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SteriPEN Freedom Purifier Review
It blew my mind the first time I heard that UV light could purify water. I was a skeptic until I tried the SteriPEN Freedom this summer. It changed my mind and it changed the way I view purification. SteriPEN did send me the Freedom to test and review.
SteriPEN Freedom Features
- Purifying Element: UV lamp
- Treatment Dosage: 0.5 L
- Total Treatable Volume: 0.5L at a time, 1L by treating twice
- Purification Time: 48 sec
- Dimensions: 13 x 3.5 x, 2.2 cm
- Battery Type: rechargeable
- Includes: USB cable, AC adapter & neoprene case
- Weight: 2.6 oz
- Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year
- Price: $119.95
SteriPEN Freedom Review
The SteriPEN Freedom is light, compact, rechargeable, and easy to use. The Freedom really can't be any easier to use. Fill up a container with water, insert the light of Freedom, and swirl around until the green indicator light turns on. It's made to purify a half liter at a time. A built in timer keeps track of the 48 seconds it takes to treat so you don't half to. You an purify a liter by treating it twice. You won't be able to do more than a liter at a time though. The UV light will kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, including giardia and crypto. One thing that was hard for me to get over is visually or tasting you don't notice a difference. With a filter you an see what was caught in the filter. With drops or tablets you can taste the treatment. With UV light you don't have any indication, visually or taste, that it's been purified. There aren't any switches to worry about leaving on. The base of the UV lamp features two metal connectors. When inserted into water the water connects the circuit and the lamp powers on. The base of the unit includes LEDs to indicate progress or errors. When finished, just dry off the unit and replace the protective cover and you don't have to worry about accidentally turning it on. The cover protects the bulb from breaking and an included neoprene sleeve protects the full unit. The battery is a rechargeable lithium battery and uses a micro USB cable, which is great for charging versatility. Battery life is good. On a full chage you get up to 40 treatments. For most trips you'll be more than covered. For longer trips you'll need a way to recharge. That is one downfall of the rechageable battery. If it runs out while in the field and you don't have a power source, you're hosed. Both the battery and lamp are rated for 8000 uses each. At which point both can be replaced by sending it in to Hydro Photon for repair. At 2.6 ounces it's extremely lightweight and makes it ideal for hiking, backpacking, and adventure travel. A handy little feature is a built in LED flashlight. Just rotate the unit side to side to turn it on and off. It is bright enough for task work while purifying, which is nice if you forget your headlamp. Keep in mind though that light use will reduce the number of treatments you can get from a charge. A few notes of caution: 1. The Freedom (or any SteriPEN product for that matter) works best in clean and clear water. Debris in the water reduces purifying effectiveness and could keep it from being fully purified. Turbid water must be filtered. On that note, SteriPEN does make a small prefilter which is handy (though I didn't test it out). 2. I always used a Nalgene. Anything more narrow than this will be challenging to keep the unit submerged and good swirl action going. The swirling is what ensures all the water is purified. 3. Water trapped in the lid or on the threads won't be purified. Take care to full wipe and dry these areas or use another container to fill the bottle or purify in your cook pot. Overall the Freedom was awesome to use. The Good- Easy to use
- Lightweight
- Good feature set
- No sensory indication that water is purified (such as taste or seeing filtered debris)
- Extra caution must be used to clean lid threads so water doesn't become contaminated after treatment
- Rechargeablity is great but if the battery dies in the field and you don't have backup power, your hosed
Bottom Line:
The SteriPEN Freedom is awesome. It is now my go to water treatment method for backpacking, camping, and hiking. Definitely worth the money. Buy Now: Pick up the SteriPEN Freedom[gallery]... Read more...
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The Water Bottle that isn’t a Bottle – Vapur Element Water Bottle Review
The Vapur Element Water Bottle truly is an "anti-bottle". It's a bottle without being a bottle. It's sleek, compact, and great to use. It takes away your excuses for not carrying a bottle with you. Vapur gave me a bottle to test and here's what I thought.
Vapur Element Water Bottle Features
- Sizes: .7L & 1L
- SuperCap - Tough Seal. Easy Open
- Durable 3-ply construction
- Antimicrobial lining
- Dishwasher safe
- BPA Free
- Made in the USA
- Price: $11.99 (.7L) & $13.99 (1L)
Vapur Element Water Bottle Review
The most striking feature of the Vapur Element Water Bottle is how it folds down. This is the "anti-bottle" element (no pun intended). I think the biggest complaint people have with carrying a typical bottle is they are too bulky and a pain to carry. The Element folds down super small. It's small enough to easily fit into a jacket pocket, daypack, or in a purse. It weighs next to nothing when empty. The biggest excuse is no longer valid. My first thought when I first saw the Element was "that's going to be a pain to clean". I didn't realize that the cap unscrews and the inside is easily scrubbed with a bottle brush. It is dishwasher safe too if you want to go that route. My second concern was the cap accidentally being opened. The cap fits tightly and in most cases shouldn't come open. If you throw it in your pack with a bunch of other stuff you'll be tempting the fates. Just be smart. Vapur threw on a plastic carabiner to help with portability. Clip it to the outside of your pack, climbing harness, or if you want to be super cool, your belt loops. I'm not a fan of clipping it when it's full, but when it's empty it's a good option. The biner folds down around the lid when not in use. My next concern was with leakage. With 3-ply construction the Element is durable. You'd really have to work hard to randomly puncture it. It can also withstand freezing. Lastly, and it threw me for a loop, I actually had people tell me how cool the bottle was. It is cool but to receive compliments was unexpected. Just don't buy the bottle thinking it will make people like you or notice you. That's what the convertible is for. The Good- Compact
- Versatile
- Different
- Nothing
Bottom Line:
You no longer have any excuses to not carry a reusable water (anti)bottle. Buy Now: Pick up the Vapur Element Water Bottle[gallery]... Read more...
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Solio Bolt Review
The Solio Bolt Solar Charger is a great way to power your small devices when on the go, in the wilderness, or if you just want to start playing the solar game a little bit. Solio gave me the opportunity to test the Bolt this spring.
Solio Bolt Solar Charger Features
- Panels: 2
- Charge time: 8-10 hours in sun, 4.5 from wall
- Battery: Lithium, included
- Charge connections: USB / wall
- Materials: Polycarbonate
- Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.5 x 1 inches
- Weight: 5.3 ounces
- Price: $65
Solio Bolt Solar Charger Review
Overall I thought the Solio Bolt Solar Charger was decent. The compact swivel design keeps the footprint in your pack or pocket small, a little bigger than a pack of playing cards. When closed one of the panels is protected but the outer is always exposed. At 5.3 ounces it doesn't cause much of a weight issue. Battery life is great. Once charged the Bolt holds battery life for a relatively long time without losing the charge. Recharging capabilities are decent, depending on what device you have. Off of a full Bolt charge I could charge my iPod Touch 2 full times. I hear you can get similar performance for the iPhone. I had challenges charging my Samsung Galaxy 2s. I could never get a full charge off of the Bolt. The last time I charged it, it only got from 0 to about 50% charge and stopped. There was still charge left in the Bolt so I started charging again and reached 65% charge. That was it. Solar charging time is okay. It takes 8-10 hours of full, direct sunlight to charge the Bolt. It does require you to shift its position so it's always in the direct sun path. I don't know about you but I never did that. At home it stayed in the kitchen window and took a few days to fully charge. If you think about wilderness trips this would be more difficult to achieve. If your backpacking you'd have constantly move it around which would be a hassle. Additionally, clouds, shadows, or not being in the direct path of sun rays (I.e. the angle is slightly off) decreases efficiency to the point of potentially not charging. The panels are made of inexpensive materials that really contribute to this drop in performance. More expensive panels can still charge if partially blocked or if not in the direct path of sunlight. The Bolt has a solid base to hold position for charging when paired with the included pencil to get the desired angle. Charging on the move is a challenge. The single hole makes for difficult lashing. If you are stationary, it does great. Solio has made a huge leap forward putting the USB port directly on the Bolt. Past models required you to buy a bunch of different adapters to fit your device. Now you can use whatever standard USB cord you already use. While charging on the move is difficult I really like the Bolt as my backup battery. I like to make sure it's fully charged when I leave and when I run out of juice, I just plug into the Bolt to get the charge I need. The Good- Small, lightweight
- Holds a charge well
- Great price point
- Long solar charge time
- Must be in full, direct sunlight to efficiently charge (and sometimes charge at all)
Bottom Line:
The Solio Bolt is a great way to get into the solar game and is a great backup battery. Buy Now: Pick up the Solio Bolt Solar Charger[gallery]... Read more...
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Bags by eBags Packing Cubes
When I pack for a trip, whether it's a backpacking trip, a climbing trip, or a visit home to family, the first thing I dig out is the bag I'm going to take. The second thing I grab is my old pile of Black Diamond climbing harness bags. Yes, you read that right. Old harness bags. You know, those mesh zippy things? I organize my packing inside those climbing harness bags. Or, I should say, I used to. When eBags approached Gear.com and asked us to test out their Bags by eBags Packing Cubes, I realized that the climbing harness bags were out of work. Heard of the eBags website before? These packing cubes are eBags' own brand of packing product.
Bags by eBags Packing Cubes: The Details
- 3 piece set includes 1 small, 1 medium and 1 large packing cube.
- Also available in slim sizes
- Small cube dimensions: 11" x 6.75" x 3"
- Medium cube dimensions: 13.75" x 9.75" x 3"
- Large cube dimensions: 17.5" x 12.75" x 3.25
- Webbing handle and double zippers make accessing and opening a breeze.
- MSRP for 3 Piece Set: $23.99
Bags by eBags Packing Cubes: The Review
I have always been a fan of organizing my packing, as I explained above. However, I've always made do with old, ratty, and now stinky climbing harness bags. Each time my friends scored a new harness, I would hound them to keep the bag. Now, thanks to Bags by eBags Packing Cubes, I won't have to do that any more. And, I won't have to try and make all of my belongings conform to the single size of a harness bag. For a trip home, I like to keep my pants and shirts in one compartment, socks/underwear/bras in another, and pajamas/sweatshirts in another compartment. Then, well, I naturally have to have a separate compartment for my toiletries. The packing cubes allow me to do all these things, and they stack so nicely on top of each other. It's organization on a whole new level, and it thrills me. Climbing trips can stay organized now, with climbing clothes in one packing cube, climbing shoes in another, and non-climbing, post route layers in yet another. No more digging for hours to find a sweatshirt. For the holiday season, eBags has brought even more organizational joy. Not only are the packing cubes a great packing and organizing tool, but they now come in seven different colors. Now, I know what you're thinking... Color Claire? Really? Who cares? Well, here's where you'll get excited (or at least, where I got excited). The new colors of the eBags packing cubes happen to correspond perfectly with the colors of The North Face BaseCamp Duffle Bags. Peony, Eggplant, Canary, Tangerine and Aquamarine, plus original colors of Black, Blue, Green and Grey and Red. So, if you, for example, have two people going on a trip, one person can take the red TNF duffle, and one person the yellow TNF duffle, and the person with the red duffle can have the red packing cubes, and the person with the yellow duffle the yellow packing cubes. Not just organization, but perfectly color coordinated organization. Don't own a TNF duffle? Don't worry, you'll still love the new colors.Bottom Line
Looking for the perfect gift for the organize-obsessed individual on your list? Check out eBags Packing Cubes, in one of the seven stellar new colors. They'll love these more than their highlighter that dispenses post-its. I know I did. Buy Now: eBags Packing Cubes or eBags Slim Packing Cube... Read more...
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Yakima Rocketbox 11 Cargo Box Review
Going on a long road trip but don't have enough room in the car? What about too many kids in the family for the luggage room in your vehicle? Wife (or husband) that packs too much? Take the anxiety out of packing with the Yakima Rocketbox 11 Cargo Box.
Yakima Rocketbox 11 Cargo Box Features
- Cargo Capacity: 11 cu ft
- Dimension: 89" x 22" x 14"
- Weight: 35 lbs
- Bar Compatibility: Round, Square, most factory crossbars
- Price: $329.00
Yakima Rocketbox 11 Cargo Box Review
Our family car used to be a Toyota Corolla. For any long or gear intensive trips the Yakima Rocketbox 11 Cargo Box was a trip saver, especially after we had kids. Long gone are the days of being so crammed in the car with gear. In terms of capacity 11 cu ft doesn't sound like much but I was pleasantly surprised with how much we could fit in the box. A typical trip the Rocketbox will be packed with a climbing pack with a full rack, rope, kid carrier backpack, umbrella stroller, camp chairs, fishing poles, family tent, and a few other smaller items with some room to spare. In the winter time the Rocketbox 11 is great for hauling your planks (single or double) to and from the mountain. The 89 inches of length will fit just about any pair of skis and boards are no problem. It's a great way to keep your boards from getting coated in road salt and grime. I've been able to fit two pairs of skis, a board, and two pairs of poles in the Rocketbox 11. There may have been enough room to fit another pair of skis or another board but I haven't tried. I have the slightly older model of the Rocketbox. Even so, it was extremely easy to install. The updated hardwear is even easier. Just place the box on your rack, slide the clamps until they engage the crossbars, and then tighten the knobs to fit. I have been able to install the box myself (read pick it up off the ground and lift it onto the car) without any issues. The 35 lbs of weight isn't bad, it's just a little awkward with it being so long. Security hasn't been an issue for me. The single lock keeps the box locked down tight. The three latches, one at each end and one in the middle, help prevent the lift from being lifted. I've tested this with just my hands and the lid wouldn't budge. The price could seem daunting but it's really not. We've been rallying our cargo box for almost over 3 years and it still looks and functions like brand new. We will get more than enough use to make up for the cost. The Rocketbox 11 is the most economical choice of the long boxes in the Yakima line. The Good- Extremely durable
- Easy to install
- Secure
- Can fit a lot of gear
- Price
- If you have a big family or a LOT of gear to carry, get a bigger size
Bottom Line:
The Rocketbox 11 is a great value and can give you that extra bit of cargo capacity you need. We've never looked back on our decision to go with the Rocketbox 11. Buy Now: Pick up a Yakima Rocketbox 11 Cargo Box today [gallery]... Read more...
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Lunatec Trekr and Scrubr Travel Washcloths
The Trekr washcloth and Scrubr dishcloth are made of a coarse Nylon and Nylon Poly material respectively that cleans, dries quickly, is low maintenance and super durable. These cloths are also odor resistant and compact. Although they are said to be perfect for use in the outdoors and at home, I have to say I’ll reserve use for camping and hiking trips, but I won’t be using them at home. Sure, it’s great to have a more coarse washcloth that will remove a few layers of grit and grime after a day of camping, hiking, or mountain biking, but I find the Trekr to be too abrasive for every day use, when I’m not covered in dirt. The same goes for my dishes. I think I’ll stick with dish soap and a gentler dish sponge when I’m at home. But, when looking for a fast-drying scrubbing cloth that compacts easily for camping or traveling light, the Scrubr really does the trick to get things clean. And that's always a welcome change to the typical way camping dinnerware ends up -- that is, your pasta never quite washes out so when you cook up some dessert it has that taste of dinner mixed in. Not ideal. The Scrubr is coarse and scrubs dishes especially well without much risk of scratching finishes. Weighing in at only 9 grams for the washcloth and 7.5 grams for the dishcloth, and taking up as much space as a piece of facial tissue, they certainly are incredibly easy to stash. The bottom line: -Dries in only a few minutes -No funky smell after several days of use -Ultra compact -Super lightweight -They really do scrub! The dirt and grime from your camp stove, dutch oven, body and face will be scrubbed away. While the Scrubr is a no-brainer to take camping, I think the Trekr makes me pause a bit more. I used it several times and for my taste, it was just a bit too abrasive for scrubbing my face. While camping, you do miss the exfoliation that you get from your nightly routine at home. But this was just a bit too much for me. As a body washcloth, it is a good fast-drying option for when you're especially dirty. But you can't really scrub your face without risking some redness. I'm not saying it doesn't work...just remember to use a soft touch when you get to your face. Regardless of my sensitive skin, if you’re going to be outdoors for any extended period of time the Trekr and Scrubr will both make a nice addition to your pack. SHOP: Search for more camping gear. ...
