By Alexander Kwapis Since March, I have been working from home (W.F.H.) for the first time in my career. Here are a few items I have found that have made my experience more enjoyable. Balanced Mind With not being able to get outside and clear my head as often, I have found myself following more guided meditations during this time of sheltering-in-place. Not that this is a revelation that meditation is helpful, but you might not be sure how to get into it. I have discovered The Pelton app as a useful tool. If you are a Pelton treadmill or spin bike owner already and looking for a great guided meditation, try Pelton’s Zen in Ten sessions. If not, I would suggest the popular HeadSpace app. Bring the Nature In A few weeks ago, I was listening to the podcast from Connecticut Radio’s Outside/In about How To Be A Backyard Birber while going on one of my daily dog walks in my neighborhood. It got me thinking about how much I love the sound of birds and the forest while outside. With all the science behind how our bodies react to forest bathing, I decided to play bird and nature sounds throughout the day. I have an open loft with a variety of Amazon echo and echo dots all connected as a group. On a low volume, I’ve been playing nature sounds, and they seem to softly fill my home with wild places I can’t reach right now. Perfect Posture Some days I feel like I have done nothing but sitting in front of the computer and having Zoom and Microsoft Teams meetings all day. I’m sure many of you are in the same boat. As a person with a design background, I enjoy finding and refurbishing furniture. These last few weeks, I feel fortunate that years ago, I found and bought a Herman Miller Mira chair, a super ergonomic, airy, and comfortable office chair. Of course, not everyone has access to an amazingly supportive chair like this while at home, and as a result, end up working from their couch all day. Even with such a supportive chair sometimes, I change up my workspace location and end up on the couch. After a few hours, I regret it as my back seizes up, so I wanted to share two solutions I have for when that happens while working from home. Consult your doctor before performing any new exercise. Flow State Sometimes I am in meetings where it’s more informative, and I don’t need to present or be in mic so often. When those cases arise during the day, I like to grab my exercise resistance bands and get a short workout in. If I’m taking a lunch and have a little bit more time, I’ll bust out my TRX straps and follow their training app. I love both the resistance bands and the straps because you can use them for a large variety of exercises, and they feel more fun than using an exercise machine will. Finding That Trigger There are many foam rollers on the market, but I have found the Trigger Point Performance brand’s Grid Foam Roller to be a key piece of gear to channel oxygen and blood to repair my muscles after sitting at my couch for hours. Purchased initially to loosen my muscles after I have been exercising, I now find myself using it for a midday stretch while working from home. I love the compact size, patented hollow supportive core, and the quality constructed outer foam layer. Of course, you should always consult your doctor before performing any new exercise. I like Healthline’s article and accompanying videos showing you some excellent neck foam rolling moves as well as their post on foam rolling for the back. Getting The Blood Pumping I also use the Spoonk acupressure mat to stimulate endorphins, reduce pain spots, and generally get the blood flowing. This experience will be new for many of you, but I promise it is worth it. There is nothing more exhilarating than lying on a bed of 6,210 sturdy plastic acupressure points. Spoonk uses flame retardent US-made Eco-foam inside their GOTS certified 100% cotton fabric. And if you are having trouble getting back to a normal night’s sleep, it has been clinically proven to improve the quality of your sleep. I’ve had mine for years and swear by it. Try it, and you will be hooked. Comfy and Cozy As someone that lives in a loft with cement floors, I have found the importance while working from home wearing comfy shoes such as the Teva Ember Moc. Even if you have carpet or hardwood floors, you will love these slip-on footwear. With their collapsible soft heel, I wear mine like slippers, but you can pop on the heel and easily wear them like a sneaker. They’re soft quilted sleeping bag-like uppers with sturdy soles that are suitable for a variety of activities. I originally bought these for anything from car camping in the fall to airplane shoes for international trips to walking the dog around the block. Right now, they are keeping my feet cozy while working from home. Stabilizing Your Core Standing and working isn’t just an office fad. Because I have different areas in my house where I can work, I found that I enjoyed standing once in a while to change up my day and work on my overall posture. I purchased an anti-fatigue wooden balance board from FEZIBO. This wobble board is easy on the legs and feet with its ergonomic design. I’m a big guy, and I can appreciate a balance board that is rated to withstand 320lbs of weight. The wood and black rubber mat are not just functional but also look nice in the home office. I will be bringing this into the office once we are back from sheltering-in-place. #wfh #workingfromhome

