Now I’ve heard of almost everything. GTX Corp was recently awarded three patents that cover GPS location devices embedded in footwear. Although it appears most of the applications are in running shoes for now, it’s not much of a stretch to imagine hiking boots with integrated GPS chips in the near future…
The GTX technology transmits location data for tracking purposes and in a hiking context this could be used much like a Spot satellite messenger. Personally I think I’d prefer to have a device that can transmit location data AND be used for navigation on the ground and a shoe-based platform isn’t really suited for that.
We’re still scratching our heads about why you’d want a GPS in your shoe anyway. There are plenty of other places a GPS can be attached to a person (in a watch, for example) that are more accessible and less prone to water/dust intrusion. Nike has had success with their foot pod but that’s just a pedometer and not location aware. Now if we’re tracking mental patients or prisoners instead of hikers, maybe there’s a use for a (covert) shoe based tracking device!
Here’s a video from the GTX CEO hyping the concept:
We’ve been fans of the Spot Satellite Messenger ever since we first heard about the GPS device that allows you to track the progress of backcountry expeditions remotely. GPS-enabled devices like the Spot and the personal locator beacon from ACR Electronics also allow the user to send exact location coordinates to emergency responders at the push of a button. Unfortunately, it seems some consumers are abusing devices like the Spot at the slightest hint of trouble or are putting themselves in danger because they figure they have an easy way out.
Take, for example, the group of hikers who summoned emergency responders 3 times in a single trip! In each instance, helicopter crews had to deliver water to the unprepared hikers who later admitted they wouldn’t have even considered attempting the hike without their GPS beacon. These devices have been dubbed “OnStar for Hikers” and “Yuppie 911″ but it turns out cell phone calls to rescuers are just as common in extreme environments with decent cell coverage like Death Valley.
Some may be quick to blame device manufacturers but we think that’s not quite fair. For one thing, GPS beacons are very useful devices when used appropriately (kinda like toilet paper - just because kids might use it to vandalize the neighbors, it’s still a good product). Instead, we encourage search and rescue organizations to continue charging victims based on response costs in cases where the individuals should have been better prepared. Yuppies should have no problem with that
I’m a big fan of any outdoor gear I can use even when I’m not on the trail. I use my camping headlamp to find help me stuff in the attic and install windshield wipers in the driveway after work; in college I used my sleeping bag as a comforter on my bed; and these days I’m wearing my Marmot Leadville jacket to walk the dog when I’m stuck in suburbia. Now if I could only find a weekday use for my tent and camp stove…
The Marmot Leadville Softshell is a fitted jacket that’s pretty much perfect for fall and even winter conditions here in the southeast. It’s designed to fit over your base layer and I’ve found it fits well over everything from t-shirts to sweaters. It’s also thin enough to fit under a down or fleece vest if necessary.
Don’t let this jacket’s everyday good looks fool you - it’s actually packed with some serious outdoor tech. To start, it’s equipped with Gore Windstopper which means it’s water resistant yet breathable, perfect for misty summit hikes in the fall or spring. The Marmot M2 softshell adds a layer of wind resistance and durability in an attractive low, maintenance package. My favorite part? Dog hair doesn’t stick like it does on my North Face fleece jacket.
The Marmot Leadville is also great at blocking the wind thanks to a sporty, high collar and velcro wrist closures. It seems like Marmot thought of everything, right down to the elastic waist cincher that is accessible via the front pockets. No need to get your hands out into the cold to make adjustments, this jacket has you covered. There’s even a small inside pocket for your iPod with access for headphone cords. The inside front is covered in a super soft microfleece that almost feels a little too luxurious.
Marmot says this jacket is ideal for hiking and backpacking, high aerobic sports, mountaineering, and “urban.” I definitely give it the thumbs up for the first two, though the third (mountaineering) is a little questionable. I probably get the most use out of my jacket on the urban side of things but this jacket works equally well in the city as it does in the backcountry. Even if you get dirty and sweaty in the Leadville, it’s a cinch to clean - just toss it in the wash! In fact, washing this jacket is the best thing you can do to prolong its water resistant capabilities for the long term.
