Review of DiCAPac WP-S10

I have been looking for a way to carry my camera on the deck of my kayak that won’t cost me thousands of dollars for awhile now.  I thought the DiCAPac WP-S10 waterproof camera bag would be my salvation.  It has worked well for a bag that cost under $100 but getting there was a less than a confidence boosting experience.

I like to take photos and lots of them, I also enjoy kayaking, but getting the two together can be very costly.  I tried using a waterproof pouch from SeaLine for my phone, thinking I would use the camera on it.  The pouch worked great, the problem is the phone, and no matter what you do you are still using a very small sensor and getting only jpeg images.  Not the type of photography I enjoy.  A dive housing is another option, if you’re made out of money.  I don’t need to be able to take my camera to 100ft below the water and I don’t have the three grand it cost to buy one either.  I only want to be able to take photos in shallow water and it stay dry while I'm paddling.  The DiCAPac seemed like a great option, it is $85 from B & H Photo and guarantied to 16 ft .

This summer we bought my daughter a kayak for her birthday and we took her on a trip for her to try it out.  This isn’t the wilderness adventure of a lifetime but it was my daughter’s first trip so it was one that will never happen again and I wanted lots of photos.  My kids surprised me by getting me a DiCAPac for my birthday and giving it to me a little early, like the day before we left on my daughter’s trip.  After opening it I did read the instructions (that usually doesn’t happen) and tested it as per the instructions before putting my camera in it.  To my surprise it failed!  One of the welded seams was not welded properly and water poured in.  The good people at B & H Photo took care of me and replaced it but there was no way I was going to have it for my trip.  There is the major issue I have with this camera bag; I didn’t get a dime for being their quality control.  If you make a product that is going to protect thousands of dollars of equipment from water test it before putting your name on it.  It would be well worth paying $100 to $120 if I knew it had been factory tested before I bought it.

The second bag I got passed its test fine and a field test where I did two wet exits/self rescues and 15-20 rolls in my kayak.  My camera stayed perfectly dry which I am happy with.  I did install Velcro into the inside of the barrel then put the other side of the Velcro on my lens hood, putting the hood on backwards while in the bag.  This keeps the outer lens cover close to my lens for sharper images.  You must have an internally focusing lens for this to work.  I didn’t come up with this idea but read it on the reviews of the bag on B & H Photo’s web site.  I use my D300 with a battery grip in the bag and it is a tight fit.  I must take the lens off and put it on the camera through the lens barrel of the bag to get it on.  Thank god I have small hands.  I don’t find this a problem since I want the thing to fit tight.  If it just dropped in manipulating the camera would be impossible.  The bag did come with three micro-cell foam spacers to shim up your camera but I don’t need them for my setup.

As for manipulating the camera you must think out your settings before hand.  The controls are not easily accessible through the built in finger pockets so some ‘fore thought is required.  I put my camera on aperture priority and all is good.  The quality of the shots through the outer lens cover, a hard plastic, was very good.  They are not as good as through a dive housing, of course, but they meet my expectations and I think I will get outstanding adventure photos from it.  I also put a couple of silica packs in the bag to keep any moisture down and I carry a small piece of Pack Towel to wipe off the lens before shooting.  One thing I am working on is a bungee or retractable leash to attach it to my kayak.  I have been using the neck strap that comes with it but it is a pain as it is always in the way.

All in all I do think this is a good cost effective way to keep your camera dry while in the water, just test it first.  As with any product it works much better when you know its limitation and you don’t expect it to perform beyond what it is designed to do.  I will always test the bag before using it, but other than my bad experience with the first bag I am happy with the product, I wish I could be excited about it but I’m not.

Mile Stones

Most trips you will never forget but some will be ingrained into your memory as something special.  Taking my daughter to Chain-o-Lakes State Park this summer was that sort of trip, mile stones and memories were made.