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Woolrich Gear
You may have noticed that you're seeing Woolrich show up in a lot of unexpected places lately. For example, did you catch that they were on Gilt recently? Woolrich has always been a very solid brand -- since 1830, if you can believe it. And now they are finding a particularly strong following among the young and hip. And with good reason, too. They still have the tried and true Woolrich products like blankets and the like. But some of their new gear --- especially the mens jackets in my opinion --- has a cut and style that is very much tapping into the latest fashion notions, but in a true-to-the-heritage sort of way. Take the Arctic Parka, for example. It's definitely heritage-driven, with its understated style and the trademark Woolrich red check on the lining. But the fur hood and trimmer-than-usual cut make it very wearable by any urban hipster or mountain man. There's also the trend in recent years for core outdoor gear apparel companies to make quilted shirt/jacket offerings. See Arc'Teryx and Patagonia for some good examples. Well, Woolrich has an offering in that space that is wearable on the street as well as on the trail, called the Exposure Shirt Jacket. It is a quilted, full-zip shirt cut top with a point collar that is lightly insulated. Making it an ideal trim version of the puffy jacket top layer for most dry days, or an insulating layer on precipitating days or the extra cold days. There's also the resurgence of the quilted vest, even hipper now than when Huey Lewis sang for Back to the Future. Check out the red color in Woolrich's Mens Altitude Vest -- which calls back to the 60s and 70s with its contrasting black shoulder yoke and metal snaps. All in all, Woolrich is definitely a brand that has heritage but also extremely understated hip for the outdoor-inclined. Their new mens gear almost certainly has a piece or two with your name on it. SHOP: Search for more Woolrich gear....
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Best of the Bike Trip
1117 miles of cycling, 3 States, 2 National Parks, over 50 State Parks later, I have made it back to civilization. My summer's trip and goal of biking from Seattle, WA to Eureka, CA with my surfboard was a huge success! Everything went flawlessly (or darn close to it), and I have some great (and not-so-great) gear to report back about. It's amazing how using something every single day for 6 weeks in can really bring out the good (and the bad) features of a piece of equipment. Though we had lots of incredible adventures on the bike tour, each day began to take the same shape as the one prior as we learned the best way to manage equipment, time and the correct amount of physical exertion each day. Each morning consisted of waking up, breaking down camp, slamming a cup of coffee and some instant oatmeal for breakfast, and then getting on the road. Our days ranged from 10 mile days to a 118 mile day, depending on the surfing conditions in the area. If it was good surf, we stayed for a few days and enjoyed it, then moved on. If it wasn't so good, we'd move further South until we saw a spot we liked, and we'd post up there. Factors such as friends visiting, good breweries in the area and weather also affected our decisions of how much to bike and when. The day on the bike was spent alternating my gaze between the beautiful views and my bike computer, the only real source of entertainment on the bike. By the time the evening rolled around, we'd hopefully be at a new surf spot, where we'd set up camp quickly, wriggle into the cold, smelly, damp wetsuits and jump in the water for an evening surf session. After that, time for some sort of gourmet meal (usually consisting of pasta and canned chicken in some form), and then bed. Next morning, lather, rinse, repeat. Since I had pretty limited computer access on my trip, I'll be posting several individual reviews as I catch up on writing now that I am back to real society. However, as my trip unfolded, it became very clear that there were some pieces of equipment that outperformed my expectations, and that were crucial to the unbelievable success of our trip. After 6 weeks of the same routine, I started playing favorites with my gear. Serious favorites. So, here they are, the best of the bike trip: my 3 favorite pieces of gear in 4 different categories: camp gear, biking gear, clothing and food.
Best of the Bike Trip: Camping Gear
1. Mountain Hardwear Skyledge 3 Tent 2. REI DoubleShot Press Mug 3. Thermarest Women's Pro PlusBest of the Bike Trip: Biking Accessory Gear
I rode a Specialized Tricross Comp for the trip that performed amazingly, and a full review of that is coming, but these were the best of the biking-related accessories. 1. Avenir Cargo Trailer 2. Specialized SpeedZone Elite Bike Computer 3. Topeak Road Morph Bike PumpBest of the Bike Trip: Apparel
1. Specialized Solar Vita Jersey 2. Mountain Hardwear PowerStretch Tights 3. SmartWool PhD Outdoor Ultra Light Micro SocksBest of the Bike Trip: Food
1. CLIF Shot Mocha flavored gels 2. Mountain House Beef Stroganoff Dinner 3. Bacon. In any form. As I catch back up on writing, I'll have individual reviews of each of these pieces of gear, plus loads more. For now, be sure to check out these awesome products!... Read more...
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Pedaling & Paddling: Pacific Coast by Bike & Board
My two feet have taken me lots of places. Up mountains, across passes, down canyons... I've run, skied, climbed, biked, hiked, and surfed a multitude of places. However, never have my two feet taken me 1000+ miles in one go. This summer, my boyfriend and I have opted to simplify our vacation time and lives by allowing our two feet to dictate the entire journey. No cars. No motors. No gasoline. Just our feet. 1000+ miles of biking. Hours and hours of surfing. Countless trails and hikes. This summer, we'll be biking the Washington/Oregon coastline with our surfboards, living on our bikes and enjoying the bliss that is simplicity.
The Plan
To bike from Seattle, WA to Eureka, CA (the goal being to end up at the Lost Coast Brewery for a celebratory beverage). All in, it should be close to 1200 miles. We'll be riding the coast the whole time, so after leaving Seattle, the plan is to head out to Neah Bay, WA, and then bike south from there. We'll be towing a trailer holding 2 surfboards and taking a full 6 weeks to enjoy this beautiful stretch of coastline, stopping all along the way to surf and hike. No support vehicles, hotels or anything fancy. Just simple, pedal-powered fun. Throughout the trip, I'll have the opportunity to test out some great gear from Specialized, Mountain Hardwear, CLIF, CamelBak, Avenir Accessories, Outdoor Research and Merrell Footwear. Look for lots of reviews during and after the epic!Got Ideas?
Been on a bike tour before? Tried to tow surfboards before? Just a casual biker? If you've got suggestions for my plan, feel free to let me know. Though I'm an avid road biker, I am an avid day-trip road biker. 100 miles at a time, at the most. Never have I tried to live out of panniers for a six weeks. Got some input? Ideas? Good backpacking meal recipes? Share them with me! The plan is ever-evolving, and I'm stoked for any input.... Read more...
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Baladeo Featherlight Knife Review
The lightest knife on the earth? That's a claim that has been put on the Baladeo Featherlight Knife. Baladeo gave me the opportunity to test and review the Featherlight. Let's see what the "lightest knife on earth" can do.
Baladeo Featherlight Knife Features
- Weight: 1.2 oz/34 grams
- Length: 4.3 in/11 cm
- Material: Steel
- Lock: Frame lock
- Pocket clip
- Price: 39.99
Baladeo Featherlight Knife Review
The Baladeo Featherlight Knife is light and slim. I've been carrying it around in my pocket for about 2 months now and I hardly even notice it's there. While I can't substantiate the claim of "lightest knife on earth" it is definitely light. It features a 4" blade (no serrated option on this model), a 4" handle, frame lock, pocket clip, and is delivered in a gift box (nice presentation if you're giving as a gift). What the Baladeo Featherlight Knife Is:- Ultralight knife
- Sharp
- Strong & Sturdy
- Well made
- Flimsy
- Cheap
- An everyday knife
- Ultralight weight
- Sharp
- Sturdy
- Handle was too slim for me to hold it securely for many tasks
- Single beveled sharp edge took a little getting used to
Bottom Line:
While I can't substantiated the claim of "lightest knife on earth" the Baladeo Featherlight Knife is definitely light, sharp, and a good knife to keep in your pack. Buy Now: Pick up the Baladeo Featherlight Knife [gallery]... Read more...
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Gregory Vibe Daypack Review
You'd think that when a backpacking and hiking company tried to make a cycling specific pack they'd essentially just make another daypack. Well, with the Gregory Vibe Daypack all the naysayers can take a seat. I will admit that I was a little skeptical when I first heard about the Vibe. But when Gregory sent one to me to test and review I was in for a pleasant surprise.
Gregory Vibe Daypack Features
- New proprietary TPU based water and abrasion resistant fabric
- Zip closure and overflow strap
- Large front access organizer
- Interior slit pockets
- U-lock compatible
- Side stash pocket
- Padded mesh backpanel
- Front clip loop for light
- Can fit a laptop up to 17"
- Volume: 1342 cu in / 22 L
- Dimension: 10.5 x 25 x 46 cm
- Weight: 835 g
- Price: $89.49
Gregory Vibe Daypack Review
The first thing I noticed when I put the pack on for the first time was that in a lot of ways the Gregory Vibe Daypack felt like a hiking pack. The mesh backpanel helped the pack ride comfortably and the mesh shoulder straps were contoured to fit around the shoulders and hug my body to keep it in place. These are a couple of features that a seasoned, well-respected pack company would have. The best part of the mesh panel was it helped cut down on the dreaded sweaty back a lot! That's the biggest downfall of using a pack for bike commuting, errands, or any general bike riding is your back will always be sweaty. The mesh backpanel on the Vibe helped keep it to a minimum. My back still got a little sweaty but it wasn't as bad. The Vibe does come with a lot of features that make a great commuting pack. The outer fabric is a tough TPU fabric (think vinyl but it's not vinyl) that is extremely water and abrasion resistant. It would literally stand up to years of use and abuse. The large, main compartment has an inner organizer sleeve (I used this for my u-lock), the top zips shut, and it has an overflow strap. The zip-top gives extra protection from the elements (with messenger bags and flap-top backpacks it always looks like water could come in the sides of the top if the wind was blowing the rain sideways). It also helps keep the small valuables from spilling out when you lay your bag down. The overflow strap is one of my favorite features. Instead of having to lash the extra gear that won't fit in the bag to the outside, just pile it on the top of the main compartment, strap it down and you're good to go. The closure strap for the top flap is extra long so there is no worries about getting the flap down. The front of the bag features an organizer sleeve that has a velcro closure on the top and zipper down the side. It has good organization for keys, lights, wallet, iPod, etc. I like the closures because, once again, it keeps the small stuff in and organized. One of the sides features a narrow, long zippered stash pocket. Lastly, on the front there is a loop for hanging a rear blinkie. I had no problems keeping my everyday stuff organized. I was able to easily fit my phone, wallet, keys, pump, small tools, array of three lights, iPod, and a few other things in and organized. It does feature a laptop sleeve that the specs say can fit a 17" laptop but my 15" laptop didn't fit very well. Another downside to the sleeve is it isn't padded and leaves your laptop vulnerable to the jolts and jostles with the other stuff in your bag. A couple of other minor downsides is the pack lacks any kind of reflective materials. I received the white model which is brighter in headlights, but if you get the blue or black you are out of luck. There is opportunity to work in reflective striping or piping. Also the shoulder straps lack any loops to hook small pouches for your phone, radio, etc. When the pack was fully loaded it carried well. It was a little small for my usual commute (I do carry a lot of stuff so for the average person the size would be just fine), but even so it rode well on my back. There is a sternum strap which I thought was superfluous, but having it strapped helped keep the pack in place. Even on my heaviest days and biggest loads the pack was comfortable. I didn't feel any constrictions or pressure points from the straps. The mesh backpanel also kept uneven loads from jabbing me in the back. Overall I was impressed with the pack. It has the craftsmanship of a well-respected pack company, it is comfy, carries well, and overall is a good pack. There are some opportunities for some small additions to make it a great commuting pack. It is a little small for my typical commute, but I carry a lot of stuff. It did excel when I used for errands and my general riding around. The Good- Well-made from a company with a killer reputation for packs
- Comfy
- Less sweaty back than other packs
- Fabric is burly, will stand up to downpours and abrasion
- Good organization, secure closure
- Overflow strap for securing the big loads
- Laptop sleeve was a little on the small side and it wasn't padded
- No reflective materials
- No accessory straps on the shoulder straps
Bottom Line:
It's a pack made by Gregory, you really can't go wrong with it. It's a great pack for smaller loads, errands, and general riding around. Buy Now: Pick up the Gregory Vibe Daypack ... Read more...
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Yakima SkyBox 12 Cargo Box
I've always seen people with big trucks with camper shells on them, and then a cargo box on top of that, and wondered to myself... "What in the world do they need a cargo box for? They've got an entire back of a truck for storage? What are they keeping back there? Small children? 400 pairs of skis? Enough backpacking gear for a small city? " Then, I attempted to move all of my belongings out of a 1978 Toyota RV, into a 1996 Toyota Tacoma, live out of the Tacoma for a while, and then move everything to Alaska. Now, I understand. As it became apparent that I had more stuff than was going to fit inside one vehicle, or even two, I began to look into both cargo storage solutions, and uhaul trailers. However, I'll spare you the UHaul saga, since that wasn't any fun, and didn't include any cool gear with great technology, just 5x8 trailer with one broken tail light. For a cargo box, I began delineating what exactly I wanted- something narrow, so that I could still store surfboards or bikes on the roof rack. Something long enough to fit skis in. And not just any skis, the 2 pairs of BD Megawatts (length= 188cm), 1 pair of BD Verdicts, 1 pair of BD Havocs and 1 pair of Karhu Berthas, or any combination of those that may need transport to the newest ski destination in AK. Something that locked, and that I could access from either side of the car. Something tall enough where I could stack several pairs of skis and poles, or several backpacks, or several of anything, really. Something compatible with the width of the bars on the truck. As my list of requirements became longer and longer, the list of feasible solutions for a cargo storage box became shorter and shorter, and in the end, the Yakima SkyBox 12 was the one to fit the bill! Just the right width, storage access from both sides, a heavy duty lid, and long enough to accommodate the cargo I needed to carry, I was confident that the SkyBox would take care of my storage needs.
Yakima SkyBox 12 Cargo Box Features
- 12 cubic feet of storage
- 92'' long x 24'' wide x 15'' tall. What does this mean for those of us who can't convert numbers like that to what it means in real life? Its about as long as the top of a regular cab Tacoma, from the back of the shell to where the windshield starts. It's about half as wide as the usable space on a set of 58'' Yakima bars. And it's tall enough to fit 2 sleeping bags and 1 sleeping pad stacked on top of each other.
- Weight = 41lbs
- SKS locks included
- Lid opens from both sides of cargo box
Yakima SkyBox 12 Review
After getting my SkyBox, I immediately wanted to toss it up on the roof of the truck. However, no one else was around to help me get it up to the roof and properly adjusted. In my excitement, I decided to give it a try on my own, and was very pleasantly surprised. Despite only being 5'2'', I was able to pick up the box, lift it onto the crossbars, set it down, and get it completely adjusted in under 10 minutes. I've never had a cargo box before, and have zero experience with Yakima's box adjustment systems. This really speaks to the ease of installation of the SkyBox. Under 10 minutes, and with no assistance- big bonus points for Yakima.
Overall
Though the smallest of the Yakima SkyBox Series, the SkyBox 12 is arguably the most versatile if you're wanting something that can fit a myriad of gear!Buy Now
Check out the Yakima SkyBox 12... Read more...
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Updates from the Road
As I continue my summer travels out of my 1978 Toyota RV, I’ve been doing lots of hiking as of late, in addition to my daily surf sessions. Most recently, I hiked Neahkahnie Mountain, in Ozwald West State Park, and then the following day, hiked out to Cape Falcon, the cape on the bay opposite to Neahkahnie Mountain. To cruise up Neahkahnie Mountain, I grabbed my Keen Newport DP Pack, my Outdoor Research Essence Tee, Prana Bliss Shorts, and a pair of trail runners.
