Katadyn Hiker Water Filtration

Katadyn Hiker:

Portable water filtration has revolutionized outdoor camping. We just spent 10 days in Colorado backcountry without incident. Readily available water sources are near almost any trail or on the way to the pass.

This is a simple unit and can be field serviced and has few moving parts. It is basically a pump and filter.

Price: $69.

Hiker Pro is an additional $10 and has a micro filter to extend the life of the paper filter. When you purchase a filter refill there is only one option that comes with the Pro micro filter so all Hikers become Hiker Pros at the point of the replacement filter...I surmise?

I have not used any other brand so I cannot comment on those products, but I have used the Katadyn Vario and Hiker on extended occasions with complete satisfaction. It would be hard to single either of these out as 'best'.

The Vario provides some great features such as variable flow and direct attachment to your Nalgene or standard opening bottle/hydration pack, but the size of the Hiker makes it perfect when size matters.

IndyGearGuide.com gives the Katadyn Vario, Hiker and Hiker Pro 5-stars.

Summit of Mt. of the Holy Cross!

Gear:

Kelty Gunnison 2.1 Backpacker Tent
MSR HUBBA
Markill (Vaude) Peak Ignition Stove
Jetboil Four Season Fuel
MSR Fuel
Light my Fire Spork (Small & Extra-Medium)

Patagonia Capilene

Northface Paramount Pants

Smartwool liners

Smartwool Phd Heavy Wool Hiking socks

Asolo TPS 520 boots - Patrick

Vasque boots - Matt

Asolo boots - Kenny

Leki Super Makali poles

Northface Coolmax Vaporwick t-shirt

Icebreakers Body-fit 260 Quarter-Zip top

OR Windstopper skull cap

OR Rain cap

Northface Summit Series Gore-Tex XCR shell

Smith Optics Sunglasses

Nalgene bpa-free bottles with Tritan glow in the dark

Katadyn Hiker H20 Filtration

Lowe Alpine Expedition Pack

Northface Redpoint Primaloft vest

I wanted to start this entry to get it going. I am going to review a lot of gear in this post. I just returned from 11 days in Colorado. About seven of which were spent in the backcountry camping.

August 20, 2010: Traveling parties meet and depart Indianapolis. Land in Denver to find one pack missing so we have to file a claim and decide to head out to Boulder for a leisure trip since it makes no sense to leave the area, confident Bryan Bedford's fine folks at Frontier Airlines will locate the bag expeditiously. We were a little late and guessed the bag just missed the plane. Boulder is a fun college town and my companions had never been there so they enjoyed themselves. They were quite entertained by the 80 or so Medical Marijuana Dispensaries that have opened in town. I would have to guess that petty drug crimes are now a thing of the past.

Frontier Airlines calls and the bag is at the Denver airport. Frontier Airlines are very diligent to accomodate us and make it a point to give us a number to call when we drive up so a staffer can meet us at the curb with our missing piece of luggage. We pull up, pick up the pack, and hit the road.

Off to Minturn, CO, a small town located West of Vail about 8 miles South of US70 on CO24. Our destination is Tigowon Road and a campsite to prep for out ascent of Mt. of the Holy Cross.

August 21, 2010: Proceed to Fall Creek/Half Moon Pass Trailhead. Reach Half Moon Pass. Descent into Cross Creek camp site. Set up camp at Cross Creek.

August 22, 2010: Ascent of Mt. of the Holy Cross. Full pack attempt to cross over Halo Ridge and connect to Fall Creek Trail. I'm packing full H20. Have advised others to do so to know avail. There is no H20 available above 11,400-600 on Halo Ridge Route and Cross Creek is the main source on the North Ridge Route. On the North Ridge Route you lose wather at 10,600 ft. and on Halo Ridge Route you lose it at 11,600 ft. This puts you in a position with about 4.5 - 6.0 hours above 13,000 ft. and no water sources between. In an emergency you could descent to Bowl of Tears or Lake Patricia to get water, but you'd extend your route by many miles, so the only reason to do so would be for survival.

With a later start than required and less H20 capacity we choose to descend the North Ridge Route rather than try the Halo Ridge Route (weather doesn't look great) with half full bottles of water. There will be another time, this was way too much fun.

Descend back to Cross Creek to set up camp.

August 23, 2010: Break camp and return through Half Moon Pass to Tigowon Road and trailhead. Not sure where we're going next we head to Red Cliff, CO. Red Cliff is an old mining town turned arts colony tucked away 9 miles south of Minturn on CO24. Located about 10 miles North of Leadville, ended up at Mango's Grille. I saw a sticker on the dashboard of the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative truck at the trailhead. By the way, a plug for CFI, they have the best website for anyone pursuing the summit of 14ers. The Mt. of the Holy Cross pictures and route were spot on. As one hiker on the mountain yelled to us (as we followed the 14ers.org route): "Stay over there on the ridge, DON'T follow the guidebooks route, it will add miles to your hike..." Well we followed the 14ers.org route and while a bitch...it was quite bearable.

