Brad Miller and Clay Kimmi of Adventures for Action set out this May to climb the West Buttress of Denali (Mt. McKinley) to raise awareness and funds for the International Health Partners of the United States and Tanzania (IHP-TZ). This blog post is the second in a series Brad and Clay are writing for Tahoe Mountain Sports, who is helping to gear them up for Denali. Brad mused on the difficulty of big mountain training and inspiration from his brother in his last post.
Training for a big mountain is a funny thing. Oftentimes people who have their sights set on a far away peak don’t live anywhere near the mountains. Those of us who are lucky enough to reside in a mountainous domain are still challenged by the fact that the mountains we live near are usually much shorter that whatever goal we have in mind. Clay and I have found ourselves in both of these situations and it has made for an interesting 9 months of training. I live in Tahoe, which is a great area if you are in training for a mountain goal. Although the peaks top out around 10k feet, the plethora of mountains means I have plenty to keep me busy. Clay on the other hand lives in eastern Kansas, where the hills roll and the mountains are but a distant memory. He has had to adapt his training regiment to suit his surroundings and busier life. Here, in our own words, is how we manage training for mountain climbing with and without mountains.
BRAD: TRAINING IN TAHOE
I have always subscribed to the sport-specific method of training; the best training for a sport is to play the sport itself. Of course, I cannot go climb Denali all year, but expedition climbing a big mountain (as opposed to light and fast alpine style) is all about carrying lots of gear, and Tahoe affords me ample opportunity to prepare myself for really heavy loads. Having so many peaks out there helps me have lots of fun peak-bagging and seeing new places, and helps stave off the inevitable boredom that training eventually educes.
During the summer months I found myself hiking on dry dusty trails up to the many close summits that surround Tahoe. My two favorite trails for weight training became the “direct” approach to Pyramid Peak and the Ralston Peak trail. The Pyramid trail is a steep 4000-foot climb over a short 3.5–4 miles. This allows for a really tough day that can be completed relatively quickly. The trail offers spectacular views of Lovers Leap to the south and is the perfect outing for anyone who wants a stiff challenge.
The Ralston Peak trail starts higher and is thus shorter. It is also less steep, more scenic, is a little closer to Meyers, which all together provides a shorter day. It is also, in my opinion, the best-kept secret in Tahoe day hikes. Although no one ever talks about Ralston except to backcountry ski, this peak overlooks Echo and Aloha lakes and rewards hikers with some of the most magnificent views that Tahoe has to offer.
Besides being a climber that was in descent physical shape to begin with, I began my Denali training 9 months ago in the summer of 2011. I stayed pretty casual about it but tried to get out at least once a week for a steep day hike. I began with a 40 lb pack and eventually worked my way up to 60 on the trail. Because Tahoe did not produce a heavy winter this year, I stayed in trail hiking mode for many months, gradually increasing weight, distance and height.
Along with hiking I continued body weight strength training; pushups, climbing hangboard and pilates to build and maintain overall strength. I do not lift heavy weights, in part because as a climber I avoid adding mass, but mainly because I do not have access to a gym with weight lifting equipment. I also began running, which I hate, but I find running important as it adds an aspect of high-output cardio that helps me maintain a lower working heart rate while on a mountain. Running is also a great way to get a quick workout when you are pressed for time or can’t get out for a long day. I began with jogging a mile or two and worked my way up to five, where I capped my distance runs. In the 3 months prior to departure I added interval training, starting slow and working up to one hour of intervals at 45 seconds of fast running and 75 seconds of walking for recovery. Interval training is great and I like it much more than distance running. It is a fantastic cardio workout, can be done on a bike, is a great way to burn fat if needed and is a good way to change things up to add variety to your workouts.
When it finally snowed in Tahoe I switched my regiment to more specific activities. On Denali we will be traveling on skis and pulling a heavy sled along with carrying a pack. Fountain Place Road, one of Tahoe’s service roads offers a great “day one” simulation in that it rises 1500 feet over 4.5 miles (a little taller than base camp to camp one on Denali. In times of good snow coverage, I skinned up Fountain Place road, carrying my pack and pulling a sled. Once on top I could dump weight and ski down the road creating a realistic gear cache scenario and a shorter day out than just hiking. This not only allowed me to gain sport-specific strength and experience what working day to day will feel like, it also allowed me to test my gear and dial in my sled system. Again, I gradually added weight until I was able to carry a 65 lb pack and pull a 70 lb sled, hopefully 20 or more lbs beyond what I will haul on the mountain.
As the weather has turned warmer I have heard the climbing-sirens’ irresistible call and have spent more time on the rock, which is probably not the best choice but keeps me sane and physically strong. I have also hit the road more, putting in long rides on my cyclocross bike. With little lake level snow I have abandoned the sled and mainly run and ride for my cardio workouts, but I do so knowing I can now handle the weight and feel that if I hit the mountain tomorrow I am ready for the challenge. Tahoe has helped me prepare well.
CLAY: TRAINING IN EASTERN KANSAS
Oh my goodness, I miss the mountains! When I graduated from the University of Kansas in the winter of 2005, my stint in the flatlands was done. I KNEW that I would never again be subjected to the unrelenting monotony of the Great Plains. I gratefully migrated upstream to the rugged, majestic beauty of the mountains. Love at first hike! Rolling amazing terrain to hike, bike, run, climb, snow slide and swing ice tools… everything that I had longed for in the days of my youth in Kansas City. The mountain lifestyle got in my blood and, as with many of our ilk, became my lifestyle. My days of laziness and inactivity were a thing of the past! I found myself getting cranky if I was not out pushing myself mentally on the sharp end or post holing at altitude with the dogs “helping” to break trail. Training was never really on my mind, but the daily hike, climb or ride became the norm. I found grace in the seasonal migrations, following the snow uphill toward Summit County, CO, and then sliding with the melting snow down to the Left Coast for summer gardening and High Sierra playing. The grace of my waste vegetable oil–powered suburban and dumpster-diving for food made the free flow quite literal.
Ahh the days of yore…. writing about them brings a big ‘ol smile and loads of gratitude for that lifestyle. Training was not something that ever crossed my mind. Daily, I would scratch whatever itch popped up and stay in darn good shape in the process. Alas, change is the only constant in life, and a wedding in October of 2011 lured me back to Kansas City. I had a blast welcoming a new cousin-in-law to the family, and a 10-year reunion two weeks later seemed like a good way to wait for the snow to start falling in the high country. Well, there must be something about the combination of family, friends and loads of connections that can spring the trap of opportunity. I got snagged, hook, line and sinker, and found myself teetering on the edge of moving back to the flatlands. Fortunately, a climb of Rainier at the end of September 2011 with great friends led to a promising opportunity of another sort – a trip back to Alaska.
So, this past fall, I found myself with one of the most challenging decisions I have made in a long time: leave the mountains where I had found my bliss playing in the hills, connection to the Creator and a groovy seasonal lifestyle, or return to the flatlands to pursue exciting new opportunities and create a more sustainable future in community with family and friends. Hello conundrum! After loads of wrestling with pros and cons, ups and downs, ins and outs, the return to the homeland won. BUT, the caveat was that I had something BIG to look forward to – a trip to attempt Denali. I realized that this meant a huge change in my lets go play out the back door in the mountains mentality, to getting psyched up to train with a heavy pack running up stairs over and over. I love challenges, and generally thrive when they are presented. However, the abrupt and somewhat rude transition from earning my turns at 13,000’ after work to dripping sweat in a poorly lit stairwell in a tall building in Kansas City, Missouri, was, well, shocking.
I found that the surreptitious access to a hotel stairwell had replaced ducking ropes for powder turns; 330’ at a time with an elevator descent had replaced my hike off of 6 chair to Snow White Chutes at 12,000’ and descending with graceful turns down to the chairlift for another lap. Every week as I add another gallon of water to my pack or push for another lap in the dingy stairwell, I am motivated by the slopes of the Great One. It is a change to say the least. The miracle of the interweb continues to provide a constant level of motivation. Videos, blogs and trip reports all help to keep me motivated, knowing that others are out there getting the goods in the alpine realm. Regular trips also help keep the stoked meter up. An annual trip to Red Rocks in Vegas provided an opportunity to pack in some serious climbing. A return to Colorado to collect gear and dial in my ski/skin setup allowed me to solo some ice and grab some turns for sanity’s sake. Most recently, a trip to New England allowed for the first time exploration of the Gunks and Northern New England. Variety is a spice that I love, and it has certainly helped with the transition in both living location and training.
Finding ways to stay motivated with little to no vertical relief is far and away the most challenging part of living in Kansas City. The land that I had been caretaking in the San Luis Valley, CO, has an unbelievable view of the Sangre De Cristo mountains – 6000’ of vertical from valley floor to the summits of the Crestone Group of 14’ers. I placed my hangboard to maximize that view, and each session my inspiration and motivation came from the majesty before me. I went from that view to 33 lonely flights of stairs in a dark stairwell. Lets get psyched! I have never been a gym person and the idea of spending federal dollar notes to go sweat with suburbanites makes me want to puke. Time to reinvent and revamp the daily routine! I have found myself doing things that in the past I thought were crazy. However, necessity is the mother of invention, so the knobby tires came off the bike and slicks went on, the harness went into storage and the running shoes were found. No skis, snowboard or ice axes to play with this year – they were left for a lonely winter in a barn. I had gallon water bottles, ankle weights and a heart monitor to play with this winter. Learning intimately about interval training, hill repeats, periodization, nutrition are all part of the arduous and sweaty process. I have managed to find ways that I feel actually simulate some of the motions that will be encountered on the mountain. I spent a week shoveling, wheelbarrowing and raking more than 200 cubic feet of compost on a suburban permaculture project. If pushing 6 cubic yards of compost in a wheelbarrow through mud is anything like pulling a sled on a glacier than I am feeling pretty ready for this!
In the past several months, I have carried heavier loads, ran and ridden longer distances and durations than I ever thought possible. Pushing my body to the edge of its capability in new ways has proven to be an interesting and delightfully surprisingly change from simply playing. The necessity of changing both my mentality and mode of training has helped me to change my view on exercise. I am aware of the importance of daily physical activity on a deeper level. Living in Colorado, being active literally came with the terrain. Living in Kansas, exercise has become a necessity for sanity, yet one that does not come without motivation. Finding that motivation daily to go out and push myself is one that I still am challenged with. Fortunately the dangling carrot of Denali gets me stoked!
Tips for big mountain training
1. Form a training log. Google docs is a great way to share what you and your partners are doing and helps keep you honest.
2. Carry water or other eject-able ballast. Water is heavy and allows you to dump your load at the summit to save your knees on the descent. Rocks can be used if you don’t want to waste water but water allows you to really fine tune your pack weight and increase by small amounts. You can also be a Trail Angel; more than once I have filled up the canteens of hikers who misjudged their water needs.
3. Use trekking poles. For a long time I thought trekking poles were lame. That all changed when I started packing really heavy. Poles help reduce knee strain and have saved me from terrific falls many times.
4. Variety is key. When training over the course of many months, it is easy to get disheartened and bored. Do many different activities to keep your spirits up and mind fresh.
5. Utilize rest and recovery. Remember, you build muscle during recovery, not activity. Find the right number of days a week you need for rest and recovery and stick to them. Occasionally take longer breaks off to go on a trip and mentally recover. Fuel yourself with healthy, nutritious food.
6. Dial your system. Use training days to test gear and figure out your systems, allowing you to hit the mountain ready to climb.
7. Find a partner. If you can’t train with your climbing partner, find someone else who will motivate you to work out with.
8. Take a few training runs up other mountains. Meet with your partners to check each other out while having fun. Practice skills and make sure everyone is up to date, fresh and has good group chemistry.
9. Take skills training if needed. Some skills are better learned from instructors. Avalanche avoidance/rescue and glacier travel and crevasse rescue fall under that heading. Make sure you have the skills to rescue yourself and others, regardless if you are using a guide service.
If you have any big mountain training or Denali training tips specifically, share them with us in the comments. [Denali photo by bdearth/flickr]
I did it! I ran my first half marathon on December 18th: the ZombieRunner Bay Trail Run in Palo Alto. Here’s my advice on how to run a half marathon and what to wear running for your training and race day.
1) TRAIN
It’s not that hard, really! Since you’re only working up to 13.1 miles, half marathon training programs typically top out at 10 miles, with the majority of your runs falling between 4 and 6 miles. Totally do-able! I used the 9-week Runner’s World half marathon training for beginners and enjoyed almost every week of it. Week 5 was a bit tough for me, but it was great to have a schedule to stick to, which prompted me to try out new trails. Here’s a peek at some of the beauty I encountered, though the swampy meadow of the bottom middle photo was quite miserable.
2) SHOW UP PREPARED
I did pretty good. I woke up early in San Francisco, grabbed a healthy breakfast of oatmeal and a hard-boiled egg at Starbucks, and then drove the 40 minutes down to the race in Palo Alto. I got there early enough to get great parking, pick up my bib, queue up my iPhone with music and my running app, and have time to spare to do a warm-up jog and stretch. Though due to all this leisure time, I did hit my water bottle a bit too hard and had to pee about a mile or two into the race. Next time, I’ll save most of my hydration for the night before.
One thing to think about is your pre-race garb. I wore my Loki glove liners and Patagonia Down Sweater pre-race to stay warm. It was chilly out! Some folks only had shorts and short-sleeves, and they were hurting.
Also show up with whatever fuel you need to make it through. I did that, but didn’t eat my standard Sharkies opting instead for a Clif Shot at one of the aid stations. That caffeine-laced goo did a number on my belly and I had to suffer the final three miles with a stomach ache.
Another thing is to think about any essentials that might go awry. For me, it was a hair tie. Mine broke after I tried to tighten it a couple miles in. I was able to knot the elastic back together and have a loose ponytail to get me through. Otherwise, I would have been scoping out all the ladies’ wrists that ran by to look for an extra. No one wants to run a half with hair flopping around like a horse.
3) DRESS WELL
Dressing well is finding that perfect combo that fits your body temp. It’s not a good idea to overdress for the race. You want to feel as light as possible and not have a bunch of layers to stow away later, so a bit of starting-line cold must be endured if you’re running a fall or winter race.
For my late fall/winter trail half marathon, here’s what I wore race day and during training in Tahoe and Reno:
TRAINING ESSENTIALS: Icebreaker BodyFit 260 merino layer (a bit warmer/thicker than the Patagonia one I wore on race day), Mountain Hardwear Effusion Hooded Jacket (a great waterproof/breathable layer for running in rain, sleet and snow), Lole Finalist Tights, Lole Glorious Tights (both a bit thicker than the Mountain Hardwear ones I wore on race day).
And that’s it. It’s quite a simple plan that’s achievable for any level of runner, and the half marathon training was enjoyable. 13.1 miles could be finished in the time limit even if you have to walk, so find a race in your area and do it!
If you have any tips on how to run a half marathon, let us know in the comments.
This special guest post on Nordic skiing is written by Tim Hauserman, author of the books “Cross-Country Skiing in the Sierra Nevada” and “The Tahoe Rim Trail: A Complete Guide for Hikers, Mountain Bikers, and Equestrians.” He teaches both skate and cross country skiing at Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Area and offers up this primer on how to Nordic ski, and why you should do it this winter.
Tim Hauserman teaching a skate skiing lesson at Tahoe Cross Country
Does the cost of a downhill ski ticket make you break out in hives, or are you just sick of the crowds? Do your friends spend most of the winter at Tahoe Cross-Country, Tahoe Donner Cross-Country or the Nordic trails where you live? Perhaps it is time to go uphill, where for less than half the price of a downhill ticket you can get a good workout on groomed trails and begin skiing just a few feet from your car.
Nordic skiing at cross-country ski areas falls into two categories: striding/classic, and skating. Striding involves skiing in tracks, with your skis pointed straight ahead. Skating is done on a skating lane, which is a five-foot wide swath of corduroy next to the tracks. Like it sounds, skate skiing is skiing with the motion you would use ice-skating or rollerblading.
I like to say that striding is easy to learn but hard to master, while skating is hard to learn, but easy to master. If you have never cross-country skied before, striding is a good place to start. It is a little like walking and you can just shuffle along while you learn the sport. For many, the balance is easier than skating, especially if you are given the assistance of the tracks. Moving beyond the basics to becoming an expert classic skier, however, can be challenging and requires a lot of practice. At least that is what I’ve heard; I haven’t quite reached the expert level yet.
Skate skiing has become very popular among runners, bike riders and assorted other endorphin junkies as it is very aerobic, faster than striding and some unbiased observers such as myself believe it is THE GREATEST SPORT ON EARTH!
I have been teaching skating for years and see some people pick it right up, becoming great skaters after just a few days… others, not so much. The strange thing is that I have never been able to put my finger on what the factor is that makes is easy for some and a challenge for others; it isn’t athletic ability or coordination. The key is to take a lesson, listen to your instructor, and give yourself a break if you are not an instant expert. The good news is that remember what I said about how skating is hard to learn, but easy to master? It’s very true, once you get the basic motion down, you will be skiing like an expert quickly.
Learning both striding and skating will allow you enjoy yourself no matter what the snow conditions. Right after a big storm, is the perfect time to be striding (unless you are also a downhill skier, in which case it might be hard to drag you off the mountain). That cold and squeaky sound is music to the ears of a strider, while it makes the skater feel like they are skiing in slow motion. As the snow gets older and firmer, that’s the best time for skating. Hard pack, springtime corn, hasn’t snowed in a week? All good and fast for skating.
Different techniques require different gear. Skating boots are stiffer, poles are longer, and skis are shorter and designed differently then striding gear. Why? Because when skate skiing you need a firmer attachment to the ski, you are poling at head level instead of at hip level, and the skis are all about glide and not kick. When selecting striding skis, you must choose between waxless and waxable. With waxless skis you only need to wax the tips and tails, the glide zones, and do not need to wax the kick zone, which is underneath your feet and grooved to keep you from sliding backwards on the uphill. Waxable striding skis require you to wax the kick zone as well, but with a kick wax, which is different than a glide wax. While it can be a real challenge to get the kick wax right, if you get it, waxable skis are faster and more enjoyable then waxless skis. It’s easier to get the wax right when it is cold, dry snow…which is the best time to be striding anyway.
Nordic gear starter guide:
You don’t need much to have a good time Nordic skiing. Though the upfront cost is fairly high when you buy new, your gear lasts for years and years since Nordic skiing has much less impact and on-slope hazards than traditional alpine skiing. You can outfit yourself completely with Tahoe Mountain Sports’ new line of Salomon Nordic gear. Here’s a short list of the essentials; browse the full Salomon inventory for different styles and men’s and women’s versions of most of the below items.
* Hip belt for water and snacks, or a backpack with a water reservoir. Salomon makes many different versions of hip belts, but this XR Sensibelt model has a more flexible hip band that can transition to running better if you want to use it year-round.
* Lightweight gloves. A rookie mistake is to wear too bulky of gloves. You want a pair that will let your hands breathe like the Salomon Nordic Training Gloves.
* Softshell pants. Again, breathability is key when you’re working up a sweat on the Nordic trails. Opt for the Salomon Super Fast II Pants or the Momentum model.
* Poles. Length is the important difference between poles for skating or striding (cross country): buy ones at armpit length for cross country, and poles that measure between your chin and lip for skating. And don’t just think you can use your alpine skiing poles. You want to buy ones specific to Nordic skiing as they are much lighter. TMS carries three different Salomon Nordic ski poles to choose from.
Tim’s picks for local places to cross-country ski:
Tahoe Cross-Country between Tahoe City and Carnelian Bay has 65 kilometers of groomed trails, several leading to awesome lake views. They have free skating clinics several times per week, and pride themselves on a friendly, small town atmosphere.
Tahoe Donner Cross-Country in Truckee has close to 100 kilometers of trails with access to the lovely Euer Valley. They also provide lessons for every type of skiing and sport a wide variety of awesome skiing terrain.
Kirkwood Cross-Country, 25 miles south of Lake Tahoe, gives you jaw-dropping views of Round Top mountain as you climb up, up and away.
Tamarack Cross-Country Ski Center at Mammoth Mountain is right in the middle of the central Sierra, so you will find awesome views of the High Sierra and deep snow.
Disc golf is a fun sport no matter your level. It’s like a walk in the woods, with a little competition thrown in. Courses are popping up all over the place: school campuses, city and town parks, backyards (like the homegrown Old County Links pictured above), and even ski resorts (Tahoe’s Kirkwood and Squaw Valley both have summer courses).
We’ve compiled this disc golf how-to for all you novices out there looking for information on the sport. I had a couple seasoned players take me (a beginner, playing only twice before) out for a 9-hole session, and then called upon Tahoe’s veteran ace Kevin McDermott to sprinkle in some of his wisdom. Read on to learn all about disc golf and tips for play.
THE BASIC DISC GOLF RULES
Play is simple, and similar to golf. Just follow the course’s numbered holes. Initiate your first throw from the starting pad, then wherever your disc lays is where you play from next. Each hole has a par (typically anywhere from 2 to 5), and so the lower you score the better. Some people add a little money in the mix, betting $1 per hole, with each hole’s winning player taking the cash.
There are so many disc golf discs to choose from, it can be daunting at first. When I played last week with my friends, I borrowed what they considered to be the essentials: a driver for maximum distance, a mid-range disc, and a putter to use at 30 to 40 feet from the hole—though I do have some disc-throwing skills from playing ultimate frisbee. If you are completely new to disc sports, you can pare that down.
“To start one multi-use disc will do,” says Kevin McDermott. “You will then graduate to a driver & putter. Eventually you will discover the plethora of choices available and what each disc can do.”
And that’s it. You don’t need anything else but your disc, which is a great bonus to this sport. Wearing a good pair of shoes (versus flip flops) is a smart idea though.
The 3 discs I used at Old County: driver in blue, mid-range front left, and putter front right
DISC GOLF THROWING TIPS
“For the beginner I recommend getting out there as much as possible,” McDermott recommends. “Try many different types of throws including the back hand, forearm (flick), tomahawk, etc. to see what works best. Grip the disc tightly. Keep the throws low and parallel to the ground. Have fun.”
I had a little trouble with my driver disc at first. What worked for me was to think about keeping my arm straight (not bent like in an ultimate frisbee throw) and level with the ground. You really throw with your whole body in disc golf, almost arcing it out of your hand.
And a HUGE tip is to WATCH WHERE YOUR DISC LANDS. Pick out a landmark, follow your disc to the ground; otherwise you’ll spend your time searching for your disc in the woods versus playing.
As with any sport, the more you play, the easier the throws become. They might seem impossible at first, but don’t give up. “The best way to learn is by spending time playing,” advises McDermott. “Follow the advice of more seasoned players is also very helpful. Practice time putting, driving, and mid range shots will make you a better player as well.”
Hmmm, where is my disc going? Learning how your disc flies in the air is key. Some hang right, others left, and others fly straight.
WHY SHOULD YOU PLAY DISC GOLF?
Take it from McDermott: “Disc golf is an awesome sport as it can be played by nearly everyone; I have played with my 6-year-old neighbor as well as my 86-year-old grandmother. It uses the natural environment in a nearly undisturbed way and promotes dispersed recreation. It has all of the challenge of regular golf without the expense of pricey green fees – collared shirts – clubs – etc. It is a great way to experience nature with friends, and my dogs love it.”
Can’t beat that… if it makes the dog happy! And the kids. When I played last week, we took my friend’s two-year-old along and she had fun helping us carry our discs.
“Anyone who gives disc golf a shot will find that they will want to stick with it because it is so much fun, and as we all believe we can do better,” McDermott adds. “It is the kind of sport where you compete against yourself and the course more than against others. Competing in disc golf tournaments is also great fun.”
Now get out there and play! If you have any disc golf how-to tips to share, post them in our comments.
If you keep at it, you just might be good enough to keep up with these guys (as photographed by TMS web editor Greyson Howard at the 5th annual TMS Pro/Am Disc Golf Tournament).
Knowing how to fit a backpack is one of the reasons local gear stores like us at Tahoe Mountain Sports are so valuable. We don’t just carry the brands you love—we also know how to properly fit them. In this post we called on Andy Yorkin of Gregory Packs to answer some FAQs about fitting and choosing a backpack. We’ve also embedded two videos on pack fitting from Gregory, so be sure to watch those for even more information.
What’s the #1 most important fit feature in a backpacking pack?
The number one, most critical fit feature on a backpack is the frame size. The size of the pack must match the torso length of the user. All too often we find people who have the wrong size and find the pack uncomfortable. The key to the Gregory fit is to transfer the load of the pack onto the hips through a lumbar pad and waistbelt.
The Gregory fit video (above) lists the following as how to tell you have a proper fit… any others?45-degree angle in shoulder straps, curve in harness lined up with crease in underarm, waist belt with at least 4 inches between padding, bottom of waist belt level with top of thigh when leg lifted
That pretty much covers it. But be careful with the shoulder strap angle – 45 degrees is good for larger packs over 75 liters such as the Gregory Palisade 80 or Gregory Whitney 95 but for packs that are between 65 and 75 liters, this angle comes down to 25 degrees and continues down to 10 to 15 degrees for 35 to 65 liter packs. Shoulder straps should wrap ‘around’ your shoulders, 2” below C7.
Our women specific packs, which we have one for just about every packs series, are built explicitly for the female anatomy with appropriate curves in the harness as well as slightly thinner waistbelt and harness widths. In addition, most of the backpanels are cut to be a little more narrow to accommodate the typical female body type.
If a pack shopper does not have access to Gregory’s Fit-O-Matic, what’s the best way to figure out torso length?
You’ll need a friend to help, but it’s not too difficult. First start by finding the C7 vertebrae at the base of your necks – it’s the big bump and can easily be found when you look down at your toes to stretch your neck. Next find the top of your iliac crest, the most prominent bone on the top of the pelvis found by pushing your thumbs on your sides at your waist. From here, run an imaginary line across to your spine and measure up to the C7. We’ve found that the majority of men are in the 18” – 20” range and women within the 16” – 18” range.
What pack capacities do you recommend for trip lengths?
The appropriate pack capacity is a tricky one as it depends a lot on the individual as well as the time of year. Some people looking to be light and fast might pack smaller loads while others might prefer bringing along additional creature comforts and thus need more space. In general though, a 30 to 50 liter pack will be sufficient for one to two nights on the trail and 50 to 75 liter packs will hold what’s needed for 3 to 5 nights out.
What do you look for in a pack? What little features make the big difference for you personally?
For me, I like well thought out organization without too much clutter. I prefer a clean look on the outside with select pockets on the inside.
It used to be that the thought of relying on any electronics in the backcountry would make my hands sweat—the list of what ifs inducing mild panic. But these days manufacturers have dependability down to a science. Enter SteriPEN, who pioneered UV water disinfection for backpackers and travelers.
These things are about as fool proof as any form of backpacking water treatment comes. Turn it on, dip it in your water bottle, and wait for the light to go out. They’re built waterproof, tough, and designed to last.
Here are some SteriPEN directions from a SteriPEN expert:
Bring a couple extra batteries, the SteriPEN prefilter and you’re good to go, whether you’re heading into the backcountry or to a third-world country. No laborious pumping, no waiting for anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours for chemicals to work—just safe, clean drinking water right away.
And unlike normal backpacking water filters, this thing will kill bugs of any size or type, not limited by the size in microns of the filter element.
So if you’ve been a technophobe holdout like me, give the SteriPEN a chance, for safe drinking water fast, it can’t be beat!
Camping has been touted as a great inexpensive family vacation in a down economy, but here at Tahoe Mountain Sports, we love family camping no matter what the stock market is doing.
Campgrounds are cheap, and the activities that go with car camping or backpacking — hiking, sightseeing, swimming, biking and sitting around the campfire — are free, or near enough.
If you’ve never been, you just have to cover the up front costs of some basic gear, and we’ve put together a selection here at Tahoe Mountain Sports sure to eliminate the sticker shock.
In less than two weeks 60,000 people will gather in the high desert of northern Nevada and form an improvised city in the dry lakebed of ancient Lake Lahontan. Our fair city will be the tenth largest in the state of Nevada, and will have a higher density of creative ingenuity per capita than anywhere in the world.
My big project for this year’s burn is to build a large hammock stand and shade structure for our camp. I’m borrowing Bucky Fuller’s tensegrity design to build the portable and collapsible structure. Buckminster Fuller is probably known best for inventing the geodesic dome, but there are already lots of those out on the playa. His tensegrity design, on the other hand, is just as genius, quicker to setup, and less material intensive. Tensegrity, a contraction of “tensional integrity,” uses tensioned cables or cord to create a rigid floating compression structure. I would translate that to layman’s terms if I could, but here’s a picture instead:
Chaco makes some of the best sandals around, but did you know they’re recommended by the American Podiatric Medical Association? Pat, our Chaco rep, shows us why Chaco Sandals are so great for your feet, how to adjust Chaco straps on the Chaco Z1 and Chaco Z2 models, and proper Chaco sizing.
Here at Tahoe Mountain Sports, we think Chaco make some of the best hiking and river sandals out there, thanks to their pure Polyurethane construction that won’t break down, even in water, unlike some other materials. Vibram soles give them crazy-good grip wet or dry, and, as you saw in the video, the continuous Chaco straps give them a custom fit.
So if you’re still walking around in cheap flip flops this summer, do yourself a favor, and try out some Chaco Sandals today.
