Iron Man Gear Awards

Well, after completing another 3000 miles in the Kayak I have some awards to announce.  These awards represent my tribute to gear that really just works.  It does what it does, never stops working, and is worth what ever investment you make in it.  Lots of gear is great, but this gear has really done amazing for me.

• Kokatat Dry Suit - I have worn my dry suit more days than I care to recount and it has been an amazing product.  What makes it even better is the company behind it, Kokatat, which works tirelessly to make sure their paddlers are in the best gear possible.  My dry suit has been with me for over 4300 paddling miles.
• Nigel Dennis Kayaks - Simply put the best expedition kayak on the market, bar none.  It is an amazing boat that will get you and your gear where you want to go.  I would paddle nothing else, it is really that simple.  The NDK Explorer is just a bomber boat, period.
• Superior Kayaks CF  Greenland Paddle - This paddle has been by my side the entire time I have been on the Odyssey.  Simply an awesome paddle that also does two other things extremely well. First, if you need to paddle in 'Stealth' mode, this is the paddle for you.  Secondly it does an extremely good job as a tarp pole!
• Watershed Ocee- The Watershed bags are simply bomber.  My bag has been with me the entire duration of the Odyssey and it has protected my valuable camera and lenses perfectly.  The bag is tough and durable, but more than anything it is the only 'true' waterproof bag I have ever seen. 
• Spot Messenger - To me this is how all electronics made for the out door environment should be made.  It is another one of those pieces of gear that just works, does what it is supposed to do, and just keeps working.  My Messenger has been with me the entire time.
• MSR Dromedary - These bags just work.  They hold your water and don't infuse any strange taste like some other bags do.  The exterior is tough, allowing you to do just about whatever you want with them.  They will even double as an air filled pillow.
• Sea to Summit spoon - My trusty spoon is probably my most prized item, allowing me to get every last ounce out of both peanut butter jars and nutella jars. 
• Timex Expedition Watch - Before heading off to AK last year my brother bought me one of Timex Expedition watches.  This watch has been either strapped to my boat or my PFD for every single mile I have paddled.  Its primary role has been to help me navigate using the chronograph feature for dead recokoning.  Once again this is a stellar example of how outdoor gear should be built.  It does exactly what it is supposed to do and it does it all the time.
• Rite in the Rain - I have been using their waterproof journals since the first day of my journey to chronicle my adventures.  Once again, simply a stellar product that does exactly what it advertises.  If you need to keep notes in a wet environmnet, then their products are what you want to us.