“Rite in the Rain” Extreme Journal, Long Term Report

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name:   Carol Crooker

Age:  44

Gender:  Female

Height:  5 ft 10 in  (178 cm)

Weight:  160 lbs (73 kg)

Email:  cmcrooker AT att DOT net

City, State:  Phoenix, Arizona

Date:  February 4, 2004

Backpacking background:  For the past 7 years, I've backpacked about 30 days each year.  Most of my trips were three to six days long, and were in Arizona, the High Sierras, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Pennsylvania and New York.  My three-season base pack weight varies from 12 lbs (5 kg) to 8 lbs (4 kg).  I use a tarp for shelter in all four seasons.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

The Extreme Journal is a small, spiral bound journal with 50 pages of “tearproof and waterproof” paper, according to the manufacturer.  It is intended to be used outdoors in all weather conditions.

Manufacturer:  J. L. Darling Corporation

URL:  http://www.riteintherain.com or http://www.durarite.com

Year of manufacture:  2003

Listed weight:  none listed

Weight as delivered:  3.3 oz (94 g) 

Listed dimensions:  4” x 6” (10 cm x 15 cm)

Dimensions as delivered:  4” x 6” (10 cm x 15 cm)

Listed number of pages:  50

Number of pages as delivered:  44 blank, lined pages and 6 pages with preprinted information

MSRP: $9.65 

FINAL OBSERVATIONS

I have really grown to like the Rite in the Rain (RITR) paper used in the Extreme Journal.  When I began the test six months ago, I thought it was nice the paper could withstand wet conditions but didn’t see a place for it in my lightweight backpacking kit.  After all, each page weighs 67% more than a “regular” paper page and it costs more too!  But, after returning from a snow camping trip, I changed my mind.  The paper was very easy to write on even at 10 F (-12 C); the space pen I was using glided easily over the pages most of the time.  The spindrift and frost that got onto the pages and later melted did not erase what I’d written.  Since the paper is a bit stiffer than standard paper, it was easier to write on my mini journal (pages torn from the Extreme Journal and stapled) without having to grab something, like a book, to rest it on.  I could even turn the pages with my gloves on!  And, a 10-page mini journal of RITR paper only weighs 0.2 oz (5.7 g)  more than a standard paper mini journal.

The Extreme Journal itself shows absolutely no signs of wear.  The spiral binding looks new and the remaining pages are intact.  After six months of use, mainly for journaling and note taking on backpacking and vacation trips, there are 13 blank pages left in the Extreme Journal from a total of 44.     

For more detail on my “likes” and “dislikes” as listed below, see my Initial Report and my Field Report.

What I like:

-         A space pen rolls smoothly across the paper even in cold weather.

-         The paper is stiff enough to hold its shape when writing on it without needing to rest it on a flat surface.

-         The paper is thick enough to turn pages wearing gloves.

-         The Extreme Journal holds together even if tossed about.

-         Nice size.

-         Pages flip easily.

-         Smooth writing surface.

-         Line spacing is just right.

-         Paper does not rip whether wet or dry (except along a cut, such as the precut perforations).

-         Notes can be written in wet conditions.

-         Previously written notes survive wet conditions.

What I don’t like:

-         The information on the preprinted pages is out of date and/or not useful to me.  I’d rather have the six extra blank pages.

FIELD INFORMATION

Since my Initial Report, I’ve taken Journal pages along on four backpacking trips totaling 15 days.  See below for more detail on these trips.  I also took the Journal along on a few day hikes and on a ten-day vacation involving lots of location changes and travel by plane, train, bus, automobile, subway, and foot.

Central Idaho

Four-day backpack trip in August in the Sawtooth Mountains.  Elevations from 6500’ (2000m) to 10,000’ (3000 m).  Warm days with highs to the low 70’s F (low 20’s C).  Overnight lows down to just above freezing.

Southeastern Arizona

Four-day backpack trip in early October in the Chiricahua Wilderness of southeastern Arizona.  Elevation was about 8500’ (2600 m) along a crest trail.  Daytime temperatures climbed to about 80 F (27 C) and nighttime temperatures got down to 44 F (7 C).   

Northern Arizona

Four-day backpack trip in early December in the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness in northern Arizona.  Elevations from 6600’ (2000 m) to 4,600’ (1400 m).  Temperatures were unseasonably warm, with highs into the low 70’s F (low 20’s C) and lows to just below freezing.

Northern Arizona, winter

Three-day snowshoe backpack trip in late January on San Francisco Mountain in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness near Flagstaff.  Starting elevation was 8000’ (2400 m) and turn around point elevation at Doyle Saddle was 10,800’ (3300 m).  The terrain was snow covered with day time temperatures up to the 60’s F (16 C) and night time temperatures down to near 0 F (-16 C).