Garage Sale (Gear Edition)

I have a bunch of gear piled up that’s been filling boxes for the past couple years. All items are good-as-new except as otherwise noted, most of them were just test fitted to various packs then thrown in a box. Free shipping on orders of $25+ to CONUS.

Kifaru

Kifaru Organizer/Admin Pouch (coyote brown) – BRAND NEW – $50
The Kifaru pouches are easily the nicest I have ever seen. The fabric is thick but flexible, the zippers are the smoothest I have ever used, and the stitching is top notch. Includes MALICE clips for attachment.

Kifaru Admin Organizer/Pouch Kifaru Admin Organizer/Pouch Kifaru Admin Organizer/Pouch

Kifaru LiterPlus Pouch (aka JetBoil Pouch)(coyote brown) – BRAND NEW – $40
This is the ONLY “Nalgene pouch” that will fit a JetBoil. Same build quality as above. Frankly, I don’t care if these two sell or not, I’d rather hang on to them…

Kifaru JetBoil Pouch Kifaru JetBoil Pouch Kifaru JetBoil Pouch

Maxpedition

Maxpedition 3.5″ Phone Holster (black) – BRAND NEW – $10/ea.
I have two of these available:

Maxpedition 3.5-inch Phone Sheath Maxpedition 3.5-inch Phone Sheath

Maxpedition 4″ Flashlight Sheath (black) – $10
Slight wear shows on the MOLLE webbing from the extremely tight fit with the MALICE clip. Other than that, good as new: 4″ Flashlight Sheath

Maxpedition 4-inch Tube Sheath Maxpedition 4-inch Tube Sheath

Maxpedition Mini Rollypoly (black) – $15
I don’t think we ever actually used this one: Mini Rollypoly

Maxpedition Mini Rollypoly Maxpedition Mini Rollypoly

Maxpedition Cocoon (khaki) – $10
No sign of wear, likely also new: Cocoon

Maxpedition Cocoon Maxpedition Cocoon

Maxpedition THREE-BY-FIVE (khaki) – BRAND NEW – $15

Maxpedition THREE-BY-FIVE Maxpedition THREE-BY-FIVE

Maxpedition Surgical Gloves Pouch (khaki) – BRAND NEW – $5

Maxpedition Surgical Gloves Pouch Maxpedition Surgical Gloves Pouch Maxpedition Surgical Gloves Pouch

Maxpedition Volta Battery Pouch (khaki) – BRAND NEW – $10

Maxpedition Volta Battery Pouch Maxpedition Volta Battery Pouch Maxpedition Volta Battery Pouch

Maxpedition H-1 Waistpack (khaki) – $15
Modified by removing the shock-cord and a Velcro tab for unrestricted outer pocket use (the shock cord could probably be restored, but I do not have it anymore), otherwise near-new: H-1 Waistpack.

Maxpedition H-1 Waistpack Maxpedition H-1 Waistpack Maxpedition H-1 Waistpack

Maxpedition M-1 Waistpack (khaki) – $15
Modified by removing pocket-side Velcro so the flap would function with a SINGLE closure (the SRB), and removing paracord pull from one zipper, otherwise near-new: M-1 Waistpack.

Maxpedition M-1 Waistpack Maxpedition M-1 Waistpack Maxpedition M-1 Waistpack Maxpedition M-1 Waistpack

Maxpedition Medium Tac-Tile (khaki) – BRAND NEW – $20

Maxpedition Medium Tac-Tile Maxpedition Medium Tac-Tile

LA Police Gear

LAPG Map Pouch – $5

This has been modified by removing the pen pocket so the flap would stay closed (a design flaw IMO). Also, I have no idea where the clear vinyl velcro’d map protector ran off to. Neat little pouch, fairly useful. Had it on my hiking pack for about 2 years… is a good size for a small survival kit + munchies + personal items for a day hike. Small hole seen in the photo is the only damage. I will thrown in a set of Maxpedition tac-ties or MALICE clips (your choice) if I don’t find the other snap strap it came with.

