The 2010 Four Peaks Pickup has come and gone, and once again the Sonoran desert is a little better for it. Tim Huber and Danica Moore spearheaded the event and tackled the enormous task with Everest-sized spirit. They brought together the talents and hard work of numerous individuals, families, clubs, groups, friends, and businesses for a big day of transformation. Just under 500 people turned out to clean up almost 25 tons (yes, that’s fifty thousand pounds) of trash from this otherwise beautiful area that stretches west of the mighty Four Peaks, just northeast of Phoenix, Arizona.

Why is there so much trash? Great question. Some will say it’s ignorance, some will say laziness, many will say “because they just don’t care” and obviously it’s because the area is so convenient to a sprawling metropolis of over four million people, but I continue to be perplexed and insist that no reason is good enough to explain it. Human behavior, logic, whatever, I just can’t relate. It won’t compute in my head.

Why would someone seek out a place like this. . .

to do this. . .

Again, I can’t comprehend. It doesn’t compute.

The Four Peaks area and the Mazatzal mountains were once home to the Tonto Apache people. Not far north of the peaks lies the site of old Camp Reno, a short-lived military outpost positioned in the region along with others in an effort to daisy-chain the U.S. military efforts along this Arizona portion of Apachería in the late 1800s. There are tales of lost gold mines somewhere around the base of the peaks and accounts of Apaches who continually brought in ample amounts of the metal to obtain goods and supplies. An amethyst mine that is thought to have been originally worked by the Spanish is located on the southernmost of the four peaks and is the only mine in the U.S.A. that produces world-class specimens of this highly valuable gemstone.

The area of the cleanup is a watershed of the Mazatzal mountains, and contains numerous canyons and springs that flow westward to the Verde River. Spectacular buff-colored granite boulders and imposing rock formations dominate the topography and along with classic Sonoran desert flora and fauna create a magical atmosphere that is unique among the world’s landscapes.

The good news is that I see an improvement. When I visited an area along Cottonwood creek that my wife Sharon and I worked on last year, it was in much better shape. Overall, I think there was less trash, and perhaps future efforts and awareness will make a lasting change.

Before-and-after comparison of one of the cleanup sites

Overland Journal sponsored the event with boxes of magazines and raffle prizes that included subscriptions, hats, and decals.

Tim and Danica asked if I would photograph the event this year, which I was more than happy to oblige. The full gallery of images can be seen here: Four Peaks Pickup 2010 photo gallery

Overland Journal’s Director of Advertising, Brian McVickers, with his children, Max and Charlie

L to R: Chris Marzonie (Overland Journal Editorial Director), Tim Huber, Danica Moore (Four Peaks Pickup masterminds) Thank you Heidi for the photo

More links:
Four Peaks Pickup website (more info, photos, and videos)
Tim Huber’s blog, SOAZ “Exploring the Southwest one paycheck at a time” (it’s a good one!)

Why Fool Around?

When it comes to first-aid, the term “wilderness” means any place more than an hour away from definitive medical care. It’s not that hard to find yourself in a situation like this, especially considering the backcountry and remote travel that we so commonly enjoy. It not only makes sense to be trained for such an event, it’s a responsibility. Would you embark on a challenging 4WD or moto trip on dirt roads in the backcountry without a spare tire/tube, tools, or food and water? Of course, not. So, think about the poor logic of being unprepared when someone gets hurt or becomes unresponsive without warning or explanation and you can’t call 911. What would you do? The decisions you make can mean the difference between life and death, or perhaps the difference between a full recovery and lifelong disability.

Wilderness First-Aid course materials

The classroom at Overland Training is never boring

Kate demonstrates CPR

Thanks to Overland Training and Remote Medical International, I just renewed my certificate for Wilderness First Aid, or WFA (commonly called “woo-fa”) and CPR along with fifteen fellow overlanders. Over a three-day weekend, Janet Peterson and Kate Earle taught our group how to assess a scene and get to work quickly on helping those in need. There is a definitive protocol to follow that literally uses the “ABCs” to help you keep thinking straight, even after the adrenaline kicks in. The course offered through Overland Training includes CPR (with AED instruction) and some vehicle-focused scenarios. The class is super fun, easy to understand, and will educate you on how to be a better-prepared adventurer. So, why fool around? (WFA?) Get trained!

