Posts from — August 2008

Ever so often we come across someone or something we think absolutely rocks and want to make sure everyone we know gets the chance to enjoy it as well. Enter Stephen Regenold a.k.a The Gear Junkie.

Some of you might recognize his name from “The Gear Junkie” column published in a slew of newspapers including the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Albuquerque Journal, Greensboro News-Record, Billings Gazette and the New York Times! I tripped upon Stephen’s web page a few months ago and have slowly started to read more and more of his articles.

As you know, we here at UpaDowna love the outdoors and beer and everything in between. Stephen seems to share that same passion (except maybe the beer part). He has a lot of great information and always seems to be having a great time. I am not going to go into depth about this guy or his writings but I will suggest that you folks check him out. Hell, how could I not suggest someone who focuses on many of the same topics we do!

If you have not checked out The Gear Junkie…do it now!

As always Cheers and Beers,

Yeti

On August 16 2008 floods blasted through Havasu canyon and ravaged this and many other iconic backcountry spectacles. Unfortunately it now lies dried up and denuded.

While I have only been once it is one of those special places you never forget. With the area being closed off for at least the next six months it will be difficult to manage a trip any time soon. Even when the area reopens the devastation will be dramatic and a new area will surely take form hopefully more beautiful and unique than the original.

Recent visitors have surely noted that the popularity of the falls had gotten so out of control, that the village of Supai was little more than a drug infested trash heap.

With this years floods perhaps this area has been cleansed and will get back to nature and we will once again get to enjoy the simple beauty of the land…all in due time.

Although it should be a few months yet until the snow falls at any appreciable depth. Now is the time when the snow gear manufacturers start ramping up their marketing as a means to get your dollars. So what better time than to break down a few of the snowshoes styles as a means to help ease the confusion when the time comes to take the plunge.

There are basically three styles of snowshoes: Recreational, Mountaineering, and Running.

Recreational Snowshoes are essentially snowshoes for basic hiking on fairly level terrain such as established trails or open fields. These have mild or no crampons attached to the base. This is the most prevalent style because it covers the largest demographic namely beginners and casual users.

Mountaineering Snowshoes are designed for those users that are more demanding. These usually have substantial crampons attached to the base to aid in grip. Backcountry hikers that might encounter moderate to steep inclines, off trail, fresh or deep snow, and occasionally distance running and other strenuous excursions over difficult or rough terrain. Basically Mountaineering snowshoes do everything the recreational shoes will do and more!

Running Snowshoes are designed for speed and maneuverability over a variety of terrain. These are usually lightweight and designed for speed and not necessarily maximum flotation and tend to have only minor crampons affixed to the base.

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Two hikers stranded on an 18″ wide ledge!

Bummer. Just goes to show you can never be to safe or prepared.

A sleeping pad is one of those choices that for the inexperienced they have delusions of wonderfully padded cozy bedding much like they enjoy at home. Unfortunately the reality is far from the delusion. Don’t get me wrong there are some really cushy pads out there that can make sleeping on the cold hard ground a bit more appealing, but I have yet to experience a pad that will bring you “home”. All of these pads come in different lengths and thickness and some even fold to make packing easier!

There are really only two types of pads that are utilized today; closed-cell and self-inflating. With recent introduction of the down filled pads such as the Exped Downmat 9 Sleeping Pad. There used to be open-cell pads but they ended up being more trouble than they were worth and most manufacturers have since discontinued production. [Read more →]

Great new sticker!

Rarely do I find a sticker that jumps out as something I would stick on something I want to keep around.

Often my worthless stickers end up on my friends possessions! However yesterday I was given this sticker and am quite pleased with it. Now the question, do I put it on my rig, bike, water bottle or on a buddies stuff?

Thoughts?