Best hikes, treks, tramps in the world.
My Adventure Racing captain, Dave Adlard, wants me to test a DEMO model of this new product.
JakPak™, the world’s first all-in-one waterproof jacket, sleeping bag and tent, …
JakPak – Our Story
Looks very cool. I’m IN.
The specs aren’t definitive. But I’ve seen cited on other blogs an approximate weight of 2lbs. At that I’d carry it as survival gear even on day hikes.
Available late Spring 2010. Guesstimated price, $250.
Often called the “greatest runners in the world”, Mexico’s Raramuri Indians currently wear these sandals handmade from rubber tires.
They are much studied by researchers of the Running Barefoot or In Minimal Footwear movement.
Living in Mexico’s Sierra Madre mountain range, the Raramuri Indians are some of the best long distance runners in the world, but how far can they run in the face of problems like environmental damage, loss of native lands, and the drug war? An American ultra marathon runner known as Caballo Blanco is fighting to help the Raramuri preserve their culture and tradition of long distance running. The Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon is the result.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Trailspace posted a review of the new solar chargers on display at the Outdoor Retailer show 2010 in Vegas.
Bill Straka is sticking with this Brunton, for now:
Brunton Solaris 12 – Solar charger (approx. $239)
But Brunton has a new, more compact system coming out this year. And it’s much cheaper.
Click PLAY or watch a Brunton Restore (7.2oz) demo on YouTube.
There are more options reviewed on the original post on Trailspace – Solar power in small packages
More research on whether Nike has caused all your foot and leg injuries.
A word of caution from Dr. Ross Tucker and Dr. Jonathan Dugas:
… I guarantee that the media are going to be all over this and they are going to tell you that you should be running barefoot or in Vibrams. You will hear how science has proven that being barefoot will prevent injuries, and that those of you who are injured should blame your shoes as you lob them into the garbage bin. …
If you wish to guarantee yourself an injury, then go out for a 2km run barefoot on a hard surface, and you will be asking your calf muscles and Achilles tendons to do work that for perhaps 30 years, they haven’t had to do. …
read more – Science of Sport blog.
That article led me to some cutting edge research …
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Click PLAY or compare a runner wearing shoes on YouTube.
More caution:
Disadvantages of Forefoot Striking Barefoot or in Minimal Footwear
* Thick-soled shoes are much more forgiving when running over glass, sharp objects, ice and so on.
* If you have been a heel striker, it takes some time and much work to train your body to forefoot or midfoot strike, especially because you need stronger feet and calf muscles. Runners may be at greater risk of developing Achilles tendonitis when they switch from heel striking to forefoot or midfoot striking …
This comes from a new blog by Dr. Daniel E. Lieberman of Harvard University: Running Barefoot or In Minimal Footwear
That’s likely the best site of all for those who want to research this topic.
(via Full Twist – Running Barefoot – The Debate)
Previously I was thinking of these as something of a gimmick. … But I think I’ll buy a pair this summer and try them out.
The second is a Men’s shoe. Click through to Amazon to see other models. And competitive products from other companies.
Five Fingers were named one of Time magazine’s Best Inventions of 2007.
The are getting a lot of love on the blogosphere from runners and hikers.
Leave a comment if you’ve worn them in the gym. Or have an opinion pro or con.
by site editor Rick McCharles
Clayton Kessler of TracksAndTrails.ca posted an interview with Frank Wall, author of the Guide to Planning the Overland Track eBook.
Frank edits the often hilarious Our Hiking Blog, as well.
I’m a fan of both those sites and subscribe by RSS.
The Overland Track is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.
I was on Tasmania for only 2wks yet saw many poisonous snakes. I’m interested in how a Tassie vet like Frank assesses that risk:
Can you share any unique encounters with wild animals?
We don’t really have “wild” animals like bears in Australia. We do have lots of tiger snakes that can kill you. In Tasmania they are quite common and you learn to keep an eye out for them. They love to lie along the side of trail and bask in the sun. I always keep my eyes out for them and wear gaiters to at least protect my legs. The snakes, fortunately, are more scared of us then we are of them and usually disappear quickly. Bites are usually caused when someone (i.e. an idiot) tries to catch or kill one, which is illegal as they are protected species. …
read the entire interview on TracksAndTrails.ca
Frank has a new post discussing whether or not his favourite trail is getting too crowded …
… number of walkers had been trending up from 6360 in 2005-2006 to 7024 in 2008-2009 …
Click through to read his opinion – The Overland Track – hiking solo in season? Not likely
Would you wear this jacket to summit the world’s highest peak?
That’s what climber Jamie Clarke from my town, Calgary, Canada plans to do this Spring. He’s working with Champion Athletic Wear on a new technology that has “the potential to change the entire outdoor apparel industry.”
A big boast.
Jamie has tested the apparel and outerwear on Mount Pumori in Nepal.
This spring, Expedition Hanesbrands heads to Mount Everest. With good weather, hard climbing — and nanotechnology on their backs — Clarke and his crew are counting on the Supersuit to help them make it to the top.
Gear Junkie – Champion Supersuit Unveiled!
It’s super-insulating Zero-Loft Aerogel, more than 99 percent air, according to the company. The claim by Champion is that it’s four times as warm as goose down.
Details on Jamie’s Everest ascent is posted on ClimbeEverestWithUs – The Team
It ain’t easy …
Tourism Newfoundland and Labrador launched another ad in its already very successful ad campaign. This latest ad features Torngat Mountains National Park in northern Nunatsiavut. …
bluepeak.net – New Labrador ad
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
… The park, 9,700 sq.km, is probably one of the most difficult parks in Canada to reach. Even the parks in Nunavut are easier to get to. It’s not only the remoteness, but especially the weather and ferocious winds that make getting here an adventure in itself.
If the weather is good, then the park is about 1 hours’ flying or up to two days by fishing boat north of Nain, Labrador’s northernmost community. There are no scheduled flights or boats to the park, and once you arrive, there are no facilities.
Safety is a real concern, as polar bears roam throughout the park. Since only Inuit are allowed to carry arms, visitors should always be accompanied by an Inuit guide. A good idea in any case, as the area is also infamous for its quickly changing weather and strong “ghost” winds that can appear out of nowhere. …
… some amazing footage of a fox listening for — then pouncing upon — its prey through a thick blanket of snow. …
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
My favourite insect is the hoverfly.
They can be found at altitude on trails most everywhere around the world.
… About 6,000 species in 200 genera have been described. Hoverflies are common throughout the world and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Hoverflies are harmless to most other animals despite their mimicry of the black and yellow stripes of wasps, which serves to ward off predators. …
Henry knows they are harmless. A great challenge is to try to get one to land on your nose. They like to lick up the salt in your sweat.
UPDATE: Turns out Kolby Kirk is a hover fly guy. Here’s one of his brilliant photos, this one from Joshua Tree.
