Never Suck Again! Geigerrig hydration pack review

As you might know, I was very lucky to be asked to go on an amazing trip to Idaho following the Outdoor Retailer Show at the end of January.  This trip was sponsored by Geigerrig and was amazing, but this post is not about that trip.  I did finally get to meet some amazing fellow bloggers who did sweet write-ups, so I figured why not share those instead of trying to improve upon what is already fantastic   Check out the trip reports from my friends Erika, Heather, and Tim.

This post is, however, about the sweet hydration pack they sent me in the following days.  I was stoked when I came home one day to find the RIG 1210 waiting for me. At first sight, I loved the coloring as I have apparently become a huge fan of this bright lime green color (as can be determined by numerous pictures from this winter!).

Nice end of the day surprise!

I had to do some recon to figure out exactly how to use the hydration system.  I knew that Geigerrig’s motto was “NEVER SUCK AGAIN” but still didn’t know how to force the water out.  Well I soon discovered that it was so easy a child could do it.  No, really!!  My pack has now gotten frequent use by a 4 year-old and a 7 year-old!

After using this pack for several hikes, days fishing at the lake, and a camping trip, I can finally write a full review of the pack.

First hike test was a beauty

The Awesome: I really think that the best aspect of this pack is its uniqueness in that you literally pump the bladder full of air to propel the water out of the mouthpiece when you bite on it. I have my fair share of hydration packs and this one is a snap for anyone to use, no matter age.  This beautiful 4 year-old loves drinking from it and pumps it up herself

Easy enough for kids to use

The Not so Awesome: I am not sure why but the waist belt sits funny on my waist.  The straps rub my hip bones.  While I was given the advice of simply gaining a few more pounds (NO THANK YOU!!), I have found that I have to constantly readjust the belt so as to avoid irritation on my hips.  I am not sure whether or not a different pack from Geigerrig would sit better on my frame.  Also, I was gifted this pack by the company for review, but this pack runs for well over $100; that is a bit steep for my blood!

Chilly, windy fishing test

Overall assessment: I love the technology engineered by Geigerrig!  I definitely suggest trying one on before spending the high dollar amount on this, or any, pack to ensure it fits you right.

A dream becomes reality

Have you ever shared a dream with someone for as long as you can remember?  Well, since I can remember (probably about 20 years), my sister and I have dreamt of seeing Ireland together.  I think it all stemmed from a series of books we read when we were in high school/junior high respectively, but regardless it has been a shared dream that has stuck with us as we both grew and our lives became complicated with work as well as other issues and joys.

As most all of you know from my Twitter feed, Facebook posts, and even a St. Patrick’s Day post here, we finally did it!  Since Renee is stationed in Germany right now, we decided this was the time to make it happen!   

I had an exhausting 24 hours or so of travel which included the drive from Cody to Billings, a flight from Billings to Minneapolis, a flight from Minneapolis to Amsterdam, and a flight from Amsterdam to Dublin.  While in Minneapolis, I was treated to a new experience…free IPads to use all over their internationl gate area!  I was able to order food and a few adult beverages to help me relax for the long flight ahead.

Who knew the Minneapolis airport was so cool?! Free use of IPads!

My Amsterdam layover was frustrating for me because it was my first time making a connection in a foreign country where English wasn’t the primary language.  Granted, I  have traveled to and through a few other countries before, but the non-English as a first language countries were my final destination.  While there were English signs everyhere, the airport still seemed to overwhelm me, but that was likely because I was also slightly sleep deprived by this point.  Before I knew it, I was boarding my flight to Dublin!

This plan would take me to Ireland!

And then, I had made it; I was finally in Ireland, and I couldn’t believe it was really happening!

Of course Teton Sports had to come along for the trip

After waiting another hour for Nee, we were there, together, and our dream was reality!

This is the first of many more posts to come about our week together in Ireland, and yes, we were there for Paddy’s Day or as you likely know it, St. Patrick’s Day.  I am also pleased to announce that Renee (who I also refer to as Nee) will be guest writing at least one post in this series.  She has opted to write about our days in Dublin, so stay tuned for that and many more amazing stories, pictures, and tales from our time on the beautiful Emerald Isle.

Our first picture together in Ireland!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

I hope you have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day. Renee and I will thoroughly enjoy it for you all here in Dublin, Ireland

Cheers!

~Love, the Salzmann girls

I’m hot…are you hot? Terramar Base Layers Review

You may have noticed a new addition to my blog; I am talking about the groovy little logo just over to the right of this post.  See it right there?  I added that little fella after I received the sweet news that Terramar Sports had selected me (lil’ old me!) to be a part of their grassroots team called the Terramar Tribe!

Yay, too cool for school!

While I was still reeling from the shock, I received my first package of goodies from them.  Inside this care package were two sweet base layers and a pair of comfy looking socks (that will be another review!).  Now as excited as I was, I realized I needed to put these items through some good testing before I did any sort of write up on my selection to the team or my new goodies.

Goodies from my first care package

It is now safe to say that in the past month I have tested them all out…a lot!  I have used the Hottotties Cloud Nine base layer and a base layer similar to this merino wool one for hiking, fishing, winter camping, going out to dinner with friends, and I even wore it will watching the recent National Finals for ski-joring in Red Lodge, MT this weekend

My new friend…representing the Tribe!

