Archive for the ‘HD Videos’ Category

By Cam

Out of nowhere, my VW Bus is struggling to start.  Everything electrical flickers.  The radio cuts out.  The engine sputters.  Plus, the battery and OXS (oxygen sensor) light came on.  I called Avery’s Air-Cooled in Kelso, WA and they helped me diagnose the problem over the phone.  We figured the issue was a faulty voltage regulator.  Mechanics Jason and Kelly had a $40 Bosch part, and installed the unit for only $29.  But before I got fixed up and back on the road, I was parked on the shoulder of Highway 101, waiting for Classic Towing to get me to another state – Washington.  Thank God for AAA.  I’m on the Premier towing package.  Nothing but the best for my baby.  Funny that I broke down on the way to the repair shop.

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Avery’s Air-Cooled always hooks me up, and keeps my bill low.  And if you have a Volkswagen, chances are they will have the part you need in stock.  Call them to order something at (360) 425-1119  Here’s their website too!   http://www.averysaircooled.com/  I will have to shoot some HD video there soon.  They have tow truck loads of vintage bugs, buses, and beyond.  And if you hang out long enough, you’ll get to see a traveling Art Show as the graffiti passes on the nearby train tracks.  

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Here’s an HD video production I created filming graffiti on trains in Longview, Washington.  Visit Cam’s other YouTube Channel and SUBSCRIBE!

VW Bus 1986 Vanagon

New photo of my 1986 Volkwagen Vanagon at a Rest Area

By Cameron McKirdy

Survival Bros followers know I’ve been on the road all summer in my 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon GL.  It’s ran strong for months straight.  I will do a big summer review blog soon, but here’s a van update shot recently on my travels around the Pacific Northwest.  Scope out the rest area known as Dismal Nitch.  This Washington State Park is a historic location, because The Lewis and Clark Expedition ran into trouble here, and were pinned against the rocks for six grueling days.  Harsh winds, and brutal rain pounded The Corps. of Discovery along the mighty Columbia River over 200 years ago.  

My overnight stay was much more pleasurable.  I was sheltered in my VW bus, protected from the elements.  I took advantage of the facilities by dumping my trash, washing my hands and teeth, and cooking on a covered picnic table in grass.  Dismal Nitch in WA also features a trail, informative maps, plus plaques about Lewis and Clark.  As mentioned in my HD video, you can stay parked for up to 8 hours, but overnight camping, and tenting are not allowed.  So keep a low profile, and pick up after yourself.  This is an excellent destination for car campers, and travelers on a budget, or just wanting to get away from the static of the city.  

I’ve spent the night in my vehicle here maybe six times this summer, and each trip has been a positive experience, and memorable.  So it’s Survival Bros tested, and approved.  Visit, because it’s probably the only rest area you’ll ever want to take a picture at.  Snap a selfie, and post it on Facebook, because I also got great cell phone reception out there.  The view of Astoria, and the bountiful river is astonishing, and extremely relaxing.  The only cons are lots of lighting in the parking lot, possibly affecting sleepers negatively.  The road noise is also noticeable, but luckily the highway is not heavily used.  Thanks for supporting my blog!  Feel free to comment, like, and share on social networks.  Peace and love from the road less traveled.

Lewis and Clark Bronze

Lewis and Clark Bronze Sculpture at Dismal Nitch Park in Washington State

Visit the official website for more info, and history by clicking here!

Produced by Cameron McKirdy and Sarah Whisler

Certified yoga instructor Sarah Whisler guides you through an easy warm up, workout, and cool down in this HD video production.  We filmed our “flow” in Seaside, Oregon.  Our hope is that you use this video, and create more joy and peace in your life daily.  Stay tuned to Survival Bros, because we will be creating even better instructional routines soon.   Make yoga a part of your practice, and glow in all the benefits.  If you like the video, please share this workout with a friend.  Positive comments are also welcome.  Thanks!

http://soulsearchersarahgirl.wordpress.com/

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Sarah shows you how it’s done on her yoga mat near the beach in Seaside, Oregon.

Survival Bros Logo Cool Grey

Visit http://www.cameronmckirdy.com

 

By Cameron McKirdy

Survival Bros gives you a tour of the 1986 Volkswagon Vanagon, and discusses van dwelling.  I use the Coast Products TX100 LED flashlight to show you how dark the windows are now with tint and black vinyl covering them.  Look at the other gear I use and how, including my Kelty Recluse 2.5 insulated sleeping pad.  You have to have some kind of mat to lay on to be comfortable camping.

