Name: John (Jack) Corrigan
Age: 40 years old
Gender: Male
Height: 5 feet 10 inches (1.8 meters)
Weight: 175 pounds (79 kilograms)
Torso: 20 inches (51 centimeters)
Email: jack@jackquest.com
Region: Fredericksburg, Virginia (Spotsylvania County)
Report Date: 13NOV2003
Background:: I have always been one to do the outdoor thing as compared to the organized sport thing. It started as a youngster in the Boy Scouts and continues today as an adult. The majority of my experience has been in Pennsylvania but I have hiked, camped or paddled in New York, California and even Alaska. I am also currently a volunteer search and rescue canine handler. Although search and rescue doesn't always result in an overnight or multi-day trip, I am required to be prepared, equipped and trained for it. Training a search dog results in many hours of trekking through the outdoors.
My "style" is best described as recreational camping, mid-weight backpacking (2-3 day treks), day hiking, flat water paddling, hunting and canine search and rescue activities. My last extended (more than 1 week) outing was the summer of 2001, as a volunteer for the Armed Forces Eco-Challenge in interior Alaska. I also include two of my four dogs in most of my outdoor activities.

Product Information:

Manufactured By: Watchful Eye Designs, LLC
Manufactured Date: 2003
Manufacturer URL: http://www.WatchfulEyeDesigns.com
Listed Weight: Not Listed
Delivered Weight: 4.5 by 7 bag- 0.2 ounces (6 grams) 6.5 by 6 bag- 0.3 ounces (8.5 grams) 6 by 9 bag- 0.3 ounces (8.5 grams) 12 by 12.5 bag- 1 ounce (28 grams): Note: Weighed on a digital 0-25 pound postal scale.

Additional Product Information:

Color: Clear with black lettering

Field Information:

Location:

For the most part, the proposed testing locations will be in the Mid-Atlantic region primarily northern Virginia and northeastern Pennsylvania. Base Camp VA (home) is conveniently located near many local, state and federal recreation areas. In addition the Appalachian Trail and Shenandoah National Park are only a few hours away. Base Camp PA (cabin), which is located in the Endless Mountain Region of Pennsylvania is also located near state parks and state forest areas, as well as lesser known trail systems such as the Loyalsock Trail.

Now that I am living in Virginia trips to our cabin are less frequent, maybe once or twice every three or four months. But Shenandoah National Park, Washington National Forest and Jefferson National Forest are soon to be regular trekking spots.

Description of Location:

The terrain of the proposed testing locations is varied, and ranges from flat low grass and lightly forested regions to mountain "elevations" of 200 to 3500 feet (60 to 1100 meters). Trail systems range from established foot paths to undeveloped logging roads and even the occasional bushwhack.

Weather Conditions:

This test series (initial report through long term report) will be conducted from approximately November through May.

I am not as familiar with the weather in Northern Virginia as I was with the weather in Pennsylvania. I am anticipating hot and humid conditions continuing into early fall, extended mild temperatures into early winter with brief cold periods during mid to late winter. Then again, I'm not a meteorologist! However, I am an all season, all weather tester and will record actual weather conditions in the specific test reports.

After some weather research I will offer the following sample temperature data points for the Upper Piedmont/Northern Neck region of Virginia:
November (47°F/8°C)
December (37°F/3°C)
January (35°F/2°C)
February (37°F/3°C)
March (45°F/7°C)
April (56°F/13°C)

Product Experience:

The Aloksak bags arrived in a basic manila envelope. A product brochure of the Watchful Eye Designs line, as well as an Aloksak specific information sheet (three pages) was also included. In addition to the eleven Aloksak bags, I was surprised to find two O.P.(Odor Proof) Sak bags. The O.P. Sak bags are not part of this test. The following Aloksak bag sizes and quantities were received:
4.5 by 7 inch (11 by 18 centimeter) bag- 2
6.5 by 6 inch (17 by 15 centimeter) bag- 2
6 by 9 inch (15 by 23 centimeter) bag- 3
12 by 12.5 inch (30 by 32 centimeter) bag- 3

The Aloksak bag is pretty much what I expected. The polymer material feels to be somewhere between a freezer storage bag and the thicker pvc type storage bags. It is smooth and folds without creasing. The only difference that I can tell between the sizes is the size itself. The material (patented super stretch, high-tenacity polymer), zip closure, and printed information appears to be the same.

The zip closure opens and closes easily, very little effort is needed. There is no need to manually align the two sides, just pinch between two fingers and slide. The printed text is only on one side and includes company information, open/closing instructions, approval/certification testimonials and a reusable/recyclable designation. There seems to be one discrepancy with the printed text in reference to the volume. The 4.5 by 7 bag does not have a volume printed. The printed volume on the 6.5 by 6 bag is 350 cubic inches (5736 cubic centimeters). The printed volume on the 6 by 9 bag is 60 cubic inches (980 cubic centimeters). The printed volume on the 12 by 12.5 bag is also 350 cubic inches (5736 cubic centimeters).

Now the fun begins, choosing what gear gets to be bagged for the next six months. I have a variety of things that I like to keep dry. There will also be that lucky piece of gear that gets to spend the test period down in our creek.

TEAM JackQuest
http://www.jackquest.com

Read more reviews of Watchful Eye Designs gear
Read more gear reviews by John Corrigan

Initial Report

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