Choosing the right bike for you can be a challenging process. There are different wheel sizes, frame styles, and riding styles that can affect what kind of bike you need. Getting the right bike can affect your experience on the trails and should be considered with care. Unless you know what you’re looking for, the bike market can be a tangled mess of Enduro, Cross Country, Trail, and Downhill bikes that can be difficult to sort through. Here are some aspects to help you in choosing your bike. Budget To begin, set a clear budget, and make it firm. Do some research on what parts you’d like to include; this could be air suspension, a 1x drivetrain, or a dropper post, to mention a few. Other things you also need to include in your budget are proper gear. Consider what gear you want, such as shoes, riding gloves, a helmet, and a hydration backpack. All of these should be in your budget along with the bike. Ride Style Secondly, know what bike you need. For this, either research the trails you’ll be riding or contact your local bike shop. Looking at what other people ride is a great way to see the features that are important to you. If the trails are mostly flat without many technical features, you may want to look at a cross country bike or a hardtail. If the features are large, or if there are more jumps and drops, you should consider the range of travel. On a mountain bike, your front fork supports the wheel and can compress to dampen shock when riding. A good range of travel is around 140-160mm of travel. If you’re in an area riding lift-served downhill trails, you should then consider a downhill bike with 200mm of travel and a double-crown fork. If you want a mix of all of these options, then get a 160-170mm of travel bike to handle a variety of trail options. Photos by Flo Maderebner, Pixabay, Flo Maderebner, Hessel Geriet Wheel Size Another thing to consider is tire size. While 2in was the old standard, tires are getting bigger with the introduction of 27.5in and 29in tires. 29in tires can roll faster and conquer bigger obstacles easier than the smaller 27.5in and 26in tires, but they are also heavier. I think a 27.5in tire is well balanced option. If you are unsure, try to demo a bike to learn what you want. Brands Choosing which bike brand to pick is a hotly debated topic amongst riders. Consider what brands your local shop is a dealer of, as they can get parts for that specific bike easier. You should also ask your local bike shop (LBS) for their thoughts as well as local riders you meet at the trailhead. Buy Used Finally, buying used is a great idea; it’s a great way to get a nice ride, and the price could be close to a third of the MSRP. Facebook Marketplace, Pinkbike, Craigslist, and eBay are all great places to find your next bike. I suggest you see the bike in person before you buy it, and make sure to ask plenty of questions before and while there: “When was the bike last serviced?” “How old are the tires?” “Are you the first owner?” All of these are great questions to ask when looking at a bike. #block-yui_3_17_2_1_1589243334393_85347 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -20px; } #block-yui_3_17_2_1_1589243334393_85347 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; } Photos by Markus Spiske, PexelsDaniel Frank, PexelsDaniel Frank, and Irene Lasus By simplifying the process, we hope that you find a great mountain bike and hit the trails soon. #trailhead #mountainbike #MTB #MountainBiking #downhill #enduro

With gyms, parks, and other recreational areas closed people, we are all feeling locked inside our homes. Nature is peace and tranquility. In these times of turmoil, uncertainty, fear, and depression, it is essential more than ever to get in touch with nature and bring peace to our mind and body. The stay at home order has exempted trails and hiking as long as we maintain social distancing. Hiking close to home is an excellent, fun, and low impact activity. Photos by Josh Willink, Gantas Vaičiulėnas, Josh Willink, Amanda Klamrowski There are a few tips you must keep in mind and be a responsible citizen to protect others and yourself from this virus as well as enjoy it! For those that are new to hiking, you should always bring some essential items while hiking. We have organized this list for those hiking in a Frontcountry (trails close to roads such as city parks) area. One last thing to keep in mind; public restrooms are closed so, come prepared for nature’s call. Frontcountry Hiking Essentials 1. Water – Bring more than what you think you will need 2. Navigation – Bring a map or screenshot a map encase you use signal 3. Flashlight – Bring a flashlight, or you can use your phone’s flashlight 4. Trash bag – For your trash and to pick up litter while you are hiking 5. First-aid supplies – Not just for yourself but also