Swiss Volcano bottle (surplus) Test

Just received as a present.
Reason for this is to have stove, bottle and mug all-in-one
Looks that I’m going to use two water bottles – this below as main container and smaller one for drinking while walking.
Now about those tests:
First – it fits perfectly in Mole type pocket for water.

This thing is stove, bottle (one litre)  and mug

After disassembling:

I started with igniting some fire:

Then mug



Water was boiled quite fast (I was not measuring time)
There is a possibility to boil directly in this bottle – which gives you an opportunity to use it when it’s really cold and you are caring ice within.
Anyway – this is great idea.
Its nicer to have open fire than using gas stove for making tea or coffee.
You can use normal pot with this, but you have to stich this stove with some sticks to the ground to make it more stable. (no problem with this as there is wire for holding hot stove there)

Wild Mushrooms

 

Now we got time for collecting mushrooms.
This on a picture, we collected on Saturday.
When you find such mushroom, and only one – this is mostly for drying.
I thought, that this would be extremely useful if someone with programming skills would create application for smartphone to recognising mushrooms.
I’m not talking about set of pictures, I imagine some database with shape choices and possibility to match proper colour from palette with showing possible mushrooms at the end.
The best possible would be recognising mushrooms from pictures.
I heard very interesting thing, that in France you are getting wild mushrooms to pharmacy, and they are recognising them for you.
Such service would be extremely useful in other countries.

Tatonka Handle mug

For those who are not aware.

Tatonka handle mug was perfect solution for storing Nalgene type bottle and mug together.

I just found that current model of this mug is slightly smaller.

…Bottle does not fit anymore…..

Backpack vs. Messenger’s bag in tropical regions

During last expedition I decided to test this on myself.
I mean every time I was taking small backpack with me, for time when main backpack is stored somewhere and I need to walk, see something.
This time I took messenger’s bag as I realized that my back will not be fully sweat, and I’ll be able to change arms for this.
I was expecting troubles as backpack is much more comfortable that such bag.
It was surprise  that this bag was quite good idea.
It’s easier to find something as I got plenty of pockets, its better to carry it.
As this is smaller and less handy than backpack, I was forced to think what I actually need to take with me instead of caring everything what was usually in backpack, so it was not too heavy.
This particular model allows to attach military style pockets.
I connected water pouch and this was ideal solution.
Attached solar panel was powering AA batteries for described here charger.

Water bottle and flying

There is a huge chance that you don’t know, that in “less civilised countries” you can get your own bottle with water on board the plane.

This ridiculous idea, (same with removing your shoes, taking laptop off case… )
is practiced in Europe and US mostly.

Using this sanity I was always getting my bottle with water on board to be independent of flight personnel.

At this blog I already described my ultimate water bottle.

Is great as has pipe inside, so you can drink safely while driving your bike or car.

In plane – disaster….

As air pressure is changing during the flight such bottle always leaks.

I’m moving back to pipe less bottle.

Shirt in tropical regions

Based on own experience I thought that breathable T-shirt is good idea for “expedition”.
It is light, so you can get five breathable T-shirts in weight of three standard cotton.
It dries very fast, so you can wash it and hang by your backpack.
It’s not smelly.
I was not aware, that in tropics I’ll be fully wet in 10 minutes.
Wearing breathable T-shirt in humidity close to 100% is like wearing wetsuit.
Just insane.
Standard T-shirt is mistake as well, as it is completely wet you can be friction burned while walking.
Thank goodness, as a part of our plan we had wedding of our friends, I took two cotton shirts (not T-shirts).
Definitely the best solution, dries fast on you and you have some kind of comfort.
Sorry for showing sweating body on a blog, but this is totally connected to above text.

Tropical regions - tent

In previous post I wrote, that I haven’t seen tent suitable for tropical areas and then I realized that I’m wrong.
In 90% of places where I was using tent average temperatures were from 0 to 15 degrees Centigrade and there was a chance for rain.
I mean rain which is cold, wet and makes you feel not comfortable.
In tropics you are already wet, and rain makes you happy (me).
I made major mistake choosing proper tent.
For ages I was trying to find tent with external frame, as it is good to have flyer up with internal part inside especially when it rains.
For tropics much better tents are those with internal set of masts as you can remove flayer….. and take a breath.
Picture – our proper winter type tent on Easter Island

Night in tropics

After we came back from Borneo, I got a little bit more experience with choosing the right gear.

What was not acceptable for my body was heat.
It’s basically too hot and too wet there.

I was sweating so much that  I had an impression of ants doing mountain kayaking competition on my back.

Sleeping just on a ground is not advised, too many weird insects around.

