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Desert Explorer Recommended Gear



The following items are available from REI. 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.





Integral Designs Sil Poncho/Tarp 5 x 8

Integral Designs Sil Poncho

I have to say that this is one of my favorite pieces of equipment to come out in recent years, along with the Golite Jam pack and the MSR Miox purifier listed below. At 10 ounces, it packs down to about 3 by 6 inches and can easily fit in a fanny pack to be with you all the time. It is on my list of "always carry" items. The REI description continues below:

This ultralight, multipurpose rain protection can be worn as a poncho or slept under as a tarp. Edges are fitted with webbing tie loops and snap closures for use as a tarp shelter; it doubles as a makeshift bivy or pack or sleeping bag cover. Made of 30-denier parachute ripstop nylon with silicon impregnation so it's incredibly strong and resilient. Twelve nylon webbing tie loops on the corners and along the edges for versatile tarp setup. The poncho hood is located in the center and has a drawcord adjustment/closure. The overall size is 5 by 8 feet. When worn as a poncho there is 4' of coverage down the front and 4' down the back. Poncho extends 2 1/2' on each side across your shoulders and arms. Shockcorded bottom edge allows the poncho to be snugged around the bottom of a backpack and tied off at the waist for security in windy conditions. Includes stuff sack. Integral Designs recommends seam sealing before use.





GoLite Jam2 Pack - $20 off $100 or more!

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.




MSR MIOX Water Purifier

MSR MIOX Water Purifier

The MSR MIOX™ Purifier makes water microbiologically safe using salt and an electrical current. Click on the link at left to watch how it works. Proprietary patented technology creates a small batch of an oxidant solution which is mixed with your water to destroy microorganisms. MIOX uses a chemical reaction called electrolysis to create a powerful disinfectant that will destroy biological contaminants in your water. More effective against microorganisms than chlorine or iodine. Destroys viruses and bacteria in 15 minutes, giardia in 30 minutes and cryptosporidia in 4 hours. Features a safety indicator so you can be sure your treated water is safe to drink. Comes with 1 ounce of salt to treat 200+ liters of water; 2 lithium CR123 batteries; 50 test strips; instruction book; reference card; storage bag. MIOX is compact, rugged and submersible. Purifies water without iodine; no health risk or unpleasant iodine taste.




Phillips Environmental WAG Bags - Package of 12

Phillips Environmental WAG Bags - Package of 12

Refills for The PETT™ Portable Environmental Toilet--single-use, zip-close human waste bags can also be used separately for camping and hiking. Each degradable kit contains a WAG™ waste bag, zip-close storage bag, toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Disposal bags contain Pooh-Powder™ which quickly turns waste into a stable gel for easy transport and safe disposal. Uses odor neutralizers--not perfumes--to eliminate unpleasant odors; decay catalyst initiates decomposition. Environmentally friendly, landfill-approved WAG Bags can be disposed of in trash with regular garbage. Permitted by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management for use on rivers and in Wilderness Areas where toilets are required. Recommended by the Leave No Trace program in conjunction with the National Forest Service.





REI Desert Gaiters

REI Desert Gaiters

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.




Leki Super Makalu Ergo SLS Trekking Poles - Pair

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

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

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.



MSR Dromedary Bag - 6 Liter

MSR Dromedary Bag - 6 Liter

MSR® Dromedary™ hydration bag, with its abrasion-resistant Cordura® nylon shell, is built bombproof to handle your outdoor needs! Plus, boil it or freeze it, the polyurethane, food-grade coating inside handles every use. Versatile three-in-one cap lets you fill, drink and pour with ease. A clever addition for 2006, a new handle around the opening makes filling the bag easier than ever. Webbing straps down each side let you attach the bag to your pack or hang it from a limb.




MSR DromLite - 4 Liter

MSR DromLite - 4 Liter

MSR® DromLite™ hydration bag offers the best of two worlds--rugged construction and ultralight convenience! Tough enough for most outdoor pursuits, 200-denier Cordura® shell fabric is 30% lighter than the MSR Dromedary™ hyrdation bag. Plus, boil it or freeze it, the polyurethane, food-grade coating inside handles every use. Versatile three-in-one cap lets you fill, drink and pour with ease. A clever addition for 2006, a new handle around the opening makes filling the bag easier than ever. Largest opening is threaded to fit MSR water filters for no-spill pumping. Grommet on one end allows the bag to be hung.



Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 Sleeping Pad - Short

Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 Sleeping Pad - Short

This is the most compact, lightest weight, self-inflating mattress Therm-a-Rest® makes. Weighs in at 13 ounces. This mattress is engineered for extreme alpine climbing, adventure racing and long-distance backpacking when reducing weight and bulk are paramount. Technically advanced fabric and foam make this pad 30% lighter than an UltraLite™. Low-volume, tapered design has the smallest rolled size ever. Bottom has an innovative, sticky-dot non-slip surface. This thinner version is perfect for three-season use. Add the Lite Chair Kit (sold separately) for added backcountry comfort.




Adventure Medical Thermo-Lite II Single Bivvy

Adventure Medical Thermo-Lite II Single Bivvy

Bivy returns up to 80% of your body heat thanks to a nonconductive, vaporized-aluminum layer sandwiched between layers of polyolefin. Thermo-Lite II material on the bottom of the bivy has the same features as the original Thermo-Lite, but is 30 percent stronger for added durability. Nonwoven, tear-resistant fabric creates a substantial, weather-resistant cocoon that won't rip or blow away in high winds. Easy In, Easy Out Entry® makes this bivy sack easier to use than a simple sheet of reflective material. Adjustable side opening and foot vent lets you regulate the heat inside, so you needn't be too warm or clammy. Extremely compact and light, it packs into its own small stuff sack; packed size is approximately 7 x 4 inches, weight is 6.9 ounces. Hand washable and reusable; can be repaired with duct tape if necessary. There is a smaller version of this, costing 15 dollars, weighing 3.8 ounces.




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