Treating hypothermia

The Overland Training medical kit

Chris Marzonie with the infectiously fun (pun intended) and tremendously talented instructors, Janet Peterson (left) and Kate Earle (right)

Links:

Overland Training

Ibuprofen: Hydrate before you medicate – some very practical info from Janet Peterson

Camels at Altitude – An adventure rescue blog entry from Kate Earle

Over the last several days I’ve spent some time camping in the desert and driving the backroads with K.C. O’Connor, marketing director for Four Wheel Campers. We ended this portion of his trip with a visit to Overland Journal headquarters where K.C. had a chance to show off the latest iteration of the new Overland version of their camper product line to some of our staff.

K.C. O’Connor discusses the new Overland camper with Overland Journal’s Design Director, Stephanie Brady.

The Overland edition has a full compliment of features and upgrades that are tailored to the traveler who will be away from towns and developed campgrounds for extended periods, traveling self-contained with a desire to live comfortably in remote locales. Some of the features include a low-mounted water storage tank, dual Odyssey deep-cycle batteries, solar power, power management, hot water heater and shower system, and a 12VDC refrigerator (as opposed to the traditional 3-way design).

Publisher Scott Brady talks to K.C. about the new features.

L to R: Chris Marzonie, K.C. O’Connor, Scott Brady

Four Wheel Campers offers a full range of pop-up and hard-sided campers for many different trucks. For more information: fourwheelcampers.com (800) 242-1442

Primus TiLite Stove ($165)

Lately I’ve been posting some reviews on gear that I’ve tested over the summer. This latest report covers the new TiLite offered by Primus, a stove maker that has seen the dawn of this and the last century and will probably be around for the next. Quite different from the classic, original Primus stove, the TiLite is an ultra light, compact model that comes with a titanium pot. It presents the user with a featherweight tool able to transform fuel into fire with impressive control.

How hot, how fast? Capable of 13,500 BTU/h, this stove is fast, yet can simmer as soft as a whisper in the dead of night. I tested it with a liter of 65°F water at an altitude of 5,300 feet with an ambient air temperature of 70°F and barely detectable wind. (I had to use a different pot, because the included titanium version is just shy of a full liter.) It actually beat the manufacturer’s claim of a three-minute boil by 30 seconds. Just for kicks, check those figures against the winning stoves in the Winter 2007 issue of Overland Journal.

So, what else can it do? I’ve been using the stove all summer for backpacking and overland trips and it adapts well to both scenarios. If you’re the type of person who likes to travel light on foot, in a small 4WD, or on a motorcycle, this is a stove worth considering. If you’re a person who takes too much stuff on a trip, then it’s definitely worth considering. The folding support arms have serrations effective at keeping not only the included pot, but larger cookware stable on uneven surfaces. Folded out they provide a 5 ¾” diameter surface and when folded up tight they reduce the size of this 3.5 ounce stove to a svelte 3.6” x 2.9”x 1.2”. As such, I’m not restricted to using the titanium pot, but free to use a large pot, whistling kettle, or even a twelve-inch pan.

There’s no need to fuss with matches or a lighter thanks to the piezoelectric ignition, and the sensitive fuel knob makes it a snap to adjust the flame from rocket-boost to a sultry simmer, even with gloves on. Aside from the weight and space savings, the versatility provided by the flame adjustment is one of the main benefits I‘ve experienced. The option to go from a mild simmer for delicate foods (with steady fuel delivery; no sputtering) to a 13,500 BTU/h blast torch for boiling or heating quickly is a great benefit. The TiLite pot and stove each come with their own drawstring pouch and the whole kit can be stowed in the larger of the two; an eight-ounce fuel canister fits in the pot and the stove in its smaller pouch sits on the lid. Either of the pouches double as a pot holder if needed. According to Primus, the TiLite should only burn their proprietary Power Gas propane/isobutane fuel blend, but I’ve used the MSR and Coleman versions with no ill effects. Primus lists a 45-minute burn time for a standard eight-ounce fuel can, though I haven’t verified the claim.