When I was around 10 my dad started a tradition with me of doing something special for my birthday, just the two of us.  For several years we took a canoe trip, we would leave in the morning on the canoe trip and then camp that night.  The trip was through a local outfitter and we camped at the outfitters campground; that was my introduction to wilderness travel, which has become a life long love and passion.  This wasn’t a trip to the Boundary Waters but it was special to me all the same.  It has become important for my wife and me to start this tradition with our children.  Since my wife and I both love to do things outside we decided that it would be a trip with just that child and the other child would stay with grandma and grandpa.

Our daughter has been saving any money for about a year and a half to buy a kayak. So my wife and I decided it was time to “recycle” the birthday trip my dad had started 30 years ago.  She had saved about half of what she needed for a kayak and met our requirement that she start to learn how to swim so we paid for the rest of the boat and planed our trip.  I also made her a Greenland paddle in just her size.  I’d like to think that she wanted the paddle because dad uses a Greenland paddle or the since of tradition and history it represents but no she wanted it because I could stain it purple.  I’ll take what I can get and teach her about the rich history of traditional paddling later in life.

After making multiple trips to Nurpu River and Mountain supply and discussion with the Kevin, and Garry about what kayak was right for her she had her boat, PFD and a custom purple Greenland paddle.  I also bought a tow rope so when she got tried we could get her back safely and she would still enjoy the trip.

We packed our camper and headed to Chain-o-Lakes.  Our first day out we told her after we paddled a little we would go to the beach and she could play around.  That was all that was on her mind so not much paddling happened.  At the beach we let her play and swim; also we worked in a few wet exits.  I think this a skill that is essential for kayaking, knowing how far your boat will go before it goes over and having the confidence that you can remain calm and get out are as important as knowing which end of the paddle goes in the water.  We started by holding the boat and letting her jump out, by the end of the two days we were there she was flipping the boat completely over and swimming out.  We also attached both of our paddle floats to her paddle and let her play around with them.  She started to learn what it takes to climb over the paddle which will translate into self rescue later.

Over the coarse of a couple of days of paddling she got to see a muskrat swim by her boat, a beaver lodge, and slides created by river otters.  Knowing the kind of kid she is this just translates into a deeper love and appreciation of the outdoor world.  It also meant she wanted a kayak themed birthday party complete with a kayak themed cake but that is a whole other story in what a parent will do for their children.

While at camp she reached another mile stone.  She decided she wanted to ride her bike without training wheels.  We had attempted this several times before with disastrous results.  So after a long day of paddling she decided to try.  The training wheels came off and we started our first attempt.  Within three steps she was out of my hands and flying through the grass around the campground on two wheels!  I think it was an hour later before we actually got her to stop riding and take a break.  It all just came together.  I guess this trip was one of those times that you see your child grow up right before your eyes.  Since I was in Afghanistan the first year of her life I missed all of the first year mile stones.  I’m glad I’m able to reach these mile stones with her and I won’t forget them.

Now my youngest son’s birthday is in February and we are trying to figure out what special trip we should do for him, maybe climb Mt. Washington?  Ok maybe I’ll wait a few years for that since he’s only 4.

My Old Trusty Stove

Sometimes you have a piece of gear that you know should be replaced but despite all practical reasoning you just can’t do it.  My MSR XGK II stove is that way.  It’s not that I even need to replace it since I have a Whisper Lite and a MSR Pocket Rocket.  I know I should be carrying the lighter Pocket Rocket but I don’t.

As a product of working in the outdoor industry for 11 years I have a stove for all reasons and seasons.  The XGK II was bought when I was doing a lot of winter camping and mountaineering.  It was also my ultimate safety net; as a long range surveillance team leader I carried the stove during the winter.  There were many times we couldn’t take the driest route to an objective.  If any of my Soldiers started to go down on a training mission do to cold, wet weather I knew I could fire up the stove and get warm fluids into them.  The stove shows the wear from being in my rucksack for at least 25 to 30 parachute jumps and as many if not more training missions.  I also carried the stove in my bail out bag while I was in Afghanistan.  It’s robust build and ability to burn anything remotely flammable was my safety net if I ever found myself on the “run”.  I knew I could count on it to boil water quickly if need so I could survive.  Do to the parachute jumps, training mission and time in Afghanistan the stove is no longer round and the burner doesn’t sit straight but it still burns like hell.

