GMRS Antennas- Midland Radio’s Ride the Range Line

GMRS antennas, Midland Radio, Ride the Range line, off-roading, off-road, overlanding, overland,

Midland Radio’s new Ride the Range Line of GMRS antennas take adventure and connection to new levels. Whether it’s hitting the Rubicon Trail, the Mojave Road, Black Bear Pass, or the Ocala National Forest, reliable communication is a must as it is pivotal in ensuring safe and meaningful excursions.

Finding the perfect antenna for a two-way radio communication set up is key to expanding range and clarity. By finding an antenna fit for the adventure’s environment, radio range will improve exponentially, and clarity will be unprecedented. A smaller dB casts a taller signal so it’s ideal for areas with a lot of obstructions like dense forests, mountains, and cities. A medium dB strengthens communication in areas with some obstructions like hills and scattered trees. A higher dB casts a longer signal, better fit for areas with minimal obstructions like wide open plains or highways.

Midland’s MicroMobile® MXAT01VP 7.5 dB Gain Grand Vista™ Fiberglass Antenna System is built to pack a punch along an adventurer’s travels. Coming in at 50 inches in height, the Grand Vista is compatible with an NMO-style mount that allows for use of an existing CB cable on a half inch hole. This antenna will help overlanders and off-roaders usher in updated two-way radio technology with GMRS.

The MicroMobile® MXAT03 3dB Gain Canyon Edge™ Bullbar Antenna is 28 inches tall and mounts on a half inch hole. It’s built with durable fiberglass that’ll let adventurers tackle the toughest trails. Adventurers can easily install this antenna on their bullbar for the roughest of environments, ensuring unbeatable communication power that doesn’t snap when encountering challenging terrain.

Third in the new lineup of new antennas is the MicroMobile® MXAT04VP 6.6 dB Gain Highland™ Tall Heavy-Duty Bullbar Antenna System. 47.5 inches tall, the Highland Tall antenna system comes with everything explorers need to ensure an easy and quick installation like the 19.5 ft. COAX cable and interchangeable stainless steel spring mounting base. The MXAT04’s durable fiberglass is strong enough for any adventure, anywhere.

Last, but certainly not least is Midland’s MicroMobile® MXAT05VP 3dB Gain Highland™ Heavy-Duty Bullbar Antenna. Like the others, the Highland mounts on a ½ inch hole. 28.5 inches tall, this antenna value pack includes a 19.5 ft. COAX cable and interchangeable stainless steel spring mounting base. The MXAT05VP is designed to transform communication in the most remote, off-grid locations, allowing users to count on improved safety and connection.

MSRP – Between $159.99-$259.99 BUY HERE

The above article is a Sponsored Post. TAP does NOT receive any commissions from sales originating from this article.

Tern Overland – Behind The Wheel

Andy Palmer

Tern Overland, windows, doors, rv doors, rv windows, overland, overlanding, off-road, off-roading

The “Behind The Wheel” series is an up close and personal look at brands and their owners who are an authentic and passionate part of the exciting world of Overlanding. Today we’re sitting down with Aimee Higgins, Co-Founder of Tern Overland.

Aimee, great to chat with you and thanks for taking the time. Tell us a little about your background and how you came to be the Co-Founder of Tern Overland?

Thanks for talking to me, Andy! The travel bug found me as a kid. Growing up in the Western US we camped our way through the states. My three sons were raised in the same way on the East coast with trips out West to satisfy the need to explore and learn. We are all global explorers now and love to experience nature and the culture of new countries.

David and I crossed paths in 2016 and by 2017 we had launched an idea to build and design campers and Tern Overland was born. We came across a fabulous window that was new to the North American market and jumped at the opportunity to bring it here for the overlanding market. We created the business from scratch by ourselves. We hired our first employees in 2019. We’ve had phenomenal grass roots growth in the last six years. Our manufacturer is awesome to work with and is a reliable, trustworthy partner.