LAPG Map Pouch LAPG Map Pouch LAPG Map Pouch LAPG Map Pouch LAPG Map Pouch

5.11 Tactical

Two Casual Leather Belts (black w/white stitching, medium size) – BRAND NEW – $5 for both

5.11 Tactical Casual Leather Belt

5.11 Bottle Carrier (coyote tan) – $10
Has the Slick-Stick system, the easiest MOLLE-attachment I’ve ever used. Modified by removing one side of the Velcro so the flap would function with a SINGLE closure (the SRB), otherwise as-new.

5.11 Tactical Bottle Carrier 5.11 Tactical Bottle Carrier 5.11 Tactical Bottle Carrier

5.11 Knee Pads – BRAND NEW – $5

5.11 Tactical Knee Pads

Blackhawk! – Take ALL 3 for $10

The 40mm Frag Grenade MOLLE-incompatible MOLLE pouch – $5
New. Good luck finding a compatible MOLLE platform as the fine folks at Blackhawk don’t seem to own a tape measure… :lmao:

Blackhawk 40mm Grenade Pouch Blackhawk 40mm Grenade Pouch

The Universal Drop Your Flashlight Out The Bottom Sheath – $5
New, with an added patch sewn on to keep your flashlight from actually falling out of the bottom.

Blackhawk Flashlight Pouch Blackhawk Flashlight Pouch

Triple-AR-mag Pouch with Too-Short Attachment Straps – $5
New, nice design for a change… minus the tiny little attachment straps all sitting in the middle.

Blackhawk Triple-mag Pouch Blackhawk Triple-mag Pouch

Miscellaneous

Unknown MFG’s 4str4stamMOLLEbelt (coyote tan) – $15
New. Padded. Has Velcro belt tie-ins. Has odd top-access zippered pockets.

MOLLE Belt MOLLE Belt

Surplus

MOLLE-II Frame Pack (woodland) – clean and in great shape – $50
Pack is complete with all pocket modules, flaps, straps, cords, padding, and belt intact. Frame is black. Bottom module will fit the tent system listed below…

Surplus MOLLE-II Frame Pack Surplus MOLLE-II Frame Pack Surplus MOLLE-II Frame Pack Surplus MOLLE-II Frame Pack

USMC 2-person Tent – fair condition – $75
The standard 2-person USMC tent that no one seems to carry anymore, complete with poles and reversible light-blocking rain fly (OD green and desert tan). Total packed weight INCLUDING tent, poles, AND rain fly is just over 8 pounds… impossible to beat in a tent under $800. Some zippers are getting stubborn, but could likely be cleaned and lubed. One 1/3rd inch hole in one screen. Tent is starting to show signs of stretching at the stress points, but no rips yet. Fly and tent are missing a few attachment/stake points, a carabiner or paracord does the trick there. If you want the tent and the above-listed pack I will bundle them for $100.

MOLLE-II pack frame (black) – $5
Comes with adapted craptastic Blackhawk straps, no padding or belt, no pockets/pouches/modules.

MOLLE-II Pack Frame

Holsters

Generic Drop-Leg Holsters w/double Mag Pouch – $10 each
I have two of these available, both khaki-tanish with random scribble as shown. The mag pouches will attach to the holster platform or ride on the belt, or remove both and just use the drop-leg panel as a MOLLE platform. These show some cosmetic wear, but are otherwise in good shape.

Drop-Leg Holster

Generic Belt Holster w/Mag Pouch – $5
Removable snap retention, ambidextrous design, front mag pouch. Could be new, no real signs of wear.

Belt Holster

Yoda (old pics)

Yoda Newport B&WYODAsmDSCN1644DSC00007DSC00011DSC00018DSC00019DSC00022DSC00023DSC00024DSC00025Yoda Ohio Xmas 04

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

We took a ride up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway tonight. While the desert below was very hazy from the high winds, the views were still impressive.

