Archive for January, 2008
From the Gear Junkie - Eleven-Year-Old Summits Aconcagua
On December 30, Jordan Romero of California became the youngest person to stand atop Aconcagua, a 22,841-foot peak in Argentina that’s the highest in all of the Americas. Jordan, along with his father and stepmother, endured a 9-hour push to the summit, at times trudging through three-foot-deep snow in temps as low as minus-30 Fahrenheit. Remember, this kid is 11. He was BORN in 1996…
This feat brings up a point that has been debated many times. Is this too big of an adventure for such a young person? When is the level of risk too much for a child? And at what age is that level of risk appropriate? What do you think?
Thanks to the Gear Junkie for passing this along.
January 11th, 2008
Sad news today. The first man to scale Everest (along with climbing partner Sherpa Tenzing Norgay) back in 1953 has passed away at the age of 88. His name is synonymous with adventure and he is most likely the most widely known mountaineer of all time. He was a humble beekeeper from New Zealand who never even admitted he was the first man to summit the highest peak in the world until Norgay passed away.
He’ll be greatly missed.
Image from Wikipedia
January 10th, 2008
We’re wrapping up the list of trailhead grub spots today with 5 places you can’t go wrong with. I’m getting HUNGRY!
5. Miguel’s - Red River Gorge, KY
Why? Endercore says “Best pizzia in the world, amazing topping selection, and run by a great family who are nothing but supportive to the climbing community, and the community in general. Miguel employees a staff of climbers who are always really nice. Miguels IS the outdoorzy spot in the red, so proximity is no issue, price is good, and he rarely runs out. Don’t forget to admire his woodcarvings while you’re there. Plus you can camp in the back for 2 bucks a night.”
4. The Pizza Factory - Lone Pine, CA
Why? Summiting Mt Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48, is no easy chore. But getting down a big greasy peperoni laden pie with a tall pitcher of whatever beer you like IS an easy chore. After the Whitney adventure, stop here for some great food and lots of pictures of all the old western movie stars that used to film in the area. It’s right at the end of Whitney Portal Road, can’t miss it.
3. Ocoee Dam Deli - Ocoee, TN
Why? According to Endercore “It is about 5 miles from the takeout for the middle ocoee river in TN. Its this little shack of a place with a gravel parking lot, a lovely porch, and a bunch of TV’s on the inside that are constantly playing boating videos. Its awesome because they have 2 or 3 diffrent videos playing at once, and one is almost always a rafting carnage video from the ocoee, so you can sit and reminisce on getting your ass kicked in the very same hole earlier that day, or freak your self out about getting caught in this keeper hole, getting run over by a raft, and being recirculated while some stoned raft guide misses you with his throw bag 10 times before finally rescuing you.”
2. K’s Dairy Delight - Buena Vista, CO
Why? Well it sits in the shadow of the Collegiate 14ers in Colorado, has a whitewater river at its back door and plenty of rock climbing all around. Then there’s the food. Burgers, fries, onion rings, and ice cream cap off your adventure. They also give you the name of a movie star when you show up and when they call out your name, say… “Robert Redford”, you go get your food. Feeling like crap, but treated like a star.
AND #1 (at least on this list…)
Calamity Jane’s - Mt Hood, OR
Why? After skiing all day at Timbeline Lodge, hiking the 45 mile Timbeline Trail, or summiting Mt Hood… a 1 lb burger as big as your head is the only thing you need. That and some neosporin… Serving giant burgers just a few miles down the road from Mt Hood and doing it all with a smile. This rustic building has the charm and the calories to get you back on your sore feet again.
And for all the detail Endercore went into, he wins the MSR Alpine Kitchen Set compliments of MSR! Just message me Endercore to claim your prize.
Thanks for the help of all the Outdoorzies that put their two cents in on the forum!
January 10th, 2008
OK, OK, you want me back. Can you stop with the “where have you been?” emails already. Please continue sending gifts and candy. However, to the hairy gentleman from the Northwest Territories, please stop sending me racy photos of yourself.
Yesterday while suffering from an early morning Bird Flu attack (I am running out of powder-day-ditch-work excuses) I pondered returning to the blogosphere. Once you’ve been out of the game for a while it’s hard to plan a return. What ever could I write about?
At that very moment I watched a guy ride through the direct blast of a snowgun. Keep in mind this is on a legit Powder Day. I guess he was going for a little extra in the steep and deep department, and being uneducated, thought this was the way to get it. Anyone who has ever been NEAR a snowgun knows they are bad news. Your face stings, your goggles ice over, and the snow below them is an undulating unstable icy mess
I truly almost felt bad, bud I had to laugh aloud watching what followed. His “Whoooooops” of powder joy turned into “AAOOOOOUUUUUs” of pain. The flying ice crystals stinging his face and covering his goggles. He careened out of control through the blast of two more snowguns, skis unable to grip the man-made mess, before flying off trail into a complete Yard Sale in the woods.
I promised, then and there, to not let this happen to any of my faithful O-Deezy readers. (both of them) So I will be committed to bringing you updated Do’s and Don’ts for ’08.