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After the successful design, prototype and launch of David’s camper in 2021 we sold the camper division in 2022 to AT Overland in Prescott and they are now manufacturing and upfitting the fantastic Aterra campers in addition to their topper line. The window and component side of Tern is still flourishing with over 100 builders and two distributors in North America and a new builder in South Africa. At the end of 2022 David transferred his shares over to me and I became the CEO and he retired to pursue other interests.

Many people reading this may never have heard of Tern Overland, but may well be using your products. So, let’s dive into Tern Overland and can you give us an overview of the products you offer.

Basically, if you have a hole in your rig, we can fill it with a component. Windows, entry doors, cargo access doors, roof hatches, water, and electrical ports.

Our primary and most popular product are the double pane acrylic windows in eleven sizes with a blind and screen included. Normally provided with a white blind, it now comes with an optional black frame and black interior shade.

The roof hatch is a nice star gazing portal over the bed, drone launching from the roof, for sunlight or LED task lighting over the table. One size, 20×28, offered in electric and electric deluxe. Deluxe comes with a remote and rain sensor.

The entry door line is continually expanding with two main styles – Euro style and the Wildlands door and now a new Adventure door for teardrop trailers. Our doors range in size from a full 72” down to 36”. If a builder needs an odd, custom size, we can do that too with minimum order quantities.

We stock a range of cargo doors, and they can be built to any size from as little as 12×12 to as big as 60×60. Various options from gas struts to hinge location are available. These cargo doors are strong and dust proof.

Our other components are AirFlo which is an incredible textile bought by the yard or as a Queen size pad allowing air flow under mattresses, seat covers and pet beds. It is also excellent as a rattle dampener in drawers and toolboxes. We also have bulk water fillers and a European style electrical port.

The windows, roof hatches and doors are the products we import and distribute. We have recently become dealers for Taruca – Australian Buchwakka brand awnings and Dobinsons Australian suspension. Dobinsons also carries a nice line of fridges and recovery gear.

Tell us how you distribute your products and can the consumer purchase directly from you or are you simply direct to brands within the industry?

We work with both wholesale and retail DIY builders to supply the products they need for their camper, trailer, big box truck, van, bus, or tiny home. Customers call us directly or contact us via email. We are excited about our new website which has an e-commerce Shop function. We are also rolling out a wholesale builder portal so our builders can order directly with their builder pricing. We may also add a finance function. For large stocking orders it is best for wholesale builders to reach out to us directly so we can customize orders, arrange freight, or schedule a direct container. Many of our wholesale or retail customers contact our distributors directly as well. Expedition Upfitters in BC or Perfect Fit/CamperVan-HQ in Portland, OR. They both carry extensive products.

Tell us about some of the high-profile brands in the Overland world you’re working with.

We work with 100+ excellent, large, small, and well-respected brands covering every vehicle build option. It’s important to us that our builders and their customers have a high-quality experience with us and our products!

One of our largest partners is AT Overland. A well-respected leader in the industry for over 20 years. Storyteller Overland is a newer partner who traditionally manufactures awesome vans and is launching their Adventure Truck featuring seven of our windows. Kimbo Living was our first wholesale partner in 2018 designing their prototype and is now one of our top partners. Bean Trailer has been fun to work with through the years. AntiShanty has an innovative and forward-thinking team. AeonRV has an entire kit they order with an entry door, windows, roof hatch and custom cargo doors and AirFlo. ToroBravo4x4 has a new concept they are launching this year. TetonX Trailers, Globe Trekker, Cedar Ridge Campers, Boreas Campers, Oregon Trail’rs, Port Lite Campers, Benchmark, Freedom Van Go, and the list could go on. A full list is on our Partner page of the website.

Everyone always thinks that successful businesses and founders have it easy! We both know that’s simply not true. What’s been the greatest challenge over the years for you?

Hopefully you didn’t expect me to say Covid. Those were gangbuster years for us because everyone was hitting the road for fresh air or working remotely and needed a rig. Managing the speed of our growth has probably been our greatest challenge. Too big too fast or not fast enough is a delicate balance. Building relationships by staying connected to our partners and understanding what they need to be successful has been our compass heading.