I've been surfing every day, and seeing all that the Oregon Coast has to offer. Look for more updates and of course, in depth gear reviews, as the summer continues!
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Gear.Com Announces First Surfboard Review
Recently, I moved into a 1978 Toyota RV, and drove it out to the Oregon Coast to live out here for the summer. After years of being in school year round, I decided it was time to celebrate my graduation, and do nothing but play for several months. After I started surfing in Costa Rica last year, I decided I liked it so much that I wanted to spend my whole summer surfing out in Oregon. Though it's a whole different beast up in Oregon and Washington (wetsuits, booties and gloves as opposed to a bikini), I am stoked to spend the summer learning the coast and the waves. Since I knew that I would be spending a solid few months surfing, I figured that I had a really cool opportunity to do some great product testing for surfboards, a new realm for Gear.com. Though we've had articles featuring surfing product (like the GoPro Surf Hero Camera, or the Patagonia Rash Guard), we've yet to feature a full surfboard review. 9:Fish Surfboards For the summer, I'll be working with 9:Fish Surfboards, a company based out of southern California that specializes in making Fish surfboards (in fact, they make only fishes!), and bringing my thoughts on their boards to our readers. Keeps your eyes out for a detailed history of 9:Fish as a company in the next few weeks, and watch for my full reviews of boards later on this summer. Also, definitely check out the 9:Fish website to learn more about this great company. Today, I'm off to Portland today to pick up my first board, the 9:Fish Seared Ahi. Maybe I'll score some sushi while I'm there, just to get even more stoked on my Seared Ahi? See the entire 9:Fish lineup at www.9fishsurf.com Check out some of the Surfboards here on Gear.com...
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eno Launch Pad Blanket – Gear Review
Probably the funnest piece of gear I've ever used. Soft fuzzy blanket on the inside, tough waterproof nylon on the outside. Readers of gear.com I present to you: the eno Launch Pad. Summer is upon me with 85 degree temps here in New Mexico. BBQ's are smelling up the neighborhood and bikes are hitting the pavement. The great thing about the Launch Pad is that it provides a safe haven from the dirt without me having to ruin my University of Utah blanket. The micro fiber fleece is very soft and the dimensions are very generous - 58" by 70".
Show Us What You're Made Of
Rip-Stop Nylon is probably the eighth wonder of the world along with eVent fabric. Tough, subtle, and long lasting, what else could you ask for in a fabric? And it's waterproof. I've been using the Launch Pad over the last 2 months and it just seems like when you get something nice and new the worst happens. Well at least for me:The first time I laid it down I made a successful landing right onto dog poo. The bugger is I don't have a dog and it was in my back yard. I didn't find out until we were done and I was ticked. Not so much that poo was on my new blanket but that a cat/dog got into my back yard and was staking territory. My wife quickly sprayed it off with the hose before I could grab my shotgun. Good thing that little mishap didn't happen with my Utes blanket. eno, you passed the poo test.
Possible Storage?
My favorite feature of the blanket is that it zips up to a bag to carry it around. You can open the zipper and stuff GQ magazines, Cow Tales, or even Twister on DVD. This really makes it a versatile piece since you most likely will be using it for a picnic or an outdoor concert. Oh...you could totally sneak food into a Dave Matthews concert! Cha ching! Now there's a money saver. The zipper that goes around the blanket is really beefy too and easy to zip. The outer pocket on the blanket is great for keys and wallets. Just be careful not to lay down with it full of stuff. I got an imprint of my car key on my cheek after a short nap.eno Launch Pad - $64.95
The fleece is super cozy and inviting (Have I said that already?). This is a must have for anyone who breathes and spends more than 3 minutes outside. The price may seem high but once you use it once you'll tell its a well thought out design and easy to run around with. Check out eno on gear.com.... Read more...
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eno Relay Messenger Tote – Gear Review
Diapers. Bottles. Binkies. Blankey. Cinderella. Polly Pockets. DVDs. Bum cream. Wipes. iPod. Keys. Hot Wheels. Dolls. Camera. Crackers. String cheese. Socks. Shoes. Water. Teethers num cream. *breathe* I'm forgetting something I'm sure. I carry a ton of junk for the kiddos. No matter how much I try to negotiate with my 3 yr. old that Snow White doesn't need all her dresses, shoes, and accessories...I end up bringing them along. Lately I've been using the eno Relay Messenger tote. Two words: Spaciously Delicious.
Eagles Nest Outfitters
1999 two east coast brothers wanted to get away from the 9-5 and scoot towards the 7am-10pm work schedule. The company specializes in hammocks, grocery shopping gear, and comfort traveling goods. If you are the ultralight traveler/hiker you might point the mouse towards these guys for your next splurge on new gear. From spending time with the Relay Tote, I can tell these guys appreciate solid material and sensible design.Relay Messenger Tote - $27.95
Lycra. If a company makes a bag it needs lycra. No excuses. When your kid pees their pants at the park and you've got to put them somewhere, an outer pocket made of lycra is ideal. The Relay tote has two, so score for us parents! We haven't packed it full yet which makes me think I'm forgetting stuff. Honestly it's a really big bag. Compared to my wife's Osprey Float, this thing is a beach cruising monster. For the pool we were able to fit one large towel, couple suits, 4 polly pockets, 17 pairs of polly pocket shoes, 2 pairs of Chacos, and two water bottles on the outside. The material is perfect for parents. You can quickly turn this bag inside out, hose down the uncanny amount of crumbs and start all over again. The bottom of the bag has a plastic base to keep its form. I'm really grateful eno put that in. It bugs me when companies try to create an ultralight bag when you most likely will just be hitting the farmers market or do I dare say: Wal-Mart.Relay Specs
- Weight 13 oz.
- 1600 cubic inches
- Two outer pockets for water or soiled clothing
- Outer zipper pocket and zipper opening on top
Whats the hold up?
To all my mommy bloggers out there drooling over a new diaper bag. I wouldn't make this your everyday bag because of it's size. Then again, I've seen some serious behemoth bags out there so this might be just right. My issue is the shoulder strap/carrier handle. Is it a shoulder strap? Is it a hand strap? This ambiguous strap drives me nuts and I wish there was a buckle to adjust how long or short it could be. When you hang this bag on a stroller it goes right to the ground. See...I told you I have kids. I think for swimming/picnic/Wal-Mart adventures this bag is perfect. If you happen to try the bag or get a hold of one share your thoughts. Bottom Line The Relay carries everything you don't need but get sucked into carrying. Check eno products out on gear.com.... Read more...
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Save the Poles Expedition Reaches North Pole… Everest Next
Sierra Designs-sponsored Save the Poles Expedition has reached the second of its three goals in an effort to raise awareness of global warming. Eric Larsen and his team have reached the North Pole and will now set their sights on Everest. Wow!
BOULDER, COLO. (For Immediate Release) – After 50 days of skiing, hiking, and swimming across 500 miles of shifting Arctic ice and open water, the Sierra Designs-sponsored Save the Poles team arrived at the North Pole, completing the second of three expeditions designed to rally support for the fight against global warming. With journeys to the North and South Poles completed and an ascent of Mount Everest scheduled for later this summer, the Save the Poles team is one step away from reaching three environments most susceptible to climate change. A self-imposed 365-day timeframe will make this accomplishment an historic first. “We were very grateful for the opportunity to sponsor Eric and his Save the Poles expedition,” said Sue Edmiston, Sierra Designs marketing manager. “Save the Poles is a great way for Sierra Designs to help spread the word about the most important environmental issue of our time while having our gear extensively tested in three of the most extreme places on the planet.” Larsen will also use this expedition to collect relevant scientific information while advocating for a reduction in carbon emissions. “This expedition will highlight the effects of climate change on these cold, sensitive places so we can better understand how our actions affect the poles and ultimately the planet,” said Larsen. “Human-triggered global warming is completely preventable. Knowledge and education are essential to keeping the Earth cool and inhabitable for future generations.” Eric worked closely with Sierra Designs to design, develop, and manufacture much of the apparel and equipment used during the Save the Poles expedition. Eric’s custom-made sleeping bags, hardshells, down jackets and pants were constructed to the highest standards from the finest materials available to ensure flawless performance in the exceedingly harsh polar environment. With more than 50 years experience creating technologically advanced outdoor gear, Sierra Designs is providing custom designed apparel, sleeping bags, and other equipment to help Larsen and his team perform in some of the most challenging environments on the planet. About Sierra Designs Founded in 1965, at the beginning of the golden age of backpacking and climbing, Sierra Designs is one of the original brands for the eco-conscious outdoor enthusiast. We have always had a passion to protect where we play, and our tents, sleeping bags, and apparel have been to every corner of the world, from the highest peaks in Tibet to your local greenway around the corner. We model and design our products for high performance adventurers, but make it attainable for you. Sierra Designs’ gear and apparel fits in with your daily life, no matter where it takes you. Visit us online at SierraDesigns.com or see us on Facebook.Learn More: Visit SaveThePoles.com... Read more...
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A Hiking and Photography Weekend in Capitol Reef, Utah
Capitol Reef has been on my list of National Parks to visit since moving to Utah several years ago. I've taken a keen interest in photography lately and received a recommendation to visit the park during desert bloom for some good photos. For the last month or so, I've been calling to get an update on the desert bloom status and finally visited this past weekend, a bit later than usual due to the weather this year.
Capitol Reef National Park is a 3.5 to 4 hour drive from Salt Lake City, situated west of the Arches and Canyonlands and northeast of Zion and Bryce. From an adventure perspective, Capitol Reef and the surrounding area offers hiking, climbing, biking, and kayaking. For this weekend visit, my friend Lindsey and I dragged ourselves away from the real world to focus on hiking and photography.
We arrived on Friday around lunchtime and started with the Cassidy Arch hike, a 3.5 mile strenuous hike with 1,150 feet elevation gain to the Cassidy Arch above the Grand Wash valley. This hike offered stunning views of the surrounding landscape and even allows you to walk out on the arch! After the Cassidy Arch hike, we headed to the Fremont River trail, a 3.5 mile moderate hike with 770 feet elevation gain overlooking the Fruita valley. With winds at the top of the valley, I convinced Lindsey to participate in my traditional cheesy National Park jumping photo. After we hurried back to the car, we made our way to Panorama Point in hopes of getting some decent sunset shots. As it turns out, I would recommend being at Panorama Point or the nearby Sunset Point about a half an hour before sunset for good photos and we missed this mark by 15 minutes or so.The sun sets facing on the west facing features of the park providing some nice light for photos.
The next morning, we headed into the park to get some early sunlight photos of the Fremont River and encountered a pack of deer at their morning breakfast spot along the road. We took a quick break and headed to hike Cohab Canyon, another 3.5 mile hike overlooking the Fruita valley. This was my favorite hike of the trip: several slot canyons spurred off the main trail and we took our time exploring those. Later that day, Lindsey and I took on the Chimney Rock hike, another 3.5 mile hike loop on the west side of the park. This hike offered incredible panoramic views and would be a potentially nice sunrise hike for the east facing features. Finally, we headed back to Sunset Point and got a few nice sunset shots, but unfortunately clouds came out a bit before sunrise.
On our third morning, we woke up early for sunrise to snow and planned to hike to Hickman Bridge based on a visitor center recommendation for a nice sunrise hike. But, we were too lazy and quite exhausted from all the hiking and passed up the opportunity. Lindsey and I later headed out to look for the Fremont River waterfall, located near mile 85 on Utah 24. We took a few shots and made our way back through the park attractions and then traveled back to Salt Lake City.
From a hiking and photography perspective, the trip was a success. The hikes we chose offered quite a variety in difficulty and scenery. We ate camping friendly food like bagels and sandwiches and stayed in a cabin at a local friendly RV park with internet and power! I'd love to go back as there are a handful of strenuous hikes that we didn't get to in our 2 day visit. I'm also interested in visiting the area with biking and rock climbing in mind, but there's never enough time in the day! The weather for this time of year was unusually cold - I look forward to going back when temperatures are above freezing at sunrise and sunset.
I shot with a Canon 7D and Lindsey shot with a Canon Rebel and we brought a number of Canon and Sigma lenses including a standard telephoto, wide angle, macro and primary 50mm, but my lens of choice was the standard telephoto since it offered the most variety. My favorite piece of gear was my R-Strap, offered by blackrapid.com, a camera strap that has single-handedly influenced me to bring my camera everywhere.
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Wend Magazine: Get the Spring 2010 Digital Issue
Our friends over at Wend Magazine are not only pumping out the glossy print for lounge chair perusal, they also provide a digital version online for free. The Spring issue has just hit the digital newsstand and can be downloaded gratis: Wend Magazine Digital Issues - it's free! All it takes is a quick registration and you are then able to access any of the Wend issues on your laptop from the comfort of your office chair. While the perusing experience isn't quite the touchy-feely one you'd get with the print mag, the price is right and accessibility is killer. As with all issues of Wend, the Spring issue contains well-written articles on the outdoors, activism and our beautiful planet. I'm just digging in myself, but have been drawn to the article, "Greetings from the North Atlantic Garbage Patch," by Stiv J. Wilson. Growing up on the Puget Sound near Seattle, I can't help but wonder how much pollution we've pumped into the world's oceans. With the Atlantic gyre (you'll have to read it to find out) circulating massive, Texas-sized amounts of garbage, it should serve as a wake-up call to humankind. You'll have to read it to find out more for yourself. More Info: Visit Wendmag.com...
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New Kelty Kid Carriers for 2010 – REI Exclusive
If you've got kids and you like to go hiking, there's no doubt you've seen Kelty's kid carriers. They are without a doubt the most popular kid carriers on the market (though Deuter also makes great ones). I've got one and have used it for years with my kiddos. For long trips, nothing beats it for both my comfort and my kids comfort. Heading into the Holidays, REI has an exclusive on the upcoming 2010 models from Kelty. Other retailers will follow, but if you want the latest styles and models, head over to REI. Each model has a bit more bells and whistles, but most notably, the 3.0 includes the sun/rain visor, which is a must for warm or foul-weather travel with kids.
