Gear Review: Thule Capstone 32L Backpack

Some of you might have heard and even seen that Thule (luggage and car roof rack giants extraordinaire) has started making backpacks for outdoor adventures. That's right, the brand that dominates the "on top of your car" bicycle rack world and apparently luggage world has entered the outdoor scene on a new avenue. They have two new style packs that just recently launched and I was fortunate enough to be given an opportunity to try one out...The Thule Capstone (32L edition).

Upon arrival, I could tell this was more than just a day pack, indeed it could also be used as an adventure pack and even an overnight lightweight backpack. I couldn't wait to get it out in the field for testing but alas, wait I would have to do. Fortunately I didn't have to wait to long to really put it to the test.

Gear Review: Osprey Poco Plus Kid Carrier Backpack

Before our Dinah Bug came along, we were hiking mad. We almost covered 100 miles the year before Bug was born. While Robin was pregnant, we covered some good miles up until the third trimester. After she was born, our time on the trail was practically non-existent. How do you hike with an infant. Our answer was, you don't, especially in the winter. After the six month mark though we were getting the itch to get back on the trail. To be honest, we had the itch for much longer, but we didn't want anything happening to Bug and we didn't have a real good carrier to take her on the trail with.

Enter the Osprey Poco Plus kid carrier pack. This was the answer we were looking for to get us back on the trails even though it we knew it would be at our former intensity. We knew 6+ miles were out of the question for now. Neither of us had ever hiked with a wee little one in tote. You may be asking, what about Kiddo? Well I didn't have her out on the trail until she was 3 and that was very shortly after I started to get into hiking, and before I met Robin, so needless to say I was very green, but I digress.

Living Under a Rock?

We're pretty certain most of you have given up on us and figured we've caved in and took solace under a rock with having a new member of the family. That really couldn't be further from the truth. While taxing, raising our wee-little one hasn't completely kept us from getting out and about. It has however, really limited us from having any quality "sit down in front of a computer to get something done other than bills" time. Also considering work, regular run of the mill household tasks and upkeep, and a nagging an all out painful back issue, we have been somewhat limited in what we've been able to do in the out of doors arena.

So what have we been up to other than wrangling babies, playing taxi driver, and battling a fiery hip/back/leg due to a herniated disk impinging on a nerve? Long story short, a little bit of this and a little bit of that. We've been on some walks, playing on playgrounds here and there when the weather permits it, a short hike, plenty of scenic drives, and for Tim, quite a bit of running including two trail races as he converts from a road runner to a trail runner. There's also been a couple impromptu trips to Mississippi to visit Tim's father in the hospital. He's suffered a couple heart attacks back in February and Cardiac arrest while in the hospital. We ask that y'all keep his dad and family in your prayers.

So as time rolls and my goodness does it, we can't believe that March is already almost half way over, you can look forward to more posts of what we've done in the past few months. We have some gear reviews that are long over due, a couple of race reports, a failed hike and lesson in risk management on the trail, among several others. What's more is Tim is now also a proud member of the Terramar Tribe so you can be certain to see some reviews on some Terramar gear. Tim can honestly say that the base layers he currently has from Terramar are awesome. He's in love with them.

Guest Gear Review For Brian's Backpacking Blog

We somehow managed to score another Guest Post on a very prominent outdoor blog. You guys know of Brian's Backpacking Blog right? We'll he asked if we'd like to do a guest gear review post for his blog and right away we said yes, cause that's what we outdoorsy folks do, we help each other out. Anyway, considering we've got back into the running scene, we've reviewed the Camelbak Marathoner's Vest for Brian and you can check it out on his blog: Brian's Backpacking Blog.

Happy Trails,
Tim and Robin

Now For Some More Give-A-Ways

There appears to be quite a few different contest/give-a-ways/raffles going on in the outdoor blog-o-realm this week. So just to bring all the ones I've come across into one place, it's another edition of Outdoor Blog Give-A-Ways Round-Up.

The first give-a-way is from our good friend Karl @ Live Free and Hike New Hampshire. Karl recently made a trip up to Mount Washington Observatory and picked up a surprise item to give-a-way on his blog once the blog's Facebook page reaches 300 fans. So all you need to do to get in the running for this sur-prize, is go to Live Free and Hike New Hampshire's Facebook page and like it. It's that simple, and if you are already a fan, then you are already entered. So what are you waiting for, get on over there and click that like button and tell Karl how cool he is for giving something away from Mount Washington Observatory.

