these trekking poles are "tough as nails"; I see no issues on the trail either. Although not cheap, if you're weight conscious when camping/hiking, they are worth every penny.

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Thanks to a full carbon-fiber construction, the MSR Overland Carbon Trekking Poles are lightweight and strong for your weeklong expeditions or day treks. These three-section hiking poles have anti-shock wrist straps so your arms don't feel like they're holding a jackhammer each time you pole. Collapse the Overland Carbon Poles and strap them to your pack once you hit level ground. These MSR poles' grips are at a seven-degree angle to lessen wrist-stress.Product Features
Shaft Material: Carbon fiber
Extendable Range: [Collapsed] 25in (65cm); [Usable] 25-55in (65-140cm)
Shock Absorber: No
Baskets: 1 Pair
Replaceable Tips: No
Protective Rubber Tips: No
Weight: 17oz (482g) per pair
Recommended Use: Hiking


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3/19/2011

MSR Denali III Trekking Poles Review

MSR Denali III Trekking Poles
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Okay, honestly, I would have given this product a rating of 5 stars except for one little thing: you have to attach the gaskets to the poles yourself, and if you don't do it correctly, you will lose them. I thought I had attached both of these properly, but on my first snowshoe trip with them, one of the gaskets was lost in the snow. My husband & I retraced our steps, but never found the missing piece.
I haven't called to see if I can get a replacement from the company, but I don't anticipate there will a problem. If there is, I will update this review.
For the record, the poles themselves are light & of great quality & I am looking forward to many happy treks together. Also, if you're looking for snowshoes, MSR Denali are the BEST I've ever used! Our scout troop uses them, my daughter & I have red ones, and my eldest son & husband have black. Eventually our other 3 kids will have their own too.

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MSR's Denali III technical snowshoe poles are ideal for snowshoeing, backcountry snowboarding, alpine climbing, hiking, and more. They're made of lightweight, 7000 series aluminum and feature dual-density rubber grips, a snowshoe-specific basket, and replaceable steel tips.

Length: 26 to 57 inches
Weight: 9.3 ounces each

About MSR Mountain Safety Research (MSR) designs, manufactures, and markets innovative adventure gear for outdoor enthusiasts. The ever-growing MSR product line is most popular with mountaineers, backpackers, and campers. MSR is the industry leader in reliability and quality with every product it focuses on--tents, stoves, water filters, snowshoes, cookware, climbing gear, fuel, and related accessories. All of MSR's products set the benchmark in performance throughout the specialty outdoor industry. MSR is also one of the most widely distributed brands in the outdoor industry and provides products to more than 1,200 specialty retailers in North America and export to more than 30 countries.


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