Monthly Archives: March 2011
The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (PNT)
| March 26, 2011 | Posted by admin under Hiking |
Below you will find all the wonderful places that the mighty PNT can take you while hiking, biking or on horseback. The Rocky Mountains Waterton, Alberta, to the Tobacco Plains, Montana: Trail crosses the Continental Divide in the midst of some of North America’s finest scenery. You begin with an international fiord, exciting wildlife, and…
Swimming Goggles: How to Choose Swim Goggles
| March 14, 2011 | Posted by admin under Water Sports |
If you swim laps, goggles are the most important piece of equipment you’ll use (besides a swimsuit). Goggles protect your eyes from chlorine and ultraviolet light and assist your underwater vision. Eye Cup Styles Goggles come in two basic styles: those that depend on suction to create a watertight seal and those that don’t. Incoming…
Sports Backpacks – Coleman, Gregory, Swiss Army, Timberland, JanSport
| March 12, 2011 | Posted by admin under Hiking |
You shouldn’t have any trouble finding a pack with options to suit your exact needs. Everything from small fanny packs, to daypacks, to 1 ½-day packs, to 2-day packs to expedition packs, to survival packs for the more extreme sports in every conceivable color and fashion will be available for the upcoming outdoor season. Many…
Indoor Rock Climbing
| March 10, 2011 | Posted by admin under Mountaineering |
The first artificial climbing walls appeared in Europe in the late 1960s. They were fairly crude and were mostly a way for outdoor rock climbers to practice when the weather was bad. As artificial walls improved, climbing competitions began to move from real rock to indoor or artificial arenas. Eventually, the concept of indoor climbing…
Nordic Ski Gear Care and Repair – Waxing for Grip
| March 10, 2011 | Posted by admin under Snow Sports |
Grip waxes are intended for waxable classic striding skis. The purpose of these waxes is to enhance the friction between the ski base and the snow when the ski is stationary and weighted, so you can kick off. Nonwax classic striding skis have raised grip patterns carved directly into their bases to provide traction, so…
Choosing and Using an Avalanche Beacon
| March 10, 2011 | Posted by admin under Mountaineering |
What are Avalanche Beacons? Simply stated, avalanche beacons, also known as transceivers, are devices worn on the body that emit a signal. If one is buried in an avalanche, other beacons in the party pick up the signal being emitted from under the snow. The receiving beacons interpret the signals and respond by beeping or…
How to Choose Randonee Ski Gear – Bindings, Poles, Boots, Skis
| March 10, 2011 | Posted by admin under Snow Sports |
Bindings are actually what make randonee gear special. They have two modes, one free-heeled for striding or climbing the other locked down for parallel skiing. In the downhill mode, the majority of them also release at both the toe and heel. Most randonee bindings feature a binding plate to which you attach your entire boot…
How to Choose Snowboard Boots
| March 10, 2011 | Posted by admin under Snow Sports |
Just as there are soft, step-in and hard bindings, there are also soft, step-in and hard boots. Obviously, the type of boot you select should match your bindings (e.g., soft boots go with soft bindings). In addition, your boot should fit your riding style: Freestyle — performing tricks, catching air, cruising — usually means soft,…
How to Choose Snowboard Bindings
| March 10, 2011 | Posted by admin under Snow Sports |
Once you’ve chosen a board, you’ll need to fit it with 1 of the 3 types of bindings: soft, step-in or hard. Your choice depends on the type of boarding you do and the type of boot you prefer. No matter which style you choose, your bindings should be customized to your preferred stance width,…