Packing for REI's Outdoor School: eXpo Mini Action Cam and Kestrel Heat Stress Tracker

Pyle Audio eXpo Action Camera and Kestrel Heat Stress Tracker

I'm getting ready for REI's Outdoor School this coming weekend by packing some technical gear that is made for use in all sorts of climates and terrains. I am taking the Mountain Biking Class which is being held in the high elevations of Morris County, New Jersey. I'm originally from that part of north Jersey as we call it and I can remember going up to Eagle Rock, South Mountain and other wild life reserves in the area. It is a very challenging zone for hiking and mountain biking but the view is beautiful!

eXpo Action Camera by Pyle Audio
This is a new piece of technical equipment that I am bringing along in place of my DSLR camera which I used at the InterBike/Outdoor Retailers Charged Up Media Event and The Woman's Story. This new action camera is being called the "GoPro Clone" but actually has a higher mega pixel resolution than the GoPro. You can choose between 20, 14 and 5 mega pixel images on the eXpo while the GoPro Hero3 Black Edition only goes up to 11 MP. Likewise you can choose from multiple video frames per second with the eXpo - 60, 50, 30 or 25 while the GoPro Hero3 gives you only 30 video frames per second max. Just on these two features alone, the eXpo clearly distinguishes itself from the GoPro. 

eXpo Full HD Mini Action Cam in its waterproof case

Underwater eXpo
Right now I have the eXpo outfitted with the handlebar brace for the Novara mountain bikes we will be riding for the course. Before that, I used this camera underwater in our pool utilizing its waterproof case shown in the photo above. Look closely at the upper left hand portion of the screen and you'll see the green Wi-Fi bars all lit up. This is synced with the wireless remote allowing me to start or stop filming and take photos even while the video taping option is in play. Brilliant! This camera comes with all the mounting accessories you will need to turn it into a serious helmet or bike cam for both road and off road use. Check out the eXpo Full HD Action Cam PSCHD90 at PyleAudio.com

Underwater photo with the eXpo Full HD Action Cam PSCHD90 at PyleAudio.com 

Coming up out of the water shot with the eXpo

eXpo Action Cam and Wi-Fi Remote. Bag: Mountainsmith Focus Camera Bag

Kestrel Weather Meters - Heat Stress Tracker
One of the issues I've seen from participating in several outdoor adventure events is heat stroke. It can sneak up on you as it did for me when I was competing in the Woods Hollow Mountain Bike Classic race. I was in the Sport or Advanced Division which was twice as long as the intermediate section. Yes, I was rather naive back then.

Yes, I won in my division!

It was very hot as it was held in July. I didn't have a hydration pack, only a few water bottles. There were hydration stations but you really needed to haul your own! About half way through I began feeling sick to my stomach. I know part of that is growth hormone being secreted but it can also be a sign of heat exhaustion. I was on a closed race course in the park but what if I were out on the road in traffic? The results could have been very different.

Kestrel 4400 Heat Stress Tracker

Someone should really have been keeping an eye on the heat index for that race as the afternoon temperatures soared into the 90's. A lot of riders simply quit and went home, it was just too hot and difficult. Just on account of the adverse heat index, the race should have been rescheduled.
So for REI's Mountain Biking Course, I'm bringing a Kestrel 4400 Heat Stress Tracker. It fits in my pocket and gives real time weather information with conditions based on where you are at the moment. This is important because you can have a wide range of weather conditions and variables going on at distinct altitudes and elevations within the same zone. The Kestrel Heat Stress Tracker calculates those parameters for you such as: temp., humidity, air velocity, altitude, barometric pressure, pressure trend, wind chill and speed, relative humidity and waterless WBGT (wet bulb global temperature) plus several more values to access the Thermal Work Limit and Heat Stress Index exactly where you are. Crucial information to assess how safe it is for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts to be participating in strenuous exercise.

User Screen showing: temp. humidity and dew point

September can be a tricky month because the days often start rather cool. You dress accordingly for the temperature and conditions you encountered upon arising. However by mid-afternoon, you may feel like it's the middle of summer. This is why this month can be so dangerous for outdoor fitness training and events. So my Kestrel Heat Stress Tracker will be keeping tabs on conditions all day long for the REI Mountain Biking Course on September 14th,whatever they may be. Check out more pocket weather trackers and meters at Nielsen Kellerman online at NKHome.com

Keeping on top of the weather on the road. Kestrel 3500

Winter Hiking & Biking: Hot Food & Drinks to Go

Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Wide Mouth Insulated containers.  Fill your Day Pack with HOT food and drinks to stay warm on the trail.

Every successful outdoor adventure begins with proper preparation and planning.  You can reference our Winter Layers article on how to keep warm on the outside but how about the inside?  

We all like to bring along snacks and maybe a sandwich but what about something HOT for a winter hike or bicycle ride?  Totally within reach.  All you need are the right containers to help keep things nice and toasty warm.  Yes,  that would include you.