Anyone who has played High School football, I would equate this to a 7-hour "two-a-day" practice. It is that hard, but if you are in shape and fit, it is merely a matter of figuring out how to pace yourself and acclimate yourself to the elevation gains. I had very little problem acclimating, but I endurance cycle and have been working out my legs for a few months in preparation. Regardless, any person can prepare themselves and make this summit, unless of some actual physical impairment.

We ended up pull up camp and heading back towards Denver to drop Kenny off so he can return to Indianapolis.

Matt and I contact my friend Kent and plan to grab a motel room then meet Kent for dinner. After a few missed turns we are back to meet Kent, get a room, and eat dinner.

We eat Mexican, not sure of the name, and Kent is nice enough to buy us dinner. He probably felt sorry for us. We looked like a couple of mountain men.

August 24, 2010: Matt and I awake, collect up some breakfast and check out. I've suggested we go up through Boulder, then Estes Park, through the Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) and out the other side. I spotted a dirt road on the other side that proceeds 11 miles into the backcountry on a reservoir, Lake Granby. This accesses Pawnee Pass. Matt is Pawnee so he has an affinity to do this one. I've crunched the numbers. 17.0-18.0 round trip. Base elev: 8,300 ft., Pass elev: 12,500 ft. Gain: 4,200 ft. Length: 8.5 miles.

We take off and I noticed that we cross Cascade Creek about 6-8 times so there is water along this whole hike. You could literally stop and filter for anything you need the whole way. I prefer to use my Camelbak because I can drink on the fly so I fill up then fill a half Nalgene attached to the back of my pack. I carry this pretty much as a reserve, but often it ends up supplementing someone in my group or another hiker on the trail. I'm okay with carrying that extra pound. Hopefully it will earn me the same sips when I'm in need.

We pitch camp just above a box and chute on the creek. Most of the area is rock, but we find a spot under a tree that will provide some shade and a little cover.

We'll settle into some Mountain House for dinner, hot cocoa after.

More to come...and pictures!

Hammer Nutrition

In late 2008 and early 2009 I found myself with a lingering discomfort in my waste area. By early 2009 I was diagnosed with a swollen ileum, part of the all-encompassing Crohn's Disease(s). I was prescribed a theapeutic drug which was to be taken in the absence of folic acid. Long/short folic acid binds to the medicine and renders it ineffective.

My problem is I am an endurance bike rider. Nothing nuts, but I regularly ride 40-60 miles in an outing. I also ride 60-100 miles in a day very often. As your body burns up fuel and perspires it depletes much from its "stores" and they must be sustained and replenished. Enter Hammer Nutrition.

I called upon my trusty fitness and nutrition guru friend, Dave Patania. I explained my delimna trying to find a product without folic acid. Dave immediately offered Hammer Nutrition.

Hammer Nutrition's philosophy is to provide products that provide only what you need to perform and nothing else. Using the all natural sweetner Stevia, Hammer Nutrition products are not too sweet or sugary.

I have tried many of the Hammer Nutrition products with the following being a staple of my pre/race/recovery regimen.

Hammer Bar - Good for solid food pre/race/recovery. Also provides some essential amino acids. Tastes are very subtle and product is very easy on digestive system.

Hammer Gel - Not too sweet. Tastes like the actual fruit (raspberry.)
Hammer Endurolyte Capsules - Take one per half hour of riding. These will give you legs late in your ride when you previously were trying to push around burning limp noodles.

Hammer HEED - By design and really quite simply if you are riding 2 hours or less, use HEED. When you ride longer durations begin with HEED for up to the first 2 hours.

Hammer Perpetuem - By design and really quite simply if you are riding 2 hours or more, use Perpetuem. Begin Perpetuem about 1 1/2 hours into your ride and continue with the proper mix per half-hour for the duration of your ride. This is one of the best and cleanest endurance fuels I've found.

Hammer Recoverite - To be taken in the first 2 hours after your ride. This is the critical time for your body to recover. Recoverite will have you ready for another endurance ride the next day. Think Hilly Hundred! OR Brown County Break Down.

