The Week in Review – January 23, 2011
Lately I have been really enjoying Hendrik's regular blog posts titled "The Week in Review." It has given me an opportunity to find new blogs I really enjoy as well as discover some posts I otherwise might have missed. Reading his week in review posts have inspired me to do the same. So here is my first week in review post. I would like to post one every week. I can't guarantee I will
New All-Season Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Mattress
Cascade Designs, the parent company of MSR, Therm-a-Rest, Platypus, and SealLine, announced a new all-season NeoAir mattress. In 2009 the Therm-a-Rest three-season NeoAir won acclaim due to two new technologies: a multi-layer Reflective Barrier and Triangular Core Matrix. These technologies are said to dramatically boost warmth by minimizing thermal heat transfer. The Reflective Barrier radiates heat back to the user while reducing conductive heat loss to the ground. The Triangular Core Matrix technology utilizes hundreds of individual cells to
Mountain Biking Big Bend Ranch State Park – TPWD Official Video
One of the outdoor sports I have never tried to get into is mountain biking. Not because it doesn't look like fun. I really just can't afford another expensive hobby. This new video from TPWD might convince me otherwise. It sure would be cool to cover 108 miles in four days. For those of you who are interested Big Bend Ranch State Park is located in far West Texas on the Texas/Mexico border up river from Big Bend National Park.
Leaving a Summit Log is a Federal Violation in National Parks
Summit Log on Sierra Blanca. Not a NP Summit.So not a violation.Have you ever left a summit log on a National Park summit? If you have your actions were a "federal violation." At least that is what Big Bend National Park is suggesting. A friend of mine on BigBendChat.com was recently sent an e-mail from an undisclosed park ranger at Big Bend National Park. The e-mail said:One of our back-country rangers just returned with a water bottle containing a notepad,
The Last Time I’ll Ask…
This is the last time I will ask you to do this. The Agion Active Glacier National Park Contest ends tonight and I am very close to winning. All I need is your votes. At the time I write this I am currently in first place. If you would be so kind please go and vote to keep me in first place. If I win
Win a Trip to Big Bend National Park – Paddle The Rio Grande
Outside Magazine and Travel Texas is offering the chance to win a trip to Big Bend National Park. The lucky winner will be given a 3 day/2 night float trip on the Rio Grande River through Far Flung Outdoor Center. To enter simply go to Outsideinfo.com/Texas and fill out your contact information.Paddling the Rio Grand in Santa Elena CanyonThe float trip is one I have dreamed of doing and almost went on last September. I canceled my trip when the
Salomon Unveils New Revolutionary BBR Ski
Salomon has unveiled a revolutionary ski design. The latest design from Salomon's ski designer Bertrand Krafft, the new BBR ski is unlike any ski ever made. According to Salomon:The patented “V” shape redefines skiing on all types of snow. An oversized tip and rocker shape enable it to float in powder and adapt to uneven terrain smoothly and predictably. With a narrow waist and pintail, a short radius and short effective edge on-piste, BBR provides great carving and outstanding edge grip
Get Paid to Take Your Dream Hike – Or Help Me Dream of Mine!
BACKPACKER Magazine is offering to pay qualifying contestants to go on their dream hike. All you need to do is convince BACKPACKER Magazine your planned adventure is best, and that you have the trip-recording skills (GPS, Photo, Video) to share it with their readers. The winner gets to lead their dream hike as a BACKPACKER field scout. Plus the winner and top four runners-up will win a KEEN prize package.So the question is…what is your dream hike?Honestly I would love
Devil’s River Texas – Approved Land Purchase For New State Park
Update from last Monday's post. TPWD voted unanimously to purchase the 17,339 acre Devils River Ranch. Purchase price is $13 million which will be paid with $4 million in public land acquisition funds and over $9 million in private donations. An additional $1.1 million donation will help cover operating expenses for two-and-a-half years as well as development of a master plan for joint public use of the ranch and the Devils River State Natural Area, 12.7 miles upstream.
Nature Conservancy of Texas Features Writing From My Life Outdoors
A week or so ago The Nature Conservancy of Texas asked if I would be willing to write a freelance piece about their Annual Christmas Tree Hunt. My Fmaily and I have always wanted to participate in such a tradition. So we headed down to the Davis Mountain Preserve to hunt for the perfect Christmas Tree. You can read about our trip on TNC's website Nature.org/Texas