WoodGas Camp Stove: Smaller, Lighter, More Efficient

by Willy Volk on

The WoodGas Camp Stove is more clever than its name suggests. A revolution in outdoor cooking, this tough stove starts quickly and easily; weighs only 2 pounds; uses 90% less fuel than ordinary stoves; and burns almost any plant-based fuel. You can even burn wet plant material.

Using a small (battery- or solar-powered) fan to draw fresh air into the unit’s dual stage combustion chamber, the WoodGas stove effectively burns fuel twice — allowing for a cleaner, hotter, more efficient stove.

Developed by a scientist with more than 30 years experience in biomass energy, the compact Stove is perfect for backpacking, hiking, camping, tailgating, hurricane preparedness, or making s’mores in the backyard. Get yours for $50. Bearded, woodsy, avuncular man not included.

Ursack’s Bear Resistant Food Bags

by Willy Volk on

With a sense of smell 7 times more powerful than a bloodhound, bears can sniff out your Trail Mix from miles away. Therefore, when hiking and camping in bear country, it’s advisable to carry your food in “bear proof” containers.

Ursack makes bear and critter resistant food bags from flexible, “bullet proof” fabric — the same fabric used by the military. Ideal for backpackers, kayakers and other wilderness users, the Ursack S29 has an optional foil liner to further protect your food. Boasting 650 cubic inches of pack space, the bag weighs a feathery 8 ounces and comes in that familiar faded military green color.

When tied properly, the Ursack actually becomes more bear-resistant the longer a bear tugs: the toothy mammal actually cinches the rope tighter with each additional pull. Check out the video to see a bear foiled at his attempt to get a snack.

Grandma Gatewood, The First Woman To Hike the AT

by Willy Volk on

I was planning on sharing a link about thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail with Gadling’s readers today. However, as I was reading Get Outdoors’ blog, I found something far, far more interesting about the AT: the story of Grandma Gatewood.

The first woman to hike the AT solo, Grandma Gatewood conquered the 2175-mile Trail in 1955 at age 67. An unofficial pioneer of the Ultralight movement, Grandma tackled the Trail wearing Keds, carrying an army blanket, a raincoat, one change of clothes, and a plastic shower curtain that she used for shelter — all of which she toted in a homemade denim bag slung over one shoulder.

She hiked the AT once more in 1960 — making her the first person to hike the Trail twice — and then in 1963, she hiked it a third time — making her the first person to hike the Trail three times.

Why did this mother of 11 and grandmother of 23 want to hike the AT? In a comment reminiscent of George Mallory, she claimed she wanted to do it because she “thought it would be a nice lark.” Guess what? “It wasn’t.” Today, there’s a section of lark-free trail named for her.

I wish I were as tough as Grandma Gatewood.

Adventure Racing World Championship

by Willy Volk on

Western Scotland will host the Adventure Racing World Championship from May 26 to June 2. During the grueling event, 45 4-person teams will compete in one of the toughest races on earth.

For 7 days, these endurance racers will hike, kayak, sweat, bike, swim, bleed, rope, cut, hack, cry, traipse, and splash through some of the most beautiful — and unforgiving — land in the world. In addition to bragging rights, the winning team will take home a purse of $50,000, which should just about cover the cost of all the equipment they’re required to have.

I’ve spent many an afternoon glued to the tube watching telecasts of these kinds of races. If you happen to catch one, I highly recommend checking it out. It’s amazing the amount of stress the human body can withstand. See the 4-minute (Windows Media) video of a prior event, if you don’t believe me.

[Via Team Geared Up]

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of May 5

by Adrienne Wilson on

This week I’m bouncing all over the place with a wide range of random picks from the contributors here. From gear to moo-moo’s to Daft Punk – look below to find what you may have missed.

5. Movie Posters from Belarus:
Fun! Who doesn’t enjoy looking at posters and prints from around the globe? The focus of this set here is Belarus for the most part, but still so cool!

4. Yurts: Comfort in the Great Outdoors:
Love the outdoors, but hate the discomfort? Problem solved! Check into a yurt on your next go in some of America’s state parks.

3. Cool Outdoor Gear Made From Recycle Materials:
Here is a cool way to be green and good to the earth. Willy points us to the perfect spot to learn more about sustainable gear to get you all ready for your summer backpacking tours be it through the suburbs, the park, or across Europe.

2. Cow Tourism:
This one is very random, but when I read it I fell in love with it. First it was Neil’s account on the first time he’d ever met a girl wild enough to steal a cow bell and how he later found out the importance of those bells. If only all travel romance tales could happen a little more like this, but with your twist I guess. Anyways, aren’t cows the greatest?

1. Gadling’s Massively Huge 2007 Summer Music Festival Roundup:
Pardon me if I seem a bit tuned out. Chances are I’m mentally at one of the music festivals found here in Gadling’s largest guide to the summer sound circuit ever and physically preparing to go!!! Thanks to Justin you can tune in too and later tune out, but I must apologize as we won’t be providing the tickets. You’re on your own there