Reviews > Books > Blank Journals and Writing Implements > RITR - Adventure Travel Journal > Clifford Haynes > Long Term Report

Rite in the Rain
Adventure Travel Journal
Long Term Report
2/8/2004

Personal Stats:

Backpacking Background:
I am from and live in Maine. I have been hiking, backpacking, and canoe camping for over 45 years. I average 2 to 3 days a week in the woods year round. Over the years I've used or tried a variety of different gear. When I joined scouts as a boy, most of the boys my age didn't have backpacking gear, and their families didn't have money enough to buy it. So we had great fun making our own gear.

I can't really say that I have a backpacking style. I take what I need or want, depending upon what I plan to do on the outing. Even before my knees became a problem, I could never see being in a big rush. It is my opinion that camping is part of backpacking, and should be enjoyed at least as much as the hiking. In areas where there is a lot of hiker traffic, I tend to pack heavier in order to minimize impact. I just like being out in the woods and exploring.

Field Information:
Testing was conducted in western and northern Maine at elevations from about 200 ft (60 m) to 4000 ft (1200 m). Temperatures during testing ranged from 95 F (35 C) to -20 F (-29 C). Activities I engaged in while testing included: gold panning, canoeing, kayaking, snowshoeing, hiking, backpacking (bushwhacking and on the Appalachian Trail) and camping. I managed to get out with the Adventure Journal in rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow.

Product Information:

Product Description:
The Rite in the Rain All Weather Adventure Travel Journal is a small hard covered book, 4.125 in (10.48 cm) wide, 6.813 in (17.31 cm) tall, and 0.688 in (1.75 cm) thick. The hard cover is yellow and the front cover has a Rite in the Rain logo and "All Weather Adventure Travel Journal" printed in gold. The book contains 78 sheets of 4 in (10.16 cm) X 6.5 in (16.51 cm) all weather paper. Seven and one half of these sheets (15 pages) sheets contain personal information or helpful preprinted information. The other 70.5 sheets (141 pages) are horizontally lined blank pages. At the top of each blank page is a line for the date and location. The paper feels a bit like a heavy coated paper in that is has a sort of  slick waxy finish, but it does not have a high gloss. The pages are antiqued off white with gray / brown mottling. The binding of the journal appears to be sewn not glued.

The preprinted information pages are the first three pages and the last twelve pages of the book. The first page is a Rite in the Rain Cover page. The last line of this page suggests, "For best results use a pencil or all weather pen." The second page is for important phone numbers, medical information, and vehicle information. The third page is for personal information and emergency contact information. The information at the back of the All Weather Adventure Travel Journal begins with an information index page followed by an unlined blank page. The next three pages are lists of phone numbers for Tourist Commissions and U. S. Embassies. The next page contains lists of the Ten Essentials and Planning tips. The seventh information page is a Beaufort Wind Scale chart (judging wind speed from sea conditions). The next two pages are a World Climate Zone Map and World Time Zone Map. The last three pages are a Wind Chill Chart, Heat Factor Chart, and a Measurement Conversion Table with ruler at page's edge.

Long Term Report:

I have been impressed with the Rite in the Rain Adventure Journal throughout this test. During the Field Test portion I feel I abused the journal (the underwater journal entry), so for the remainder of the test I tried to treat the Adventure Journal with a bit more care and respect. I continued to carry it about daily in my back pocket or in a pack, and made use of it at every opportunity.

While hiking and backpacking, I was able to take notes in every type of weather Maine has to offer in the fall and early winter. Using ordinary paper I certainly would have had to wait until I was under shelter to take many of the notes that I was able to jot down in the Adventure Journal. As I am not gifted with the ability to write well, many of the things that I was able to write  in my journal never would have been written had I not been able to write at the moment of inspiration. Most of my journal entries were written with the Rite in the Rain All Weather Pen until the middle of December, when I switched to a pencil. I found that in low temperatures it became difficult to get the pen to start writing unless I kept it warm. The pen would still write, but I just felt the pencil works better when it is cold. I started carrying a short pencil with my journal, and will continue for the rest of the winter. Since I also carry a pencil stub in my first aid kit, I felt I didn't have to worry about breaking my pencil lead, and I could always sharpen my pencil with my knife if it became necessary. Eventually I decided that the weight of an inexpensive plastic pencil sharpener was insignificant, so I added one to my first aid kit. Later it occurred to me that the penciled sharpener is an excellent source of dry wood shavings for starting a fire in an emergency.

On one of my overnight outings a while back, it was cold, damp, and raining. After setting up camp I was bored, and wasn't really looking forward to an evening alone waiting for sleep to come. I decided it would be a good time to practice a bit of foul weather fire building. I quickly gathered enough wood for an evenings fire and settled into my shelter. I decided to try using a page cut from my Adventure Journal to help light the damp wood. I cut a page from my journal and folded it in half. Next  I whittled the wet outer layer of wood from a pine stick. I was able to very quickly generate a pile of fine shavings from the pine twig with my plastic pencil sharpener. I used the folded journal page as a roof to keep my tinder dry while I completed my fire lay. In the past I have tried this method with regular paper, but the paper usually becomes too wet to allow the tinder to dry and ignite the kindling. The Rite in the Rain paper did the job wonderfully. The rain ran off the paper and kept the tinder dry. The tinder easily lit igniting the Rite in the rain paper and kindling.  In no time I had a cheery little fire going that warmed me and dried my damp gear.

I can't begin to guess how many times my Adventure Journal has been damp, wet or exposed to snow. The only concession I have made is to shake off the water and carry it in a warm pocket so it could dry a bit after it got wet. When I exposed it to snow, I tried to keep it cold so the snow didn't melt and cause ice to build up in the binding. Most nights I would shake out any ice or snow that I could, and put my Adventure Journal in my sleeping bag to dry a bit over night. When temperatures approached -20 F (-29 C) the cover and binding of my Adventure Journal was very stiff, but thus far the cold hasn't appear to have damaged the journal. 

 Frankly I am surprised at the durability the Adventure Journal has exhibited. The Adventure Journal is no longer flat due to many hours in my back pocket. Prior to starting this report I very carefully inspected the journal. It exhibits very little wear considering it's daily use. The lower corners of the cover are no longer square, they are blunted a bit but not torn or frayed. The inside surface of the cover has started to delaminate a bit, but in my opinion this is not significant given the hard use the journal has been subjected to. I reviewed each page and the notes have not run, faded or washed out. Even the places where I intentionally erased words and rewrote them continue to be as legible as when they were written. The cover and edges of the pages were rather dirty though. I decided to see how it would clean up with a damp cloth and a little ivory soap (bar soap). The grime washed off nicely, leaving my Adventure Journal looking almost like new.

I recently replaced my Rite in the Rain Adventure Journal (because it is full) with a Rite in the Rain Spiral Notebook. It certainly is lighter, but I don't like it  as well as the Adventure Journal. After using both, I prefer the hardbound Adventure Journal. While lighter and probably as durable, the Spiral Notebook just doesn't inspire me to write anything in it. I will probably replace the Spiral Notebook with another Adventure Journal.

We have been told by the manufacturer that they have improved the Adventure Journal, and are using a "more" water resistant cement on the cover and binding. While I haven't experience a significant problem with the cement, I'm glad to see they are willing to make what I consider to be an excellent product even better. I would like to thank J. L. Darling and BGT for the opportunity to participate in this test.

Reviews > Books > Blank Journals and Writing Implements > RITR - Adventure Travel Journal > Clifford Haynes > Long Term Report