The next give-a-way comes from another good friend, Steven, over at My Life Outdoors. Steve has reviewed and is giving away a pair of Perfect Curve Gloves by Glacier Glove. This time around Steven has simplified it to only one entry per person, and all you need to do is get the word out about the give-a-way. You can blog about, tweet it, or post it on Facebook. Once you've done that simply go back to MyLifeOutdoors.com and leave a comment on the give-a-way post by May 10th and you are in like Flynn. When you leave your comment be sure to tell Steven how awesome he looks with those gloves on. I'm sure it will make him giggle. :P

Branden and Sarah at The Daily Hiker has another T-Shirt give-a-way. To win a Daily Hiker t-shirt, just send your best Spring Picture to the email address listed in their give-a-way post/announcement. In about a week from now they will choose their favorite photo and award the photographer their very own Daily Hiker shirt. Be sure to include in your email that you think Branden and Sarah are the coolest thing since slice bread and their T-Shirts are the grooviest you've ever seen. You come to think of it, I think Appalachia & Beyond needs a T-Shirt too.?! o_O

Over at SectionHiker.com Philip recently had a chance to try and review an Osprey 46L Hornet backpack. Because of this, Osprey was kind enough to offer one of the packs for a give-a-way. To get a chance at this sweet pack, you just need to head over to Section Hiker, and leave a comment on the give-a-way post. There's a catch though. No ordinary comment will do. Philip wants to know who your hiking mentor is/was and don't just say someone's name, but rather give some detail, a story if you will. While you are at it, tell Philip how cool I think he is that he's section hiking the AT. One of these days I might be as cool as him. ;)

Wooo.. Man that's a lot of give-a-ways don't you think? No, you want more? Okay well here they are.

Tyler at MyCampMate.com (Yes the one and only social Camp Trip Planning App for the iPhone) is giving away a camping trip up to $50. That's right a camping trip, who couldn't use one of those right about now. So here's the scoop, May is National Invite a Friend Month at MyCampMate.com and to win the camping trip, is join MyCampMate.com and invite people your friends to join/register. The first 4 people that invite and have 50 friends win a camping trip up to $50 anytime anywhere. Just let Tyler know when and where and he will get it booked for you.

Over at The Adventure Blog, Kraig (aka KungFuJedi) is having a weekly give-a-way called Ditch the Deet. Every Week for the next couple/few weeks he is giving away some pretty cool shwag. You've missed the first week but there may still be some time to get in on this weeks and of course the rest of the give-a-ways he has. All you have to do for this is send him and email with your plans for outdoor adventure for the next couple of months and how the gear he is giving away would benefit you in those plans. So what are you waiting for? Head on over to The Adventure Blog and get all the details and send those emails in. While you are at it let him know you think he's the greatest for giving away such awesome stuff cause you hate gnats and skeeters and all those winged little buggers you run into in the woods.

Finally, the fine folks over at PAHikes.com is currently giving away a magnesium fire starter and a Granite Gear Toughsack. Every month this year they are giving away some cool stuff and the fire starter and Toughsack from Granite Gear is the special gear they are awarding for May. All you have to do is go to there site find the listing for the May give-a-way (don't worry, currently it's the third item down from the top, May 1st post) and click the register link and fill in the info on the subsequent page. While you are there hit their feedback link and let them know they have a great site and some pretty cool give-a-ways.

Ok that's all the give-a-ways that I've got for you for now, well.... there is one more. That's right there's that give-a-way over at Vasque Footwear's Facebook wall going on right now that currently I'm in the "running" to win. If you remember the "I Need You" post, I really need everyone's vote as the competition has really heated up. All you have to do for this is go to Vasque Footwear's Facebook page and like them, if you haven't already. Then scroll down their wall and find my post (Timothy Bird) and click like on the post. That's it. If I win I end up with a free pair of Vasque Mindbender Trail Running shoes and free entry into Rock Creek's Scenic City Trail Marathon and 1/2 Marathon. Once you've done that, if you are feeling really ambitious, tell your friends, family and everyone else you know to do the same. I would really be most appreciative and who knows might even have a give-a-way right here. I'll definitely write up a great post about the shoes and the race experience. Who wouldn't want to read that?

Okay, so that's all I've got now so until next time...

(Edited by Tim) - Another give-a-away that I forgot to mention: OutdoorInformer.com is giving away a pair of Vasque Skree hiking shoes. Check out their post for the give-a-way for the details, I think you enter multiple times but each time there is something you need to do for the entry. Check them out and drool over all the great gear they review. Tell them Tim @ Appalachia & Beyond sent you.

Happy Trails and Vote for Tim,
Tim and Robin

More Outdoor Gear Give-a-ways/Contests

There's a few more outdoor gear and outdoor related give-a-ways going on in the blogosphere. Here are the few we've managed to catch wind of.

Image Courtesy of
Tom and Atticus

Tom & Atticus of the Adventures of Tom & Atticus are giving away three more copies of the Advanced Reader of their book "Following Atticus". All you need to do is like their Facebook page. Once they reach 500 they'll give away 3 copies of the Advanced Reader. Be sure to check out Tom and Atticus, Atticus is one cool pooch.





