T. Benton


I know I’ve been reviewing “The Year’s Best” here lately, but for some reason they all come out this time of year and I can’t help but take a look. This time it’s camping stoves.

First on the list is the Flex burner made by Brunton. It’s very light weight, quick lighting and hot burning. The neat thing about his little stove is it folds away like a deck of cards for easy carrying. The only downside I see is that it only burns special fuel, probably white gas which is expensive and not always easy to find. Still, at $75 it’s not a bad portable stove. www.brunton.com


This next stove is one I’m glad to see in this year’s top list. The Coleman Insta- Start Fold and Go is a dual burner that folds like a clamshell for easy storage. It burns propane which isn’t that expensive and not hard to find. I’m a big fan of Coleman primarily for its wide selection of burners and the decent price ranges, not to mention the multi-fuel versatility of most stoves. At $70, this one’s definitely at the top of my list. www.coleman.com


MSR has been the leader in portable stoves for several years. The company has its fair share of competition these days but still produces top-shelf burners. The Reactor is a good example: This stove has an enclosed, wind-proof burner and can boil water in less than three minutes--incredibly fast. It’s also very light weight but only burns white fuel--again, expensive and sometimes hard to find. At $140, it’s a nice one to have if you camp in Alaska but not the most practical. www.msrgear.com


There’s always a stove that seems to be from the future as far as looks and design. That stove would be the Stella + made by Optimus. Super versatile yet functional, this burner has an automatic ignition and weighs only 9 ounces. It may appear small and possibly fragile, but it can hold a 4 liter pot. At around $100 it meets versatility and durability. www.optimus.com


When choosing a stove, always keep in mind how you’ll use it. For family trips, a larger stove is fine; for backpacking and hiking, lighter, more versatile stoves are best. I prefer multi fuel stoves over any because of the wide selection of fuels to choose from. Weigh the factors before you buy, and if you have any questions, I’ll be glad to help.

T.Benton


I prefer camping when it’s cooler. There’s something about brisk fall mornings and evenings that makes me want to pitch a tent and start a campfire. As summer draws to an end, I can look forward to packing the gear and heading to a favorite spot. If you have the same thing in mind, then you might be in the market for a new tent. If so, here are five that made Outside Magazine’s “2007 Gear of the Year” list.

The Big Agnes Emerald SL2 is a whopper. It has lots of space and weighs in at just over four pounds. The features are plenty: two doors, massive vestibule, and generous interior space. There’s also an optional vestibule that can be used for cooking, an area for children, pets or excess gear. It’s a great three-season tent. www.biganges.com


Coined “Long and Light”, the Marmot Zonda is a great summer tent in my opinion. Reason being, it’s designed in a way that allows 360 degree visibility when the top cover is off. The screen mesh allows for a cool breeze to waft through while star gazing or enjoying a splendid vista. At just over four pounds also, it has ample interior space for two plus gear. www.marmot.com


If you’re looking for a tent that can protect you from the elements—and then some—you may want to try the Tengu 3 made by Sierra Designs. This tent allows you to pitch it with the fly already attached, not exposing the inner tent to the elements at all. It’s condensation-free with two doors, plenty of pockets and spacious. You will sacrifice lightweight and portability as it weighs just under eight pounds. But one thing you can be sure of is you’ll stay dry in this tent. www.sierradesigns.com


Hybrid is one word that can be used to describe the Vario 23 made by The North Face. This tent is stout yet lightweight, offering maneuverability with durability in a small package. Not a lot of ventilation; roomy but could be roomier with an additional vestibule or just a larger one. At a little over four pounds it’s a tent worth having. www.thenorthface.com


Looking for something aerodynamic? Mountain Hardware’s Viperin 2 looks like something out of “Star Wars” but is great for windy conditions or crowded campsites. Its narrow shape allows for setting up in tight quarters and at four and a half pounds very easy to carry. You must sacrifice interior space but still a nice tent for two. www.mountainhardware.com


These five tents have prices ranging from $225 to $350; not the most economical, particularly if you aren’t a year-round camper. You can save a few hundred bucks buying one of the many Coleman tents or a Eureka. In my opinion, they are just as good and durable as these higher-end brands and suitable for camping in the Ozarks and most other places. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to own one or two of the above mentioned brands, but they are definitely tents I can do without.

T.Benton

If you’re a fan of Discovery Channel’s hit show “Man vs. Wild”, you may have heard of the allegations that the host, Bear Grylls, apparently staged a number of scenes and slept in hotels instead of roughing it in the outdoors.

I know I was shocked. I am a viewer of the series and posted an entry earlier this year referring to Bear’s survival tactics. Not that his survival skills are bogus, but I was under the impression—as I’m sure most other viewers were—that Bear survives in the wild for 5 days or until he makes it back to civilization. According to allegations, it looks as though he doesn’t, at least in some episodes.

I’ve read a few articles on the matter and they all seem to chant the same mantra: “Bear Grylls is a fake”. There’s a part of me that agrees but another part that doesn’t. The whole sleeping in a hotel bit and staging portions of episodes disappoints me; but then again, neither Bear Grylls nor the Discovery Channel ever claimed that the show was entirely man against nature. It’s said that for safety reasons and liabilities the production company couldn’t allow Bear to go on certain perilous adventures “unaided”. In future episodes, there will be more “visibility” and “up-front explanations” of the show and it’s content.

