Gear Shop Page 1- Packs, Gaiters, Trekking Poles, Clothing, SPOT Messenger
Gear Shop Page 2- Shelters, Bug Nets, Ponchos, Sleeping Pads
Gear Shop Page 3- Water Storage and Purification

The following items are available from REI or Altrec.com. They are some of my favorite pieces of gear to come out in recent years. If you are not a member of REI, consider joining. There is a one-time fee of 20 dollars, which then gets you a percentage of your purchases returned every year. You will find more information at the REI website. Clicking on an item link opens a new page at REI. Your purchases at REI help support the Desert Explorer website.

GoLite Jam2 Pack The Jam 2 is an excellent Ultralight pack. It is very durable for being so lightweight- I have squeezed through slots and dragged mine up and down rock faces on a piece of 550 cord with minimal abrasions. The pack weighs 1 pound 6 ounces and carries 3100 cubic inches. It is top-loading with an extension collar, padded shoulder straps and hipbelt, sternum strap and S-shaped foam side/backpanel that hugs the back. It has numerous compression straps, top and bottom to reduce pack volume. It has dual tool loops which can be used for securing trekking poles. It also had a watertight front zippered pocket big enough for essential items. Internal sleeve holds a 3-liter hydration reservoir. Pack also features stretch side mesh pockets with angled openings for easy reach and access. The color of the pack in the photo is Grease.

Leki Super Makalu Ergo SLS Trekking Poles These are the trekking poles that I have been using for about seven years now. Even with the amount of use I give them, they still feel as strong as ever. They have small, domed disc baskets on them but have threads that allow larger baskets to be installed for winter use. They are easy to adjust, have nylon wrist straps, and "thermo-plastic" handles that don't slip when wet. Three-section telescoping poles collapse from 56 to 28 inches for easy packing. Universal carbide flex tips ensure long-lasting durability and an optimal grip on ice and rock surfaces (tips can be replaced).

Snow Peak Titanium Trek 700 Mug This is the 700 ml. version, with lid, of the 600 ml. mug that I carry. It is an ultralight, all-in-one, cook-and-eat vessel for solo adventurers! Of course, in the desert it is best to avoid washing dishes, just using the pot for just boiling water. Weighs just 4.25 ounces. Flip-top lid features a convenient slot for draining pasta and rice without making a mess. A spork can slide into the same slot for packing. GigaPower 110 fuel and GigaPower Stove can be stored in the Trek 700, saving valuable pack space. Includes a mesh storage sack.

Snow Peak Titanium Mini Solo Cookset The main pot of this kit is 800 ml., in case you need something just a bit bigger than the 700 ml. pot featured above. This minimalist kit packs your kitchen into a tiny space, and weighs about 5 ounces. Kit includes 28-fl. oz. pot with lid and a lightweight, 10 fl. oz. cup; pot nests inside cup. Both pot and cup have a handle that folds flat for packing. Rounded bottom edges are easy to clean and improve heating efficiency. Comes with a lightweight nylon storage bag; stowed dimensions are 4.25 (diameter) x 5.2 (height) inches.

REI Desert Gaiters- These gaiters are one of my favorite pieces of equipment for canyon hiking. If you wear low-cut shoes they really do keep everything out of your shoes and socks. Be sure to carry along a couple of extra pieces of cord for the bottoms, especially if you are hiking in rocky streambeds. Following is the description from REI:

These lightweight, low-cut gaiters ensure protection from debris while you hike and trek in the heat of summer. Designed to fit both trail runners and outdoor cross-training shoes. Made of Solarweave® fabric--incredibly comfortable and cool while retaining softness and flexibility. Overlapping hook and loop front closures allow quick, easy adjustments. Elastic top and bottom bands offer a flexible seal. Lace hooks and inseam cords secure them in place.


ExOfficio Air Strip Lite Long-Sleeve Shirt

My favorite shirt ever- the very best for the desert sun. REI description follows:

This shirt is quick-drying and sun-protective. It has been updated with a softer, lighter fabric for added comfort and packability. New Dryflylite™ fabric is extra soft, incredibly light, and wrinkle-resistant; moisture-wicking finish offers quick-drying performance. Fabric provides UPF 30 protection. Side vents keep air constantly circulating over your chest and back. Vented shoulder yoke with hook-and-loop closures lets you adjust the amount of ventilation reaching your upper back and shoulders. Cape vent is lined with Airomesh Plus™ for added breathability and moisture dispersion. Two bellows pockets on chest secure with hook-and-loop closures and expand to carry your trail and travel accessories. Security zip pocket hidden below the flap of the right chest pocket offers additional storage. Sleeves roll up and secure with sleeve tabs. Button-down, three-position collar can be adjusted to protect neck from sun exposure.

