Cameron McKirdy produced this in 2011 during the tsunami wave scare! This shows how he prepared for an emergency in real time. If you haven’t created a bug-out-bag for this sort of thing, now is the time. What do you think of the video? Let’s hope the big one doesn’t hit this helpless coastal town.
Cam from Survival Bros consumes raw mushrooms. They are edible when cooked! He was starving after a long hike in Arch Cape, OR. The Chicken of The Woods mushrooms are rare. They DO taste like chicken, and you can even sell them to restaurants. Plus, they can be frozen, and stored long term. Cameron took home about 8 pounds of chanterelles and this variety. Mushroom hunting is an awesome hobby, but there’s a steep learning curve. Get a book or two on the subject before picking and consuming.
Unbelievable footage of a car being launched at Cameron McKirdy!
By Cameron McKirdy
It’s Superbowl Sunday. Go nuts. Forget all your worries, sit back with a cold one, and watch TV. Soak up all the bread and circuses. This is what people are passionate about. Men playing with their balls.
Watching 3 plus hours of sports has to have some benefit right? I’m trying really hard to figure out what though. It seems all this energy is wasted. Why watch people compete anyways? Is it entertaining? Maybe we want to know who the loser is. I think it’s the viewers.
I’ve boughten into sports hype before. It’s something to do. And if you go to a game, you feel cool because you are a part it. But isn’t it all just a giant, intentional distraction? What should we be focused on instead? Community? Country? Family? Spending time doing almost anything other than watching sports on TV seems wise.
The viewers are on the bottom of the sports pyramid scheme. You pay to watch. Then there’s the athletes and sports reporters. They get paid OK for acting out a role. At the top of the sports pyramid is the Owner. He constructed the team, and gets paid to stage the show. The few control the many.
All anyone is talking about on Facebook, and twitter is college, and pro football. And if it’s not that, then there’s another league to follow. There’s always something completely manufactured to buy into, and consume. I say there isn’t a point to sports. There’s a point to being healthy, and fit, but watching sports games all the time is stupid. And if you have a fantasy football team, you may be special.
America, World, the time has come to put down the remote, and stop rooting for your favorite team. Instead, work together on real issues. Sports are ALL hype. See it, and don’t buy in. You deserve better. Your brain needs real knowledge. You can’t learn a damn thing watching college football or any other sport, besides maybe mixed martial arts. That’s badass, and MMA training could save your life. Team sports are lame. I want to see who is the best individual athlete. That’s why boxing, golf, track, cycling, and even chess are more interesting to me.
In conclusion, sports are used against you, to distract you from real issues. We’ve turned into a Nation of bandwagon fanatics, drunk on cheap food and savage entertainment. Walk away. Save yourself from becoming a look-alike, cookie-cutter, die-hard supporter. It’s all manufactured entertainment. You can enrich your mind with more. Dream bigger.
If you live near the ocean, you should be prepared for a tsunami. NO EXCUSES. Put together a backpack with all the essentials, and have it on hand. Here’s Survival Bros example of a Go Bag, or emergency Bug-Out-Bag. You could survive at least 72 precious hours with these must-have items.
I just blended my first whole fruit and vegetable smoothie with the Ninja blender! Here’s my product review, with two healthy recipes.
I picked up my blender for $90 at Walmart. I like that it’s professional grade, and holds 72 ounces. Plus, the pitcher is BPA free, which is important. You don’t want chemicals leaching into your drink. The built-in pour spout is clutch also! I’m going to use it every time so I don’t spill.
The Ninja is a beast. It boasts 900 watts of power, and has several sharp blades. The base is wide, and sturdy. It even has a place for the cord. It’s great for blasting ice and anything else. I’ve used a Vitamix a lot, and I think this works better. It mixed my protein more thoroughly, and got the powder off the sides of the pitcher. At less than 1/5th of the cost, Survival Bros highly recommends this blender.
I put its power to the test. I mixed kale, spinach, protein, frozen berries, maca, and cold water. It had no problem breaking it all down. Clean up was easy too, and it’s dishwasher safe. The dial control was cool to use and simple. I already want another, more powerful Ninja with the different containers.
Here’s two smoothie recipes to try:
Wild Blackberry and Grape
2 cups of blackberries
1 1/2 cups of organic purple grape juice
1 teaspoon organic raw honey
Add a banana for more carbs
Blend with ice if berries aren’t frozen
Try with spinach!