I think the series is entertaining and I will continue to watch it. Granted, there are some parts that are obviously there for the shock factor but is there anything better to watch on a Friday night? Let’s give Bear a break and enjoy the show for what it is: entertainment.

T. Benton


Thinking about taking a vacation this summer? Is visiting a national park, camping in the Rockies or mountain biking in Oregon something you’d like to try? Now there’s a way to do it while supporting a good cause.

GORP Travel, a vacation search engine similar to Orbitz or Travelocity, has introduced a list of “volunteerism trips” that allow you to visit popular locations while helping to protect the environment, lend a hand in finding sustainable energy solutions, protecting endangered species or assisting people living in under-developed communities throughout the world.


The Oregon Coast Sustainability tour is an eight-day trip that will run you around $595. It includes biking Oregon’s scenic bike route along Hwy 101 (said to be one of the world’s most spectacular routes). But you’ll also work and sleep under the stars on organic farms that produce sustainable fruits and vegetables as well as visiting several “eco-villages” that are small, self-sustaining communities. It includes a visit to ecology museums that bridge art, nature and humanity.


Maybe you want to travel abroad: How about visiting Ecuador where you’ll have the chance to work in the Alto Choco Reserve which is considered one of the most diverse and important biological zones in the world. Here you can find many endangered species like the Andean bear and dwarf deer. You’ll also travel throughout Ecuador visiting several indigenous towns and villages. The price tag on this adventure is around $1385.

The Great Sand Dunes Park in Colorado is another option: for around $425 you can experience the beauty of this awesome national park while helping park personnel in maintenance and trail development. Guided night tours and camping in this awesome landscape are all included.


Compared to other vacation packages, the price of a volunteer vacation is relatively low. So if you’re interested in getting out and supporting a good cause while having outdoor family fun, maybe a volunteer vacation is right for you. For more information visit. www.gorptravel.com

T. Benton

If I had to name one out-door shoe I thought was the best all-around, it would be the Aquatooth made by Columbia. I’m not being biased because I own a pair but because I’ve never worn a shoe I can do almost everything in and under almost every weather condition (ice aside). I can hike, mountain bike, trail run, climb bluffs and rock faces, wade through streams, camp, canoe, walk my dogs and even trek the mall in style and comfort. It’s a shoe I’m glad I spent $50 on, which is a lot less than some of the others I’m featuring in this entry. www.columbia.com

First off, listed as number 2 in the photo above, is the Zen climbing shoe made by Scarpa. This shoe is primarily for climbing. It sports Vibram Spyder soles that allow for excellent grip. This isn’t to say you couldn’t hike or go for a walk in them, but water sports would be out of the question as there’s not a lot of ventilation. Scarpa is a leading maker of mountaineering, hiking and climbing shoes. If I decided to scale Mt. Everest or climb the Rockies, Scarpa would be my pick, but for a multi-purpose shoe I’d have to look somewhere else. www.scarpa.com

Next is the all-weather trekker called the Nagevi XCR made by Garmont. It’s number 3 in the picture above and is acclaimed for its grip and versatility. The shoe is waterproof but not the best for water sports; climbing might be a little iffy but it’s definitely a well-rounded trail shoe and has a sharp look. Garmont is a maker of high-quality hiking, mountaineering and general outdoor footwear; definitely a top choice from the list. www.garmontusa.com

Shown as number 4, the Patagonia Drifter GTX is one of the best “green” shoes on the market. The Vibram Eco Step outsole is made with 30-percent recycled rubber. It consists of other eco-fabrics and the treads provide great traction in mud, loose dirt and even light snow. There’s a non-waterproof version that allows more ventilation in warmer weather. The shoe is great for hiking and some climbing, but water sports and casual use would be a stretch. I’m fond of its “green” attributes; Patagonia has taken large steps towards more eco-friendly footwear. But as an all-around shoe it doesn’t rank high on the list. www.patagonia.com

This next shoe, shown as number 7, I must admit I’m a little biased towards because I own a pair; not the same model, but Merrell nonetheless. The Moab Ventilator is ideal for hot, dry hiking preferably in the extreme conditions of the Moab Desert. They aren’t necessarily water shoes but can be used for climbing, hiking and casual wear around town. If you’re looking for a great out-door shoe for multi terrain use, this is one to consider. www.merrell.com

You may have noticed I didn’t mention all the shoes shown above. That’s because some are more geared towards running and walking. All the shoes I’ve listed here are top of the line. If I could, I’d own at least one pair of each. But that wouldn’t be kind to the old pocket book. You have to determine what your uses are and what your budget will allow. In my case, when warmer weather hits I pull out the Aquatooth so I can enjoy the trail and the water; when it cools off, I put on my Merrell’s as I won’t be getting wet. There are several brands out there to choose from. Always remember to pick what fits you most comfortably for the activities you’ll be doing.

Until next time, take care and enjoy the outdoors.