Gear Closet: Petzl Reactik+ Headlamp

It seems all of our electronic gadgets are getting smarter these days. First came the smartphone of course, then tablet computers, and smartwatches too. Now, thanks to the the Reactik+ from Petzl, we can add "smart" headlamps to the list too.

What makes the Reactik+ so smart you ask? Well for starters, it comes with Bluetooth wireless technology baked in that allows it to connect to your smartphone and control its functionality using a special MyPetzl mobile app. That app gives users the ability to control the brightness of their lamp yourself, or tell it what type of activity you'll be doing, and for how long, which gives the device the ability to set its own brightness levels based on how much power is lift it is rechargeable battery. The app has preset profiles for sports like trail running, mountaineering, hiking, or simply just hanging out around the campsite. You can also add your own custom profiles as well, allowing you to dial in exactly the performance you need.

At its brightest setting, the Reactik+ can crank out as much as 300 lumens of light, which is plenty for just about anything you want to do outside. On that level, it the headlamp can run for about 2.5 hours, but you can adjust the burn time for 5 or 10 hours as well, and the lamp will automatically regulate itself to achieve that length of time. This ability to extend the life of the Reactik+'s battery comes in handy if you find yourself out on the trail for longer than you expected, or you don't have a handy way to recharge the device while in the field.


The Reactik+ has several different lighting modes to help you navigate through the darkness. For instance, it features a proximity beam that diffuse the light across a wider area, as well as a focused beam that acts as a bright spotlight for when you just need to see as far ahead as possible. Of course, it also comes with a red light mode, which is handy around he campsite when you don't want to burn out the retinas of your friends who are accompany you on your outdoor adventure.

Designed to be tough and weather resistant, I recently put this headlamp to the test on a backpacking trip to Bryce Canyon where the rain was coming down sideways. Despite those poor conditions however, the Reactik+ performed admirably, surviving some of the worst weather that part of the country has seen in years, and continuing to work well. After that experience, I feel confident that this light will work great in just about any weather, with perhaps the exception of extreme cold. Frigid temps can put a strain on the life of the built in rechargeable battery, although this is something that plagues most other headlamps too.

Other features of this headlamp that I really like include a washable headband, which is a must for those of us who live in warm climates and will run with this light on our heads. I also appreciate the ability to lock-out the power source, preventing the lamps from accidentally turning on while in our packs and running down the battery. Petzl has even given the headlamp the ability to use a standard battery pack that employs AA batteries for power instead. This battery pack is sold separately, but it is nice to have the option none the less.

In terms of performance, I love all of the technology that this headlamp brings to the table. It's "smart" features work great, and I appreciate its ability to dial in just the right level of lighting to get me through a long run or a night hike back to camp. The MyPetzl app is simple to use, connects to the Reactik+ quickly and easily, and is versatile enough to allow you to fine tune things to your own liking. My only complaint is that I wish it had Apple Watch support that would allow me to adjust the light's settings on the fly without having to retrieve my iPhone from my pack or wrist strap.

At $109.95, the Petzl Reactik+ is on the expensive side in terms of headlamps. But, if you're an active outdoor athlete who runs, bikes, climbs, or hikes a lot, you may very well appreciate all of the tech features that it brings to the table. As a gadget-nerd myself, I know I certainly do. However, if you're just looking for a very good headlamp that you can take with you on your adventures, the standard Reactik may be a better choice. It performs much the same way as the "+" model, but without the "smart" features. It also sells for $84.95, making it a bit less expensive. Either way, you'll get an excellent headlamp that is comfortable to wear, versatile to use in the field, and very powerful at lighting your way.

Purchase your Reactik+ at REI.com or CampSaver.com.


REACTIK + Bluetooth headlamp with Reactive Lighting Technology from Petzl-sport on Vimeo.

British Explorer Walking the Length of the Zambezi River in Africa

British explorer and adventurer Chaz Powell has embarked on quite an expedition. The experienced traveler and guide is in the middle of a journey during which he is attempting to walk the entire length of the Zambezi River in Africa - covering some 1600 miles (2574 km) in the process. His journey began in August in the Kalene Hills in North Western Zambia, where the source of the Zambezi lies. From there, his route will take him through Angola, Zambia and Mozambique where the river empties into the Indian Ocean.

Powell set out on what he calls The Wildest Journey last month, and has been making steady progress so far. In fact, just a few days back he posted that he had completed 1000 km (621 miles), which is about a third of the way towards the finish line. Along the way he has faced difficult weather conditions – including heat and humidity – , rough terrain, wild animals, and health issues, mainly due to dehydration and exhaustion. But, he has also trekked through some of the most remote and seldom visited sections of Africa, all the while sharing the experience on the expedition's Facebook page. That is a great place to get updates on his progress and see what it is like for him as he marches through this section of the world.

Chaz says that he expect the journey to take about six months to complete, and judging by his pace right now I'd say that he is pretty much on schedule to finish in that amount of time. That means he should reach the Indian Ocean sometime in early February, barring any unforeseen circumstances. Considering the challenges he faces along the way, injury or illness are certainly not out of the question, as is succumbing to exhaustion, equipment failure, or lack of supplies. So far however, he's been able to overcome or avoid those issues, and is pressing onward.

While The Wildest Journey is indeed quite an adventurous undertaking, Powell isn't doing it just for the safe of the journey alone. He's also using the expedition as a platform to raise funds for the David Sheperd Wildlife Foundation, an organization that is dedicated to saving endangered species in Asia and Africa. You can donate to that cause here.

Good luck to Chaz on the rest of his journey. I'll be following along with his progress and keeping tabs of how he's doing. Hopefully he'll reach the Indian Ocean safely and on schedule.

Backpacker Gives Us America's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes

When most of us decide to go for a hike we generally tend to hit local trails that are scenic, fun, and even relaxing. But not all trails fit that description, with many being down right difficult and demanding. Then of course, there are the ones that are actually quite dangerous.

That's the subject of a great article put together by Backpacker magazine, which takes a look at the 10 most dangerous hikes in the U.S. The list contains some iconic treks across the country, as well as some lesser known trails that have a reputation for being incredibly difficult. In fact, if you go unprepared on these hikes, you could get seriously hurt or even killed.

Some of the hikes that make the list include Bright Angle Trail in the Grand Canyon, which is known for being a challenging walk in hot conditions the often leaves those who aren't prepared dehydrated and exhausted. The Maze in Utah on the other hand will confound even the most navigationally savvy, while the infamous Mt. Washington in New Hampshire blasts hikers with its high winds, which tend to blow furiously all year round.

I won't give away the entire list, as the article is well worth a read by everyone. I will say however, that each of the entires definitely has an element of danger to it, which could cost the inexperienced and unwary their lives. Thankfully, Backpacker has some suggestions on how to avoid these challenges, and survive each of these beautiful but difficult hikes.

Check out the entire list here.

Trekking di Gunung RInjani Lombok

Wisata Gunung Rinjani dan Danau Segara anak tak bisa dipungkiri lagi keindahannya. Gunung tertinggi ke 3 di Indonesia ini merupakan kawasan taman nasional dengan luas 41.330 ha dengan puncak tertinggi 3726 mdpl menyajikan pesona luar biasa dan banyak dikunjungi wisatawan khususnya bagi yang menyukai petualangan. Nah, sebelum Anda melakukan trekking di Gunung Rinjani, sebaiknya Anda mempelajari