The amazingness:

• Both of the base layers have one of my favorite features of any top, thumb holes!  These bad boys are great when layering up as they keep the base layer from rolling up your arm as you put on a fleece.
• While doing some hiking on an unseasonable warm day for NW Wyoming in mid-February, I stayed warm but never once felt sweaty.  This is strange because I produce a lot of body heat and normally sweat when I do any physical activity.  Dare I say it, but these puppies have kept me dry (& fresh smelling) with their sweet ec2 Qwik-Dri technology !
• I’m not into fashion, but I do like clothes that fit well, are versatile, and look good while doing it.  These shirts might be called base layers, but with their neat stitching, they are shirts which can easily transition from the trail to dinner out (at least in my life).

Keeping warm in chilly and windy Wyoming in my Cloud Nine

What I would change:

• After just one wash, my beautiful raisin-colored merino wool base layer shrunk just enough so that when I put my thumbs through the thumb holes, it is a bit too snug for comfort.  When I washed my Hottotties Cloud Nine base layer I was much more careful (i.e. I read the washing instructions) and let it air dry; I am happy to report that it didn’t shrink… Ok, so this is likely my own dang fault for not washing it properly, but I couldn’t find anything else wrong with these base layers!

Overall:  These base layers really do rock!  They kept me the perfect temperature, were comfy, and fashionable…well for me at least

Look for future posts and reviews as I get new gear.  Coming up soon will be pictures of these lovely items in Ireland

Where have I been lately???!

I have been a bit MIA on social media and my blog for the past few weeks….want to see why?

Devil Canyon

I went winter camping and visited Devil Canyon in the beautiful Bighorn National Recreation Area.

Next, I spent a week at fire public information officer training in Badlands National Park near Interior, SD.

Badlands National Park

Sunset in Badlands National Park

And just when I thought things would slow down for a week, I had to head to Fort Collins, CO for a conference this week!

Somewhere over Wyoming or Idaho

I hope to get back on track with a few reviews I have had to put on the back burner…look for them within the next week!!

One of those I am missing dearly right now!

Ice climbing fun

I was super honored when I was contacted by a company as awesome as Sierra Trading Post about doing a guest post on their SocialHub.

As luck would have it, I was about to embark upon a new adventure, so I decided to do a write up for them about my “cool” experience

Check it out here: http://hub.sierratradingpost.com/ice-climbing-adventure/

Wishing you all many happypanda adventures!

A challenge to pack designers & Teton Sports UltraLight Summit 1500 review

I am stacked up on some posts about some pretty awesome things that I have done in the past two weeks; however, I realized I wanted/needed to get this review done first.  Why you ask?  Because after testing the Teton Sports UltraLight Summit 1500 daypack with hydration system, I realized I have a challenge to daypack (heck even multi-day pack) designers.

Ok, first things first. The pack was given to a bunch of super cool people (not sure how I got connected with them ) during a morning snowshoe the Saturday of the winter Outdoor Retailer Show, which is entirely different post in and of itself!

Check out all of those cool orange packs!

After using the pack several times that weekend to carry sweet swag from the winter Outdoor Retailer Show and extra layers during the snowshoe, I also used it during a snowmobile adventure on the Targhee National Forest.  Again, I used it as a pack to carry extra gear and water in my new Hydro Flask.

The pack taking a rest on my sled

The truest test of this pack to date came this past Saturday when Sydney and I hiked into the Lower Clarks Fork Canyon on the Shoshone National Forest.  For the first time, I filled the 2-liter bladder up with some cold water, threw in extra layers and a few protein bars, and Sydney and I hit the road.

All packed up and ready to go

Beautiful drive into the mouth of the Lower Clarks Fork Canyon

The Awesome: I was very glad to have the mesh side pockets of this pack to carry Sydney’s water bottle and store my camera for quick retrieval.  The size of the pack allowed for extra layers, which I ended up needing to wear all of because of the intense wind in the canyon.  The harder internal frame gave me nice support throughout the hike.  Unlike their TrailRunner 2.0 Hydration Pack, this pack had a few extra pockets and more storage room, but both packs did have the nice clips to keep the extra long straps secured to the pack (thus no flapping against your legs).

Happy with the performance so far

The Not so Awesome: During this hike I got a little frustrated.  You see, I live in bear country (both black & grizzly), so I carry bear spray year-round.  During this hike I had an ah ha! moment. I had to readjust the placement of the spray on the waist belt several times when I realized that I had to do this with EVERY single pack I ever carry the spray on.  The spray always seems to strain the waist belt causing the straps to loosen and the spray inevitably ends up sagging on the belt in the middle of my lower abdomen.  This is not only frustrating but a safety issue.  As I constantly fuss with the belt (on any pack), my situational awareness is lessened, which, as a lone hiker out with my dog only, can lead to danger.

My ferocious hiking partner

Why do I go on with this complaint?  I am issuing a challenge to pack designers!  Please, please, please create a pack that is bear spray compatible!  I have ideas which would be hard to explain here but am challenging companies to contact me and discuss this to keep us bear country hikers extra safe!

Stunning views like these are worth the hike in bear country!

This Teton Sports UltraLight Summit 1500 gets the seal of approval