Kelty FC 1.0 Child Carrier
- Auto-deploy kickstand extends and retracts smoothly thanks to an internal spring-loaded system
- 5-point, adjustable harness system is anchored directly to frame and features an easy-to-use central tensioning system similar to car seats
- Curved, molded foam shoulder harness with sternum strap and padded hipbelt evenly distribute load
- Mesh back panel with sliding torso-length adjustment allows easy fitting changes between short and tall parents
- Padded, fixed cockpit offers a reclined position, allowing child to sit naturally and comfortably
- Double-hook seat height adjusts quickly and easily
- Under-seat storage compartment accommodates small toys, snacks and a change of clothes
- Carrier also features hipbelt storage pockets and toy loop attachment points
- 3M reflective tape accents provide 360° of visibility
- Manufacturer recommends a maximum weight limit of 50 lbs. for child and gear
- Made from durable 600-denier polyester and brushed nylon
- MSRP: $149.95
Kelty FC 2.0 Child Carrier
- Auto-deploy kickstand extends and retracts smoothly thanks to an internal spring-loaded system
- 5-point, adjustable harness system is anchored directly to frame and features an easy-to-use central tensioning system similar to car seats
- Curved, molded foam shoulder harness with load-lifter straps, sternum strap and contoured, padded hipbelt evenly distributes the load
- Padded, molded back panel with sliding torso-length adjustment allows easy fitting changes between short and tall parents
- Padded, removable and washable cockpit offers a reclined position, allowing child to sit naturally and comfortably
- Double-hook seat height adjusts quickly and easily
- Zip-off diaper pack with shoulder straps stores toys and essentials
- Under-seat storage compartment accommodates more diapers, toys, snacks and change of clothes—enough for a day's outing
- Carrier also features hipbelt storage pockets and toy loop attachment points
- 3M reflective tape accents provide 360° of visibility
- Manufacturer recommends a maximum weight limit of 50 lbs. for child and gear
- Made from durable 600-denier polyester and brushed nylon
- MSRP: $199.95
Kelty FC 3.0 Child Carrier
- Auto-deploy kickstand is internally spring-loaded (no bungees) for smooth deployment and retraction
- 5-point, adjustable harness system is anchored directly to frame and features an easy-to-use central tensioning system similar to car seats
- Curved, molded foam shoulder straps with load-lifter straps, sternum strap and 2-layer contoured padded hipbelt evenly distribute load
- Padded, molded back panel with sliding torso-length adjustment allows easy fitting changes between short and tall parents
- Padded, removable and washable cockpit offers a reclined position, allowing child to sit naturally and comfortably
- Double-hook seat height adjustment is fast and easy to change
- Included sun/rain hood protects your little one from the elements and also helps guard against unruly bushes and branches
- Removable diaper pack with shoulder strap lets you bring along toys and essentials
- Under-seat storage compartment accommodates more diapers, toys, snacks and change of clothes—enough for a day's outing
- Includes changing pad for those unexpected diaper changes while on the go
- The Kelty FC 3.0 Frame child carrier also features hipbelt storage pockets for small essentials for mom and dad and toy loop attachment points for the little one
- 3M reflective tape accents provides 360° of visibility
- Manufacturer recommends a maximum weight limit of 50 lbs. for child and gear
- Made from durable 600-denier polyester and brushed nylon
- MSRP: $249.95
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Montana Backcountry Adventures
After getting back from my surf trip to the northwest, I came home psyched for the seasons to change and for winter to begin. Having got my fill of water time in, I was getting psyched to start surfing water in a different form: ski season! 4 days and 6 loads of laundry after my Oregon/Washington Trip, I turned around and headed up to Big Sky, Montana, to help some buddies set up their backcountry ski yurt for Montana Backcountry Adventures. Montana Backcountry Adventures, started by a couple of "old ski bum bros from Tahoe," encompasses 3 very unique backcountry experiences based out of Big Sky, Montana. MBA consists of The Bell Lake Yurt, a 20' diameter backcountry ski yurt situated in the heart of the Tobacco Root Mountains, The Montana Dinner Yurt, a fine dining experience at Big Sky Ski Resort, and new for this year, The Shedhorn Grill, an on-mountain eatery blasting reggae and grillin' burgers at Big Sky Ski Resort. The Bell Lake Yurt, which sleeps up to 6 guests, allows backcountry skiers to access some amazing terrain with a moderate approach. The guys at MBA offer a variety of ways for you to access those sweet couloirs of Branham Peaks or the beautiful bowls of Bell Lake Basin that sit just behind the Bell Lake Yurt; fully inclusive trips or overnight yurt rentals. New to the backcountry scene and wanting a seasoned pro to show you all the sick shots? A Montana Backcountry Adventures Guide will meet you at a local coffee shop, coordinate logistics with you, take you into the yurt (a 3 mile snowmobile transport to the trailhead plus the additional 3 mile, 1700 foot skin up the yurt), cook for you, and serve as your in-house resource for locating all the sweetest pow stashes. A backcountry aficionado and just wanting to reserve the yurt for your own use? MBA is psyched to help you out with that too! Self service yurt rentals are totally possible- the guys just require that you take an "Orientation Guide" with you your first time up there, so you know the best and safest way to get to the yurt, etc (You're only required to have an orientation guide for the 1st little bit you're up there- so if you've got a multi-day trip planned, the guide heads back down right after showing you around, and you've got the place to yourselves!) After you've been up with an orientation guide, so long as you have a "group leader" with first aid and an Avalanche 1 certification, The Bell Lake Yurt is yours to enjoy without a guide. However you arrive at the Bell Lake Yurt, with or without guide, you're stylin' when you get there! 6 cots, wood stove for heating, propane stove for cooking, kitchen supplies, and a nearby pit toilet- what more could you need? Each season, The Bell Lake Yurt gets transported into its home at 8500 feet just below Branham Peak by some combo of helicopter, a caravan of Toyota Tacomas (seems to be the vehicle of choice up there in MT), snowmobiles, ATVs and sheer manpower. As a member of the "Salt Lake Contingent" of Montana Backcountry Adventures (read: one co-owner of MBA and several friends enticed into hard labor with the promise of out of state beer and possibly some skiing), I headed up to the Tobacco Roots to assist with the manpower section of yurt installment. 2 days, countless loads, and a few cases of Moose Drool (no, not actual Drool... A great beer brewed by Big Sky Brewery) later, the majority of the yurt materials were settled up in their home, just below Bell Lake. The guys up at MBA plan on setting up the yurt in the next few weeks, now that all the materials are up at the site. Peak yurt season begins in the end of December, so the guys are crankin' to make sure the yurt is set up and dialed before the big snow flies. Don't worry though, there's already snow- when were were up there in mid-October, there were FEET of snow on the ground already. Psyched about The Bell Lake Yurt? So was Skiing Magazine. Be sure to check out the article in this month's magazine or online. So psyched that you want to head up there and check it out yourself? Check the online reservation calendar to see when the yurt is available. Make your reservations soon, the yurt fills fast, especially on weekends. Follow the Bell Lake Yurt blog or check out Montana Backcountry Adventures on Facebook for current updates on snow and skiing conditions....
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Oregon/Washington Surf Trip
After my summer trip to Costa Rica, I discovered that I enjoyed surfing so much that I had to get back for more! I planned a trip out to the pacific northwest in October, bought myself a wetsuit, and then began counting down the days til I could be back in the water! After packing 2 people, 1 dog, 2 surf boards, 15 days worth of clothes and food and 2 iPods worth of music into my Tacoma, we were ready to go. We drove out to Oregon to surf the coast down there first, and had an incredibly lucky weather window! In the days that we surfed there, we had 3 BEAUTIFUL days with no rain, warm temps and calm skies. Pretty unheard of on the Oregon coast this time of year. Each morning, I brewed myself a cup of coffee with my JetBoil Flash and Coffee Press attachment, grabbed my surfboard, spent 20 minutes wriggling myself into my damp wetsuit (a skill I have yet to master) and headed out for the morning session. The days were spent alternating surfing and running on the beach playing with the dog. When each evening rolled around, we packed up the boards and the dog, and would find a sweet spot to cook dinner out of the back of the Tacoma, enjoy some Two Buck Chuck (Another great stop along our trip- Trader Joes!), and watch the sunset. Next morning? Wake up, roll out of bed (not so much roll out of bed as it was "squeeze out of the back of the truck from the top of the built-in bed which leaves you a maximum of 2 inches of head clearance"), repeat! Rough life, I know. After getting in some great days surfing, the weather and the swell finally took a turn for the worse, and our surfing days were finished for the trip. We decided to head up the coast, following the 101 all the way up to Neah Bay, and then around towards Seattle. The majority of this terrain is a part of Olympic National Park, which boasts more rainforests than I ever thought I'd see in my life! I spent some time exploring secluded beaches, hiking to see huge Cedar trees, and visiting some amazing hot springs. Eventually, time started running short, so we swung through Seattle for a few days, and then began our drive back to Salt Lake, with a small pit stop in Couer D'Alene and another in Montana. Throughout my trip, I had the opportunity to test out of a lot of sweet gear, including the Flophouse Foam Pad, Hovercraft Frisbee and Bivvy Bowl for Baker (my goofball dog, for those of you who don't know), the new JetBoil Flash, and a GoPro Camera (which came into the water surfing with me several times!). Be sure to check out all my reviews to see how each item performed in the seemingly never-ending rain and the sand! Check out all the cool pics as well!...
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Summer Surf Trip in Costa Rica
In August, I had an last minute opportunity to head down to Costa Rica for about 3 weeks! I'd never been there before, and it has always been a country I'd love to visit, so I booked a plane ticket and 3 days later was on my way down to San Jose, CR. I traveled by myself throughout the country, and had a great time experiencing the food, music, culture, and the biggest part of my trip down there- the surfing! Never having surfed before, I had intended on taking 1 or 2 days at the beach, giving surfing a try, and then moving on to see Arenal (an active volcano in North-Central Costa Rica), Monteverde (the Cloud Forest), and possibly Manual Antonio National Park, to see some sloths and toucans! My roommate had just returned from a surf trip down to Costa Rica, and recommended a few small towns on the Nicoya Peninsula (on the pacific side of CR) to go to and surf. Again, I was planning on surfing being a rather short lived activity for me- I'm traditionally a mountain gal! I'm not a fan of water I can't see the bottom of, don't particularly like sand, don't really enjoy getting wet, and in general, get bored at the beach. Surfing sounds right up my ally, huh? But I figured I would give it a try! After an epic travel day, consisting of one 5 hour plan ride, 2 taxi rides, 1 water ferry and 3 bus rides, I arrived on the Nicoya peninsula, and settled into a small surf town, exhausted from traveling. The following morning I rented myself a board, and went straight to the water. I was able to stand up on the board fairly quickly, as soon as I did, I knew I was in trouble- I'd found another outdoor activity to fall in love with! The freedom and the rush I felt when riding the waves was incomparable to anything else I've ever done! My 1-2 day surf stay turned into just over a week out on the peninsula. The day consisted of waking up early, sessioning for a few hours, coming back and taking a nap in a hammock, heading back out for the afternoon swell for another 4 hours of surfing, and then coming back in and eating dinner, relaxing with an Imperial (the Costa Rican equivalent of a Pabst), and going to bed. Each day I would eat a "casado" or a plate of food at a local "soda" (small restaurant). I ate loads of "Gallo Pinto," an incredible rice and bean dish! After about a week of surfing every day, I began to feel guilty. I had, after all, come down to Costa Rica to see the country! I'm not a surfer, I should be out experiencing something else, seeing the sights and being a tourist! So, I packed up, and moved on to Montezuma, a small town also on the Nicoya Peninsula with some very beautiful waterfalls that you can hike to. I spent one night there, and then hopped back on the bus/ferry/bus combo to get back towards the mainland and head to one of the many national parks in Costa Rica. However, about halfway through the bus ride, I realized that all I wanted to do was surf! So, I got off that bus, hopped on a different one, and 13 hours later (local buses are an experience in Costa Rica... You've got to be prepared for everything to take a while!), was in Dominical, another surf town on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, where I spent the remainder of my trip surfing! On the last day before I had to start heading back to San Jose to catch my flight home, I did stop through Manual Antonio National Park, which was well worth the visit. I saw a sloth, a toucan, several beautiful plants, some cool red and purple crabs, and a beautiful beach. If you head that direction, be sure to bring your swimsuit with you into the park- the beaches are gorgeous and great to swim in! Or, in my case, use you Patagonia undies and sports bra, which can double as a swimsuit in a pinch! Throughout my trip, I stayed in several small hostels, each equipped with hammocks outside! The hammock nap became such a staple in my day that I bought one and brought it home with me. I met a bunch of really cool travelers at each hostel I stayed at, and hopefully will stay in touch with them! I'm already planning a trip down to Australia to meet up with some of them and surf some more. Overall, I had an incredible 3 week surf trip down south! Ironic, considering my initial hatred of all things wet. However, I loved it so much that I just recently purchased a new surfboard and wetsuit, and will be heading out to the Oregon/Washington coast in 2 weeks for another surf trip! I'm addicted, that's for sure....
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GearJunkie.com Launches 2nd “Choose-Your-Adventure” Sweepstakes
GearJunkie.com announced today the launch of its second “Choose-Your-Adventure” Sweepstakes. The contest, run and administered on GearJunkie.com, will award one winner and a guest a multi-day, all-expenses-paid adventure vacation this autumn in the Alleghenies, a mountain range in the southeastern United States. Officially named the "Choose-Your-Alleghenies-Adventure" Sweepstakes, GearJunkie.com has teamed with the Alleghenies Tourism Council to launch the contest. It starts today and runs through September 15, 2009. Gear Junkie readers and the general public can sign up here for a chance to win: http://gearjunkie.com/sweeps09-signup In addition to airfare and the all-expenses-paid trip, the winner will be outfitted with gear from sponsor companies. The winner and a travel companion will pick between one of five adventure trip itineraries, including mountain biking, hiking, fishing, paddling, and road biking in the Alleghenies. Joining the winner and guest will be The Gear Junkie, Stephen Regenold, a nationally-syndicated newspaper columnist and founder of GearJunkie.com. The trip will be chronicled daily on a blog at GearJunkie.com. Video and online slideshows will be produced. For Official Rules and more information, visit www.gearjunkie.com/sweeps09 ...
