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More Problems of Authenticity
I have a problem with the way outdoor photography is used to sell stuff. It is an inevitably aspirational medium, and insofar as this is the case all too often falls short. I’ll use a few photos from the latest Patagonia catalogue to illustrate this, both because Patagonia has consistently had the most actively artistic…
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The Race Pack examined (backpacks for the woods part 4)
A perhaps illustrative case study. I built the race pack specifically for wilderness racing, the Classic next year in particular. As explicated before, the Golite Jam I used last year didn’t fit and was too big. I also wanted to make a pack as light as possible without compromising functionality or durability (or spending money,…
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My 2012 race/trip schedule
~10 miles into the 2011 Wilderness Classic. Paige Brady photo. I did not get into Hardrock in the lottery this morning, which was quite the relief. While I couldn’t ignore the numbers and would have almost had to enter Hardrock if I had got in, I’d much rather do the Classic the first year on…
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Evolution of the North Fork pack (backpacks for the woods, part 3)
I started building the North Fork pack back in late August of 2010, when I was between finishing up grad school and actually working. My work may look good on the internet, but I’m a pretty awful seamstress, what with my lack of patience and hand-eye coordination. I go for functionality, but tend to get…
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The Quiver Quantified (backpacks for the woods, part 2)
M and I currently own nine packs. When I collected them all from corners of the house a while ago, she was surprised it was so few. I say we, and she uses some of them plenty, but let me be honest: I’ve been the prime mover behind acquiring every one of them. As part…
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Thus do I refute Keith Hammer
We in America have a problem. Idiosyncracies of our wilderness preservation laws and their implementation and advocacy have (largely) bifurcated those dedicated to the outdoors as a worthy part of American culture. I’ve yet to find a more stark articulation of this than the Swan View Coalition’s Code of Responsible Recreation (link withheld to protect…
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On being framed (backpacks for the woods, part 1)
Disclaimer: for those readers who are BPLers this is rather inside baseball; and for those who are not following the threads might be difficult due to members-only citations. I’ve always loved backpacks. Since well before age 10. They do cool things, and have for me an aesthetic appeal. I first seriously modified a rucksack back…
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Thanksgiving in Hell
We wanted something simple for Thanksgiving: a quiet place new to us, without snow and temps warm enough to not warrant full winter gear. We’re far enough north that getting out of our climate zone is a bit of a challenge, but Hells Canyon in Idaho/Oregon delivered. Our route: south from Pittsburgh Landing (all-weather access),…
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The holiday season
On most workdays I indulge prodigiously in caffeine enhancement, but try to avoid (for financial reasons) the extra psychological lift/indulgence which comes from an espresso beverage. Both today and yesterday I found that particular performance enabler necessary, and noticed when buying an Americano from Tymber (seriously) that City Brew opens at 3am on Friday. For shopping. Just one…
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Not winter, yet
When does winter begin? With the first significant snowfall down here in the valley? Perhaps the first night below zero (F)? The first time you have to put on snowshoes right from the car? Some folks, ill acquainted with the lands beyond conventional human habitation (mid-latitude and low elevation) and hewing to a strictly temperature-based…
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Bedrock & Paradox 
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