Hollis: Heron on the Raquette River, Potsdam, NY

July 28, 2009
Great Blue Heron on the Raquette River (click for larger view)

Great Blue Heron on the Raquette River (click for larger view)

Whenever I go outside, it seems like I find something beautiful, if I can only remember to look.

This past Saturday, I tried my hand at something new: kayaking in a group. I used to be pretty handy with a canoe, but it’s been a while. I’ve been borrowing my dad’s kayak periodically, getting out on the river near my home.

On Saturday, I helped lead a trip for beginning kayakers. I’m the Outings Chair for the Adirondack Mountain Club‘s Laurentian Chapter, so I try to do a bunch of trips that way.

We put in at the gazebo in Ives Park, a neighborhood rehabilitation project that covers the ground where Water Street once stood: a domain of seedy bars where students didn’t feel safe to walk at night. Now it’s wide open, with plenty of trees shading the paths made of Potsdam’s famous pink sandstone. We paddled up-river, past islands in the stream, past old quarries long-silent, past Bayside Cemetery, past the remnants of many lives.

We passed this heron resting on an old stone piling that’s barely visible above the waves. Locals build up the pilings each year, constructing Adirondack-style inukshuks that mark the passage of time before falling again into the river.

Maybe it’s thinking about the economy that does this to me, but the heron seems like more than just a bird. I think of him (or her) as a reminder that, though change will always come, life will continue. I wonder whether the loggers who built those stone pilings, who guided felled trees down-stream in peril of their lives, ever knew that they’d one day help a bird to find his dinner.

And so it goes.

– Hollis

Image link: http://4alloutdoors.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/rrGreatBlueHeron.jpg

Categories: Information.

Gear Updates

July 24, 2009

Andy B is back at it despite the Texas heat;

IceMule Cooler update
Primus EtaExpress Stove update

Categories: Reviews.

Another Quickie…

July 24, 2009
Keep Stuff Out

Keep Stuff Out

Today is the last day of the Outdoor Retailer Show, and everyone is winding down.  I saw some fantastic things yesterday – iFrogz makes headphones for those who like to listen to music or podcasts while outdoors – and you can customize them when ordering.  http://ifrogz.com/  I designed a nice blue pair.  I’ll post a picture and let you know how the sound quality is. I plan on breaking them in on the plane tomorrow morning.  One of the neat things about seeing all the companies and talking to their reps is learning about different products.   Oboz http://www.obozfootwear.com had a sample of their footwear sections – and showed how all the pieces fit together and why each is important.  Another really cool item – Vibram Five Fingers http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/   They look like toe socks the way each toe has a seperate section, but are shoes. There are different styles now – with different types of foot coverage.  They all help stimulate the muscles in your lower legs. 

There is so much more to talk about – things that will be released in the coming months – a range of solor chargers from Brunton – charge your iPhone in a small case, or use the roll up solar mat (available now)  while camping.  http://www.brunton.com/catalog.php?cat=8  More info and pictures will be posted soon.  Speaking of Brunton – they have a couple of new stoves coming that we will be trying out – nice for camping, long day hikes, backpacking, kayaking, etc.  I can’t wait.

Last night, I went to a ‘Tweet-Up’ with people I know from our Twitter account.  We went to a wonderful restaurant in Salt Lake City, Cedars of Lebanon http://www.cedarsoflebanonrestaurant.com/   The food and company were wonderful.  It’s funny how much fun you can have with people you only know through a social media site  ; ).   You may be seeing some information on 4alloutdoors.org from them sometime soon!

More to come…

Categories: News.

Quick Update from the Outdoor Retailer Show

July 23, 2009

Things have been hot and hectic here in Salt Lake City!   Thankfully, when its hectic – its inside the Salt Palace, which is air conditioned.  Looking at all that cool gear is exciting, making it to the appointments on time without getting sidetracked looking at things is tough.

Some highlights for now – I got to try out a few kayaks Monday, and really like the Jackson All Water (see it in our Paddle Sports section).   Malone Kayak Carriers has asked us to review one of their carriers, so transporting should be much simpler.

