pedadidact

More than one-third of your life passes under the darkness of night. If you travel near the polar regions that figure goes up. Having reliable and versatile light sources is essential.

I realize lots of ultra-lighters swear by single 5 or 10 lumen LED key chains running on minuscule button-cell batteries. These ounce-counters (I am to an extent one of them) are thinking about weight more than function. Usually that works for lighting. They get up at dawn and go to sleep not long after sunset, worn out from the day's hike. But they might not be thinking about safety or versatility.

If an emergency -- snake bites, bear attacks, or your partner's cardiac arrest-- requires you to evacuate an area during eight or ten hours of darkness, it will be maddening trying to navigate trails with that tiny light. Again, if a person is seriously injured and must be attended to in the field that dinky light will draw out curses. It might just be a lost item that needs to be found in a large area, or an unexpected poker game in the back country.

Many people choose to go with headlamps for this reason. Some headlamps are very small and even feature-rich, such as the 1 oz. Petzl E+Lite, but again, might not be very bright (the E+Lite claims 16 lumens). Brighter headlamps packing 40-80 lumens can be prohibitively expensive and usually require several batteries in an attached pack. Weight savings and chances of equipment failure might rise with the complexity.

Here is my system (which may not work for you):

First, let me say that I always like to have a red LED of some sort because it doesn't disable night vision while reading maps or doing tent chores. Red usually gets the job done on minimal power, without disturbing snoozing mates. However, I liked a white LED for reading when solo, and as a backup for navigating trails at night. I used to employ two iNova keylights for this purpose, which combined to weigh a scant .7 oz.

However, I am switching over to the Petzl E+Lite simply because for a negligible .3 oz. more I'll get:

__- waterproof to 1 meter, or all the rain in the world
__- headband strung around my neck at all times (I lost 2 iNovas on one trip)
__- white AND red LEDs, and strobe modes
__- has built in clip options to go strapless
__- 3 times the lumens of my iNova

Ironically, I plan for this to be my backup -- you WANT backup light -- because I don't like plowing through expensive coin-cell lithium batteries and mostly use this for the never-ending red LED.

Now to what I alluded to, and the purpose of my post:

The light which sees a lot of daily use and gives me serious photon power in the field is almost unknown to the backpacking world: the 4Sevens Quark AA R5 flashlight.

Before listing the specs, I'll mention why I love it. First, the thing is lighter than most headlamps, but packs a range of modes, ranging from the oh-so-useful .2 lumens moonlight mode all the way to 109 lumens! You can light only the sentence of a book, or blast beams into dark side like Han Solo. As for handling, the Quark is svelte but purposeful, with beefy knurling for grip. A reversible clip allows it to clench hat brims, and it can tail stand with a diffuser tip to be a powerful camp lantern. It's seriously rugged with aircraft-grade aluminum and glass, with an IPX-8 rating, AKA waterproof to 3 meters, and features both SOS and self-defense strobe modes. Last, the Quark uses one of the latest high-efficiency LEDs. The manufacturer rates the run time conservatively, for alkalines. With lithium batteries, you might get double these times:

__- Moonlight: 0.2 lumens for 10 days or 240 hours (1ma)
__- Low: 4 OTF lumens for 2 days (10ma)
__- Medium: 22 OTF lumens for 6 hours (50ma)
__- High: 85 OTF lumens for 1.5 hours (250ma)
__- Max: 109 OTF lumens for 1.2 hours (350ma)
__- Strobe: 109 OTF lumens for 2.5 hours
__- Beacon: 0-109 OTF lumens pulse for 18 hours

Now for the rest:

__- Weight: 1.8 oz. (AA Lithium battery brings it to 2.3 oz.)
__- Length: 3.8 inches
__- Diameter: 0.86 inches
__- LED Emitter: Premium Cree XP-G R5
__- 5 Current Regulated Output Levels
__- 3 Flash modes: Strobe, SOS, Beacon
__- Square threads for lifetime smooth operation
__- Type III Hard Anodized finish
__- Reversible/Removable Clip
__- Reversible/Removable Clip
__- Impact-resistant glass lens with Dual-coating - sapphire coating on the outside and anti-reflective coating on the inside for optimal efficiency and durability.
__- T-6061 Aircraft-grade Aluminum Body

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I'm sure he would demur from the fact of his awesomeness, but one of my travel inspirations, Robert Thomson, recently paid a visit to the blog. In case you don't know, he won the Guiness World Record for longest skateboard journey ever, something like 12,000 KM, and that was only after a mammoth 12,000 KM recumbent bicycle ride! Needless to say, he has seen a good deal of the world and has shown tremendous tenacity.

Rob commented on my EDC list,

I am surprised to see a firearm on your list of things you would consider adding or swapping on your EDC. I would be interested to know what use you would be envisaging for that particular piece of kit!

Hey there, Rob. Thanks for interacting!

The addition of a firearm, such as an ultralight Taurus, Ruger LCP, or Kel-Tec SU-16C rifle (4.5 lbs), has been a subject of much forethought to me.

Bear Spray doesn't work in rain or wind and you might only get one chance. Guns, viewed as survival tools and not toys (or ignorant statements of machismo), usually do, provided one uses them with proper training and an attitude of respect for their severe consequences.

From the start I must say, I would rather not harm any animal, whether of the four or two-legged sort. "The righteous man regards the life of his beast," Proverbs 12:10, and in a sense all creatures are collectively entrusted to the stewardship of man, which includes me. I no longer sport fish, and believe hunting should be done only to nourish legitimate hunger or, in less developed places, provide useful materials otherwise unobtainable. There is a nobility unique to man, in that we alone in this natural kingdom intentionally conserve other species for their own benefit, when doing so provides no immediate or obvious gain to ourselves. This seems to be a nod to the spirituality of man, to recognize the virtue of existence and the duty bestowed on him for the sake of all. While believing I am free to use the creature to preserve human life, I would tread lightly with this privilege.

But what of the lives of men? To the credit of God who changed me from the man I was in my teens, I can attest that when confronted with an opportunity to defend myself violently, I have refrained. Once in 2008 I was mugged by three men. Something of reality set in as these guys hit me, and it was heightened by their smiles. To them, life was a thing for violent entertainment and I was prey. In my pocket was a utility knife and for a split second I contemplated using it. By His grace, I had enough time as well to pray one sufficient word, 'Lord?' and to accept the hand of God over all things.

I yelled 'stop.' They did. I handed my knife to the young man who threw the first punch, telling them I was a Christian with no need of possessions enough to fight back, but that I wished in exchange for my things that they would let me tell them what had freed me from the love of material wealth. They gave my knife back and ran away. Police told me I was a fool. Six months later one of them found me and apologized, said that night changed him, and wanted to replace my stolen iPod with his own. I have seen the power of God work through non-violence.

Though I feel free to let my life go, I also believe there is a Biblical mandate to use force in society to restrain open violence towards others, per Romans 13. Those who do so are "ministers of God," that is, God-ordained administrators of justice, order, and decency amongst men, and "they do not bear the sword in vain." With experience I am coming into a position which allows me to lead other groups into the back country. If God wills, I will also lead a woman into marriage. In both instances, lives are entrusted to my care. If a need arose to defend another person's life at such costs, I pray I would not hesitate to intervene or even end the life of the attacker.

In my judgment (which welcomes your view to show me wrong, as I am liable to much error) Christians exist in the context of two kingdoms. For the sake of this discussion we will call them Original and Gospel. The original order is "old as Adam," and pertains to justice administered through force. The gospel kingdom, however, is extended through grace and not violence. These kingdoms overlap in places and will only coalesce in the future. Thus I believe force is a God-ordained function of civil government in orderly society, of which I am a part. The God who ordains ends has provided ordinary means for achieving them. Sadly, due to the self-agitated sinfulness of men, we are sometimes subdued by no less than death.