So what are the disadvantages?  The only one I could come up with is the limitation of fuel type when considering global travel and extended trips. In that case, a multi-fuel stove would be a better choice.

Once you fire this thing up, you can’t resist rolling the knob and will no doubt need to be honest with yourself about pyromaniacal tendencies. Though you may be tempted to impress your friends with the flame throwing capabilities, be mindful of fuel consumption so you’ll have some left for coffee in the morning.

Some spec’s:

Heat output: 13,500 BTU/h
Burn time (not verified): 45 mins.
Boil time (as tested): 2:30 mins/secs for 1L water
Stove dimensions (folded): 3.6” x 2.9”x 1.2”
Stove weight: 3.5 oz.
Stove burner platform: 5.75” dia.
Pot dimensions: 3.7” h x 4.75” dia.
Pot weight: 4.3 oz.

primuscamping.com 307-332-0901

Sierra Designs Wicked Light 45 sleeping bag ($230)

When out on a summer adventure such as can be had here in the southwestern U.S., sixteen hours of light per day is more than enough opportunity to wear a guy down. There’s nothing quite like crawling into a comfortable sleeping bag at the end of such a long day, but if the air isn’t cool enough, it can be frustrating—too hot in the bag, too cool lying on top. Even though nights can be balmy or downright warm when first turning in, they usually get cool enough in the wee hours to warrant a blanket or even a zipped bag at higher elevations.

Wicked Light 45 sleeping bag at Glen Canyon Nat’l Rec. Area

Over the summer I slept away more than a month’s worth of nights in the Wicked Light 45 from Sierra Designs and I can easily say this is a perfect mild-season bag for me. I’ve been using it for backpacking as well as overlanding in my Toyota 4WD and the versatility is impressive. I can adapt the bag to the situation and sleep comfortably.

Tuck stitching hides and protects threads

The semi-rectangular design employs snag-proof zippers (yes, plural, there‘s two of them) allowing the foot box to be opened separately for adjustable pass-through ventilation. Both zips ride on the same continuous track, so there’s no limit to how far you can open the bag from either end. Additionally, the bag can be fully unzipped at the lower corner, turning it into a lay-flat blanket; perfect for car-camping and sleeping on a larger mattress like an in-vehicle bed or a rooftop tent. While backpacking, I’ve really come to appreciate the lightweight materials and small pack-size. Weighing only twenty four ounces and packed down to six inches by sixteen inches, it’s a cinch to tote around and can shrink even smaller if you use a compression sack. Sierra Designs smartly did away with the bulky draft tube and full-size hood traditionally found on a mummy bag; things I certainly don’t miss on a 45-degree model, especially considering the snag-proof zipper design is effective keeping minor drafts at bay. If it does get chilly there is a draw cord to snug the collar closer, and along with a beanie or bandana, I sleep just fine. Another clever feature is two removable “Pad Locks“—lightweight, adjustable straps that securely center the bag on my sleeping pad. The shell is made of silky 22-denier polyester with tuck-stitching that helps to protect threads from abrasion and oils. Continuous baffles are insulated with cloud-like 800-fill goose down and allow for further adaptability to the temperature by allowing me to manipulate the insulation if needed. As always, the rating is subject to personal preference, but I find the bag to be true to its 45-degree claim on chilly nights. At the upper end of the spectrum, if the air temperature is over 70 degrees, it’s too warm to use as a bag and I‘ll just leave it unzipped or use like a blanket if needed.