Where do you see Tern Overland in 3 years? Any plans to enter the world of complete rig builds yourselves?

Moving forward, our focus will remain on building relationships with wholesale builders. With our new webstore we are poised to increase our retail market. We are exploring establishing a line of products to retrofit into mainstream RVs. Tern’s systems and workflows are becoming more streamlined, allowing us to scale in the future. Since we do a lot with a small team, we are flexible as the industry or market shifts.

Hard pass on building our own rigs. The market is full of innovative engineers, and we will let them lead that space. I’m happy to support the creative builders we work with and stick with what we know is an awesome product line.

Okay, Aimee, what rig do you personally drive and any favorite trip you’ve taken?

AT Overland modified my 2022 RAM 2500 6.4l V8 Hemi with AEV suspension, bumpers, winch, and a lift kit, and added an Aluma lite flatbed designed to hold an Aterra camper. It is a sweet ride and will be showcased at our events next year.

Otherwise, David built an incredible trailer for me before he retired. I could be off grid for weeks and the unit is fully loaded with our products and conveniences. I tow it with either my 2007 Lexus GX470 that I bought from Scott Brady (featured in Overland Journal Spring 2021) that is heavily modified or with a 2008 4×4 Suburban. It acts as a base camp for me to hike or SUP from.

My favorite recent trip was a 12 Expo solo tour I took last year as the Chief Operating Officer. It wasn’t overlanding per se, but I was fully immersed in the industry and camped along the way in the Lexus. I traveled Back to Baja with Flarespace and the Storyteller community. I went to BC for the BC Overland Rally. I met my oldest son for a weekend on the Olympic Peninsula where we hiked, and he taught me how to fly fish in between NWOR and PNW Expo. I also hung out with my middle son in Colorado for a weekend and we hammock camped at 10k feet. Catching up with my youngest son and his fiancé on the east coast was a bonus in between the MidAtlantic Overland Show and the Storyteller Overland Open House. It was tough traveling and running a business from the road but making so many connections and seeing family along the way was worth it!

I love being part of this industry and watching it evolve. Our customers are great to work with and we genuinely enjoy what we do. Thank you, Andy, for all that you and your team do at The Adventure Portal to educate and support the industry. I appreciate being able to work with you and tell our story. If I may close by calling out one of my favorite marketing pieces that Tern Overland did which had a photograph my son took of a brilliant night sky and it said, “Sleep soundly knowing your components are capable of the journey”.

Contact Information:

www.TernOverland.com

info@TernOverland.com

Tel: 928-642-3459 Listen to menu for options.

FB: ternoverland_arctictern

IG: ternoverland_arctictern

Linktr.ee/ternoverland

To Learn More About Tern Overland CLICK HERE

Project M FWC: Less Is More

Contributor

fwd, four wheel campers, project m, overlanding, overland, FWC

Not long ago, Elisabeth Brentano never dreamed that she would find her greatest joy just being in nature and living out of her Project M camper. After all, she was barely 30 by the time she began reaping the rewards of her hard-won Hollywood career. It had all the glitz and glam many people want, but few achieve. And then, all it took was one bad breakup and a hot summer in the Southwest for her to discover that her greatest passion is exploring and protecting public lands. That unfamiliar path led her to a whole new way of making a positive impact on the world, and she hasn’t looked back since.

It was the last thing anyone expected from her

Gifted with a knack for written and visual storytelling, the Hollywood producer was rising on the career path she had envisioned since college. But once she got her foot in the door, “It was like the movie The Devil Wears Prada,” she recalls. “After I asked for a raise, I remember being told ‘We can find someone to do this job for free.’ It was not a positive environment.” Despite depressingly low pay, and the lack of respect by male colleagues, she forged ahead in the toxic work environment for another year before making the transition to producing digital content for a top celebrity news website. But when her partner blindsided her with a sudden breakup, that dream life disintegrated. Without warning she was suddenly solo, and says she was unsure of who she was or where she was headed. “I kind of lost my identity. All I did was work and then I was with my boyfriend. Even though I was happy at the time, I didn’t realize how much of myself I had really lost.”

