I like skiing through trees. However I’m not the best skier and often I cannot control my proximity to the trees. Duck under a branch, brush by the trunk – I cut it way too close. Injury is not really a concern, but the other weekend I side-swiped a branch fairly hard. My first thought [...]
With climbing shoes there seems to be a dichotomy of opinions on fit and performance. It’s impossible to please everyone with such divided desires. Do you want stiffness or sensitivity? Tight shoes or comfort? Crack climbing or Sport? Laces or Velcro? Down-turned or flat? With the addition of the Katana Lace, La Sportiva has rounded [...]
The concept of a super fuzzy fleece is not a new one. I have been attracted to them for a while, but until now, I’ve always been disappointed: I’ve had major fit or function issues. Although it isn’t perfect, the Patagonia Hi-Loft R3 (revamped for Fall 2010) is pretty darn awesome. As a functional mid-layer, [...]
It was early season at Lover’s Leap. Memorial Day meant snow was still on the ground and the trail contained more water than dirt. While approaching the climbs, I made big strides between slippery granite river rocks. My feet never slipped and I was very impressed with my footwear. In my opinion, the real place where [...]
Although Luke had already tried several pairs of Sanuks, I was skeptical. I am extremely attached to my Chaco Flips (especially now that I have the Flip Pro). However, I am a girl, and I like shoes, so I was willing to try some Sanuks. I’ve now had a pair of the Laurels for several [...]
Having a pack that fits right is a big deal, for me. When my well-loved and well-abused Black Diamond Sphynx 35 (the 2006 model) needed retirement (the bottom is reinforced by multiple layers of duct tape), I was totally psyched to try out all the women’s packs on the market. It was very disappointing to [...]
In case you’re short on time, here’s the gist of my review here: the Patagonia Women’s Rock Guide Pants are, hands down, the best climbing pants I have ever owned. Period. If you want to know why these are the best climbing pants ever, then read on. I’ve always had a hard time finding good [...]
The rainy winter and spring have given way to a beautiful summer. All of a sudden things started getting warm, which means more time outside for Lizzy and I. This also means we have more opportunities to play with gear! I was excited when I heard La Sportiva was making a new approach shoe, the [...]
In my mind a good backpack carries well, is easily filled with gear, and is durable enough to stand up to abuse. In recent years I have seen many climbers bring small haul bags or haul packs as a substitute for a crag pack. These packs are usually spacious and quite durable. However, most haul [...]
I don’t really consider myself to be a boulderer. Sure, I boulder occasionally, especially during the winter when weather is unpredictable, but at heart I really love to climb cracks. However, there’s a limit to how much better one can get at crack climbing without cross-training. The winter is a great time to cross train, [...]
Although most of the sweet gear I get is for climbing or running or cycling, there is some awesome gear that I use for my during-the-week life. I know that most climbers out there are like me: we have a “normal” job during the week to help support our climbing habit on weeknights, weekends, and [...]
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