to help someone else 6. Sun protection – Sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat 7. Snacks – You don’t want to get hangry 8. Extra clothes – Weather appropriate spare clothing 9. Protective equipment – Mask, gloves, sanitizer 10. Call of the wild – have a plan and make sure you pack any waste out #block-yui_3_17_2_1_1589129443401_25996 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -20px; } #block-yui_3_17_2_1_1589129443401_25996 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; } Photos by JACK REDGATE, Maël BALLAND, Tobi, Darius Krause Here are some other things to consider when hiking. Hiking during COVID These two items are must apart from other necessary hiking gear. You should wear the mask if you see crowded areas also sanitize your hand every half an hour, even if you didn’t touch anybody. As soon as you get back home, wash your hands thoroughly. If you have symptoms of COVID, do not go out for hiking. And if you are not COVID positive, maintain social distancing. Choosing location Choose the location that is close to home. You should consider your strength and stamina while selecting the path. You must also choose the track or trail that is less crowded and are wide enough. If people are coming back and you are going up. As you reach the parking lot, guess the crowd. If you think it’s crowded, don’t bother heading in. Before heading out, tell someone that isn’t going on the hike that you are going and message them when you are back, so they know you are safe. Hiking is an excellent mind refreshing activity, but you must follow all these tips to be on the safer side and enjoy the infinite beauty and serenity of nature. Stay safe ad keep others safe. Hiking partner Hike with someone you already know. Hiking with a partner keeps you moving forward and helps to keep you safe. Right now, it is not a good time to make new friends on the trail. Try to keep yourself and others safe. Check weather Before heading out, check the weather conditions. You would not like to get stuck during hiking with lousy weather. If it’s already raining or hot outside, don’t go on hiking as this is not the time to call and bother rescue officials. #covid #hike #hiking #womenhiking

Situated just South of the downtown Dallas farmers market, West of Fair Park, North of what is typically known as South Dallas, and East of the Trinity River Basin is the Cedars neighborhood. The neighborhood is home to what we like to say is WildDirt’s Southern Basecamp. Throughout the area are warehouses, wholesale food distributors, dive bars, grassy empty lots, galleries, old houses, vacant wildflower-strewn land, artists lofts, and new condo construction. During the pandemic, I have roamed the area with Esther, WildDirt’s resident dog, as we got our daily sunshine and exercise. The other day I realized there is a large grassy lot that’s away from people and has two trees perfect for a hammock or dog tether line. I set out to create a little picnic spot and relax locally outside. In my Barebones Harvesting & Gathering bag, I carried a few essentials. Here is what I tossed into it. Relaxing Locally Outside Gear List Ruffwear Knot-a-Hitch Dog Tether System Travel dog water bottle with water Dog treats Human treats Water in a travel thermos Helinox Chair One Festival Blanket Phone Charger and cord Bluetooth Speaker Kammock Roo Double Hammock and Python straps Between two 25ft trees that generously shaded the area, I strung my Ruffwear Knot-a-Hitch Dog Tether System. I looped each end of the line about 7 feet up the tree trunks so that it ran between the two trees to create a close-line like effect. A carabiner with an eyelet had the rope running through it and allowed Esther to move back and forth as the carabiner effortlessly slide on the cord. Instead of setting up my hammock, I opted to relax in my lightweight and collapsible Helonix chair that I also brought. Shoes off and legs stretched out on an old blanket purchased on the way to the Austin City Limits Music Festival I was finally ready to relax and enjoy a beautiful weekend afternoon. With everything that is going on, it’s essential to find ways to get outside safely. Just as we need to eat correctly and exercise to be healthy, humans also need to be amongst natural elements, whether this takes place in your backyard, an empty green lot, or a frontcountry hiking trail close to home. Humans need to listen to the birds chirp. Hear the rustle of the wind amongst the trees. See the sun shining through translucent green leaves and feel the earth under our feet. Keep it simple and find a way to relax locally outside while staying safe for you and others. #campchair #hammock #optoutside #relaxoutside

