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More Affordable Snow Goggles

More Affordable Snow Goggles

Snow goggles are a necessity but sometimes this piece of our winter kit can take a big bite out of our wallets–especially given how prone they are to scratching and getting lost each season. Both K2 and Giro answered our plea and created snow goggles that are both high-tech and affordable–sure you may not get the multiple lens change options but these goggles will leave you will plenty of leftover beer money for après time.

The PhotoAntic and PhotoAntic DLX from K2 takes advantage of the company’s high performance spherical lenses in a modern, oversize, semi-frameless design. The lenses offer 100% UVA/UVB protection with an anti-fog coating and a distortion-free view. The affordable goggles pair cleanly with any variety of helmet so you aren’t left with an embarrassing gaper gap.

The PhotoAntic frame is lined with single density foam and features a slotted nose bridge for a comfortable face fit. The DLX uses the same frame but adds a plush fleece lined foam and anti-slip silicon beads that line the inside of the strap for superior helmet grip.

The K2 PhotoAntic and PhotoAntic DLX retail for $59.95-$89.95 and are available now in a variety of color and lens combinations.

More Affordable Snow Goggles

For next season, Giro jumps in with the Semi and Dylan (women’s specific) snow goggles–new additions to the EXV (Expansion View Technology) Collection. These medium-size frame goggles feature retro looks and undercover tech with a vast, wide-angle field of view for better vision in all conditions delivered via an injected-molded cylindrical lens. The lens is coated with an anti-fog solution for uncompromised vision. Cushy double-layer face foam plus seamless compatibility with all Giro helmets make the Semi and Dylan a great choice for younger riders or those in need of a more compact style.

The Giro Dylan and Semi snow goggles will retail for $89 and start shipping in August 2015 with a Flash Lens and extra bonus low light lens.

A History of Ice Climbing in the Vail Valley

A History of Ice Climbing in the Vail Valley

Today's guest post is from Michael Mote, instructor and guide with Apex Mountain School in Vail, CO. Apex Mountain School offers ice climbing and mixed climbing outings for climbers of all ability levels in this historic region. You can check out their website to learn more.

Ice climbing comes from humble beginnings. In the 16th century, shepherds crafted shoes with iron spikes to make travel on icy slopes feasible while tending flocks. Throughout the late 1800s, the “Golden Age” of climbing was characterized by the first ascents throughout the Alps, and was followed by the invention of the 10-point crampon by Oscar Eckenstean in 1908. Crampons were made available commercially by Henry Grivel, whose son, Lauret Grivel, later introduced the twelve-point crampon.

Between the 1920s and 1960s, many north faces of the great Alps were climbed and the limits of the sport were pushed by Scottish climbers like Tom Patey and Jimmy Marshall. The invention of the curved ice tool revolutionized ice climbing; Yvon Chouinard created a tool that greatly improved placement security and hooking ability. Thus, mixed climbing techniques that were explored in Scotland during the 20th century became more widespread among climbers. Until the 1970s, North American climbers had been second to Europeans in innovation and route-setting; however, a menagerie of first ascents by climbing greats such as Jeff Lowe and Mike Weiss catapulted North American ice climbing into the limelight.

As ice climbing became a sport in and of itself, rather than a necessary part of ascending difficult alpine routes, Vail emerged as the epicenter of ice enthusiasm. Waterfall ice climbing in the 1970s and 80s was marked by first ascents of Rigid Designator by Bob Culp and The Fang by Alex Lowe, which defined Vail as the proving grounds for the sport’s greatest climbers. Throughout the 90s, local sites such as Rigid Designator Amphitheatre and The Pumphouse became the focus for the rapidly growing sport of mixed climbing.

Jeff Lowe’s first ascent of Octopussy (M8) marked the unofficial beginning of modern mixed climbing, which combine sport climbing technique with traditional ice climbing. Climbers like Will Gadd put up routes like Fatman and Robin (M9) and Amphibian (M9)), which applied dry-tooling technique to free previously unreachable daggers and ice flows. Gadd and others like Stevie Haston breathed new life into “climbed out” areas of Vail in the late 90s – Gadd’s groundbreaking 1998 ascent of Reptile (M10) in Vail proved another notable stage in the progression of modern ice climbing.

Ice climbing and mixed climbing continue to evolve as athletes push the boundaries of difficulty in unprecedented ways. In 2001, Will Gadd and Tim Emmett’s first ascent of Spray On, a route on precarious spray ice that winds through the mouth of a 250-ft cave in British Columbia, was given a grade of WI10 -, two grades higher than the world’s previous hardest ice climb.

As ice climbers achieve new heights, and as the sport continues to evolve, Vail remains one of the world’s premier destinations for ice climbers and mixed climbers of varied ability levels. Routes range from legends such as The Fang, and Fatman and Robin, to gentler waterfalls perfect for the new ice enthusiast. Regardless of one’s level of climbing ability, few can argue with the bliss that follows from grasping an ice tool and sinking it into a frozen water formation for the first time, or hooking on stone and carefully moving upwards towards more ice.

Editor's Note: I have yet to climb in the Vail area, but it looks like I need to add The Fang to my list for next winter. Who here has climbed in and around Vail?

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Scale Mount Asgard In Berghaus Climbing Game

Scale Mount Asgard In Berghaus Climbing Game

Did you love The Asgard Project movie and want more?  Now you have the chance to join Leo Holding, Sean Leary, Carlos Suarez and their team to experience the climb for yourself. Make your own free ascent of the north face of Mount Asgard with the new virtual climbing game from Berghaus.