My XGK II has also never failed to work no matter how crappy the fuel.  The only problem I’ve ever encountered was do to operator error (me being the operator) not the stove.  I cracked the pump housing while in Afghanistan.  So when I got home and before heading to Mt. Washington for a winter climbing trip I rebuilt the pump using the housing from my Whisper Lite.  Ready to go on the trip I made a huge mistake and didn’t do any pre trip inspection and test of the stove.  If I did I would have figured out that the fuel tube fit really tight into the pump and might need a little bit of chap stick to lube it up.  So while in sub zero temps I thought the tube and housing didn’t fit.  Everything worked out as the nice folks at the Harvard cabin let us use the stove in the cabin.  I still felt like a tool for not checking everything first, like I know I should have.

So while I know I should carry my lighter stove I can’t give up the old trusty XGK II.  It is like an old friend that you meet every year for a backpacking trip.  You spend more time sitting around camp passing the flask recounting past adventures and planning for new ones than actually hiking.  It is that old friend that I know I can count on.

Last Run for Winter

I knew this was going to be one of the last days of dog sledding for the year.  Other than a warm spell around New Years we’ve had snow on the ground since the first of December so I really couldn’t complain.  It was late February in central Indiana and much more snow just wasn’t going to happen.  I was going to enjoy the day and savor being out with my two dogs and my 3 year old son who was fast asleep inside the sled bag, his sleeping bag keeping him warm.

This day had started out like many others I’ve had since late September when the temperatures started to drop; after dropping my 6 year old daughter off at Kindergarten we would head to the trail and train.  Our trail is a local park that has two main loops of 2 and 3 miles respectively and several connector trails.  At first training was with my mountain bike and kid trailer, the dogs pulling us up to 15 miles then when the snow started to fly it was the dog sled for a 5 mile run.

This day was above freezing so with our dogs being accustom to the cold I had to be careful that they didn’t get over heated.  I would stop at several points along the trail for the dogs to eat some snow and take a few minutes to cool down.  Part of the trail goes through an Indiana prairie so it is pretty wide open and not very interesting for the dogs.  Right before we head back into the squirrel heavy, winding wooded section of the trail that my dogs love I stopped them to cool down.  I walked up and just sat down in the snow with my dogs and I remembered why I love being out in the woods during winter.  The silence was only broken by the gentle pant of the dogs.  After a few minutes I gave both dogs a good rub, walked back to the sled, and told the dogs “Let’s go”.  With the sound of runners cutting through the soft snow, collars jingling, and dogs panting we were off.

The run through the woods was kept lively due to a couple of squirrels running across the trail and safely up a tree.  Near the end of our run is a section of trail the dogs don’t like or at least they don’t like to pull through there.  I’m not sure what it is but no matter what direction we run on that section of trail they just shut down.  By now I know this and I’m ready to walk.  As we enter this slow section Ozzy our lazy but alert dog perks up so I know there’s something out there.  To my surprise a deer jumps up from bedding in the tall weeds and runs parallel to the trail, just the motivation my little teams needs to make quick work of their least favorite section of trail.  As we round a left hand sweeper to the section I call the drag strip we are keeping up a good pace.  The drag strip is a nice long straight section before our last right hand turn and back to the trail head.  The dogs know that frozen hot dogs and lots of water are just around the next bend so they always pull hard hence the drag strip.

