Sunday, April 15, 2012
Tea The Hard Way By Wranglerstar
http://www.youtube.com/my_videos_edit?ns=1&feature=vm&video_id=-61ox9YIRr4
It's tea time at the Wranglerstar homestead. Join Jack and I as we practice our Bushcrafting skills. In this video we add a small fenced in courtyard to you emergency shelter. This video will cover basic fire and shelter building skills. All work was performed using a spyderco bushcraft knife with g19 scales, a Granfors Bruks small forest axe, and a Bahco Laplander folding saw. The wood being used in the shelter is Douglas Fir and Norther White Fir.
It's tea time at the Wranglerstar homestead. Join Jack and I as we practice our Bushcrafting skills. In this video we add a small fenced in courtyard to you emergency shelter. This video will cover basic fire and shelter building skills. All work was performed using a spyderco bushcraft knife with g19 scales, a Granfors Bruks small forest axe, and a Bahco Laplander folding saw. The wood being used in the shelter is Douglas Fir and Norther White Fir.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Getting Off The Grid "Trees To Timber" Wranglerstar
I recently purchased a MK lll Alaskan chainsaw mill made by Granberg to start cutting the trees I fell last summer into usable timbers for our cabin. This is hard work however I am more that pleased with the results. The trees I am cutting are second growth Douglas fire and will make excellent beams for out timber framed cabin. ; The Granberg MK lll chainsaw mill requires the the use of a very large chainsaw. I have been using the Stihl 041 however I fell this chainsaw is a bit undersized the Stihl 066 would be a better choice. I am also using a special ripping chain I had custom ground by Dicks Logging supply in Estacada Oregon. Once the large timbers are cut I load them onto my truck with our excavator and take them home. Once Home I complete all the layout and notching for the timber frame cabin. Once all the timbers are completed I'll bring them back up to our Off-grid homestead project site and start the assembly. Wish me Luck.
Wranglerstar
Wranglerstar
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Getting Off The Grid "The Tree Of Death" Wranglerstar
Several years ago my family decided to get out of the city and move to a remote wilderness property. We realized that a consumer based existence was stealing our lives away from us. Our goal is to build a simple life. A life that gets back to the basics, A meaningful walk with God and a life free for debt. This channel page will follow us as we develop a remote wilderness home. I invite you to follow our adventure as we carve an off grid homestead out of the rugged Pacific Northwest wilderness.
Getting Off The Grid "Clearing The Land" Wranglerstar
Several years ago my family and I decided to get out of the city. We purchased a large tract of land in the Pacific Northwest mountains. This series will document our adventur from start to finish.
Getting Off The Grid "The Money Pit 1" Wranglerstar
Several years ago my family decided to get out of the city and move to a remote wilderness property. We realized that a consumer based existence was stealing our lives away from us. Our goal is to build a simple life. A life that gets back to the basics, A meaningful walk with God and a life free for debt. This channel page will follow us as we develop a remote wilderness home. I invite you to follow our adventure as we carve an off grid homestead out of the rugged Pacific Northwest wilderness.
This video is covers installing the transmission into my Dresser International TD20 Cat. This is the second time I have had it out. I hope we can get if fixed this time. I have been struggling with this for over a year. 888
This video is covers installing the transmission into my Dresser International TD20 Cat. This is the second time I have had it out. I hope we can get if fixed this time. I have been struggling with this for over a year. 888
Getting Off The Grid "The Tree Of Death" Wranglerstar
Several years ago my family decided to get out of the city and move to a remote wilderness property. We realized that a consumer based existence was stealing our lives away from us. Our goal is to build a simple life. A life that gets back to the basics, A meaningful walk with God and a life free for debt. This channel page will follow us as we develop a remote wilderness home. I invite you to follow our adventure as we carve an off grid homestead out of the rugged Pacific Northwest wilderness.