Once we slept in hammocks (with integrated mosquito net) but we had no tarp, as I took tent instead.
So when started to rain at # AM we moved back to tent.

Tent is just disaster in such conditions.
I have an impression that every possible tent was constructed to keep us worm and secure us from wind and water.

Every wind is blocked by tent… terrible.

If you are planning to sleep in a jungle, my recommendation is hammock with integrated mosquito net AND tarp.

Main mistake was not to take tarp as we took tent.

What to do with backpacks ?

Put backpack in transport bag (was described at some stage in this blog)
and cover with military style poncho punched to the ground.
will work. (tested with tropical storm)

For fast starter–Tropics

 

Just came back from Borneo and European heat has not made any bad impression on me.

As result there will be set of articles (hope interesting)

I got a few specific subjects to describe:

Night in tropics – why tent is not good.

Breathable T-shirts as a form of wet suit.

Water bottle again.

Messenger’s bag instead of small backpack.

as attachment – found in Kuching,  (Malaysia)

Corns on your palms

Two weeks ago I used machete to cut some fire wood.

I just found fallen pine tree and decided to use it instead of finding loose branches.

I consider this way of picking wood extremely effective, as for whole evening tree logs were enough.

This was quite fast when I realised that I forgot to take my gloves.

Effects are barely visible as this is two weeks after.

Todays tools got very good grip made of rubber or special something, but I’m sure, that there would be no such thing as corns with handle made out of wood.

Anyway.

Remember to take your working gloves to avoid such sensation.

I’m using gloves as on picture below.

They are designed for such job.

Sorry for not updating

 

But I’m busy, for example busy camping.

If you don’t know – most of camping places in Poland before or after holiday season are just empty.

Quite, peace and singing birds…..

Powerbank DIY

Usually I’m taking multiple electronic devices with me.

GPS can be handy – main works with two AA batteries.
I’m thinking about not taking it as my android phone is quite enough with offline maps.

Anyway – I got always phone (usually switched off).
At some stage I bought solar charger for AA acus and when I’m thinking about not taking GPS with me it would be wasted.
So, I decided I need to do something about it.

AA batteries are the most common power source on this planet and most devices can be powered off USB.
Even my torch is USB powered.

Stared to look for something on the net… nothing special.

“Professional” powerbanks  are using own batteries.

I found battery pack for four AAs in my electronic debris.

USB socket was not a problem.

We can have approximately 1.3V out of each AA battery.

4* 1.3V= 5.2 – looks good.

In USB socket you need to connect opposite connectors to + and – .

Those in the middle should be connected to each other
Looks that my electronics skills are not same as 20 years ago, but I made it.

This thing is powering my phone.

Liquid fuel stove

 

On Polish version I was posting my tries for making DYI stove just for fun.

Looks that I got ultimate version – you will be surprised at the end of this post.

Started about two years ago with creating wood gas stove out of two tin cans.
Construction can be found on youtube. Or by searching Google with "DIY woodgas stove".

Waste of time – when reasonable – too bulky too take it, when small – not working on found fuel.

Second attempt was to create liquid based stove,

pictures here:

http://ps1560.blogspot.com/2012/10/kuchenka-spirytusowa.html

Effects – zero to none – water was not boiled.

Third attempt – wood gas again – I came to an idea that air can flow within central kind of pillar instead double walls.

Too much smoke and totally ineffective on wet wood.

AT THE END

I found ultimate DIY stove, for the time when we are at the other site of the ocean, there is no proper gas bottle standard  for our stove.

Receipt is easy:

1. Take one soda can.

2. Remove top with a knife

3. make holes near the top – as many as you want, they shouldn't be too small.

4. make holes in the middle – as above

5. fill it with liquid fuel (any) till those middle holes.

6. Put your pot/mug directly on soda can.

7. Ignite though holes in the middle

Works perfectly.

Easiest DIY water filter

This was tested a few times (not at home).

You can buy cartridge for water filter (they are cheap over here – close to 2 Euro)

Such filter is perfect for most bottles

Cut the corner of plastic disposable bag and put filter in it.

Tight is with rubber cut out of bike inner tube.

Ready to rock and roll :)

Night Navigation

Most of guides on the net and in books are focused on info how to find North using stars.

Of course I’m including proper picture for it, but I think that people are not putting enough attention to this info.

When are people checking North ?
Usually when they are lost.
Whole idea of navigation is not to be lost.
If one is lost – info where north is is not enough to help.

Night navigation is not only about stars, every city is creating lights over the horizon,
trains or cars are making noise and we can use it as direction during the night.

If there is an airport around we can see direction of approaching planes.

