Posts Tagged ‘oregon’

Collector’s West Gun And Knife Show Review In Portland OR

Posted: February 17, 2013 in Adventures, News, Product Reviews
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Yesterday I checked out the Collector’s West Gun & Knife show in PDX.  It was a big event, with tons of vendors, and people trading gear too.  I took home a few things, and learned a lot.

The show ends today, but visit www.collectorswest.com to see when it will be in your area.  It’s worth the $12 for admission, and $8 for parking.  I was able to price out stuff I’m interested in, and get my hands on it too.  There were deals galore on new and used guns.  Booths had closeouts on every style and brand of knive imaginable.  Coast Products was there.  My friend got a powerful LED keychain light from them. 

I also ran into my buddy Shawn Gregory.  He makes quality “Predator Paracord” bracelets, gun slings, lanyards, and more.  I got a few samples to test, including the badass band below.  It’s comfortable, and stands out.  You can never have too much cordage just in case.  More on Predator Paracord later, but go to www.predatorparacord.com to see all of his bold designs. 

The Girl Scouts were also in the house.  I walked quickly by them, because I was saving room for Voodoo doughnuts, but it was great to see kids at a gun show.  It was a safe enviroment, and fun for everyone.  It’s important to teach kids about preparedness early.   

I found another company with a product called 4EverLights, (www.uvpaqlite.com) with epic reusable glow-in-the-dark lights.   They have a huge variety of sizes, and styles that really do work.  I had to get some to test and review for Survival Bros.  Sunlight isn’t required, so you can quickly charge them with a flashlight, or whatever.  I like that they don’t affect my night vision either like brighter light sources would.  Ya best believe one is going on my bug out bag, and with me camping.

It was a great show.  If you missed it, there will be another soon.  Just get to one, and get prepared.  You never know when you’ll be faced with a crisis. Plus, a gun show is an excellent place to network with other serious preppers. 

predator paracord

gun show pdx

Kershaw Blur Glassbreaker Knife Stress Test And Review (MODEL 1670GBBLKST)

Posted: February 15, 2013 in Product Reviews
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kershaw blur gbThis is the blade I carry every day.  It’s the famous Kershaw Blur, but with a carbide tip designed to shatter glass with ease.  It does, as you can see in my video review below.  

I’ve been testing the Kershaw Blur for 2 months now.  I love it.  It’s quality, and produced locally in Tualatin, OR.  I rep gear made in the USA as much as possible, especially Oregon.  The first thing that fascinated me with the knife is the unique design.  It’s beautiful.  Simple.  Elegant.  The subtle curves are sexy.  I couldn’t wait to get her out of the box.  Initially, I noticed how fine the blade is.  It’s razor sharp.  Also, I was impressed with how well the scallops cut.  Slicing through materials like cardboard, plastic, rope, and paper is effortless, and so is opening it, thanks to the SpeedSafe assist.  It flies out, and feels extremely secure in place with the liner lock.

Another excellent feature is the rigid angled thumb studs.  You wouldn’t believe how easy it is to grip the nubs, and whip it out.  Kershaw really made something special with the Blur.  They even upgraded the steel in this new version to Sandvik 14C28N with DLC coating.  So it’s tough.  Which brings me to the tiny carbide tip embedded in the aircraft aluminum handle.  People don’t even notice the special tip at first, but believe me, it works.  I broke a sheet of glass in my video, plus several bottles with minimal effort.  The glass breaking feature is one I have to have on my EDC knife.  It could save my life if I’m ever trapped in a vehicle, and it’s not bad for self defense either.  

The Kershaw Blur is a great size, and light at only 4.2 ounces.  I like the blade length too, at 3 3/8″.  The overall length is 7 7/8″, and 4 1/2″ closed.  And the belt clip is removable, so you can have the tip up or down.  In the end, this is the knife I trust with my life right now.  It’s blacked out, and stealth.  But above all, it’s well made, and sharp as hell.  Survival Bros gives it 5 Stars.  I can’t complain about it at all, besides the handles getting a little scratched up after smashing so much glass.  I go into more detail in my HD video review below.  Please comment, and feel free to ask me any questions about it.  Thanks for visiting Survival Bros – Emergency Preparedness.