Getting Off The Grid "Clearing The Land" Wranglerstar
Several years ago my family and I decided to get out of the city. We purchased a large tract of land in the Pacific Northwest mountains. This series will document our adventur from start to finish.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Esstac LBB (load bearing boar) Chest Rig Review
Esstac Chest Rig, LBB (Load Bearing Boar)
This new version of the Boar completely integrates the gear mounting platform, the harness and hydration into one system. The hydration pack is no longer a "grafted on" after-thought, it is now part of the overall solution to the second line set-up. The LBB is available in both Boar (8-mag) and Bush Boar (6-mag) configurations.
* Harness and Hydro merged with pass-thru slot for the Boar
* Boar becomes a cummerbund for the system
* Hidden shock-cord lacing allows it to fit from 32" - 56" approximately
* Hydro compartment resized to fit a plate
Esstac Chest Rig, Trim Bush
The Esstac Trim Bush holds up to 4 M4 magazines internally, with or without Magpuls. These integral mag pockets have open bottoms so sand, dirt or water drains immediately. Great for operations ranging from amphibious to mounted and urban. 14 PALS channels to mount your other pouches. Side-release buckles at all strap attachment points for easy on/off. If a different capacity chest rig is needed, the Bush Boar has 2 more M4 pouches, and a total of 16 PALS channels, while the Boar has 4 more M4 pouches and 20 PALS channels.
One of the most innovative features of the Boar system is that the integral mag pouches can be removed and swapped out for a different configuration or weapon system. This makes the Boar the only chest rig that is truly a system and more versatile than any other rig on the market.
Got multiple weapons? Here`s a sample of how the Boar can adapt to your needs. Take the Bush Boar in the 5.56 configuration, which will hold 6 mags. Then add the 7.62 back panel and AK flaps. The back panels can be swapped out quickly and this would give you complete coverage for 3 weapons systems. Since the front remains intact, you don`t have to move utility pouches from one rig to another, or buy multiple complete rig setups!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Mt. Hood Mountain Bike Downhill Run
http://www.santacruzbicycles.com/bullit/
http://www.timberlinelodge.com/
How to Mountain Bike Downhill
Step 1 Practice starting and stopping on gradual hills to become acquainted with your bike.
Step 2 Brake primarily with your rear brake. Lightly press your brake in and out, called "fluttering," instead of slamming it down.Step
3 Flutter front and rear brakes in steep spots.
Step 4 Relax. Keep your legs and arms loose as you descend to absorb the bumps smoothly.
Step 5 Keep your weight on your pedals, not the seat. Suspend your rear end over the seat to avoid unexpected jolts.
Step 6 Keep your weight back on steep hills.
Step 7 Use the momentum of your speed to fly over smaller rocks and roots once you become more comfortable.
If you want to tackle a challenging hill, walk it first and plan your line of descent. Focus on your line of travel by looking 20 to 40 feet ahead. Look for a path around obstacles such as logs or rocks. Fixating on obstacles can cause you to bike into them. Slamming on your front brake usually results in a face plant.
Wear a helmet.
Downhill biking (DH) is a gravity-assisted time trial mountain biking event. Riders race against the clock, usually starting at intervals of 30 seconds (seeded from slowest to fastest), on courses which typically take two to five minutes to complete. Riders are timed with equipment similar to that used in Downhill skiing. The placing is determined by the fastest times to complete the course; races are often won by margins of under a second. As the name of this discipline implies, downhill races are held on steep, downhill terrain with no extended climbing sections, resulting in high speed descents with extended air time off jumps and other obstacles
Blunt Force Trauma Never Sounded So Good
Big, beefy, burly -- Bullit. There are times when delicacy will only get you hurt, or laughed at, and when gravity is calling like some freakish ghost yodel that only you can hear. Times like those might call for a simple, heavy-duty bike. One with a plentiful 180mm rear travel, a massive 20mm single pivot axle, ISCG05 mounts, a gusseted to hell 1.5" headtube, and the choice of 135 or 150mm dropouts. That'd be the Bullit.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Mt. Saint Helens Volcano Adventure Day 2
Circumnavigate 8,365-foot Mt. St. Helens on the 28.6-mile Loowit Trail, and you'll scramble over old lava flows, witness recovering flora, and peek into the infamous crater. The rewards are not free: Tough detours around trail damage from 2006 storms increase difficulty, making the circuit best for fit and experienced backpackers.
