When considering which sleeping bag to purchase, one of the most fundamental questions to ask is, “Do I want a down or synthetic bag?” Generally speaking, sleeping bags come stuffed with one of two types of insulating materials: down or synthetic. Both of these materials can make great sleeping bags, but each has its own strengths and weaknesses to be considered in light of how you will most often be using your bag.

Down

Pros:

• Warmer for the weight than synthetic insulations
• Long lasting insulation which maintains temperature rating with proper care
• Highly compressible, packing smaller than synthetic bags of comparable warmth
• Comfortable and soft material
• Quickly wicks moisture away from the body

Cons:

• Loses its insulating properties when wet, and dries slowly
• Requires special care and cleaning
• May be allergenic, or contain allergens
• Can be expensive, especially with increasing down qualities

Synthetic

Pros:

• Is water resistant and still provides some insulation when wet
• Dries quickly, as water is not absorbed into the fibers
• Is generally less expensive than down
• Is easy to care for, requiring less special attention
• Is completely hypoallergenic
• Wide variety of synthetic materials for a wide variety of uses and budgets

Cons:

• Less compressible than down
• Heavier for a given temperature rating than down
• Breaks down over time, even with proper care
• Feels less soft and comfortable than down

By: Jay Golien, Adventure 16 Art Director, Corporate Office

July 24th & 25th, 2008
I arrived at San Onofre on a Thursday and experienced light traffic on I-5 and a light crowd out in the line-up. (On weekends you can expect to wait 30 minutes to an hour just to get into the surf park. A clean south swell was serving up 4′ - 6′ glassy reef break waves that San Onofre is famous for. Longboarders have been surfing there since the 1930’s. If you pay attention, you might see a famous or professional surfer out in the lineup. On this trip, legendary surfer/shaper Skip Frye was surfing. (Skip captured national titles and represented the United States team internationally in 1966.)
In addition to surfing, San O. offers three miles of beautiful sand beaches for hiking, beach-combing and tide pooling. There are fire rings, picnic tables and restrooms available making it family friendly.

After surfing I made the short drive to San Mateo campground and checked in. After I got set up at my campsite, I went back to San O. for my second paddle out. Sunny skies and no wind made it a perfect combo for fun surf. Just as I was getting out of the water two pair of Dolphins leaped and rode a few waves, giving the beach crowd a free show.

Back at camp I enjoyed a peaceful night by the fire. I checked out of the campground by 8am Friday and went for another surf before heading back to San Diego. As a surfer I realize how wonderful it is to live in Southern California. World-class waves are only an hour away!

San Mateo Campground is located at the southern edge of San Clemente. Take Interstate 5, turn off at the Cristianitos exit, go inland 1 mile and San Mateo Camping Area is on the right side of the road.

This campground is near full all summer, so you should reserve a spot online. San Mateo campground has four loops with sparsely landscaped sites. The main feature is the proximity to the beach; there is a 1-1/2 mile walking/biking trail to the beach from the campground.

This is the campground that would be shut down if the 241 toll road project gets approved. (The Transportation Corridor Agency is seeking to build a sixteen-mile long toll road highway that would connect the current terminus of the 241 Toll Road to Interstate 5. You can read more about this ridiculous proposal here: http://www.surfrider.org/savetrestles/blog/)

Gear Review:
Patagonia Wavefarer II Board shorts: Bullet proof board shorts that are durable, water repellent and fast drying. I like the self-draining side-zip pocket with key loop, keeps my car key safe while I surf. I wore these babies all weekend. (not the same pair)

Jetboil Personal Cooking System: A small self contained stove perfect for one person. Great for fast coffee in the morning.

Marmot Never Winter Long Sleeping Bag: The Never Winter is an ideal summer bag for camping and beach trips, but it also has enough down insulation to keep you warm when there is a nip in the air.

EXPED Comfort Foam Mat 7 DLX: Great mat for car camping. (and it uses recycled foam cylinders) There are two valves so inflation is super fast. You just open the valves and the matt self-inflates to about three-fourths capacity in about 30 seconds. A half dozen breaths of air and inflation to full comfort is complete. The pad deflates as quickly as it inflates: just pull both (rotating/locking) valves and roll away.

GoPro Digital waterproof camera: I love this new toy! It is small, yet shoots good quality video or still photos.

Leatherman Wave II Multi Tool: This is a great camp tool. I used it to change fins on my board, cut the bundle of firewood loose, and open my favorite beverage.

