Update: I happened to chat with an owner of a transparent kayak I met on the road. He loves his new toy, announcing it “bulletproof”. The only problem is the thing sinks in water if capsized. The flotation pads are essential.
Outside Magazine – The Mess on Everest
All serious hikers should check the September edition.
Outside Magazine, September 2006 | Outside Online
Cannondale’s LE Carbon clothing
Time Magazine’s annual “Most Amazing Inventions of the Year” issue rates the LE Carbon collection of cycling apparel one of 2005’s coolest inventions.
Cannondale utilizes TrapTekâ„¢ technology to imbed their proprietary QuadTex fabric with activated carbon made from coconut shells. This activated carbon provides Cannondale’s LE Carbon apparel with exceptional moisture management and odor adsorption characteristics.
When the body heats up, Quadtex Carbon’s MicroClimateâ„¢ activates, with 45% better moisture transfer than most fabrics. It keeps a body cool during hot days and heats up during colder ones. This revolutionary new fabric also traps odor during physical activity. The odor is “adsorbed” along with bacteria and is only released during a normal wash and dry cycle, during which the carbon re-activates itself again for another ride. Cannondale LE Apparel also boasts UV protection with an SPF rating of 50+.
more besthike photos
I just added another batch of our favourite hiking photos to the besthike Flickr stream. You can see our frequently updated photo collection by clicking on the Flickr thumbnails in the right hand navigation.
photo George Novak
10 years after failing to summit Storm Mountain, Ray returned and would not be denied. Only 3 of the 8 hikers who started got to the top, including Ray. But it was a tough day for all. Ray was reminded that the descent is much more dangerous on a scramble than the climb.
gear – Mutha Hubba tent
We already love the 1 and 2 person Hubba tents. The big Mama version is a winner as well.
The mother of all Hubbas. Our lightest, most livable 3-person tent, the Mutha Hubba provides maximum interior space along with two stay-dry entrances and two large vestibules. Use it as a double-wall tent for full protection or as a freestanding tarp shelter with optional footprint to save weight.
329 Lake O’Hara photos
I missed the big trip. Looks like they got some RAIN in the Canadian Rockies.
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introducing Andrew Skurka
Andrew Skurka was named 2005 Person of the Year by Backpacker magazine. He hiked 7700mi across North America, 339 days, the first to complete the new Sea-to-Sea Trail (C2C).
(This is not the American Discovery Trail (ADT) from Delaware to California. The C2C is tougher and almost 1000mi longer than the ADT.)
finishing in the Pacific Ocean
Andrew’s home page is AndrewSkurka.com
climb Mount St. Helen’s
Here’s a unique way to learn about the climb up famous Mount St. Helen’s volcano in Washington State.
Click a series of photos to “climb”: Mount St. Helens VR Tour and see the 360 degree summit vista.
More details on besthike.com Mount St. Helens
Wohlsen’s top 10 treks
Marcus Wohlsen on GORP.com posted a (slightly vague) list of the top hikes in the world:
Certainly we disagree with including the Inca Trail. (There are many better hikes in Peru.)
And you are still required to join GORP (free) if you want to click on the links. Jump to the web page on GORP: Hiking and Backpacking Trips – Top Ten Treks
Tom Spaulding hiking photos
Stellar’s Jay