We will be reviewing some Chaco water sandals, some Merrells, and maybe another shoe or three.   Adventure Medical is providing First Aid supplies for us to try and  we’ll be talking about lots of the new Coleman repellants (for humans, pets and one of their products that is sprayed on gear or other products (like window screeens).

We’ll have stoves and food, tents and bags and some wonderful new clothing for active outdoors people.   Two that really impressed me are Moving Comfort for women’s undergarments, and Columbia’s new womens outdoor wear – that looks beautiful, and is designed to be comfortable and functional.    Stay tuned for pictures and more updates.

t_stoves 167 The pictures don’t neccessarily represent exactly what we will be reviewing – but just give you an idea – and a little ‘tease’.

Categories: News.

Bootfitting Basics

July 22, 2009

A new article is designed specifically to educate anyone seeking new hiking footwear. Though the article often references “boots,” the concepts can generally be applied to other hiking footwear as well.

Whether you’ve never experienced any foot-related problems or you’ve got the most difficult feet in the world to fit, chances are you can improve your fit as well as your foot health and performance on trail by considering the advice contained in this article.   READ THE ARTICLE

Categories: How-To.

eGear K2 Focus Control Plus Headlamp

July 20, 2009
eGear's K2 Focus Control Headlamp, photo from eGear

eGear's K2 Focus Control Headlamp, photo from eGear

Recently arrived, though not yet tested – the eGear K2 Focus Control Plus Headlamp features a bright white adjustable focus LED bulb plus three small night vision bulbs (red, blue and green), which incidentally fascinate my cats to no end.

Read More

Categories: Reviews.

This week…

July 19, 2009

I’m headed to the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City – it’s a time to see all the new gear coming out and meet the company representatives.  While there, I have tons of appointments to see the gear, meet the people and also – find out about different outdoor projects that the companies support.  Tom is spending the summer in Salt Lake, and will be joining me – I really appreciate his help. I’m hoping to be able to share the info with you during the show.  If you want more frequent updates, follow 4alloutdoors.org on Twitter!   www.twitter.com/4alloutdoors .   Stay tuned for after show reports also!

One of the most important piece of gear when hiking, or participating in many outdoor activities is footwear.  Coming this week is an article by an experienced bootfitter!  Christopher will share tips on how to select the appropriate footwear for your activity, and your foot.

Have a great week!

Categories: News.

Photo from Ampersand Peak, Adirondacks, NY

July 16, 2009
Where water and earth meet sky

Where water and earth meet sky

I took this photo on top of Ampersand Peak this afternoon, in the central High Peaks region of the Adirondack Mountains near my home in New York.

I liked the way the clouds showed up in the pool of water, and the way the eye loses perspective between the rocks and the distant lakes. If you love fractals the way I do, perhaps this will appeal to you.

Click the image to see a full-size version.

Photo credit: Hollis Easter

Categories: Information.

X2O Wetsuit

July 15, 2009

X2O WetsuitRead the rest: http://4alloutdoors.org/?page_id=1258

X2O Wetsuit

I am a complete newbie to wetsuits but I started looking into them last fall when I got a kayak. I was told a dry suit was better for cold water but after seeing the price on those I went back to wetsuits.  I ended up getting a neoprene wader (designed for fishing) but it was really not what I needed. I also noticed that wetsuits do not keep you dry but instead trap a little water under the suit which the body then warms, and that the thicker the suit the colder the water it is good for.

Categories: Reviews.

It's on the Stove…

July 10, 2009

I look at my altimeter watch. The temperature is a fridged 15 F. We have climbed a total of 1,500 ft. in 8.3 miles. I haven’t had a decent snack since we left the car at the trail head. My stomach is eating itself but at least it’s getting a warm meal. I look in my snack pouch and all I see is a box of raisins and an energy bar. Raisins… Energy bar…. not much to choose from…. maybe the energy bar. I start to pull the wrapper back and take a bite. I might as well eat a piece of limestone. There…I see it…the campsite. I scope out the spot and decide to camp there. I look over beside me and see an opening in the trees but nothing beyond it. I walk over to the boulder ledge and gaze out at the clouds that we have just climbed through. Its beautiful. Like a flat blanket of snow covering the valley, as if I could step off the boulder and walk on it. I think to my self, “What would make this moment complete?”, a hot cup coffee or tea or even better yet….a warm meal. I unzip my side pouch and place my hand on what turns the hard climb up the trail  to a nice relaxing time by the fire…..My Stove.