When I say that I wear this jacket all the time, that’s really not an exaggeration - I absolutely love the versatility of this jacket. In fact my Leadville has probably already paid for itself since I’m wearing it in the house and keeping the heat below 68 degrees this winter. Pick up a Marmot Leadville Softshell to stay warm and dry on your active adventures this fall and winter!
Thanks to W.L. Gore for providing this jacket for review.
Although I’d much rather be hiking or mountain biking the day after Thanksgiving, it’s tough to pass up great deals on outdoor equipment. Here are a few deals you need to know about this year.
REI: The first 300 customers through the door at REI stores on Black Friday will receive gift cards ranging in value from $5 to $100. Stores open at 8am so there’s no need to wake up before dawn - sweet.
Bass Pro Shops: Apparently there will be different deals at each store from 6 to 11am on Black Friday. For example, my local Bass Pro will have a $39.99 dog bed for just $14.94 and a digital food dehydrator for $70 off the regular price. Check here to find your local store and view the deals in your area.
Dick’s Sporting Goods: The folks at Dick’s are being coy with their deals this year and to find out what’s on sale you have to check the website after 6pm EST tonight. Doors open at 5am on Black Friday and if you’re shopping online you’ll get free shipping on orders over $49 all weekend. Honestly I’m a little confused about what’s on sale where and when so it may be worthwhile to call your local store.
Backcountry.com: No Black Friday deals as far as we can tell but their “Secret Stash Sale” is going on right now with up to 25% off 10,000 items.
Cabela’s: Ho-hum, Cabela’s is offering free shipping on orders over $99 through December 1. Of course there’s also the everyday “Bargain Cave” with thousands of items marked up to 70% off where you may find a decent deal.
That’s all we got so far, if you know of any Black Friday deals on outdoor equipment we missed, fill us in through the comment section!
The Bugathermo heated hiking boot from Columbia is certainly an, errr, interesting idea. Plug your boots in the night before an epic slog through snow and cold temps and you’ll have up to 8 hours of heat keeping your tootsies warm. The Bugathermo has three heat levels, dual heating elements, and an LED display, all powered by an integrated lithium ion battery. The boots also feature Omni-Tech, Columbia’s version of Gore-Tex plus Thinsulate Insulation rated down to -25° F. These boots are certainly rugged looking but they aren’t cheap: $250 for the men’s version.
If you’re like me you can probably see there might be some problems with these boots. First, it seems like adding a lithium ion battery to footwear might make it a tad heavy. There’s no info on where the batteries are located (sole? uppers?) but wherever they are, they can’t be comfortable. Then there’s the whole issue of replacing the batteries when they stop holding a charge.
Columbia says these boots are perfect for mountain trekking or Arctic exploration but I’d add a caveat to that and say you need to have access to electrical power to make these boots effective. For other users like ski lift operators, these boots seem like they may be well suited.
I always hated buying those chemical heaters for outdoor winter sports and the heated hiking boot is certainly an interesting alternative. For now I think I’ll keep heating my feet the old fashioned way: extra socks and vigorous physical activity.
We just added a new feature to Tripleblaze last week that we’re super stoked to share with everyone: campground and trailhead maps. Select campground and trail pages include a map showing the vicinity and an icon to mark the campground or trailhead. You can even click the “Directions” link (indicated with the blue arrow above) to get driving directions from your house. We already have maps and coordinates for nearly 700 trails but we need your help to fill in the rest!
Trail and campground listings that have not been located yet have a small link in a yellow box just above the trail/campground title that says “Help us locate this trail/campground.” Click the link and you’ll see a Google Map with an approximate location. Zoom around until you find the right spot and click the map to add a marker. Submit the location and you’re done!
Once we get more coordinates we’ll post a US map showing all the hiking trails and campgrounds and we’ll even add features to help you find trails close to campgrounds and vice versa. Questions? Hit us up via email: info@tripleblaze.com.
Listen up kids! Don’t let your parents tell you there’s nothing educational on television…
Last week 9-year-old Grayson Wynne became separated from his parents on a hike in Northern Utah and spent survived 18 hours alone in the forest. Wynne credits tips he learned from watching Bear Grylls’ Man vs. Wild on the Discovery Channel with his survival.