The climbing game is designed to capture the essential elements and experiences from the team's original ascent of Mount Asgard. As you climb through three sequentially more difficult stages, you are met with snow blizzards, rock avalanches, wind gusts and loss of balance and stamina.

You are allowed to train before you start climbing and I highly recommend it. The stages have numerous possible belay points and it is up to you to find the best and most efficient route. You climb from belay point to belay point by using the arrow keys and the "A" and "S" keys to keep your balance centered.

As you climb, your stamina level drops and you need to get to the next belay point before you start breathing heavy and your energy runs out. At each belay point, you can hang out for awhile until you feel rejuvenated again. Insiders tip- use the cracks to save energy!

You are scored on how fast you climb each stage, the number of falls you take, the number of belays used, number of rocks dogged and how well you kept your balance throughout the climb. Upon successful completion of each stage, you unlock videos from The Asgard Project as well as further information on Berghaus such as the gear the team wore on the trip.

The Mount Asgard climbing game is a great way to pass your lunch hour or for something to do if you are bored at work. I warn you that it is surprisingly frustrating and addicting. Needless to say, with my current overall score in the climbing game, Berghaus won't be sponsoring me anytime soon.

(via OutdoorsMagic )

2014 Holiday Gear Guide

2014 Holiday Gear Guide

This year, instead of somewhat randomly picking gear we think your loved ones might like this holiday season, we put together various lists of essential gear over the past couple of months. Grouped by sport, the Essentials include hundreds of items that we have tested and continue to use ourselves. We are still in the process of creating more lists and reviews, so keep checking back in the coming weeks (for example, more outdoor, ice climbing, cold weather running, and hiking still to come). You can also find all of our Essentials posts under the Series>Essentials tab on the top menu.

Snowsports 2014 Holiday Gear Guide

Ski Apparel Essentials

Backcountry Snow Safety Essentials

Reviews:

Wagner Custom Skis

Pet

Adventure Dog Essentials

Bike 2014 Holiday Gear Guide

Cycling Apparel Essentials

Road Cycling Essentials

Bike Commute Essentials

Mountain Bike Essentials

Reviews:2014 Holiday Gear Guide

Thule RoundTrip Transition Bike Case

Pearl Izumi X-Project 2.0

Garmin Edge 1000

Diamondback Podium Optum

Bullitt Cargo Bike

On The Road 2014 Holiday Gear Guide

Road Trip Essentials

Car Camping Essentials

Backpacking

Backpacking Essentials

Wet Weather Hikers

Reviews:

Kelty TraiLogic

Day Hiking

Day Hiking Essentials

Reviews:

Ultimate Direction Fastpack

Running

Pain Free Trail Running

Winter Running Essentials

Travel

Travel Essentials

Outdoor 2014 Holiday Gear Guide

Reviews:

Columbia TurboDown

Feed Zone Portables

SUUNTO Ambit2

Ice Climbing

Essential Ice Climbing Layers

Ice Climbing Hardware Essentials

Golden Gate Bridge Gets A Water Filling Station

Golden Gate Bridge Gets A Water Filling Station

Thousands of runners, cyclists, walkers, commuters, and tourists pass by or over the Golden Gate Bridge every single day. To help cut down on plastic waste, reusable glass bottle provider Lifefactory teamed up with both the National Park Service and Globaltap to install a reusable bottle filling station at the Golden Gate Bridge Pavilion in San Francisco. Combined with the proposed ban on the sale of plastic water bottles in the city, San Francisco would be the first major metropolis to take the brave plunge in reducing their environmental impact.

The Golden Gate Bridge is part of the larger U.S. National Park Service, where plastic bottles represent 1/3 to 1/2 the trash left by visitors, creating both an ecological and financial burden. Since 2011, the National Park Service has moved to implement disposable plastic water bottle recycling and reduction programs, with the option for total elimination of sales where refilling stations are feasible, such as the one above.

The new San Francisco water fountain/bottle filling station unit is located on the southeast side of the bridge at the Golden Gate Bridge Pavilion adjacent to the Visitor Center and Gift Shop. Next time you head out on that ride, walk, or run near the Golden Gate Bridge, bring your reusable bottle and fill up with some great tasting Hetch Hetchy water.

I would love to see the Park Service do this at Muir Woods, Mt. Tam, Stinson Beach, Muir Beach, and other highly trafficked outdoor tourist spots all over the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. According to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, it appears this may be in the works.

Where else have you seen water bottle filling stations in state or national parks and other outdoor environments? I know the Grand Canyon has implemented a few along both the North and South Rims and Yosemite has water stations scattered throughout the valley floor. Reusable water bottle company Vapur has also teamed up with Elkay to implement Refill Stations across state and national parks, colleges and universities, as well as travel and hospitality destinations throughout the United States.

A great step in the right direction.

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Commitment

Got this from a friend in an email last week:

I’m leading a devotion today in our all church staff meeting titled “commitment and discipline is what we do when we are no longer in love.†I think you would like it.

I think I would to. The title’s awesome and so profound. When love begins to wane, I think our first choice might be to rekindle the love, not knuckle down on the commitment or discipline. While that may be a short cut to better behavior for a season, it will not of itself lead to lasting change or fruitfulness in his kingdom.

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