Hippie Vanilla Raspberry Smoothie
1 cup of fresh raspberries
1/2 cup natural bio yogurt
1 cup vanilla hemp milk
1 heaping scoop of Sunwarrior vanilla brown rice protein powder
Option: strawberries
This is a picture of my extreme breakfast shake, with One World Whey raw chocolate protein powder, spring water, Starbucks Via French Vanilla instant coffee, raw cacao, maca powder, and Adam’s peanut butter. Produced by Cameron McKirdy
by Cameron McKirdy
Today was glorious. I hosted the 3rd annual Seaside Oregon Eating Championship at Broadway Park for charity. We had both an adult, and kid eating contest featuring Subway footlong sandwiches. History was made.
Broadway park is awesome. It’s changed a lot since I’ve lived in Seaside. We got a new baseball and football field, and a jungle gym for kids to exercise on. Plus, we have a dope skate park. There’s even a basketball court, bathrooms, and an under cover picnic area near the river. It’s the heart of this coastal community.
I love hosting the eating contest each year. I’m a pro eater, so it’s great to watch the local talent develop, and appreciate the sport. It’s a pleasure to host it for charity, and support the Sunset Empire Parks and Recreation Department. This year the kids winner was the first to eat a footlong. One kid was cheating and fake puking his sub in the trash. He ended up with a generous 2nd place title. The adults had to mow 2 footlongs! Hardcore. A local ringer won again this year. Next year I’m putting down the mic and taking the championship.
Eating healthy is essential. Chewing is good too. Even though I host eating contests, proper nutrition is always on my mind. Eating a balanced diet and staying hydrated is key. Please don’t try competitive eating at home. You’ll end up bitting a finger off, or using pets for training food. The lesson here is to have fun, stay active, and eat all the good stuff you can. And support your local parks too! Peace.
Here’s my video footage of the contest! Funny stuff. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-_aTVaOLiQ
(Survival Bros)
We did it. My dad and I drove from Redmond OR into the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, and backpacked to Pamelia Lake. Here’s what I know.
The hike in was unforgettable. The trail ran along a creek most of the way. We got there late afternoon, but the thick forest sheltered us from the Sun. The trail to the lake is perfect. A little rocky, but easy. There’s campsites all along Pamelia Lake. We scouted around and found flat ground near the water. There weren’t mosquitos earlier, but they are buzzing now. Where’s all the dragonflies to regulate?
I’d take a picture of our loaner two-person tent, but it doesn’t look right. It must be missing some rods. I have to get a one-person tent. How am I supposed to get a good nights rest with an old man snoring in my face?
There’s several water sources within earshot. I’m going to fill up the bottles, and my hydration pack later. My Dad’s been boiling his water, and using an Aquamira filter attached to his hydration pack, courtesy of Survival Bros. I don’t want to wait for my water to cool down, so I’m using Aquamira tablets, or drinking it straight from the source. I packed in aloe vera juice, coconut water, and yerba mate too.
Tomorrow we go hard, and pack light as we trek 16 miles in a big loop. We’ll take Hunt’s Creek Trail up to The Pacific Crest Trail. I’m wearing Nike ACG boots VS my Vibrams, because we will be plowing through some snow fields. That’s where a few people got lost just yesterday. It’s not well marked, and the hiker’s footprints melt. However, we have the map I’m holding, an internal compass, and a good gut feeling.
There’s all sorts of wildlife here. Ducks, snakes, beatles, bears, frogs, and birds. There’s millions of skinny trees reaching. They are so thick, it’s mind boggling. Pamelia Lake is a gem. You’re missing a ferocious sunset, as pictured below. This is one of the nicest lakes I’ve ever stayed at. It’s certainly the most private. Minus the bugs. My friends.
My advice, make sure to travel in front of people with gas! My dad has been blowing up the trail. Sorry, butt payback is gonna be brutal. Really, you can’t avoid my dad’s gas. The wind are always changing.
The forecast for tomorrow calls for more odor. We just split a freeze dried Mountain House Beef Stew. Dad described it as kinda chewy. True. Still, nothing satisfies like a warm meal. In the morning we carb load on granola and oatmeal.
