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TOPOGEAR NEWS
V o l um e 2 01 1, Is s u e 0 3 -04

M a r ch - Ap r i l 20 11

AFRICAN SKYLINE: COPYRIGHT 2011 DAVID PEREZ

TANZANIA Editorial: In the Feb 2011 issue. Trash

By David Perez Can Turkey Recipe. We like to give
Part 2 of the series. See the February 2011 credit where credit is due. One of our
issue for part 1 readers submitted the following history
on this cooking technique.
Garbage/Trash Can Turkey origi-
April 16th 10am-4pm nated in the mid to late 50's in Northern
Location: Casablanca Events Tent CA...credit is normally given to the Girl
See full page ad toward end of publication Scouts of that area and time frame...as
To reserve your vendor booth or receive the GSA moved to less rough and tumble
more info contact Carrie at 702-346-7091 settings for their outdoor activities the
or email cduclos@blackgaming.com method sort of slipped into the by and
by.
It stayed that way until the mid
80s..when a former GS from Northern
Ca and basically new BSA leader de-
Arusha Coffee Plantation
cided to try it out on a troop campout in
CT.
It has been taught at our Leadership
After an overnight stay at the Arusha courses for the last 20+ years and has
Coffee Plantation, we flew out in a single been even published in several local
engine Cessna Caravan toward Klien's cookbooks, as well as 1 or 2 Outdoor
Camp in the plains of the Serengeti. Out Magazines. One of which is "Woods
of our starboard window we could see the and Water" from the Southern states.
tallest, freestanding mountain in Africa Credit has pointed to the GSA and
disappearing in our wake. We flew close BSA for this recipe. In the past it has
to an impressive dormant volcano; don‟t been donated for use on many Hunting/
recall the name, sorry, and continued Cooking and outdoor sites, including
across expansive savannahs. We had no IDSO forums. If you would be so kind
idea what to expect as we touched down as to make an editorial Note giving
on a rocky dirt strip that was nearly a 2- credit to the GSA and BSA for the Rec-
hour drive from our lodge. ipe and method..
Our Tour Company, & Beyond
Travel, met us at the airstrip and we im- At the Silverton Casino, Las Vegas, NV Thank you,
mediately began our game drive adven- 3333 Blue Diamond Roan Ralph (Two Tales) Jackson
ture. Las Vegas, NV 89139
APRIL 8th & 9th Editor: Well said. We find the history
See full page ad toward end of publication very interesting. Our hats are off to
(Continued on Page 2, Col 2) whomever the original cook was!

Material, articles and images contained within this Newsletter publication including subsequent pages may not be copied, reproduced, or otherwise
used for other purposes without written consent of TOPOGEAR. All images are considered Copyright by TOPOGEAR or the images owner.