But instead of going deeper into heartache, she rebuilt her life in a totally new way by channeling her workaholic nature into a healthier, clean-living routine. And when an old friend invited her on a Thelma and Louise-style hiking trip into the Utah desert, she opted to push the limits of her comfort zone. Somewhere in Moab, the L.A. woman who had never been camping was instantly smitten by the restorative power of the natural world. “I feel like I discovered some part of myself that I didn’t know existed. This is really fired up a passion deep within me, and I thought “I should be doing more of this!” Later that summer she and other friends explored other Utah landmarks, like Lake Powell, Dead Horse Point and Zion National Park.

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With encouragement from friends and colleagues who recognized her unique storytelling skills before she did, Elisabeth tried her luck at self-employment. She jumped into the world of destination storytelling. Instead of using her talents to share Hollywood gossip, she searched for natural places that begged for greater levels of stewardship. Then she found the tourism agencies that promoted those places, and explained how they could improve their existing campaigns. Tenacious cold calling along with captivating imagery and narratives led her to clients who are just as passionate about outdoor recreation education as she is. Her ideas took off, and today the state tourism offices in Idaho, Wyoming, Arizona and beyond are educating visitors with her visual and written storytelling skills. The former TV producer’s media prowess is helping big and small town agencies educate and protect public lands more effectively than ever before.

An Unconventional Workspace

In her early days as a travel producer, she traveled in a Jeep, but in 2020 she bought a Ford F-150 and spent a year in a Leer camper shell. The customized interior housed a sleeping platform and gear storage for her photography and newly acquired rock climbing habit. But as her impact on the outdoors community grew, so did her need for more comfortable accommodations. Elisabeth upgraded her expedition vehicle in 2022 when she partnered with Four Wheel Campers as a company ambassador. The company’s Project M truck topper seemed like an ideal setup for her new minimalist lifestyle. But before joining the Four Wheel Campers family, she needed to know that company leaders are just as committed to caring for the planet as she is.

She pitched them on a plan to host outdoor clean-up events by working with non-profit environmental groups, and instantly knew that she had found her community. “When I asked them, ‘So, what are you doing for the environment?’ instead of asking me ‘How much is that gonna cost?’ they said, ‘How fast can we do it?’” Their response made it a no-brainer decision to join forces for the benefit of public lands. Soon afterward she said goodbye to traditional housing, and hello to living and working from her customized Project M.

“Naturally, being able to access remote locations is key to my job, and I couldn’t be happier with my mobile home/office setup. I can be anywhere I need to be within a few days, and I have all the tools I need, so unless I’m flying for a gig, I never have to pack anything.” The topper is geared toward explorers who equally value simplicity and comfort in the backcountry and mounts to the bed rails of nearly every pickup truck make and model. Priced at just $10,995 MSRP, the lightweight pop-up comes straight from the Davis, California factory as a blank slate. Customers buy it with or without factory-installed options like two kinds of bedding, exterior LED lighting, gear tracks, awnings, and cutting-edge solar power station solutions. And unlike other Four Wheel Camper models, the Project M doesn’t force owners to give up their truck tailgate. They can enjoy a go-anywhere camper that can still be used as an everyday vehicle.

She has a ready-for-anything rig

“Having a fridge, sink, stove and memory foam bed means I have plenty of creature comforts, and even without sunshine, my power setup keeps me running for about a week.” Her setup includes a Renogy battery and solar panels to power her fridge, lights, fan and small USB devices. She also has a Goal Zero Yeti 1500x Portable Power Station for her sink and larger electronics. For backup power, she carries a smaller Yeti unit, the 400x. “With constant sunshine, I have unlimited power, so the only thing I need to re-up on is water, and since I have small tanks, I am fairly conservative with my usage.”

The combined setup lets her go further into the backcountry than ever before, which has deepened her passion to protect it. “This camper has allowed me to post up in some incredibly wild places over the years. From there, I have not only found a deep connection to the landscapes, but with the communities that protect and preserve our public lands.”