As we near the end of the drag strip I start to set up the sled to make the last tight right hand turn and a squirrel leaps out and runs straight down the trail.  There is no stopping these two dogs.  The squirrel isn’t smart enough to make a 90 degree turn off the trail and after a winter of pulling the brake has little effect in stopping the dogs.  I hang on and try to get them to stop.  They do stop right before the squirrel hits the safety of the tree line Kenai our little 2 year old pulling machine (little as in 50lbs malamute) nails him.  She may be a puller but she’s no killer, Ozzy who we rescued after his stupid owner let him run free and didn’t understand why he was killing the neighbor’s chickens, is our highly efficient killer.  Kenai got the squirrel to low on the back and the squirrel got her.  Her inefficient strike allowed the squirrel enough room to swing around and grab a hold of her muzzle.  She lets go of the squirrel but he doesn’t let go of her!  At least it gave Ozzy enough room to go in and break its back.  This all happened in the time I could leave the sled and run up to the dogs.  I kicked the squirrel free from the dogs and pulled them from the kill zone.  Not knowing if all the blood on the snow was from Kenai or the squirrel.  The squirrel crawled off with only the use of his front legs, I don’t like leaving an animal to die a slow death so the thought of giving him the death blow with boot ran through my mind.  The worry about the condition of my dog and not wanting my 3 year old, that was now awake, see me stomp a squirrel to death over powered how I felt about the squirrel’s slow death.  I wheeled the dogs around and headed for the truck which was only about 200m away.

Once at the truck I cleaned up Kenai with some snow and found there were only 3 or 4 small bites on her muzzle so I felt much better.  After cleaning her up, getting the dogs a snack and water we loaded up for the drive home I called the vet and arranged to get a round of antibiotics for Kenai.  The vet also briefed me on what to watch for to make sure is was ok.

Once back home and everything was settled down and cleaned up I realized even though the end hadn’t been what I would have wanted it was a darn good year of dog sledding.

Kayaking in Indiana

For years when I worked in the outdoor industry customers would see the "sea kayaks" up on the wall and ask "where can you use that?"  It was always a tough sell to people that thought kayaks are cool but thought where would I use one in Indiana?  My first question would always be how many rivers did you drive over to get here?  Indiana may not be Alaska or Washington but we do have plenty of paddling and Lake Michigan does touch Northern Indiana.  What we do have is tons of reservoirs that are a pleasure to paddle even though you aren't in the wilds of Alaska.  Most of our reservoirs offer great day paddling and Lake Monroe is big enough to do over night camping trips to get that much needed experience for bigger and better water.  Winter paddling with wind and high water can be quite sporting and build your experience base of foul weather paddling with out taking your life in your own hands.  Our rivers are easy and access to the White River in central Indiana has increased greatly in the past 10 years.  A great day of paddling can be had on many of our rivers with any size boat and most don't require that much experience.  I think one of the jems  of our state is Chain-o-Lakes State Park (CLSP).  This small park near Ft. Wayne is truly a paddlers paradise, that is for Indiana.  The multiply small lake are linked together by canals left by the last ice age that create about 6 miles of water ways from one end to the other.  Starting at one end and paddling to the other and back is a nice way to spend the day.  Only one or two of the lakes allow motorized water craft and then only trolley motors so you won't be buzzed by a speed boat or mad fisherman.  There is even a canoe camp so you can make it a night if you would like.  One of the great things about this park is the wildlife.  On multiple trips we've seen most of what Indiana has to offer.  Of course dear are there but you will also see beaver and river otters, you might even see an osprey if your lucky.  My wife and I spent one afternoon watching a family of otters after one almost hit my boat.
While we don't have the great expanse of water our coastal or Great Lake states have Indiana can offer fun for the day trip paddler.  Experience gained on these more mild water ways can launch you to that big trip you've been dreaming about.  Remember to keep your mind open to what we have around us because as our life gets busy close to home is still getting out!