The young outdoorsman tore up his yellow rain jacket and tied the pieces to trees as he hiked toward safety, hoping that rescuers could find his path. He also remembered Grylls’ advice to follow a stream down to a larger body of water where there is a greater chance of finding civilization. Ultimately searchers on horseback spotted the child in a meadow where he was rescued. Fortunately he didn’t have to resort to eating bugs or drinking swamp water like Grylls often does
Now I’m not sure if REI invented the concept of “trailgating” but admittedly it’s the first I’ve heard of it and I gotta say trailgating sounds kinda cool. Just think: instead of setting up the grill and chairs in a hard, flat, asphalt parking lot you could “trailgate” in the great oudoors, just steps from your favorite trailhead or fishing site. Trailgating is a much smaller committment than, say, overnight camping but with many of the same benefits (grilled foods, cold beverages, and a social atmosphere).
I’m a big fan of the hiking day trip - driving a couple hours to an unfamiliar scenic trail and eating a picnic lunch on the trail or grabbing a bite in town nearby. But, with just a little extra planning I could be trailgating! The concept of trailgating also adds a social dimension that’s often missing from my hikes - enjoying the day with friends and other hikers is much easier when there is food and comfy chairs are set up.
Of course REI has plenty of trailgating products to get you all prepped but in reality you don’t need much. Just be sure to check local regulations wherever you decide to trailgate - many parks and forest areas don’t allow alcohol, for example. Happy trailgating!
Regular readers know I’m a bit of an outdoor guidebook junkie so I was stoked to get my hands on a copy of The Creaky Knees Guide: 100 Best Easy Hikes in Washington by Seabury Blair Jr. Although I haven’t hiked in Washington (yet), from what I can tell this book is a valuable resource for anyone who is looking for fun, scenic, and low-impact hikes in the state.
First of all, don’t let the name fool you: these hikes aren’t just for your grandparents. In fact many of the hikes in this book are entirely appropriate for families with young children and even four legged companions (dogs, though I suppose you could bring your cat along on a hike ). At the front of the book you’ll find a quick guide to the 100 trails with check marks next to hikes that are recommended for families and/or pets. Nice!
Some hiking guides I’ve used include very basic, almost cartoonish trail maps but the Creaky Knees Guide is different: it shows trails overlaid on topographic maps. The maps also include elevation profiles for those who aren’t well versed in reading topo lines, though in some cases you may need to get out the magnifying glass to see the details.
Each hike in the book includes the length, total elevation gain, estimated time to complete, an “effort index” to describe difficulty, and a recommendation for the best season to hit the trail. Of course you’ll also get a description of the hike along with directions to the trailhead. Trail descriptions are grouped by location and each book section features a photo from a trail in that group to give you a feeling for what the scenery is like.
Seabury Blair, the author of the book, has been described as “the Willie Nelson of the outdoors set” and has written several other hiking guide books covering the Pacific Northwest. Judging by the picture on the cover I see the resemblance to Mr. Nelson but I can’t help but wonder if that’s where the similarities end…
If you’re a beginning hiker or even an experienced hiker looking for the best easy trails to take your kids or pets hiking, pick up the Creaky Knees Guide to Washington. A quick read will make you want to get “On the Road Again” to hit the trails!
I recently had a chance to try out the Princeton Tec FUEL headlamp and I have to say… headlamps have come a long way since the old days. I remember winning a headlamp in Boy Scouts in the ’80s and back then it was pretty uncool to strap what looked like a car headlight to your head unless you were exploring a cave. Of course I was a cool kid so I only used my headlamp for spelunking trips Anyway, all of Princeton Tec’s headlamps have a cool factor that their bulkier predecessors didn’t have plus the FUEL is much more than a headlamp.
Princeton Tec Fuel
The Princeton Tec FUEL light retails for $19.95 to $24.95. It comes in three colors – pink, grey and green. According to Princeton Tec, the FUEL weighs 78g, emits 35 lumens of brightness and can last up to 160 hours on three AAA batteries. The light has three brightness settings and a strobe setting, allowing the light to be used for general outdoor hiking, reading in your tent, or as a beacon in case you want to attract attention in an emergency.
