Maxpedition makes some pretty awesome stuff, ostensibly for military or law enforcement use, but often spotted on gear whores, airsoft players, and other folks who appreciate stuff with lots of velcro and straps on it.  The MPB XXL (Multi-Purpose Bag) caught my eye, because it looks like it would actually hold all my stuff (currently contained in the massive Stealth Reporter D550).  It has an 1100 cubic inch padded main compartment, and six pockets around the outside.  Plus straps, a baton/maglight holder, and velcro.  You know, for adding your unit patch.  There are two downsides here.  One is the price - at $216, it’s not something I’d pick up with groceries on the way home, but it’s certainly more worth the price than some other crappy bags I could name.  The other thing is…well…looking at the specs is one thing, but actually seeing it on a person…it’s freaking huge.  But hey, who cares, I already carry a massive bag, and this one is about twice as awesome.

It’s that time again - time to venture into the primitive fringe of civilization known as the San Juan Islands.  And what does a gear enthusiast like myself bring on an expedition like this? Short answer: a lot.  Long answer: see below.

REI Thermo Fitted Cap.  This hat proved itself on a couple of trips that involved snow, and one where it rained the whole time.  The only problem with it (and I’ll admit this is minor) is that there’s no way to identify, at a glance, where the back is.  The logo is offset, and there isn’t a medial seam.

Osprey Stratos 40.  It seems like I’m linking to a lot of dead products.  Does this mean I need to update some of my gear? Anyway, I need a main bag to carry the kind of stuff normal people bring on trips - you know, like clothes.  I got this one by going to REI and talking to Boots (if you’ve been to the flagship store much, you’ve probably met Boots). I told him I wanted the biggest backpack that could fit in an overhead bin without making me look like a jerk. This is my primary travel bag for any trips longer than overnight.  I’m not a huge fan of it, but it gets the job done. Mostly it’s just not very interesting looking, and it doesn’t have enough pockets to organize things in a useful way.

Lowepro Stealth Reporter D550.  If I’m driving somewhere, I don’t bother to repack my laptop bag, I just throw it on top of everything else.  I may write a whole article about this at some point.

The Crumpler Keystone.  Gotta bring a day pack, right?

Merrel Chameleon Stretch.  I just pulled these out of storage.  They’re not waterproof or insulated, so I mostly use them in the summer.  They are ridiculously comfortable though, and have great traction.  This pair went with me on several trips last year.

Black & Decker Simplestart. I’ve had this in my car since Christmas.  I tried to use it on Friday but I think the battery was dead.  Guess I should recharge it every month or so.

Thule Cascade XT 1700 roof box.  Never know when I may need to transport a bunch of stuff back from the island.  It happens.

1998 Subaru Impreza. I love my car.  It’s like a big piece of gear.  AWD is unstoppable in snow, and the hatchback design can fit a ton of stuff in the back.  It’s also unpretentious and blends in everywhere - I consider this a feature.

AN/PVS-7 Night Vision Goggles with head mount.  It actually gets dark in the islands (unlike Seattle).

iPhone 3Gs. Gotta bring my phone.  I’m also rocking a six foot sync cable from Monoprice (so handy).

Meebo. I used this a ton on the ferry, when it turned out that their plethora of “WE HAVE WIFI!” signs were in fact vile, unscrupulous lies.  The Meebo iPhone app is free, and is considerably better than the my former favorite IM app - the for-pay BeeJive.  It’s just lacking one feature - it works in landscape mode, but not upside down.

Well, I *just* got back from that trip (needed broadband to finish this article, arg).  So I think I’m going to wrap this up and unpack.  

Yeah, unpacking takes me awhile. 

Nothing like a walk in the woods on a nice day.  On Saturday I went for a hike in Twanoh State Park.  Unfortunately, the weather remained pleasant, and I did not have to build a shelter, start a signal fire, improvise weapons, or rappel down any sheer rock faces. There’s always next time.

Cheap Target Aviators.  Having served me well for going on ten years, my Oaklies just aren’t really my style anymore.  These get the job done most of the time.

The North Face Apex Bionic jacket.  Not necessary after the first half mile or so, sadly.  This was my first softshell, and although it’s showing its age, I still love it.  On the lookout for a replacement though, ideally with a hood.

Crumpler Keystone.  I was hoping this bag would make me a fan of Crumpler.  It didn’t.  It sacrifices far too much functionality for looks.  But I paid a lot for it, and it beats carrying my Stealth Reporter around in the woods.  I’m actively seeking a replacement.

Nikon D90 DSLR.  Words cannot describe how much I love this camera, especially compared to my old D50.  I also brought along a few lenses, but I don’t feel like posting the entire contents of my camera bag (not right now, at least…).

Asolo Fugitive GTX boots. Again.  I suppose these will probably make an appearance on the list whenever I’m venturing outdoors.  In this case, they proved their worth on two occasions.  I almost rolled my ankle on a rock, which they prevented, and I waded through a stream in search of pictures, which they facilitated.  Yay!