From June Lake trailhead, hike 1.3 miles to the Loowit Trail junction. Turn right to commence a counterclockwise route ranging from 3,400 to 4,800 feet. In the next 4.7 miles, you'll cross the Muddy River and traverse Ape Canyon. Stay left at the Abraham Trail junction and set up camp near Pumice Butte, east of the trail at mile six.
Get moving early on day two to cross a 14-mile no-camping area to a tent site on the south fork of the Toutle River. The restricted area encompasses the 1980 blast zone that scientists still research. You'll cross the Plains of Abraham, a 2.1-mile moonlike expanse. Filter water just beyond—it's the last source for 10 miles. At mile 7.3, keep left and switchback up to 4,900-foot Windy Pass. See Spirit Lake and Mt. Rainier to the north. From here, it's 1.9 miles to a side trip option to Loowit Falls. (Turn left to hike .7 mile to its 150-foot, latte-colored cascade.) Past this junction, the trail is poorly marked and obstacle-packed, leading seven miles to the Toutle River. It runs fast and deep; head downstream to scout a shallower ford. Turn right on the Toutle Trail to hike .2 mile to your second camp.
Scree-filled gullies lie ahead on day three, opening to verdant, lupine-packed meadows with views of Mt. Hood 60 miles southeast. Go straight at a four-way junction with the Ptarmigan Trail. From here, it's 4.3 miles to close the loop and retrace your steps to the trailhead.
The Washington Trails Association plans to send five teams of backpackers to repair damage on remote stretches of the Loowit trail around Mount St. Helens this summer.
Ryan Ojerio, WTA regional coordinator, said the teams will work in four-day blocks from late June to mid-September.
Called Backcountry Response Teams, the crews will focus their effort on the southeast side of the peak between the junctions of the Loowit trail with June Lake trail No. 216B and Ape Canyon trail No. 234
Loowit trail No. 216 is a 30-mile loop around the mountain built in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It's a spectacular route, but crosses many headwater washes and ravines through extremely unstable soil.
"Severe storms and flooding in 2006 damaged sections of the trail making it all but impassible in places,'' Ojerio said.
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has rerouted the trail around the worst washout, which was on the southwest side of Mount St. Helens between Sheep Canyon and Butte Camp.
But there are still bad stretches on the southeast portion of Loowit trail in the Muddy River vicinity.
Ojerio said the Backcountry Response Teams program has used experienced backpackers to service neglected trails since 2004.
"Volunteers pack in their own camping equipment, food and tools provided by WTA,'' he said. "Such a model is ideal for restoring the Loowit trail where the sections most in need of restoration are three to four miles in and stock use for carrying provisions is prohibited.''
This year, WTA got a grant from the Forest Service to hire a full-time seasonal crew leader and to buy more tools and equipment.
The association also will have a youth Volunteer Vacation at June Lake, where 10 young people ages 14 to 18 will camp near the small lake and then work on the Loowit trail.
The WTA efforts are only part of the fixing up of the trails around Mount St. Helens this summer, the 30th anniversary of the big eruption.
The Washington Conservation Corps will be restoring the Loowit trail through the blast zone on the north side of Mount St. Helens and the Mount St. Helens Institute will host volunteer work parties on the trails feeding to Loowit.
Mt. Saint Helens Volcano Adventure Day 1
Circumnavigate 8,365-foot Mt. St. Helens on the 28.6-mile Loowit Trail, and you'll scramble over old lava flows, witness recovering flora, and peek into the infamous crater. The rewards are not free: Tough detours around trail damage from 2006 storms increase difficulty, making the circuit best for fit and experienced backpackers.
From June Lake trailhead, hike 1.3 miles to the Loowit Trail junction. Turn right to commence a counterclockwise route ranging from 3,400 to 4,800 feet. In the next 4.7 miles, you'll cross the Muddy River and traverse Ape Canyon. Stay left at the Abraham Trail junction and set up camp near Pumice Butte, east of the trail at mile six.