Lastly, and more personally, I was strongly affected by the sight of a boy recently mauled beyond recognition by a wild dog which did not respond to sticks. Another San Diego man was brought to within inches of his life two years ago by a mountain lion, while his wife could only look on in horror. She tried stabbing the cat in the eye but her attempts had little effect on the activated instincts of the wild animal. Statistics say such events are unlikely to happen to a person, but statistics do not necessarily take into account the increased frequency of particular individuals in habitats of greater risk.

People carry certain gear knowing the likelihood of use is very slim - whistles, signal mirrors, half their medical kits - and justify doing so on the premise that their life is worth the odds. In light of what great respect I have for the lives of other creatures, I believe the collective potential for good contained in one human is of far greater worth than an animal. Most men make relative little of their lives, and some are utterly wicked, but a few heartily committed to the cause of good have sewn great light into the darkness. I will not waste time wondering if a victim is of that better sort, but would rather save his life and leave it between him and God.

In short, I believe human life is worth preserving against the wilds of nature and evil, and to save a life is to enable an entire lifetime of good services which may come from that person. Guns, knives, sticks, words, and prayers all have their place in achieving this end.

Now that I have rambled, feel free to enlighten me, friend. Thank you again for stimulating some worthwhile thoughts.

- Michael Spotts:.

Ultralight Joe is a gran'daddy in the ultra-light world - a world I feel increasingly drawn to. His recipe for Moose Goo is something I'm thinking of incorporating on future treks, particularly the JMT.

Here is the recipe page in full:

Ultralight Joe's Moose Goo

NOTE: If you pass this around to your friends, I have but one request - please refer to it as "Ultralight Joe's Moose Goo". Since I run this site anonymously, it's not an ego thing. I just get a kick out of

hearing it mentioned on the trail, let's me know I'm contributing to my fellow trekkers. A simple pleasure, perhaps, but I take what I can get. :-) Thanks!

Basic Recipe:

• 2 parts honey
• 2 parts corn flour (NOT corn meal! I plan to try sweet rice flour soon.)
• 1 part peanut butter (preservative-laden)
• Mix thoroughly, will take some time.
• Pack into Coghlan's Squeeze Tube (REI, Campmor, etc), or in cold weather wrap in wax paper.

Single Squeeze Tube Proportions (2-3 lunches w/ large tortillas):

• 8 tbsp honey
• 8 tbsp corn flour
• 4 tbsp peanut butter

Per tube:

• 1320 calories
• 172g carbs (70 simple, 102 complex)
• 24g protein
• 38g fat (That's a high proportion of fat, but what the heck...)

BEWARE! Below 40F, Ultralight Joe's Moose Goo becomes impossible to squeeze out! I open the tube from the back and spoon it out when that happens. For snow camping I pack it in wax paper instead, eat it like a candy bar, or pre-pack it into tortillas.

UPDATED: 6/21/2010

What items do you keep on your person at all times? Cell phone, keys, Tic-Tacs? Unknown to most people, there is an underground culture of (mostly) men who obsess over honing down and filling out their personal setup to a state of circumstantial perfection. They indulge the mystery and excitement found in seeking and discovering just what pieces of gear really improve one's productivity and potential to react in various events, without significantly increasing weight or appearance. The goal is efficiency; to be prepared without looking like a Transformer. While much of the world walks around like three-piece cutlery sets -- fork, knife, spoon -- afficianados of this quest want to be precisely engineered Leathermans or Swiss Army Knives. We call these borderline compulsives "EDC (Every Day Carry) fanatics" I sit on the verge of their world, a universe not interested in have lots of things so much as having the right things.

