Whenever a new product arrives, we like to test it to the best of our ability. This means creating realistic scenarios in which we can use all of the functions of the item.
We've recently begun carrying Petzl headlamps; in particular, the Tikka XP 35 Lumens headlamp and the e+Lite 16 Lumens. While they're new products for Twisted Throttle, we've had experience with these powerful headlamps before, and they're great. They are a regular companion on late-night tours and are great for all around use in dark areas. But to really show their strength, we had to go somewhere so dark, so creepy, so totally devoid of light that it strikes fear into the heart!
It just so happens that Twisted Throttle is located about 30 minutes away one of these places: Fort Wetherill State Park. This is how it's described on the DEM website:
"Fort Wetherill State Park, situated upon 100 foot high granite cliffs across the water from Fort Adams State Park, is a former coastal defense battery and training camp. Known for its spectacular view of Newport Harbor and the East Passage of Narragansett Bay, Fort Wetherill has been a popular sight for viewing the numerous Tall Ship Events and America’s Cup Races. The area is also a major attraction for scuba diving, with Diving Clubs from New York State, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island using the facilities at the boat ramp year round. Additionally, the park offers family and group picnicking, boating, fishing, hiking and exploring on the park’s 61.5 acres of property."
...and this is what the fort looks like:
I'm not saying that it's not a great place to check out events in the harbor - it is. But it's also downright spooky and a regular hang-out for spray-paint toting vandals. The fort also has a lot of interesting history and our shipping department has heard about a secret under-the-harbor tunnel to Fort Adams. Who knows what secrets this place really holds?
Which brave souls were going to trek inside this place with only a Petzl and their wits to keep them alive? Josh and Dan quickly volunteered (actually, they were forcefully volunteered against their wishes). So Saturday afternoon, the fearsome two arrived to do some Petzl testing. Here's Josh's account of the adventure.
"So we head up to the fort and there are quite a few people around - we figure that it might be less creepy this way. Dan suggests heading into one area that he's explored before, because it has a room that's totally cut off from all light. What he doesn't mention is that to get to this room, we need to crawl over a section of collapsed rubble and debris, or that this room has some particularly scary wall art.
Yeah, I was spooked - but check out how bright that Tikka XP is! This shot was done without a flash, so all of that light is coming off of the headlamp. That's 35 lumens of demon-fighting awesomeness. (Dan's 16 Lumens e+Lite joined in for the fight, too)
There are a lot of paths through the fort, and Dan insisted leaving the demon-room through the flooded pathway.
I joked that we should test out the e+Lite's waterproof feature, but Dan didn't want to muddy up our new toys - in his defense, that water was pretty murky. This shot has only the e+Lite illuminating it.
Finally, we headed into a series of rooms that were awash in lines ripped straight from Dante's Inferno and other dark literature - we neglected to post pictures because of how downright creepy it was. But here's another shot of me!
Mostly illuminated with the Tikka XP and a bit of daylight. I'm curious what those tracks were for. Anybody have any idea?
Anyway, we'll be going back soon and taking some action video of the Tikka XP and the e+Lite. We might bring a Stebel or two, too - just to keep the ghosts away."
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