My First Century (100 Mile Ride):

I am an average biker. I ride one of two 18 year old Trek road bikes. I am in pretty good shape and fitness from riding the past decade pretty consistently. On the other hand a "Century" ride seemed nearly out of reach and requiring tremendous discipline and training from me. I road 50-60 miles back to back on two occasions in 2009, once on my full-suspension and once on my road bike. I found my calfs would begin to cramp up somewhere around 45 - 55 miles. The Endurolyte capsules help this quite a bit, but you can't drop them when you need them. I start taking them in the first hour or two and take two an hour. This way it is in my body when needed.

Fast forward, I enjoy Stout ales and Bourbon whiskeys, but I love cycling more. So I made a pact with myself to stop all consumption of alcholic beverages and 1) Ride the full "All Things Greenways" ride and 2) Ride 100 miles in one day and gauge the performance gains.

All Things Greenways: This ride is about 65 miles long. I used HEED, Perpetuem and Endurolyte capsules. I road on an apple, a banana, small cup of yogurt and the proportions of Hammer Nutrition products for my weight per hour. This ride was so easy I knew 100 miles would be nothing but a mental battle. (This was also Tom's Ride, a ride for my buddy who had past away a few weeks before.)

Tour de Indy: 110 miles. I had to mix up my sub 2 hour regimen because I was out of HEED. I started out on an apple, a banana, small cup of yogurt and Accelerate. I migrated to Perpetuem about 1 hour in. I hadn't prepared nearly as well as the week before.

I'm convinced that if you prepare yourself then use the proper nutrition and fuel you can reach any physical goal you choose to reach!

Red River Gorge June 2010

On this trip IGG features many products available from our friends at Rusted Moon Outfitters. Rusted Moon is one of the few places in Indianapolis where you get good advice and good products are available IN STOCK.

After all, if you wanted to order gear you would buy it online. This is not to say they won't be happy to order exactly what you want, but you'll get to try on all the sizes and brands so you know what brands fit you well. This way when you make a "great buy" the price won't be the determining factor, fit and functionality will reign supreme.

IGG Gear used during this outing.

Kelty Gunnison 2.1 tent

This tent performed admirably. One-person setup is a breeze. The tent is light weight at just over 2 lbs. with poles. The rain fly adds another 2 lbs. for a total pack weight of 4 lbs. 14 oz. if you pack everything. I recommend using the rain fly to avoid the dew, but guy it so proper ventalation limits any condensation build up. There is a reason this was a 2009 Backpacker Tent of the Year.


Lowe Alpine TFX Expedition pack

This is a great pack. Simple! This pack is so simple it's great. One large compartment for all your ditty bags. No outside pockets means NO ZIPPERS TO LEAK! This also allows the compression straps to work well. The TFX 10 suspension system is very comfortable and allows for tremendous range and adjustment. Once I dialed the pack in it was quite comfortable. This pack was well worth the purchase price.


Katadyn Vario water filtration

These devices have revolutionized hiking. On a gorge trip, if you know what you're doing, you can start your hike with empty bottles and break to fill as necessary along any hike. Katadyn makes that possible. The Vario is slightly larger and heavier than the Hiker, but its adjustable filtration setting lets you extend the filter life in better water conditions. Another great feature of the Vario, the Ace in the Hole for me, is its ability to screw on the top of a Nalgene or industry-standard wide mouth bottle or dromotory bag. Basically with a Vario, Jetboil and Nalgene bottles you can survive for weeks if you can find food. Simple to use.


Nalgene Tritan 32oz. Wide Mouth bottle

This might be the best thing sing sliced bread. Quite possibly even better! I would rarely if ever advocate a wholesale change out of perfectly good, well performing gear, BUT I am!

I AM ADVOCATING EVERYONE GO OUT AND GUY A NALGENE TRITAN WIDE MOUTH BOTTLE!

This thing is amazing! If you purchase one, go camping and...don't understand what I mean...well I think you'll get it. I have that faith in mankind.

Update: I just ran into an old friend's brother at the outdoor shop. I recommended he purchase this bottle and he told me he was going to stick with what "he knew". It reminded me of one of my favorites quotes about knowing. "Wisest is he who does not know." By knowing, he didn't get to try the best product of 2010. Then I thought, if you keep on knowing what you know, you'll only know what you know. Take a chance next time, Chris.


Outdoor Research Helium ditty bags

These things are the best. I'm off to purchase more if they came in today. I recommend the breathable ones for packing a backpack. The compression is much more effective. The are quite durable and the nylon provides a nearly friction free envirionment when packing the load effectively.


MSR DromLite bladder

I didn't even end up using the bladder. After purchasing my new Nalgene that allowed me to carry up to 64 oz. of water at a time. We camped near water on our second night so fresh water was at our feet.