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Women’s Ex Officio Give-N-Go Boy Cut Brief Review
The pics of these undies without legs in them, do them no justice. Ex Officio has made some amazing underpants, the Give-N-Go Boy Cut Brief. The Give-N-Go Boy Cut Brief has everything you love about your favorite synthetic base layer. They are full range of motion friendly. They feel sleek without feeling slick. The quick drying synthetic blend comes in handy for impromptu clothing required hot springs or creeks, and again when you are on long backpacking trip and you are hand washing/ drip drying your clothes. I am excited to see Ex Officio expanding their color choices. I have a few pair of the Give-N-Go Boy Cuts, but mine are limited to the black and the white of last year. I am stoked to add a little color. Be aware the entire women’s line of Ex Officio underpants run large. I am 5’9” and a slender 125 pounds. I typically wear a small/ medium in most next to skin layers due to a broad climber’s back and sturdy cyclist thighs. When I bought my Ex Officio Boy Cut Briefs I was an XS (extra small) for the first time in my life. Wild. The fabric does shrink up if you wash them in a commercial washer and dryer, but the blended fabric stretches right back out to hug your body, and is not tight. Ex Officio Give-N-Go Boy Cut Brief Highlights
- Snythetic blended fabric of nylon and spandex
- Quick drying fabric, odor resistant
- Variety of colors and prints
- Non-restrictive, full range of motion
- Made to last! Wear over (and wash them) and over (and wash them) and over…
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Sea To Summit Adaptor Coolmax Travel Liner Review
The Adaptor Coolmax Travel Liner is smooth and sleek. The soft synthetic is a moisture managing fabric designed to get the sweat off you to keep your body theromregulated. It is an awesome plus that using Adaptor Coolmax Travel sleeping bag liner legthens the life of your sleeping bag. If you are unfamiliar with Coolmax, the fabric is awesome. It feels silky and soft, and I have never met anyone who didn’t like the feel. The Sea to Summit Adaptor is rather thin, and designed intensionally so. There is loads of versatility in this liner. If you are crashing on a friends couch, or staying in a sketchy hostel and do not want direct contact with the sheets, or to actually line the interior of your sleeping bag. The Adaptor Travel Liner is not a blanket for warm, but can add a few degrees to your sleeping bag comfort rating. It is a technical liner for moisture control, and that is where bags and any soft good loose heat first. It also takes the beating of repeated washings, so you don’t have to put your bag through it. While the liner has four season adaptability, I would recommend a thicker liner for winter conditions. I had this liner in use full time and I did not care for it in the really cold months. When I would wear wool base layers the Coolmax would get stick to my baselayers and would wake up all wrapped up. I have found the Adaptor Coolmax Travel liner truly shines in the hot and sweaty climates. Regions like the tropics where it humid is nearly impossible to sleep dry, that is challenge where the Adaptor Coolmax Travel Liner rocks it. I would throw this liner in between my sheets or on the hammock in Costa Rica and it was a lifesaver. Features of the Adaptor Coolmax Travel Liner:
- Lightweight (9 oz)
- Quick drying, moisture regulating fabric
- Comes with its own stuff sack
- Preserves your sleeping bag, making the beating of funk and washing
- One color: blue
- Same cut as a mummy sleeping bag
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Marmot Couloir Sleeping Bag Review
The last thing I want when I am sleeping in a snow cave is feeling chlosterphobic in my sleeping bag or sleeping cold. I am looking for a warm, comfortable nights rest and the Marmot Couloir has you covered. The Couloir has been refined to be one of my favorite four season bags on the market. Every time I have pulled this bag from it’s stuff sack, people watch in amazement as the 800+ fill loft continues to expand. I love the loft! The 0 degree Celsius rating is very conservative. I have slept is this bag comfy and warm at -10. In the warmer months I simply unzip the bag and drape it like a blanket. I am not typically a warm sleeper. Marmot sleeping bags are put through the ringer at the Thelma Center in Norway for testing, and the work shows. Marmot has kept the big picture, while not over looking the small things. The trapezoidal footbox surrounds your feet and ankles naturally, you won’t wake up with a tangled end or your feet smashed in the corner. The sleeping bag is designed after the human form, comfy from the feet all the way to the shoulders. Many mummy bags are looking to cut weight by making a narrower cut bag. The Marmot Couloir weighs in at just over 3lbs and is worth ever ounce. Even after the drawstrings are secured I do not feel chlosterphobic in this bag. The loft is light and the seams are non restrictive, so I do not even have to think about anything, or make adjustments, just sleep. One my pet peeves with down goods is the loathed zipper snag. One hard snag and you can ruin a down jacket or bag. The Marmot Couloir has reinforced the nylon so it is virtually impossible to snag the bag. The zippers are smooth and consistent. I have had mine 2 years and it has not worn out and I do not get any draft coming through the hood or zipper line. While the Marmot Couloir comes in just the one curry color, it is available in a Dryloft version (if you are in wet climates) and in a long version. I have heard complaints from people saying their bag looks dirty when they are new. It is the loft filling in under the translucent nylon, the bag is most likely not dirty. I highly recommend this bag for is durability, performance to weight ratio, as well as comfort. Features of the Marmot Couloir:
- 800+ fill down
- Trapezoidal footbox
- Anatomically designed, wide shoulders, easy to grab zips
- Hood and hood muff to prevent drafts
- No snag zippers
- One pocket on the interior of the bag
- Storage sack and stuff sack included
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Traveling to Melbourne, Australia
I just got back from Melbourne, Australia and if you like the outdoors (but still want to be near a large city with excellent work prospects, large companies, and great food and culture) then I think Melbourne is probably the place for you in the Southern Hemisphere. On top of that, when I was there just a few weeks ago the exchange rate was almost 2 AUD for 1 USD. Not bad at all... Melbourne is located on the southern coast of Australia, not far across the sea from Tasmania and Antarctica. The saying in Melbourne is that if you don't like the weather, hang out for a few minutes because it is bound to change. When you are on the coast, it can be 120 degrees Fahrenheit and then within 5 minutes you feel a cold front come up from Antarctica and it drops to 70 degrees in a moment. It just hits your back and you feel a 50 degree swing in 5 minutes! The ski resorts aren't far from Melbourne either, so you can see why the outdoorsy folks might prefer it to Sydney, which is out on the Eastern coast. I arrived in Melbourne and was greeted by my friend David, a semi-professional Australian Football League player who had a knee injury last year and called it quits. He said that when AFL is on (April - September) Melbourne is the place to be --- it is all that anyone in Melbourne (even all the girls) talk about during those months! Rugby Union and Rugby League are also huge --- I was in heaven with 2 or 3 channels playing nothing but rugby 24x7. Melbourne also regularly hosts Formula 1 Grand Prix races right in downtown, and is teeming with traveling fans during that time. I checked in at the hotel ----- "Oaks on Lonsdale" which was only $150/night AUD (wow...$80USD!). The Oaks on Lonsdale is a high-rise hotel in the heart of Melbourne, walking distance to all the main attractions of the city. The hotel is located on Lonsdale Ave in downtown and has large, very recently-renovated and stylishly-decorated apartments -- each with their own kitchen and washer/dryer. See my picture at right, that I snapped when sitting down for dinner my first night. There is an IGA grocery store right next door, so you really are set once you settle in. The washer/dryer helps a LOT because then you can pack much lighter (jeans, one pair of shoes, and a few shirts) and then just do laundry at night. I went down under for more than 2 weeks and just took a carry-on --- no checked baggage going through customs! Just up the street from the hotel is St. Peters ---- a gorgeous Catholic cathedral built during colonial times. The outside is blackish-brown stone (other buildings are also that reddish-brown sandstone that is so prevalent in Australia...very reminiscent of Utah red rock). Inside it is the traditional cross in floorplan, with a raised central altar area. The roof and rafters are a gorgeous dark wood, and the detail throughout was very impressive. About a block from St. Peters Cathedral is the free Melbourne trolley system, which you can catch to take you around sort of a belt route of Melbourne. Next stop was the Melbourne Museum, and then down to Victoria Markets (aka, Vic Markets) which are very much similar to Pike Place Market in Seattle. A little ways away from the Vic Markets you'll run into the old Bath House which is where the outdoor sports shops are located. There is a high-end climbing gym called Hard Rock Climbing Gym and it rivals the downtown REI in Seattle for exceptional indoor climbing (see pics at right). A few blocks away is the office of Melbourne International Backpackers too --- a great place to grab a guide and go do some camping in the outback, or along the beach. Unfortunately my itinerary did not include a few days' excursion into the outback. Instead I gave a speech at Melbourne City Hall, with a great brunch-and-mingle out on the old pillared deck high above the street (see pic at right). And the rest of the week was meetings and good food...though my flight left just as the rest of the guys were treated as members guests to the Presidential Room of the colonial-era old-boys club called "The Kelvin Club." Before I left, however, I did have the chance to have a delicious wagyu steak and some roasted kangaroo at The Meat & Wine Co. -- a great restaurant alongside the river in town. But you'll feel like an anaconda after that --- too full to eat for 3 days! All in all, it was enough to get me to want to go back during their winter (our summer) and try out the ski resorts, take in more of the water, and hit up the Melbourne International Backpackers for a camping trip into the outback. Oh yeah, and catch a few Aussie Rules football matches while I'm at it too!...
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Merrell Sedona Zip Polo Shirt
It's Spring (at least on the caledar), so that means it's time to start thinking about shorts, flip-flops and other spring/summer apparel. Most recently, Merrell's apparel line has been catching my eye as some of the most stylish and functional outdoor-focused clothing. New for Spring is the Merrel Sedona zip polo shirt made from a mixture of Merino wool and nylon to keep you cool and comfortable in all conditions. I know, I know... the polo shirt has been done in so many ways, what makes this stand out? Here are a few great features:
- Natural wicking performance of Merino wool and durability of nylon
- Merrell Coppertec to keep odor at a minimum (excellent for the lunchtime hike, walk or ride)
- Subtle droptail for backside protection on the bike
- Small zippered back pocket for keys, ID or credit cards
- Raw edge seam finish
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Green Living Project Expands to South America
Green Living Project, the leading media production and marketing company showcasing global sustainability initiatives, has announced their newest media expedition, this time to South America (April 5-30). Green Living Project™ will document nine new sustainability initiatives administered by leading conservation organizations, non-profits, foundations, travel companies, and eco-lodges. These projects will be incorporated into the company’s online and offline content distribution platforms to educate and inspire individuals and communities on the importance and benefits of sustainable living. Green Living Project (GLP) will be documenting projects in Ecuador, Brazil, and Peru, some of the leading responsible tourism and sustainability-focused destinations in South America. In these countries, GLP will collaborate with the following organizations on sustainability initiatives such as responsible tourism, wildlife conservation, voluntourism, environmental education, organic farming, renewable energy, eco-lodges, and indigenous communities.
- Ecuador Ecotourism Association (ASEC)
- Ecuador Tourism Board
- Brazil Tourism Board
- Amazon Conservation Association (ACA)
- Mountain Lodges of Peru, and several others
"The Ecuador Ecotourism Association (ASEC) and Ecuador Tourism Board are excited to collaborate with Green Living Project during their upcoming media expedition to Ecuador," said Christian Mera, Executive Director of ASEC. "We look forward to having GLP document successful examples of sustainability across Ecuador. We have also found an amazing opportunity to promote the wonders of Ecuador as a premier destination for sustainable tourism in South America to the adventure and responsible tourism market across North America." "Brazil Tourism Board’s Public Relations Department supports foreign journalists coming to Brazil to promote our cultural and natural diversity, as well as our tourist destinations,” said Mariana Szauter, Public Relations Manager of Brazil Tourism Board. "We look forward to having Green Living Project help us build an awareness around sustainability, biodiversity, and natural resource conservation, while also helping to increase global social responsibility." "Receiving strong support from leading tourism boards (Ecuador, Brazil) and an established global airline (LAN Airlines) was important in GLP’s expansion to South America,” said Rob Holmes, Founder and President of Green Living Project. “South America offers such an exciting contrast to our extensive work across Africa. From varied terrain (Amazon rainforest, Andean cloud forests, volcanic landscapes, Pacific Ocean) to diverse local sustainability and conservation project themes (brazil nuts, indigenous communities, sea turtles, spectacled bears, permaculture), we are excited to document, promote, and distribute these successful and educational sustainability projects."This South American media expedition will feature new interactive and social media applications as consumers can monitor and track the expeditions via the following: Twitter: (www.greenlivingproject.com/twitter): Short daily text updates Facebook: (www.greenlivingproject.com/facebook): Periodic text, photo, video updates Google Maps®: (www.greenlivingproject.com/education): Real-time tracking of the media expedition while in the field (launching April 6th)
About Green Living Project
Green Living Project (GLP) is the leading media production and marketing company showcasing global sustainable initiatives. Through various multi-media production and distribution techniques, GLP aims to educate, inspire and entertain while encouraging individuals and communities on the importance and benefits of sustainable living. GLP markets and promotes its exclusive media content online and through a North American “Event Series”. Key partners and sponsors include National Geographic Adventure, Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), African Wildlife Foundation, Earthwatch Institute, Green Festival, Adventures in Travel Expo, Timberland, Gregory Mountain Products, and Keen Footwear. Green Living Project™ is a privately held company located outside of Los Angeles, California. More Info: Visit GreenLivingProject.com... Read more...
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2009 Lowrance GPS Handhelds
Have you ever gotten lost? Have you ever admitted it? If you are banging your head on the keyboard because you own a GPS and got lost with it on your dashboard you might want to check Lowrance GPS navigators. Out of the box these puppies pride themselves in ease of use and come with all the extras your looking for in a GPS unit. The Endura series is keeping up with the Apple iPhone and Blackberry Storm craze with having a touchscreen interface to buzz trails or find that POI everyone on the blog is raving about. Pre-loaded maps and SD expansions slots to cram your MP3's and pics are just a few of the treats you get with the Lowrance Endura series.
ENDURA SIERRA - $549 (Blue)
The 'flagship' of the three units boasts a 4GB internal memory to store tunes and trails. This unit comes with Intermap’s Accuterra, a high resolution topo map to really hold your hand through the backcountry. The Sierra offers the NAVTEQ road network for the lower 48 for that visit to DC, so no worries on getting lost while trying to find Ben's Chili Bowl. The Sierra accepts many GPX and online community-based content.ENDURA SAFARI - $384.99 (Gray)
Ever thought of keeping notes when your following a map? Along with the Sierra the Safari has a built-in voice recorder to remind you where exactly you put the toilet paper. The Safari has a stout processor for quick panning and trail loading. Uploaded with detailed maps to help ease the pain of being lost...dis-oriented...errr you know what I mean.ENDURA OUTBACK - $229.99 (Yellow)
The Outback is a solid affordable choice for getting into the GPS world. This unit comes with a geocaching application compatible with Geocaching.com to go leave baseball cards in lunch boxes tucked under abandoned railroad carts. Full color and touchscreen makes this easy to use and gives you all the POI's you need for a jam packed road trip. The contours aren't as detailed as the other models but will get you where you need to be. Don't forget Fishing Hot Spots and Lakemaster charts already uploaded to catch the big one. All units are 5.1-inch high x 2.3-inch wide x 1.1-inch deep and weigh you down 5.8oz. Sleek and easy to use, theres no reason not to pack one along and on top of that; not get lost. Check out Lowrance to find the Endura GPS unit that will make your next trip epic. ... Read more...
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Green Living Project Announces 2009 Event Schedule
Green Living Project™, the leading media production and marketing company focused on global sustainability initiatives, has announced their 2009 lecture tour schedule for North America. Following a successful 2008 tour schedule which featured over 30 events in North and South America, Green Living Project™ has established new strategic event partnerships to educate and inspire attendees, while increasing the promotion and distribution of the company’s multi-media production work on unique and successful sustainability projects from around the globe. The “Green Living Project™ Lecture Series” offers free multi-media events that are open to the public, attracting a wide audience from high school students to working professionals to retired baby boomers. Events showcase projects from around the globe focused on relevant and important sustainability topics such as responsible tourism, renewable energy, wildlife conservation, community development, waste management, and organic farming. Attendees learn about the geographic regions covered, local communities, examples of sustainability, and responsible tourism. Each event also shows how people can get directly involved with each project and organization by volunteering, visiting, donating, or purchasing items. In 2009, over 40 different multi-media events will be held across North America in partnership with new and existing festival, trade show, and retail event partners, including:
- Adventures in Travel Expo (ATE Travel Show): www.adventureexpo.com
- Green Festival: www.greenfestivals.org
- Go Green Expo: www.gogreenexpo.com
- Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI): www.rei.com
- L.L.Bean: www.llbean.com
"Green Festivals seek to showcase the best of what works for our communities, at home and abroad, and we’re proud to host Green Living Project”, says Alix Davidson, Washington D.C. regional director of Green Festival. “For example, their [GLP] focus on success stories from Africa highlights the Green Festivals’ vision for the future, one that combines social justice with ecological balance and a sustainable economy." "Green Living Project’s tour creates a space for communities to experience work focused on creating solutions to the challenges we face”, says Sally Johnson, retail events coordinator of REI. “This amazing work is taking place all over the world! And Green Living Project is an excellent channel for people to connect to this work and see the possibilities for change. It is very exciting for REI to promote and be involved with their unique work." "The most rewarding aspect of these events has been the overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees and event partners,“ said Rob Holmes, founder and president of Green Living Project™. “Attendees are engaged, inspired, and have the unique opportunity to get directly involved with interesting projects from around the globe. They also learn about the world, sustainable living, responsible tourism, and how each of us can make a positive impact. Our professional content and unique storytelling about positive success stories really resonates with people since it celebrates and instigates activism to make a difference locally and globally. These educational components will be expanded when we launch our new Education Program this spring. This exciting new program will further develop our educational objectives, and will expand the lecture tour to elementary, undergraduate, and graduate schools nationwide."
About Green Living Project™
Green Living Project™ is the leading multi-media production, marketing and entertainment company showcasing sustainable initiatives from around the globe. Through various production and distribution techniques, Green Living Project™ aims to educate, inspire and entertain while encouraging individuals and communities to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. The company markets its exclusive content online and offline, including an international lecture tour. Key partners include National Geographic Adventure, REI, Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), Adventures in Travel Expo (ATE), African Wildlife Foundation, Earthwatch Institute, Timberland, Gregory, and Keen Footwear. Green Living Project™ is a privately held company located in Los Angeles, California. For more information, visit www.greenlivingproject.com or contact Rob Holmes at (818) 988-2234.... Read more...
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Alpine Aire Foods
After packing 40+ pounds of gear that may or may not get used this trip you stroll into camp finally done with your day. After about 20 minutes of setting up camp you start to boil water for dinner to actually nourish your tired body. Whats worse then eating slop that tastes like nasty left overs in the outdoors? Worry no more and let Alpine Aire spend a little time in the kitchen on your next trip. It's always a gamble when your food shopping for a trip. Energy bars, drink mixes, and of course the dinners. I took a leap with Alpine Aire on my last Rainier trip and was very pleased. It seems to me that the food is prepared in such a way that it cooks quick and has a very eatable texture. The pouch is a ziploc style to really lock in the heat to cook the food quick. And hey a ziploc in the backcountry even acts as a storage pouch for left over food. Genius. I had the Chicken Gumbo one night and with a little Chalua it turned into a great meal. Alone the Gumbo is spicy enough for any regular person but I'm a fan of hot hot food. They also have an array of desserts and other cool sides to keep your tummy happy while your feet might not be. The price on the food also doesn't leave you like a poor church mouse. BUY NOW: Alpine Aire Food at Campsaver.com. ...