Tip:
Wear some sort of foot protection, such as 5 Fingers footwear, for walking on the rocks. Avoid campsites near the shower/bathroom building.

Highlight of trip:
6’ Waves, Dolpins

By Andrew McLean

Last year, Mountain Hardwear purchased a mini HD DVD camera, wide-angle lens, solar charger and all of the accessories needed to shoot videos on expeditions. I had a chance to take the kit with me on a trip into the Wrangell-St.Elias Mountains where I shot a bunch of crappy footage and edited together an even crappier little film which did not do justice to the trip. More than anything, the experience made me realize that a) making a film is hard and b) I knew nothing about the process.

Continue reading "Andrew Goes to Film School"

Outdoor financials: Amer Sports sales hit by weak U.S. dollar.

A dip in attendance may have dampened the mood at the Eastern Outdoor Reps Association (EORA) show in Hartford, Conn., this summer, but on the whole, this gathering and other regional shows remain popular among outdoor retailers and reps.

Rock/Creek race team member John Anderson flew out to Utah for the mountainous Wasatch Speedgoat 50K. John gave an outstanding effort and finished in second, just 3 minutes behind the winner. Below is John's story of the race. If you are interested in John's other accomplishment, and the accomplishments of the entire Rock/Creek Race Team, visit their profiles at http://www.rockcreek.com/raceteam.

The Wasatch Speedgoat 50k is based out of Snowbird, Utah and you get the unique experience of being cheered on by people riding up on the tram. You also get the unique experience of feeling your legs go through pain, then numbness, then pain again, and thankfully back to numbness as the course ascends 10,500 ft and descends the same in 50k. The race is directed by Karl Meltzer (several time winner of the Hardrock 100 who will be attempting to break the AT speed record starting on August 9th), and he puts on a great quad smashing race.

We started the day in the cool Wasatch mountains and headed uphill for the initial 4500' climb. By the time we got halfway up there was a lead pack of 4 runners, and Nate McDowell and I chatted about our kids between trying to catch our breath. Luckily for me Nate's daughter has a longer name than my son so he had to talk more. By the time we got to the top, Nate had a couple minute lead on me, and we came crashing down Mt. Baldy, complete with ropes and spotters from Black Diamond and settled in for a long day in the mountains.

The next several hours were spent climbing and descending the newly designed race course, some of it off trail, some singletrack, some on forest service roads, a short stretch through the ski tunnel that connects Snowbird to Alta at around 10,000 ft, and even a little time rolling around on the ground. The La Sportiva Fireblades performed excellently again--perfect for the technical terrain and the steep descents.

When all was said and done, Nate won in 5:43 and I finished up in second in 5:56. Although I did manage to chuck a snowball at Nate as he climbed above me in the final ascent. My ankles are sore and my lips are chapped, but it was a stellar race with outstanding views (and next time I'll remember the lip balm...)

Gear List for race: Patagonia Airius Top, Patagonia Long Haul Runners, La Sportiva Fireblade shoes, Patagonia Ultra Lightweight Socks, Smith Factor polarized sunglasses, Nathan Quickdraw water bottle, and Nathan 10k Hip Pack.

--John

Rock/Creek race team member John Anderson flew out to Utah for the mountainous Wasatch Speedgoat 50K. John gave an outstanding effort and finished in second, just 3 minutes behind the winner. Below is John's story of the race. If you are interested in John's other accomplishment, and the accomplishments of the entire Rock/Creek Race Team, visit their profiles at http://www.rockcreek.com/raceteam.

The Wasatch Speedgoat 50k is based out of Snowbird, Utah and you get the unique experience of being cheered on by people riding up on the tram. You also get the unique experience of feeling your legs go through pain, then numbness, then pain again, and thankfully back to numbness as the course ascends 10,500 ft and descends the same in 50k. The race is directed by Karl Meltzer (several time winner of the Hardrock 100 who will be attempting to break the AT speed record starting on August 9th), and he puts on a great quad smashing race.

We started the day in the cool Wasatch mountains and headed uphill for the initial 4500' climb. By the time we got halfway up there was a lead pack of 4 runners, and Nate McDowell and I chatted about our kids between trying to catch our breath. Luckily for me Nate's daughter has a longer name than my son so he had to talk more. By the time we got to the top, Nate had a couple minute lead on me, and we came crashing down Mt. Baldy, complete with ropes and spotters from Black Diamond and settled in for a long day in the mountains.

