One of the main purposes of this Expedition is to find the ultimate equipment and system for long-term travel. Our equipment is tested in rugged, extreme conditions and we have found that only the best can stand up to life on the trail. If an item doesn't work out or the company does not stand behind their product, it is discarded. This chapter contains information for those who want or need the best on the trail.

The Real Goods Trading Company specializes in renewable energy. Real Goods is taking the leading edge, providing products and methods to maintain a cleaner, healthier environment. The products they carry make it possible to live off the grid with solar, wind and water power. Real Goods is a major sponsor to the Expedition and a great help to us in promoting alternative energy.

Real Goods recently joined forces with Jade Mountain under the banner of Gaiam Energy Technologies, a division of Gaiam, Inc., to become the world's largest provider of renewable energy systems. I've been a faithful customer since 1989 and swear to the quality and reputation of this company. Many thanks to the Real Goods Technical Team for guiding the Horseback America Expedition into the 21st Century.

Our shelter of choice is The North Face VE-25 Expedition Tent. This has basically been our home for several years. Only the best could hold up to the rigors of continual outdoor living. This tent has been through the blinding blizzards of the Rockies, Cascades and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges. The North Face down jacket and Bigfoot sleeping bag makes the coldest, dreariest nights cozy.

The Moonstone outer shell jacket has proven to be the ultimate in resisting wind and water. We have conquered driving rains, blizzards and high winds with the help of Moonstone.

Radio Shack products are a large part of the electronics array. Every town has a Radio Shack, which helps when replacing worn out components or making changes to the system. Some of the equipment we use is the DX-396 Shortwave, Pro-51 Scanner, Portable Shortwave Antenna, Electronic Sensorlab Kit, Strobe Lights, 12 volt gel seal batteries and much more.

SONY is our choice for sound system components and should be a major part of the technical side of the Expedition soon. The impressive rich sound of their products brings home quality to the wilderness.

Entertainment on the trail is not just electronics but good books are also part
of the entertainment. One inspiring book, Long Way to Los Gatos, was written by
Verne Albright, who had traveled from Peru to the USA with Peruvian Paso's.
This is an exciting and a must read book. I recommended it to the fullest!

The MSR International camp stove has not only been with the Expedition since the beginning, but also with me for many years before when I was an obsessive backpacker and mountain climber. This stove is lightweight and can burn 4 different types of fuel. It is rugged and easy to repair in the field.

PUR Water Purifiers and Filters use cutting edge technology to keep our water safe on this trip. We were forced to drink out of mud holes where we had to wade through mud and cow manure just to reach the muddy water. I would only trust PUR products to purify such horrid water for drinking. I have a PUR Scout on board. PUR makes water filters for every need, including home and boat.

Thor MX clothing is now the riding outfits we have chosen and boy are we happy
with them! The Fox outfit I had was just not holding up to the rigors of the
trail due to the sparse use of quality materials in Fox clothing. We have
discovered through our research that Thor is by far superior to all other dirt
bike clothing. We can't say enough about Thor's craftsmanship and rugged
quality! Check out their website at www.thormx.com.

The pack saddle used is a Make-P, made by C.P. Saddlery of Idaho Falls. This saddle is self-fitting and has been used on many different types of horses, from a Clydesdale to a Peruvian Paso. The pack saddle we use is designed by an innovative, expert packer who hails from Idaho.

Horseback America Expedition is always looking for products providing ultimate durability and innovative advances in design and technology. Please contact us if you would like any additional information on the time-tested, quality products we use.