Anyways, I think from now on I'll keep you updated with a list of what goes into my EDC. This will include my current setup, and my ideal setup, along with some alternate scenarios. This is apparently my quirky and perhaps pitifully dweebish sense of fun... but it might save your life someday when we're trapped in a sinking car and I have a seat belt cutter in my bag (as I do).

Current EDC List (as of 2010)
Items are divided into two groups: Body Carry and Bag Carry. I almost always have a Tactical Bag with me, whether going for coffee, church, or work.

Body Carry
__Key Chain: Safety whistle (black flute)__
__Phone: Nokia candybar freebie
__Primary Light: Fenix LD20 AA2 (16-206 Lumens / Strobe)
__Backup Light: iNova LED keychain light (Low-high-flash)
__Knife: Buck Pilot
__Watch: Casio Illuminator Watch
__Tactical Belt: 5.11 Tactical 1¾ Operator Belt (Coyote)
__Sunglasses: Generic junkers I found on Amtrak

Bag Carry
__Tactical Bag: Bail Out Bag (Shoulder Sling)
__Water Bottle: Contigo 750ml
__Camera: Canon G11 / Canon 40D (Depending on plans)
__Pen: Lamy Safari Fountain Pen
__Multi-Tool: Leatherman Charge TTi
__Net Reader: iPad
__Music: iPod 3RD Gen
__Audio Recoder: RCA Digital Voice Recorder / Zoom H4N (depending on task)
__Fire Tool: Bic Lighter + Match Book
__
__
__
EDC items I might like to add or swap
__Tactical Bag: Maxpedition Fat Boy Sling
__Primary Light: 4Sevens Quark AA R5
__Camera: Pentax Optio W90
__Ultralight Net Reader: iPod Touch 4th Gen.
__Pen: Schrade Tactical Pen Matte Black / Rite in the Rain Bullet Pen Matte Black
__Knife: Benchmade 551 / 551H20 Griptillian
__Watch: Casio G-Shock DW5600MS-1
__Phone: something with a camera!
__Paracord: 50' TruSpec #550
__Fire Tool: Zippo Shell (Matte Black) w/ Thunderbird Butane Insert + Match Book
__Audio Recorder: Sony ICD-PX820
__Medical Kit: Adventure Medical .5
__Compass: TruSpec Pocket Compass
__Firearm: Perhaps a CV 9mm or even Ruger LCP
__Two-way Radios: Note sure. Could be good for group hikes, one for the pointman and one for the tail guard.

I'm just throwing this list here, too, for my own convenience...

Backpacking & Touring Gear I have an eye on...
__Wood Stove: Vargo Folding Titanium Wood Stove / Wind Screen
__Isobutane Stove: Snow Peak Giga Power or Monatauk Gnat
__Ultralight Net Reader: iPod Touch 4th Gen.
__Fire Tool: Fire Steel or Misch Metal Rod
__Trek Poles: Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork
__UL Tent: SMD Lunar Solo Enhanced
__Paracord: 50' TruSpec #550
__Pen: Rite in the Rain Bullet Pen Matte Black
__Notepad: Write in the Rain Memo Book
__Pack: ULA Catalyst or SMD Traveler
__Rain Jacket: Patagonia Torrentshell
__Convertible Pants: Merrell Bison
__Technical Fleece: GoLite Vermillion Thermal
__Waterproof Baggies: Pacific Outdoors Zip Pnuemo or Alako Sacks
__Water Purfier: Steripen Traveler or Opti + Katadyn Micropur Tablets
__Pack Cover: Sea to Summit Sn240
__Trek Shoes: Patagonia Drifter AC, Nine Trail, or Tsali, orNew Balance 875
__Summer Bag / Winter Liner: American Medical Bivy
__Base Layer: Patagonia Capilene 1

One of my friends, Ryan, is planning a week of backpacking in the Rockies. He wrote me to express his concerns about using alcohol stoves to prepare "real food." Admittedly, many of us choose boil-in-a-bag meals to reduce weight, but Ryan wants options. Knowing I am a fan of the Trangia, he wrote,

"You see, the minimalists approve of the Trangia... But it appears that ONLY the minimalists approve of it. People who are willing to spend money, carry a little extra weight, and actually cook REAL food seem to buy something else... Am I buying a stove that is going to be VERY hard to cook ACTUAL food with? I remember boiling water but I'm a bit sketched out as to whether that little thing will actually cook food. Give me your second alternative in the stove world (that ISN'T geared for the uber-minimalist) so that I have something else to consider."

