The Bottle Rocket on Steroids:
Rechargeable Rocket Launcher – up to 100 metres height. This would be a great project for an idle weekend: http://www.instructables.com/id/Rechargeable-Rocket-Launcher/
How To Guide
Google Cardboard Virtual Reality <$20:
This is simply the most amazing thing I have seen in a long while. Turn your mobile phone into a VR headset. Download 360 degree films from Youtube. My son-in-law showed me one filmed on a roller coaster which was quite breathtaking: https://vr.google.com/cardboard/index.html PS: You can make one of these for less than $5 actually!
Ultralight Pen:
World’s lightest pen? Perhaps. Anyway at @ 1 gram and for US$3 you have a 2 ½’ (6.5cm) pen which will write on practically any surface, even upside down or under water or in space. Fisher Space Pen’s Sealed Pressurized Ink Cartridge: Performs in temperatures from -30ºF to +250ºF, underwater, in zero gravity, at
Andrew Skurka on Down Versus Synthetic
‘Down and synthetics both have pros and cons. Down is: Warmer for its weight, More compressible, and Longer-lasting. Synthetics are: Less expensive, More humane (no live plucking), and Less adversely affected by moisture. In specific regard to the issue of moisture sensitivity, I want to point out that synthetic insulations are absolutely not “warm when
Easyklip
A good emergency lightweight tarp clip that will not let go: http://www.easyklip.com/ Mini = 12 grams. Of course, this remains the lightest tarp clip: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/worlds-lightest-tarp-clip/
DIY Self-Tensioning Guylines:
I am not so keen on elastic rope (it is heavier than dyneema) and much of the problem of stretch can be overcome by caternary cutting the silnylon or using fabrics with very low stretch such as tyvek or cuben fibre, but nonetheless this method of keeping your tent taut is worth sharing: http://gossamergear.com/wp/diy-self-tensioning-guy-lines-2 A
Cauliflower Rice
Della’s Chilli Con Carne with Cauliflower Rice for tea last night. We will be eating a lot more of this instead of real rice. You can also make fried rice. Blitz cauli florets in food processor (very) briefly until it resembles rice. Toss in a fry pan in a small quantity of olive oil approx
Fitting Your Backpack:
This is really good advice. Apart from having a backpack which is too heavy and too large, the next biggest mistake people make is not having chosen/made it the correct torso length, then not having put it on correctly: http://gossamergear.com/wp/how-to-size-and-fit-an-ultralight-backpack That being said though, I think these standard instructions (which might be fine for slim,
Amazing Mobile Apps: Altimeter, Barometer and Thermometer:
Accurate Altimeter: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.arlabsmobile.altimeterfree&hl=en & Smart Thermometer: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.colortiger.thermo&hl=en (also does humidity and air pressure).
Amazing Mobile Apps: Altimeter, Barometer and Thermometer: Read More »
Honey, I Shrank the Tent:
I thought I would make a slightly smaller ‘Decagon’ tent. It turned out to be over 250 grams lighter than the original model. See: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/new-decagon-octagon-tyvek-igloo-tent-design/) It makes a tent which is still over 9’ x 7’6” (270 cm x 225cm) inside and 5’2” (155cm) high at the apex and 40” (1 metre) at the door.