Small pack-size is easy to manage

For those in damp or humid environments, check out the Wicked Hot 45 which is basically the same bag, but with PrimaLoft Eco synthetic fill, made from 50% recycled plastic and just slightly bulkier (not heavier) than this down version, and about fifty bucks less. SierraDesigns.com 800-635-0461

Kelty Saunter bag ($80)

Sometimes a messenger bag can be just the ticket when you want to travel with something quick and simple. Unlike a backpack, there is only one strap to contend with and usually one or two simple fasteners to open and close the bag. Taller and thinner than a duffle and easily swung from side to back, a messenger lends grace to a walk down an overcrowded bus or airline aisle, or a quick hop onto two-wheeled transport.

 
Kelty Saunter at an ancient ring fort in Ireland

Kelty has a line of such bags, and earlier this summer I took one along on a two-week hosteling trip through western Ireland. Called the Saunter, the bag blended into the trip marvelously, and along with a sheep’s-wool sweater, I didn’t feel like such an obvious tourist. Well, at least not until I opened my mouth to order a pint. 

While the Saunter wasn’t my only bag for the trip, it served well as a carry-on for the flights and an overnight bag for the hostels. One thousand cubic inches of capacity and two main pockets carried a change of clothes and a sweater, toiletries, and a few other miscellaneous items. Two smaller front pockets (covered with the the flap closed) easily held business cards, pens, and small electronics.

An old cemetery along the Ring of Kerry

The bag material is made of sixty percent recycled polyester fabric with a TPE coating and looks and feels remarkably like cotton canvas. The sewn-on flap straps, small pocket edges, and wear-patches on the bottom corners are all made of vegetable-tanned leather. The retro-metal hardware is solid aluminum and the shoulder strap webbing is recycled polyester. There is also a nifty little tote bag (also recycled polyester) that stuffs into itself and hangs from a small clip inside the Saunter. Easily carried in the palm of my hand when compressed, I unclipped and deployed it often on sorties to local markets for picnic supplies.

Bummin’ around Dublin 

The bag held up well to rough handling on the trip, and all summer for that matter. The appearance of the bag is no worse for the wear after hanging from fenceposts and being tossed about, from Irish pastures to all manner of floors, sidewalks, seats, car trunks, bar stools, and the like. One detail I’m not so crazy about is the use of Velcro for the buckle straps and main flap. No fault of the bag really, I’m just not fond of Velcro. I might reconsider if it could do its job silently, be impervious to grime and water, and not stick to non-Velcro fibers. Despite the TPE coating and tidy, strong stitching, the bag isn’t waterproof. It held up fine to minor splashes and spits of rain, but some seepage occurred when I purposely tested it by pooling water on the threads. After using and abusing it all summer I can report it’s a very sturdy bag and considering the classic appearance, you’d never guess it’s made with recycled plastics; a nice bonus. kelty.com 800-423-2320

Overland Journal sponsored the 3rd annual Sedonafest which took place in (you guessed it) Sedona, Arizona from June 5th to June 7th and raised over $1,000 for the Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association. Formerly an FJ Cruiser-oriented outing, this year was open to all makes and as a result, a nice variety of vehicles showed up including Land Rovers, Nissans, Jeeps, an Isuzu, and even a neat little Suzuki Samurai (complete with a misting system to keep the occupants cool in the topless 4×4.) The campground was situated on the banks of Oak Creek, generously shaded with healthy Cottonwood and Sycamore trees while the weather was more than kind to us with cool breezes and plenty of sunshine. Registrants signed up in advance for organized outings to explore local trails in the area and a dinner party was provided by Sierra Expeditions on Saturday night. The following day, teams were off to find waypoints for a GPS challenge held by Expeditioneers. Brian McVickers of Overland Journal brought his family out to join my wife and me in support of the event, and together we had a great time out on the trails and met a lot of new friends. Many thanks to Heidi Van Camp and Mike McCambridge for their fine work organizing and running the event.

