Inside Alex Honnold’s Tricked-Out New Adventure Van
Back in 2014, pro climber Alex Honnold gave us a tour of the 2002 Ford Econoline E150 he used as his mobile base camp. That van served him...
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You might be thinking more about snow than water right now. But that means it’s a great time to invest in off-season gear. And a bunch of BO...
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No one wants to have to use first aid. But everyone wants the goods when bad stuff goes down in the backcountry. You don’t have to try to f...
Friday, March 1, 2019
Winter Camping Can Suck — Or It Can Be Epic: Watch https://ift.tt/2BZCZHr
‘Winter camping has the potential to be the worst experience of your life.’ Or the best! Watch this homage to camping in the coldest season of the year.
From Heliconia Productions comes a heartfelt look at toughing it out during winter. Eric Hanson tells us why camping during winter is such a rewarding experience.
“Everything requires more work,” writes Hanson in a blog post. “Setting up camp can require hours of digging snow pits and stomping tent platforms. Finding firewood and dry fuel can be tricky, as it’s often buried under several feet of snow. Drinking water is usually frozen. Cooking a meal and eating food is a serious chore, and your body is burning through calories like a speeding locomotive.”
Despite the tough conditions, Hanson and GearJunkie think winter camping is almost always worth the effort. Give it a try!
The post Winter Camping Can Suck — Or It Can Be Epic: Watch appeared first on GearJunkie.
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Free Gear Fridays: HOKA ONE ONE Sky Boots Giveaway https://ift.tt/2EsbkPT
Here at GJ, we test a lot of gear. We are fortunate to test cutting-edge new products. Now, we want to give you the chance to win some gear too.
This week, three lucky men and three lucky women will receive their choice of a pair of Sky hiking boots from HOKA ONE ONE!
More on the Sky hiking boot line: HOKA ONE ONE‘s new Sky line of boots features three different models, all aimed at tackling a specific style of off-trail adventure.
Long, multiday adventures call for a little extra cushion and support — and the Sky Kaha. Looking for a speed hiker? Check out the Sky Toa. And if the adventure begins when the trail ends, the Sky Arkali is the right style for you.
Check out the full line of men’s and women’s Sky boots to see which pair is right for you.
Be sure to check back every Friday for a new giveaway.
Want the giveaway in your inbox? Sign up here.
The post Free Gear Fridays: HOKA ONE ONE Sky Boots Giveaway appeared first on GearJunkie.
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Climbing the Grand Teton With Colorectal Cancer: A Survivor’s Story https://ift.tt/2NASJFe
Brian McDonnell and Tate MacDowell were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2016. The ailment delayed many adventures, but it didn’t stop them from climbing to the top of one of America’s most classic climbs, the Grand Teton.
“Mountain In The Hallway” is a film by Teton Gravity Research, presented by Black Diamond Equipment. At over 30 minutes long, it profiles the two adventurous souls and how cancer has affected their lives and families.
Although the film released 7 months ago, March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The goal of the campaign, with the slogan “Don’t Assume,” is to challenge assumptions about colorectal cancer. Visit the Colorectal Cancer Alliance website to learn more.
The post Climbing the Grand Teton With Colorectal Cancer: A Survivor’s Story appeared first on GearJunkie.
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Vintage Custom Fly Fishing Rod 30 Years in the Making https://ift.tt/2BZgMJj
Collectible items are not something you typically use and abuse. But what if that very item was made particularly for you to enjoy? Like literally built for you, and only you. The decision becomes less obvious.
In this episode of Time Tested, GearJunkie editor Kirk Warner tells us all about his favorite piece of gear: a special fly fishing rod his dad gave him.
Walton Powell built rods under his own name beginning in the 1950s and continued to do so until his death in 2001. As with most things produced by a deceased legend of the industry, Powell Rods are now collector’s items and contain tons of history in their build and story.
My dad, Mark, met Walt in the late ’80s while fishing the Sacramento River. Walt’s boat had broken down, and he picked him up to take him back to the boat dock. Quickly, they realized how much they got along and just decided to fish the rest of the day together.
In Walt’s eyes, he owed my dad a debt after that day.
A Fly Rod Built for My Birth
Walt was known to build rods for folks who helped him out in any way, and this was no exception. Walt and my father stayed friends through the years, and when my dad told Walt that he was expecting a son to be born soon, Walt saw an opportunity. (Spoiler alert: I was that baby.)
Following my birth in September 1991, Walt gifted my father a custom fly fishing rod with my name and birthday handprinted on the rod. Pretty cool, right?
My father worked seasonally as a fishing guide on the Klamath River for every summer I can remember. And as you can expect, one of the earliest skills I learned as a kid was how to fish. My relationship with my father has a deep connection to days spent on the water hooking salmon and steelhead.
An Unexpected Gift
But my dad had a secret. He never talked about the rod Walt had given him. He was waiting for the right moment to give it to me. And boy, was he a patient guy.
I moved to Colorado in 2010 and quickly took interest in fly fishing. This was the moment my father was waiting for. So he casually mentioned he had a fly rod I could use, and next thing I knew, a box arrived at my house.
Quickly opening the box, I inspected the rod and noticed my name and birthday handwritten on the graphite rod. I was confused because I thought he was sending an old rod he didn’t need, so I immediately called him.
He seemed to answer the phone more quickly than usual that day.
And so it goes, I sat and listened to my dad tell me the amazing story you just read. How he met Walt. How they found friendship. And how eventually I received the most thoughtful present I’d ever received.
This story is about friendships and family, the randomness of the world, and the value of patience.
Remember when we talked about collector’s items? Well, this is one. And neither my dad nor Walt would want to see it tucked away in a safe place or on display. It was made for fishing.
The post Vintage Custom Fly Fishing Rod 30 Years in the Making appeared first on GearJunkie.
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