Pacific north wonderland

Since launching the Ursa Sleep System on Kickstarter, the most common question we've received has been the rhetorical "$600?!" So we thought we'd break down how we landed on what some folks are considering an above average price tag. With everything that's included, we'll show you how we're actually beating the competition on comfort and on price. By a lot. Now that we’ve shown you the price comparison, let’s get into the main differences between Ursa and the competition.   Complete Integration When you buy five different products from five different brands, you end up with a Frankenstein sleep system that was never intended to work together. And no one wants to go to sleep with Frankenstein in their tent. Ursa’s asymmetrical zippers combine each component into one cohesive sleep system intentionally designed for the best night’s sleep.   Premium Foam With six total inches of premium foam, including a 4” self-inflating base pad and a premium 2” memory foam topper, Ursa offers double the amount of separation between you and the ground when compared to other complete sleep systems (ones that offer an integrated quilt and hood) on the market.   Easy Setup No one wants to bring a bulky pump to camp, and with Ursa, you don’t have to. The self-inflating base pad makes setup a breeze, needing only 3-5 breaths to top it off to your desired level of firmness. If you’re looking for memory foam comfort at camp and a simple setup, Ursa is the only option on the market.   Single vs. Double You shouldn’t have to choose between a single and double camp bed. Ursa allows you to have solo trips and overnights with your partner alike—the only sleep system on the market that can be combined with a second to make a complete bed for two.   Oversized Camp Pillow The camp pillow has been long overdue for a revamp, and the Ursa pillow is just that—designed to be as comfy as your pillow from home but packable enough for any adventure. Soft-touch fabrics combined with two inches of premium foam separate it from the crowd of camp pillows that make you feel like you’re sleeping on a balloon. Plus, the adjustable air core means you can fine tune it for your specific sleep style.   Summary We started dreaming this product up over a year ago when tent camping in Big Bend National Park. When we looked at what was offered in the marketplace, we saw huge gaps that we wanted to address. Ursa combines premium foam, super soft fabrics, and intuitive integration to guarantee your best sleep under the stars. Plus, Ursa is backed by our Adventure Grade lifetime guarantee. To take advantage of Early Bird pricing on Kickstarter, back now! You’ll score a discounted price and a FREE Ursa Pillow.   Learn more about the Ursa on Kickstarter now!

There are many options when it comes to what kind of insulation to use on your outdoor adventures. Down insulation is one of the most popular options because of its weight-to-warmth ratio and compressibility. It’s also extremely durable if taken care of properly. Kammok’s Bobcat, Firebelly and Arctos quilts are examples of gear that uses down insulation. The down’s ability to trap heat depends on how well it lofts, which is measured by the amount of space a certain weight of down takes up. The fluffier it is, the warmer it will keep you.  When your down insulation has been compressed in a stuff sack or storage, the fill can appear flat or displaced when taken out. Before using, we recommend allowing it to loft.  How to loft insulation: Give the quilt a good shake.  Lay it on a flat surface to allow the down time to loft evenly.  Let the gear lay out for a few hours, shaking occasionally to bring to its full loftiness. Where your down trail quilt or sleeping bag is stored when you’re not using it affects its lifespan. Here are a few tips on how and where to store your down insulation. How to store insulation: When down gear is not in use, keep in a roomy storage bag to maintain gear lofted.  Store the bag in a climate-controlled room or a sealed container. This will help your gear avoid getting wet or damaged by pests.  Pack into the stuff sack only when needed for travel.   How to wash down insulation: Sleeping bags and trail quilts don’t have to be washed after every use, however, as with any great adventure gear, it’s bound to get grimy after regular use and will need to be washed on occasion.  If using a washing machine, only use a front-loading washer or a machine without an agitator.  If the inside of your washer has the center ‘agitator’ part, hand wash with warm water in a large bucket or bathtub. When using a washing machine, place the product in the washer by itself, and add the recommended amount of insulation cleaner. We recommend using Grangers Down Wash and Repel. Wash on a gentle cycle with warm water.  Do not use fabric softener, bleach, or stain removal products.  To dry, place the product in the dryer with 3 dryer balls or clean tennis balls. Heat is required to activate the water resistance on the fabric. Tumble dry on low-medium heat. Your insulation is now clean and ready for the adventures ahead. We put our gear through a lot, and sometimes we get too close to an ember from the fire or snag it on a sharp rock. If you have a small hole in your insulated gear, you can repair it with a patch kit. We recommend using Noso Patches, though any fabric gear patch brand will do. You’ll also need rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab handy.    How to repair insulation: Tuck in any loose down feathers or snip away loose threads from the damaged area.  Clean the spot with rubbing alcohol. Allow time to dry. Crack and peel the paper release liner.  Center patch over the damaged area. Apply pressure from the center out to the edges.  If using a Noso patch, apply the patch permanently by tumble drying on low for 10 minutes.  Remove from the dryer and press the patch in a circular motion for 30 seconds.  These tips for down insulation care and repair will increase the lifespan of your sleeping bag or trail quilt. If something went wrong with your Kammok gear that isn’t easily repairable, remember that we have a lifetime warranty on all our products. Please reach out to our customer experience team or fill out the warranty form for any concerns regarding the durability of your elevated gear. 

