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Packrafting defined
St. Mary Lake from 500′ up. 50 mph winds and oceanic swells. I was introduced to boating and skiing early in life, in the normal ways: canoeing, whitewater rafting, downhill skiing in area, XC skiing on track skis. All were fun for short periods, but none resonated especially well. Until the last few years, that…
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The new paradigm marches on
This graph may be one of the more useful things you’ll find for winter adventure planning. It comes by way of Richard Nisley, a San Fran packrafter, adventurer, and fabrics scientist. The original post, at BPL, and the ensuing discussion can be found here. The iClo values themselves do not tell the full story, but…
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All Pack, version 4
There are few things that will get more mileage, if you’re a regular adventurer outside, than a stout 40-50 liter pack. Enough room for technical day trips or short backpacks, not big enough to be a nuisance on a dayhike, tough enough to beat on for years. My version of this do-most-things pack has evolved…
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Fear and Trembling (in praise of the off-season)
“He had faith by virtue of the absurd, for all human calculation ceased long ago.”-Soren Kierkegaard Glacier National Park was called the Alps of the Americas not only to lure rich easterners away from Europe, but because the high peaks that make up the crown of the continent hold forth with a singular aesthetic. Unlike…
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Ouch, my feet hurt; and some neat skis
Recall how, last week, I responded (to Sam’s inquiry) that my intended route acrss Glacier was Dawson Pass, Nyack Creek, and the Middle Fork. Well, things turned out differently. What I really wanted to do was see more alpine, so my Sat-Sun route morphed into following the CDT from Two Medicine north to the St.…
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A walk in the park
Cottonwood leaves by the pond. Roses blooming in November. Trees. Not pictured, but caught on video for later; many loud species of ducks and geese. Woodland Park, a few blocks away, reclaimed from bog and hobo-squatting ground by the WPA. (And we worry the ARRA won’t have lasting impact.) The 30’s era pool has since…
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Cynicism
I try to not give in to it, if for no other reason that in my line of work a rosy view of the world is a prerequisite for sanity. Today of course, doing that is difficult. Up here in the Flathead Valley the electorate is pretty conservative. Whitefish (the Aspen of Montana, and home…
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When in doubt, ride
I came home in an evil mood. There is one direct solution: get out. It worked. It’s not Missoula, but we have some ok riding. I also gave my new Homebrewed Components Nut Tugger. I prefer the simplicity of track ends (not that I’ve owned a bike with an EBB or sliders), and while the…
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Election day and contemporary American liberty
It’s election day, I can’t vote, and it is driving me crazy (also a very slow morning at work, hence this; a bad combo). Montana law requires 30 days of residence to vote in a precinct, something we just don’t meet. We could have voted absentee as Missoula residents, but didn’t do the research soon enough…
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Old stuff, new stuff
This past Saturday morning I woke up in the dark, and immediately went downstairs to do my core work. The only way to get it done. Right now it’s just slow pull ups and around-the-clock leg extensions using a resistance band. After that I made coffee and breakfast, and got the (expected) call from Jill…
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Bedrock & Paradox 
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