I have always been one to do the outdoor thing as compared to the organized sport thing. In the Boy Scouts, I achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and hiked most the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania, bit by bit usually in 20-25 mile sections and participated in the usual camping experience. I also spent a summer in the Youth Conservation Corps building the first sections of the Thunder Swamp Trail System in the Pocono Mountains. Those were the days!

During my tour of duty in the US Navy, I was able to continue my outdoor ways while assigned to shore duty in upstate New York (just outside Saratoga). I camped in the Adirondack Mountains (that was my first chance to experience unexpected winter in October) and paddled the Battenkill River in Vermont several times. Sea duty on a submarine, however put a serious cramp in one's access to the outdoors.

The return to civilian life meant the return to the outdoors. After a short 2 year stay in Texas, it's just too dang hot down there, I still managed a few overnight trips in the Texas "hill" country. I returned back to the Keystone State before a chance to trek through Big Bend could be completed, maybe another time.

Recently I was a Quality Assurance Technician and a Park Ranger so enjoying the outdoors continues on. For a while I even got paid for it. I enjoy flat water canoe and kayak paddling. The relatively new activity of geocaching has also added to the outdoor experience for me. I continue with regular day hikes with dogs by my side. A cabin (known as base camp north)on four acres in the Endless Mountain Region of Pennsylvania has also opened up access to excellent state park and state forest land as well as the Loyalsock Trail. I should clarify that the term "mountains" is somewhat relative as the elevation doesn't push past 2500-3000 feet and our cabin is at 1500 feet. I am still amazed buy the fact that during a recent trip to Yosemite even the valley floor is at around 6000 feet. I envy those with access to "real" mountains!

I am also currently a volunteer search and rescue canine handler. This activity has resulted in the slow process upgrading of most of my gear. Let's just say that is still a work in progress! Although search and rescue doesn't always result in an overnight or multi-day trip, I am required to be prepared and trained for it. Training a search dog results in many hours of trekking through Penn's Woods.

Product Information:

Manufactured By: Therm-a-Rest (Cascade Designs)
Year of Manufacture: 2000
URL: http://www.cascadedesigns.com//
Weight: 14.6 ounces
Length: 72 inches
Width: 20 inches
Thickness: .75 inches
Folded Size: 5" x 5.5" x 20"
Available Retail: $34.95-$36.00

Field Information:

Mid-Atlantic Region primarily Eastern Pennsylvania as well as a trip to Interior of Alaska
Woodland camping areas and a glacial river bed
Temperature Range Mid 40's to upper 80's (Fahrenheit)

A military surplus wool blanket served as a makeshift pad and insulator for many years. To this day I still use one to protect my tent floor from dog nails. I took the big leap to a purchased a generic closed cell foam pad. Okay maybe not much of a leap! The foam pad served its purpose for a long while. However, I didn't really didn't like it since it was somewhat permanently curled from rolled up storage. Since I roll around a lot, once I moved off the pad it would curl under and end up sleeping by itself off to the side. It was time for a change.

The foam pad did the trick but the rolling and curling had to be remedied and the Z-Rest seemed to be the answer. The dimensions and weight were good and by golly it folded! The foam pad is sort of an egg shell crate design which appears to serve two purposes (at least in my mind). First the design helps in the compactness of folding because each folded section fits or interlocks with the next section. Secondly the Z-Rest doesn't seem to have the tendency to scoot out from under me during the night. This may also be because it lies flat right from the get go. The Z-Rest attaches nicely to a pack whether strapped to the top, side or bottom. I have not tried it as a support aid around the inside of the main storage compartment of my old Jansport Backpack. Something to think about for the next trip. If your sleeping spot is already naturally soft the folded up Z-Rest can fill in as a makeshift pillow. You can also open it into two equal "stacks" and use is as a camp seat.

I have been happy with the Z-Rest but I am considering a integrated sleep system upgrade when the time comes. That time is approaching fast. Although the Z-Rest is in perfect shape my Slumberjack has seen better days. I should also note that according to the manufacturer's website the Z-Rest has been improved for 2002 with dual-density laminated foams, Z-Rest is now softer on top, more durable on the bottom, and even lighter than before.

TEAM JackQuest

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