Coming back to stars.

We are lost, we can see stars, we can find north … and we are still lost with this knowledge.

This is not the think we want.

Quite important is to make a habit for checking geographical directions on the go, BEFORE we are lost.

We need to know the map of our neighbourhood.

If we are prepared and we have paper version of the map (no way for batteries to be gone) its good to roughly know our position.
If one has a map and information where is north is not enough to use it.

Now usual info how to find north and northern star (or south).

Northern star (Polaris) marked on picture below, can be found at the end od Ursa Minor.

Take care and check it near your house is stars are visible.

On southern hemisphere above is not visible at all, you can see Southern Cross.

blaaaa….you can see….. I was many times on southern hemisphere and trying to see it.

Only using local knowledge of some Australian guy I was able to find it.

Key information is – Southern Cross looks exactly like on Australian flag.

Look south to find it…

Shoes

While looking for shoes for trekking/hiking/backpacking activities
every person coming to shoe shop can say - "my feet is non standard".

Mass production defined shoe numbers for feet length but each feet with same length is different.

Shoes are extremely individual so it's hard to give an advise but I can share my opinions based on my  experience.
I'm not fan of membrane in shoes, mostly cause when your shoes are dirty or completely wet - membrane is not working.
Best breathable material for shoes is leather even when wet and dirty.
There are multiple models based on Cordura.
Cordura has one huge disadvantage, is not elastic and is not forming to Your feets.
There was once, ages ago, when Cordura was OK for me, but producer changed designer and now I can't find such shoes which are OK for me.

So, let's stay with leather shoes,
Assuming that we bought nice leather hiking shoes, what's next ?
Some of people are putting some water repellent on it and store them in wardrobe.
This is not the best idea.
I would advise to put them in water for a night, put some stones over it.
Next day - using two pairs of socks - put them on and walk a few hours until they are dry.
If they are not dry day after next day - do the same.
When dry - put water repellent on then some shoe wax.
Your trekking shoes are ready :)
All above was to make them perfect for Your feets in fastest possible way.

There is second way to prepare shoes for trekking/hiking.
You need to wear them for a few months every day.

Picture:  - my trekking shoes in a water

Polish multitool made in 1969

Just found on the net something stunning,
I'm not fan of various multitools, I'm using one small based on players.
Look at the pictures from links.
There was military purpose mutitool, produced in 1969 in Poland (Łódż).
Bear in mind that there was nothing like multitool on the market at this time.
This is not based on players, base is switchblade (110mm)
It is easy to replace spring in it which is important.
You got multiple accessories there (check pictures) but most shocking is included petrol based lighter.
Tool was for military use only which explains why I didn't saw this before.
Links to pictures (and full description in Polish) here:

http://www.knives.pl/www/artykuly/recenzje/noz_wieloczynnosciowy_wz._1969.html
http://zombie-zone.pl/noze/perelka-z-lamusa-nw-polski-noz-wieloczynnosciowy-wz-69/

After coming back

After coming back from journey, at the time of unpacking stuff, we usually stow all gear for a next time.
This is not the best idea, unfortunately we need to spend some time to take care of our goods.

Why ?
You need them ready for the next trip and there will be no time later.

I’m starting with sharpening my knife as is not so sharp as before journey.
Last time there was a nail in a wood while I was buttoning it, so I needed to fix my blade.

Next thing is sleeping bag.
You need to unpack it and put on a fresh air for couple of hours.
This will greatly improve your comfort on the next trip.

Remember that down based sleeping bags should be stowed unpacked.

We should unroll mats, clean them with wet cloth, dry and roll again – now we got such possibility.

Pumped ones and mattresses should be stowed with air in it – there will be no surprises next time.

All pots, mugs and stove should be cleaned again – we got no hot water limits at home.

If we are not sure if bottom of our tent was dry at the time we were packing – we need to unpack it and dry.

At the end electronics.
We should check/replace  batteries in our torch and recharge cameras, GPS-es etc.

Why to do all those things ?

Cause you will not do them later.

How to choose your gear ?

Very often I receive questions like:
” I go for trekking/hiking/seeing X, should I take tent/ mate/ stove what kind of…?”

There is very easy solution to those questions.
Rule which helped me a lot not only with touring.

Take the best.
If the best is too expensive choose the cheapest one witch solves your problem.

Above applies to everything.
For example when choosing mat/mattress the most important thing is to choose comfortable one.
In my opinion currently the best are thermarest mattresses.
They weight approximately 0.5 kilo.
They are expensive
If this is too expensive for you – take the cheapest one.