MOUNTAINSMITH Alder 30 Women's Pack

Ladies first!  The Alder 30 offers a woman-specific details and is made from 17 recycled 16 oz plastic bottles.  This is an extended day pack with bottom panel compression straps and easy access to the entire pack contents plus the following features:

• Compression molded back panel with contoured lumbar support
• Delrin® hoop suspension system
• Elastic sternum strap and bite valve catch
• Expandable front panel stash pocket
• Ice axe & tool loop
• Internal hydration bladder sleeve with exit port
• Pivoting dual density waistbelt for optimal load transfer
• Removable safety whistle
• Shoulder harness and waist belt are ergonomically fit specifically for women
• Side compression straps with quick-release hardware
• Side panel accessory pocket fits sigg™ and nalgene® style water bottles
• Trekking pole mount(s)

This gender-specific design day pack takes into consideration anatomical differences us women share.
Fully loaded, large capacity holds much more than the average day pack, up to an extended 2563 cu inches (42 L) and weighs only 3 lbs 4 ozs. 

RUDY PROJECT Day Pack II  Hydration

Single Entry with Front Pocket

Compression Side Straps

Headphones Exit Port

Ergonomic Reinforced back Frame

Integrated Mesh Shoulders

Elastic Drawstring with Cord Lock

Waist Belt

Since Day Packs are for, uh the day, they tend to be small but the Rudy Project Day Pack II Hydration has a full on removable internal hydration system with a 2L bladder.  Since the hydration pack stays next to your body, the water doesn't freeze.  Plus it means more room in the backpack itself for other things. 

We especially appreciate the double zippers and multiple pockets on the Day Pack which even has a hidden/retractable helmet retainer.  Mountain biking, climbing, skiing or snowboarding, you'll be able to stow your helmet during the trip.  This bag is lightweight and very comfortable as we have used it on our Ski Expeditions last season.  Since your water concerns have thus been taken care of, you can now move on to something equally important.  Hot food and coffee!

Klean Kanteen Insulated Containers

Double Walled Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel

Wide Mouth for filling yours. Eat right out of the container

12, 16 & 20 oz sizes

Interchangeable Cafe Lids and Loop Caps

Keeps food and drinks hot for up to 6 hours, cold for 24

The Klean Kanteen is a whole new twist on the Thermos bottles of old. BPA free, 18/8 grade stainless steel does not react with acidic or hot food & drinks.  So go ahead, pack it with your favorite garlicky hot spaghetti and meatballs then switch to the Cafe Cap and add your barista's best, hot coffee.  There is no flavor transfer.  Bring along some spoons and eat right out of the container.  No disposable packaging to worry about as you bring out just what you've brought in keeping the forest pristine and klean. 

Hot Broccoli Cheese Soup STAYED HOT on our hike. Visit Augie Foods!

I packed my favorite Broccoli & Cheddar Cheese Soup in my insulated Klean Kanteen before going on my hike. Three hours later when we stopped, it was still so hot I could barely eat it!  Really I needed to let it cool down before eating it even though it was cold and windy that day. Klean Kanteens are so versatile for bringing along drinks AND food, keeping them hot or cold as you prefer.


Trangia 27-5 Ultralight Cookstove

5 lightweight aluminum Pots and Pans with removable handles
Non-stick, scratch proof surfaces  
Adjustable windshield included
Can be used with alcohol burner, (included) or Primus gas burner
 

Trangia 27 5 using the Primus burner & gas canister

I like to bring along a cookstove and mess kit because it is such a comfort to stop and have something HOT to eat while hiking.  This set is made in Sweden of ultra light aluminum weighing only 1.9 lbs and nests into a small disk, about 5 1/4 inches in diameter.  Very compact, the Trangia 27 5 fit neatly into the Day Pack along with two Klean Kanteens with plenty of room to spare.  It also fits easily in our Sunlite Bike Bag with Panniers.  You can bring along anything from instant oatmeal packets to savory freeze dried camp meals found at your local outfitters.  I like to bring my own fresh ingredients:

Trail Eggs 'n Sausage 

Gas Burner Attachment

Pre-crack fresh eggs into a ziplock bag

Turkey or pork sausage patties in another

Spinach or whole grain Wraps or Pita Pockets
Sliced Cheddar Cheese (optional) 

Salt & Pepper Packets (optional)

Salsa or Ketchup Packets (optional)

Start the sausage patties first, flip and then add your eggs.  These are non-stick pans so no worrying about bringing extra oil.  Cooks in under five minutes or less if you like your eggs sunny side up.  Place the HOT eggs and sausage patties in a wrap or Pita Pocket and you won't need plates or napkins.  Perfect for an early AM hike when you didn't have time to eat a serious breakfast at home.  Trangia Cookstoves and gas burner attachments are available from CampSaver.

Never underestimate the value of getting something hot into your stomach after being exposed to freezing temperatures.  If you're on a bicycle, you have to factor in windchill which can make the temps feel even colder.  Hypothermia is a serious medical condition and one of the ways to help bring up your core body temperature is to eat and or drink something hot.  If you plan to be out for less than six hours, a Klean Kanteen will keep your food and drink hot for at least that long.  Beyond that six hour limit?  Bring a cookstove so that you can stop and make something hot on the trail.  Sorry but gel packs and Clif Bars just don't cut it in the wintertime.  Hiking isn't a punishing ordeal, (or at least it shouldn't be).  Pack right, pack light and bring along something hot to eat and drink so your trip will be much more pleasurable.  

Trangia 27 5 light weight aluminum set includes a spirit lamp to cook a hot meal on the trail.  It was my only cookstove on a week long camping trip but I recommend the gas burner attachment as it heats quicker and cooks longer.