We’re back from our Costa Rica trip and we had a blast. The weather was beautiful and the ocean warm. It was a perfect break from the snow.

We have a lot of pictures and much to say. However, in true Costa Rican fashion, we’re taking our sweet ass time. The holidays are still in full swing and we’re taking a break to hang out with family and avoid computer time (ironic, that I’m writing this.)

Keep checking back for updates and check out the UpaDowna Flickr Group as the photos will start pouring in. Feliz Navidad!

The Leave No Trace principles were established in the 1960’s as a means to provide a “science-based minimum impact education training for non-motorized recreational activities”. The Leave No Trace organization was formed as a non-profit in 1994 in response to a ever growing concern for the environment and our impact on it. These principles form the foundation for the understanding and preservation of our beloved outdoors. In an attempt to protect and preserve our natural lands the Leave No Trace organization has confronted head on the ignorance and misunderstanding so many of us have embraced concerning the outdoors. Listed below are the Leave No Trace principles, however if you wish to learn more about the principles or the organization check here.

This was borrowed from Arthur’s Hall of Viking Manliness a very prestigious manliness reference web site. Arthur and Shatner are the moderators and provide a wealth of manliness guidelines. Recognize, fools!!!

Arthur here. I have completed a mathematical analysis of that which Shatner speaks. Many people will tell you that they drink Bud Light or Coors Light because they want to get drunk for cheap. This is typical idiot thinking. I did a spreadsheet (see below) comparing a sixer of Bud Light costing $4.99 and a manly Viking beer, Pyramid Snow Cap costing $6.99. As you can see the six Buds get you 3.02 ounces of pure alcohol while the Pyramid gets you 5.04 ounces of pure alcohol.

The next step in my process was to divide the number of ounces of alcohol by the cost to get the OAPD (Ounces of Alcohol Per Dollar) and as you can plainly see the Pyramid kicks the ass of the Bud Light. So the next time one of your pussy buddies says that he drinks shit beer because it is cheap refer him to my unassailable mathematical breakdown and educate him about the OAPD factor. Back to Shatner’s passionate plea for us Viking men to return to our Viking roots and drink real beer!!

Yes sir, yes sir, the time has come…almost. The skiing was fun yet difficult due to the lack of any real base so it was more like glide, glide, stick, glide, glide, stick. This soon became glide, glide, sip, sip, sip, guzzle, ahhh!!!! To make a long story short my beer drinking skills have not waned and I will be prepared for the day when we get the base we need to ski and drink and ski some more. But always responsibly, I promise I will only drink good beer.

This weekend I was fortunate to get a chance to do some backpacking and hiking. I love the fact that I live so close to some prime wilderness. Practically out my door are waterfalls, great trails, tons of wildlife, and endless peak views!!! Well this weekend the dogs (Radish and Sedona) and I busted out and ended up camping on a ridge in an aspen grove with outstanding views of Pikes Peak. While my plans were to enjoy the fresh air and get in some snowshoeing (we were expecting up to a foot!), in reality the snowfall was minor, only about 4 inches and the wind was so brutal after about 1 a.m. that most of the fresh powder was blown away. I did however get to practice building a primitive shelter. It was pretty sturdy and provided more than adequate shelter from the wind and snow, Radish actually took it over and kicked me out so I consider that to be proof that it was good enough. Perhaps I will get more chances to work on the technique and figure out exactly what would make the absolute best design for these winter conditions. After all practice is the only sure way to be prepared.

Alright folks the season is changing and our motivation may be waning to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Well this is exactly what I was facing these past few weeks. You know when the weather has changed and the snow makes biking not so desirable, yet there is not nearly enough snow to break out the skis or snowshoes. As a means to combat this I decided to go camping this past weekend and brush up on my shelter building, but more of that later. It is currently snowing and have decided that I will, in true upadowna fashion, strap on the cross country skis and ski around the area all the while drinking beer!!! Wish me luck and I will tell you all about it later along with pictures from camping and snow shoeing this weekend. Cheers.