1

See full page ad toward end of publication
Mesquite, Nevada Apr 16th, 2011
See Full page ad
To reserve your vendor booth or receive
more info contact Carrie at 702-346-7091 or
email cduclos@blackgaming.com
A TOPOGEAR SPECIAL
Compass w/ Light & Whistle Combo
Email us for a special bulk rate to supply your
scout troop or organization at little over cost +
shipping. Buy on an order over $75 and re-
ceive free shipping.
sales@topogear.com
TOPOGEAR is always looking for reader
interest stories. Please submit your story, trip
log, photos, recipes and humor. Subjects on
Climbing, Paddling, Cycling, Backpacking,
Horses, Search and Rescue, travel destinations
and more! Send material to:
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TANZANIA, AFRICA From Page 1, Col 1
On route to the lodge in our diesel powered
Land Cruiser, we were greeted by herds of ele-
phants, giraffes, zebra, gazelle, wart hogs (called
Pumba like in the Disney movie), wildebeest and
various bizarre species of birds... and that was
only in the first couple of hours of our trip before
we‟d even driven onto Kline‟s private game pre-
serve!
Our trip was broken into 4 legs over a three-
week period. We began at Klien's Camp, moved
to the Lake Manyara Tree House Lodge (it liter-
ally was a group of beautiful and posh tree
houses). We then made our way to Ngorongoro
Crater Lodge (the largest volcanic crater on
Earth) and a place where our resort dwellings
looked like something Bilbo Baggins of Lord of
The Rings should be welcoming us to… but ex-
tremely upscale to be sure.
Goro’s Hobbit Holes
Some of the highlights of our trip (and there
were many) were the big cats (lions, leopards,
cheetah- known as Duma in Swahili) and of
course, the huge herds of elephants known as
Tembo. While on safari one morning we were
fortunate enough to stop within 50 yards of a
heard of 30 or more of these awe-inspiring
pachyderms. We watched adults, juveniles and
several babies while they ate and interacted with
each other in the tall grasses surrounded by a
grove of heavily thorned acacia trees (very simi-
lar to the kiawe trees introduced to the Hawaiian
islands by early missionaries). We could smell,
hear, and at times even feel the sounds the herd
made as they foraged less than a 100 feet from
our vehicle. Amazing!.
On the last day of our Klien's Camp safari we
planed to visit one of the nearby Maasai villages.
The Maasai are a proud, colorful, and noble
people that mainly raise cows, goats and live in
small fenced compounds called bomas. They
drink cows blood (to avoid killing their cattle)
mixed with milk. Quite delicious… or so I was
told by the tribe!
! Their homes, designed and built by the
women, (their women do nearly all of the work)
are made of woven sticks that are then covered in
wet, cow dung and allowed to dry to form well
insulated rigid walls resembling stucco or mud
huts.
Continued on Page 3 Column !
2
 From Page 2 Column 2
The amazing thing is that there is no odor in
or around any of the dwellings. They are rela-
tively clean and neat inside with a packed dirt
floor, low ceiling and a small open fire that
vents through a very tiny window. It is a mod-
est house that also houses their goats at times.
There have been many books written about the
Maasai but there is nothing like spending an
afternoon with them to get to know and appre-
ciate their kindness, culture and humanity.
Our next hop took us to Lake Manyara where
we stayed in an astoundingly plush and large
tree house in the land of famous “tree lions”
and “bush baby hell.” If you‟ve never spent the
night near a crying baby, you can‟t imagine
what bush babies sound like… they are small,
malevolent, nocturnal, lemur like creatures that
spend their evenings climbing near the tree
houses torturing its‟ occupants until just before
A TOPOGEAR SPECIAL
Compass w/ Light & Whistle Combo
Email us for a special bulk rate to supply
your scout troop or organization at little over
cost + shipping. Buy on an order over $75
and receive free shipping.
sales@topogear.com
TOPOGEAR is always looking for reader
interest stories. Please submit your story, trip
log, photos, recipes and humor. Subjects on
Climbing, Paddling, Cycling, Backpacking,
Horses, Search and Rescue, travel destina-
tions and more! Send material to:
sales@topogear.com
sunrise. What fun! They really are cute
though.
The lions, actually lionesses, put on a tree-
climbing extravaganza we will never forget. At
one point we were just below them when they
chose to display some dominant aggression on
a large tree branch . It lasted for a couple of
seconds then they relaxed and went back to
looking for game in the wetlands below their
perch.
Wow! The birds and hippos surrounding the
lake were abundant and spectacular to watch.
At one of the viewing pools, we saw well over
45 hippos dozing on land and sunning them-
selves. Almost on queue, in a mass beach exo-
dus they slowly eased into the muddy ponds to
cool down and relax. Tens of thousand of peli-
cans, flamingos and other birds soared over-
head and landed in trees while others strutted in
shallow water gathering food. It was all quite
surreal to say the least.
Follow David‟s African adventure series in the
next issue of the TOPOGEAR Newsletter. Say
good-bye to the Bush Babies and on to one of
the Natural Wonders of the World,
Ngorongoro Crater . tain House, MSR Tents, and Therm-a-rest..
3
You may contact David through our email
sales@topogear.com
David‟s phenomenal photo‟s are available,
reproduced in art quality, on canvas. The
images in this publication are low quality to
keep file size and downloading time to a mini-
mum.
Havasu Falls Backpacking Trip
Pre Trip Planning
Our TOPOGAR 2nd Annual Havasu Falls
backpacking trip is officially on. We have
secured the required permits/reservations to
enter the Havasupai Reservation.
We are still open to gear manufactures that
would like to have their gear along on the trip
for testing and trip report evaluation, advertis-
ing logo photo shots, etc. Contact us through
our generic email at: sales@topogear.com
Most of our team„s goal is a 25lb total pack
weight, for the 5 day trip.
Welcome aboard Gossamer Gear. Our
hats (or should we say “our packs?”) are off to
Grant , at Gossamer Gear. He fixed up one of
the team members with a Mariposa Plus pack
of the appropriate size, and the matching belt
size. Thank You for your personal attention.
We contacted Gossamer, since last year a Gos-
samer Gear pack also went. Our team was so
impressed we wanted another. Two Mari-
posa‟s will be making the trek this year.
Mariposa Plus Ultralight Backpack
The Mariposa™ Plus continues the ultralight
backpacking revolution with the same in-
credible array of important features at a
weight of just over a pound! This is the same
great pack as the original but constructed of
ripstop nylon for added durability while keep-
ing the weight penalty to about 3 ounces.
We've also made the side pockets bigger and
beefed up the interior stay pockets to make
them more sturdy. For those of you who
prefer a more "stealth" color scheme it comes
in a light Sage. Other products chosen to
make the trip, but not sponsored are Moun-
The trip comes up in May 2011.
 RECIPE OF THE MONTH
TOPOGEAR‟s