The next several hours were spent climbing and descending the newly designed race course, some of it off trail, some singletrack, some on forest service roads, a short stretch through the ski tunnel that connects Snowbird to Alta at around 10,000 ft, and even a little time rolling around on the ground. The La Sportiva Fireblades performed excellently again--perfect for the technical terrain and the steep descents.

When all was said and done, Nate won in 5:43 and I finished up in second in 5:56. Although I did manage to chuck a snowball at Nate as he climbed above me in the final ascent. My ankles are sore and my lips are chapped, but it was a stellar race with outstanding views (and next time I'll remember the lip balm...)

Gear List for race: Patagonia Airius Top, Patagonia Long Haul Runners, La Sportiva Fireblade shoes, Patagonia Ultra Lightweight Socks, Smith Factor polarized sunglasses, Nathan Quickdraw water bottle, and Nathan 10k Hip Pack.

--John

Rock/Creek race team member John Anderson flew out to Utah for the mountainous Wasatch Speedgoat 50K. John gave an outstanding effort and finished in second, just 3 minutes behind the winner. Below is John's story of the race. If you are interested in John's other accomplishment, and the accomplishments of the entire Rock/Creek Race Team, visit their profiles at http://www.rockcreek.com/raceteam.

The Wasatch Speedgoat 50k is based out of Snowbird, Utah and you get the unique experience of being cheered on by people riding up on the tram. You also get the unique experience of feeling your legs go through pain, then numbness, then pain again, and thankfully back to numbness as the course ascends 10,500 ft and descends the same in 50k. The race is directed by Karl Meltzer (several time winner of the Hardrock 100 who will be attempting to break the AT speed record starting on August 9th), and he puts on a great quad smashing race.

We started the day in the cool Wasatch mountains and headed uphill for the initial 4500' climb. By the time we got halfway up there was a lead pack of 4 runners, and Nate McDowell and I chatted about our kids between trying to catch our breath. Luckily for me Nate's daughter has a longer name than my son so he had to talk more. By the time we got to the top, Nate had a couple minute lead on me, and we came crashing down Mt. Baldy, complete with ropes and spotters from Black Diamond and settled in for a long day in the mountains.

The next several hours were spent climbing and descending the newly designed race course, some of it off trail, some singletrack, some on forest service roads, a short stretch through the ski tunnel that connects Snowbird to Alta at around 10,000 ft, and even a little time rolling around on the ground. The La Sportiva Fireblades performed excellently again--perfect for the technical terrain and the steep descents.

When all was said and done, Nate won in 5:43 and I finished up in second in 5:56. Although I did manage to chuck a snowball at Nate as he climbed above me in the final ascent. My ankles are sore and my lips are chapped, but it was a stellar race with outstanding views (and next time I'll remember the lip balm...)

Gear List for race: Patagonia Airius Top, Patagonia Long Haul Runners, La Sportiva Fireblade shoes, Patagonia Ultra Lightweight Socks, Smith Factor polarized sunglasses, Nathan Quickdraw water bottle, and Nathan 10k Hip Pack.

--John

By Dawn Glanc

The Bugaboos, located in British Columbia, have been a place that I have read and heard about for years. Every time I saw a photo of the splitter granite spires, I would dream of climbing them. The place seemed magical and very alluring. The alpine climbing seemed perfect. On July 20, my dream of going to the Bugaboos became a reality. I received this guiding assignment with a giant smile.

I began the long drive from Bellingham Washington on that sunny Sunday morning with my new partner for the next 12 days, Michael Lowery. During the drive Michael and I got to know one another. We also discussed what we planned to climb. We had a long hit list of routes. The day went on with the pedal to the medal. By the days end we arrived in the town of Radium to enjoy our last dinner at the local pub.

In the morning we made the long drive into the Provincial Park. We did the last minute gear shuffle as quick as possible, while getting eaten alive by the mosquitoes. We then barricaded the van from the porcupines, who are rumored to enjoy eating brake lines and other important hoses. When the van was secure, I turned on my I-pod, hit shuffle, and began the 3 hour hike into the alpine playground.

View Photographs from Dawn's trip to the Bugaboos

Continue reading "Guiding the Bugaboos"

Nine climbers were allegedly killed on K2, the world’s second-tallest mountain, over the weekend, and while the rescue efforts continue for the remaining climbers, experts and veteran climbers have begun to speculate that this season on the mountain could be the deadliest since 1986 when 13 climbers lost their lives on the peak. One survivor of this weekend’s tragedy has begun telling the story of panic and self-preservation.

