NEVERWET SUPERHYDROPHOBIC SPRAY-ON COATING
Ross Technology Corp, in an effort to reduce corrosion upon steel, have created a silicon-based spray-on coating that repels water and heavy oils called NeverWet. The potential to waterproof your tent (what rain fly?), your pack, even your clothing is amazing. When this product hits the market, potentially around mid-2012, expect a review from us on its effectiveness. Check out a demonstration video below:
SMOKIES HIKERS TO PAY BACKCOUNTRY FEE IN 2013
In an effort to hire more Rangers to patrol the backcountry of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, officials are going to start charging for the use of backcountry campsites and shelters.
From Blue Ridge Now:
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park now has approval from the National Park Service to charge backcountry camping fees.
Park officials plan to take reservations and charge each person $4 per night to use any of more than 80 backcountry campsites and 15 trail shelters. The rustic sites are reachable only by hiking or on horseback. The fees will begin in 2013.
It's not an overly high price to pay if it will assist in hiring Rangers and go towards upkeep and services for backcountry areas. It's not a high price to pay at all actually. The Great Smoky Mountains NP is one of, if not THE, last National Park not to charge for entrance or backcountry camping, and it could go a long way towards the protection and betterment of the park.
BOOT CARE TIPS FROM ELI ROMER OF DANNER BOOTS
Over on the Best Made Projects blog, a division of Best Made Company (makers of high grade, quality outdoor gear made in the USA), Eli Romer, the Quality Control Coordinator at Danner Boots (some of the finest boots crafted today, made of the finest materials, and again made right here in the USA) has created a list of 7 tips to keep the boots you carefully selected and spent your hard-earned dollars on in the best possible shape. Anyone can wear a pair of boots out, but with a little bit of care and maintenance, you'll have a pair to hand down to the next generation outdoorsman one day.
VIDEO REVIEW: PLASTIC LIGHT MY FIRE SPORK
Here is the first video review from the good folk over at Ridgeline Review. I'll be reviewing the Light My Fire Spork. Available at just about any outdoor gear retailer (I picked mine up at REI), the fork and spoon combo can be rather handy in the backcountry, if it doesn't fall apart on you. While it was, at just a few dollars, rather cheap, you get what you pay for, as you'll see in the vid. I'd suggest spending a little extra for a titanium option from either Light My Fire or any other brand.
Be Gentle, it's our first video, and something of a test run. Expect them to get better as we learn (and as we can afford better equipment). This wasn't planned. The next one will be.
Thanks for watching!