I disagree with the above statements, and in this instance experience is on my side. But before saying anything else, I strongly recommend all travelers familiarize themselves several times with whatever equipment you purchase before an actual trip. Cook multiple meals on your system and be sure of how it functions. Not working? Return it, try again.

For myself, I have gotten used to eating "real food" meals in stages, owing to just one burner. With groups, I might bring two stoves and cook on both at once. I know how to use Trangia simmer rings, and how to snuff the flame and refuel when necessary. Be familiar with whatever system you use, especially in windy conditions.

I'll spare the repetitive pitch about Trangias, though mentioning that I, a Swede, and a German cooked a mash of bacon, onions, and noodles (a strange trans-national goulash, if ever one was) over their Trangia (yes, they had one as well) without issues. I will also skip telling stories of hearty soups I've made from diced potatoes, carrots, onions, and vegetable stock; tangy stir fry, or of beer basted bratwurst and piquant saurkraut that could be had with that venerable flame.

But, truth be told, I am also in the market for an alternative stove. I want faster boil times, like 3 minutes instead of 8 or 9. One which allows simmering - some, such as the famed MSR Whisperlite, are poor at this culinary essential. A gas stove can meet these needs. For middle-length trips (7-12 days) gas systems can even weigh less than alcohol and fuel, when long burn times are needed for simmering.

But let it be said, I still stand by alcohol as the preferred bomb-proof solution for multi-month trips. No parts to break. Your food is your strength, and if you need fire to melt snow for water, your system had better be reliable and fast.

So, I have my eye on the Snow Peak Giga Power stove. It has four pot supports instead of the usual three, and is thus more stable for cooking things besides water (Yes, I've spilled pots before, and my whole dinner perhaps once). The Giga Power folds smaller than the MSR Pocket Rocket and has a piezo igniter. Still, bring alternative ways of lighting fire.

Here's a review from someone I respect, and here's another good introduction to stoves from REI.com.

Be forewarned, altitude and cool temps (35oF and below) are not friends of gas fuel. This may translate into less efficient use of canisters, and difficulty with piezo systems. Keep your canisters warmed in your sleeping bag or pocket in low temps.

Notable portions of reviews I read:

"The real issues started when we camped at 12,000ft and the weather got windy and cold. The Piezo ignitor would not work and we had to use matches. The stove heated water fine but consumed fuel at an alarming rate, burning through a 110g canister over the course of 3 meals (my old Whisperlight would last 2-3 days of meals, in comparison). My buddy's Jetboil stove consumed much less fuel and I ended up bumming an unused fuel can from him towards the end of our trip... I'm considering a liquid fuel stove for my future higher altitude, cold weather adventures." [Regarding the Soto Regulator Stove]

"My only recommendation for those who don't already know, keep the gas canisters in the sleeping bag with you and you won't have trouble starting it in the morning (This is a gas canister issue and not anything to do with the stove)."

"I used it again this weekend and it’s really great for a short section hike where you don’t have to worry about fuel cannister resupply. Incredibly easy to light with the piezo ignition and it boils water fast. I’ll probably still use alcohol for longer hikes, but it’s nice not to have to fuss around with lighting this stove."

What do you think?

If this article was helpful to you, please share it with others. Thanks!

9 June 2010
Oceanside, CA

For the backpacker who needs some basics and has a little bit of green in his pockets, here are some items high on my list of recommendations.