March-April Recipe

Family Recipe

Easy Chicken Fried Mushroom Steak

1 1/2 lb round or Sirloin Steak

Salt
Pepper
Flour
1/2 Diced Onion
2-3 Tbsp Oil or fat

Cut Steak into serving sizes, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then dip
in flour to coat steak. Fry steak and onion in oil until steak is golden
brown on both sides. Retain the drippings.

1 Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup (undiluted)

1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
Small can of sliced, or pieces, mushrooms

Mix the Mushroom Soup, sliced mushrooms. and Worcestershire The TOPOGEAR Outdoor Recipe Page
Sauce together and dump over the steak. Outdoor Cooking Recipes
Cooking Tips & Tricks
Cook covered with moderate heat (mostly on the top) until steak can
be cut with a fork (1 to 1 1/2 hours) (Send them to us!)
Send us your recipe and photo of your prepared item to
Serve with rice or potato, and veggies. appear on this page. See rules off our Home page at
http://www.topogear.com
Email to sales@topogear.com

Dutch Oven Heat “Three Up-Three Down Rule

It is better to place more coals or briquettes on the lid of

the Dutch oven. Many Dutch oven cooks follow a simple
three up, three down rule. Measure the diameter of your
Dutch oven and add 3 to estimate how many briquettes to
place on the lid. Take 3 away from the diameter measure-
ment and this is the number you need to place under the
Dutch oven.

TOPOGEAR is always looking for reader interest stories. Please
submit your story, trip log, photos, recipes and humor. Subjects
on Climbing, Paddling, Cycling, Backpacking, Horses, Search
and Rescue, travel destinations and more! Send material to:
sales@topogear.com
If you have a 12 inch Dutch oven. 12 + 3 = 15. Place 15
briquettes on the lid of your oven.
12 - 3 = 9. Place 9 briquettes underneath your oven.
This should give you an approximate oven temperature of 350°
F. Each two additional coals will give you about 20° F more heat

4
. TOPOGEAR is carrying a new line of Fine
Jewelry.

We are specializing in new 925 Sterling

Silver and Semi precious gemstone Jewelry.
The photo above is some current examples.
We wish to offer something affordable to
all. We hope to find and offer items under
the $200 retail range, with many under the
$100 mark.

