History of Jet Boats - How did it all Start ?

To newcomers, the term "Jet Boat" potentially could suggest a craft propelled along by the a high-powered and complex engine that speeds modern aircraft around the world. Essentially, Jet Boat" is a normal boat fitted with an engine to drive a water pump or "Jet Unit". This draws water in through an intake in the bottom of the hull and forces it out at high pressure (like a Jet) through a outlet hole at the rear. Unlike a conventional power boat, the jet boat has no propeller or rudder. Instead, it is propelled along, and steered, simply by the thrust of the jet stream escaping for the outlet at the rear. Turn on a garden hose with its nozzle-end freewill demonstrate this convincingly and the feel, of its "jet" of water.

Cool Outdoor Stuff

Bandana Maps: Bandana Maps aren't brand new, but I had never seen them before. They are detailed topographical maps made onto a cloth that can be used as a bandana or scarf. They will also be coming out soon with some river specific maps. They have maps from selected areas in Alaska, Arizona, California, Canada, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming. So you can wear it around your head or neck, not worry about it getting wet, and best part you don't have to figure out how to fold it up.

Sleeping Bags: Coleman and Sierra Designs

Coleman: Coleman has several affordable sleeping bags including mummy, hybrid, and rectangular shapes; regular and long sizes; right or left zippers; temperature ratings from 32 degrees to minus 10 degrees; and prices ranging from $55 to $150. The company has innovative OmniTemp bags, which can be converted from rectangular to mummy bags and vice versa, and the Ridgeline minus 10 mummy bag.

Learning How to Climb Big Walls

Giant, multi-pitch wall climbs require strength, endurance, mental toughness and expert climbing technique. Big wall routes are usually long, grueling and risky. They can't be top-roped, so climbers must bring large amounts of climbing gear with them to anchor themselves to the rock as they climb. Many big wall routes involve eating, sleeping and living on sheer rock faces for days at a time.

If you're a beginning climber looking to give big wall climbing a try, contact your local climbing club and talk to an experienced instructor or guide. They'll help you gauge your current skill level and figure out what you'll need to work on to prepare for the challenge of giant wall routes.