Lighting:
I recommend using one sturdy, bright multi-task LED (doubles as headlamp / lantern) and one keychain LED backup:
Main: 4Sevens Quark AA or AA2. Don't faint at the price: this light is bomb-proof, water-proof to 12 feet, and can outshine most lanterns. I use them cycling, and carry one at all times. Both models weigh about the same before batteries, but the 2AA model is twice as bright. Though otherwise nearly identical, the most important feature which sets 4Sevens Quark lights above current Fenix models is moonlight mode (.2 lumens) which allows you to read discreetly without waking up others, and do other clandestine things. The benefit the 2AA model is a sure grip and less need to carry spare batteries separately on long trips. The upside of the 1AA model is that it is smaller and thus weighs less, and with the included clip, can be more easily clipped to the bill of a hat. Free shipping from 4Sevens.
Backup: iNova LED keychain - This light is not so feature-full as the Photon Freedom, but in my experience it is more durable and convenient. Three modes: low-high-flash.

Air Pad:
Backpacking on poor sleep is not fun, and your pad makes a big difference. If I had just one pad, the Big Agnes Air Core 2.5" might be the one. Unlike self-inflate pads, this takes a few minutes to fill but you'll get seven or eight superb hours of rest. I've never felt the bumpy ground beneath my pad. It's truly more comfortable to me than most bed mattresses. Combined with a closed-cell foam pad, it works well in the snow.

Stove:
Bomb-proof alcohol stove. Meet the Trangia West Wind - No frills, just works. Runs on Denatured Alcohol available everywhere. For weekend trips I bring a 5 .oz bottle, similar to this. One ounce per basic meal. If all you do is boil water at high altitude, or sub-freezing temps, you may prefer a MSR Pocket Rocket.

Cook Gear:
If you mostly boil water for your meals, go for the GSI Soloist. Mine has been great. If you want more culinary freedom to branch out or aspire to make friends, nothing beats the GSI Pinnacle Backpacker for the price. Saute vegetables, cook pasta, fry meat and eggs, or make pop corn with ease.

Sleeping Bag:
Unless you're a specialist, I recommend synthetic over down. While weighing a bit more, it works while wet -- and you can bet the day you buy a down bag, your tent will leak. Also, I suggest that if you only own one bag, you get one rated for 15o or 20o one. Why? Because you can use it closed in Winter with a liner, or by itself in Spring and Autumn. During Summer, use it open, or like a quilt, if at all.

I purchased a Mountain Hardwear Lamina 20o because of a sale, but I recommend any of these Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, or REI bags. Don't let the price fool you, they are all great. (Note, these are the long models, which I suggest for anyone 5'10" and taller. Then you can put a pillow inside, and keep some gear warm at the end, like batteries.)

Rain Gear:
An absolute must. Rain gear not only helps protect you from getting soaked (read: dying of exposure) but functions as a wind breaker. Often I have a North Face Venture jacket on the outside, with fleece under. As things warm up from activity, the fleece comes off but the rain jacket stays on to block wind. I zip or unzip to regulate heat flow. Other jackets include the Patagonia Torrentshell and Marmot Precip, though I'm not a fan of the Precip shape and have heard mixed reviews. For pants, I use the Northface version. For budget-minded folks, these Helly Hanson Voss' are bomber, but I hear don't breathe as well.

Wind Layer:
In order to block wind, fleece has to be really thick which means you can overheat. Imagine riding a cycle up and down hills in 50o weather. Cold wind on your chest and arms going down, but a burning workout on the climbs. Now imagine hiking into cold winds. Do you want a warm chest and a sweaty back from thick fleece, or a comfortable back with a cold chest, without the fleece? Instead of thick fleece consider a wind shirt like the REI OXT Airflyte or Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hoodie, layered over a medium fleece when needed.

