Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Lighting the Way



I've got another backpacking trip coming up and it's time to start thinking about what worked, what didn't, what I'll take on the next trip, and what will be replaced.  One thing that worked very well and will be along for every trip are my Lifegear glowstick / flashlight / flasher / whistles.  I bought the first one because it weighs almost nothing - shipping weight is only 1.6 ounces.   I have bought a second to carry as a backup instead of carrying extra batteries and having to fumble around in the dark trying to replace them.  It uses 3 small watch-type batteries which are included and free replacement batteries are available at http://www.lifegear.com/ (s & h not included). 

Click once and you've got a flashlight, twice a flishlight/glowstick, three times a glowstick only, and 4 times puts it in flasher mode.  On the end is a whistle with a cap to keep it clean.  All of these functions are demonstrated in the video.  (I'm jealous.  I want to make a snow cave!)  What the video doesn't tell you is that it has a detachable lanyard.  I can hang it from the top of my tent in glowstick mode as a sort of lantern and it illuminates the entire space enough to find my shoes, my shorts, or whatever else I need.  The flashlight is bright enough to find a trail in the dark and I had no problem finding a tree in the middle of the night.  It's also bright enough to read by if you shine the light directly on the page.   

One of the fun things about backpacking with a group is comparing gear with the other hikers.  When we were sitting around the campfire I had to show everyone the ultra-cool, ultra-light flashlight I found that could also save our lives in an emergency because I could whistle or signal for help.  One of the guys starting calling me Flo because my personality reminds him of the Progressive Insurance lady.  I like Flo.  I can live with that.

    

23 comments:

Brian Miller said...

now that is wicked cool...and would definitely come in handy...

jack69 said...

I like the light lite. Gotta remember that. WE discarded 'tons' of stuff until we settled down. Mostly it was inexperienced folks at an out-fitters trying to sell 50 pounds of weight saving stuff. ha!
I have never been able to break less than 40 pounds, Sherry was consistant at 28 pounds. Oh then the water, etc.

It is fun to compare around the camp fire. Heck it is just fun to talk around the camp fire.
On the AT we always stopped early, rounded up fire wood for the younger folks that we would see only once because they were putting in 15-20 mile days, we were crawling along at 7-9. haha! But it was all fun.

Keep on hiking!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Hello, Jen!

I LOVE Flo!!! You and I will definitely get along!!! Love this! And how cool is that glow stick! Great blog...and you sound like a fabulous person...what adventures you must have! I'll be back for sure! (Do I get a discount for that? LOL) ~Janine XO

Sniffles and Smiles said...

P.S. Hope you don't mind if I "follow" you around a bit :-) ~J.

Vince said...

good for you. But do they not start a camp fire for light. And why on earth do you need a light to widdle surely it's a case of squat and get on with it. For things haven't moved since last in use, and certainly not far enough that would require a light.

sage said...

Flo! Interesting contraption you have there... I use to take a small 2 AA cell waterproof flashlight that didn't weigh much and would always reverse one of the batteries to make sure it didn't accidently turn on in my pack. I now carry a small headlamp with 2 AAA batteries that weigh about the same but has more power and longer life (due to the bulb).

Anonymous said...

I have always wanted to go backpacking but can never get anyone to play with me :0(

Lucy said...

I just want to say thank you Jen for all of your support. I will be looking forward to talking to you when I get home with the repair job. I will be a new 80 year old woman. Enjoy that back packing trip.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

very successful snow cave talk...
lovely videos,
this post rocks!
Happy Thursday, Jen!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

http://itistimetothinkformyself.blogspot.com/2010/05/happy-birthday-christina.html

wishing a friend birthday here.
thanks.

Jen said...

@Brian Miller: Wicked cool...I like that...

@jack69: I'd like to get mine to 25 pounds. I met someone at the pool who says women in the military have to carry 80. That's insane.

@Sniffles and smiles: I LOVE new followers! Thanks and welcome to my blog.

@Vince: I said I used the light to find a tree. I didn't say I shine a spotlight on my ass so everyone can watch while I do my business.

@sage: I have one of those headlamps somewhere. I haven't used it yet, but I like the idea of having hands free.

@Eternally Distracted: I had to join an outdoor group to find people to backpack with.

@Lucy: I hope everything works out for you. Looking forward to reading more posts when you get home.

@Jingle: How cool is a snow cave?! I want one!

buffalodick said...

Flo- if you are like that, you must be a lot of fun to be around!

Liz Mays said...

I love it's multi-purpose abilities. The less you have to pack, the better. The trip sounds really cool!

Kelly said...

What a neat gadget!

Several folks built snowcaves and spent the night in them at that Wisconsin BOW event I attended last year.

Vince said...

LOL, It was the Tree I was on about.
But after wrote the comment this morning I thought it might be because of snakes. And thanks ever so for the image of the spotlight, ewwwww.

Full-On-Forward said...

Jen,

AWESOME STUFF.

Seriously--do you think that would work to attract fish? We have some you can lower in the water to night fish. It supposedly draws minnows- then bigger fish. Could be helpful in survivor mode!!!

The new LED lights have made the Clip on for the hat sage is talking about awesome.But really bright and I like the idea of the Glow--we used them as Paramedics a Little- but they weren't perfected yet!

But I like the idea of the number of hours and the different built in stuff!

GOOD INFO!!!!

PS: Do a vid on how not to PEE whilst using it! LOL Sheesh!

John

Anonymous said...

I want one of those lights. My girls would fight over it though. LOL!

You just gotta love Flo. She cracks me up!

I have an award for you!

A Lady's Life said...

This is such a good idea to keep in the car in earthquake kits. I always think about stuff like this and I am glad to know such things exist so I don;t have to keep worrying about batteries.By the time you need them they are all juiced out lol

Jen said...

@buffalodick: Of course I'm fun to be around!

@blueviolet: Lightweight and multi-purpose is a winning combination.

@Kelly: I may have to look into that this winter. Building snowmen and sleeping in snowcaves sounds like fun!

@Vince: Snakes, poison ivy...

@John: I believe someone makes a waterproof version. You could try.

@Christiejolu: You can find them for 6 dollars or less so they could each have their own. Thanks! I'll be right over to check it out.

@A Lady's Life: You should check out their website. They specialize in emergency supplies.

Heff said...

"Flo" is just so goofy looking it makes her SEXY.

(Did I SAY THAT OUT LOUD ?!?)

Jen said...

@Heff: If goofy is sexy, I've got it made! Thanks Heff!

Heather said...

Sorry I haven't been around. That lite sounds real cool. I'm going to have hubby take a look at it and see if it would be something he would like for his all night fishing trips. Thanks for sharing the good stuff. Flo!! LOL!

Jen said...

@Heather: Might make a good light for the boat. I'll strap one on my kayak if I participate in a night paddle.

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