Our outdoor community is built upon adventure seekers. While sometimes this means spending time in harsh weather and challenging ourselves physically, other times it means having difficult conversations and changing our perspective. In this three-part series on The Outpost, we will share the stories of individuals redefining what it means to be outside. Written by Luisa Vargas.   As a first-generation immigrant from Colombia, I was lucky enough to have parents who taught me the value of spending time in nature. However, the first time a friend called me “outdoorsy” I thought it couldn’t be true. I didn’t look like anyone who shopped at REI. Growing up, I was an artistic kid, not an athletic one. I’m afraid of heights and I’m brown. Little did I know I was fed the same story as most people: That to identify as outdoorsy, you have to spend time outside doing physically draining activities like multi-day hiking trips, climbing up giant rocks or kayaking through rough waters. And that you’re white. It took years to finally consider myself an outdoor enthusiast. Looking back, I realize I was just as outdoorsy then as I am now, but I kept wondering why it took me so long to realize this.  To explore that question, I talked with three incredible adventurers who defy the mainstream standards of being outdoorsy. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing their stories. The first story is from Rocío, a trail runner, social justice advocate, mentor and native Austinite. Although we barely scratch the surface, these are thirst-quenching conversations that reexamine how we ask questions about diversity in outdoor spaces. They share their journey of transformation in the outdoors and talk about how we can cultivate inclusive spaces that honor history and tradition. Rocío Villalobos at Caprock Canyon State Park When I first talked with Rocío Villalobos over Zoom, I instantly felt calming energy. As an avid trail runner, she spends a copious amount of time outside, but her true gift is blending her outdoor experiences with a commitment to social justice. She currently works in the city of Austin’s Equity Office as an Immigrant Affairs Coordinator and has experience working with various environmental and social justice organizations including PODER (People Organizing in Defense of the Earth and Her Resources).  Rocío shares that her great grandparents were indigenous people from tribes in what we now call Mexico. Reconnecting with the land and her ancestors is one of the many reasons she finds spending time outside so impactful. “My grandparents learned it was worth assimilating into this broader Mexican identity rather than holding onto their customs. For me, a part of going outside is reconnecting with the land and my ancestors,” Rocío says. As we explore the reasons why she values spending time outside, she describes how simply having the time to be in nature is a privilege. Growing up, Rocío wasn’t outside much.  Her parents worked long hours and were worried about allowing their kids to wander alone. It wasn’t until she was an adult and faced depression that she turned to running as one of her remedies.  “It made me feel confident and shifted some of the internal talk that I know was really negative,” Rocío says.  Rocío participating in a trail race  As Rocío continued finding joy in outdoor spaces while doing social justice work, the two began merging. She worked in various environmental organizations and began mentoring girls with Explore Austin where she finds an opportunity to connect with young women who are developing their own connection to the land.  Mentorship is a big part of Rocío's life. She’s continually sharing resources and adventure gear with people who want to spend more time outside, particularly women of color.  When I asked Rocío why we don’t see more women of color in traditional outdoor spaces despite the growing interest, her answer was transformative.  Rocío suggests that instead of asking why we don’t see certain groups outside, we should be asking if communities are already spending time outdoors in ways that don’t fit the mainstream idea of what we think as outdoor time. Spending time outside could be something as simple as preparing your soil for a garden or hanging in a hammock listening to the birds.  She describes the popular vision of the outdoors as, “Feeling like an almost hypermasculine idea,” where you have to do something physically draining.  According to Rocío, there is value in trying new, challenging things, but this doesn’t have to be the only way we enjoy the outdoors. The goal should be connecting to the land, and that’s going to look different for everyone. As we begin addressing inclusivity in these spaces, it’s important to remember we’re not here to force change upon people. Rocío says the bigger questions are, “What do our institutions look like? What have they done to create barriers or opportunities to get to spend time in certain places?” Addressing institutional change is an important part of racial equity work everywhere, not just in outdoor spaces. Many times institutions are out of touch with what is happening in their own communities and that becomes another layer of the problem.  She explains that social inequities are hundreds of years old and are going to take just as long to undo. “Find a balance of being grounded in reality but still holding onto that hope of transformation,” Rocío says. I believe Rocío excels at racial equity work and ultramarathons because both require preparation and endurance for a long and difficult path while still believing transformation is possible.  Redefining what it means to identify as an outdoorsy person will open doors for people to benefit from the transformative power of being outside, despite the restrictions placed by mainstream ideas.  Next time you catch yourself wishing you had more time to spend outside, remember that your backyard and your hammock are waiting. Here you can explore some ideas on spending more time outdoors. “How is this helping me develop a deeper relationship with the land? That’s what our goal should be.” -Rocío Villalobos Organizations Rocío has worked with: Austin Racial Equity Office PODER The University of Texas Multicultural Engagement Center Explore Austin Other organizations and companies supporting diversity in the outdoors: Black Outside Native Women’s Wilderness Tawa Threads  Latinos Outdoors