 To me, having a good stove when arriving at camp or making the meals for the trip can make everything feel better. Some people like to eat everything cold but a having a stove to cook a meal or heat liquids just makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. But having the right stove for the right occasion is very important.

 If you are a UL’er (ultra light backpacker) then you would want a stove that is the lightest weight that you can get, efficient, small in size, good price and good quality. That’s the fun part of picking out a stove. Searching the web to find those qualites in a stove.

 If you are a person that weight is not that much of a concern when carrying it in your pack, then you can go for the bigger stoves where you have to carry liquid fuel, butane or propane.

 Here are a couple of things to think about while you are searching for a stove to purchase:

* What will I be cooking? If you eat dehydrated meals most of the time where you are just boiling water then you would want something that boils water fairly quickly and efficiently. If you are a gourmet chef while you are in the back country, then you would want a stove the is also efficient but the boil times aren’t a big concern since you will mostly be simmering your meals and cooking more than just a “Pouch” meal. 

 * Weight and Fuel: Depending on what type of backpacker you are will determine how much weight you are willing to carry for our stove. Most UL’ers like to carry alcohol stoves or Esbit Tab stoves which the stove itself can be made from aluminum or titanium and be very small “Pepsi Can Stoves” is what I like to call them. But if for the backpacker that is not counting every single ounce there are bigger stoves that burn liquid fuel such as gasoline, kerosene, white gas and others from an aluminum fuel bottle. There is also “Canister” stoves that burn propane and butane from canisters. These are little bit heavier but more stable and burn at a higher temperature.

 This will be a good start. Search the web and see what you come up with. Write down all the features of the stove so that you can compare them once you narrow your selection down. Remember to pick what will work best for you. More on different aspects of the Stove next week.

Categories: How-To.

And Now… A Contest for a Very Good Cause and Some Fun

July 8, 2009
Call for Entries to Hydrate with Innate! Photo Contest
Environmentally Conscious Beverage Container Company Shows a Picture is Worth $1000 to Provide Clean Water to Developing Communities
Vancouver, B.C. – July 08, 2009 – Innate, the Vancouver B.C.-based company that creates cleanly designed gear made from environmentally progressive materials for healthy, active people, announced the launch of its Hydrate with Innate! photo contest.
“We hear so many marvelous tales about where and how Innate containers are used. Hydrate with Innate! is a wonderful opportunity to share these stories through inspiring photographs and to help provide clean drinking water through the support of a great non-profit organization,” said Robyn Gibson, operations manager of Innate.
Beginning July 1, 2009, Innate users thirsty for a challenge can submit their favorite photos of themselves, their family or friends hydrating with clear blue water, preferably with an Innate container, online at www.innate-gear.com or on Facebook at Innate Gear. Entrants should include background information about where the photo was taken and what they were thinking while they were drinking. Submissions will be accepted until November 30, 2009.
The Innate panel of judges will select the most inspiring photo and accompanying background information. The winner will receive 24 of their choice of one style of Innate Hydration containers. Plus the winner will have the honor of selecting one of three charitable organizations to receive a $1000 Canadian donation from Innate. The three non-profits, Water Aid, Water Can and Mercy Corps, were selected by Innate for their continued efforts to provide cost effective clean, safe water to people in developing communities around the world.
Gibson added, “Hydrate with Innate! is a way for our community to share stories and to help developing communities have access to clean safe water. A donation like this, administered by one of the organizations we have chosen, can create cleaner, healthier communities.”
The Hydrate with Innate contest is similar to the 2008 Clear Blue Water contest where Innate asked interested people to submit names to three new water bottle designs. More than 400 contestants entered online during the 12-week competition. The three winners were chosen by a judging panel and received 24 of the bottles they named to share with family and friends. Plus, each of the three winners selected one of  the same non profit organizations working for clean safe water that are listed in the Hydrate with Innate! contest One thousand dollars Canadian was donated to the selected organization in their name.
Hydrate with Innate winners will be announced on the www.innate-gear.com website on December 15, 2009. For complete rules and eligibility: Visit innate-gear.com after July 01, 2009, for more info.