There’s an ounce of daylight left. My bed is made. I like my new regular sized, Kelty self-inflating sleeping mat. It’s good when your in a small area for a short time. I can’t wait to take my boots off and lay down. We just found out were NOT in a designated camping site, but it’s too late to move tonight. Maybe we’ll relocate tomorrow.
(Day 2 on lake)
We just got back to camp on Pamelia Lake. We left around 8:30 am, and it’s now almost 6:30. What a day! Both my Dad and I set personal bests, going 16 plus miles on foot. I set the pace. When we took breaks I stretched, so I don’t think I will be very sore in the morning.
Approximately 300 people backpack the full Pacific Crest Trail each year. Most brave enough to attempt the feat give up. This hike is no joke. We did just a small part, but I got a great sense of what it would take to go all the way. We met three hikers set on going the distance. They were friendly, and took the time to answer my dads million questions, and compare maps. Props to anyone hard enough to do the full PCT, from Mexico to Canada. It takes months, not counting all the preparations.
To get from the lake to PCT we took Hunt’s Creek Trail. It was overgrown, and wet. The climb was intense, but we took breaks to grub, fill up our water containers, and explore. I ate mostly fruit bars, nuts, seeds, and turkey jerky. Thank God for Starbucks instant coffee.
I took lots of great photos today. We passed maybe a dozen lakes around Mount Jefferson. On the way I got caught in countless spider webs. I ended up with a fair amount of bites, maybe 25, but I didn’t have to resort to Deet thankfully. I’d defiantly hike the PCT again. I can’t wait to show the bros this spot. I want to party up where all the crystal clear lakes are. Nobody’s around! There is still patches of snow in some areas, but I used it to cool off. I kept rubbing the icy snow into my hair, and even laid on it once. Dad thought I was crazy. Duh.
I just jumped in Pamelia Lake for the first time! Refreshing. It’s so cold though. I would have skinny dipped, but we have a neighbor tonight. Now I’m laying down after making another Mountain House meal. This time I toured Italy, and scarfed lasagna with meat. It was way better than the beef stew.
Dad wants to build a fire tonight. Sounds like a lot of work, and it’s still warm outside, but it’s been a few months since I’ve built one. I’m game. We may hike more of the PCT tomorrow, but this is our last night on the lake. I’m also planning on mountain biking the nearby McKenzie River Trail. It’s one of Oregon’s finest. Another update from our road trip coming pronto! Peace peeps.
Cameron McKirdy
It’s Cameron. I’m checking in from the road. I’ve lost track of how many days straight I’ve been camping. Right now I’m blogging this from the top bunk in a friend’s RV.
My Dad and I left the Oregon Coast two days ago. We threw all our gear in the truck, including two bikes, and golf clubs. We almost brought the cataraft, but we have a full plate. Did I mention my father loves buffets? You know we went to Izzy’s Pizza already.
On day one we hiked 4 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail near the popular attraction Three Fingered Jack. It’s in the Cascade Range in Oregon. The forest there was scorched in the 2003 wildfire. It’s a beautiful wasteland. Dusty, but boasting epic views of mountains all around.
I would have taken pictures on our first hike, but my iPhone 4S got wet and fried the day we left. It was in a case, but soaked up just enough dew from inside my tent to fail. I should have put down a tarp. My bad. $300 later, I finally got a new 32 GB Apple iPhone today at Verizon wireless. I had to have a camera on our trip.
Tomorrow we will leave Redmond and enter the forest surrounding Mount Jefferson to begin backpacking. We’re squeezing in a round of golf at Eagle Crest also. They have the best real grass, outdoor mini-golf course. I’m gonna get a hole-in-one.
I’ve been to Whole Foods, REI, Dick’s, and other outfitters, so my backpack is loaded. I have plenty of food for three days on the PCT, plus of course my sleeping bag, tent, and the rest of the camping essentials. This week I picked up a Kelty sleeping mat, and a Jetboil stove. Now it’s time to rest. Thanks for following the Survival Bros blog. More from my trip soon. It’s almost 1 AM where I’m at. Night.
Update: I tried to be lazy today. It was 95 plus degrees in Redmond and Bend today. My first priority was to stay hydrated. I chugged more than a liter of coconut water this morning, plus a Dutch Bros coffee my dad brought back.