We offer a selection that will be ever chang-

ing. We are able to buy direct from our
distributor and many of our items are indi-
vidually hand selected when being pur-
chased.
These items will soon start showing up on
the TOPO site so check back often. We also
have large selections of used and vintage
Jewelry. This stock is also changing con-
stantly. Currently we have a large stock of
vintage Rhinestone jewelry.
If you are looking for a specific item that
we do not show, please email us for a list of
the latest inventory.

PREPARE RECIPE CONTEST

Meyerco Tactical Folder
We have a winner for our Monthly News-
Then
letter RECIPE Contest. The Monthly winner
SHARE
is sent a FREE Gift. Contest is extended to
Prepare Then Share provides delicious,
future issues. Have your entry submitted by
high-quality food storage, preparedness
the 15th of a month, for judging/publishing/
products and information that helps pre- G10 Tactical Folder (MATCMDH)
winning consideration in the following months
pare individuals, families and communities
newsletter. *440 Bead Blasted Blade
for the unexpected. We then provide op-
A FREE “gift” is going out to our winner.
portunities and avenues for them to share
See the TOPOGEAR rules and submission *Easy One-Hand Opening
with others. Our nationwide network of
form at the TOPOGEAR Home Page Find it
humanitarian entrepreneurs educate cus-
in the left menu Contest Win Free Stuff. Also
tomers on emergency preparedness, while “MAIR” Dutch Oven Lid Lifter
join our FACEBOOK Dutch Oven group if
helping them identify their food supply
you aren‟t already a member.
needs – whether that‟s 72-hours, 3 months Prize size is 9 inch only
We are changing some of the contest rules
or even a year‟s worth of food products.
starting with subsequent issues. The Contest is
now open to recipes for both Dutch Ovens and
www.preparethenshare.com/eaglelanding
BBQ/Outdoor Cooking.
There are now a choice of 2 prizes. A Mey-
erco G10 Tactical Folding knife, or a 9 inch
Your Distributor
Dutch Oven Lid lifter. Winner gets to select
Jimmy Dart
their choice of one of these two prizes.
(435)313-5471
USA “Ship To” addresses only.
jdart747@msn.com

5
 UPCOMING EVENTS

MARCH 2011
Event: Crossroads of the West Gun Shows

Glendale, AZ March 19th and 29th

Costa Mesa, CA 26th and 27th

Visit their website for details and directions

www.crossroadsgunshows.com
Trail Sherpa was created to
chronicle the hiking and back-
packing adventures that I have
with my friends. Follow us as
we tackle some of the country's
epic trails.

Visit our Website

www.Trailsherpa.com

Click Here to Join on Facebook

AMIGO Metal and Iron Work

1233 Calle Cherokee
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
Cell (520) 440-2469
Fax (520) 761-1776
www.amigometal.com
Email: amigo_metal@hotmail.com

Place your upcoming events here

Place for FREE

No Listing or setup fee

Email to sales@topogear.com

Email us your event info, meet-ups, Dutch Oven Cooking meets,

Expo’s, Community events, art fairs, craft fairs, gun shows, knife
shows, etc. We will post your info for FREE in this section!!

Email to: sales@topogear.com

6
 UPCOMING EVENTS

APRIL 2011
Event: Crossroads of the West Gun Shows

Paddling Festival Phoenix, AZ Apr 2nd and 3rd

Salt Lake City, UT Apr 9th and 10th
Hosted by SOUTHWIND
Mesa, AZ Apr 9th and 10th
KAYAK CENTER
San Francisco, CA Apr 16th and 17th
Ventura, CA Apr 30th and May 1st
Newport Dunes, California Visit
site for latest info Visit their website for details and directions
1-800-SOUTHWIND or Las Vegas
1-800-768-8494 Dutch Oven Society www.crossroadsgunshows.com
www.lvdos.com
www.southwindkayaks.com Event: Spring Fling Car Show (23rd Annual)
Location: Silverton Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Date: April 8h & 9th, 2011
www.camp-cook.com
Benefits the Childhood Cancer Foundation