I’ve been doing a great job of staying clear of local police.  I continue to camp on private property with permission from the owner, or legally at camp grounds.  Plus, by staying at designated rest areas, the cops can’t charge me with overnight camping.  The police have better things to do anyways, like uphold their oath to The Constitution, and keep the peace.  We know law enforcement is big fans of our emergency preparedness blog, so thanks for visiting!  More adventures from the road soon.  

 

By Cameron McKirdy

I’m always challenging myself.  That’s why I decided hiking Saddle Mountain in Oregon on consecutive days would be a hardcore mission.  I camped out a night, took photos, cooked, and rested in the VW Vanagon often.  Besides achieving my goal, and reaching the summit back to back, I also met some cool people.  There’s so many beautiful girls from Portland that make this day hike, it’s ridiculous.  I gave them all a hard time about being tourists.  I’m from Seaside, a local, and don’t look so out of place.  

Take a look at the picture galleries I created for each day.  The wildflowers were exploding, and made the hike much more pleasant.  Plus, they gave me a chance to stop, breath, stretch, and take in their sweetness.  I also spent time creating a video of Humbug Mountain.  It offers a marvelous view point, and is only .2 miles off the main Saddle Mountain trail.  So are you up for the Survival Bros challenge?  Can you hike to the summit twice in two days, or maybe twice in one day?  Somebody will take me up on this.  Let us know.  Good luck!  Tons more soon, only on Survival Bros.

Day One Gallery

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 Day Two Hiking

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Survival Bros Founder Cameron McKirdy goes inside an old American WW2 bunker near the hiker cabins on Tillamook Head.  Using a LED headlamp, watch Cam enter the empty fortress.  This building housed a radar installation during World War II.  The bunkers and cabins are between Ecola State Park, and Seaside, Oregon.  There are trails each way.  Before your visit, read up on Lewis and Clark’s trip to this beautiful location.  Please like, comment, and SUBSCRIBE!  Thanks.

More on http://www.cameronmckirdy.com

WW2 Bunker in Oregon

Inside the World War II bunker near Ecola State Park on Tillamook head in Oregon

Ultralight Backpack

An Ultralight backpacker’s 30 liter bag setup

Cameron McKirdy Hiking

Cameron McKirdy snaps a selfie on a cliff above the Pacific Ocean

Tillamook Head Sign Seaside

The Tillamook Head Trailhead in Seaside, Oregon

Survival Bros backpacks from Indian Beach to Seaside, Oregon.  Cameron McKirdy stops at the cabins to show you his gear, and take a nap before hiking back in the dark.  Read our previous blog about the trip HERE.

By Cameron McKirdy

On outside:

– S Biners

– Blinking Red Light

– Tool Tether

– Grocery Ties

– Compass Keychain Tool

Front pouch:

– LG G2 with Ballistic Shell Gel Case

– Ear plugs

– Wall charger for smart phone

– Superfood pills – Maca, turmeric, bee pollen, B 12

– Duct Tape on card

– Coast Products PX20 Dual Color flashlight with pouch

– Camera Case (Case Logic)

– Kershaw Blur – Tanto Tiger Stripe folding knife

– Leatherman Skeletool

– Moist Wipes for hygiene

– Toothpaste and travel brush

– Chapstick

– Ballpoint Pen

– Listerine Breath Strips

– Sharpie Oil Pain Pen

– Tide Pen for stains

– Large Professional Sharpie Pen

– Coast Products DX356 knife

– Large Bic Lighter

Main Pouch:

– LED LENSER H14 Headlamp

– Dri-Fit Nike Hat – Go Ducks!

– OPTIONAL: Change of clothes, solar panel

– Notebook for ideas, contacts, calculator

– GSI Outdoors Stainless Steel 1 Liter bottle

– Mechanix Wear M Covert Gloves (Large)

– Coast Products F611 Survival Knife with glass breaker

– Camelbak 3 Liter hydration pack

Right Side Pouch:

 – Food Kit, Airborne Plus Energy Mix, raw food bars, honey, protein bars, condoms, vitamins, Chapstick sample, sugar, oatmeal, dish-washing soap, tea, salmon packets, instant soup, microwavable popcorn, and more Antibacterial Moist Wipes (may sting the B hole)

Left Side Pouch: 

– Aluminum Free deodorant, poncho, emergency blanket, Gerber Bear Grylls Survival Kit, spare cell phone and charger, camera charger and camera, shampoo, soap

Notes:  Everyday Carry Backpack items change all the time.  Make something like this for yourself for everyday emergency preparedness.  My pack also has a rain cover, but I have considered buying a medium sized dry bag.  I also carry 3m protective sunglasses, paracord bracelet, keychain with tools, one Hoo-Rag bandana, my wallet, and a mace pen, but the self-defense weapon fell out in my van before filming.  Oh well, I survived.  Please like, comment, and subscribe on YouTube.  We are on Facebook too!  Thanks for watching.  Peace and love.

