I camp all over Southwest Florida as I am currently stationed at MacDill AFB in Tampa, FL. As you may guess, I have been to the Everglades a few times. Montana is an annual, if not bi-annual destination of mine, being that my wife is from there. Every year, I hike, climb and camp in the Pintler Mountain Range near the Butte and Anaconda area. I have also been hiking and camping at Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks during my last two trips to Montana. Over holiday exodus last year, I took some leave and spent about a week in the backcountry of Smoky Mountains National Park. It was quite cold, but far less crowded than any other time of year. Believe it or not, I even managed to escape the strip of Las Vegas earlier this year in what was undoubtedly my favorite trip to date. I spent a couple of days trekking through some of the canyons and gorges at Red Rock Canyon National Wildlife Preserve. I absolutely love the landscape out there. I have kayaked, rafted, and hiked the Upper and Lower Gauley River in West Virginia. I just went rafting in the Salmon River in Idaho earlier this year as well. As of lately, I have been restricted to kayaking in the ocean and some mangroves of Florida, but I still find ways to make use of my kayak. I have done a lot of climbing in Montana at Lost Creek State Park. However, I visit the vertical ventures indoor climbing facility in Tampa to stay entertained. Being that I grew up in Ohio, I would say that the New River, Gauley River (both in WV), and Hocking Hills State Park (Ohio) are where I have done the majority of my hiking, climbing, and paddling.

When I can't play, it's likely because I manage to stay pretty busy with school and work. I am almost finished with my enlistment in the Air Force and have earned two Associates Degrees since I have been in (one is a liberal arts degree and the other is an electrical engineering degree). I just completed the coursework for both of these degrees and am taking a break from school at the moment. I have intentions of completing two years of school to obtain a BS in geology specializing in volcanology, but will certainly be putting that on hold if I am deemed Sierra Design's "chosen one" on facebook.

Reviews of Sierra Designs products:

Testing Waterproofness of Lava Jacket:

First impressions on the Lightning XT2:
1) Interconnected tent poles: I won't lose any unless I lose them all!
2) Mesh: I could take in the sights from inside the tent and stay cool(er) in warm weather.
3) Incredibly quick and simple pitching process. Will certainly save me time and spare the frustrations that typically coincide with tent pitching.

First impressions on the Cochise 15:
1) Seems to trap body heat very well.
2) Perfect fit: I had plenty of room to wiggle around inside and change sleeping positions.
3) Lightweight.
4) Easily compressible to fit in the stuff sack.