Until then, just don’t ski in jeans.
January 9th, 2008
After a difficult summit, run, hike, mtb ride, or day on the slopes there’s nothing like a big fat-filled, cheese-covered meal to satisfy your calorie deficit. Many of you probably have your favorite spot to eat after a tough day. I’ve compiled a list of some of the best trailhead grub spots (with the help of some of our members). Atmosphere, food quality, food quantity, and proximity to the trailhead all went into the hat to help us decide on these. These are all in the US and Canada. We may do an international list down the road.
Below are #s 10-6…. #s 5-1 to come tomorrow.
10. Pig Diner - Pig, Ky
Why? Any place with named “Pig” in a town named “Pig” has to at least get a nod. Not to mention the amazing greasy breakfast selection and the killer Beef Manhattan. Wash it all down with a glass of sweet tea that your spoon could stand up in it’s so thick and you’re ready to re-enter society. This place is about 5 minutes outside of the south entrance to Mammoth Cave National Park.
9. Adair’s Wilderness Lodge - Waterford, NB (Canada)
Why? Fundyguy25 says - “Great spot to eat with homemade desserts, soups, and all the standards. Friendly knowledgable staff that know the area and some even do some guiding. There is on-site tenting as well as a couple of cottages. They offer a shuttle service to and from many trail heads and often serve as headquarters when S&R teams are needed. The building sits next to a pond and is on a dirt road (may be chipsealed soon though), and is a log building.”
8. Nate’s Grille - Skagway, AK
Why? JoshuatheNomad says “The guy who own’s the place is uber-groovy. The place has a coffee shop/mom & pop greasy spoon atmosphere with constant great tunes, amazing deep fried deserts: oreos, snickers, reeses cups, twinkies…
And Nate makes by far the best fries in Skagway, maybe in the world! accompany that with his black and bleu HUGE burger and a PBR from around the corner at Moe’s Frontier Bar and you’ve got an Alaskan delight. I’ve never met a nicer, more genuine restaurant owner anywhere. And there was movies, by theme, every Friday and Saturday night this summer.”
7. The Blue Spruce - Frisco, CO
Why? Grensap says “I like the blue spruce its got a old time feel. Close to all the ski slopes, trails, the blue river, and lake dillon. It great for a nice sit down dinner, but the bar has great prices and there Colorado wings are awesome. I know the price look high but its some of the best food around. Also I guess I really like it because it is right infront of my house.”
6. Pies & Pints - Fayettville, WV
Why? JoshuatheNomad says “The name answers the why. Pizza and Beer. Parking isn’t great but the food and beer selection counters that issue. Also, on a nice spring or fall day, they have a porch and other outside seating [i think], not the greatest view but I personally love to sit outSiDe and down some beer and pizza after a long day of calorie burning fun. And you can basically make your own work of art with the plethora of toppings they have to offer.”
January 9th, 2008
Sierra Summits SPF 40 Sunblock
Between Elizabeth and Lynn I am always reminded of the importance of sunblock. Oh yeah, and that giant ball of fire that swings across the sky is a good reminder too. During the Winter months we often forget about the crucial task of putting sunscreen on. Now, I’m not saying you have to put it on to take the trash out, but any extended period of time spent in the sun can be dangerous without it. Winter can actually be the most dangerous time to be out, especially for those of us who love snow sports like skiing, mountaineering, snowshoeing, snowman building, etc. And remember, each 1,000 feet in elevation raises the sun’s burning intensity by 4-10%.
So, I have been testing this Sierra Summits sunblock out lately. The thing that sets this stuff apart from your regular sunblocks is that it’s designed for US! It is “High Altitdue Adventure Sunblock”. Water resistance is one great perk of the Sierra Summits sunblock. Sweating profusely? No problem. The other thing I really liked about it was that it is oil free. My nose gets a little oily all on its own, I don’t need sunblock making me look all shiny. This product hasn’t been an issue so far. After applying it dries instantly and is ready for whatever you plan on putting it through. I have been on long runs twice with it now. One when the temps were around 35 degrees, and on Sunday… crazy unseasonable temps of 65 degrees. One thing I noticed on Sunday was that I was drenched with sweat but didn’t lose any of the sunblock.
Sierra Summits sells has Single use packets, 1.5 oz. tube, 8 oz. pump, 64oz pump, and the EcoSunblock gallon. They also have a whole line of other products specifically designed for outdoor adventure; pet balm, lip balm, bug repellant, and antispetic.
My mother never let me out of the house in the Winter without a coat. And when I was out for very long she would slather sunblock on me. I thought she was crazy. But she was just watching out for me. Now that we’re all grown up, we have to watch out for ourselves. So don’t forget your sunscreen.
January 8th, 2008
The Gear Junkie has posted 10 tips for riding safe in the Winter months. One key point he makes is to “ride straight”. The few times I’ve ventured out in the snow and ice to ride I found this out. Sharp turns can be a disaster. All his tips are great things to keep in mind. Now if I could just get the gumption to start riding in the Winter!