Click here for the Outside magazine story of the 1986 expeditions by Jon Krakauer and Greg Child

From the LATimes this morning:
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — A Dutch survivor of an ice avalanche that killed nine climbers atop the world’s second-tallest mountain over the weekend described a desperate scramble for self-preservation, with panicked mountaineers abandoning one another in the search for a way down the steep rock face.

Some of the victims were swept away by a column of ice that snapped near the summit of K2 — widely regarded as the world’s most treacherous peak — in northern Pakistan near the Chinese border. The falling pane of ice severed fixed ropes used mostly for descending the near-vertical portions of slopes, leaving other climbers cut off at an oxygen-thin elevation known as the Dead Zone.

“People were running down but didn’t know where to go, so a lot of people were lost on the mountain on the wrong side, wrong route, and then you have a big problem and then things like that happen,” said Wilco van Rooijen, the leader of one expedition, in an interview with Reuters news agency from his cot in a Pakistani military hospital.

Along with the nine killed by the avalanche, two other climbers fell to their deaths on the way up the mountain, making this the deadliest year on K2 since 1986, Pakistani officials said.

From the NYTimes yesterday: The Pakistani Army, which is experienced in helicopter lifts in the mountainous region, said Sunday evening that plans for a rescue were being discussed, but that the possibilities for success were limited.

“We can take a helicopter up there to drop medicines and supplies, but carrying out an operation is very difficult,” an army spokesman, Maj. Farooq Firoz, told Reuters.

One hope for the climbers stuck above Bottleneck would be for them to try to climb down on the Chinese side of the mountain, Reinhold Messner, a renowned climber, told the BBC. He described their situation as “very critical.”

Ten years ago this month I climbed across the Knife's Edge after summitting Mt. Katahdin to culminate an AT thru hike. I was grizzled but fully energized. Twice I had hiked 50 miles, with my loaded pack, in the light of a single day. This convinced me to sign up for my first ultramarathon, the Mountain Masochist, and run 50 miles delightfully unburdened. It didn't work out as I had planned.

Those who attended the awards ceremony of that year's race saw a staggered figure -- mercilessly taunted by David Horton -- barely negotiate the 75 feet of smooth floor between my table and the grinning countenance of ultramarathoning's most exuberant RD. I had completed the course, and managed a top 10 finish, but had been defeated. My calves had been shredded and my spirit drained.

I did not run again for two years. That may explain how my life proceeded so quickly. In that time I married, had a son, and completed my doctorate.

Then I set out to run again, nagged by the ghost of unfinished business in the mountains of central Virginia. Training for, and satisfactorily completing that course, helps explain my continued pursuit of ultrarunning -- a career that has now spanned 40+ races.

Early this year I was haunted once again. I chased ghosts of scarred hamstrings, tilted pelvises, even knee cartilage. I couldn't pin down the source of these apparitions, and my spirit was drained once again.

So we took a pilgrimage to Boston. Why Boston? When I was in middle school I biked the 60 miles from my hometown of Louisville, Kentucky to French Lick, Indiana. I went to college in Providence, Rhode Island. When I was a sophomore I drove 60 miles to Boston to see a physical therapist about an unusual running injury. I had many questions, and kept my clinician a few extra minutes to answer them. As I exited through the lobby, Larry Bird politely nodded to me as I passed. I felt somewhat sheepish for having caused him to wait, wedged as he was into the standard sized waiting room chair. Larry Bird is from French Lick, of course.

So we took the pilgrimage to visit this same clinician. After his characteristic thorough exam he proceeded to empty my head of all the smoke and mirrors and called out the only ghost left. Can you guess...? Mountain Masochist!! Yes, runners, scar tissue in my right calf had finally caught up with me. The gastroc was tearing and causing the unbearable pain behind my right knee -- pain that had kept me from running for 3 months!

For 3 weeks now I have been able to train -- the ghost chased away! The feeling of my run this morning recalls a workout from my senior year in high school. I had been on crutches for 6 weeks. I was back on the track, doing intervals for the first time in months. My throat burned, my thighs ached, and my head felt light. How I relished the fatigue!

