General Information
Name: Devil’s Marbleyard
Nearest City: Glasgow
Terrain: Moderate hike, followed by steep rock scramble
Difficulty level: moderate
Elevation gain: 2300 ft

Halfway up

Cave Entrance

An omelet cooked in a freezer bag submerged in boiling water while on a camp out is not a new novelty. I have read that some folks have been doing it for as many as 20 years. However it is relatively new to me and while it is not a new idea I don’t believe it to be a well spread one. So here I am to share the knowledge, some really delicious knowledge.

For starters as far as egg transportation purposes, cracked and put in a water bottle or other bottle fashion by use of a funnel is the only way to go. You can carry a dozen eggs as easy as a bottle of Aquafina. For the omelet it is not much more difficult:

Step 1:

Put your scrambled eggs, cheese, bacon crumbles, vegetables or whatever your heart desires into the freezer bag. Try to take out as much extra air as possible. It helps keep the omelet submerged for even cooking and not taking on a funny shape.

Ham and Cheese

Step 2:

Put the bag and contents into a medium sized pot 3/4 full of simmering or light boiling water. Allow to cook until firm. Usually about 5 or so minutes, depending on the heat of your water and how many eggs.

Few minutes, until firm

Step 3:

Remove the bag from the water, plate and consume. It really is that easy. It is not going to be as delicious as an omelet fried up in a pan with butter with crispy edges, but it is pretty darn good, clean, and about as easy as it gets.

That is a good looking omelet

This is my EDC, (everyday carry) whether I am hiking, hunting, or sitting around the house. I am a huge Buck fan, with over 100 years of experience they certainly know what they are doing.  I’ll take the Pepsi Challenge with a Gerber against my Buck any day of the week.
So this one comes with a few upgrades from its grandfather the Buck 110 folding Hunter.  It boasts a 2.87 titanium coated 420HC steel blade 4.50 inches closed, 7.25 inches overall length weighing a mere 4.0 oz.  It has the Buck SUR-Lock mechanism that locks blade both open and closed; easy one handed opening and closing even with gloves.  It has an aluminum handle that is contoured for a secure grip and incorporates into the handle a bottle opener and carabiner clip.  No serration, I can’t stand serrated bladed knives. Unless I am cutting through animal bone (which is never) a serrated blade only acts to cut down on the amount of usable blade.

I was on a hunting trip over the Christmas break and we were high on deer and short on skinning knives so I pulled out my buck to help out, thinking I would make some headway until a skinner opened up. The little EDC buck ended up being enough knife for the entire deer and I used it for the loins as well for its small maneuverable size. It did need several sharpening’s along the way, but I would expect that from any knife.
I can’t say enough good things, it is an easy one handed open and close, holds a nice edge, has Bucks tradition of quality/durability, the price is right at around $40.00, and I even like the color :).

-Don’t take my word for it, ask Gene Moe; the guy who killed a grizzly bear in Alaska with the Buck Hunter in 1999.

http://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/larry-mueller-and-marguerite-reiss/2007/09/last-stand

Let us talk about pine needle tea, how awesome it tastes, how good it is for you, and how it remained unknown to me for so long.

I tried pine needle tea for the first time at the Amelia Wildlife Refuge just outside of Richmond Virginia in November of 2014. I had first heard about pine needle tea on a Survivorman or Bear Grylls show or something, but I never thought much about it. They mentioned the vitamin C and a few other things, but that was it. So I did a little digging and gave it a try and here is what a found.

History and benefits

So apparently this tea has been around forever, the Native Americans drank it, and the early colonist drank it to ward off scurvy. It has been drunk by explorers and natives all around the world. It is supposed to have 4-5 times more vitamin C than orange juice, super high in vitamin A and is said to work as a decongestant, remedy for cold, flu, antiseptic, reduce triglycerides, and many other benefits.

Directions

Removing the woody base

So it is super simple to make. You just pull some needles off a pine tree, pull off the woody base piece, and throw them in some water (I use the GSI Kettle). Put it over the fire and bring it to a boil.

Enter a caption

10-15 minutes later the water has leached all the flavors, oils and minerals from the needles and they have turned wilted and drab green in color.

Seeping needles turning pale

Simply discard the needles and enjoy the tea. The tea takes on a slight pale green huh with a little glaze of pine oil on top of the water, and it has a light juniper Christmas tree smell with a rich buttery taste.  None of the tastes or smells are overpowering as I was would have thought. They are all very mild and subtle. I have never tasted it with sugar added, but I will next time.

*Update* It taste great with sugar, good enough to drink at home and something magical in the woods!

It taste great, it is good for you, so give it a try and let me know what you think.

Color has a light green hue

Kukri Machete

One of my favorite pieces of gear. The Cold Steel Magnum Kukri Machete. Anyone that has had the pleasure of using a Cold Steel product know they make quality blades, I have several pieces. It is tough rugged beast that never quits. I have been carrying this kukri for years, I hook it to my belt and 550 cord the end to my thigh to keep it from flapping. In addition to being a great piece of gear, it is also cheap, right around $40. So if I were to lose it or accidentally chip it on a rock it doesn’t break my heart. This is a day in day out work horse machete, whether clearing a path, taking down spider webs, or getting small firewood this kukri is up for it. Great piece of gear, I highly recommend.

http://www.coldsteel.com/Product/97MKM/MAGNUM_KUKRI_MACHETE.aspx

5.11 72 Hour Pack

I want to start out with I cannot say enough good about this pack. I used to carry a traditional Kelty Pack and it was fine, but it was a top load. It was such a nightmare when I needed something from the bottom. The 5.11 clam-shells open, nothing is ever lost in that pack. I keep lights in one of the side pockets, tools in the other, fire items in the top, food and gear the in the main compartment, accompaniments in the back. I can attach stuff to it, its rugged and tough. Runs a little pricey, its only downfall, I think around $175, still not bad for a pack. For a weekend or a little more, nothing touches it.

http://www.511tactical.com/rush-72-backpack.html

Welcome to my blog, just getting started, but it will entail gear review, some very exciting camping meals, helpful tips & tricks and general backpacking/hiking information.  Thank you for viewing and I look forward to sharing.

-Eric