“Bike tires hum on snow, and they buzz on ice. But they rarely slip when you’re going straight. Gears click and shift the same in almost any weather. Just remember the lube. And the cold wind? With the right clothing it’s not an issue, according to regular wintertime riders. This article offers 10 tips to get you riding fast and safe on the winter road…”
See the full article here.
January 7th, 2008
You may have noticed a new section on the home page for Outdoorzy, the “Featured Video”.
Outdoorzy and The Weather Channel have teamed up to bring you amazing videos with an outdoor adventure flare. We’re very excited about this new pairing. The Weather Channel has created a page for their Epic series where people like you can upload videos of your adventures.
Check it out and upload a video today. At least swing by and watch some of the craziness other people are doing. Good stuff!
January 5th, 2008
So the New Year is here. Some people make resolutions, some don’t. But what is a resolution? Well, when it comes down to it, a resolution is nothing more than a short term goal that you resolve to accomplish within a set time frame. One year.
Often New Year’s resolutions are made and forgotten fairly quickly. My personal resolutions often revolve around travel or some sort of athletic goal like a triathlon or summit. I always accomplish these goals. Maybe I’m just setting my goals too low… or maybe I actually have a good method of reaching those goals? (Don’t answer that, it’s rhetorical… 
)There are various ways we can accomplish these goals. I’ve come up with a common sense list of 10 ways to get you there. You probably already know these things, but keep them in mind as you work toward you resolution this year.
Be reasonable! - Don’t decide to climb Everest if you’ve never even run a mile. Set a goal that is obtainable. Don’t be too conservative though. Set one you would be proud of and excited to talk to others about.
Tell others! - Tell your friends and family about it. Send an email out asking all of them to support you and to pester you about it. The support from those who care about you most will motivate you.
Write it down! - So many people form a resolution or goal in their minds, but by the time they get around to accomplishing it they’ve revised it so much it isn’t quite as great as it was when they first thought of it.
Display it! - Don’t just write it down in a notebook you’ll never see. Put it on 20 sticky notes and put them around your house or workplace. Put one in your wallet or purse. Make a poster that hangs on the wall at the end of your bed if that’s what it takes. Make it your screensaver or wallpaper. You need constant reminders to work on your resolution.
Schedule tasks! - Make a calendar with smaller goals that you need to reach to obtain the larger one.
Start today! - Don’t say “I’ll start this next week.” Start today. If your goal is to run a 10k but it’s raining… suck it up! Get out there and start running now.
Partner up! - Find someone who is in your daily life to share this resolution with. Your significant other, friend, or co-worker will keep you in line on the days you want to slack, and you’ll do the same for them.
Role model! - So you want to cycle across your state? Lance might be a good motivator? Want to climb a major peak? What about Ed Viesters? A role model can motivate you in ways that your buddies can’t. Buy a book about this person, or rent a dvd.
Take a break! - Well, not for too long. But seriously, so many people burn out early on with resolutions. You don’t want to be one of those. Take a day off, or a weekend off from your efforts to reach your goal.
Be positive! - This is probably the most important one for me personally. Avoid getting down. You may get tired of working so hard for this goal and start to think “This isn’t worth it.” But go back to the reason you are doing it. Think about the end result. Take a deep breath.
January 4th, 2008
GymGirl 2 pocket Skirt from Skirtsports.com
Price - $58 (On sale now for $50)
Suggested Uses - Running, Walking, Hiking, Tennis, Golf, Lacrosse, Gardening, Volleyball, Happy Hour, High School reunions (make em weep!)
Features - Two pockets with buttonholes for headphone cord, skirt length 14″
I have to admit, I was a little skeptical about wearing a skirt to workout in but let me explain why. Last year I did my first off road triathlon-canoing, mountain biking, trail running-and that is were I saw “skirt.” She had on a bright orange skirt (I have to admit it was really cute) and I nudged Wade, my partner, and in a biting tone commented that there was no way “skirt” was going to beat us.
As Skirt blew past me in the last half mile, not only did I eat her dust with my words, but I couldn’t help noticing how effortless and graceful she looked; It had to be the skirt!
Recently I tested out a GymGirl 2 pocket Skirt from SkirtSports.com and loved it. The material will flatter any figure (I chose black) and it feels incredible. The sizing chart is very exact so I had no trouble with the skirt fitting! The waist band was wide and that helped with the fit as well as the “staying put” power. The mesh shorties were very comfortable–not too tight and they did NOT work their way up my thighs during a grueling 60 minute aerobic/weights class. I also have to add that the mesh material wicks away sweat and that is a plus no matter what part of the body we’re talking about:)
The pockets on each side are perfect for gu during long races or keeping car keys or an ID if at the gym or an outside track. I must admit, I did check myself out in the mirrors and thought “Wow-looking very feminine” as sweat trickled down my face. The only down side (if we want to call it that) is when I was laying flat during class the skirt gathered around my waist and the shorties resembled biking shorts, but it was not a big deal. I might not do yoga in the skirt, but I have decided it is PERFECT for my next triathlon:) Believe me, these skirts draw attention and that is a good thing!
If you are or have a female athlete in your life, the GymGirl Skirt would serve as a unique and fun gift!
January 3rd, 2008
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