EDC Backpack ItemsPhoto of the full EDC Backpack Gear Setup for Survival Bros.

 

By Cameron McKirdy

Survival Bros eats fresh slices of smoked fish on the Oregon Coast.  Bell Buoy is one of our favorite places to dine, and support.  Stop by their store when you’re in Seaside, OR.  They can and smoke on site, right off of Highway 101.  I bet I could eat pounds of this meat easy.  It’s the perfect food for building muscle.  I like to take a bag of salmon jerky hiking, but unless you have a cooler, it has to be consumed within a few hours of purchasing.  Have you tried seafood like this?  Listen to the locals when you’re on vacation.  They know what’s best.  Please subscribe on YouTube for more adventures.  Thanks.

Visit Cameron McKirdy Productions for other HD videos, and blog posts.

salmon jerky

 Like seafood?  I didn’t until I grew up, and got a clue.

By Cameron McKirdy

1.  Check which color tag is 50% off that week when you walk in the door.

2.  See if the item works.  Plug it in.  Check for missing parts, or if it’s damaged.

3.  If you find something unique – RESEARCH IT on the spot with your smartphone.

  • Search Amazon and eBay
  • Scan the barcode with your phone’s camera

4.  Pull the trigger.  If you haven’t seen it before, BUY IT.  Your item may be a good investment because it’s rare.

Finally, keep the treasure for yourself, give it away to someone deserving, or sell it for a profit online or in person.

Here’s another sweet Goodwill find I scored this week, and show you on video.  It’s a rare Valterra skateboard from 1986!  It shreds.  

I found this road bike at Goodwill too, and now it’s a Bug Out Bike ready in case of emergencies.  I got new tires for it, and purchased a BOB Yak trailer to haul gear down the road with ease.  

Don’t forget to donate stuff you don’t need to charity.  I’ve seen Goodwill do good things in the community, and employee people that need assistance.  You’ll get a tax credit too just for being so kind.  Thanks for reading, and doing your part.  Peace from Survival Bros.

goodwill-logoGood luck treasure hunting at Goodwill and beyond!  Expect epic finds.

Produced By Cameron McKirdy 

Tactical Gypsy, a Marine currently in the National Guard gives you a rundown on his everyday carry gear.  These are items he brings with him wherever he goes in general.  His tactical backpack is packed with things that could help him overcome adversity, and adapt to his environment.  Below is the full load-out list to help you plan out your own emergency bag.  With over 26,000 views on YouTube, this HD video will soon be our most popular production.  Please subscribe to us on YouTube to watch all of our epic videos, and to join in the discussion there.  Thanks for all of your support.  We have big plans for  for Survival Bros.  We’ve launched a secure store to provide you with gear, and nutritional supplements to make you more prepared for life.  We’ll be adding tons of new products shortly, so check out the shop often.  By supporting the blog, it gives us more free time to put out additional information to better serve you.   We wish you the best.  Now go get a prep out of the way today, to make tomorrow brighter.  Peace and love.

Tactical Gypsy’s EDC List:

– Notepad aka Black Book with Pen(s)

– Casio G’zOne Smart Phone

– Surefire LED Flashlight with extra batteries

– Bic Lighter

– Flavored Chapstick with SPF 15

– Wallet with cash, IDs, concealed hand gun permit, plus Passport

– Coast DX356 Knife

– Survival Straps Paracord Bracelet

– Suunto Black Core Watch

– Clothes Vary – Leather Belt

– Merrell Moab Boots (waterproof) with paracord shoe laces

– Glock 23 .40 Smith and Wesson with inside the waistband kydex holdster by Blade Tech

– Black Tactical Backpack (Adidas)

– Maxpedition Medical Pack with extra magazine, includes gauze, QuickClot, sterile pads, lots of tape

– Laptop (password protected) with charger

– Multi-tool and small serrated knife in case

– Large Plastic Bag

– Level 2 Body Armor

– Fixed blade throwing knife with paracord wrapped handle

– Boo Boo kit with Neosporin, duct tape, band-aids

– Toothpast (fluoride free) and toothpicks with floss

– Combat Application Tourniquet

– Weapon Light

– Electrical Tape

– Extra Cordage (shoe laces)

– Pouch of crystals and rocks

– Keys

– Odor Spray for Bullet-Proof vest, ect.

– Military Lensatic Compass

– Headphones and Earplugs

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