900 + Members For Details and Vendor booth in Contact:

Sharon (702) 456-9569
Join our Forum www.goldenmemorie.intuitwebsites.com
Cars, Poker Run, Free entertainment, Vendor Booths
Desert River Outfitters is located in
Bullhead City Arizona in Northwest-
Prizes, T-Shirts , Music.
ern Arizona on the lower Colorado
River. We provide kayak and canoe
sales, rentals and guided river trips
around the tri-state area of Arizona,
Nevada and California.
Boy Scouts and Leaders
Event: IDOS Annual Spring Gathering & Open House
Desert River Outfitters Receive Special
Location: 151 South 1100 West, Farmington, UT
Deep Discounts &
Date: April 8th & 9th
Bulk Order Discounts Time: See Full ad
"LODGE" Dutch Ovens Website www.idos.org
With BSA LOGO
Contact:
sales@topogear.com
For Special Price Quote

Charter Fishing Trips

in NV, UT, CA and Mexico Event: Spring Bazaar (3rd Annual)
Don‟t miss our Discount Sale.
Location: CasaBlanca Events Tent, Mesquite, NV
www.angler1.com Look for items marked with the
Date: April 16th, 2011
discount. Many items in our
Time: 10am-4pm
inventory of over 8000 items are
marked down. These discounts
are for limited times, and change Crafts, Jewelry, Clothing, Food and more.
without notice. Don‟t miss out. Vendor Booths $50/$75
Also take advantage of the lim-
ited time FREE SHIPPING on Contact: Carrie 702-346-7091 or
cduclos@blackgaming.com
orders with amounts over the
Website: http://www.itsmesquite.com/index.php
current minimum. Check the

Email us your event info, meet-ups, Dutch Oven Cooking

LAS VEGAS CANOE CLUB meets, Expo’s, Community events, art fairs, craft fairs, gun

7
 UPCOMING EVENTS
MAY 2011
Month/Year May 2011
Event: Crossroads of the West Gun Shows

Ontario, Ca May 14th and 15th

Del Mar, Ca May 21st and 22nd
Reno, NV May 21t and 22nd

Visit their website for details and directions

www.crossroadsgunshows.com

WEATHERED WONDERS
Creations by Artist Dave Bruce. Utilizing materials recycled from
abandoned buildings and alleyways. One-of-a-kind birdhouses and
furniture. These creations can be found through various stores and
specialty shops. Each piece is handcrafted with pride and signed
with love, from Dave‟s heart to your home.

Email weatheredwonders@hotmail.com

Cell: 602 576-7376

Shade USA is a national distributor of comfort and conven-

ience related outdoor products that are perfect for the beach,
camp grounds, soccer field, baseball diamond, parks, and
lakes or any vacation destination (including your own back
yard). We specialize in unique and innovative products
which feature portability, comfort and value.

Place your upcoming events here

Place for FREE

No Listing or setup fee

Email to sales@topogear.com

Email us your event info, meet-ups, Dutch Oven Cooking

meets, Expo’s, Community events, art fairs, craft fairs, gun
shows, knife shows, etc. We will post your info for FREE
in this section!!

Email to: sales@topogear.com

http://www.shadeusa.com/
8
 UPCOMING EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS

Month/Year June 2011

Event: Crossroads of the West Gun Shows

Costa Mesa, CA Jun 4th and 5th

Las Vegas, NV Jun 11th and 12th
Mesa, AZ Jun 25th and 36th

Visit their website for details and directions

www.crossroadsgunshows.com

Month/Year: JUNE 2011

Event: South Dakota State Dutch Oven Gathering

Location: Fairgrounds in Huron South Dakota
Date: June 11-12, 2011

An action packed weekend of FREE fun at the South Da-

kota Expo. Dutch Oven Cooking Contest Saturday, and
a South Dakota Wild Game Cooking Contest during the
weekend. Expo is FREE. Camping is FREE.
FOR INFO

http://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Dakota-
Outdoor-Expo/61144697707

