Category: Tech
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Trailstar v. Shangrila 2
Two justly popular ~two person (plus gear) floorless shelters. Two different sets of strengths and weaknesses. We had a Trailstar from October 2009 until last spring, when I sold it to fund the Shangrila 2 we have today. I miss the Trailstar, but do not regret the switch. Read on to see if you might…
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Why i might be full of shit
or: Credibility and experience in blogging The Black Hole of White Canyon, January 1, 2007. Blogging has irrevocably changed the face of writing about outdoor adventure, in almost all respects for the better. The chief problem today, perhaps different from days previous in scale only, is how to allot proper credence amongst the sea of…
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Fire when you need it
Firemaking is a skill like any other. Mystique to the contrary. You’ll only really need it when conditions are most difficult, and when circumstances conspire so you forget what good technique you know. Ergo, the first second and third rules of firemaking are as mundane as they are essential: practice. I was an indifferent firemaker…
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Windows of opportunity
Multiday outdoor trips succeed via planning: picking a route that suits the conditions, bringing appropriate gear, having sufficiently assessed said gear prior, and being prepared (materially and mentally) for contingencies. It makes me sad to see so many trips crash and burn, or underperform spectacularly, because of rudimentary things left unthought. All last week I…
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LaSportiva XCountry (and Dirty Girl gaiter) review
Lets keep a short story short: I really like the minimal padding, small heel-toe drop, tread, and fit of these shoes. I think they can be used for the most rugged of long hikes, with proper preparation. Unfortunately the mesh upper is just not durable for me. I demand a lot out of shoes, and…
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Rolltops, drawcords, and larger packs for cycling
I made another bikerafting descent of the main Flathead today, using experience from last trip to dial in the crossings better. I did fewer boat crossings (six versus nine), rode a lot more, and did the whole deal hours faster. It’s a sweet route. With slightly warmer weather and more confidence in my rigging abilities,…
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Fischer BCX 675 boot review
In brief, a tale of woe. A good design with a few things that could be improved, which doesn’t fit and is going back to REI. The pleather fabric seems great. The sole is rigid enough for control, flexible enough for striding and walking. The cuff balances touring and turning acceptably for such a boot…
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145 Altai Hok review
To summarize and build upon my review of the 125 prototypes I skied last year: there is a domain of skiing between alpine backcountry and nordic skiing which is as of yet poorly served by the marketplace, and the Altai Hok might be the best fit yet for many people’s needs in this category. Controversy…
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Preliminary data
Fleece, synthetic fill, and down: the big three insulators for outdoor garments since before I can remember. Synthetic’s have come on strong from the back of the pack in the last 15 years, down fill powers have crept higher, and fleece has undergone myriad transformations in an attempt to address the three reasons why so…
Bedrock & Paradox 
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