Instant Fire with InstaFire
Whats better than a nice, warm campfire when you're out in the wilderness on a cold winter or fall excursion? Not much.
But when you're out in the rain or snow, and everything is damp, creating a fire can be something of a challenge. This is when it is useful to have a nice fire starting kit, or tinderbox, handy.
InstaFire is a fire starting material that is light, environmentally friendly, burns in wind, rain, sleet and snow, and is capable of quickly drying out wet tinder. It is also relatively inexpensive, at only $1.49 for a burnable or pourable pouch that will burn for about 15-20 minutes. Large buckets are also available at a reasonable price.
Amazing HD Yosemite Timelapse Photography
Yosemite HD from Project Yosemite on Vimeo.
This video is a collaboration between Sheldon Neill and Colin Delehanty. All timelapses were shot on the Canon 5D Mark II with a variety of Canon L and Zeiss CP.2 Lenses.
Project Yosemite Website: projectyose.com
Contact info: info@projectyose.com
Thanks to Dynamic Perception for their motion controlled dolly and continued support!
Dynamic Perception Website: dynamicperception.com
Music is "Outro" from the new album Hurry Up, We're Dreaming by M83.
Publishing: emimusicpub.com
Licensing: bankrobbermusic.com
The SparxGear Fire Piston
Fire pistons are useful utilities for starting fires in the wilderness. SparxGear has a kickstarter product design for a fire piston that has some interesting features. Watch the video here:
It measures 5 & 5/8" long with a 5/8" diameter and it weighs in at 2.25 oz "dry". I like the compartments for o-rings or starter material and also like the cutouts for flints, magnesium and other material.
One thing that would be incredibly useful would be a pen type clip, perhaps with an edge to strike magnesium, or a nail file type material to strike matches on, it would also give the ability to secure it in a pack pocket. This is something that could probably be added yourself with a bit of DIY craftsmanship.
If anyone is unfamiliar with how kickstarter works, basically you pledge to a project or product and receive benefits based upon how much you pledge. With the SparxGar fire piston $35 will get you a shiny orange one. Pledge a bit more and your options change, you can choose a color or get multiple fire pistons. The cool thing is, you only pay if the project gets funded and you can manage your pledge at any time. I'd really like to see this one get funded and it looks like a solid product that will be well worth the money.
Pledge if you're in the market for a neat, fire starting gadget and be one of the first to own a Sparxgear fire piston!
Living The Log Cabin Dream
COFFER from thismustbetheplace on Vimeo.
The Adventure Journal recently posted an article and video (see below) about John Coffer, a man who, fed up with his modern life in Florida, purchased 50 acres in upstate New York upon which he built, completely by hand, the log cabin dream. From Adventure Journal:
Twenty-five years ago, John Coffer punted on a typical materialistic life in Florida and moved to upstate New York, where he set himself up on 50 acres in a log cabin, downshifted, and apparently figured out a fulfilling, satisfying life for himself revolving around subsistence, consideration, and slow photography. In this short, pastoral little vignette from Lost & Found Films, Coffer speaks without haste about his days…sleeping until 9 if he wants, how the irregularities of his cabin reflect the natural world, and why making tintype pictures is more intention and significant. Coffer is no Luddite — he has solar, a wind generator, and a laptop — but he’s chosen and seems to be completely in full with a life outside the rushing stream. If you’ve ever thought about bailing and escaping to a simpler, quieter existence, you’ll want to watch this.