The three ultra-bright LEDs give off plenty of light. The most noticeable feature is the wide field of view or what Princeton calls “Focused Wide Beams.” The light uses three bright LED bulbs to send a beam in front of you and a beam to your left and right. Unlike a light with a single bulb pointed in one direction and a reflector that diffuses the light, the FUEL’s three LED bulbs produce a wide swath of bright light that fills your peripheral vision. As a result, I didn’t feel like I was walking down a tunnel.
You can easily adjust the direction of the light by rotating the base up or down. The head strap seems comfortable and is easy to adjust. Most importantly, the strap kept the light in place while walking. I didn’t try running with it, but I suspect it would stay put even while jogging.
Aside from the basic functionality of the FUEL, the one feature that really makes the FUEL more than a headlamp is the fact that you can easily remove the light from the elastic head strap and attach it to any 1″ webbing.
I was able to attach the light to the sternum strap of my backpack and illuminate the trail in front of me without wearing the FUEL on my head. I also attached the FUEL to some gear with Molle webbing, which kept the light out of the way but immediately accessible when needed. With its long battery life, compact shape, excellent wide illumination and overall versatility the FUEL light is a great addition to your kit. I anticipate using it in place of a regular handheld flashlight. Overall, I give the light two thumbs up!
On Saturday morning I went out to Sope Creek to volunteer for National Trails day and I was blown away to see nearly 200 volunteers ready to work! For those who don’t know, Sope Creek is just a few miles outside Atlanta, GA and is part of the National Park Service Chattahoochee River Recreation Area. Thousands of trail users run, walk, hike, and bike the trails every week but unfortunately the trails weren’t designed for that kind of abuse. In fact, many of the park’s trails are old roads used more than 100 years ago to access various mills that operated on the river and have seen serious erosion over time.
Early stages of adding sticks and logs to a closed trail.
Where’d the trail go? Trail closure complete.
The local mountain bike club (SORBA Atlanta) organized groups of volunteers, many of whom registered through REI, to help complete trail re-routes and close down old trails. My group was picked for trail destruction and it’s pretty incredible what we were able to accomplish in just a few hours. The new trails were cut using a machine several weeks before and volunteers worked hard to put the finishing touches before the trails were officially opened Saturday.
New trail opened just in time for National Trails Day!
Volunteering at the local trails always feels good and it’s a great chance to meet and interact with other trail users. Contact your local hiking or biking club to get involved!
The American Hiking Society is promoting National Trails Day tomorrow and they’ve set up a website to help you find hiking events in your area. Even if you aren’t able to make it out to an official event, here are a couple ideas for celebrating trails tomorrow:
1. Volunteer at your local trail. Local hiking and biking groups around the country are hosting trail work parties this weekend but you can also help out just by clearing deadfall on the trails as you hike. Of course check applicable regulations and never remove anything living from the trail.
2. Take a child or beginning hiker on a trail. Getting more folks interested in hiking leads to stronger advocacy for new and improved natural areas for recreation. Way more fun that doing trail work but just as important
As if US National Parks weren’t already one of the best outdoor recreation values around, this summer the Department of the Interior is waiving entry fees at 147 parks one weekend each month. The idea is to boost local tourism and economies near the National Parks which are already preparing for a busy season as travelers look to spend less this year.
Of the National Parks that charge entry fees, prices range from $3 to $25 at popular destinations like the Grand Canyon. Each National Park I’ve visited has been worth every penny of the entrance fee so even if you can’t make it one of the free weekends this summer, know that you’re getting a tremendous value. The dates for free entry are as follows:
June 20-21
July 18-19
August 15-16
Fees for things like campsites, concessions, rentals, etc. will still be charged during fee free weekends - only entry fees to parks will be waived. Where will you go on your free weekend?
First off, my apologies for the lack of news this week - where did the time go? I do have an excuse though, and it’s part of my report on my Memorial Day trip to Western North Carolina. Here it is:
On Friday afternoon we left Atlanta in the rain but were happy to find the skies mostly clear in Andrews, NC where we’d be spending the night. On Saturday morning we went mining at Sheffield Ruby Mine near Franklin, NC where Leah found a “honker” of a ruby - 38 carats! Before you start drooling, let me tell you it doesn’t look like much and I suspect most of those carats are dirt.
