Good deals on The Clymb

You'll notice I don't have advertising on this site, I don't like the visual clutter for the viewer and it's not worth the few cents per month to collect advertising revenue. However, I've been using The Clymb online store for over a year and have done some amazing deals. Outdoor gear can be expensive and finding savings is always a plus. My most recent purchase was for a set of randonee skis, advertised on another online site on sale for $650....my price, $234 delivered. They are even the 2013/2014 model. Outdoor Research soft shell jacket, list $225, my price $70. Or how about the Ultraclamp I bought from Rhino Camera Gear for $29.99...I just picked up 2 more from The Clymb for $7.95 each. The Clymb sells outdoor gear for many sports including biking, hiking, skiing, climbing and running, to name a few. My daughter just picked up a dress and sandals, items that are still selling for full price elsewhere, for more than half off retail.

Help support Williswall! Click on any of these links and I get a bonus with your first order, but it doesn't cost you anything. WARNING: saving on The Clymb may become addictive.

Rhino Camera Gear mounts

I am constantly looking for different ways to use helmet cams, and this usually means having multiple options for mounting them. I purchased a few items from Pacific Northwest local Rhino Camera Gear (rhinocameragear.com) and tested them on a recent biking trip (view here), notably the "Moose Neck" and the "Pro Pole 20." I received my items within 3 days and the quality is excellent. I especially like the promise of using the flexible Moose Neck to position cameras in odd ways. Another thumbs up for a local US manufacturer.

Packing Cameras: Part II

custom front pack full of camera gearThis is an update to my original post on packing cameras. I had such good luck with my smaller custom front pack from ZPacks and the insert that I made that I decided to do a second one. I had Joe make me a totally custom front pack out of cuben hybrid with the addition of two side pockets (for water bottles) and a mesh front pocket. The size of this front pack is ideal, I have just enough forward visibility that the pack does not interfere with foot placement (at least for any trails I have been on) and the attachment system is the same as my other front pack so I can mix and match.
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Black Rock Gear: Foldback Mitts/Original Hat

Black Rock Gear Foldback MittsOne of the great things about the cottage gear industry is I just keep finding great companies. This usually comes about through reading blogs like this or through other online sites. I especially like it when I find a company that is locally based (Seattle area) and today we have a winner: Black Rock Gear. This company's reputation is based on meticulous sewing, great customer service and winning products. I have to wholeheartedly agree on all counts.
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Willis Wall Snippets: 2013

I didn't have any big projects planned for this year so spent more time on photography than in the past. However, I did always have a helmet cam or two along so I did video when the mood struck. Notably, the light was perfect when skiing Whistler's Blackcomb glacier this year and there were moments when I was glad I took the shot. Ski, bike, hike; enjoy the Willis Wall Snippets for 2013, and get out there!

The Williswall Quiver: Shelter/Sleep

The following is from an email from reader Leif:

I've been following your posts on several Forums and here at your blog.  I've been especially intrigued by the B4 combination and the underlying concept of using multi-use gear as a part of an UL solution.  I have not seen any updates for this last 2013 season, so I thought I'd drop you a line.  If you don't mind taking a few minutes, would you respond to these questions?
1. Now that you have some testing done, do you still like the B4 solution?  If not, what is taking it's place?
2. Here's my understanding of your B4 system... B4 + 3/4 Cuben bivey + Zpacks Cuben Poncho.  At one point I think I saw you using a Feathered Friends Wren Nano with some kind of partial down bag for lower body insulation.  Do I remember that correctly?  I'm not sure if that matters... more what I'd like to know here is what are you using now for an insulating layer while sleeping?  A bag?
Long story short, I'd like to know what you're using now and (if possible) how I can buy / make the same solution for myself.

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the Willis Wall Spin: Sawyer MINI filter

The Willis Wall Spin on outdoor gear is a series of short videos about gear I use, or gear I don't use because it didn't measure up in the field. This short is on the Sawyer MINI Squeeze Filter. This year I have been using a drink mix so have abandoned my usual filter water bottle. In practical use I like the MINI for a variety of reasons, including its small size, light weight and versatility. DISCLAIMER: Sawyer provided me with a free MINI on the condition that I blog about it, but made no demands on the content. I would have purchased one anyway.