Asolo TPS 520 boots

This is one of those purchases that you never look back on. Well maybe only to consider going to give them more money for the boot. I went to try on boots a couple years ago. After I settle upon two styles to choose from I told the clerk "let me try that Asolo now." I slipped my foot in. It was late winter and my foot felt something like it was back in my Salomon Crossmax 10 ski boots. I laced the up and thought "if I'm paying $190-200 for a boot why not spend a little more to get the real thing?" I wasn't positive on the size so I ordered the next size and told them I would purchase one or the other. I am now in my second hiking season and the TPS 520 is just breaking in. I have loved them every hike the past 18 months while I broke them in, I can't imagine the love affair won't continue as they break in. This last hike was with a full pack load and they performed exceptionally. I'm very satisfied with this purchase.


Smartwool PhD socks

I haven't worn anything but Smartwool socks exclusively for 15 years, or however long they have been around.


Smartwool liners

These work perfectly with the PhD socks.


Smartwool SS T-shirt

The "one" item it take everywhere. Hot or cold.


Ex Officio underwear

Coolmax comfortable. Easy cleaning and drying on the trail. You'll be glad you did.

The North Face Vaporwick crew ss t-shirt

This might be a perfect hiking top. Coolmax.


Marmot Precip jacket

Didn't even pull it out. Great packable jacket. Doesn't breath well.


Marmot Precip sombrero

Ditto, not a drop. Great hat, very lightweight and packable. Doesn't breath well. May go to a Kavu hat in the future.


Ice Breakers 200 gm 1/4 zip

This thing is more than versatile. My new "versatop".


Smith Projekt sunglasses

Smith sunglasses perform. IGG wears nothing else.


Mountain House dehydrated food

Great product. Easy to make and tastes great. Use less water than they say.


Clif Bars energy bars

MMM, heated Clif bar.


Jet Boil cooking system

This thing has revolutionized backcountry cooking.


Camelback hydration

Can't perform without it.

The North Face Wasatch sleeping bag

Good 40 degree bag.

The North Face Paramount cargo shorts


Leki Makalu hiking poles

I think that is all the gear I had for the most part. ALL from Rusted Moon Outfitters in Broad Ripple. (And Henry thinks I never spend any money in his store.) Let's talk guns, Henry!

Rusted Moon Annual Canoe & Kayak Demo and Sale:

8th Annual Canoe - Kayak On-Water Demo and Sale!

The fine folks at Rusted Moon Outfitters hosted their 8th Annual Canoe & Kayak Demo and Sale this weekend. with resounding success!

Many are suprised at the number of paddling enthusiast living in land-locked Central Indiana, but there is a thriving community. With several waterways including Fall Creek, White River, the "Canal", Fall Creek, Eagle Creek, Geist Lake and Morse Lake all located just minutes or tens of minutes from 1.2 million plus inhabitants, people will eventually make their way to human powered exploration and enjoyment.

Rusted Moon Outfitters employs a staff of avid paddlers to help put you in the appropriate boat for your style of paddling and type of water you'll be encountering. The 3-day Canoe & Kayak Demo and Sale event, May 7, 8, and 9th provides a one-stop on water demo coupled with a great sale so you can try out all the boats you see in the catalog, talk to factory representatives and factory trained sales staff to make your buying decisions.

Rusted Moon Outfitters has truckloads of boats to demo, in stock and on hand from the manufacturers you want like Dagger, Current Designs, Wilderness Systems, We-no-nah and many more so you can paddle NOW!

Come out and demo the latest boats then get your vehicle fit with the latest Yakima Rack Systems equipment to haul your boat away and ready to hit the water tomorrow.

Expert installation of your Yakima Rack Systems is available FREE from Yakima during this sale. Rusted Moon Outfitters will always install your Yakima Rack System FREE of charge 7 days a week. Check out the NEW Yakima Rack Systems - Load Assist Products. Here Yakima Rack Systems Rep - Neil installs the Load Assist Showboat Load Assist Roller and Load Assist Mako Saddles.

Here the Load Assist options are loaded with another happy kayak purchase ready for paddling season! This happy customer won't miss many great days of paddling this season!

The Yakima representative will be on hand to help you choose the perfect rack system to transport your boat(s), then expertly install it all for FREE. Great Sale on Yakima Rack Systems!

If you've never paddled before, I would liken the experience to "bicycling on water", except that more than likely the water you're on is in an area you'd never see from a bicycle either. So it lends to a unique view of your surroundings, the city, architecture, and many new discoveries. Like bicycling, paddling also slows your life down. You might actually smell the roses that have bloomed. You might actually hear a frog croak, yep, in the city. And by the way...it is healthy! You'll get a decent workout of both your lower and upper body while paddling.