CELEBRATE THE OUTDOORS
40 years outdoors experience, extensive info on Mt. Rainier’s Wonderland Trail, original music, equipment reviews, off trail videos, other peaks in Mt. Rainier NP
Trail, Train and everything else minimalist shoesTrifecta: the situation wherein one has attained three achievements, qualities, etc., especially when these are of great importance.
After more than two years of training with barefoot style techniques, I finally hit upon a combo that works even for the trail.
I have become a cuben fiber convert when it comes to outdoor gear. The light weight and durability sold me, and I started purchasing certain cuben products over 3 years ago. Although there are many fine cottage gear companies that make cuben products, I have become a ZPacks regular customer for a couple of reasons. One, Joe Valesko offers incredible customer service, which fortunately is not atypical of the cottage gear industry. And two, he offers the customer the most variety in products at perhaps the most reasonable prices. I'll raise my couple of reasons a few more by adding that I've had custom items made beyond tweaking an existing product, like a 3/4 breathable cuben bivy and a custom front pack that I use for packing cameras. And up front I'll tell you that I've paid for everything listed in this blog article. Lastly, I have ordered a new completely custom front pack and a slightly customized hybrid Arc Slim pack, yet to arrive. I've purchased lots of gear over the decades, with some working out and some that didn't, but everything I have bought from ZPacks I've used to great advantage. Let's begin the ZPacks tour.
Pocket Tarp and GG The One on the PCT
Suluk 46 T.E.A system in use on the PCTSuluk 46 is a cottage gear company based out of Canada that displays the innovation, customer experience and quality that typifies so many of these innovative shops. I was looking for an update to the simple alcohol stove I've been using for some years and discovered the Suluk 46 website.
ONP: upper Cameron basinWith August vacation and a graduating daughter, we had two weeks to experience some of the best the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Our original plans involved an Olympic National Park loop, the Wonderland Trail at Mt. Rainier National Park, and a Glacier Peak circumnavigation. This was an ambitious schedule based on everything falling into place, including the weather. Such was not to be, but we did manage to get to all three areas. In the process I have been testing some new UL gear which I will write about later.
Gossamer Gear Minimalist on the roadA buddy of mine and I did the Seattle To Portland (STP) bike ride recently, an organized event that takes place every year covering the 200 plus miles between the two cities. We did not have a chase car for support, so I needed a way to store my jacket, supplements, pump, food, tools, spare tubes, sunscreen etc. I've been using the Gossamer Gear Minimalistfor both training hikes and bikes so it was a natural to bring along. The simple design has no waist strap to contend with and the sternum strap keeps the pack hugging the back with no movement. I literally didn't notice it for 204 miles of riding. The simplicity of this pack means I grab it for any number of activities outside of hiking, and I've had no problems with durability in its second year of use. Weather was pristine for this ride but rain might have been a problem with the draw cord top, whose little hole will be an entrance point for moisture. Of course, the pack itself is not waterproof so were I to anticipate using this in the rain I would have to use a pack liner bag. The rear mesh pocket was perfect for attaching my number so I didn't have to pin it to my clothing. I saw lots of bike front packs and saddle bags during this event but I prefer to wear a backpack as long as the weight is light. This is a link to a blog from last year on the hiking/running aspect of use for this pack.
(caveat: I am a trail ambassador for Gossamer Gear and received this pack at a discount)
Hydration stopToday I'm not referencing fun times with Timothy Leary, but the training concept of Long Slow Distance. I've kept up base fitness with runs and bikes, but this was to be my first "quad-burner" where I'm out for some vert. I decided to keep it interesting by throwing in a bike (doing the STP this year so need some seat time), so I parked at Longmire. As I was contemplating what shoes to wear, as they had to do for both the biking and the hiking, a ranger came by and, after some chit chat, said I should just go for the light trail runners (I also had some low cut crampon compatibles and some Merrill trail gloves).
50 plus pounds in 1986I thought I'd share some thoughts on ultralight backpacking as the season is upon us. One could argue that with available products today, carrying a 40 lb+ load on just about any hike is unnecessary. But whether to "ultralight" or not really depends on two things: experience and type of trip. 
running the West Side road for pickupBy now anyone reading my blogs knows that I use the gym to prepare myself for strenuous hiking, especially in these months leading up to summer. However, a recent question from a cohort of mine brings to light a specific component of working out, that question being "how can you run on a treadmill without music or watching something?" Well, the answer lies in the title.After months of working on serious affairs, I had to get back to my roots. In college I wrote a comic opera and conducted a brass choir in white gloves, also using my feet. Humor is part of my makeup and some things never change. This short is exerpted from a film festival entry that never made it into any film festival, but required weeks of work to animate, with no animation software. At a minute and a half, I hope it provides some entertainment.