Rain Forest Water Lived It!
344977
Water arrived when needed by my family in PR. Taste was great very fresh.
4054871
Author Sy Montgomery and photographer Keith Ellenbogen join a group traveling up the Amazon led by aquarist Scott Dowd to learn about how the pet fish industry is actually helping the Amazon ecosystem and economy. Meet the people who catch the little tetras native to the Amazon and the village that even holds a festival in their honor every year.

I think everyone's knee jerk reaction to hearing about someone trapping fish and taking them away from their native environment to be pets is to fight against it. Scott Dowd actually says that was his first reaction too. But the science is showing that catching the fish is actually good for the fish and their environment, and the ability of the people to make a living catching these tiny fish is preventing them from turning to other occupations that would destroy the rainforest. So believe it or not, catching and selling these little fish lets them live longer and is saving the rainforest and the other creatures that live there. It really is an amazing story of an unusual ecological solution, and I'm glad Montgomery was able to create this book to get the word out. Ellenbogen's photos really help you get a better sense for what the Amazon is like since they didn't photoshop them and many have a dusty rosy tint. Montgomery's account of his one photo shoot made me shiver. Ellenbogen is a gutsy guy. I don't think I could what he did. Overall, a fantastic book that helps you really get to know a real village of people on the Amazon and understand a unique economic/ecological solution. It should make many readers want to go to their local pet shop and see if they can buy some of the fish these people have caught and support this effort (the fish have GI "geographical indication" status - look for R&iacute;o Negro tetras).

Notes on content: No language issues. Some of the outfits in the fish festival are basically bikinis with added decor. A documented case of a man who had a parasite swim up his urinary tract is mentioned, not shown. There's a fish autopsy photographed. The book addresses some common Amazon creature fears and a death or two are mentioned.
286135
Very satisfied!...for now. I am a pretty avid day hiker and after a long and hard search I settled on this day pack. It came in on Wednesday and I went on a weeknd hike that same week. The backpack performed very well. It was very wet and rainy the first day of the hike so I thought it'd be a great test run for it's waterproofing. I placed a pack of gum in the zip pocket under the top flap (yes, there is a zip pocket on the top and underside of the top flap which I really like) and after about a 10 hour day of hiking in the rain, that pack of gum was barely damp to the touch. The straps feel great, the backpack is very light and easy to stuff and go. Plenty of storage space, including a spot for your camelbak bladder. Great pack! I am excited to see how it stands the test of time.
1658752
I found this book looking on the internet, after a trip to the Napo River in my home country of Ecuador. Our guides had told us about a "crazy dude" who built his own raft and went to Brazil from Ecuador, down the Napo and Amazon rivers. I was amazed by this adventure, and had to find out more. I eventually found Henrik and his blog. What an amazing experience my friend! You are living life to the fullest, and I salute your courage and determination! Thanks for writing this book and sharing your experiences. Please, keep us posted on your new adventures to come!
2036663
Loved this pack!! Used it on my recent trip to Ecuador, and I was amazed at how much I could fit inside.. Its weightlessness was a real plus.  Then, when of my external water bottles leaked while on an internal flight within Ecuador, the contents of the pack did not get wet! I recommend this pack to any smart traveler!
2296351
This was my first pair of Outdoor Research pants, and I couldn't be happier! I have two pairs so far and would definitely buy more in the future. The pants were a tad baggy on me, but I like outdoor pants to fit a bit loose anyway. The pants held up great on wet hikes in the rain forest, kayaking in Costa Rica, and keeping the bugs off of me while still being light and comfortable. The pants are definitely water resistant. I had so much fun watching the water bead up and run off the fabric. And if you're like me and decide to venture into random rivers, streams, and oceans while wearing said pants, they will not feel too wet, heavy or bulky as they dry even after being completely submerged in water. I can't wait to use these for my summer field work in the desert! I'm sure they will work great in that climate too.
4801915
I was very excited to get this filter. I used it right away at a waterfall weekend and it proved to be very successful! Quality filter. I have recommended to many. It saturates color beautifully and I did not find a color cast problem with it. Exposures ranged from 1 sec to 30 seconds.
to see some of the waterfall pics take a look at www.facebook.com/thecameraqueen
4386660
Walked all through the rain Forest in Costa Rica and these were amazing! Even if they got a bit damp, they dried by morning, even in 100% humidity. Perfect cushion for long hikes. I loved these socks!!!
4028050
I bought the TETON Sports Scout3400 Internal Frame Backpack (Mecca Orange) right before my trip to Costa Rica. I was there for a week and carried the majority of my belongings (I had a bag for my computer). It was fantastic. For the longest I couldn't find the rainfly (at the bottom), and I couldn't find anywhere online to help me out. Apparently I had found out, but that it was part of another compartment. Anyway, the rainfly helped while trekking through rainforest and tropical environment.

I wish it would have come with a water bladder but then again I'm not too big a fan of those.

It wasn't heavy or hard on my back or shoulders. It even inspired my travel partner to get one. I love it. Can't wait to use it again.
326076
Worked great! We used our waterproof packs as a reservoir and hung it from a tree to create a shower station while camping in the Boundary Waters. We had another gravity-based portable shower too, but this one worked better and used less water over time.
4180619
My pond was over run with algae due to the substantial amount of rain we received in April. After double treatments of a combination of healthy ponds and blast I can finally enjoy watching my fish swim again.
3358134
WOW i am totally shocked how much water this holds and how quickly the water heats up! LOVE this and CAMPING in the WILD just got a lil more tolerable!!!
3957070
Was awesome! Used all our carry water up on our hike. Was able to filter water out of the waterfall stream so we had plenty for hike back down. Saved us!
3988685
I hiked a week with no water supply except what was running in the creeks and rivers of Mt. Rainier Ntnl. Forest. It is a wonderful item to take along on any hike.  I need to add that none of us had any stomach issues while out in the wilderness, this thing is great!!
592263
Purchased for a two month South American backpacking trip. Filter water from streams, creeks, sinks, you name it. My steripen is tried and tested. Saved me a ton of money and came in handy countless times. Must own for an outdoorsman or backpacker.
4157336
I started with 66 deg water on Friday and on sunday it is up to 76 and it has been cloudy and rainy so I would say this is a victory.
2047329
I Purchased this short for a weekend tropical forest trek, This short works great shed water strechable and fit right for me..