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Patagonia Women’s Down Vest
A great cross between fashion and functionality, one of my favorite pieces of gear is the Patagonia Women's Down Vest. Being one of the first peices of outdoor "gear" I bought after moving to Utah, I am continually impressed with the quality of its construction, as it holds up to nights out on the town and chilly mornings at the crag. The Patagonia Women's Down Vest is cut just great for women with an average torso length (beware if you are one with a longer torso, it will definitely seem a bit short on you). The women's specific cut allows for the vest to still be flattering and not too "marshmellow man" looking.
Pros of the Patagonia Women's Down Vest
- Fleece lined neck keeps your chin and neck nice and toasty!
- Invisible zippers to side handwarmer pockets keep the vest looking trim
- Handwarmer pockets are fleece lined!
- Comes with a stuff sack
- Patagonia's mission statement includes building the best product while causing no unnecessary harm, and using business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis. So, despite the hefty price tag, you know your garment is made at high quality standards while protecting your environment. A very worthwhile trade off in my eyes.
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Inka Pen Review
I'm not a pen guy per se. I mean sure, I expect a pen to write good but I don't care if it's stainless, gold plated, a certain brand or whatever else people use to rationalize buying a $100+ pen. But when I saw the Inka Pen at this years Winter Outdoor Retailer Show I knew that this pen would soon be on my "needed" items list. As a backcountry skier I'm often interested in taking notes of snow conditions, avalanche activity and results from the snow pits that I dig. Trying to use a pencil on wet paper, even the waterproof paper (which is expensive!) can deliver mixed results at best. Try using a pen in the cold and snowy weather and you're SOL. When the pen arrived and after reading all the marketing materials that it "writes in extreme environments" and writes "upside down" it sounded a lot like the Seinfeld space pen: [youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=qbzothLBMME[/youtube] The pen can be used in compact or full expanded mode, making it useful for quick writing or comfortable for prolonged writing. Ideal for situations like writing in a journal while in a tent at base camp on an expedition or perhaps on a train as it rumbles through Europe when you're living out of a backpack. Whenver space is a premium and reliability tantamount, the Inka Pen measures up. But what about super cold or up-side down as advertised? Regardless of its claims I put it to the test in cold snowy and wet conditions to see if it really measured up.
Quick Review of the Inka Pen
As you can see from the image on the right I used the pen in 5 different scenerios all written on the same note card. For the wet paper situation I put snow on the paper and let it melt. It was snowing pretty hard and the air temperature was in the low 20's. I also had stored the pen in my backpack to ensure that it was at or near air temps. The results? You can decide from the image but it wrote well each time. I'm sold on the reliability and use of this pen. I slip it in my pack with a small stack of 3x5 cards (with a hole in the corner as the pen comes with a key ring that I slip through the hole) on every adventure. Good Inka- The Inka pen writes upside down, wet, cold and even under water.
- Small and easy to use in either compact or full mode
- Fits in a pocket
- Built to last
- Price of $19.95 may scare some. However, the moment you need something to write with in an "extreme" situation you'll gladly plunk down a Jackson for the Inka Pen.
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Choose Your Adventure
If you could choose your own adventure to go on what would it be? Where would you go? And more importantly what sort of gear would you choose to take along?
Now forget any associated costs and think again.
Our friends at The Gear Junkie announced today an enter to win sweepstakes that they've teamed up REI
on which gives the winner (and a buddy) the choice of one of five adventures to go on, accompanied by Steven Reginald, aka "the Gear Junkie".
Ok, so if you do win you can't choose any adventure but you can choose from this list:
- Mount Washington Winter Climb
- Sequoia Winter Mountaineering Clinic
- Yosemite Snowshoe Trip
- Ice Climbing Basics in New Hampshire
- White Mountains Hut-to-Hut Snowshoe
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Escalante River Restoration – Utah Backcountry Volunteers
Escalante River Restoration— A Special Presentation
Don’t miss your opportunity to meet Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Ranger Bill Wolverton tomorrow night, Wednesday, August 27th for a special presentation on the efforts to restore the Escalante River by removing invasive Russian olive trees. Please join Utah Backcountry Volunteers and host Ken Sanders Rare Books for an evening highlighting the 9-year effort, prompted by the steadfast love of this incredible area by its lone ranger. Bill will share historical and comparative photos and speak on the ongoing effort to restore the river system by removing its non-native trees. Utah Backcountry Volunteers is a partner providing volunteers to aid the agency and will be recruiting participants for our fall service trip to the Escalante. The event takes place at 7:00pm Wednesday, August 27th at Ken Sanders Rare Books, 268 S 200 E in Salt Lake City. This is a free event for all. We wish to thank Ken Sanders Rare Books for offering their space for this special presentation.
Summer Service Opportunities
A great opportunity awaits you to spend quality time in Utah’s wonderful backcountry this summer and fall. Camp out...while giving back! For details and to join one of these fun and fulfilling service trips, go to http://www.utahbackcountry.org. Read Testimonials of thrilled participants, and see what you’ve been missing in our Photo Gallery. Then Sign Up online...while space still remains!
- North Stansbury Mountains Wilderness Study Area: August 30-September 1
- Cedar Mesa/Grand Gulch Primitive Area: September 14-20
- Glen Canyon NRA, Escalante River: September 28-October 4
- Capitol Reef National Park: October 12-18
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Utah Backcountry Volunteers, P.O. Box 526197, Salt Lake City, UT 84152
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Utah Backcountry Volunteers opportunities
Friends of Utah Backcountry Volunteers:
We hope your summer has been enjoyable and that you can join us soon in service of Utah’s public lands. Please consider the following events for participation:
Mark Your Calendar August 27, Special Presentation on Escalante River Restoration
Please join Utah Backcountry Volunteers and host Ken Sanders Rare Books for an evening presentation on the 9-year effort to eradicate invasive Russian olive trees from the Escalante River. National Park Ranger Bill Wolverton of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area will share comparative photos and speak on the ongoing effort to restore the river system by removing its non-native trees. Utah Backcountry Volunteers is a partner providing volunteers to aid the agency and will be recruiting participants for our fall service trip to the Escalante.
The event takes place at 7:00pm Wednesday, August 27th at Ken Sanders Rare Books, 268 S 200 E in Salt Lake City. This is a free event for all. We wish to thank Ken Sanders Rare Books for offering their space for this special presentation.
Summer Service Opportunities
A great opportunity awaits you to spend quality time in Utah’s wonderful backcountry this summer and fall. Camp out...while giving back! For details and to join one of these fun and fulfilling service trips, go to http://www.utahbackcountry.org. Read Testimonials of thrilled participants, and see what you’ve been missing in our Photo Gallery. Then Sign Up online...while space still remains!
- Dixie National Forest, Canaan Peak: August 17-23
- North Stansbury Mountains Wilderness Study Area: August 30-September 1
- Cedar Mesa/Grand Gulch Primitive Area: September 14-20
- Glen Canyon NRA, Escalante River: September 28-October 4
- Capitol Reef National Park: October 12-18
Thanks For Voicing Your Choice
A special thanks to all who recently voted for us in Patagonia’s new Voice Your Choice program. Although we didn’t win the contest, we understand our showing and vote total was very respectable. Our deep thank you goes to the Patagonia Outlet in Salt Lake City for including us amongst the group of several worthy local environmental causes. Our congratulations go to Utah Clean Energy and their hardworking staff for winning the contest.
_______________________________________________________________________ Utah Backcountry Volunteers, P.O. Box 526197, Salt Lake City, UT 84152... Read more...
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Deuter KangaKid Kid Carrier Backpack Review
In preparation for our family vacation back to the homeland of Seattle, I started looking for gear that would make our lives easier. We already have two BOB Revolution jogging strollers (single and duallie), already got the Kelty FC 2.0 Kid Carrier... what else could we need? Well, with three kids under three-years-old, strapping at least one of them down is always a plus. I saw the Deuter KangaKid kid carrier backpack and thought that would be a great addition to our slew of kid-friendly outdoor gear. Not only is it a solid backpack by itself, it can transform into a capable kid carrier in a matter of minutes--perfect for those "just in case" trips along the Seattle waterfront when little legs get tired. When the Deuter KangaKid arrived, I was instantly impressed with its style, fit and function. It looked like a solid backpack with all the standard fare commonly found on Deuter's lineup of backpacks. If you're not familiar with Deuter, it's because you live on the wrong side of the pond. Deuter has been building backpacks for longer than almost everyone else on the market, but they have only recently (over the past 10 years) grown their presence in the States. Deuter KangaKid Review The Deuter KangaKid sports a comfortable suspension, shoulder straps and waist belt. I've found it to be very comfortable under the load of my 18-month old son for 2-3 hours at a time. He digs it and seems to be very comfortable hiking around town and on the trail. Getting him in and out of it is fairly easy, but it requires something to set both he and the pack on, like the front seat of a car, a sturdy table or a bench. It's easy to get him buckled in and on my back with the weight distributed on my hips. Hauling the kids around along the Seattle waterfront, this pack was the perfect choice. I felt I was able to carry all the essentials along with the most essential of them all... my son. Without my son in the pack, it felt a little odd and the waistbelt sat a little higher than my hips. I had to loosen everything back up to get it to sit right, but that should be expected when switching modes. Good KangaKid
- Deuter quality and good looks
- Easy-to-use kid carrying system
- Very comfortable suspension design
- Lots of pockets and storage areas
- Unweighted, the pack sits a little high on the waist
- 33 lb. carrying capacity... seems like they are being conservative
- No waistbelt adjustment straps to pull the pack in tighter
- Side straps cover the clamshell zippers
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Wasatch Crest Trail and a Broken Collarbone
I don't have much time to tell you about my last bike ride --- and frankly my shoulder is killing me right now, so I'll spare you the gory details. But I do have a bunch of pics for you to enjoy of the Wasatch Crest Trail --- arguably the most enjoyable trail in Utah --- and I wanted to share them. That trail has a bit of everything you could want. But for me, it ended in a bit of carnage with a broken collarbone. More on that later... The Wasatch Crest Trail goes along the top of the Wasatch range, with views to the East towards Park City and The Canyons Ski Resort. And to the West are views of the Cottonwood Canyons where Brighton, Solitude, Alta, and Snowbird are located. Like I said, the Crest Trail has a bit of everything you could want. It has a big uphill portion called Puke Hill (coming from the Guardsman entrance from Big Cottonwood Canyon near Brighton and Solitude ski resorts). If you like a climb, this one is definitely good for building your lungs. It then has a bit of a jeep trail towards a weather station. Then a long, gorgeous ridge ride on soft red dirt. That is followed by a steep, rocky spine in the style of Moab (see the video here for a glimpse of jimmymack's first time riding the spine). After that, it's just a looooooong gorgeous downhill singletrack for many miles before you come out of Mill Creek Canyon. I've attached a bunch of pics for you to enjoy. I went with two of my brothers-in-law, John Hollberg and Brad Alldredge. And I then ran into an old college friend, Adam Davis, at the trailhead. We all pretty much rode the whole way together, until my "incident." About halfway through the downhill into Mill Creek, after the spine, I was in a bit of an opening in the trees. I saw about 5 folks coming uphill on the trail towards me, so of course I tried to get over to give them the right of way. But I was going at a fair speed and my front tire hit a rut, throwing me over the handlebars. Yes, I tried to do the "Magnum PI-style" shoulder roll but it didn't turn out as smoothly as I thought it would. As I lay there, face-down in the dirt, I heard the guys who were on their way up the trail stopping and talking about the wreck. I had no desire to move, because I knew something would hurt. I finally got up and I could tell my shoulder was destroyed. I was in serious pain, and I just kept hearing the guys who were coming up the hill talking about "popping my shoulder back in for me like Die Hard" and stuff like that, but really I didn't feel like talking much. Much less letting ANYONE touch my shoulder. But I was still about 5 or 6 miles or more from the car, parked at the bottom of Mill Creek Canyon. So what could I do? I just gritted my teeth and rode down the rest of the downhill, in pain with each stump or rock that I rolled over. You can see I eventually made it down to the car, in the picture where I'm holding up my right arm. The doctor said it was a broken collarbone, and maybe a bit of rotator cuff. Bummer. But it doesn't look like surgery will be required. Sweet! So I don't hold this injury against the Wasatch Crest Trail. It's still one of the best trails (if not THE best trail) in all of Utah. If you get a chance to ride it and not get hurt, it will become one of your favorites. Heck --- even if you do get hurt, it could still turn out to be your favorite. Cheers, Brig...
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DAKINE 101 Laptop Backpack Review
A few months ago I was on a search for a new backpack to carry my laptop back and forth to the office. Messenger bags are nice, but they just don't do it for me. I prefer the ability to put the whole shebang on my back and huff around if need be--especially when traveling for business. My previous pack suffered an untimely demise--I forgot about a bottle of milk in a side pocket for a few days and the chunky, curdled mess oozed into most of the compartments. Yeah, it smelled. And, even after multiple washes, it still smelled stanky. Looking at the laptop-compatible packs from many manufacturers, the DAKINE 101 had nearly everything I needed in a business-friendly/campus-friendly backpack. Tops on that list was a side-loading padded laptop sleeve. Nothing is more annoying than a laptop bag that doesn't have that feature. I don't want to have to unzip my entire bag just to access the laptop. Not only does the DAKINE 101 backpack have a side-load laptop sleeve, but it's also got lots of other cool pockets and storage options to keep all your electronics cozy and safe. Here's the quick rundown:
- Side water bottle pocket (works great with Nalgene bottles)
- Organizer pocket with removable MP3 player holder, cell phone pocket and other misc pockets
- Side-access laptop sleeve
- Zippered back panel security sleeve (to keep all yer loot)
- Dri-Mesh back panel and shoulder straps
- Fleece-lined sunglass pocket
- Rolling access side pocket (great for accessing stuff on-the-fly
- 2000 cu. in.
