Hiking Lady

Free National Park Visits!

Hiking Lady — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:13:11 +0000

Grand Canyon, courtesy National Park Service

The U.S. National Parks are hosting fee free days August 14-15, 2010, September 25, 2010 (Public Lands Day), and November 11, 2010 (Veterans Day)

Yes, that means you can get free entry at the 147 national parks that charge admission. There are so many parks to choose from… where shall we go?

Surfing in Bangladesh

Hiking Lady — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:37:29 +0000

For the local Southern Californians…who won’t be at the Outdoor Retailer show in Utah…

Patagonia is hosting a free adventure movie at their Santa Monica store – this is the third of a series of “First Monday” adventure films.

This month they’ll be showing a film called Gum for My Boat, about a Bangladesh Surf Club who create a community through surfing. How do they integrate surfing with Islamic culture? We’ll have to watch and find out!

Date: Monday, August 2nd
Time: 7:30 PM
Cost: Free!!!
Location: Patagonia Santa Monica store

Revolutionary to Evolutionary: CamelBak’s New Antidote

Hiking Lady — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:02:31 +0000

CamelBak is about to unveil a new hydration reservoir! CamelBak led the “revolution” in hands free hydration a couple of decades ago. Now they are evolving to the next level of hands free hydration with their new Antidote reservoir that is due to hit stores Fall 2010.

CamelBak Omega and Antidote Reservoirs

Hiking Lady got a sneak peek and a chance to test the new Antidote Reservoir, check out all of the new features, and report back.

What did she find? Check out the Hiking Lady gear review comparing the Antidote Reservoir with the CamelBak Omega 3.

Free National Geo MP3 Album

Hiking Lady — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:13:13 +0000

Today Amazon is offering a free download of their National Geographic album.

I had never heard of “National Geographic” music. It is an eclectic mix of “Amazon” inspired music (as in the Amazon jungle, not the online store!) Hey, it’s free, so the price is right!

What Do ALL Rockclimbers Need?

Hiking Lady — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:17:52 +0000

Item #1. Rock Shoes. This is the pair I use. Your feet are different. Rock shoes must be tried on!

Ok, so there are actually 2 things rockclimbers need… whether or not you boulder, top rope, or lead climb, rock climbers all need these 2 items at a minimum…

The 2 Rockclimbing Essentials

1. Rock climbing shoes

2. Chalk bag with rock climbing chalk

I have found that many of my hiking friends also enjoy rockclimbing (as well as many other outdoors sports). Seems like we just don’t want to stay inside. I’ll keep this short so I can get off my computer and spend some time in nature…

Item #1: Rock climbing shoes are the obvious one. I personally use the 5.10 Women’s Gambit. I love them and they are comfortable (as comfortable as rock climbing shoes can be!).

Item #2: The second item is a chalk bag. When I first started climbing, I bought my shoes, but no chalk bag. I just mooched off my friends. Then I realized that my sweaty palms would stand to benefit from having climbing chalk of my own, and a convenient well designed back to store it in.

Item #2. My prAna Chalk Bag

Check out my review of my new prAna chalk bag, and learn why I like it so much!

For the Hiking Lady readers that also like to climb, what is your favorite chalk bag?

Hiking Lady Will Get You On A FREE 30 Day Trip To Wyoming!

Hiking Lady — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:57:50 +0000

NOLS Students Enjoying the Beautiful Wind River Range, Wyoming

Yep, that’s right. I will do my best to help you win.

Here’s the deal. The famous non-profit National Outdoor Leadership School is hosting a contest in partnership with the apparel and gear brand Patagonia. They are offering 6 prizes, with the Grand Prize being a 30 day all expenses paid trip to the gorgeous Wind River Mountains in Wyoming as a student in their classic NOLS Wind River Wilderness Course. This is a $4,000 trip!!

My friend over at NOLS let me know that they’ve only received a handful of entries so far (5 to be exact)! And 3 of them are from NOLS staff, who aren’t allowed to win anyway. So the 2 people who have submitted videos are automatically going to win one of the 5 tremendous prizes below if no one else enters. The contest ends 10/31/10, but the sooner you get your video submitted, people will have a chance to view it and vote.

Hiking Lady readers can do better! The way to win is to submit a very short video about “What is your dream expedition?” Pretty easy! And it doesn’t even have to be fancy, cause their are several categories of winners: most viewed, most creative, most inspirational, most low-tech, and funniest!