Our prayers go out to Angela Betancourt who is in a coma and listed in critical condition at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, N.Y. The SUV she was riding in was hit by a tractor trailer that had jumped the median after allegedly being hit by another vehicle. The SUV was being driven by her husband, Richard, 38, a musician who was embarking on what Angela and others had hoped would be a successful relaunch of a music career. He died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Some say location is everything when it comes to retail, and for co-owner Tyler Conlin, he's hoping that is true following the move and name change of his Inland Sports retail store from Layton, Utah, to Ogden in May of this year.

There is a change to tonight’s agenda!

The Veterans Administration has announced its consideration of the Lindy Boggs hospital site as an alternative site for the proposed VA Medical Center. The VA is hosting a public meeting next Monday August 11th at 7pm for this purpose.

MCNO will therefore postpone our main agenda item, Energy Costs, to allow sufficient time to educate our members and neighbors about the VA proposal and how it fits into the Mid-City Plan.

The agenda is now:

Agenda

1. Welcome

2. VA Consideration of Lindy Boggs Hospital as Alternative Site

3. Crime Update

4. Neighborhood Information Sharing

Update from MCNO Board Members on Progress of projects
Announcements of Night Out Against Crime events to be held Tuesday August 5th throughout Mid-City
Guy Fournier - Update on the New Orleans Faith Health Alliance Project
Linda Stone & Raymond Breaux of Global Green - Brief on Green Schools & the Build it Back Green program

Fellow surfer and writer, 10-year-old Wil Reid, wrote to us about Eddie Aikau -- a surfer whose skill and integrity won Wil's respect. We agreed and thought Wil's story about Eddie belonged on The Cleanest Line. We look forward to hearing more from Wil as he pursues his dream to educate others about the power and importance of the ocean. Photos of the young author surfing can be seen after the jump.

Eddie Aikau: A Biography

Imagine a tall Hawaiian standing in front of you smiling and talking to his friends. Then he goes out and surfs and is as smooth as silk. He does not cut anyone off, and he is a master of what he does in small-size surf. When big surf comes, his brown hair, brown eyes, tan skin, and boardshorts hit the water. He catches a couple waves and then comes in and says hi in the most mellow voice and no worries. This is Eddie Aikau, surfing legend.

Eddie was born on the Hawaiian island of Maui on May 3, 1946. Actually, he was born “Edward Ryon Makuahini,” but he later shortened his name. He had a sister named Myra and a brother Clyde. Eddie was the oldest. Eddie was super close to his family. In 1959 his family moved to Oahu. Eddie learned to surf in Maui when he was thirteen years old. Eddie challenged himself on the shores of Oahu by surfing the biggest waves. Some people thought he was crazy! His family also liked surfing. Surfing soon became a family thing. Eddie, however, was the only one who would surf the monster waves. His family and friends would watch with pure amazement. He was like one with the ocean.

Eddie worked very hard to become a great lifeguard and big wave surfer. Eddie was the first lifeguard on the North Shore of Oahu at Waimea Bay. When he was a lifeguard, no one died on his watch. Eddie’s brother always said, “Eddie always put people before himself.” Eddie was also known for fearlessly surfing waves 40- 60 ft high. His favorite surf spot was Waimea Bay. He liked to surf 7’8 – 10’6 surfboards, the size he liked to surf on when the waves were bigger. When the waves were big, you could always find Eddie at the “Bay.” He was magical.

Eddie’s dream was simple. He wished that everybody would treat others as they wanted to be treated. Eddie loved making people laugh. He liked seeing people smile. Eddie genuinely just wanted people to be happy. Eddie loved being a lifeguard and hoped others would risk their lives, like he did. Eddie always put others before himself.

Unfortunately, Eddie died when he was 32 years old. He died while searching for land to rescue his friends. Eddie and his friends were on an historical sailing voyage from Waimea Bay to Tahiti when they got lost. Eddie left the sailboat on his surfboard to find help. The friends on the boat got rescued, but Eddie was never found. Still, his spirit lives on! There is a contest dedicated to Eddie on the North Shore of Oahu when the waves are 40 - 60 feet. Eddie had a true passion for the ocean and its waves.

I chose to write about Eddie Aikau because I love learning about the history of my favorite sport, surfing. I also chose Eddie because I respect him: He surfed the biggest waves in the world, and he was a good person. I was lucky enough to go to the Eddie Aikau Memorial Contest in 2004. I then realized the power and intensity of the ocean. Someday I hope to educate people on the power and the importance of the ocean. We need to keep our oceans clean!

Wil Reid doing what his dad taught him. Del Mar, California.

We'd like to send birthday greetings to Wil who is 10-years-old today - have a great birthday, Wil.