We ended up golfing The Greens at Redmond today. It’s well maintained and challenging. We played 9 holes and walked. It was hot! I thought about following my ball into the water hazard. I only lost one.
After golf I went out on the town in Redmond. I sifted at the Goodwill thrift store and found a Zen Garden, a great bicycle fender, and a book on juicing vegetables and fruit!
Then I found a huge antique mall! I could look at collectables all day. I checked out silver and copper coins, old toys, and priced other oddities. I found a Buddy Lee doll, and a hand painted sign offering pony stud service by Champ. I took a quick photo.
The weather is wild in the Bend area. You can see snow on the mountain peaks, but it’s sweltering. It’s dusk now. My buddy’s dog and I have been looking out the window at the flashes of lightening. The thunder is tremendous. Growling like my belly after a workout. And the lights are flickering. There was another bolt! It’s the Wild West out here.
I still have to pack my backpack for our 3 day hike starting tomorrow. Right now my gear is scattered around the RV. I will get to it after I stretch more. I feel ready to charge The Mount Jefferson wilderness, but there will be more challenges ahead. Really our trip is just about to start. More soon.
By Cameron McKirdy
Hey friends! In this blog I will detail my preparations for another exciting adventure. My Dad and I are going to hike part of The Pacific Coast Trail. Weather permitting, we plan to leave town in a few days. For three nights our accommodations will be a two man tent.
To physically prepare for this, I’ve had to mix up my training routine. I usually do low, or no impact exercises like swimming, yoga, walking, and biking. Now I have to prepare my body for impact. So lately I’ve hiked, with and without my backpack, and jogged trails too.
I’m incorporating in mixed martial arts training to confuse my muscles. I shadow box for speed, and smash the heavy boxing bag to build strength. Boxing builds my core, and is good cardio! In addition, I’m planning for hot weather, so I’ve been going to the sauna a few times a week. This will hopefully make me more comfortable when I’m outside, exposed to the Sun and the dry heat.
Lately I’ve been wearing my Vibram FiveFingers more. I plan to wear them half the time on our hike. They feel great! I’ve also broken in a new pair of Nike ACG (All Conditions Gear) boots. I bought them at the Nike Outlet store for only $29 on clearance. They’re rugged and cushy. I also have knee high Nike DriFit socks that are thick, and dry amazingly quick.
My backpack is still coming together. I’m really trying to simplify, and keep my pack light. I will probably end up taking the following main items, plus stuff already mentioned: DriFit moisture wicking shirts (long and short, light and dark), DriFit compression underwear, First Aid, wool socks, water, water filters, water disinfectant, bandana, sunglasses, hygiene kit, mosquito head net, Off, iPhone and charger, Energizer LED headlamp, Chapstick, sunscreen, hat or beanie, flashlight, lighters, matches, candles, tinder kit, compass, emergency blanket, Coleman +25 mummy sleeping bag, inflatable mattress, stove, cook wear, utensils, fuel, poncho, tent, Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival kit, and tons of food!
I’m mostly bringing camping food that doesn’t need to be cooked, or require hot water. I will eat fruit, seed, and nut bars, protein bars, granola bars, raisins, canned chicken salad and crackers, dark chocolate, etc. I also have Mountain House freeze dried food for warm meals like lasagna!!! That will be epic after hiking all day. I want to have lots of calories to snack on. I also have a packaged meal of raw veggie powder to mix with water, and protein powder with vitamins and minerals. I’m taking a mixed stash of instant coffees, including Starbucks and Folders. I wouldn’t recommend Folders coffee crystals, but I got seven single serving packets for $1. They’re for emergency only.
Filling my bag is the easy part. Carrying it about 13 miles a day will be challenging. Right now I’m concerned about staying hydrated, training hard, and putting the finishing touches my bag. My Dad and I have studied maps, and have a good idea of where we’re going. He’s contacted local hikers for advice, and been to the ranger station too.
Bring on the lakes, and new terrain. I will say what up to Three Fingered Jack for ya. Of course I plan to shoot pictures, and HD video to post here. Maybe one day I can backpack the entire trail, from Canada to Mexico. There’s even a parallel route for bicycles on roads that’s 2,500 miles, or 4,000 km!!! Pacific Coast Trail or bust! %^D.
Survival Bros by Cameron McKirdy 