- MSRP: $75
DAKINE 101 Backpack Review
After a few months, this pack fits the bill. It's not perfect, but for the money, it's a solid laptop bag. For starters, the side-access sleeve works great for both my Apple Macbook and Macbook Pro 15" laptops. It will also work great for those with clunky PC laptops up to 14.5-inches x 10.75-inches x 1.75-inches. I dig the size of the large compartment--it's perfect to haul all my cycling gear, water bottles and leftovers (lunchtime staple) to the office. There's even a smaller pocket that fits my bike shoes perfectly. The pack fits fairly comfortably, but, I'll be honest, the zippered security pocket on the back panel makes things a little uncomfortable if you're going to wear this pack for a long time. Just don't shove anything that's too thick in there and you'll be fine. Good- Side-entry padded laptop storage sleeve
- Large compartment to carry shoes, leftovers and enough clothes for a 2-3 day trip
- Smaller compartments with organizing pockets galore
- Subtle styling in black or brown keeps things low-key
- Love the sunglasses pocket... awesome for travel
- Best suited for short hauls between classes
- Back panel and straps aren't comfortable for all-day hauls
- I wish it had a removable waist belt
- Be careful to zip up the laptop sleeve... I've forgotten and my laptop has gone for a ride... uggh
- Included iPod case design was already outdated when I bought the pack
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4th of July in Park City
Summer is the new high season, in my opinion. And the thing is, no one else has figured it out yet. So prices are lower but the get-aways are just what your doughy desk-jockey body needs. I think that especially pays off in Park City, Utah -- where it doesn't empty to "ghost town status" in May like other ski resorts. Park City has a thriving year-round community -- with some of the finest schools in the state of Utah. And it's only a 30 minute drive to Salt Lake City, so you have plenty folks who live up there and work downtown. There's tons of mountain biking, golf, picnics, rugby games, and chairlift-accessed hiking for views. But the best thing? It's 20 degrees cooler than down in the scorching Salt Lake valley, and has a bit of a mountain breeze too. You even need a fleece jacket on most nights. In 2002 Park City became known for its status as the coolest location ever for the Olympic Winter Games. So people came for the skiing and liked it. What they didn't realize was how much they would love the summers. There's an old saying in Park City: "You come for the winter but you stay for the summer." And that's about right -- you come to check out the skiing, but once you spend a summer in Park City you end up buying a place there. A yearly tradition for my wife and me is to spend 4th of July in Park City. Let me share with you what this year's 4th was like for me, accompanied by tons of photos at the right, and you'll see why. First, get up and go for a mountain bike ride while the sun is still cresting the Uintas. Last year I hit Mid-mountain, and this year it was the Flying Dog trail out by Kimball Junction. The trailhead starts just a few turns down the road from the Backcountry.com headquarters, and quickly leads up over a ridge and drops down into "Bob's Basin" on the way towards the idyllic town of Jeremy Ranch. Once you crest the ridge there are 3 downhills to choose from, each with progressively challenging terrain. They have small wooden bridges and drops, rock berms, and built-in bunny hop jumps. Nothing too nutty -- but just the right kind of enjoyment for an aggressive rider who isn't in the mood for a serious high-risk situation today. All the downhills funnel back to the same trail, which loops back up the other side of the basin and treats you to a view towards the ski resorts and the Olympic Park. That's where the Nordic jump, bobsled, and luge events were held in 2002. The view at the top of the basin is the first picture you see at right, followed by a shot I snapped of a couple riding on the mellower parts of the trail. Next, enjoy the 4th of July parade down Main Street and Park Avenue. First there is a low altitude fly-by of a formation of jet fighters from Hill Air Force base, and then at 11am the parade starts at the top of Main Street. The parade is what fills most of the rest of my photos for you at right -- just click "View all pictures" and it will open a window with all the pictures for you to scroll through. To close the pictures, just scroll to the top of the pictures & click "Hide images." The parade descends Main Street all the way before bending onto Park Avenue. Our spot is always right in front of the Fire Station on Park Avenue because they grill up a barbecue -- and for a $5 dollar donation in the fireman's boot, you get a big juicy cheeseburger with all the chips, cookies, and sodas you want. The parade is very small-town -- with most floats towed by pickup trucks. There's the local high school marching band, the Luge Club float, and the Park Silly Sunday Market float with guys walking on stilts in clown clothes. There's the Rossignol/Dynastar/Lange float --- since they've made this the new home of their corporate headquarters. There's the Roxy+Quiksilver truck, the Mountain Trails float, the Park City Trolley, and lots of classic car caravans with 1950s Corvettes and the like. There's even the SkiUtah van towing a trailer full of snow that came from the remaining patches left on Alta's slopes ---- and they are lobbing snowballs into the crowd to cool everyone off. It's just the most enjoyable, family-friendly small-town parade you could want. Watch the rugby games at the Park City rugby field. Rugby has always been a key part of Utah, with both BYU and the University of Utah having two of the finest programs in the nation. Berkeley always gets a run for their money from either the U or BYU every year. And that love of rugby has led to a smattering of club teams that have cropped up to play some summer sevens. The best of the clubs is the Park City Haggis team. Head over to City Park, walk through a few of the booths & music shows, and then settle down with a slushee at the rugby field to watch the friendly competition. It's not unusual to see local guys like Mark Numbers, Alan Short, Matt Griff, and Ryan Dunyan trading team jerseys between games just to get a chance to play in as many games as possible. Browse the sales at Jans and ColeSport. The two best ski shops in Park City are on Park Avenue. ColeSport has good bike stuff, lots of Napapijri clothes, Armada skis, and some high-end patio furniture to browse. Jans is directly across the street and has a similar selection of high-end bike & ski stuff, but also has a great selection of fly fishing gear and youth outdoor clothing. Both of them have big 4th of July sales where you can pick up the barely-used demo skis from the year before for just $250 with bindings. Sweeeeeet way to get a pair of skis that you don't mind using when the November snowpack is barely covering the rocks. Take a nap. What more is there to say? Find some shade, bust out a book like "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer, and read until you get snoozy. Find your own vantage point to watch the fireworks that Park City Mtn Resort sets off at their base area. Our spot is the 17th or 18th fairway at the Park City golf course, and that's the final pic you can see at right if you click "View all pictures". The long fairways of those two holes point straight towards the Resort Center base area. Everyone from the Park Avenue, Three Kings, and PayDay condos come out to the grass around 6pm to play bocci, frisbee and flag football on the golf course. Each family sets up their blankets & camp chairs pointing towards the ski resort, and some local citizens have the Star Spangled Banner playing on a stereo. Some even light off a few of their own fireworks and then sneak back to their condos for some barbecued chow before the show starts at nightfall. A thrilling fireworks display ensues, and then it's time for everyone to round off to bed. There just really isn't a more mellow, enjoyable way to spend the 4th. And at 80 degrees with blue skies and a mountain breeze, you never want to leave. Our 3 year old was certainly bummed when he learned it was time to head home after the long weekend. Tell you the truth, we felt the same way but just managed to contain our sad feelings a little better. A mountain bike ride every morning, a nap every afternoon, and more leisurely family walks than we usually get in a month. Yep, the mountains are definitely not just for skiing anymore....
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Summer and Fall Trips with Utah Backcountry Volunteers
Dear Friend of Utah’s Public Lands: A great opportunity awaits you to spend quality time in Utah’s wonderful backcountry. Camp out...while giving back! I'm writing you to let you know that our 2008 season of volunteer service trips is halfway complete and several great places remain. For details and to join one of these fun and fulfilling excursions, go to http://www.utahbackcountry.org. In About Service Trips, read Testimonials of thrilled participants, and see what you’ve been missing in our Photo Gallery. Then Sign Up while space remains! 2008 SUMMER & FALL SERVICE TRIPS * Dixie National Forest, Canaan Peak: August 17-23 Volunteers will re-route a one mile section of non-motorized trail from a sensitive wetland area to a ridgeline location around Canaan Peak, about 13 miles west of Escalante, Utah. Escape the summer heat of redrock country by hiking and camping at 8500’ in a high aspen & fir forest. * North Stansbury Mountains Wilderness Study Area: August 30-September 1 Spend Labor Day Weekend...well, lightly laboring, but mostly relaxing in Utah’s quiet and wide open west desert. Volunteers will install an educational bulletin board informing off-road vehicle users about the WSA boundary, and erecting physical barriers to protect Muskrat Canyon. On Monday, we’ll explore the new Cedar Mountains Wilderness, checking out the pioneer wagon trail cutoff route. * Cedar Mesa/Grand Gulch Primitive Area: September 14-20 To protect ancient ruins and sensitive soils throughout this unique area, volunteers concentrate on closing user-created social trails with fallen trees and rocks, and clearly mark open trails to keep impacts under control. We’ll also conduct seasonal trail maintenance on high use and frequently flooded entry trails into main Grand Gulch. Only one space remains open. * Glen Canyon NRA, Escalante River: September 28-October 4 You get to spend a week in this spectacular redrock canyon amongst a golden ribbon of Cottonwoods in their fall splendor. Volunteers participate in restoring the river ecosystem by cutting down invasive Russian olive trees. The project is enjoined in its ninth season and is about half way complete. We’ll backpack down to the river 3 miles through Fence Canyon and camp around Neon Canyon. * Capitol Reef National Park: October 12-18 Spend a colorful fall week in the orchard group camp site in Fruita and venture daily to remote areas of this beautiful Park. Volunteers will restore desert waterways throughout the area by cutting out invasive Tamarisk trees, as well as conducting seasonal trail maintenance and fencing projects. Day hike through, and on top of, the famous namesake reef at this perfect time of year in the canyon country. VOICE YOUR CHOICE AT PATAGONIA Thanks to all who have cast a vote for Utah Backcountry Volunteers in Patagonia’s Voice Your Choice program! Vote for your favorite local environmental group to receive a $4000 award from Patagonia. The competition runs through next Saturday July 19th. For those who have yet to vote, simply stop into Patagonia at 2292 S Highland Drive in Salt Lake City. You can vote once per visit, so drop by often. We are still a very young and growing organization and the $4000 gift would be huge for us. You are also invited to the award presentation at 6:00pm on August 2nd at Patagonia. Voice Your Choice today! THANKS, Dave Pacheco Utah Backcountry Volunteers P.O. Box 526197 Salt Lake City, UT 84152 (435) 785-8955...
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Mountain Biking on the Pioneer Trail
If you are a Salt Lake resident, there is one trail that you ought to be flogging every Saturday morning: the Pioneer Trail in East Canyon. This trail is extremely accessible but the great thing about it is that you get some great climbing that isn't brutal, and is shady most of the way. Perfect way to work those thighs without crushing your lungs. The trail is called by a couple of different names: The Great Western Trail, and the Mormon Pioneer Trail. But most just refer to it as the Pioneer Trail. The part I'm referring to is really just a short section of the total Pioneer Trail, but it's the most enjoyable part in my opinion. To get to it, either go over Emigration Canyon towards East Canyon, or up Parley's on I-80 and take the East Canyon exit and head North. Go past the Little Dell reservoir about a mile after the road straightens towards the North, and you'll see a small parking area on the East side of the road with what appears to be a small restroom shack and trailheads on either side of the rode (both East and West). You'll want to park on the East side of the road, but cross and enter the trailhead on the West side of the road. The ride begins with a quick climb almost immediately, and then levels out to some buffed singletrack through 5-foot deep grasses with small aspens lining either side of the trail. Straight ahead is a view of some mountain peaks, and you have a good semi-ridge-like ride until you drop down into a car-camping campground under mature tree coverage. Weave through the campgrounds and you'll pick up the trail on the other side and cross a short wooden bridge to join back up with the singletrack. At this point the trail starts a constant moderate climb up a canyon, running parallel to a small stream that is just surrounded by lush green coverage. There are lots of tall, shady trees so the climb is extremely pleasant and isn't anything like some other popular climbs such as "Puke Hill" on the Wasatch Crest Trail. This climb continues for a long stretch (sorry I haven't taken a trip computer with me so I can't give you specifics) with a set of switchbacks before crossing the road gain. The whole time it is very smooth, non-dusty singletrack with lots of shade running parallel to the stream. After you cross the road, it begins a more aggressive ascent. This climb is marked with some sizable roots and rocks that you'll have to manage just when your legs may be reaching a bit of a limit (at least, mine are always hitting their limit at this point). But again -- at least it's shady. But I must admit -- I have yet to make the full climb without dismounting for the last 100 yards or so. But I keep hitting the trail, hoping to make it past that last section each time. Once it levels out, you'll cross a footbridge over the stream (where beavers have felled several aspen trees, or are working on them --- see the pics I've attached here of a few aspens with beaver markings on them). Right after the footbridge you'll start into a series of spaced switchbacks under high shade coverage, where you'll gain the last of your elevation. While it is steep and has some tight switchbacks to maneuver, you will probably not have to dismount for the entire climb making it a great way to give your legs their final workout before turning around for the ride down. At the top of the trail you'll re-join with the road, and you have expansive views down the canyon and out over the entire Salt Lake Valley towards the Oquirrh Mountains. You also have a view towards the peaks on the south side of Parley's Canyon (which are still holding plenty of snow in the higher elevations!). After taking in the views and smelling the purple wildflowers, it's time to turn around and blaze straight down for a non-technical but very enjoyable singletrack downhill. The switchbacks are particularly fun, because you can lock up the back tire and skid it around the turn. It's just like the cartoon "Cars" --- turn right to go left. But be careful! This trail can become quite popular so let out a few yells when coming up on a blind turn so you don't plow down a troop of boy scouts. When you wrap up, dunk your head in the ice cold stream and hop in the car for the very short ride home. Accessible, shady, good workout, and beautiful views. On top of that, the singletrack is smooth and not full of gravel -- just silt-like dirt that holds. It will become one of your favorite quick rides, if you are a Salt Lake City resident. Enjoy!...
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REI Travel Wallet and Travel Document Organizer – Gear Review
Whenever I travel outside of the borders of the good ol' US of A, I can't help but notice that most wallets are inadequate to carry all the things you need. That velcro VANS wallet that you usually carry? Won't carry a Passport very well, will it? How about saving receipts and carrying boarding passes all in one location? Nope. That's where the REI Travel Wallet and Travel Document Organizer becomes a real cherished piece of gear. The REI Travel Wallet is about the dimensions of a paperback book, but much thinner. While that won't fit into your pocket, it is slim enough to slide into your bags quite easily. The thing I love about this travel wallet is this: it is obvious that a lot of thought has been put into every pocket, slot, and zip pouch on this wallet. And you can tell that it has been thought out by individuals who obviously travel internationally a lot -- because nothing goes unlooked for. I used it on a recent trip to Europe and thought it would be a great little organizer, but quickly found that it was indispensable to keep myself organized. The one problem is it can't be shoved into a pants pocket. But I keep it in my luggage or in-hand, and then when I head out on the town for the night I grab just a card & ID & stuff in my pocket. Other than that size issue, it was the right thing for international travel for me. Some of my favorite features: 1) Perfectly-sized pocket slot on the front panel for boarding passes 2) Passport pouch on inside-left fold 3) Credit-card pockets on inside-right fold 4) Multiple large bill-sized pockets under the credit card pockets for easy stowing of receipts, etc 5) Map pockets 6) Mesh pockets for handiwipes, other items 7) Key clip & pen slot (always useful to have on-hand) Click here for more details, or to buy the REI Travel Wallet and Travel Document Organizer....
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SPOT Satellite Personal Messenger & Personal Tracker – New Gear
Boy things have come a long way since smoke signals. The SPOT Satellite Personal Messenger and Personal Tracker is definitely a piece of gear that any solo trekkers, climbers, hunters, fishermen, and canyoneering crazies should consider. When you are indulging your inner Aron Ralston in the middle of the Utah desert, wouldn't it be nice to just push a button and know that people will be dispatched to your exact coordinates? That's what the SPOT Satellite Personal Tracker does, via commercial satellite. It can also send "OK" messages, and can even send and save points along your route to Google Maps. When you get home you can send your friends a view of all the cool remote places you've been. Of course, if you don't have a clear shot of the open sky then you may still have to amputate your arm and get out of that slot canyon before it will work. The SPOT Personal Tracker is a lot cheaper than satellite phones or cell-based GPS. And it gets far wider coverage than any cell phone. The SPOT Personal Tracker claims to have almost complete coverage anywhere in the US, Europe, or Australia. What stinks is the coverage over Africa, Asia and South America. So if you are hitting Aconcagua, I'm sure you won't be banking on this little baby. While the promise of cheap, easy security is extremely appealing (especially to solo adventurers with a caring spouse and kids) there are have been some reports that the coverage is less than perfect -- even in the US. Also, that sending OK messages, etc, is a bit difficult because there are times when you have to leave it absolutely still for 30 mins for it to send. Oh well -- nothing's perfect. In situations where you need this piece of high tech gear, your other alternative is a storm whistle. That ain't gonna cut it. Be advised, you will have to pay $99/year for a subscription to the service -- and for about $8 bucks more you can get emergency extraction assistance in countries that don't have emergency services. All this leads me to add this to my list of things that I definitely would like to try out at Outdoor Retailer this summer. So stay tuned, and hopefully and I will have the opportunity to provide you a first-person summary of how it works in the field. Purchase price is listed at $149.95. Click here to learn more or to buy the SPOT Satellite Personal Messenger and Personal Tracker....