Get moving early on day two to cross a 14-mile no-camping area to a tent site on the south fork of the Toutle River. The restricted area encompasses the 1980 blast zone that scientists still research. You'll cross the Plains of Abraham, a 2.1-mile moonlike expanse. Filter water just beyond—it's the last source for 10 miles. At mile 7.3, keep left and switchback up to 4,900-foot Windy Pass. See Spirit Lake and Mt. Rainier to the north. From here, it's 1.9 miles to a side trip option to Loowit Falls. (Turn left to hike .7 mile to its 150-foot, latte-colored cascade.) Past this junction, the trail is poorly marked and obstacle-packed, leading seven miles to the Toutle River. It runs fast and deep; head downstream to scout a shallower ford. Turn right on the Toutle Trail to hike .2 mile to your second camp.
Scree-filled gullies lie ahead on day three, opening to verdant, lupine-packed meadows with views of Mt. Hood 60 miles southeast. Go straight at a four-way junction with the Ptarmigan Trail. From here, it's 4.3 miles to close the loop and retrace your steps to the trailhead.
The Washington Trails Association plans to send five teams of backpackers to repair damage on remote stretches of the Loowit trail around Mount St. Helens this summer.
Ryan Ojerio, WTA regional coordinator, said the teams will work in four-day blocks from late June to mid-September.
Called Backcountry Response Teams, the crews will focus their effort on the southeast side of the peak between the junctions of the Loowit trail with June Lake trail No. 216B and Ape Canyon trail No. 234
Loowit trail No. 216 is a 30-mile loop around the mountain built in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It's a spectacular route, but crosses many headwater washes and ravines through extremely unstable soil.
"Severe storms and flooding in 2006 damaged sections of the trail making it all but impassible in places,'' Ojerio said.
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has rerouted the trail around the worst washout, which was on the southwest side of Mount St. Helens between Sheep Canyon and Butte Camp.
But there are still bad stretches on the southeast portion of Loowit trail in the Muddy River vicinity.
Ojerio said the Backcountry Response Teams program has used experienced backpackers to service neglected trails since 2004.
"Volunteers pack in their own camping equipment, food and tools provided by WTA,'' he said. "Such a model is ideal for restoring the Loowit trail where the sections most in need of restoration are three to four miles in and stock use for carrying provisions is prohibited.''
This year, WTA got a grant from the Forest Service to hire a full-time seasonal crew leader and to buy more tools and equipment.
The association also will have a youth Volunteer Vacation at June Lake, where 10 young people ages 14 to 18 will camp near the small lake and then work on the Loowit trail.
The WTA efforts are only part of the fixing up of the trails around Mount St. Helens this summer, the 30th anniversary of the big eruption.
The Washington Conservation Corps will be restoring the Loowit trail through the blast zone on the north side of Mount St. Helens and the Mount St. Helens Institute will host volunteer work parties on the trails feeding to Loowit.
"SUP" Surfing Hood River Oregon
Stand up padle board surfing or SUP is a Hawaiian sport originating as far back as the 1940s, stand-up paddle surfing is a mix between—you guessed it—surfing and paddling. Back in the day, Waikiki beach boys stood on their longboards while navigating with outrigger paddles, taking pictures of tourists on shore, and the sport of stand-up paddle (SUP) was born. Now referred to as Ku Hoe He'e Nalu on the Hawaiian islands, the sport is quickly gaining popularity all over the world because of its graceful simplicity and quick learning curve.
To learn paddle surfing you'll need a board—and SUP boards are big, averaging between nine and 11 feet long. An instructor can fit you with the proper size according to your height and weight. Boards with a soft deck are ideal for beginners and those who don't want to bother with the tedious chore of waxing. Paddles tend to be six to nine inches taller than the paddler's height, and the more lightweight and easy-to-handle the paddle, the farther you'll travel using the least amount of umph.
In regular surfing, you catch a wave and attempt to hop up on the board while on the wave. Not so with SUP. Because the goal is simply to stand on the board and propel yourself forward using your paddle, flat water is a fine playing field for SUPers and there's no pressure to catch a wave. Most people are up and paddling on flat water after just 30 minutes. But, as with any type of water sport, before you attempt to go it alone, be aware of your swimming ability. If you're not sure, always wear a life jacket in case you fall.