Or Call 605-353-7340

Place your upcoming events here

Contact Person Cassandra Swanson 605-
Place for FREE

No Listing or setup fee

Place your upcoming events here

Place for FREE

By popular request
No Listing or setup fee We now list events up to a year
In advance

List events here for FREE

TOPOGEAR is always looking for reader inter- No Set-up or hidden fees
est stories and events. Please submit your story,
trip log, photos, recipes and humor. Subjects on Email us your event info, meet-ups, Dutch Oven Cooking
Climbing, Paddling, Cycling, Backpacking, meets, Expo’s, Community events, art fairs, craft fairs, gun
Horses, Search and Rescue, travel destinations
shows, knife shows, etc. We will post your info for FREE
and more! Send material to:
in this section!! Email to: sales@topogear.com
sales@topogear.com

9
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packing? Join our Facebook HIKING GROUP
group.
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MEYERCO MEDIUM
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IA L O ers
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To sales@topogear.com
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Dutch Oven Cooking Located in NE Ohio.

Over 2260+ An Easy Flat Water paddling

Members !! club. Get involved whether
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meet people.
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Your Outdoor Resource for ATVing, Backpacking,
Camping, Kayaking, Rappelling and Skiing.
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10
 TOPOGEAR

TOPOGEAR SPECIAL(S) OF THE

MONTH

Meyerco G10 Tactical Folder

&

Smith & Wesson Military Police “Magic As-

sisted” Opener. One hand opening. A great
Search & Rescue Knife with glass breaker

Click here to Visit/Join our TOPOGEAR Facebook Group

May not be available once sold out. No rain-
checks. Hurry before sale ends!
Products for Climbing, Camping, Search and Rescue, Police, Hik-
ing, Backpacking, Cycling, Paddling, Military. Lights, Knives, Expires without notice
Packs, Clothing, Consumables such as Jerky, Batteries, soaps,
cleaning products. Some items sold in bulk for resale. We also
carry a line of Jewelry with access to requests for special orders.

Email EMERALD-5@COX.NET

11
 CUSTOM DOORS
Proudly 100% Made in the USA
TOPOGEAR
Or Email requests

New 925 Sterling Silver &

Semi-Precious Gemstone

http://customer-doors.org/

THE NEW WAY OF PRINTING

 White or Dark T-shirts

 Polo and Golf shirts
 Tote Bags
 Mouse pads
 Canvas and Art Prints Wanted to Buy: Enclosed tandem axle trailer with side RV
 Aprons style door. 14 to 20 ft Must be in excellent condition and clean/
 Small to Large set ups clear title. Transact at credit union. Las Vegas Area. Contact
 Graphics and logos sales@topogear.com attention Rick. Or call 702-203-0534
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Email EMERALD-5@COX.NET Join our TOPOGEAR Facebook page. Find
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13
 info@silvertoncasino.com

www.goldenmemorie.intuitwebsites.com

14
15
 Enter your Dutch Oven/BBQ or Outdoor Recipe for a chance to win
a “MAIR” 9 inch Dutch Oven Lid Lifter, or a Meyerco Folding Knife. We have had nu-
merous winners. We have extended this for subsequent issues too! Enter before the 15th of
the month, to be considered for the following months Next Newsletter. Details are found on
the TOPOGEAR Home Page. Look for “CONTEST Win FREE Stuff ” on the left menu.
Rules release and entry form are there. To keep it simple just email a statement that you
read and agree to the rules, attach your recipe and finished dish photo. Email to
sales@topogear.com No purchase required. (Free Prize is Available to USA Ship to addresses
only) Recipes from other addresses will not receive a prize but may be submitted to appear in our up-
coming recipe book.) Be sure to “subscribe” to our Monthly Newsletter by creating a Free account.
16