I am a gear junkie! So last year when I saw that the Explore magazine was offering a gear box drop program, I knew I wanted to enrol. Yes, I could go out and purchase many of these products on my own, but there is something about getting a surprise package with unknown goodies inside. This is my third box drop and all the items inside have been used, or have been packed in my bag on a recent trips.
As part of their program, you are enrolled in a Facebook group to share your stories and how you use your gear. My first back country winter trip was actually the following weekend and I used many of these products on that trip. I was not able to share my pictures at the time, since it would give away the surprise for people who have not yet received their gear box.
Now that a few months have passed, I am going to go through the gear and show exactly how I have been using it.
Gear Box Goodies
- A beautiful blue Buff – I brought this on my back country trip, as well as my trip to Mew Lake over near years. You can never have too many buffs!
Keeping my chin warm 
Works good on the head too - Heavy duty crampons – These crampons have the biggest spikes I have ever seen. I have worn these on our adventure at Vanderwater Conservation Area. They were so good that I actually could have run the trails in them.
Heavy duty for tough trails - First Aid kit – even though I do not have a picture on a trip, this was in my bag for the winter sled trip as well as with my hubby when he went fat biking over New Years.
- Saline pack – same as the first aid kit – I placed a couple of these in the kit.
- Bounce Balls!!! I am super excited about this one. I LOVE these!! I cannot rave enough about them. I have a stash in my bag on day trips, I have a couple in my work bag, and I bring them on all my adventures.
Anytime, anywhere snack! - Emergency Blanket – again this is currently residing in my first aid kit.
- Flashlight – this flashlight is BRIGHT! I used it on the backcountry winter trip, and my hubby has also taken it as a backup for his night time fat bike rides. He does have bike lights, but you just never know in winter and the cold how long the batteries will last.
Lighting up a hot tent - Lightweight Tarp – the tarp was used again on my winter trip to cover my gear on my sled. It will be coming on many more trips as well.
One use for this tarp - Explore Magazine and challenge sheet – as always, there is the most current magazine from Explore, as well as a sheet that contains challenges for beginners and advanced. Winter is not over yet, so I’m still working on these challenges 🙂
I hope you have enjoyed this little breakdown of what was in this years winter gear box.