There is little difference with choosing tent.
Tent depends of type of activity you are planning.
If you are planning to go by car – the best is Decathlon’s quechua.
Look at AIR models.
Above is useless when trekking –
for trekking apply the rule as with mattress.

While choosing stove, in my opinion Jetboil is the best (or new Primus models).
But when are you planning end of the world trip – you need muti-fuel.

At the end standard question:
”Should I take tarp or tent ?”
If you are planning holidays – not survival – take tent.
In raining condition – you will be dry, and there will be no bugs in your sleeping bag.

Picture for holidays – ( Poland 2008 )

There is a Google Currents version

In case someone is using Google Currents, there is a version of this blog there.

Google Currents is available for Android, iPhone and iPad

Link here:

http://www.google.com/producer/editions/CAow-OqbBw/practical_tourism

Maps for GPS

 

For very long time I’m using Garmin devices.
This is not cause I like it but mostly because you got access to free maps.
In case of more remote, oversees trip local home map you can use in your car is not the best.
You can put your own maps in Garmin devices particularly created by other people.
For example on Iceland we were using:
http://www.ourfootprints.de/gps/mapsource-island_e.html

Last time I was looking for Pyrenees maps and I found very nice set for bikers:

http://openmtbmap.org/download/odbl/#map-data

For Poland I’m using

http://mapa.ump.waw.pl/ump-www/

For most people GPS is a device to find proper route.
I was always confused with this type approach.
The most important think you can find on your GPS is your current position.
Then you can find it on proper, paper based map bought in remote site.
If you can see map on your GPS – great – its easier

Why actually we should use GPS device comparing to smartphone with GPS ?
Three basic reasons:
1. Power supply
you can take spare AAA batteries for it
2. Maps – if you are not in range no maps.
3. Precision.

We should turn on GPS device only when stopping.
There are no devices on the market (yet) which can work on line for a week.

Picture – tent in the woods.
Tierra del Fuego 2001 – Patagonia
GPS helped us to find our place on the map.

Campfire cooking with tent pegs.

 

Campfire cooking is quite easy if we are doing this on rare occasions.
Everyone knows how to prepare sausage on a stick, some knows how to bake potatoes in a fire.
At the time when campfire is our only fire source it starts to be challenging.
Imagine that we are in a woods and there are no bricks or Tesco trolley grill.
There are hundreds ways to prepare our campfire for cooking, we can use hang up a cattle for example, but most people just puts pot near fire or on bigger branches.
The idea for writing this post is simple.
There is a very easy way to prepare cooking spot with tent pegs.
Just put three pegs into the ground and make small fire below.
The easiest possible cooking system.

Esbit pocket stove test - second attempt

In previous post I described my first test attempt (unsuccessful)

At the end I wrote, that some screen is needed.
Starting with material, I found big disposable dish made of aluminium.
I paid for this 1 Euro, check the picture.
Stove in the middle.

After cutting screen, I used it for second test attempt.
It was quite windy day so, comparable conditions.

I used four tablets this time, as was visible later – too many,
Three should make it.
Water was boiling after 7 minutes.
Looks that stove is OK but with screen.

TEST / REVIEW - Esbit solid fuel stove

At the very first day of proper spring, I decided to test solid fuel Esbit pocket stove. Toy is very small 10x7.5x2 cm, and you can put it in your pocket. I tought , that this thing is perfect for taking with me together with water and mug, in case I'd like to make some hot drink while I was not planning to do this. 

 

Stove comes with paper box helping to keep clean your backpack after usage

After opening stove like jack in a box jumps out fuel container with solid tablets. Great as you are not using additional space for it.

To use it you need to put fuel into the stove and ignite.

For this test we used 30ml of water

Working thing looks as above. There was quite windy, we used part of old sleeping mate as a windshield. All of this helped to make tests quite realistic. If I need worm tea - means it is windy, raining and frogs are landing on our heads cause of the weather. After 20 minutes, using 10 tablets we didn't manage to boil the water although it was possible to prepare tea. Solution for above would be thick aluminium foil as a windshield - without windshield it is not usable gear.

There will be second  test in a minute

Rozdział na dwa blogi – Dividing for two blogs

Aby było to prościej czytać, polska wersja będzie na PS1650.blogspot.com a angielską przenoszę na nowy blog, czyli tu. Dodatkowym powodem jest to, że wielojęzyczność całkowicie rozwala RSS-a. A właśnie planuję wskoczyć na Google Currents Zmieniam także logo

To make this read easily I decided to spread this blog into two separate. Polish will stay on PS1650.blogspot.com while English version will be here Additional reason is that multi-language on one page destroys possibility to read in reasonable way via RSS or Google Currents changing Logo as well