San Jacinto PeakTramway RoadValley StationMountain StationTram Cars in TransitNature WalkTram Car Arriving at Valley StationMotor RoomSardine TinDepartureLeaving Valley Station (2643 feet)AscentAscentAscentAscentAscentApproaching Mountain StationMountain Station - 8516 feetArrivalTram Car at Mountain StationHighway 62, Morongo Valley and Landers in the distancePalm Springs OverlookPalm SpringsMountain StationPSATMount San Jacinto State ParkMount San Jacinto State ParkMount San Jacinto State ParkMount San Jacinto State ParkMount San Jacinto State ParkMount San Jacinto State ParkMount San Jacinto State ParkMount San Jacinto State ParkValley Station and Desert Hot SpringsTram Car in TransitTram Car ApproachingPalm Springs OverlookPalm Springs at NightHighway 62 and Desert Hot Springs at nightCounterweight PitCounterweight PitArriving at Valley Station

The food at the “fine dining” restaurant was absolutely horrible, if you go, go casual and dine in the cafeteria. The drinks at the bar were also watered down. I don’t mean weak, I mean watered down. We ordered a Bailey’s on the rocks just to be sure, it was half water. The ride was fun, but overpriced at $22.50 per person. It might be worth it for the day or so it takes off of the hike up to San Jacinto Peak if you are backpacking, or as a through-hike from Idyllwild, but I would not do it again just for the sake of visiting Mountain Station.

Change

No, not the Hope & Change kind of change. I’ve re-organized a few things around here and added a couple sections. Since BAT*21 is now up and running, I’ve copied all the Gear & Skills posts (and all the blade-related Guns & Knives posts) over to that new site. The old posts will still be available here, but I will be posting any future gear reviews I do as a part of that project. Since that leaves nothing here from those topics but firearms, I’ve created a new section to replace Guns & Knives called… Firearms.

Since moving to the middle of nowhere, I’ve also been doing quite a bit of maintenance and modification to my Discovery on my own so I added a section called Land Rover for any useful tidbits I find working on that project, and any post-worthy off road trips.

fotikus is also up and running now, though still under construction. I’ve only had time to put a hundred or so photos up there, but I expect to have the rest done before the end of the month. Pictures on fotikus are free for non-commercial use, or $25 each for commercial customers.

Hiking Silverado

I ran across some good shots I misplaced from a few hikes up Silverado in Cleveland Nat’l Forest…

Silverado Truck Trail - Summit A 6-foot rattlesnake hiding in the brush less than a yard from the trail. Looking east along the trail. Sunset from the overlook. A horny toad near the summit. Natural Camoflage Sunset Raincloud Partly Clear Surefire Tarantula

2008 Anniversary Trip

Patton Museum

We stopped by the Patton Museum near the old site of Camp Young to check out a surprisingly large collection of relics from several different wars, including an outdoor vehicle park.

Sherman TankThe Golden UnicornThe Golden Unicorn plaqueTank/TreeTanksPatton Museum Vehicle ParkJapanese ArtilleryCamp Young PlaqueCamp Young Plaque Closeup

Goodbye OC

Well, we finally did it. We’ve been out in the desert for three months now and it has absolutely been worth it. Of course, with all the trips out here we’d been making I was already pretty well weened off city life. I find I don’t mind needing to drive “into town” to get things, I waste a lot less time by doubling-up on errands without the “convenience” of having everything just down the street. As for all the pleasures the city has to offer: I’ve had my fun, and it was beginning to feel like repetitive non-sense. I’ll enjoy visiting to see friends from time to time, but my heart just isn’t in the OC anymore.

My hunch that it will cost less to move out here (where I want to be) and visit as-needed is proving correct as well – even in the face of soaring fuel costs. The clients don’t seem to mind either, probably because I’m faster and more available to them without the burdens of the city weighing me down. I find I even have the time now to catch up on writing, projects I’ve promised to friends, and my own business sites (I have portfolio pieces to add from over a year ago).

Speaking of business – though I’ve read it many times, I’m finally starting to get the fact that my location does not matter. As long as your work is good, your price is fair, and you deliver on-or-before the promised date, most clients couldn’t care less where you are. This is especially true with a proven track record, the portfolio to match, and a network of clients and colleagues sending referrals your way.

I realize now the only way some people will ever believe something is possible is if I accomplish it and bring it back to them from a position of “told ya”. It doesn’t matter how many examples I provide, the faith is simply not there.

No Comments »July 7th, 2008, 11:00 hours

It is not passive resignation to fate and mere patience, but the active, energetic resistance to defeat that allows calm and brave endurance.

No Comments »July 6th, 2008, 00:56 hours