So after looking at this during the break during class I cannot help but be in awe:
http://blog.firstascent.com/2011/01/26/first-ascent-skiers-reggie-crist-lynsey-dyer-featured-in-powder-photo-annual-2011/
Though I would not be so keen on skiing down those faces, I would love to hike up them and enjoy those sights. Maybe one day that will be a possibility!
Back to class:
-J
Showing posts with label First Ascent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label First Ascent. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Go To Gear; installment 1: the Backpack
What to do on a day like this, the rain is making a delightful noise, the wind is breathing fresh breath into the apartment and I feel like doing something...
But what.
That is it! I will start a list, a list of, GO TO GEAR!
What does that mean you ask?
Well it is the new name of the Gear Section of RSOC!
Like totally kewl! Lol?
I realized that I meant to start this section this summer, I even promised that it would be up and running once or twice, but as life goes things got in the way, you know, new cat, apt, work, travels, and the like. Not this time, this is the start of the ongoing list that will contain things for everyone; the outdoor enthusiast who is starting out, the seasoned hiker/ bushcrafter and anyone anywhere in between.
Not only will the go to gear section feature outdoor gear, it will also showcase lifestyle items; electronics, magazines, websites, stories, sales, and other randomly important things!
So here it goes; The first installment of Go To Gear
The Backpack
You have read about them before on RSOC and you probably own a few yourself, however I would like to showcase a few bags that I find to be essential for me to do what I do on a daily basis.
On average I think that it is essential to have at least three backpacks. Three you say, are you mad, why would anyone need that many bags? My answer is simple, each bag has its own specific use and having bags with specific uses makes life easier.
Bag One: the media bag
most commonly known as a school bag. I choose the Power Pack by Outdoor Products:
The perfect media bag has a padded spot for laptops, various small compartments that hold electronics and other special tools/gear intact. This bag does just that, it even has a file-folder system in the main compartment to separate things as you wish. While many bags have laptop compatible sleeves it is best to buy a bag with a dedicated area for laptops specifically. The Power Pack even comes with a customizable pad that form fits to your laptop, giving it the utmost protection from banging around.
I recently took this bag to Maine and it protected my breakables from impacts, rain and a few minor coffee spills.
Bottom line: everyone needs a go to bag to take care of their electronics, make sure that yours allows you to customize to your configurations and fulfills all of your standards. Do not jump to buying a bag, take your time and get the right one.
Bag Two: The Technical Day Bag.
The technical day bag is that one bag that you possibly spend a little too much money on, so you need to get one that is tough, proven, ergonomically designed fit and has all of the pockets and straps that one would ever want!
My Choice: the REI: Traverse 30 liter:
As you can see this day bag has enough straps to accommodate a host of different configurations for hanging anything you want of the back. It also has two cinch straps on each side to compress the bag to make it less bulky and to help make you gear stay where you put it. The ultimate day bag a pouch to hold a water bladder, sternum strap, waist strap, side pockets for bottles and a few smaller pockets to hold specialty items. On this bag I especially like the small pocket on the waist belt, it holds a knife, Cliffbar, or energy shots.
Bottom line: the day bag needs to fulfill all of your needs while being comfortable enough to carry decent sized loads, like picnic lunches, "hey boo boo bear." Also make sure that the day bag has everything that you want in the places that you want it, nothing is more frustrating than having to take off your bag every time you want a sip of water.
Bag Three: The bomber
The bomber is the bag that you use for everyday; the gym, the library, the store, getting beer, keeping your back warm... etc. It may be a media bag or a day bag, or even a shoulder bag...
My bomber is the smallest of the First Ascent Line: The Little Tahoma 30 liter:
The perfect bomber has a large main compartment, side pouches and a few small specialized compartments. This is the bag that you need to carry out your daily routine. I use mine to take stuff to work, hold clothes for the gym and to take groceries to the car. The bomber is also a great bag to take for multipurpose trips, such as the trip home.
Scenario: you are heading to a friend's for the weekend. You will be hiking and possible strolling downtown. Space is limited and you do not want to impose, so you bring the bomber. Load it up with clothes and unpack them when you get there. Voila! The bomber becomes a technical day bag!
Bottom line: Pick your bomber wisely, it will need to be a chameleon among bags, doing everything and anything to fulfill its purpose(s).
I hope that you enjoyed Go To Gear Section 1.
If you have any questions do not be ashamed to ask them right here.
Go out and find that perfect bag right now! Heck, go get two, you will feel even better!
-J
But what.
That is it! I will start a list, a list of, GO TO GEAR!
What does that mean you ask?
Well it is the new name of the Gear Section of RSOC!
Like totally kewl! Lol?
I realized that I meant to start this section this summer, I even promised that it would be up and running once or twice, but as life goes things got in the way, you know, new cat, apt, work, travels, and the like. Not this time, this is the start of the ongoing list that will contain things for everyone; the outdoor enthusiast who is starting out, the seasoned hiker/ bushcrafter and anyone anywhere in between.
Not only will the go to gear section feature outdoor gear, it will also showcase lifestyle items; electronics, magazines, websites, stories, sales, and other randomly important things!
So here it goes; The first installment of Go To Gear
The Backpack
You have read about them before on RSOC and you probably own a few yourself, however I would like to showcase a few bags that I find to be essential for me to do what I do on a daily basis.
On average I think that it is essential to have at least three backpacks. Three you say, are you mad, why would anyone need that many bags? My answer is simple, each bag has its own specific use and having bags with specific uses makes life easier.
Bag One: the media bag
most commonly known as a school bag. I choose the Power Pack by Outdoor Products:
I recently took this bag to Maine and it protected my breakables from impacts, rain and a few minor coffee spills.
Bottom line: everyone needs a go to bag to take care of their electronics, make sure that yours allows you to customize to your configurations and fulfills all of your standards. Do not jump to buying a bag, take your time and get the right one.
Bag Two: The Technical Day Bag.
The technical day bag is that one bag that you possibly spend a little too much money on, so you need to get one that is tough, proven, ergonomically designed fit and has all of the pockets and straps that one would ever want!
My Choice: the REI: Traverse 30 liter:
As you can see this day bag has enough straps to accommodate a host of different configurations for hanging anything you want of the back. It also has two cinch straps on each side to compress the bag to make it less bulky and to help make you gear stay where you put it. The ultimate day bag a pouch to hold a water bladder, sternum strap, waist strap, side pockets for bottles and a few smaller pockets to hold specialty items. On this bag I especially like the small pocket on the waist belt, it holds a knife, Cliffbar, or energy shots.
Bottom line: the day bag needs to fulfill all of your needs while being comfortable enough to carry decent sized loads, like picnic lunches, "hey boo boo bear." Also make sure that the day bag has everything that you want in the places that you want it, nothing is more frustrating than having to take off your bag every time you want a sip of water.
Bag Three: The bomber
The bomber is the bag that you use for everyday; the gym, the library, the store, getting beer, keeping your back warm... etc. It may be a media bag or a day bag, or even a shoulder bag...
My bomber is the smallest of the First Ascent Line: The Little Tahoma 30 liter:
The perfect bomber has a large main compartment, side pouches and a few small specialized compartments. This is the bag that you need to carry out your daily routine. I use mine to take stuff to work, hold clothes for the gym and to take groceries to the car. The bomber is also a great bag to take for multipurpose trips, such as the trip home.
Scenario: you are heading to a friend's for the weekend. You will be hiking and possible strolling downtown. Space is limited and you do not want to impose, so you bring the bomber. Load it up with clothes and unpack them when you get there. Voila! The bomber becomes a technical day bag!
Bottom line: Pick your bomber wisely, it will need to be a chameleon among bags, doing everything and anything to fulfill its purpose(s).
I hope that you enjoyed Go To Gear Section 1.
If you have any questions do not be ashamed to ask them right here.
Go out and find that perfect bag right now! Heck, go get two, you will feel even better!
-J
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Test 2: Front Point by First Ascent
As you may know I spent the last week checking out New England; New York through Maine, Mount Desert Island to be exact.
It was while on Mount Desert Island that I got another chance to test my new shell the Front Point.
After climbing Dorr Mountain and a trip through Bar Harbor it began to pour. Luckily I had the Front Point packed.
Upon slipping it on I was instantly sheltered from the storm and in the nick of time too. Minutes after climbing into the shell the winds off the Atlantic kicked up and started to hurl the rain in sheets.
Never fear though, the Front Point held its own as I hiked the coast for an hour or so.
The main focus of this jacket is to provide protection from the elements while allowing the wearer full mobility while allowing access to its pockets around obstructions such as backpack straps. I found that the shell allows full mobility while keeping the wearer sheltered and dry.
Front Point is made of two different materials; the shoulders, a raincoat like material, and the stomach and back, a stretchable, more pliable material to accommodate a pack and aided mobility. It is a true miracle that the softer stomach and back portion of the jacket do not allow any water through.
As far as waterproofing is concerned, the Front Point earns and A+.
Like I said the winds of the ocean were also a force to be reckoned with that day as well. The shell did not disappoint in this area either. While the cool winds were driving at me I was more than warm in the shell, as it did not let any bit through.
Surprisingly enough, even with the airtight seams the shell did not turn into a tent. My body was able to breath well in the Front Point and I did not sweat or become uncomfortable at all.
As you can see the weather was unfavorable, but behind the lens of this shot, I was very comfortable in my First Ascent Front Point.
{BTW} =both shots in this blog were taken with my new Olympus Stylus Tough 8010, and a secondary, more in-depth review will be coming soon.=
Back to the bizz-ness at hand; the Front Point proved that it had what it takes to take on a North East fall storm with shining colors, now to test it in the midwest, the Mitten to be sure, to see how it handles the winds from Lake Michigan, soggy lake effect snow and icy blasts of arctic air this fall/ winter.
As it is super light and packable, this thing is worth more than its weight in gold!
Another review will be coming once more testing has been done.
Do you have a product for me to test? Well let me know already! I am more than willing to put things through the tests, and give honest reviews in order to keep you, the outdoor enthusiast informed.
Leave me a comment and tell me!
-J
It was while on Mount Desert Island that I got another chance to test my new shell the Front Point.
Upon slipping it on I was instantly sheltered from the storm and in the nick of time too. Minutes after climbing into the shell the winds off the Atlantic kicked up and started to hurl the rain in sheets.
Never fear though, the Front Point held its own as I hiked the coast for an hour or so.
The main focus of this jacket is to provide protection from the elements while allowing the wearer full mobility while allowing access to its pockets around obstructions such as backpack straps. I found that the shell allows full mobility while keeping the wearer sheltered and dry.
Front Point is made of two different materials; the shoulders, a raincoat like material, and the stomach and back, a stretchable, more pliable material to accommodate a pack and aided mobility. It is a true miracle that the softer stomach and back portion of the jacket do not allow any water through.
As far as waterproofing is concerned, the Front Point earns and A+.
Like I said the winds of the ocean were also a force to be reckoned with that day as well. The shell did not disappoint in this area either. While the cool winds were driving at me I was more than warm in the shell, as it did not let any bit through.
Surprisingly enough, even with the airtight seams the shell did not turn into a tent. My body was able to breath well in the Front Point and I did not sweat or become uncomfortable at all.
As you can see the weather was unfavorable, but behind the lens of this shot, I was very comfortable in my First Ascent Front Point.
{BTW} =both shots in this blog were taken with my new Olympus Stylus Tough 8010, and a secondary, more in-depth review will be coming soon.=
Back to the bizz-ness at hand; the Front Point proved that it had what it takes to take on a North East fall storm with shining colors, now to test it in the midwest, the Mitten to be sure, to see how it handles the winds from Lake Michigan, soggy lake effect snow and icy blasts of arctic air this fall/ winter.
As it is super light and packable, this thing is worth more than its weight in gold!
Another review will be coming once more testing has been done.
Do you have a product for me to test? Well let me know already! I am more than willing to put things through the tests, and give honest reviews in order to keep you, the outdoor enthusiast informed.
Leave me a comment and tell me!
-J
Friday, October 1, 2010
Tomorrow is the day
Faithful readers,
tomorrow I will be departing on the path to Maine. We have no itinerary, this should be a good time.
The cooler is full, the bikes are packed, kayak stuffed to the max. Items tied down, excitement level is very high.
Gone will be the familiarity of our beautiful mitten for adventure and exploring. We will be scaling walls, kayaking in the ocean, fishing, camping, hiking, biking, partying and finding treasures!
More to come later tonight. I have pics and an explanation of packing!
-J
So, packing packing packing, where to begin. I made a list a few weeks ago which was promptly lost. I made a valiant attempt to recreate that list, however I feel that that list was lacking, so I just began making piles of stuff and packing it into the bag.
I am pretty sure that I have everything packed. Watching a little Star Trek, enjoying some Leinie's Oktoberfest, and spending some quality time with C. Bromley before embarking tomorrow.
I fit all of those piles in my trekking bag.
Packed to the brim with all of the goodies that one could need for a multi-day trip.
I will be using this trip to test out some of my newer jackets:
I am bringing a number of brands and weights, all with their own special features and claims. Hopefully they will provide favorable results.
Tim has allotted me space for my trekking bag, sleeping bag and a day bag.
For the day bag I selected the REI Traverse due to its ruggedness, waterproofing and capacity.
Since I am bringing the laptop and some camera equipment I plan on using my new Outdoor Products media backpack:
It will really help to keep things in order and safe from any unintentional impacts which will surely happen. So far this bag has been a good purchase, it holds everything in its own which is nice when you are traveling.
Well, it is time for bed, I leave you until probably Sunday morning. I hope you enjoy the weekend.
I leave you with a few pictures from my birthday trip home. Enjoy:
I will talk to you all soon,
-J
tomorrow I will be departing on the path to Maine. We have no itinerary, this should be a good time.
The cooler is full, the bikes are packed, kayak stuffed to the max. Items tied down, excitement level is very high.
Gone will be the familiarity of our beautiful mitten for adventure and exploring. We will be scaling walls, kayaking in the ocean, fishing, camping, hiking, biking, partying and finding treasures!
More to come later tonight. I have pics and an explanation of packing!
-J
So, packing packing packing, where to begin. I made a list a few weeks ago which was promptly lost. I made a valiant attempt to recreate that list, however I feel that that list was lacking, so I just began making piles of stuff and packing it into the bag.
I fit all of those piles in my trekking bag.
Packed to the brim with all of the goodies that one could need for a multi-day trip.
Ready to go!
Tim has allotted me space for my trekking bag, sleeping bag and a day bag.
For the day bag I selected the REI Traverse due to its ruggedness, waterproofing and capacity.
Since I am bringing the laptop and some camera equipment I plan on using my new Outdoor Products media backpack:
Well, it is time for bed, I leave you until probably Sunday morning. I hope you enjoy the weekend.
I leave you with a few pictures from my birthday trip home. Enjoy:
Taking some shots on the west fourty
This gnarled stump is a natural work of art.
A little grilled chicken at the Hart Motel, always a good time.
Chelsea picks out her first pumpkin at our new place, happy as ever.
-J
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