By Alexander Kwapis Shelter-in-place gotcha feeling like you’re on a boat out at sea? At times I feel a little self-contained like I’m on a sailboat. Then it got me reminiscing of sailing and scuba diving in the Florida Keys. Photo courtesy of Kwapis Family In 1998, four teenage Venture Crew scouts, of the Boy Scouts of America, and three adult advisors spent two weeks at The B.S.A. High Adventure Sea Base in the Florida Keys, in search of a high sea voyage, scuba diving, and helping build artificial reefs. The previous year I joined the Boy Scouts and quickly ran through the ranks, becoming Senior Patrol Leader. The same year as this high adventure trip entered into the B.S.A’s Order of the Arrow. Also that same year, our troop swelled from only five youths the year I joined to over fifty by the end of my second year in the troop. Needless to say, I was busy. Photo courtesy of Kwapis Family In the middle of all that, for months before shipping out to the Sea Base, I was working hard towards my PADI scuba diving certification. Studying after school and taking classes with my father and other adults who were getting their certificates too. This might be very normal for those youths living in warm weather coastal towns. However, I was in Michigan, and it was the middle of winter when I was taking my courses and learning to dive into swimming pools. Later as part of my final physical tests to receive my certification, I went down to a water-filled gravel quarry in Ohio. When I finally arrived at the Sea Base, I was officially a PADI certified scuba diver before I even had my driver’s license. We spent the first eight days of diving and building artificial reefs. I remember waking up early to the hot and humid ocean sun. The smell of salt and sunscreen. The taste of fresh seafood. The feeling of being in the vastness of the ocean. This was my first time diving in the open ocean, and it was magical and scary at the same time. A barracuda swam between my fins, I dove near nurse sharks and saw eels swimming amongst the coral. I scuba dived over ten times on the trip. One night we descended on what seemed like the cliff edge of an abyss. Octopi and other sea creatures were electric in the darkness of the ocean at night. Photo courtesy of Kwapis Family The second week started with meeting our Coast Guard-licensed captain, a retired white grandfather who owned our home away from home for the next week and chartered it to the Scouts. We boarded the forty-five-ish foot Antares, named after the brightest star in the Scorpius constellation, and we started our Coral Reef Sailing trip. While the Sea Base was located at Islamorada, Florida, at the end of Lower Matecumbe Key, we started and ended our trip at Bahia Honda State Park. All week we hopped from reef to reef with a mid-week stop in Key West. Our sailing yacht had a self-contained galley and dining area where we would cook our meals provided by the Sea Base. We snorkeled several times a day in the Florida Reef Tract within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. We also went lobster diving every day and ate fresh lobster for every meal on the tip. Our crew got really efficient at snorkeling around the reefs in search of lobsters. Going down in pairs, we would hunt for lobsters. Using the buddy system, we would use a stick to tap in front of the lobster to get their attention. We would position a net behind the creatures. As we taped the stick closer, the lobster would shoot backward away from the stick and inadvertently be captured in our net. Over and over again for a week, we had grilled lobster. I never ate lobster before this trip, and for ten years after, I didn’t either. And since eating lobster again, I’ve never tasted anything as good as my own fresh catch. Come back again for part two of Sailing the Open Seas Of My Mind where I continue reminiscing about my sailing trip. For everyone, its been a different way of life while sheltering-in-place, and I am glad I can look back on fond memories like this. #BSA #Florida #SCUBA #BoyScouts #Sailing

Have bike, Wanna ride? Are you looking for a low barrier to entry sport? Do you have a mountain bike? Let us answer some of your mountain biking (MTB) questions before you hit the trails. Photo by Tom Conway on Unsplash Your Top 8 Mountain Biking Questions Answered 1. Do I need a mountain bike? You want to get out and explore your local MTB trails and not sure if you need to spend hundreds of dollars on a new mountain bike. Photo by Jan Kopriva on Unsplash Answer: You probably shouldn’t ride dirt trails with a regular 10-speed, though anyone that had one as a kid most likely did once or twice. Maybe you still have an old mountain bike in their garage from when they were younger. Of course, you can ride that bike. That’s the beauty of mountain biking; it’s a low barrier to entry sport. After, you have gone on a few rides and start to get the hang of things head down to your local bike shop (LBS) and have them help you pick out and upgrade. Or see if your LBS rents bikes and try a few out to get a feel for the type of ride that will work best for you. 2. Do I need to wear lycra? Street bicyclists riding in groups early in the morning is a common sight in the suburbs and cities across America. While the peak of mountain biking was in the ’90s, it’s still a trending activity. However, in most cities, the public doesn’t see mountain bikers because the activity typically takes place off the beaten path. Because of this, the image of bicycling in most peoples minds is that of the street rider. As soon as you start to discuss bicycling, of any type, with the general public, the question about wearing lycra will always come up. Photo by Daniel Frank on Unsplash Answer: The majority of mountain bikers don’t wear lycra. Instead, you find them wearing an activewear shirt and shorts/pants. It’s also totally normal to see people wearing their favorite brewery shirt while on the trails. Because of the nature of the sport, you do see some cautious people wearing protective gear like knee pads, padded shorts, gloves, and always a helmet. 