As many as 300,000 Americans contract Lyme disease from infected ticks each year, according to CDC modeling. Much of the Eastern half of the country has a large chunk of these cases.  However, only a small fraction of Lyme cases are reported to federal health authorities. Elsewhere in the United States, people contend with potentially fatal tick-borne illnesses like Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Mosquitoes inhabit every corner of the country, spreading potentially serious pathogens like West Nile and Zika viruses and general bite-induced misery. Meanwhile, fire ants terrorize backyards in the southern United States. And they’re joined by too many other insect pests to name. In this year of social distancing, backyard camping is a great way to spend time with your family and enjoy the outdoors. The good news is that suppressing outdoor pests isn’t as difficult or costly as you might imagine. And there are natural ways to get rid of these annoyances. These natural backyard pest control solutions will increase your enjoyment while keeping your kids and pets safe from harm. 1. Moisture Control and Standing Water Management Mosquitoes love standing water. It’s where adults breed and lay their eggs and where larvae spend their lives before transitioning to adulthood. They don’t need much water, so it’s important to identify and control sources of moisture and standing water, even if they don’t seem troublesome. You can’t do much about standing water beyond your property lines. If you live near a pond or swamp, you’ll need to get used to mosquito activity. But you can follow these tips to make your yard as inhospitable to breeding mosquitoes as possible: Dump and Scrub. The CDC recommends dumping standing water from human-made vessels, such as birdbaths and flower pot saucers, at least once per week and thoroughly scrubbing the empty containers. No soap is required, though nontoxic insecticidal soaps can help. Add Oil. If you don’t want to dump the water, drizzle about one teaspoon of olive or vegetable oil into standing water. The oil kills larvae without harming birds or plants. Add Vinegar. Another solution if you don’t want to get rid of the water is to add vinegar to standing water sources. You want to achieve a ratio of about one part oil to five parts water, so this isn’t practical for larger bodies of water, but it should work fine for your birdbath. Mosquito Dunks. These “bacteria bombs” kill mosquito larvae without harming kids or pets. Add them to standing water and let them work their magic.   2. Brush Management Standing water is to mosquitoes as dense underbrush is to disease-carrying ticks. During the cool season, ticks retreat to leaf litter for warmth and protection. They lurk on grasses and ground-hugging vegetation in warmer months waiting for unsuspecting mammals to brush by. Homeowners keen on making their backyards safe for camping need to reduce or eliminate places for ticks to breed and ultimately to find new victims. Here’s how: Edging. Take a trimmer to high weeds and brush along the perimeter of your yard at regular intervals throughout the growing season. Mowing. Mow your lawn regularly, keeping grass ankle-high or lower. Gravel Borders. Create a gravel barrier at least 3 feet wide between your yard and surrounding wooded areas. If this is impractical, use wood chips instead. Stacking Wood. If you keep firewood or downed wood on your property, stack it neatly to discourage tick-carrying rodents from setting up shop. Raking. Rake your grass and cultivate areas to remove leaf litter, grass clippings, and other tick-friendly habitats. 3. Fire Ant Suppression Years of steady northward expansion have brought invasive fire ants, known as red imported fire ants, into contact with backyard campers across a broad swath of the southern United States, from central Texas to Virginia. According to the World Health Organization, fire ants sting as many as 60% of people living in colonized areas. Backyard campers eager to avoid joining their ranks can try two eco- and people-friendly remedies to suppress their colonies: Hot Water. This remedy is only kid- and pet-friendly when kids and pets aren’t around. For each mound you’d like to treat, you’ll need to heat several gallons of water to a near boil, then pour it slowly onto the mound to drench and hopefully penetrate the soil. This measure will also kill nearby grasses, but that may be a small price to pay. Organic Treatments. Though they’re not as effective as EPA-regulated chemical pesticides, two compounds do work to suppress fire ant colonies: d-limonene (citrus oil extract) and spinosad (a microbial byproduct). Follow package instructions carefully. 4. Encouraging Predation Insect-loving predators are the ultimate backyard pest control solution. Bats are voracious consumers of mosquitoes and other biting flies. They’re polite enough to do their work at night too. To encourage them to frequent your yard, Good Housekeeping recommends doing the following: Plant Night-Blooming Flowers. A night-blooming garden should draw night-feeding insects, which in turn will encourage bats to hang out. Popular options include primrose, honeysuckle, dahlia, and raspberry. Put Up a Bat House. Place a bat house (whether purchased pre- or partially assembled or built from scratch) on a south-facing second-story wall or exposed pole near your yard’s edge. The optimal height is 15 to 20 feet above the ground. Final Thoughts Your backyard is yours to enjoy. You shouldn’t have to live in fear of it. Nor should you feel compelled to invest in drastic pest control solutions that could put your children and pets at risk. Thankfully, these kid-friendly pest mitigation solutions really do work. Get started today, and look forward to making your backyard yours once more. Jeremy Kallen is a freelance writer and outdoor enthusiast who uses a number of strategies to watch out for ticks and pests.