As for where to try SUP, sign up for a lesson just about anywhere—even in the desert. Bend is located in central Oregon, and has an extremely active SUP community. While many experienced paddlers like to cruise the sleepy Deschutes River that winds through the center of town, beginners will want to head to Sunriver Resort (800.801.8765,), approximately 25 miles south. Follow the signs to the marina and book a two-hour SUP lesson on the lower Deschutes River. Rent boards, paddles, and lifejackets for a scenic float through central Oregon's high desert. Make sure to watch out for surfing legend Gerry Lopez, who is a stand-up paddler himself and a Bend local.
If you'd rather spend time in balmier climates, head to San Diego for a series of lessons that will get you SUPing in no time. Located in Grand Caribe Beach on Coronado, Paddle Surf Baja (619.213.6622) offers courses for all abilities. Beginner lessons give you an hour and a half of equipment basics while paddling through San Diego's Back Bay. More advanced lessons take you through entering and exiting the surf zone, as well as catching and riding waves. You'll also learn surfing etiquette and how to handle your board. Finally, when your SUP legs are strong enough, you can complete a two-hour, six-mile downwind paddle through beach break waves. Each lesson is $100 (except the six-mile paddle at $175), and includes board and paddle.
But maybe the coolest place to learn to SUP is where it all began (and at the same time learn what the spirit of Aloha is all about). The Hawaiian island of Kauai is home to Titus Kinimaka's Hawaiian School of Surfing (808.652.1116,). As a Quicksilver ambassador since 1981, Titus has traveled the world as a professional surfer and stuntman. In 2000, he opened his surfing school where over 6,000 lessons were taught in just 12 months. All instructors are native Kauaians and teach Titus's unique style of training techniques, exclusive to the Hawaiian School of Surfing. A group lesson (maximum of three students) will run you $65 and you'll be supplied with a 12-foot soft deck board and 72-inch aluminum paddles. But plan ahead and reserve a spot, because it seems everyone wants a piece of the SUP action these days.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Adventure Van Blues
This 4×4 van conversion is actually called "Ultimate Adventure Vehicle". I've never seen it in person, but judging by the pictures and specs, it more than lives up to it's name.
The Ultimate Adventure Vehicle project was designed to create a well-rounded vehicle capable of meeting a wide variety of transportation needs, from running everyday errands to serving as a rolling base camp for multi-week outdoor adventures.
This rugged four-wheel drive van includes all the amenities you'd expect to find in a much larger motorhome, and yet achieves unprecedented levels of around-town maneuverability, open-road fuel-economy, serious off-road capability, and back-country camping practicality no other vehicle can match.
picture of the interior of a sportsmobile Ultimate Adventure vehicle
picture of the interior of a sportsmobile Ultimate Adventure vehicle
click picture to enlarge
How do I get one?
The Ultimate Adventure Vehicle is a Project Vehicle, which means you can't just walk into a showroom and buy one -- this is a prototype based on a modified Ford E350 one-ton cargo van from Fresno-based camper van manufacturer Sportsmobile West.
But don't fret, with a little research and a whole bunch of money, you can assemble your own UAV. The guys over at Truck Trend Magazine (who built the original) have laid out all the specs in this article called Building Perfection.
You can also read about the Epic Adventure the builders took with the UAV in this article - The Ultimate Adventure Vehicle Goes on a Road Trip as Big as All Outdoors.
4-Wheeling in Moab
Two Ultimate Adventure Vehicles spent three days testing its capabilities on some extreme 4×4 trails in Moab. It accomplished all the challenges with only a few minor scrapes going thru some narrow canyons.
The Ultimate Adventure Vehicle project was designed to create a well-rounded vehicle capable of meeting a wide variety of transportation needs, from running everyday errands to serving as a rolling base camp for multi-week outdoor adventures.
