Black Rock Gear: Foldback Mitts/Original Hat

Black Rock Gear Foldback MittsOne of the great things about the cottage gear industry is I just keep finding great companies. This usually comes about through reading blogs like this or through other online sites. I especially like it when I find a company that is locally based (Seattle area) and today we have a winner: Black Rock Gear. This company's reputation is based on meticulous sewing, great customer service and winning products. I have to wholeheartedly agree on all counts.
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Willis Wall Snippets: 2013

I didn't have any big projects planned for this year so spent more time on photography than in the past. However, I did always have a helmet cam or two along so I did video when the mood struck. Notably, the light was perfect when skiing Whistler's Blackcomb glacier this year and there were moments when I was glad I took the shot. Ski, bike, hike; enjoy the Willis Wall Snippets for 2013, and get out there!

The Williswall Quiver: Shelter/Sleep

The following is from an email from reader Leif:

I've been following your posts on several Forums and here at your blog.  I've been especially intrigued by the B4 combination and the underlying concept of using multi-use gear as a part of an UL solution.  I have not seen any updates for this last 2013 season, so I thought I'd drop you a line.  If you don't mind taking a few minutes, would you respond to these questions?
1. Now that you have some testing done, do you still like the B4 solution?  If not, what is taking it's place?
2. Here's my understanding of your B4 system... B4 + 3/4 Cuben bivey + Zpacks Cuben Poncho.  At one point I think I saw you using a Feathered Friends Wren Nano with some kind of partial down bag for lower body insulation.  Do I remember that correctly?  I'm not sure if that matters... more what I'd like to know here is what are you using now for an insulating layer while sleeping?  A bag?
Long story short, I'd like to know what you're using now and (if possible) how I can buy / make the same solution for myself.

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the Willis Wall Spin: Sawyer MINI filter

The Willis Wall Spin on outdoor gear is a series of short videos about gear I use, or gear I don't use because it didn't measure up in the field. This short is on the Sawyer MINI Squeeze Filter. This year I have been using a drink mix so have abandoned my usual filter water bottle. In practical use I like the MINI for a variety of reasons, including its small size, light weight and versatility. DISCLAIMER: Sawyer provided me with a free MINI on the condition that I blog about it, but made no demands on the content. I would have purchased one anyway.

 

ZPacks Cuben Primer

I have become a cuben fiber convert when it comes to outdoor gear. The light weight and durability sold me, and I started purchasing certain cuben products over 3 years ago. Although there are many fine cottage gear companies that make cuben products, I have become a ZPacks regular customer for a couple of reasons. One, Joe Valesko offers incredible customer service, which fortunately is not atypical of the cottage gear industry. And two, he offers the customer the most variety in products at perhaps the most reasonable prices. I'll raise my couple of reasons a few more by adding that I've had custom items made beyond tweaking an existing product, like a 3/4 breathable cuben bivy and a custom front pack that I use for packing cameras. And up front I'll tell you that I've paid for everything listed in this blog article. Lastly, I have ordered a new completely custom front pack and a slightly customized hybrid Arc Slim pack, yet to arrive. I've purchased lots of gear over the decades, with some working out and some that didn't, but everything I have bought from ZPacks I've used to great advantage. Let's begin the ZPacks tour.

Pocket Tarp and GG The One on the PCT

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The 2013 Graduation Hikes

ONP: upper Cameron basinWith August vacation and a graduating daughter, we had two weeks to experience some of the best the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Our original plans involved an Olympic National Park loop, the Wonderland Trail at Mt. Rainier National Park, and a Glacier Peak circumnavigation. This was an ambitious schedule based on everything falling into place, including the weather. Such was not to be, but we did manage to get to all three areas. In the process I have been testing some new UL gear which I will write about later.
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Gossamer Gear Minimalist does STP

Gossamer Gear Minimalist on the roadA buddy of mine and I did the Seattle To Portland (STP) bike ride recently, an organized event that takes place every year covering the 200 plus miles between the two cities. We did not have a chase car for support, so I needed a way to store my jacket, supplements, pump, food, tools, spare tubes, sunscreen etc. I've been using the Gossamer Gear Minimalistfor both training hikes and bikes so it was a natural to bring along. The simple design has no waist strap to contend with and the sternum strap keeps the pack hugging the back with no movement. I literally didn't notice it for 204 miles of riding. The simplicity of this pack means I grab it for any number of activities outside of hiking, and I've had no problems with durability in its second year of use. Weather was pristine for this ride but rain might have been a problem with the draw cord top, whose little hole will be an entrance point for moisture. Of course, the pack itself is not waterproof so were I to anticipate using this in the rain I would have to use a pack liner bag. The rear mesh pocket was perfect for attaching my number so I didn't have to pin it to my clothing. I saw lots of bike front packs and saddle bags during this event but I prefer to wear a backpack as long as the weight is light. This is a link to a blog from last year on the hiking/running aspect of use for this pack.

(caveat: I am a trail ambassador for Gossamer Gear and received this pack at a discount)

LSD trip to Camp Muir (Mt. Rainier)

Hydration stopToday I'm not referencing fun times with Timothy Leary, but the training concept of Long Slow Distance. I've kept up base fitness with runs and bikes, but this was to be my first "quad-burner" where I'm out for some vert. I decided to keep it interesting by throwing in a bike (doing the STP this year so need some seat time), so I parked at Longmire. As I was contemplating what shoes to wear, as they had to do for both the biking and the hiking, a ranger came by and, after some chit chat, said I should just go for the light trail runners (I also had some low cut crampon compatibles and some Merrill trail gloves).
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