It’s been a year since Elisabeth helped Four Wheel Campers’ kick off the company’s volunteer events program. Today the brand and its enthusiastic customers are enjoying a higher level of environmental responsibility and positive impact. As a company ambassador, she organizes different events to clean up and maintain special places like Lake Tahoe, and the Bueno Aires National Wildlife Refuge in Southern Arizona. Volunteer Four Wheel Camper owners meet up and pitch in labor to tackle tasks like building fences, picking up trash, and making campground improvements. Of course there’s also plenty of great scenery, tasty food, and free beer that turn the hard work into a festive party. Every event is filled with new and old friends swapping stories about camping in their Four Wheel Campers rig.

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Less is More with the Project M

With a new career, a passion for protecting public lands, and a minimalist evangelist, Elisabeth has never been happier. “In my opinion, learning to live with less is the first step towards a more sustainable (and thus environmentally-friendly) lifestyle. It prevents you from purchasing things you don’t need, and a small space doesn’t require as much energy, either.” As for her old Hollywood career, the very idea of going back it makes her laugh. “The subject matter used to be who Kim Kardashian was dating. Now it’s responsible recreation on Idaho’s hiking trails!” Helping tourism agencies stay one step ahead of visitation impacts is tough, but the flexible nature of her lifestyle and the Project M give her all the tools she needs to help keep special places as inspiring and untouched as possible.

Collapsible Overhead Van Storage By Tourig

Andy Palmer

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If you’re looking for affordable, collapsible overhead van storage, look no further. For years, TOURIG has been making a complete line of window covers and storage solutions for camper vans. And this Spring they launched a new storage solution that’s unlike any others out there. These new soft cabinets are not just versatile and affordable – but compatible in almost any van! DIY’ers, Storyteller and Revel owners, and all other van owners: this is the perfect solution for you! For just $250 you can get a good looking, lightweight soft cabinet that provides the structure you need to hold anything from gear to clothes to non-perishables. The cabinet itself has left and right side front zippers that allow you to easily open the front panel to access the storage chamber, and side panels that provide structural integrity. The front panel also has magnets that allow you to keep the front panel closed even when it’s not zipped (allowing you to easily access storage contents without having to zip and unzip each time)..

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When you need the overhead space and don’t need the storage, simply collapse the side panels and fold the back side flush against the wall of your van (secured with a snap) and voila! – your cabinet is stowed out of the way. (Revel owners: these work perfectly in the bunk area. You can raise the bed with these cabinets in use, which allows you to still access storage underneath the bed with these in place. Two cabinets fit side by side on both the passenger and driver side of the van.)

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TOURIG makes two models of these cabinets: the Sprinter model has a slightly curved back panel that lays flush against the upper walls of the van, and the Universal model has a flat back and can be mounted to any flat surface – making it usable in just about any van.

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Easily mount each cabinet to any wall of your van with just six screws (included) that fit in the three upper and three lower screw holes that are located on the wall-facing side of the cabinet (no L track needed!).

This is the perfect lightweight and functional upper cabinet for any van. For versatility, durability, construction, and price, you can’t find a better option for a storage cabinet out there.

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Collapsible Overhead Van Storage Pros:

Fits any van with a flat surface
Collapsible design is easy to stowe against the wall (folds flat with a snap closure – to mount flush against wall)
Lightweight (under 3 lbs)
Extremely durable marine grade fabric (holds >30lbs)
Solution dyed material doesn’t fade
Eco-friendly construction
No glues or adhesives (nothing is bound together in a way that could break down over time)
No off-gassing materials
Installs in just minutes
Mounts to wall with 6 screws (included
Made in the USA

To Learn More or Buy CLICK HERE

The EOS – 12 From Boreas Campers

Faye Palmer

Boreas EOS -1 2, BOREAS CAMPERS, off-road trailers, overland trailers, overlanding, overland, off-road, off-roading,

The EOS-12 from Boreas Campers is the perfect mix of size, weight and features for accessing the backcountry in comfort.