This rugged four-wheel drive van includes all the amenities you'd expect to find in a much larger motorhome, and yet achieves unprecedented levels of around-town maneuverability, open-road fuel-economy, serious off-road capability, and back-country camping practicality no other vehicle can match.
picture of the interior of a sportsmobile Ultimate Adventure vehicle
picture of the interior of a sportsmobile Ultimate Adventure vehicle
click picture to enlarge
How do I get one?
The Ultimate Adventure Vehicle is a Project Vehicle, which means you can't just walk into a showroom and buy one -- this is a prototype based on a modified Ford E350 one-ton cargo van from Fresno-based camper van manufacturer Sportsmobile West.
But don't fret, with a little research and a whole bunch of money, you can assemble your own UAV. The guys over at Truck Trend Magazine (who built the original) have laid out all the specs in this article called Building Perfection.
You can also read about the Epic Adventure the builders took with the UAV in this article - The Ultimate Adventure Vehicle Goes on a Road Trip as Big as All Outdoors.
4-Wheeling in Moab
Two Ultimate Adventure Vehicles spent three days testing its capabilities on some extreme 4×4 trails in Moab. It accomplished all the challenges with only a few minor scrapes going thru some narrow canyons.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
SAWVIVOR vs BAHCO LAPLANDER Bushcraft Backpacking Saw
THE top product among the small arms of the world is without doubt the GLOCK "Safe Action" pistol. It employs innovative safety features which makes the pistol easy to operate. No other pistol offers a better price-performance ratio. Its minimum weight and legendary GLOCK reliability are unsurpassed.
It is exactly these characteristics that meet the requirements of police, special units, security services and the military. Extremely tough tests by public law enforcement agencies prove time and time again that GLOCK "Safe Action" pistols function without compromise, even under the most extreme conditions. ACTION
Safe and ingeniously simple: Contrary to conventional, the trigger is the only operating element. All three pistol safeties are deactivated when the trigger is pulled -and automatically activated when it is released. GLOCK ADVANTAGE
TRIGGER SYSTEM
The "Safe Action" system is a partly tensioned firing pin lock, which is moved further back by the trigger bar when the trigger is pulled.
When the trigger is pulled, 3 safety features are automatically deactivated one after another. When doing so, the trigger bar is deflected downward by the connector and the firing pin is released under full load. When the trigger is released, all three safety features re-engage and the GLOCK pistol is automatically secured again. GLOCK PISTOL SET
Your new GLOCK pistol is delivered as a complete set. Prior to this; it must pass the most stringent inspections and it is checked and test fired with test ammunition. The configuration has already been assembled to the optimum for the majority of users (see table on the right), but can also be individually equipped with options according to the requirements of law enforcement agencies. TENIFER
Unique GLOCK hi-tech surface refinement for barrel and slide. Apart from optimum corrosion protection and anti-reflective finish, a degree of hardness of 64 HRC - close to that of a diamond - is achieved. POLYMER
Corrosion resistant, tougher than steel and still 86% lighter. More than 20 years ago, GLOCK pistols were the first industrially manufactured handguns with high-tech polymer frames. FIRING PIN SAFETY
The GLOCK firing pin safety is a solid hardened steel pin which, in the secured state, blocks the firing pin channel, rendering the igniting of a chambered cartridge by the firing pin impossible. The firing pin safety is only pushed upward to release the firing pin for firing when the trigger is pulled and the safety is pushed up through the backward movement of the trigger bar. Releasing the trigger will automatically reactivate the firing pin safety. DROP SAFETY
In the line of duty it may happen that a loaded pistol is dropped on the floor. Contrary to conventional pistols, the GLOCK drop safety prevents unintentional firing of a shot through hard impact. When the trigger is pulled, the trigger bar is guided in a precision safety ramp. The trigger bar is deflected from this ramp only in the moment the shot is triggered. Every use of a firearm exposes users to tremendous psychological strain. Learned patterns are easily forgotten in such borderline situations and complex operating elements become a deadly trap. GLOCK offers the best solution to this problem: "Safe Action"!
One operating element - one rule. Finger away from the trigger, three pistol safeties are active. Pull the trigger, the safeties are deactivated and the pistol is fired. Consequently the user can fully concentrate on his tactical tasks in the decisive moment.
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