On the way back from the mine we drove by the Nantahala River and saw plenty of catch-and-release trout fishermen and even got out and hiked a bit along the river. After grilling out for dinner we hiked around a bit and enjoyed the cool weather.
After returning, sometime around Sunday night / Monday morning I came down with a nasty stomach virus. By Thursday the virus was still around and although I felt better today I went to the doctor just to be sure. According to the doc, there’s a good chance I may have been infected by giardia, a parasite that likes to hang out in the water, particularly in mountainous areas. Let’s just say that next time I stick my hands in a dirty mine flume I’ll wash my hands thoroughly before digging into a footlong sub. Lesson learned
This week an Ohio man was found dead in Death Valley National Park on a day when the high temperature was 112 degrees. Authorities say the man may have been lost and it’s unclear if he had water with him but it’s a cautionary tale about knowing your limits at the beginning of the outdoor season. Whether you’re hiking, camping, mountain biking, canoeing, or all of the above this weekend, just remember to take it easy so you don’t injure yourself - there’s plenty of summer left to enjoy!
One of the biggest dangers many campers and boaters will face this weekend involves alcohol and it’s always important to know your limits. If you’re heading out on the lake know your limits and always designate a driver. Even if you and your family aren’t drinking be on the lookout for those who are - it just might save your life!
I’ll be doing some hiking this weekend in Western NC and perhaps a little lake relaxin’ as well. Where are you headed for Memorial Day?
On the map, the Eagle Trail at Peninsula State Park in Door County Wisconsin looks like a short loop of little consequence. But, this rugged and challenging trail is nothing short of an adventure. For those of you locked in weekly office politics and paper pushing, the Eagle Trail offers a fantastic opportunity to escape.
The trail itself is only 2 miles long but the adventure starts within minutes as you begin to wind your way along rocky outcroppings, steep cliffs and quiet pine needle trails down to the Eagle Harbor shore. When I first hiked this trail, I planned to take just 1 hour. However, because of the rugged terrain, you should plan at least 2 hours to hike and up to 3 hours if you stop to explore the caves, Eagle Terrace, numerous geological formations, 500-year-old cedars and animal hideouts along the path.
Halfway, you will find yourself hiking along a narrow rocky path between the quiet shores of Eagle Harbor, a large bay fed by Lake Michigan, and along sheer cliffs that jut 150 feet skyward. This is the perfect opportunity to have a snack, explore a few caves, and watch sail boats pass by in the distance. If you are lucky, you may see an eagle skimming the surface of Eagle Harbor, catching a meal and then taking refuge among the rocky outcroppings of the Eagle Bluff cliffs. The second half of the trail will provide a great workout as you ascend the rocky terrain to the top of the bluff overlooking Eagle Harbor. Depending on which end you start from, you can spend some time on the Eagle Terrace, a large terrace cut out of the cliffs by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. In the end, the Eagle Trail will leave you satisfied, both mentally and physically.
The trail is well marked, but it can be treacherous after rainfall. I recommend bringing plenty of water, a snack, first aid kit, cell phone, sturdy hiking boots and several layers of clothing. You will build up a sweat on the ascent back to the top of the bluff, but the weather can get chilly among the tall pine trees and along the Eagle Harbor shore.
If you’re thinking about exploring the hiking trails of Texas, take a look at E. Dan Klepper’s new book, 100 Classic Hikes in Texas. Klepper says he hiked 98% of the trails in the book (guess that means there are 2 trails he didn’t hike) and logged more than 500 miles along the way. That’s a low average (5 miles each), especially since some hikes included like Caprock Canyons State Park trailway are more than 50 miles long. The good news is there are plenty of short to moderate hikes perfect for families.
This article on DallasNews.com talks about the book and lists some of Klepper’s favorite hikes in Texas. Klepper even offers some basic hiking tips for those venturing out for the first time this summer. Hike on!
It seems like there have been a number of stories about lost or stranded hikers in the past month and I suppose as the weather warms up we’ll be seeing even more. Springtime, in particular, can be more dangerous than other times of the year for a few reasons:
Weather changes quickly in the spring. I find it funny that almost everyone, no matter where they live, thinks their area has the craziest weather in the country. Yep, in the springtime you may have a hot day followed by a cool one or a sunny day followed by thunderstorms or even snow showers. That’s spring - the weather is changing.