At 3,750 lbs dry and 20’ long the unit can be hauled by a wide range of tow vehicles and go far past the beaten path. The pop top roof is aerodynamic on the highway but opens up to provide 6’6” of standing room inside when parked. The cabin also offers a permanent (no set up!) queen bed, dinette table, bench seats with storage underneath that drop down to create a twin bed, and a wet bath with shower and choice of cassette or dry flush toilet.

The large outdoor kitchen is anchored by a Truma 96-liter dual-zone fridge, 3-burner Furion stove, stainless steel sink, fold down table and outdoor speakers. A 270 degree awning covers the full kitchen, and the layout intentionally keeps everything within 2 steps. Perfect for cooking a gourmet meal off the grid

Cruisemaster XT air suspension provides a smooth ride on the highway and off pavement. With the onboard air compressor (also great for refilling tires!) you’re able to lower or raise the camper to navigate trails with low hanging branches or get through water crossings. It’s never been easier to get away from the crowds and into the backcountry.

The camper’s systems have all been integrated with the Garmin O.N.E. (Operations, Navigation, Entertainment) system which allows you to auto-level the air suspension, check your fresh and grey water tanks, battery level, control lights and speaker zones and change the cabin temperature all via the tablet that is mounted via magnets in the cabin.

The 50-gallon fresh and 40-gallon grey water tanks are heated and lines are insulated to allow for four-season camping.

300 watts of Zamp solar panels and 540 amp hours of Battle Born lithium batteries are included standard, with the option of up to 500w and 1080ah. With this set up you can reliably stay powered up off the grid. All components are easily able to run off of the available solar making self-reliance a nonissue.

Special features like the outdoor shower, Truma Combi furnace and water heater, front hitch receiver, large toolbox and pass through pantry are the cherry on top of a well equipped, overbuilt, rugged offroad camper.

Expand the range of your adventures – learn more about the EOS-12 today!

To Learn More CLICK HERE

______________________________________________________________

Sea to Summit and Shelby Mann from Ground Up Adventures Co.

Contributor

off-roading, off-roading, overlanding, overland, Sea to Summit, Shelby Mann, Ground up adventures Co., hiking, backpacking,

Sea to Summit as a brand within the outdoor community, has had the pleasure of working with some incredible partners along the way. Shelby, from Ground Up Adventures is one of them. Sea to Summit first started working with Shelby more closely about a year ago and as a Hiking/Backpacking Guide in Colorado, our collaborations with Shelby have been such a natural fit.

We are honored for Shelby’s time in giving us insight on who she is, what she does, the lessons she’s learned along the way and what Sea to Summit gear she recommends to those exploring nature’s playground.

Tell us a bit about you. What do you do? What got you into it?

I operate an outfitter called Ground Up Adventures and am a Hiking/Backpacking Guide and Outdoor Educator in Buena Vista, Colorado.

I started GUA years ago when I was doing research full-time at a hospital in Denver and found myself escaping to the mountains every weekend just to get through the week. I gained an immense amount of outdoor experience solo hiking in the Rockies, and eventually saw a lot of individuals on the trails making the same mistakes I once did. I took a ton of outdoor education courses from off-trail navigation to avalanche safety, and when I decided I wanted to guide, I noticed there weren’t any outfitters in Colorado specializing in Outdoor Education, so we could make the trails safer for everyone recreating on them. Thus, Ground Up Adventures began, so you can learn to climb your mountain from the ground up!

What is one of your favorite aspects of your job?

Seeing people prove themselves wrong or expand what they’re capable of in real-time. It truly is one of the most rewarding experiences and I love being able to hear about all of their adventures after our trip together. I once had a client come on a 5-mile hike with me to learn more about Rocky Mountain hiking, and the next week he was conquering not one but two peaks all on his own. Those stories never get old.

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How do you educate yourself with safety / gear / etc.? Do you research, is it lessons learned on the field? Chatting with other professionals? A mix of all?