3. Do I need clip-in shoes? If you are familiar with cyclists whizzing past you on your favorite local paved pathway, you will notice they are wearing clip-in shoes. If you want to go for a fun ride on your local MTB trail, you may start to ask yourself if you also need special shoes. Photo by Thomas Schweighofer on Unsplash Answer: The short answer is no. You can ride with regular shoes using your bicycles existing pedals. Later after you find out how much you love mountain biking and want to get even more power out of every pedal, then you can upgrade to mountain bike clip-in shoes. MTB shoes are more fashionable and easier to hop off your bike and walk into your local brewery after an exhilarating mountain bike ride than the typical street cyclists clip-ins are. 4. Do I need to train? You might be stuck at home and came across articles or videos of mountain bikers sharing their shelter-in-place training routines, and as it starts to get nicer out, you have the itch to hit the trails on your mountain bike. However, you are not sure if you need to train for this new sport. Answer: With anything, if you want to get better, training will help. Also, there are certain tips, tricks, moves, etc. that, if practiced, you will get better at riding. Photo by Tim Foster on Unsplash 5. Will I fall a lot? No one wants to fall, and this is a new activity for you, so it should be expected that you won’t be perfect. What you might really be wondering is what is the potential risk for serious injury. Answer: Everyone falls. But just because your ride doesn’t mean you are going to end up sprawled out on the trail. Going back to the training question, you can practice how to position your body on the bike while going up or down hills can increase your coordination and reduce falling. Also, wearing the proper safety equipment can help to protect you when you do fall. Helmets, glasses, gloves, padded shorts, knee, and elbow pads are typical safety equipment seen on the singletrack. Throw on some old rollerblade knee pads the first few times you ride till you figure out what gear makes sense for you. 6. Is there trail etiquette? You don’t want to go on your first ride and stand out; we get it. You also want to make sure you are riding safely. Photo by Tim Foster on Unsplash Answer: A local group manages most mountain biking trails, and they usually post signs that tell you which way to go. That is a big part of biking etiquette. Often they will also have a map denoting the difficulty of the trail or sections of the track. You should ride within your level of experience. If you are new to the sport, you should start with the easier paths till you have your footing and then go up from there. Getting off the trail when not riding would be another rule for any considerate rider. Some singletracks are multiuse, so don’t be surprised if you see a hiker coming the other way. Always pay attention to your surroundings. Another tip is to ask your LBS about specific trails and local etiquette. 7. How do I find MTB trails to ride? Now you are excited to ride. You have done research. You have your gear in the car and bike on the rack. But you are not sure where to go ride. Photo by Tim Foster on Unsplash Answer: Check your local MTB group’s website or ask your LBS to help point you to the local singletrack. 8. Do I wash my bike after I ride? You just went on your first ride, and you’re hooked on mountain biking. There is dirt splattered all over your back, and you didn’t fall once. You are not sure if you should clean up after or toss your bike in the garage and call it a day. Photo by Razvan Chisu on Unsplash Answer: Like any outdoor sport, you should try to clean up as much as you can before getting into your car. It keeps dirt and debris out of your vehicle but also reduces the instances where you are accidentally transporting insects or plant seeds to new locations. Also, cleaning and reviewing your gear to make sure it’s in good working order before and after any activity where you are trusting it won’t fail on you is a no brainer. These are our Top 8 Mountain Biking Questions Answered. If you have any other questions, please, let us know through our socials! Here are some of our products that will help you to get ready for your first MTB trail:

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I’ve been staying active and sane during shelter-in-place these last few weeks by doigoing on multiple long walks with my dog, Esther, each day. I’ve also been doing TRX workouts inside or going for bicycle rides.