Visit http://kershaw.kaiusaltd.com/ for more.

Visiting The Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s Show At The Portland Expo Center

Posted: February 7, 2013 in Adventures, Product Reviews, SB Tips
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The Portland Expo Center is hosting the 38th annual Pacific Northwest Sportsman’s show from February 6 – 10, 2013.  I went on opening day.  It was $8 to park, and another $12 for admission.  I made the trip worthwhile, checking out every booth and demonstration.

This show has something for every adventurer.  There’s boating, rving, and fishing exhibits, to name a few.  So if you’re looking for gear, or ideas on where to travel, this is for you.  I was impressed with the high amount of outfitters around.  There’s a guide for everything under the sun.  Most were for hunting trips, but I saw whitewater rafting experts offering their services too.  I liked talking up the small, mom and pop vendors with interesting, lesser known products.  My favorite item I found is called Squat Strap (www.squatmonkey.com).  It’s a strap that wraps around a tree, or rock to help support you while you go poop.  Brilliant.  Now I can read a business book outside, while doing my business.  I had to get a strap to test.  More on that soon. 

I also talked to a local inventor named Andy Gorman.  He developed the Retractable Tool Tether, so you stop dropping things (www.retractabletooltether.com).  I picked up a few of these to review also.  I’ll put one on my jacket, and one on my EDC backpack.  Maybe I will stop losing things.  Doubtful.

There was lots to peruse, and stuff to sample.  I tasted storable foods, oils, jams, meats, and energy drinks.  Skoal was giving away cans of chew, put I passed.  The Expo was serving beer as well.  And at one booth you could try panning for gold, or buy a small nugget.  Fun, but I will be panning outside.  I shopped knives too, and picked up product catalogs to browse later.   If you like the outdoors better than the indoors, visit this show before it’s gone.   

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Saddle Mountain Oregon Hike Solo In Snow At Night 2013

Posted: January 14, 2013 in Adventures, Parks, Sports, Survival Bros Challenges
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It’s my pleasure to bring to you, my hike on Saddle Mountain in the snow, at night, solo.  I love doing extreme stuff in the outdoors.  It’s a rush, and you’ll get one watching this HD movie.  This is the longest video I’ve produced to date, but it’s packed with action, and epic views.  I will update this post with the details of my journey, and my full review of the LED Lenser products I tested.  Thanks for visiting Survival Bros! 

The short version of my hike!

cam hikingProduced By Cameron McKirdy – Survival Bros Founder

 

My Cleanse, Detox, and Diet To Start 2013

Posted: January 1, 2013 in Health & Nutrition
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By Cameron McKirdy

I’m starting the new year, 2013, with a healthy total body cleanse. I began today with a raw juice drink. My Jack LaLanne Power Juicer muscled through garlic, ginger, organic celery, green apples, carrots, lemon, limes, and cucumber.

Right now I am six feet tall, and 225 pounds. I’d like to drop down to around 200 lbs, or less. I was 185 in high school. I will be eating some organic vegetable soups, salads, fruit, nuts, seeds, and juicing. Plus, I really like the raw whey, and vegan protein supplements I have, so I will be making mad smoothies with that goodness. I’ll be drinking hemp, almond, coconut, soy, and 7 grain milk too. I also love aloe water with the chunks, and coconut water.

I plan on training hard immediately. I’m going to be speed walking hills, playing basketball, mountain biking, doing yoga, weightlifting, and running. I will also be using my foam roller for massage and more. I plan on taking vitamins too, with gallons of natural spring water. Stay tuned. This is a live blog. It’s on. I can’t wait to feel, and look better. Good luck!

Day two: I was a liquidarian today. I didn’t chew anything. In the AM my diet consisted of cranberry/goji juice, 2 Odwalla Monster protein drinks, and coconut water. Later I had coffee, which I will be weening myself off of. It got the bowels moving. In the afternoon I made another green juice, with mostly cucumbers. Finally, I sipped kombucha. I consumed spring water throughout the day, and enjoyed hemp milk too. I felt lighter, and leaner today. It’s nice cutting out most of the dairy. I feel like dairy makes me bloated. I plan on pounding more liquids tomorrow, and maybe raw cashews, and salad. Life is good. I will weigh myself again in the morning.