Still Making It Outside

So you’re the former adventurer still trying to make it happen but you have kids in tow. How do you still make it happen? It’s pretty easy but requires you to have a shift in your expectations, getting a mile down the trail may be a cause for celebration where your use to doing 10 or 15 in a day

Make sure you take a pack with diapers, snacks, and sippy cups. It will make life a lot easier. Remember you are responsible for their safety so have the proper gear for your self also, and have your camera. Getting your kids out on adventures will be something you will want to remember. Don’t worry it is normal for it to take longer to get you, the gear and the kids ready than you will actually spend outside, but it’s worth it.

You might also want to think about the adventures you do. I have been a cyclist for 20 plus years but really didn’t get back into it heavily until I had kids. I load up the bike trailer just after lunch when it is hitting nap time and we can go for an hour or two. My kids get their nap in the trailer and I get some exercise and time outside. Probably not the use Cannondale had in mine when they designed the Six13 racing bike but it works for me. The same thing works for me when the snow is flying. I enjoy dog sledding and a car seat fits perfectly into my sled bag. My son rides in the car seat, and sleeps, his sister rides the runners with me. She knows to grab on tight when we are making turns, other than that she has made up her own games that keeps her busy for the hour plus we are out with the dogs. Hand and toe warmers keep her comfortable but I have cut the runs short when it has just been to cold for her.

When we are hiking I always have my camera. Stopping to take photos gives both my kids some rest and a chance to just play. Planning lunch while we’re out gives them something special to do on the trip.

One thing I’ve noticed is how new a place is when seeing it through your children’s eyes. My wife and I have been to Kentucky’s Red River Gorge thousands of times. With our kids it is always new. It doesn’t matter if we are hiking or climbing they are seeing things for the first time and it is so exciting for them. It also helps me get over the fact that I can no longer climb 5.12 when I’m encouraging my children to climb. They may only get 5 feet off the ground but we all have a good time. On hikes we plan a destination, someplace with water they can play in is the best.

The last tip is to go no kids from time to time. My wife and I plan 1 or 2 “Mommy/Daddy” trips a year. They are only for a couple of days but they are refreshing. It usually involves kayaking, mountain biking or a winter backcountry trip something that is hard to do with kids.

I want to leave you with one last thought. A few years ago we were hiking in the Wind River Range, Wyoming. I was well ahead of my pregnant wife and our daughter who was jumping from rock to rock on the trail. A man and his older teenage daughter passed us coming down the trail with backpacks on. The man commented to wife how he remembers being in the same situation as we were then. He said to sick with it gets better and he and his daughter headed off down the trail.
So as they say on the TV show Dinosaur Train “Get out there and make your own discovery”.

To see more of my photography please visit my web site, Sean Underhill Photography, or become a fan of my Facebook page.

Welcome to Indiana Adventure Dad

Keller and Underhill Photography Blog has changed to Indiana Adventure Dad Blog. Why the change? Well there is enough stuff out there written about photography and to be honest I’m having trouble coming up with new material.
The new title shows where I’m at in my life and maybe share my experiences with others who struggle to fit everything in. There will still be plenty about photography since my camera is always with me but the focus will be more on getting out and enjoy the adventure.
When I was in my twenties I thought by the time I was forty I would have been to the Himalayas and climbed Denali. Back then I climbed every weekend I didn’t have drill or backpacked when it was to cold to climb and there wasn’t any ice to climb. I’m not forty yet, I still have a few months, but neither the Himalayas or Denali are going to happen any time soon; and I’m ok with that. What has gotten in the way? Life has gotten in the way. More specifically an all expense paid trip to Afghanistan, two kids and a real job. Now I’m a retired 1st Sergeant, Firefighter and most important stay at home dad when I’m not working. I still kayak, dog sled, backpack and once in a great while climb. All not as much as before kids and a real job.
So in my blog I will write about how I still get out and do things and how I manage with kids. My adventures now are scaled down but I have a couple of kids tagging along now. With that I am off to get the kids up so we can go dog sledding before the snow melts tomorrow.