Genuinely a mix of everything! As a previous researcher, I’m a firm believer that the more sources you have, the better. I typically start with online research and chatting with other professionals in the field, and then once I get a base opinion, I go out into the field and test it myself. As it relates to gear, I think one of the best ways to test it is to do it at home or close to home, in as close of conditions as you can to your intended use for it. If I’m testing a new sleeping bag for example, I won’t immediately go backpacking miles into the backcountry to test it, I’ll try it out dispersed camping closer to home first.

What are some essentials that you always have with you on your adventures? Are there some products that are “universal” that you have on ALL excursions?

I always have the 10 essentials (navigation, headlamp, first aid, fire starter, sun protection, multitool such as a Swiss Army Knife, extra food, layers, and water, as well as an emergency bivy or shelter), and I keep some of these items such as clothing and headlamps, in dry bags to make sure they stay protected from any moisture.

I almost always bring tuna and crackers as my extra food, so I also like bringing a long spork (biased to the Sea to Summit Alpha Light Spork)

Lastly, I ALWAYS have a rain jacket and small towel with me. You never know when weather can come in and it’s always smart to be prepared!

How did you first hear about Sea to Summit? What was your first Sea to Summit product?

I first heard about Sea to Summit on a snow-cave backcountry camping trip when my friend was using a STS liner in his sleeping bag for extra warmth. Shortly after, I heard of them again at a local outdoor store in Colorado. I was looking for a small dry bag. I had always seen the big bulky heavy duty dry bags for kayaking and bringing on the boat, but never a lightweight one.

The Ultra-Sil dry bag was actually my first Sea to Summit product; I remember picking it up and asking the employee: THIS is going to keep my gear dry?!

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What product of Sea to Summit’s is your favorite right now?

That’s a hard pick but I would have to say my Telos TR2 tent. I’ve used it on essentially every backpacking trip, including personal and guided trips for the past year, and it still amazes me. It’s very lightweight yet still has a durable tent frame, and is incredibly spacious for a two-person tent. It keeps me dry even in the gnarliest alpine storms, and I love that I can easily pack the different pieces (body, poles, and rainfly) separately. I spend a lot of nights in a tent each year, and this is by far my favorite and most versatile tent.

We sent you an Evac Dry Bag. What’s your first impression?

Instant gratitude! You guys have solved a problem of mine that I’ve had for some time: dry bags that are hard to get the extra air out! Not to mention, they’re very light for how durable they are. It also packs easier due to its oval base shape, which is really nice for backpacking. Sea to Summit really paid attention to the details of these bags, including the white interior to make it easier to see your gear inside the bag.

How would you use it for your adventures? Specific gear protection? Specific trips? For organization?

Dry bags really help me organize my gear, and usually use different colored bags for separate gear items to know what they are. I use the Evac dry bags specifically for my sleeping bag, clothing, and even to store our snacks for raft days on the river! I use a down sleeping bag, so it’s essential it stays dry, and the Evac bag ensures this. I recently took it on a very wavy paddle boarding trip and was amazed at how dry even the exterior of the bag stayed.

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Would you recommend this bag for other users? If so, why? If not, why not?

Oh absolutely! I think most people getting outdoors could find a use for dry bags, and if you’re going anywhere with water or potential for storms, I know you won’t regret adding it to your gear collection.

Anything else to add about Sea to Summit and/or their gear/Evac?

Sea to Summit is an incredible company and they make extremely high-quality, durable gear. Their customer service is amazing and they’re a brand I’ve trusted on all of my outdoor adventures for years. I have my clients use Sea to Summit gear as well because its proven so reliable for me. I can honestly say I’ve never been steered wrong from a Sea to Summit product.

Last question: what’s next on your list of adventures?

I’ll be wrapping up my season here in Colorado shortly, this summer flew by! Right about the time that the snow will be starting to hit on the high peaks here I’ll be heading to Patagonia, Argentina to lead a trip of hikers on an 8-day mountain adventure! I can’t wait to see spring in Patagonia. After that it’s time for winter adventures!

To follow Shelby or read more about her educational tips for outdoor recreation, we recommend following her on social media and checking out her website.

Instagram: @groundupadventures

Website: https://groundupadventuresco.com/

Photo Credits: Ground Up Adventures

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