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Day 3: I’m doing all liquids again today, minus a mushy banana. Maybe I will eat a fruity Larabar and seeds tomorrow for fiber. However, the juice I got at the health food store did have added fiber. Today I started with kombucha tea, and had a little espresso. I’ve guzzled various natural juices without high fructose corn syrup. And I picked up an aloe water, and organic apple cider vinegar. That’s it, besides more cold water. I feel fine. I have a little less energy today, because I don’t have food energy, or excessive amounts of caffeine in my system. When detoxing it’s important to get lots of rest and relaxation, in my opinion. Do what’s right for you.

OK, I used a fork tonight. Mom made veggie stir fry, and you don’t turn that down. She’s on her own cleanse now. Mom wrote a blog for Survival Bros on going gluten free, and food allergies. Coming soon!

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Survival Bros Rafting The Nehalem River 2012 – An Unexpected Journey

Posted: December 31, 2012 in Adventures, Comedy and Art, Parks, SB Tips, Sports
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This was a wild trip.  My Dad and I had been scouting the river, and planning the ride down the Nehalem river for months.  He read all he could find on the dangers, and decided to try floating from a higher point at Spruce Run.  After pumping the 14 foot cataraft up, we got it loaded on the trailer, and headed south past Cannon Beach on Highway 101.  Our friend Steve tagged along.  He knows the Nehalem well, and has been fishing for Steelhead on it for years.  We used his rig to shuttle us back to the trailer, and drag the raft up a steep bank at Beaver Slide after traveling 13.3 miles.

This journey didn’t go exactly as planned.  We unhooked the raft too soon, and it fell off the trailer when we were backing it up to the water.  After that mishap, we picked it up by hand, and got her wet.  It was a smooth ride at first, but early into the excursion we lost an oar lock.  Thankfully, Pops was wise enough to have an extra on hand.  Without the oar lock, we would have lost an oar and been screwed.  I had a great time chatting with the boys, and relaxing.  We were also trying to locate a lost dog, that had a $2500 reward for information resulting in his rescue.  No luck on that.  We did however see a coyote, fish, and a bald eagle. 

cataraft on river

Hauling the massive raft on the custom trailer

The Nehalem got rougher, and more dangerous as we got lower on the river.  The water was freezing, and we were wet.  I had a wetsuit, booties, and gloves to stay warm.  On a quick stop I used the spring water I collected to make Mountain House spaghetti with my Jetboil Zip camping stove.  Steve and I warmed our hands on the hot bag as the food cooked.  Near the end of our unexpected journey we ran into more trouble.  We got hung up on a boulder, and spun around.  Then at Salmonberry Drop we got blasted by a 7 foot wave, and my camera went out.  You gotta watch the video in 720p HD.  It was a hell of an adventure.  We got out alive, but not without a little suffering.  We won’t be rafting the Nehalem again soon.

Here’s a fun video I made of the first time my Dad and I rafted the lower part of the Nehalem River. 

Tillamook Head Hiker’s Cabins – Backpacking From Cannon Beach To Seaside

Posted: December 27, 2012 in Adventures, Comedy and Art, Product Reviews, SB Tips, Sports, Survival Bros Challenges
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By Cameron McKirdy

Season’s greetings!  On Christmas Eve my Dad and I hiked from Indian Beach in Ecola State Park to the Hiker’s Camp on Tillamook Head.  We checked out the abandoned World War 2 bunkers, and the viewpoints too.  Pops split, leaving me to spend the night by myself.  In this HD video I show you the trail, my gear, and my fire.  I also cooked up some Goulash thanks to my new flameless cookwear system by Trekmates.  Enjoy the video.  After a two hour nap, I decided to back to Seaside in the dark night.  It was crazy.  I used a glow stick, and my Coast HP14 flashlight to luminate the path.  A recent storm kicked tons of massive trees down.  I had to climb over many, with my 40 pound pack on.  I booked it from the cabins, and got back to Seaside in just over 2 hours, covering 4 gnarly miles of ground.  It was an intense op.  I lost the trail briefly once, slightly rolled an ankle, and nearly slipped down a steep bank.  It was one of the most rewarding, and challenging adventures of my life.  Next, I plan to raft the Nehalem river this weekend.  Thanks for visiting Survival Bros.  I’d appreciate your comments, and likes.  %^).