Amy McVickers attempts a red rock ledge on the Greasy Spoon trail

 
Harry’s Nissan Xterra

A crowd gathers at the raffle

The GPS challenge champs received a Red Rock trophy from Expeditioneers and a DeLorme PN-20 GPS from Overland Journal and DeLorme

Chris and Sharon recently attended the 2nd-annual Four Peaks Pickup northeast of Phoenix, AZ, and along with the other 500-something volunteers, managed to clean up 20 tons (yes folks, that’s forty thousand pounds) of trash from the Tonto National Forest between Sycamore creek and the Four Peaks Wilderness area. Tim Huber, the effort’s founder and organizer, once again impressed everyone by pulling off the monumental task of rallying a huge crowd of supporters, volunteer staff, and sponsors into a well-organized and efficient cleaning machine. Overland Journal was happy to provide reading material for attendees and some swag for the raffle. Visit the Four Peaks Pickup blog for more photos and information. 

The morning started with a quick trip to Peru. No, not by aeroplane or automobile, but by way of these little brown beans. It must be true that the essence of a place can be captured and taken far away so that others can experience a little of what it’s like. Such is the gift of good coffee from a place like Peru, which I sipped on contentedly at Prescott Coffee Roasters while Rich was returning from a delivery. Upon his arrival I packed him and his camera into my truck and we headed off to Watson Lake for a photo safari.

I wasn’t planning on shooting much, so I only took my little Canon point-and-shoot. Rich brought his Nikon D300 with a 400mm lens and 1.4x tele-converter. The lens is so enormous with the hood on it, that I’ve told Rich he needs a pair of wheels for it. I figured I’d have my hands full with paddling and steering duties. After all, Rich was counting on my mad canoe skills (ha!), so as not to spill us into the drink with his beloved camera and lens naked to the world. I don’t know an exact dollar figure, but lets just say that his setup could easily finance a selfish year-long sabbatical in Mexico for a guy like me. Okay, maybe two years. Was I nervous? nah. Unfortunately, all of the fun shots I got of Rich in the canoe with his lens are lost in cyberspace. My little Canon failed to record any of my shots. I can’t complain considering I’ve put the poor little thing through hell for many years. I’m amazed it was still working at all.

Rich’s camera on the other hand, was working marvelously, and he managed to bag some sweet shots including this Bald Eagle, a suspected sub-adult male Harrier, and a hunting Heron. Rich is not only a talented photographer, he’s an artist when it comes to roasting coffee beans. Taste some for yourself with a visit to Prescott Coffee Roasters (virtual or in person; they sell online). Link:  Prescott Coffee Roasters  Be sure to pour yourself a cup of something nice and look at some more of Rich’s photography. Link:  Rich Gregory’s photo galleries

Our good friends at Adventure Trailers recently hosted another fine customer-appreciation event in the cool mountains of northern Arizona. I must say they have good taste in camp sites. They rented Hurricane Lake from the White Mountain Apache tribe, and organized a four-day camp-out with trail drives, mountain hikes, and lots of fishing. In the weeks leading up to the event, and along the drive there, I mentioned Hurricane Lake to people and noticed a common lack of knowledge for the place, even among Arizonans. This became especially amusing when the blank stares came from locals in the nearby towns of Springerville and Heber. Leave it to Adventure Trailers to find not only geographically remote locations, but culturally remote locations.

The lake is certainly a special place, and the perfect setting for relaxing with friends¾ lots of friends. It was nice to park my truck for almost four days, deploy the roof tent, and fully soak up the atmosphere. One afternoon, I sat on the banks of the lake with Mario Donovan of Adventure Trailers while he showed me a favorite fishing rod of his. It was handmade just for him by a long-lost friend from another time in his life. With fluid casts of carefully selected lures, the scene was quiet with only the sounds of insects, the fish breaking the surface of the water, and the “zzzzzz” of the reel on the rod. Perfect.