Call for Entries to Hydrate with Innate! Photo Contest

Environmentally Conscious Beverage Container Company Shows a Picture is Worth $1000 to Provide Clean Water to Developing Communities

Vancouver, B.C. – July 08, 2009 – Innate, the Vancouver B.C.-based company that creates cleanly designed gear made from environmentally progressive materials for healthy, active people, announced the launch of its Hydrate with Innate! photo contest.

“We hear so many marvelous tales about where and how Innate containers are used. Hydrate with Innate! is a wonderful opportunity to share these stories through inspiring photographs and to help provide clean drinking water through the support of a great non-profit organization,” said Robyn Gibson, operations manager of Innate.

Beginning July 1, 2009, Innate users thirsty for a challenge can submit their favorite photos of themselves, their family or friends hydrating with clear blue water, preferably with an Innate container, online at www.innate-gear.com or on Facebook at Innate Gear. Entrants should include background information about where the photo was taken and what they were thinking while they were drinking. Submissions will be accepted until November 30, 2009.

The Innate panel of judges will select the most inspiring photo and accompanying background information. The winner will receive 24 of their choice of one style of Innate Hydration containers. Plus the winner will have the honor of selecting one of three charitable organizations to receive a $1000 Canadian donation from Innate. The three non-profits, Water Aid, Water Can and Mercy Corps, were selected by Innate for their continued efforts to provide cost effective clean, safe water to people in developing communities around the world.

Gibson added, “Hydrate with Innate! is a way for our community to share stories and to help developing communities have access to clean safe water. A donation like this, administered by one of the organizations we have chosen, can create cleaner, healthier communities.”

The Hydrate with Innate contest is similar to the 2008 Clear Blue Water contest where Innate asked interested people to submit names to three new water bottle designs. More than 400 contestants entered online during the 12-week competition. The three winners were chosen by a judging panel and received 24 of the bottles they named to share with family and friends. Plus, each of the three winners selected one of  the same non profit organizations working for clean safe water that are listed in the Hydrate with Innate! contest One thousand dollars Canadian was donated to the selected organization in their name.

Hydrate with Innate winners will be announced on the www.innate-gear.com website on December 15, 2009. For complete rules and eligibility: Visit innate-gear.com after July 01, 2009, for more info.

Categories: Uncategorized.

Origo Rendezvous Peak Watch Update

July 8, 2009

Update this watch.

Come see what I have found out this week.

Categories: Reviews.

Sierra Designs ~ Visit Wales Adventure Sweepstakes

July 7, 2009

Visit Wales… Sierra Designs’ 2009 Wales Adventure Sweepstakes is in its third month and really starting to pick up some solid momentum.  This is a fantastic trip with the winner receiving airfare for two, luxury hotel accommodations, and BritRail passes to explore the Welsh countryside.  In addition, Sierra Designs will supply the winner and their guest with gear for the trip, including the Cyclone Eco Jacket and pants, Verde 20 sleeping bags, and the award-winning Lightning XT 4 tent.  A winner will be drawn in September.

The package also includes round-trip airfare for two on Virgin Atlantic Airways, two nights lodging in a luxury yurt at the Graig Wen resort, a BritRail FlexiPass for transportation around Wales and to Snowdonia National Park, and two nights at Escape, a five-star boutique bed and breakfast, prior to flying home.

For a complete description of the prizes as well as sweepstakes terms & conditions, please go to http://www.travelwales.org/server.php?show=ConWebDoc.10346.

Categories: News.

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