50 Best Books for Boys and Young Men

As a boy, one of my favorite times in school was when we’d get a new Scholastic News book “catalog.” I would pour over the pages picking out which books I wanted and filling out the order sheet. And as soon I got them, I was lying under the covers with my nose buried in… Continue reading 50 Best Books for Boys and Young Men

Squawk Box Broadcast 012: Military, Expeditions and Conquering Fear

The Squawk Box Broadcast aims to highlight a few of the stories that have caught our attention recently. It’s also a way to broaden your horizons and explore new ideas. That Which I Love Destroys Me >> GORUCK Two elite warriors share their firsthand accounts of the struggles with returning home after fighting in the… Continue reading Squawk Box Broadcast 012: Military, Expeditions and Conquering Fear

The Story of a Blind Hiker, His Foray into Survival and What We Can Learn From It

The Tale Unfolds The man had been hiking for days on the Appalachian Trail. A master ultra-light camper steadily shuffling through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Equipped like his companions, his mode of travel and perception was unique. Limited eyesight made the world a colorful blur and his thick glasses allowed him to read only when… Continue reading The Story of a Blind Hiker, His Foray into Survival and What We Can Learn From It

Survival Techniques: Learning to Observe, Adapt and Overcome

Not too long ago, before Fastex buckles, SureFire flashlights and freeze dried Mountain House meals, a person’s survival was directly related to their skill and knowledge of their environment. The fur trappers who preempted the European expansion westward knew this better than most. In the early 1800’s, some of the most capable men were driven… Continue reading Survival Techniques: Learning to Observe, Adapt and Overcome

NEMO Equipment Tent Topographics: A Better Way to Visualize Your Next Tent

NEMO takes a lot of pride in their designs and how they come about. It all starts with the adventurous lifestyle of their staff and it’s often their experiences that allow the development of innovative solutions for common camping problems. In 2004, NEMO debuted their first generation of AirSupported Technology tents and immediately got the… Continue reading NEMO Equipment Tent Topographics: A Better Way to Visualize Your Next Tent

Being Found: How to Increase your Survivability by Understanding How Search and Rescue Personnel Work

When was the last time you were traveling and looked up only to realize that your real and perceived locations no longer matched? It’s a common and unsettling experience to say the least. In these moments, humans tend to use a combination of observational, logical and investigative techniques to reorient themselves and get back on… Continue reading Being Found: How to Increase your Survivability by Understanding How Search and Rescue Personnel Work

Squawk Box Broadcast 009: Internet Privacy, Adventure and the Unknown

The Squawk Box Broadcast aims to highlight a few of the stories that have caught our attention recently. It’s also a way to broaden your horizons and explore new ideas. The Birth of a Tool >> John Neeman Tools There’s a reason that hand crafted tools are treasured more than their mass produced counterparts. Working… Continue reading Squawk Box Broadcast 009: Internet Privacy, Adventure and the Unknown

ITS Invades Arizona during Overland Expo West 2014: Here’s our Recap and Photos

We’re back! After nearly a week on the road at Overland Expo West, we’re back in the shop and are excited to bring you a recap with tons of great photos from the event. Me, Mike, Eric and Kelly traveled over 1,900 miles with my FJ Cruiser and a 4Runner packed full of awesome, to… Continue reading ITS Invades Arizona during Overland Expo West 2014: Here’s our Recap and Photos

What We’re Reading at ITS: A Glance at Our Nightstands

“The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.” – Mark Twain The average reader of ITS may think we only read surplus U.S. Army Field Manuals or how-to’s on firearm maintenance and knot tying. However, the crew that makes up ITS is varied in both backgrounds and interests, which… Continue reading What We’re Reading at ITS: A Glance at Our Nightstands

Balancing Preparedness and Clutter while Living Efficiently in Small Spaces

Chances are, if you’re a regular reader of ITS, you enjoy a combination of recreational shooting, camping/hiking and are at least nominally self-sufficient. Each of those alone, even in moderation, require a fair amount of storage space. ITS readers and contributors are a fairly diverse bunch and more than a few of us live in… Continue reading Balancing Preparedness and Clutter while Living Efficiently in Small Spaces