The USGS has released a new software by which you can search for and buy topo maps from around the US. When you hit the site you can search through a Google Maps application to find the map you want. Then you can choose to buy it. I walked through the process and it looks like a map costs $6 with a $5 handling fee for each order. So, the more maps you buy at once the more you save on handling fees. This could be especially handy for those off-the-beaten path parks and places that don’t sell maps for their area.
Check it out. It’s a pretty cool way to find a topographic map for that upcoming slumber party in the woods.
Another of my favorite blogs, the Adventure Blog has posted an ESPN video about an amazing mountaineering expedition in the 1960s which was actually a spy mission gone wrong. It’s so wild it’s almost too crazy to have been made up. The US government denies this of course, but the climbers on the expedition have come out and a book has now been written about the events.
One of my favorite bands is Iron and Wine. I know, I know, you too…. Well, so they don’t quite have the same fanbase as an Aerosmith or a Dave Matthews Band. But they are pretty good mellow music when you just want to chill out. Plus Sam Beam, the lead singer has grown his hair out, and is ready to play Jesus in the Christmas play this year. Or so it seems.
Check out the single they’ve released on their myspace page from the upcoming album.
I just read over at FeedTheHabit.com about the new MSR HyperFlow Water Filter. Apparently this thing is kick-ass. I have an MSR MiniWorks and it is extremely reliable… but… I have to pump it like a thousand times to get a Nalgene of water. Don’t get me wrong, I’d rather pump than be barfing my intestines up all night, but it is alot of work.
The claim on this new model is that it only takes 20-30 pumps to get a liter… well kick my patootie and call me Sharon…. I like the sound of that!
Of course we missed the Outdoor Retailer trade show. I was out wandering South America, and Emile and Lynn were working hard here. But maybe someday. Until then we’ll keep you up to date on the coolest stuff that came out of the Outdoor Retailer show by referring you to other great blogs like FeedTheHabit.com .
I just read over at The Backcountry Blog that they will be sponsoring the Olympic Peninsula Race which will include Paddling, Mountain Biking, Trail running and Navigating. There will be a 5-10 hour and 24 hour Adventure Race. 4th Dimension Racing is organizing the event in Hoodsport, WA.
Several teams are already signed up and registration is open now. September 15th is the date. Sounds like a great spot for a race!
We would like to take this opportunity to say how much we here at Outdoorzy.com love your products and basically everything you are about. We would like to also say that we think we would love your SC-X300L wearable camcorder. Our members could provide hours and hours of awesome test videos and reviews for this wonderful product. If you were so inclined to possibly give us 2 or 3 to test and giveaway we think that would be just swell.
Thanks, you friends at Outdoorzy.com
I wanted to apologize for the site down time. Our site is on a shared server at our hosting company. Dedicated servers would be nice, but they are VERY expensive. Sorry for the problems, they assure us that the issue should be fixed soon.
We eventually plan on moving to dedicated servers and problems like this should basically be a thing of the past. Thanks for sticking it out with us!
Member wkumtrider recently got a forum post started to talk about buying American-made products. Of course, we here at Outdoorzy support buying gear made in the USA when you can. And even if you can’t buy gear that was manufactured in the US, you can buy from companies that are based in the US and hire US employees. For one thing it’s a huge aid to our economy, secondly it reduces the need for child labor in foreign countries, and thirdly it takes less fossil fuels to transport goods only within our borders, rather than around the world.
So… we did some research and found these companies headquartered in the US and most are manufacturing in the USA in some capacity. Check out madeinusa.com to search their database for more companies.
Our female gear tester, Elizabeth, is at it again. This time she’s testing some versatile trekking poles REI sent. Here’s what she had to say about them…
The REI Ascent SL is designed for people of short stature and smaller hand size. It is made by Komperdell and has an On/Off Shocksystem. Like most trekking poles, it ajusts in two places but unlike other poles I’ve tested, it has a double lock system and the open/close twist is clearly labeled.
I especially liked the contoured grips because after sweating for 8 miles I was blister free and the black sponge grips were not saturated. I did find myself having to wiggle my pinky and ring finger because they took a lot of continuous pressure since the grips were a bit too spread out for my hands. I would call the REI Ascents unisex and not specifically designed for women.
Another nice feature I enjoyed was the Shocklight on/off system. I normally use poles that don’t have an option and found the versatility of the REI poles very useful. Personal preference tends to drive buying trends so why not have a pole that offers both shocks and rigid options.
Half way through my hike I realized I was missing a basket, so it is important to twist them on tightly. There is a tightening and locking twist motion to securing each basket, and I had done it correctly with one but unfortunately not with the other.
Overall the REI Ascent SL preformed well and is a good match for someone who likes having the shock options and who needs unisex equipment such as a parent looking for boy/girl gear or a couple/team that shares. This would also be a good purchase for anyone who rents out gear due to the poles versatile nature.
Stay tuned for more gear reviews, and remember to search through the Gear page on Outdoorzy for more information.
especially handy for those off-the-beaten path parks and places that don’t sell maps for their area.
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