Primary Insulation Layer:
The key is workable layers, based on activity. The ones I brought for my last cycling trip were over-kill for the temps I was in (30o-65o). If you are going to be active in reasonably cold weather, you'll want an insulating layer thin enough to shed heat and sweat, but still keep you warm in adverse climates. This Marmot fleece is a good bet, or this REI Muir Woods version.

Down Jacket (DJ):
If you'll be hanging out in camp for hours and hours in cool weather, bring a lightweight DJ as well, instead of one thick fleece. I like the North Face Nupste. Yes, it's expensive but comes with a lifetime warranty and does the job. I've worn just my down jacket and a t-shirt below freezing, and felt fine. I also wear it in my sleeping bag, making my 20o bag into a 10o bag. Thing is, you don't want to wear a DJ while backpacking because moisture and down are not friends.

Base Layers:
I realize I'm not with the cool kids on this one, but if I'm not being really active then I wear cotton or wool. Just plain old T-shirts during warm weather, and light thermals in colder areas. Why? Because it doesn't smell so bad (my experience) as polyester and spandex, like Under Armor. I also wear the Target Merona brand thermal bottoms if necessary, wool or cotton.

Pants:
I like convertibles well enough, but usually just wear Mil-spec pants like these 5.11 Tactical Pants, which can be rolled up if I'm warm. I like the durability and assortment of pockets. I wore the same pair for about 80 straight days while cycling and backpacking the Pacific.

Trekking Poles:
I jacked my knees and ankles up largely because I was climbing and descending without good support. I strongly recommend selling a kidney to purchase adjustable poles. So far as I know, these Black Diamond Trail Ergo's have the best price-to-rating ratio. They can save your life on a slip!

Weather Radio:
Before setting off on my cycling trip, I wondered if bringing a weather radio was excessive. Not at all! Often without cell or internet access for days, I depended on my Sangean DT-40 to get hourly and weekly reports during the fast changing storm patterns that hit the North West. Weight was small, battery life was great, and I found myself preferring radio to my iPod, since it gave me a sense of community on lonely stretches of highway. I liked having the news, too.

Digital Voice Recorder:
I love journaling and enjoy the classic feel of pen on paper, but not while backpacking. For active sports I prefer digital recorders because I don't have to stop moving to take note of ideas and melodies that comes to mind. Check your .mp3 player and cell phone; either might have a recording mode. Also check Craig's List or Ebay. People often sell to upgrade, since recorders can be expensive.

If you want something dedicated you'll need to decide whether you want super quality or something that just gets the job done:

Lowball: The Sony ICD-PX820 is a bit pricey, but is simplicity itself. Unlike cheaper recorders, it outputs to convenient .mp3 via drag-and-drop USB, like a generic flash drive. While limited to monaural recording, it will suffice for simple voice tasks and introduce you to the medium. I keep one on me at all times for memos and interesting conversations.

Fancy pants: Either the Sony PCM M-10 or Olympus LS-10. Both feature stereo recording and very high quality, which can be nice for resurrecting memories of campfire talks or nature sounds. The Sony has three times better battery life and does more, but is slightly larger (deck of cards) and costs more. Both are good enough to begin an effort into pod casting.

Still wondering about particular gear? Feel free to ask!

22 May 2010
Oceanside, CA

For those who wonder what has happened, I'll set you at ease with a tiny post. Basically, I had a fast-paced ride through the rest of Washington and Oregon, and on down to San Francisco. In total, I logged around a thousand miles in sixteen days. And then my Achilles tendons gave out, and I was diagnosed with an infection of Lyme Disease from a tick bite. Strong doses of Doxycycline suggested I call the Golden Gate my finish line, but by that time I had learned what I had come to learn. I was ready, without feeling cheated.

Now I am back in Southern California, attempting to finish a manuscript of my journey before the end of September. We'll see how that goes.

Until my next adventure, thanks to all who have supported my travels, inward and outward!