Indian Beach photo P1000380

Using Alternative Modes Of Transportation – From Hitchhiking To Busing

Posted: December 13, 2012 in Adventures, Comedy and Art, SB Tips
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A few years ago I gave up my Cadillac. It was a waste of money to operate, and I love being active anyways. This blog is about my use of alternative transportation, while surviving on the Oregon Coast.

Riding my mountain bike has been option #1. It’s way cheaper to use than a car. I’ve had to repair my Mongoose several times, but at least I can do some of the work. It’s not like a computerized vehicle, where I have no chance of fixing it. I’ve saved thousands of dollars by not driving, and haven’t had to get a real job. It’s allowed me to do things like run this blog, and avoid the rat race entirely.

I also love walking. I have rain gear and an umbrella, so I don’t have an excuse to not get outside. If course Oregonians don’t actually use umbrellas, but I know how to. The key for me is being comfortable moving around outdoors. I have a variety of shoes for the job, including boots for mud, sandals for the beach, and light running kicks too. Plus, I make sure to have rain gear on hand, or at least an emergency rain poncho just in case. I walk many miles each week. It keeps me loose, and strong.

This summer I also made a point to hitchhike. I walked along Highway 101 for a few hours before someone finally swooped me. The trick is to find a place where drivers can pull off the road, and staying in that open area. The gentleman that picked me up told me about his days thumbing on the road. He told me to bring toilet paper or I’d be sorry. Hitchhiking isn’t a viable option really. You can’t rely on others like that, especially if your in a hurry. But it was fun trying, and I will get around that way again for the hell if it.

I’ve been riding the bus at least once a week too. It’s great because in December you can donate a can of grub to the food bank for a free pass. Most riders have been taking advantage of that offer, unless they already have a monthly bus pass. You meet all sorts of people on the bus. Some want to borrow my phone, while others feel like talking the entire trip while I listen to music. Still, I like riding the bus. It’s a giant carpool, and less damaging to the environment than if everyone drove a car.

I have said cars are for lazy people. I think that’s true, especially if you never use your own power to get around town. We sit so much as it is anyways. I will own a vehicle again, but there’s no hurry. I’m more free without one. Less is more. Good luck getting to your destination over the holidays. Remember there’s more than one way to get there. I have Rollerblades too. Lol. Peace.
– Cameron McKirdy

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Why I Love Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap & The Movie

Posted: December 7, 2012 in Comedy and Art, Health & Nutrition, Movie Reviews, Product Reviews, SB Tips
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Official Movie Trailer for Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soapbox (Available to watch instantly on Netflix)

Chances are, you’ve heard of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap. It’s 18-in-1! It can lather you from head to toes with a few tingly drops of peppermint, or other natural varieties. I could go on all day about why I like this product, and company, but here’s a few things I appreciate. Plus, Dr. Bronner’s is currently raising money to fight Malaria in Eastern Ghana. More on that, and the link below.

I like Dr. Bronner’s because they create Fair Trade Organic products. Their bottles are also made of recycled plastic. And you can clean just about anything with the soap. From clothes, to your stinky dog. The soap can revitalize it. Also, Dr. Bronner’s uses a “combination of organic extra virgin coconut, olive, jojoba and hemp oils, together with pure essential oils.” Epic. I feel so good after scubbing down with this stuff. It’s unlike any product you’ve tried. My favorite is the Tea Tree liquid soap. I also use Dr. Bronner’s Lemon Lime lip balm. I got a tube from the Astoria Co-Op for $3.

While the soap products are fascinating, Dr. Bronner and his family are even more intruiging. In his movie Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soapbox, you see his rise from a desperate life, to a fulfilled one. His family carries his ideas, and legacy, and spreads it to a new generation of aware individuals. Common people love his story, and can relate to the company’s humble beginnings. Really, it’s what’s on the label that has so many people talking. It’s plastered with vast amounts of info, such as Bible verses, and important quotes. Buy a bottle for the read alone.

No I didn’t get compensated to write this. Refreshingly, Dr. Bronner’s doesn’t even advertise. I just think they are an excellent example of what a great American company can be. They call it Constructive Capitalism. It’s where you share profits with the employees that made them for you. Crazy idea huh? All is One.