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2008 Burton Gear – Burton AK 30L Pack (Spring 2008) – New Gear
Why in the world would Burton release a new snowboard backpack in the Spring? Well, the name should give it away: the Burton AK 30L Pack. That's "AK" as in Alaska. With such short days during the winter in Alaska, the great skiing and snowboarding starts ramping up in the Spring. So this pack was built for the lucky few who get to ride helicopters all Spring in the Chugach. And some of the features tell that tale pretty well. You can tell that this pack was designed by folks that not only like to ride a lot, but they like to ride outside the confines of the ski resort. There are features to accommodate any type of avalanche gear you may need, as well as particular design elements that better allow for easy snowmobile-accessed riding. Basically, it's a pack for riders designed by riders. And isn't that what Jake Burton and his company are famous for? Ever since he broke his collarbone & couldn't make the ski team, I think it was fate that sent him down the road to building killer snowboard gear that even skiers get jealous of. If it weren't for his vision, we wouldn't have snowboard gear like the Burton AK 30L to drool over. First cool feature: A survival whistle on the sternum strap. I have one on my pack whenever I go into the backcountry, and I think it should be standard issue for anyone stepping outside of a ski resort boundary. Ever tried to get cell phone reception on Mt Rainier? Pretty dicey. What about just yelling to your friend? Doesn't work so well when the wind is ripping. You need a whistle, and this Burton gear just includes it. Second cool feature: Board carrier that orients your snowboard horizontally. Why? Well, have you ever tried to drive a snowmobile with a snowboard strapped vertically to your pack? Third cool feature: Storage pockets on the waist strap -- which makes it sooooo easy to stow your digital camera or sunglasses or a Clif Bar. It's like your Batman belt! Just like what I love on the DaKine Ridge pack. However, there is one key feature that I have my reservations about. That is the internal shovel blade and handle pocket. I would welcome your comments below if you disagree, but I think that in an avalanche situation you want your shovel blade & handle as accessible as possible so you don't have to be unzipping your pack and rummaging through things to pull it out & put it together. Same with your avalance probe, if you can. The Burton AK 30L Pack does have at least an external location for your probe and/or poles. So that's good. But I personally am a fan of having the blade/handle on the outside of the pack. All in all, it appears to be another killer piece of Burton gear that is out just in time for all you lucky shmoes who are headed up to AK for the Spring. Click here to learn more about the Burton AK 30L Pack and purchase it from Moosejaw. Check out more backpacks at Overstock.com...
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More Mountain Biking Events in Utah – Spring/Summer 2008
Okay -- here are a few more key mountain biking events in and around Utah for the Spring/Summer 2008 season. I assume you'll be spectating at the NORBA event at Deer Valley on June 26-29, but after that it gets HOT in Utah. No worries -- these rides will have you sucking wind, but at least you'll be doing it on a high alpine trail with (hopefully) a mountain breeze to cool you. Get your SPEED going on at the White Pine Downhill Race on July 5-6. It is a DH/Super-D event held at White Pine Resort in Palmdale, Wyoming and you can get more details by calling 801-375-3231. For the more svelt riders out there who like the climb as much as the downhill ride, hit the XC mountain biking race held in Monticello, UT on July 12 called the Blue Mountain Bike Chase. Details at 435-587-2029. If you are located closer to Park City you could opt instead to hit the Park City Perfect 10 Endurance MTB Race on the same day (July 12). And when they say endurance, they mean it. Race is from 7am to 5pm and is a team event at Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain Resort. Solo, Duo, and 3-person teams are welcome. Call 435-659-118 for more info. Don't forget the Snowbird Mountain Bout on July 19, in its 21st year. WOW! Can you believe it has been that long since 1987?? I'll bet they were rocking modified road bikes back then! I remember seeing some of the original mountain bike racers rocking rams horn handlebars. NUTS! Call Ed Chauner at 801-942-3498 for all the details, and to see if he'll let you ride your Cervelo up there. Another speed event (cuz we know you love 'em): the Bald Mountain Challenge Downhill at Deer Valley Resort on July 19-20. It will feature DH and Super-D and more info is available about the event at go-ride.com. Ready for another endurance event? I'm sure your legs are still burning from the 12 hours of the E100, but you can't stop now! On July 26 is The Endurance 100/Mind Over Mountains event in Park City. 100 mile team relay and 50 mile solo (info: thee100.com). But get ready for indecision: That same day is the Taming the Tetons Intermountain Cup event (#11) up in Jackson Hole (info: intermountaincup.com). Pick your poison. That wraps up July for us, but stay tuned..... There are several good DH events in August/September and we'll be bringing those to you as well. And we all set our sights on the perennial favorite wrapup to the season, 24 Hours of Moab, in October. More details on those events to come......
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Some Notes from Utah’s Mountain Biking Calendar of Events
Welcome to Spring in Utah! As I'm writing this, it is actually snowing outside at the end of March. But no matter -- spring is on its way. So I figured I would post a few key cycling events in and around Utah for those who are so inclined. We'll start with some of the mountaing biking events. First let me tell you about the Solitude Full Throttle Midweek Mountain Bike Race Series for people who can make the evening race thing happen. Hey -- if you can't dawn patrol on skis, why not end the day on a mountain bike? In fact, with the way it has been snowing in Utah this winter the two may overlap! Throw on your mountain bike gear and get out there. Races start at Solitude Mountain Resort, Entry 1 (the Moonbeam lot). Show up at 5:45 for registration, and the race is at 6:30. There are 4-, 8-, and 12-mile options. At this time the races are set for June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15, July 29, and August 5. Go to SkiSolitude.com for more info, or ask for Nick Jay at 801-536-5784. Next is the Soldier Hollow Training Series which runs Wednesdays, May 7, 14, June 4, 18, July 2, 16, 30, August 13, 27. The race is at 6pm each time, and just call 801-358-1145 for more info. For all you folks in Utah County, set your sights on the Showdown at Five Mile Pass, which is an XC mountain bike race in its 14th year and takes place in Lehi, UT on May 3rd. It is the 3rd event in the Intermountain Cup and is a cross-country mountain bike race. There's also event #2 for the Intermountain Cup on April 12th, which takes place in Hurricane, UT. For more info, go to IntermountainCup.com. May 10 is the Wimmer's Bicycle Race XC, the 4th stop for the Intermountain Cup. It takes place in Logan, UT at Sherwood Hills Resort. Again, go to IntermountainCup.com for more info. Event #5 for the Intermountain Cup is on May 17 at Soldier Hollow in Midway, UT and is called the Hammerfest at the Hollow. Ed Chauner has more details (801-942-3498), and go to the Intermountain Cup website for the remaining events in the year. A killer event for spectating (whether it's the view or just the incredible riding to be witnessed) is the Sundance/Parks Sportsman Super-D Downhill Race at Sundance Resort on May 24. The event is at 9am so come with your cowbells! You are bound to be blown away. Go to SundanceResort.com for more details, or to book a little getaway at the cottages there. Hey -- this would be a great way to impress the wife AND take in some great event biking! Snag a getaway package in a cottage with a view of the backside of Mount Timpanogos, set her up in the spa with a Four Winds massage, and then you can cheer on the riders! Call Sundance Resort for more details: 801-223-4849. There is also another Super-D event at Sundance on June 21st at 9am, and another on July 19th. Another event for big speed and big air is the Bountiful Bomber Downhill Race on June 1. It is part of the Utah DH series and takes place (obviously) in Bountiful, UT. Visit Go-Ride.com to get the full skinny, or call 801-375-3231. For those of you with oversized lungs, check out The 12 Hours of the E100 on June 21 in unbeatable Park City, UT. It is a 12 hour endurance race for charity, and takes teams of differing sizes. Get your fellow freaks of nature together for an oxygen fest. Visit thee100.com for details. Don't forget the NORBA National Mountain Bike Series on stop #4 at Deer Valley, UT on June 26-29. It is THE biking event of the summer in Utah, in this writer's opinion. No better place to gawk at your mountain biking heroes. mtbnationals.com. More to come, but this should get you going for now. Get out there & start training now if you are planning on hitting any of these races! See you out there!...
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the GEAR.com Show: Snowbird opens after 30″ of new
Jason went skiing at Snowbird yesterday to test out the Scott Mission skis in true powder conditions. You can't get better powder conditions than Snowbird with 30 inches of fresh! Unfortunately he was only filming video of other random guys on the hill, but check out what an epic powder day it was.... Jas said that the Scott Mission skis were perfect for the day, though at 90mm underfoot he would have preferred a wider ski in so much snow. You can read his full review on FeedTheHabit here....
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the GEAR.com show: DaKine Ridge Pack
We have been wanting to give you guys some video discussion, and do it right. Well, we decided to stop waiting to find the right camera & lighting setups, or get studio time somewhere. Instead, we did our first episode totally on the cheap, with a home camcorder & a couch in the gear closet! We figured you guys don't care -- we just wanted to start talking this way! So enjoy this first episode, and we'll have more coming. And if you want to add comments during the vid (at any point in the timeline) just hit the + button and add a comment. Cheers, Brig....
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Cannondale Urbapod Messenger Bag – Gear Review
Yes, I am a working stiff who spends waaaay too much time each day on the computer. And since I travel a fair amount, I was recently in the market for a new laptop bag. Now, I do like to do a little bike commuting when I can make it happen...but the messenger bag I was looking for needed to double as a briefcase. You would think that would be a simple thing to find, but frankly I looked at Timbuk2 messenger bags and several other brands, but nothing was exactly hitting it. That's when I found the Cannondale Urbapod messenger bag and it seemed ideal. It was large and roomy, had an easy-to-access velcro over-flap, an eye-catching but understated look, and a very reasonable price. The Cannondale Urbapod messenger bag also has a velcro-enclosed sleeve sown into the inside panel of the messenger bag to hold a laptop, which was really requirement number 1 for me. Also, that sleeve did not cost extra like Timbuk2 charges for all their little accessory features like laptop sleeves. The Urbapod also comes with a big, cushy, adjustable pad on the shoulder strap, whereas other brands make you pay an extra $10 bucks for it separately. Why is that? I think it is ridiculous to to have to throw down a fair amount of coin for a bag, and then have to pay extra just to get a hunk of foam on the strap. The Cannondale Urbapod is not only less expensive than the equivalent Timbuk2 bag (by 25%!), it came standard with some of the features you have to pay extra for on a Timbuk2. For example, it has a nice cross-body strap to hold the bag stable across your torso, which most Timbuk2's don't include. BTW, I don't mean to be picking on Timbuk2 --- killer stuff, I like their bags. Just calling it as I see it. If you feel differently, or if I've missed something here, please comment below! The Cannondale Urbapod has your standard extra pockets and pouches for wallet and ID card and pencils, etc. But one glaring omission was the apparent lack of a good cell phone and/or PDA pocket. The main compartment is also, with the exception of the laptop sleeve, totally devoid of extra pockets. It makes it tough to keep your extra ethernet and power cords organized when it's jumbled in there with notepads and your work shoes. But all of that is liveable, if it weren't for the lack of a briefcase-style handle on the top of the bag. If you want to carry the bag, you have to sling it over your shoulder. You can't just grab a handle on the top and run. That's a real pain. However, considering the price you may not care. It would work well for a student because you may not have to jump, grab the bag, and run...and you may not miss the extra compartments for PDA and stuff that I miss. But for me, I ultimately would have been willing to pay a bit more to have the briefcase handle and some more dividers in the main compartment. But those aren't the sorts of things you could add on post-market very easily, so you just have to take it as it is.
BUY NOW: Cannondale Urbapod Messenger Bag at REI
Overstock.com: search for messenger bags... Read more...
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Smith Sunglasses District II – Gear Review
You know, I will admit that I can be faulted for spraying about Smith Optics too much. I once had some Arnette goggles and sunglasses, but that phase passed and for 8 years I've been back to my old favorites, Smith Optics. My latest shades of choice are the Smith District II slider series sunglasses. I have a small nose, so for me the problem with most sunglasses is that they are built for someone with a Steve Carrell nose. A cheese wedge nose. As a result, most sunglasses either slide off the end of my nose or they let the wind whistle through the extra space above the bridge of my nose and directly into my eyes. The Smith District II definitely doesn't do either. It sits right on the bridge and the nose pads aren't spread so far apart that they dig into my tear ducts like other shades. I also like the square shape of the frames -- it isn't so Spiderman-ish, so you can wear them even when you are just hanging out and they don't look out of place...like you should be cycling up the Ventoux right then with Tyler Hamilton. However just in case you get called in to sub for Tyler on the Tour de France, the Smith District II is lightweight and has tacky rubber on the nose pads and the ear pieces so it doesn't slip when you get sweaty. The arms of the District II also don't give me "temple-press" like other sunglasses --- that soreness on the side of your head from arms that are either too narrow or have non-smooth ear-pieces that create hotspots on the side of your scalp and ears. The District II blocks UV rays, of course, which is good because it is believed that exposure to UV rays is one of the top causes of macular degeneration (blindness or impaired vision) as you age. So keep your District II's glued to your head and you'll be able to actually watch your grandkids play someday. The other thing I like are the three shades of lenses you get with the Smith District II, just as with all Smith Slider Series sunglasses. You get a set of dark brown lenses, orange (for the early morning rides), and yellow (for when it's super-cloudy or when you just want to fry your retinas). Want a little history of Smith Optics Slider sunglasses, including the District? Check out this vid (which also mentions the Smith Interlock sunglasses system, to be reviewed at a future date): [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5_MmMygTec[/youtube] The one complaint I have is that after a year or so of using them (read: abusing them), some of the shading or coating around the rims of the lenses appears to crack when you're swapping them out. Not the actual lenses themselves -- which have retained their integrity -- just the coating on the lenses. Buy Now: Search for Smith Sunglasses...
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The North Face Base Camp Duffel – Gear Review
Yeah, you've seen them being hauled on yaks, headed for Everest Base Camp on the North side. Perhaps it was that die hard climber you saw in Kennedy Airport on his way to some far off climbing destination and as he weaved his way through the suits a base camp duffel was his companion, carried like a backpack. For a split moment you pictured yourself, sans briefcase and suit, swapping places with the unshaven yet striking figure. Wherever you may have seen one, if you're like me, you've come to realize that when it comes to duffel bags that can take whatever you can dish out the Base Camp Duffel from The North Face is the standard. So I finally picked one up a couple of months ago. Now I, like that climber in Kennedy Airport, can toss all my cams, a rope, a harness, change of clothing, down jacket, et al into the duffel and head out on an adventure. Or, like the two weeks ago I can put my Scarpa Spirit 3 ski boots, my crampons, and the rest of my ski mountaineering gear into the duffel and head out to Mt. Hood to climb and ski the WyEast face. Regardless of the trip I get the feeling that this duffel is going to last me a LONG time.
The Ins and Outs of the Base Camp Duffel (BCD)
Let's get into the details. The BCD comes in 4 different sizes and the in the large size which I have it weights in at 4lbs. The weight primarily is due to the PVC tarpaulin material that is very thick and water/wind/stain/everything you don't want inside proof. It's as bomber as it looks. The bottom of the bag has a tough cordura outer layer. The zipper is big and tough. It's two way and will allow for a lock. I'm not too psyched on the "D" opening, not because it's big and wide but because it doesn't allow for smooth zipping on the corners. I can't imagine that I'm the first person to find this annoying but hey, when you're The North Face I guess you just make stuff and people buy it, end of story. It's really not that big of a deal, but enough that I'm spending too much time talking about it. For carrying the bag there is a padded shoulder strap or if you're headed to the climbing crag just toss it on your back using the alpine-cut shoulder straps - converting this duffel into a "pack". Other features include a daisy chain, an internal mesh pocket on the flap that I found convenient for small stuff, twin haul handles on each end and four compression straps. Basically, it's not your basic duffel. Grandpa would be impressed.The Features
- Plenty of size - Large=5600cu in and 28" x 16" x 16"
- Alpine-cut shoulder straps (read: real backpack straps)
- Bomber construction with cordura bottom and PVC tarpaulin material
- North Face guarantee that it will last or they'll replace it