My Garmin inReach Explorer+ is like a swiss army knife of a digital tool. It's my Global Positioning System, weather forecaster, satellite communicator, and emergency beacon. “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. — Eleanor Roosevelt While on our Olympic National Park trip I used the Explorer+ to check our position with the maps I downloaded before we left. I loved being able to check the way points I set up before the hike that identified known water sources, campsites, and other features. I always loved the quote "do one thing every day that scares you" which is misattributed to Eleanor Roosevelt. She actually said "You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face." and what I love about a device like the Explorer+ is that you can strive to face fear. You should of course have knowledge and not just rely on an electronic device but it certainly helps. The Explorer+ is more than just a GPS. Because it has satellite connection you can communicate globally by sending SMS and/or email messages. I fired off daily status and positioning messages to family and friends. Since phone service was so spotty this gave a peace of mind to those back home. Lastly, I checked the weather forecast every few days to have a heads up to temperature fluctuations and precipitation that could be coming our way. Being out on the Olympic Peninsula the weather can change fast and we wanted to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature threw at us. All in all, this tool allowed us to safely further and faster into the wilds.

Light and Fast Alpinism Written by Alexander L. Kwapis Photos by Dennis Fiore and Alexander L. Kwapis What I learned during my all day CAMP USA presented Light and Fast Alpinism clinic at the 2018 Michigan Ice Festival. The course was taught by seasoned athletes Nate Smith and Ben Erdmann. Normally CAMP USA presents this technical field clinic as a two day course but for the Michigan Ice Festival it was a one day compressed class. Besides watching ice climbers the day before this class was truly my introduction into ice climbing. And thankfully it was described as a course for everyone from beginner mountaineers to experienced alpinists. As a backpacker that has drank more than his fair share of lightweight backpacking koolaid I was all for starting off my ice climbing career from the point of view of being as light and fast as possible. I liked how they equatited being fast to safety and being light to having more energy. Bag Dissection Bring Only What You Need After everyone had all our gear we went around the room and got to know one another a bit. Then we jumped right into dissecting the contents of Nate’s backpack to better understand what you should and shouldn’t be carrying in your pack to the summit. I was totally aligned with Nate and Ben as they then went on to explain how everything should fit inside your pack. To have helmets and crampons or what have you hanging out of your pack is more than messy they can swing around and hit people or trees and cause hang-ups as you are trying to move quickly. ——- First Aid for Light & Fast – Nate Smith is currently credentialed as an Aspirant Alpine & Ski Guide with aspirations of completing his full IFMGA in the future. At the time, he was partnered with Mountain Education & Development Alliance (MED Alliance) “We believe that outdoor recreation can provide some of the most meaningful educational experiences and that these opportunities should be made accessible to anyone who wishes to learn more. “ To read more – https://www.mountained.com/who-we-are During this one day class, Nate discussed rescue practices and first aid as applied to Mountaineering. He had a Three Day First Aid Guide Kit readily available. More on this when we get his direct quotes. ——— ““On Belay!”, “Belay On!”” After the bag review we loaded into a transport van and headed out to Pictured Rocks National Park. The roads are seasonal up there so we then had to transfer to a six person Kawasaki Mule with snow tracks that also pulled a six person sled behind it. After a breezy forty five minute ride we made it to the trailhead for the Potato Patch. A cliff face that featured both a frozen waterfall fall column with a flowing waterfall at its core and a ice cliff face. This allowed us to experience a couple different types of ice and allowed for a protected ice cave to teach in. Ben tossed down two ropes and we got to work. “On Belay!”, “Belay On!” rang out as our class of nine made quick work of the ice. Nate and Ben were there giving encouragement and lessons along the way as teachable moments presented themselves. After a few climbs we got together and discussed different types of gear that can help you move quickly and safely up and down the mountain. Everything from the different types of carabiners and quickdraws to use and when to the merits of hydrophobic rope and different rope types and thicknesses depending on the climb you are doing. It was some eye opening stuff for an inexperienced climber, for sure. But, it seemed equally helpful for the more experienced ice climbers