For many of us who skip camping and hiking trips in the cold winter months our outdoor skills tend to be dulled a little while after living indoors. The same goes for physical stamina as well - spring may not be the best time to attempt that summit you couldn’t quite reach at the end of last summer due to exhaustion. Get a few moderate hikes under your belt before you attempt the tough stuff this year.
Trails and campgrounds may still be wet even if it hasn’t rained in days. Snow melt and general spring sogginess can happen well into June so be prepared.
That last tip is particularly applicable to the group of friends who found themselves stranded in a flooded Beegam Gorge near Platina, CA. After the guys realized they were stuck they did all the right things and a helicopter found them just one day after they failed to return from their trip.
My favorite part of the story comes at the end when the helicopter pilot offers the group a choice: be airlifted to safety but leave their dog behind OR take a GPS to help them navigate out of the gorge themselves. The dog’s owner decides they’ll take their chances with the GPS (bravo!) but in the end they are able to give the dog a sedative so he too can take the helicopter ride out.
Two Appalachian Trail news items of interest this week:
Mike Caetano of Pensacola, FL is hoping to become the oldest person to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail and he’s already on his way into the record books. The 86-year-old man started his hike this spring and hopes to complete the journey in November. Caetano is planning a “flip-flop” hike where he’ll skip some southern sections of the trail this summer and will return to them in the fall to complete the hike. This is not Caetano’s first time on the trail as he’s “section-hiked” the entire Appalachian trail in the past. The current record holder, 81-year-old Lee Barry, completed his thru-hike in 2004. We’ll try to keep you posted on Caetano’s progress as we hear more…
A legally blind hiker was rescued after becoming lost on the Appalachian Trail last week where he spent 6 days alone in Amherst County, VA. Ken Knight became separated from his group while hiking on the trail and it took rescuers three days of searching to locate the man (he wasn’t reported missing until three days after he disappeared). After lighting a signal fire that turned into a 2-acre brush fire, Knight was found by rescuers mostly unharmed.
Knight says he’ll consider hiking with a satellite beacon or a cell phone next time but points out that the most important things hikers should bring along are survival skills. Technology can fail he says and survival skills may be the only thing that keep you alive until help arrives. Amen to that.
As an engineering student I was always taught that failure is much more instructive than success and I think the same is true in the outdoors. When a hiker gets lost that’s really a navigation failure and it’s a great time to reflect on outdoor knowledge and awareness. I wrote about my experience being lost and how it taught me about my own stubborness but also confirmed some things I learned as a Boy Scout like following a stream to safety.
Anyway, this week a teenager in New Hampshire got lost while hiking alone on Mt. Washington. The teen did a lot of things right (he is, after all, an Eagle Scout) but he also made some critical mistakes we can all learn from.
Never hike alone. This is probably the biggest lesson this teen learned but I’m still not sure he gets it (after his rescue he said “I would never hike alone again in snow conditions“). I suggest not hiking alone in any conditions because you never know what might happen (weather, injuries, etc.).
Head down to safety. After a couple days on the mountain the teenager decided to hike up the mountain to get help but the rescuers were looking for him at lower elevations. Following water downstream is a good strategy as is getting out of cold/windy conditions at higher elevations.
Don’t take shortcuts. This is where I got into trouble during my own “lost experience” and it’s a pretty easy trap to fall into. Stay on the trail because it makes it easier for rescuers to find you plus the conditions on the trail are generally better than off trail.
In the end we’re glad the teen made it back safely - hopefully his story can teach us a few lessons about staying safe on the trail.
The Marmot Leadville is also great at blocking the wind thanks to a sporty, high collar and velcro wrist closures. It seems like Marmot thought of everything, right down to the elastic waist cincher that is accessible via the front pockets. No need to get your hands out into the cold to make adjustments, this jacket has you covered. There’s even a small inside pocket for your iPod with access for headphone cords. The inside front is covered in a super soft microfleece that almost feels a little too luxurious.
If you’re thinking about exploring the hiking trails of Texas, take a look at E. Dan Klepper’s new book, 