I WANT A HIKING LADY READER TO WIN! Why? Because this trip would be a fantastic experience for anyone who wants to hike in one of the most picturesque landscapes in America. And the runner up prizes are very impressive too.

How to participate:

Film a short video of yourself. If you don’t have a video camera, remember that most digital cameras have a video mode. Your smartphone may be able to record the video… even iPods now have video recording features! So lack of video equipment is NO excuse.
Create a YouTube account. Believe me it is quick and easy. I’ve done it (check out TheHikingLady on YouTube)

NOLS Students Learning Essential Skills

As an extra incentive, for the first 2 Hiking Lady readers that submit a video for the NOLS contest, I will send you a copy of the bestselling NOLS paperback, “Bear Essentials: Hiking and Camping in Bear Country”
Submit your video here.
And as soon as you’ve posted your video, post a link to it in the comments section below. That way I will be able to send the first 2 Hiking Lady readers who enter copies of the Bear Essentials book, and Hiking Lady readers who are too chicken to film themselves will vote for you and help you win!

So dear friends, good luck!

And if I haven’t convinced you, check out this page for runner up prize details, all of the details, rules, regulations, red tape, fine print, etc. Bottom line – NOLS is giving out a great trip but no one seems to know about it!

Internal Frame Backpack: The Better Choice!

Hiking Lady — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 03:42:04 +0000

In the backpacking community, there is some debate about the benefits of an internal frame backpack versus their external frame counterparts. What is Hiking Lady’s take on the matter? Internal frame backpacks are far better, and that is what you should be using.

External and Internal Frame Backpack

The Basics: What’s the Difference Between Internal and External Frame Backpacks?

External frame backpacks are the historical go to backpack for carrying heavy loads. If you look at old military photos (ie, the U.S. Civil War) the soliders wore external frame packs. The pack is constructed with a frame made of aluminum or metal tube with a sack that is attached.

An internal frame backpack has only been around since 1967, when it was invented by Greg Lowe (he’s famous in the hiking community for founding the company Lowepro). The supportive frame made of plastic or metal is integrated into the fabric. If you head to your local outdoors store, all of the packs are likely to be internal frame backpacks.

Why Internal Frame Backpacks Are Superior:

An internal frame backpack will distribute your load better. They fit more snugly to your body, so it moves with you as you hike up hills and over rocks.
The only real benefit to external frame backpacks are that they are “cooler” – meaning that your back tends to sweat less when your lugging your gear. However, many of the new designs, including my Gregory Deva 60 backpack, are designed to help boost airflow.

What do the backpackers using external frame packs have to say? Share your views in the comments below!

Check out Backpacks 101 to learn more about various pack styles!

No more sticks & stones!

Hiking Lady — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 02:44:18 +0000

Want to know how to keep dirt, rocks, and pebbles out of your hiking boots? The answer is simple – walking gaiters!

For those Hiking Lady readers that enjoy winter hiking, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing, you probably already own a pair of mountain gaiters.

So when you’re walking around Joshua Tree National Park, or playing in the sand dunes of Death Valley National Park, put on a pair of walking gaiters first and keep the little rocks, dirt, and sand away from your toes!

ExOfficio Hiking Shirts under $50!

Hiking Lady — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:53:02 +0000

ExOfficio makes great hiking tops, but they are sooo expensive!

The good news – Altrec.com is offering a discount code right now through Monday night. Which means… I just bought my second Dryflylite Long Sleeve Shirt and paid just $48.71! Since Altrec offers free shipping over $45, I got free shipping too!

Discount code: SUMJULYS The typical great brands are excluded, but not ExOfficio this time

Definitely a nice way to start the weekend. Now it’s time to hit the trail!

City Girls Summit Mt. Rainier!

Hiking Lady — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 01:00:44 +0000

It sure seems like some people are just able to accomplish it all! Today my Facebook friend Nina G. pointed out this inspiring story in The News Tribune about a group of seven women who climbed Mt. Rainier in early July.

Not only was the all womens rope team a unique aspect of this trip, but also each of the women in the group have had very successful careers. The group of women was organized by the CEO of outdoor retailer REI, Sally Jenkins. Joining her was a former astronaut, the leader of a health care foundation, 2 doctors, a scientist and a writer!

Leaving behind their urban lives, they joined together on an all-womens rope team, and 5 of 7 made the summit of Rainier! Congratulations to them! Check out the article here.