GORUCK Challenge Event Gear and Training Tips

Training for your first GORUCK Challenge?
Make sure you have the gear you need. 
Pictured is the gear I used on 2 GORUCK events.  1 Challenge and 1 Light.  I completed my first event, a 15hr 20plus mile Challenge, in December of 2013 and recently completed the 9/11 Light Special Event.  And I am looking forward to completing GORUCK's new Charming the Snake 2016 events.
I also have listed at the bottom some general tips on training for someone who is training for their first event.

Sabra Gear Quick Pouch Review

Sabra Gear is an Israeli company making high quality bags and packs.  I usually do my best to buy American but if I'm buying a foreign product I have absolutely no problems supporting an Israeli company.

Also, Israel is near the top, if not the top destination on my Life List I would love to be lucky enough to visit one day.

a Memphis Traveler's 2015 Christmas List - $25 And Under

The 2015 version of the annual Christmas list is here!  I have put together a list of some items I personally own and have tested and many others that I have researched and would love to see under my own tree! 

Most are geared toward the Outdoorsman and this first part is under $25 because I know budgets are always important. 

Lists for $25-$50, $50-$100, and EDC stocking stuffer lists are in the works.

Colorado 14er's

A few shots of my Colorado 14er trip a few years ago.

 

"Natural" Running - Travel and Trail Footwear

Every shoe company is getting in on the natural running kick these days.  And if you know of one that doesn't have a shoe that fits this category currently, you can probably bet they are working on one.

There was a very interesting article on this topic on The Art of Manliness this week that discusses how we as humans need to exercise to be healthy and that a long list of ailments was unknown to our ancestors who had to do physical work every day just to survive.  They mention some of our anatomical features that suggest we were made to run and run fast for a long time.  The book Born to Run($10) goes into this deeper and is about a hidden tribe of Indians in Mexico who are said to be the best runners in the world.   And judging by the reviews on Amazon it looks great and I'm ordering it. 

Inspirations - Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve

To the lover of wilderness, Alaska is one of the most woderful countries in the world.
--John Muir

Gates of the Arctic National Park lies completely above the Arctic Circle.  There is no infrastructure or roads at all in the park.  So getting there is somewhat difficult, as you will see in the below documentary about one such adventure.

For more information on Gates of the Arctic National Park, check out the National Parks Service website.  

Life List - High Points In The 50 States

Pic via:  www.savassakar.com

High Points.

Peaks.

Summits.

These words might trigger in your mind thoughts of week long excursions and altitude acclimation.  But it doesn't have to involve all that.  There are many high points in the US that involve far less planning and gear and you can take the whole family.  And better yet, there are 50 of them!  Why go for just a couple of the high points in the US when you can go for all 50?!