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Outside Magazine September 2001

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Thank You, Sir! May I Buy Another?

By Carol Greenhouse

Trust the U.S. military to know a thing or two about camping—it's what army guys do when they're not shooting at people. While the Pentagon has historically funded the development of backcountry staples such as freeze-dried food, in the past year or so, the Arlington, Virginia-based Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has been backing the following out-there outdoor gadgets.

The weapon: The Paratrooper Tactical Mountain Bike
The 29-pound aluminum frame folds to just over two by three feet. Montague Corporation ($650; 800-736-5348; www.militarybikes.com).

Warrior use: Montague says paratroopers with the Special Reaction Team at Marine Corps Base Quantico, 30 miles south of Washington, D.C., have been riding 'em on patrol at the base since last fall.

Weekend-warrior use: You are an army of one. Deploy yourself to Fruita.

Survey says. . . Chris Carmichael, Lance Armstrong's coach: "Think about what the Walkman did for music."

The weapon: MIOX Disinfection Pen
The four-ounce Magic Marker look-alike cleans up a gallon of agua fresca in 15 minutes through electrolysis. Due in early 2002 from MIOX Corporation ($100; 800-646-9426; www.miox.com).

Warrior use: Battlefield rehydration. MIOX claims the jarheads at Quantico have used it for a year.

Weekend-warrior use: Less pumping on the purifier—more pumping up the hill.

Survey says. . . Colorado Mountain School guide Dan Gambino is stoked: "It's almost like getting a kickback from your tax dollars."

The weapon: Nanoparticle-Based Solar Cell
An ultralight solar generator sewn right into your tent wall or backpack flap. Sorry, you won't see it in stores until 2004 or 2005.

Warrior use: Infantry at the Natick Soldier Center—a kind of high-tech war lab in Natick, Massachusetts—will be charging Palm handhelds and two-way radios with prototypes over the next few years.

Weekend-warrior use: A pack that powers a small electric stove. A tent that recharges a lantern. Fresh-blended juices for everybody!

Survey says. . . "On a beautiful day, solar's great," says Jeff Martin, operations manager for Rainier Mountaineering. "But if Mother Nature's not cooperating, I wouldn't stake my dinner on it."

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