Dr. Bronner’s is raising $25,000 to provide life-saving mosquito nets for thousands of families to prevent the spread of malaria, a common disease in Ghana. Help, and receive a free gift.

http://www.indiegogo.com/drbronners

http://www.drbronners.com

dr bronner's magic soap label

Produced by Cameron McKirdy

Camping at Fort Stevens & Mushroom Hunting By The Beach Again

Posted: November 19, 2012 in Adventures, Comedy and Art, Health & Nutrition, Parks, Product Reviews, SB Tips
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This weekend my buddy Mac and I biked from Astoria to Fort Stevens State Park located along the Oregon Coast. It was dumping rain. Nearly two hours later, we checked into hiker biker camp, and begun another wild Survival Bros adventure.

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Luckily, Mac’s wife Shauna was kind enough to drop our gear off at camp. Riding in with a 50 pound backpacking bag would have been brutal, and unsafe since we had to negotiate the narrow shoulder of the Astoria bridge. Semis were seeing how close they could get to clipping us. Setting up the massive 8 person tent was easy. The only break we got in the weather occurred when we made camp. After our gear was setup, lantern hanged, and sleeping bag unrolled, we tightened up our boots and peddled deeper into the state park.

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Along the path we stopped to identify many mushrooms. The park was exploding with life. Fungi hunting season is far from over. There were huge patches of fresh Amanitas everywhere. One had a bite taken out of it, as we could see teeth marks. Must have been a deer, or a crazy person.

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Over the last few weeks, my pals and I have scoured a good chunk of Fort Stevens. It’s incredible how many types of terrain there are. From Coffenbury Lake, to the dunes near the Pacific Ocean. I finally found King Boletes just south of the jetty, west of the road. I hunted down the biggest King growing under a tree branch, in pine needles. I got video of me cutting it, but the power is out in Astoria now, so I can’t edit the HD footage. Here’s a photo of the big boletes we found. The choice mushroom nuggets are going in an omelette immediately, and spaghetti tonight for dinner.

Due to my phone about to die, and the power being out, I’m uploading this blog now. I will complete the story, and add more pictures and video very soon. Stay safe out there. We are getting blasted with 98 MPH winds right now. Peace.

– Cameron McKirdy

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This is a picture of Seaside, OR taken today!

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Update: Back to the story. Mac and I spent one night in hiker biker camp. It’s $6 per evening. Fort Stevens actually moved the spot, because where they usually stash the gypsies floods this time of year. When we got into our tent we were soaked. I quickly changed my clothes, then we started making dinner. I busted out a Mountain House lasagna, and boiled the water for it in my Jetboil Zip. After sitting for a good ten minutes in the bag, it was ready to dish out. Mac prepared 8 beef hotdogs on his Coleman stove. The warm grub was much needed. We biked around 15 miles that day.

After mushroom hunting on day one, it poured back at the tent. Luckily the spot we pitched our tent didn’t flood. We didn’t realize how bad of a storm it was until we were in it. Thank God we had shelter. The stoves kept the tent warm for awhile, until we passed out. I was also glad I brought my small windup lantern. It was bright for maybe 25 minutes in between cranks. After that, it cast just enough light to not stumble over our gear and dirty dishes.

On day two in Fort Stevens we ate another Mountain House freeze dried meal for breakfast. I love their blueberry granola with milk. I added freeze dried apples too. We had two more hotdogs each, then set out on our bikes again. This time we went out toward the South Jetty. That’s where we found the King Boletes. I was so amped to find those monster mushrooms. We saw other mushroom pickers out there, and duck hunters too.

We smashed through the brush for a few hours, but the storm kept getting crazier. Mac and I were totally drenched. But the trip was well worth the suffering. We put food on the table, and learned a lot along the way. Foraging is so fun! Supermarkets are for suckers. Our ride swooped us, and we made a clean getaway, and broke camp. You know Survival Bros will be out there again soon. Cheers.

Cameron McKirdy Mushroom Hunting at Fort Stevens State Park

Video of our mushroom foray on the North Oregon Coast

Slideshow of photos taken during our fungi hunt

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