ExOfficio Insect Shield Convertible Pants

The perfect pants for desert wear- shorts during the day, pants on cool mornings. Quick dry and lightweight just like the shirt above. This model has Insect Shield. If you order them, be sure to note inseam size. From REI:

Insect Shield® convertible pants by ExOfficio repel biting mosquitoes and burning solar rays. EPA-registered, odorless Insect Shield® Repellent Apparel helps keep biting and potentially disease-carrying insects at bay. Insect Shield® is effective through 70 washes. Repel more than insects—also provides UPF 30+ protection from the sun. Lightweight nylon fabric with peach finish is quick drying and wrinkle resistant. Legs zip off to create shorts with 9 in. inseam; zippered cuffs allow legs to be taken off and put on over boots. Inseam gusset facilitates freedom of movement for increased comfort. Partial elastic-back, lined waistband offers a trim, comfortable fit. Front and rear pockets stow trail and travel essentials; rip-and-stick flap closures on rear pockets secure valuables.

The SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger

This is device could save your life! With enhanced features, improved GPS acquisition and a 30% smaller and lighter design, the SPOT II Satellite GPS Messenger sends your location and status, messages and calls for help. New features and enhancements include faster and stronger GPS function, GPS acquisition light, sent message light and safety flaps over 911 and Help buttons. New design also sports an extra message button, separate tracking button, tracking message queue, replaceable button covers and illuminated buttons. An affordable alternative to PLBs, satellite phones and cell-based GPS trackers, SPOT II provides virtually full coverage in North America, Europe and Australia. Also covers portions of South America, northern Africa and northeastern Asia, along with thousands of miles of offshore areas. "Alert 911" function dispatches emergency responders to your exact location. Use "Help" feature to request assistance from friends or family. "Check In" allows you to transmit your location and that you are okay. Track your progress by sending and saving points along your route to Google Maps™. GPS satellites determine location; commercial SPOT satellites transmit information. Rugged unit floats, works in extreme temperatures and altitudes and can be submerged up to 5m (16.4 ft.). SPOT II Satellite GPS Messenger is light, small and easy to carry. Comes with snug neoprene case, armband, carabiner clip, car dash attachment and 1 set of replacement button covers. Optional features include SPOTcast automatic tracking service and guaranteed extraction assistance in countries lacking emergency services. 3 AAA lithium batteries (included) provide 110 days of standby power, 14 days in SPOTcast mode and 7 days in 911 mode, or 1,900 SPOTcheck "OK" messages. Requires $99 annual subscription; $7.95 for optional extraction assistance in countries without emergency services (available at www.findmespot.com). Available at REI for $149.95.

See 10 November 2009 Blog post for more on the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger.

ACR Electronics SARLink 406 Personal Locator Beacon

The ACR Electronics SARLink 406 personal locator beacon offers 3-level integrated signal technology. It quickly and accurately relays your position to a global network of Search and Rescue satellites. Powerful 406 MHz satellite signal and 121.5 MHz local homing signal help reduce search times and maximize your chances of survival in an emergency. SARlink broadcasts a unique registered distress signal that tells rescuers where and who you are. 66-channel GPS fixes your location to within 100m; a satellite signal alerts Search and Rescue personnel and a local homing signal guides rescuers to your exact location. In addition to the local homing signal, a super bright LED strobe light helps rescuers find you quickly. Light and small, the ACR Electronics SARLink 406 personal locator beacon is carried easily in a pack or pocket. Fully functional self-test of the circuitry, battery power and 406 MHz transmission gives you peace of mind knowing your beacon will work when you need it. GPS acquisition test mode allows you to test the GPS functionality up to 12 times over the life of the battery. Once activated, the ACR Electronics SARLink 406 personal locator beacon will continue to transmit for up to 35 hrs. in typical conditions. Waterproof at 16 ft. for up to an hour and 33 ft. for up to 10 minutes. Includes a removable attachment clip.
Available at REI for $399.95.

See 10 November 2009 Blog post for more on the ACR SARLink PLB.

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Gear Shop Page 1- Packs, Gaiters, Trekking Poles
Gear Shop Page 2- Shelters, Bug Nets, Ponchos, Sleeping Pads
Gear Shop Page 3- Water Storage and Purification