The next give-a-away is a Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack over at My Life Outdoors. Steven is giving away the pack in partnership with yourLume.com. You can get up to four entries in this give-away. Just head over to Steven's blog and check out how. Steven will pick the winner on the 24th, Easter Sunday.



Next up is the give-a-way over at the Adventure Blog. The Adventure Junkie has also teamed up with yourLume.com to give-a-way a GoLite Men's Litespeed Backpack and a  Sierra Designs Verde 20 sleeping bag. Just head on over to the Adventure Blog for more details on how to enter for either of these sweet pieces of outdoor gear. Don't worry it's all peaches 'n' cake. You have until April 22nd to get in on this one.

So that's all we've got for now. Don't forget though, Brian Green of Brian's Backpacking Blog still has is give-a-away for the Kupilka Set open until the end of the month so it's not too late to get in on that one. 

Good luck,
Tim and Robin

Gear Review - Camelbak Octane 18X Day/Hydration Pack

I've never written a pack review, so please bear with me. I recently had the desire to purchase a new day pack. Requirements: it had to be a hydration pack or hydration compatible, and it had to have some space to carry an extra layer, rain gear, or lunch on a nice day hike. Other than that I was pretty much open. I looked at several  packs on the interwebs and finally decided on the Camelbak Octane 18x and purchased it from Sunnysports.com, which might I add, was a very simple and easy transaction once I convinced wifey it was a necessary. I ordered on a Friday, got free Standard UPS Ground (5-7 business day) shipping and my pack was here on the following Wednesday - ahead of schedule! Woot!

Specs: 

• 70 oz / 2 L OMEGA HydroTanium Reservoir with Lifetime Warranty
• Front & Back Reflectivity
• Ultra-Light Materials
• Waist Belt Pockets
• Expandable
• Back panel: Air Channel
• Harness: Independent Suspension
• Belt: 25 mm / 1" Stability Belt
• Capacity: 1276 cu in
• Pack Dimensions: 18 x 12.5 x 9 in
• Weight: 16 oz; Full reservoir - 5.69 lb
  

The pack features a main compartment that is expandable by unzipping the outside flap. There's also some cinch cords to compress the pack some. Inside the middle flap is an external pocket that allows storage of some miscellaneous gear items (i.e. maps, first aid kit, thing you want easy access to). The pockets on the waist belt are small but there's enough room in each of them for spare batteries, keys, granola bars, crackers etc. Finally there is one loop on the back of the pack towards the bottom which allows you to stow away your trekking poles if you are carrying them along as well. Additionally the pack is made out of a ripstop fabric that helps keep it light.

My first use of the pack was this past weekend when we hiked up to the Tri-State Peak in Cumberland Gap NHP. In the main compartment, I kept beanies, gloves, socks, emergency kit (i.e. candles, matches, lighter, magnesium fire starter, headlamp, etc). There is a small zippered pocket on the the side outside the back flap where I carried my whistle/compass combo and a small led flashlight. In the middle outside pocket I carried the map of the park, a poncho, emergency hand warmer, and Beene's water bowl.

This was all that I carried in the pack along with some snacks (2 granola bars and 2 packs of crackers) in the waist belt pockets, a spare battery and a white card for the camera. In addition, the hydration bladder is kept in a separate compartment in the very back of the pack. It's easy to remove for filling and a breeze to put back in. On the outside of the pack I was able to strap my phone (used for Trimble Outdoors GPS) on the sternum strap, and my 2 meter handie talkie (ham radio) on the shoulder strap. After a mile into this hike I stopped and took off my fleece and was able to stow it away inside the main compartment quite nicely and still had room for a couple more small things if needed.

Things the wife had to say:

Overall, she liked the pack. There were some things she noticed that were a little "off" about it. She didn't like that there were no organizational pockets inside the main compartment. All the little things I carry fall to the bottom where you have to dig, dig, dig for them. She also thought some of the cinch straps should have roll up clips or something. She said with them just dangling there, they were bound to eventually get caught on something. She also didn't care for the adjustable sternum strap. It moves around a bit much - maybe it'll stay put once I get the pack broke in, but until then it gets all crooked and looks like it would surely feel awkward. Last, but not least, she loves the ultralight ripstop material, but wonders how long it will actually last. She thinks the first time I try to crawl under a pine fall, it'll rip for sure. "Ripstop or not," she says, "a hole is a hole." Guess we'll have to wait and see.










All in all, I have to say that I am pretty pleased with the pack and at $54.99 and free shipping from Sunnysports.com, it was well worth the it. The MSRP on this pack is around $75, so I consider it a steal.

Happy Trails,
Tim and Robin

Disclaimer: Tim bought the "Camelbak Octane 18x" to use day hiking and decided to review it here on Appalachia & Beyond. The opinions expressed above are his independent thoughts and experiences.