in the group including one gentlemen that has summited Everest. Just like with lightweight backpacking your entire kit has to work together. Carry complimentary gear and gear that is specific for the job at hand but also make sure you have gear that can serve multiple functions and then look for places to make substantial cuts in what you have. “Light is Right” Next we were on to learning about ice screws and the proper anchoring techniques using the ice screws. We also learned V thread anchors which just goes to show how strong ice is. If you want to see what I am talking about check out this video that demonstrates V thread anchors. After practicing placing ice screws while hanging off an ice axe I really had a new respect for ice climbers. Later, Nate really hit home why the Light and Fast method makes such as difference. Imagine you are doing a a nine pitch climb and after you climb each pitch you fumble around for ten minutes with anchoring and ropes and who is climbing next and what have you. That’s an hour and a half of standing on ledges being unproductive. Now, imagine that you also waste ten minutes after each rapple as you move back down the mountain. That’s another ninety minutes. In total you spent three hours of your climb/repel standing around. Okay, now imagine if you can cut that ledge time as you move up and down to just five minutes. You just saved an hour and a half. This can be the difference between success and failure or at least the difference between repelling down in the dark if nothing else. Then we packed it all up and headed back out to the four track and headed back to basecamp. The advantage I am sure with the two day course is way more hands on time putting into practice the things you have learn and also we didn’t so much get to the Fitness aspects of the normal two day CAMP USA Light and Fast Alpinism course. And I would be interested in learning more about preparation and planning so that I could better understand route logistics and wayfinding. I think I see another Light and Fast Alpinism class in my future. I got so much out of it I dont know why I wouldnt. loading the Kawasaki four track and heading home #alpinism #lightandfastalpinism #climbing #iceclimbing #lightweight

I am totally in love with my Patagonia MIIR Camp Cup and when I heard that MIIR was making a special Camp Cup for the relief to the fire and mudslides that affected California in 2017 I jumped at the chance to donate for the cause. All of the proceeds from the California Relief Camp Cup goes to RAKLIFE. #block-yui_3_17_2_1_1519691530085_318478 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -0px; } #block-yui_3_17_2_1_1519691530085_318478 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; }

Adventure lover? Risk taker? or Wilderness seeker? You can be whoever you wanna be but always find a way to keep safe in nature. Every path you take, every river you cross or every mountain you climb are part of something bigger and tougher as it may seem at first sight. As an adventurous team, we have gone through all sort of experiences in nature together. We've laughed, we've cried, we've shouted out loud but, mostly, we have spent a good amount of time discussing if we should have faced North, South, East or West. When everybody knows about orientation in nature, a good talk can easily become a debate session. After some routes, we discovered the Garmin inReach Explorer+, a GPS that became our Swiss knife of a digital tool. It’s our Global Positioning System, weather forecaster, satellite communicator, and emergency beacon. - Dennis Fiore, Wild Dirt co-founder Garmin inReach Explorer+ While on our Olympic National Park trip we used the Explorer+ to check our position with the maps we downloaded before we left. We loved being able to check the way points we set up before the hike that identified known water sources, campsites, and other features. - Dennis Fiore, Wild Dirt co-founder We always loved the quote “do one thing every day that scares you” which is misattributed to Eleanor Roosevelt. She actually said “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” and what we love about a device like the Explorer+ is that you can strive to face fear. You should of course have knowledge and not just rely on an electronic device but it certainly helps. The Explorer+ is more than just a GPS. Because it has satellite connection you can communicate globablly by sending SMS and/or email messages. We fired off daily status and positioning messages to family and friends. Since phone service was so spotty this gave a peace of mind to those back home. Lastly, we checked the weather forecast every few days to have a heads up to temperature fluctuations and precipitation that could be coming our way. Being out on the Olympic Peninsula the weather can change fast and we wanted to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature threw at us. All in all, this tool allowed us to safely further and faster into the wilds. - Dennis Fiore, Wild Dirt co-founder Here are some of our products that can be pretty useful for your next adventure: