Forced Weekly Inspiration

Nancy Norris, 59, is a mother of 4 and grandmother of 4. From Flint, MI, she attempted to be the oldest woman to summit Mt. Everest in Spring 2009. Illness forced her to turn back. The point is...she tried.




"We don't stop hiking because we grow old,
we grow old because we stop hiking."

-- Finis Mitchell

Mocking the Catalog Cliches

For those of you who feel the need to "Keep up with the Joneses", this will assist in breaking through the Pottery Barn "norm!" This site had me rolling!

Catalog Living

Hi Nancy, it's Elaine. I'm going to be a little late for lunch. I can't find my hat or my back-up hat.

Oh dear, our Q-Tip decanter is almost 1/5th depleted

Trekking Poles: When "Women Specific" Matters

Gear can be confusing and intimidating, particularly for women. It is always a pet peeve of mine when I arrive at an outdoor retailer and am ignored or talked down to because of my gender in the increasingly tech-laden realm that is the outdoors. But having quality equipment is important. Sure, you don't need to have top-of-the-line EVERYTHING...after all, being outside isn't about the accumulation of STUFF...but you want dependability and durability, particularly in the backcountry.

TREKKING POLES 101
There are hundred of options out there. You can now buy trekking poles anywhere from Walmart to Backwoods to COSTCO (COSTCO, people!) but how do you know which to buy? Here are a few things to consider before you buy.

FOR WHAT PURPOSE?: We are all mountaineers...in our minds. In reality, our lifestyles aren't always the year-long backpacking trips we'd love them to be. You need to consider the "whens" and "wheres" before buying a pair of trekking poles because they can be designed for specific activities. Are you hiking a paved trail and just need extra balance? Are you looking for stability on a hilly jaunt in the bluffs? Are you descending into the Grand Canyon? Hiking the Inca Trail? Be realistic...there's no reason to pay for more than you need.

WEIGHT: Carbon fiber poles are lighter but *slightly* less durable. Aluminum poles are heavier. It may seem silly, but on a 4 day hike, you may develop arm fatigue with heavy poles. No big deal if you plan for that in training. Keep in mind, contrary to common sense, smaller/lighter = more expensive in the gear world.

FIT: Generally, you're going to want your arm at a 90 degree angle for level hiking. Shorten your trekking poles for uphill travel to save the stretching and lengthen them when heading downhill for better bracing and shock absorption. Try a prospective pole at all lengths to see how comfortable it is.

ANTI-SHOCK: For steep up and down, I would ALWAYS advise to go for the anti-shock. Many a hiker has been saved from a fall or a knee-replacement by taking some of the strain off their joints using this tool. It is common for the youthful among us to skip this feature. If you're doing serious hiking, don't skimp here. Go for the anti-shock and gain a few more years of healthy hiking. Some companies put their shock mechanisms in the grip, others in the pole shaft. Make sure, if it has an on/off device, it is easy to work. Then, try it again with gloves on.

LOCKING MECHANISM: The shaft of a trekking pole is usually split into 2-3 pieces that telescope as needed. This is how you adjust your fit. You'll want to make sure you understand how to lock off the adjustment so your pole doesn't collapse on trail. Some will use a twist-lock system, which uses pressure to secure your pole. Others, utilize a flip-lock, which I have found to be much easier to use in cold/wet environments. If you go flip-lock, make sure you carry a little multi-tool with you as well as the locks will occasionally need tightening.

GRIP: The grip should be angled to support a natural wrist bend. A pole should never be straight up and down, tip to grip. Grips can be plastic, foam, cork or rubber. All have pros and cons. Plastic is generally found on the cheaper models and can lead to blistering more than other options. Foam and Cork will absorb sweat, allowing for better grip and are more likely to mold to your hand over time. Rubber offers a better grip under a glove, making it more ideal in cold weather.

WOMEN-SPECIFIC: When designated a "woman's" pole, it generally means it has all or a combination of the following:
*Lighter weight
*Smaller Hand Grip
*Shorter Telescoping Ability
*Fancy-Pants Floral Design
Most women can use a unisex pole. If you are petite or if weight/size is an issue for travelling, then it might be worthwhile to get women-specific poles.

You can get women's trekking poles from LEKI, REI, GARMONT, BLACK DIAMOND and KOMPERDELL...just to name a few. Of course, I have my favorites, but now YOU have the tools so you make the call.

I'd love to hear what you find....

HAPPY HIKING!

Hollie's Two Cents (one for each of her 'lil Chicks)

What does it mean to be a Real Chick?!?!



SO many thoughts come to mind!!! When I worked as substance abuse counselor with adolescents I was struck by so many young girls with no self esteem, unhealthy relationships, and of course the chemical abuse issues. So many of them were ready to give up on life because of a break up, a fight, or a bit of mean gossip in the high school hall. I Really think of this when I think of Real Chicks, specifically how much I longed to show those girls that THE WORLD IS BIGGER THAN THE GOSSIP IN THE HIGH SCHOOL HALL. (Or for us older girls the check-out line at HyVee {or Whole Foods-lol}, the laundry room, the TV, the 9 to 5 job, the errand running and house cleaning.) THE WORLD IS BIGGER! I think of those young girls often, and those that can see the world as BIG- not just the guy next to them in science class or the party Friday night; but as mountains and valleys, planes and road trips, rivers and oceans, trails and puddles, new food and new places and new friends, challenges, goals, practice, failure, second (third, fourth, fifth) tries, a spiritual journey, laughter, future, HOPE- those are the girls that have a fighting chance.



