The first mask I bought I could not use. The bar between the nose and the forehead hit my cro magnon brow. Once I switched to this one, I was ok.

So far, I have only gone once, so it didn't make sense for me to buy a stick yet. But as soon as I go someplace real, I'll be picking one up. Stay tuned.

I got these fins, whcih are more expensive because they had the split toes and that takes some pressure off of your fore leg and fore foot. If you're going to spend money, spend money.

This is one half of the set. It goes with a Farmer John that is also 7mm, so your core is bundled up in 14mm of warmth!

Why I bought it: I did my open water certification at Dutch Springs which can get cold.

This is one half of the set. It goes with a Shorty that is also 7mm, so your core is bundled up in 14mm of warmth!

Why I bought it: I did my open water certification at Dutch Springs which can get cold.

I love my crocs and I don't care how ugly they are.

It really doesn't matter what kind of board shorts you get. But in my humble opinion, they have got to be long, and they have got to be baggy. Billabong makes some good ones.

It really doesn't matter what kind of board shorts you get. But in my humble opinion, they have got to be long, and they have got to be baggy.

There's a gang of board short companies. Oneil is one of the oldest and most well known. They make anice pair of shorts.

I always thought these were silly, until I saw what the top of a waxed board looks like. It was then I completely understood why they call them rash guards! I didn't want my chest looking like swiss cheese so picked up one at a local shop in San Diego. You can get htem everyehere down there.

I really like this balm. Its very much like "Unpetroleum" that i took on Alaska trip and loved.

Grand Canyon Notes: Do not forget to bring lip balm on this trip. You will regret it if you do.

Mt Rainier Notes: If you have never been on a glacier in the middle of the summer, you can't really understand how important it is to have lip balm. I buy these 6 at a time every time I go to the camping store. I avoid chapped lips at ALL costs.

Bottom line, this is not ever an optional item. I have to have at least one on my trips. It's really water absorbant but rings out like a shammy and packs away dry right after you've used it on your whole body!

El Potrero Notes: Bring a camp towl because they don't have them readily available at the Posada.

Grand Canyon Notes: I'll bring my small towel just so I can wash my face, or if I want to go down to the river.

I like gel sunblock better than the normal lotion kind because I tend to sweat a lot and it lasts much longer. I also use bullfrog but couldn't find it this time around in the camping store.

Madawaska Notes: On this trip, I brought along the bullfrog sunblock, but for the most part, I barely ever used it. But I would definately lug it along in case you have that burnable skin type.

The Julbo Nomads are my favorite shades because of how closely they wrap around my face and their low profile. What I also liked about them was that they have plastic clip on side sheilds rather than the botton on leather ones.

Kilimanjaro Notes: I forgot them in the tent on summit day! But they worked great every other day!

Madawaska Notes: I went back and forth between using shades and not. in the end, I found that what i really wanted was just somehting to stop water going in my eyes, but clear. I'll get something for next time.

Grand Canyon Notes: Even though it was really bright, I usually don't use sunglasses unless I am driving or riding my bike. On this trip, I just squinted a little the whole time! :-) But I carried them the whole way just in case I needed them.