These free Vidcasts are available for viewing:

Backpacking Videos:

• Ultralight Backpacking to the Elysian Fields: In a real world backpack to a remote and virtually inaccessible area of Mt. Rainier National Park, my 15 year old daughter and I, Trail Ambassadors for Gossamer Gear, demonstrate ultralight backpacking with basic pack weights of 9 pounds. This trip had typical challenges like heat, cold, water issues, scrambling, bushwhacking and bugs.

• You're a Wimp! Lighten up your pack: Host Steve talks about going lighter when backpacking during his solo 3 day trip of Mt. Rainier's Wonderland Trail. Toting a total pack weight of 18 pounds, including extra food, Steve covers over 30 miles a day without sacrificing safety or basic comfort. With a tent, pack, pad, and sleeping bag weighing less than 4 pounds, he has all the necessities and comfort he needs. Includes scenes from the Goat Rocks Wilderness, when Steve and his 14 year-old daughter did a 3 day trip, each carrying everything they needed for independent lightweight hiking. Steve and Cassie are trail ambassadors for Gossamer Gear.
• Wonderland Trail Updates (Sep 2007) Parts I-IV: Join me as I hike Mt. Rainier's 93 mile Wonderland Trail, concentrating on the damages wreaked by the severe flooding of Nov 2006 and the subsequent repairs accomplished by the park service and numerous volunteers. In Part IV, I complete the circumnavigation from Indian Bar to Longmire. These updates complement the DVD titled Mt. Rainier: Hiking the Wonderland Trail, which was produced in 2006 and prior to the widespread damage to the park.
  
• Poles! Essential Kit for Backpacking: Maybe you've never tried trekking poles or are just unconvinced about their usefulness. Well, I dug into the archives and put together this session talking about how trekking poles make life easier and safer on the trail.
• Scott Jurek Interview (2006): Scott Jurek, ultra runner and professional trainer, talks about distance running and hiking and how to prepare for endurance events. Scott has won the prestigious Western States 100 ultramathon 7 years in a row, holding the course record of 15:36, and won the Badwater Ultramarathon in 2005, setting a course record.  Scott defended his title at Badwater this year and last month was the first American to win Greece's Spartathlon with the second fastest time. Topics include:
  
      * how he gravitated to long distance running
      * how to handle discouraging moments in multi-day events
      * foot care and foot wear
      * training tips for flatlanders attempting the Wonderland Trail
      * food, nourishment and hydration for long events
      * views on running, age, and stress on the body
  Learn more about Scott at: www.scottjurek.com
• John Stamstad Interview (2006): An interview with John Stamstad, retired uber-mountain biker and endurance guru. John's vast experience in endurance biking served him well as he traversed Mt. Rainier's 93 mile Wonderland Trail on foot in 24 hours. John talks about hydration, food, training and general philosophy. Great tips from a legend in his sport. Check out more about John at www.singletrackranch.com
• Feathered Friends Tour: An interview with Brent from Feathered Friends, located in Seattle. Brent talks about Feathered Friends selections  and gives us background on goose down products in general, rating systems, and how a down product can work in the soggy Pacific Northwest. Feathered Friends makes custom down products including sleeping bags, vests and jackets, full down suits, booties, comforters and much more. An excellent overview about down products in general, with specific references on the best bags to use for the Wonderland Trail.

Kendo Videos:

• Inoue Sensei Visit: Inoue Sensei, Hanshi 9-dan, visited the Pacific Northwest in November 2007. Watch one of the last practicing 9-dans conduct lessons and offer observations to the privileged kenshi who got to keiko with him.
• Assembling a New Shinai: A craftsman in Japan assembles the pieces of a new shinai in a working Kendo shop. This podcast is also useful as a reference in reassembling a shinai that has suffered a broken stave. A more complete and detailed view of a similar process is available on the products page, The Shinai Primer
• Also: Kendo Tiebreaker, Kendo Up Close!. How-to Fold Hakama, How-to secure bogu, Kirikaeshi