Especially now that I have two lil’ Chicks of my own- I want to show them this BIG world. And know that when they face those moments of fear, insecurity, and inevitable adolescent (and adulthood) difficulties they will know the world is bigger, the future is bigger, and they are not alone.




That is what Real Chicks epitomizes to me. Women having fun, being healthy, creating adventures and passing it on! In whatever way they love! (For me, it is running, lifting weights, hiking, cooking, eating, exploring, and enjoying true friendships-the list goes on and on!!) Embracing that exciting big world out there we are so blessed to live in!!! My youngest even got to hike with us a few times before she was born- nothing like hiking while almost eight months pregnant to make a gal feel like a Real Chick! I hope that all women- grandmas, CEO’s, seasoned tri-athletes, to waddling preggos and adolescent girls get to embrace their Real Chick- to have that moment when they decide to take a chance and expand their world, too.

Forced Weekly Inspiration

One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.
-Shakespeare Trollus and Cressida

The Pee Funnel Will Change Your Life!

So, you may have noticed the poll to your left. What keeps you from adventuring? For most women, the answer to this question has a lot to do with comfort. Some things ...ahem... just aren't as easy for us in the great outdoors.

For example, I was once traveling on a glacier, harnessed in and physically tied to 3 men. There was a rope team of 4 men ahead of my own, another behind us. We wore crampons and each wielded an ice axe. It was windy, cold, snowy and VERY challenging. So, what is a girl to do if she has to...ummm..relieve herself? The "hardcore" among us would chant "drop trou" and let it go. "Just do it!" While I can appreciate their intensity, it is hard enough being a woman in a man's world without worrying about onlookers in a time like that!

Let's self-examine here:
You are a woman. You love the outdoors. You don't mind copping a squat behind a bush, rock or other object. But what if you were me? In the aforementioned scenario? What then? WHAT is a woman to do?

The unfortunate answer to this is often NOT to go on the trip. To avoid the situation altogether. But YOU LOVE THE OUTDOORS!! Why let something like this stop you? The other option is to lessen your fluid consumption. DANGEROUS!! DON'T DO IT!! Believe it or not, there are several devices (yes, devices) that can change your life if you are one of the pee-in-public-wary.

1) The Freshette Pee Funnel - "Look, Ma! I can write my name in the snow!" Yes you can. This is a 2 piece device. The funnel (yep) is made of hard plastic with a softer plastic tube that attaches to the end. So, you unzip, slip in the funnel and direct the flow. I really AM trying to make this as ick-resistant as possible.


2) The Go-Girl - This little device is essentially the same concept except the funnel plastic is softer and it has no tube attachment. In that it is more pliable, it rolls up into a container not much larger than a film canister (for those who remember film!). Without the extra tube, make sure you have a worthy flow. I've found it's a it harder to direct when there's only a trickle.


You'll probably still want a little TP since it's harder to air dry without the breeze, which you will no longer be experiencing. Either of these is easy to keep clean in the backcountry. In the winter, I simply wash it with snow between uses, allowing time for it to dry out in the sun when I get to camp. Other times of the year, I rinse with a little water from my Nalgene and again, give an opportunity to dry out. Dry/Sun time is important. This is NOT the time to get an infection.

I once had a girl scout come up to me at the shop. She and another young lady were to accompany about a dozen BOY scouts on a winter camping trip to the Boundary Waters. They were scared out of their minds. I wish my words could convey the expression on this girl's face when I gave her the freedom to keep her pants on! I highly recommend a device like this for any woman outside.

Imagine the possibilities:
No more waiting until you descend a rock wall
No more pulling the canoe over
No more mosquito bites on your back side
No more pulling over in the car until you run out of gas!
Perfect conversation starter with men and women alike
(Warning/Confession: I once brought up the pee funnel on a first date. There wasn't a second)

Now, GO OUTSIDE!

Hiking Tip: Wear Chacos With Caution

Monarch Lake is a special place for my mutt and I. It was the first place we got our hiking legs under us after we moved to Colorado last September. There's a vast network of trails in the area, all of which amaze!
While new to the area and tentative, we stuck to the 4-mile, relatively flat loop through the forest, around the lake. It didn't take long, however, for us to venture in further. We were wooed by the Cascade Falls trail marker. I mean, when are we not, as outdoors-women, completely in awe of waterfalls? Cascade Falls was to be my first in Colorado.


Note: This is Cascade Falls in September of last year. Spring pictures, which are far more impressive, to follow.

This 9 mile out and back is now one of my favorite hikes in the area. The trails are well marked and easy to follow. Several miles of uphill make for a good workout, while allowing a reprieve on the way back. It's easy to feel secluded but not isolated here. I also love that there is water a-plenty! No need to pack water for B as he can play in/drink from the many streams, waterfalls and lakes in the area.

This week, I attempted to do this hike in my Chaco sandals. I love them for the ventilation but when you mix water play with most footwear, it adds to blisters! I didn't notice them until I got home but if I had been out much longer, it could have been a bad situation.

A few trail downfalls:
Horses are allowed to use this trail. While I've noticed "it" more in the fall, WATCH YOUR STEP!
The 4 mile loop is GREAT for families. This can make it crowded during the summer