Hiking Lady

Simplify Your Life

Hiking Lady — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:52:21 +0000

For the local Southern Californians…have you seen the movie 180 Degrees South yet?

I saw the film and published a review when I saw it earlier this summer, and I would definitely recommend it! Now the Patagonia Santa Monica store is offering a free screening.

180° South explores this philosophy of simplifying our lives to further the world. It is a captivating and eye opening film, filled with adventure, surfing, rock climbing, mountaineering, and most importantly, a message about the future of our planet.

Enjoy!

Date: Monday, September 6, 2010
Time: 7:30 PM
Cost: Free!!!
Location: Patagonia Santa Monica store

Who will be using the new prAna messenger bag?

Hiking Lady — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:11:51 +0000

The August Hiking Lady giveaway has finished, and the winner of the prAna messenger bag is…. Karen C.!!

The lucky winner has been notified by email and will be able to sport this versatile, high quality bag around town, to the trailhead, or wherever life’s adventures take her!

Thank you to everyone who entered. This month was the biggest response yet!

Be sure to enter the September Hiking Lady contest, as well as the Headsweats Ultralite hat giveaway.

Happy trails!

Let the Adventuring Begin!

Hiking Lady — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:51:42 +0000

This Labor Day weekend I’ll be living the Hiking Lady motto of “Let the Adventuring Begin!”

I’m headed to South Lake, in California’s Sierra Nevadas about 20 miles southwest of the town of Bishop. I was there last year, and loved it so much that I’m going back!

Hurd Peak rising above South Lake, California Sierra Nevada Mountains

Since many of you asked about it on Facebook, I’ve posted the trail map I created using my National Geographic Sierra Nevadas Trail Explorers program.

Starting at the Bishop Pass Trailhead at South Lake, then headed to Chocolate Peak

(You can click on the image above to download a more detailed version)

I can’t wait!!

Can Hiking Boots HELP Foot Problems?

Hiking Lady — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:52:29 +0000

Yes!

I got a great question from Beth in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She isn’t a hiker, but she spends her days as a landscaper walking up and down steep slopes. Long story short, she’s been wearing running shoes and work boots, and not surprisingly has foot pain.

So check out the Hiking Lady tips for Beth and the reasons why a pair of good hiking or backpacking boots will help solve her foot problems!

New Gear Review: National Geographic Trails Software

Hiking Lady — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:27:22 +0000

How did the National Geographic program stack up to USGS and Tom Harrison Maps?

On my recent backpacking adventure to Garnet Lake in the Sierra Nevadas Mountains, I tested my new National Geographic Trails Software.

How did the maps I created from the National Geographic program stack up to USGS and Tom Harrison Maps? Find out by reading the Hiking Lady gear review of the National Geographic Trails Software.

What are the good deals at the REI Labor Day Sale?

Hiking Lady — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:26:52 +0000

REI’s Labor Day sale just started, and there are definitely some great deals! To make it easier for Hiking Lady readers, I’ve sorted through and listed the best deals I see at the online sale. If you find others please add them in the comments below!

North Face Meru PacLite Jacket

APPAREL

Women’s North Face Paramount Porter Pants – on sale in size 8, black only $29.83. A great deal if you are size 8. Usually $65. Hiking Lady Gear Review: North Face Paramount Porter Pants.
Women’s Patagonia Rain Shadow Jacket. The size “XL” is on sale for $59.83 vs. $179 regular!
Dorfman Pacific Solarweave hat. $19.83 in size Small. I love this hat!! Hiking Lady Gear Review: Dorfman Pacific Solarweave hat

Dorfman Pacific Summer Hat

The North Face Meru PacLite Jacket. Large and XL available. $114.83 instead of $229!

FOOTWEAR

Vasque Blur Trail Running Shoes. Most sizes are available! $64 vs. $99 regular. I trail run in this pair. Hiking Lady Gear Review: Vasque Blur Trail Running Shoes.

GEAR

SteriPen Classic on sale

SteriPEN Classic $64.99 vs. $99.99. I love gear because there aren’t sizes involved! I use my SteriPEN Classic on every backpacking trip. It is a safe, convenient way to purify water. Hiking Lady Gear Review: SteriPEN Classic.

$0.25 granola bars!

Hiking Lady — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:09:02 +0000

I always get hungry when I hike. Perhaps that is because the average person burns 408 calories per hour when they hike!

Here’s a way I satisfy my hunger on the trail… Nature Valley Granola bars. My favorite flavors are Oats & Honey, and Crunchy Peanut Butter. Yum!

They’re currently on sale for $0.25 each! That compares to over a $1 each for many popular bars.

Granola bars don’t melt like some chocolate based bars, and they are very convenient to take along on a hike!

Happy hiking and snacking!

Win A Headsweats Ultralite Hat!

Hiking Lady — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:30:33 +0000

For those of you who regularly read Hiking Lady, you already know that I am a big fan of my Headsweats Ultralite Hat. It is comfortable, stylish, and it does a great job of keeping the sweat off my forehead when I’m trail running and hiking.

Hiking Lady Gear Review: Keepin’ the Sweat Away

Headsweats has generously decided to hold a special contest for Hiking Lady readers. You’ll have a chance to win one of 2 Headsweats Ultralite Hats.

If you win, Headsweats will contact you and send you a red, blue, or pink Ultralite Hat. Good luck

Here’s how to participate:
1. Become a Fan of Headsweats on Facebook
2. Add a comment below so we know who has signed up – a quick comment like “I wanna win the blue Headsweats hat in the Hiking Lady contest!” and you’ll be entered.
3. Headsweats will choose a winner on September 1st for one of the hats, and another winner on September 17th!

Camping Coffee Makers

Hiking Lady — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:45:50 +0000

Several Hiking Lady readers have asked for recommendations of what to look for in coffee makers they can bring along on car camping trips. While I am more of a tea drinker than a coffee drinker, I have plenty of hiking friends who enjoy a nice strong cup of joe on car camping and backpacking trips.

For a car camping coffee maker, features I recommend you look for:

Portability. This is pretty obvious. You want something that you can easily take with you and that doesn’t require an electric outlet to operate!
No paper filters required. There are plenty of coffee makers that don’t need them, so why bother with the extra trash.
BPA free plastics. Since most portable coffee makers are constructed of plastic, just double check that it is BPA free.
Spillage potential. Some coffee makers have better sealing lids than others.
Durability. I look for rubberized handles, rubberized bottoms, and plastic vs. glass.

Some of the Bodum brand coffee makers are excellent for camping, and there are several models including an individual sized French Press that I have seen several campers using in the early morning hours!

Happy trails!

Stay Warm and Be Stylish at Half Off!

Hiking Lady — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:42:56 +0000

This is the most popular jacket in the outdoor industry! I have one that I bought 10 years ago, and it still looks great and is my favorite fleece. It is a timeless, high quality jacket.

Hiking Lady review: The North Face Denali Fleece Jacket

They usually are quite pricey, with a list price of $164.95, but as part of Backcountry.com‘s major summer sale they have some colors priced at just $82.48!

And yes, they actually have great colors included in the sale – pink, black, blue… many more.