Trailspace Blog November 2009

Happy winter solstice to all of you skiers, snowshoers, winter hikers and backpackers, ice climbers, snowball throwers, snowman builders, and anyone else who enjoys the beautiful fourth season (official start time 7:04 a.m. EST).

I got a taste of the season the other afternoon, when I snuck out for a solo cross-country ski. Making lone tracks (well, lone human tracks) through the early-season snow was a great way to usher in winter.

Celebrate the shortest day and longest night of the year however you like, though any celebration should include getting outside.There are quite a few ancient and longstanding solstice rituals from which you can take your inspirational pick.

Here's my suggestion. Ski, snowshoe, hike, or climb. Then, be like some Norse sects and light a Yule log and feast with friends and family for as long as the log continues to burn.

For more information: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solstice

Here’s a gift idea for the hiker, backpacker, climber, or general traveler who has all the gear he or she can handle (if such a person exists): a 2009 National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

An annual national parks pass provides access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Cross-country ski at Crater Lake National Park, Oregon; spot alligators at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia; hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado; view rare plants and trees in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico; bike the trails in the Cottonwood Valley in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation area, Nevada.

Passes cost $80 (less for seniors and the disabled) and are valid for one full year from month of purchase. A pass provides entrance or access to the pass holder and three accompanying adults age 16 and older in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle. There’s no entry fee for children 15 and under. (Note: fees can vary widely across sites; so contact specific sites directly for information on what is or is not covered.)

You can order a 2009 National Parks and Federal Lands Pass by visiting http://store.usgs.gov/pass, via e-mail: fedrecpass@usgs.gov, or by calling 1-888-275-8747, option 1. All 2009 Annual Passes purchased through USGS in December will be validated for January 2009, and will be honored at participating federal recreation sites in the month of December.

For more information: http://store.usgs.gov/pass

It’s the season of holiday shopping, and I’d wager that most of you are doing a fair bit of it online. Online shopping has many benefits: a wider selection of gear, the ability to compare prices, convenience.

But don’t forget your local specialty outdoor store. A good one with knowledgeable salespeople can offer an extraordinary level of personal service. They can help fit you with the right gear for you and your adventures, answer questions, and help with customer service.

I was reminded of this on Saturday afternoon. I’ve needed new skis for a long while and was in the market for an AT ski setup. This meant selecting skis, bindings, boots, and skins—pretty serious, and expensive, gear choices in my book. I did not want to mess this up.

I’d done my research beforehand, consulting numerous reviews and manufacturers’ info, and while I was leaning toward a certain pair of skis, I knew that buying ski boots meant a trip to a specialty store. Plus, I wanted to run my gear inclinations by some experts. So I headed to Aardvark Outfitters here in Maine.

Both the very knowledgeable salesman and owner of Aardvark Outfitters spent several hours with me—asking and answering questions, measuring and fitting, having me try on different boots and liners, all to ensure a proper fit and the right gear for me. They were willing to call company reps for more info on specific bindings and despite my monopolizing a large chunk of their time, put no pressure on me for a sale. They also promised that they’d fit me, no matter what. So if, despite all our best efforts, the boots they've ordered aren’t quite right for my feet when they arrive, they’ll make them right, or find me another pair that is.

I left the store confident in my choices, and very excited and eager to get into the mountains and put my new equipment to use. That’s what buying outdoor gear should be like.

So, if you’ll be buying any gear gifts this season, consider taking a trip to your local outdoor store and supporting the local economy. The men and women who own and work at these shops are often the same ones you’ll see at your local mountain or trailhead. And if you get good, or even great, service, tell others.

Those extra clothes taking up space in the back of your closet could keep someone warm this winter. So dig deep and give them a new home by donating to an organization that can get them to people in need. By giving your used clothes to a charity of your choice, you’ll get the satisfaction of helping others while cleaning out your closet.

You’ll also get 30 percent off Horny Toad clothing by making a donation. So, if you need some new duds or have a gift in mind for someone special, you can take 30 percent off your next purchase at www.hornytoad.com (use code spreadthewarmth at checkout) or at a participating dealer (mention spread the warmth at point of purchase). The offer expires December 31, 2008.

Of course, if you don’t need a new fleece or sweater, you could donate and do good, simply for the sake of doing good. How’s that for a concept?

For more info: www.hornytoad.com/community/spread-the-warmth.html

Creating your own custom energy bar can be a lot of fun. And it's even easier if someone else does the baking for you.

At YouBars.com you can follow a simple step-by-step process to create your own custom nutrition bar. To start, choose your base. Then pick from protein powders, nuts and seeds, dried fruits and berries, sweeteners, seasonings, chocolates and other additions, grains and cereals, and infusions. You can select a regular amount or more or less of many of the add-ins, while skipping those you don't want.

The site automatically tallies the nutrition info per bar as you make selections. And at the end, you get to name your bar and they’ll print it on the wrapper.

It's so easy, you may find yourself adding and removing ingredients for your own perfect creation. I came up with a peanut butter bar with milk protein, organic cashews and almonds (less nuts), cherries (extra fruit), clover honey, chocolate chips, cocoa, cacao nibs, and a nutty rice cereal.

YouBars are available in small (35 grams), medium (45 grams), and large (55 grams) sizes and cost $38.87 for a box of 13 medium bars. You can also give a You Bar Gift Certificate good for one box of customized bars or protein shakes. This would make a truly unique gift for your favorite outdoor enthusiast who already has everything she needs.

For more information: YouBars.com