How to Walk

Walking: A Masterclass from Ace Greenhorn on Vimeo.

A Masterclass in Walking. This is the video I've been waiting all my life for ;) ;) Seriously hilarious video on how to walk. I highly recommend checking out more in his "masterclass" (think how to throw; how to eat; how to recognize basic shapes)

Throwing: A Masterclass from Ace Greenhorn on Vimeo.

Cabin of the Week

Source

The Pedal Inn Kickstarter

This kickstarter has already been funded, but it looks like a great read! All my favorite things into one- biking, adventuring, and really, really good food.

Cabin of the Week

Source

This hotel in Switzerland features something called Ecopods-- basically a small, fully insulated wooden hut in a perfect location. Inside it sleeps two people in these adorable little quarters.

Source

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!! 2012 was a wonderful year full of adventure and outings. Have you built yourself any adventure lists for the New Year? If so- what 'cha scheming?

Here's some things on my list for 2013:

• Finish Hiking the White Mountain's 4,000 Footers (37 down so far!)
• Finish at least 10 of the Winter 4,000 Footers (2 down!)
• Try log rolling
• Complete Trans Presidential Hike (this goal keeps cropping up year after year- time to get it done!)
• Visit Lake Umbagog

Cabin of the Week

Source

Ways to Connect with Betty Mountain Girl

We recently completed a redesign of the blog to allow for easy of use, simpler navigation, and more fun! Drop on in sometime and check us out! While you are at it here are some more ways to connect (also in sidebar):

Or drop me a line: bettymountaingirl (at) gmail (dot) com. Hope to here from you soon!!

Cabin of the Week

Source

This little cabin of the week is from Northern California, a bit of a stretch for us here on the East Coast, but lovely nonetheless.

Many of my friends are heading north this weekend to enjoy some of the snow that yesterday's Noreaster dropped. Having your own little cabin in the woods would be an ideal place to retreat to after a long day cross country skiing or hiking in the mountains. Cozy up to a little wood burning stove (have I ever mentioned how crazy I think electric/gas fireplaces are? Crazy!) and sip some hot cocoa. I think I will be dreaming of this scene all day. Enjoy!

Made in Iceland

MADE IN ICELAND from Klara Harden on Vimeo.

Made in Iceland By Klara Harden

In case you needed some fuel to start your fire for the new year. Here is some amazing footage of an amazing area by an amazing young lady.

The Winter Solstice List

We've been pumped for winter since it means the start of a new list. While we still have 11 more peaks for our 4,000 footers list, we're starting the Winter 48. Essentially we'll be completing all the White Mountains 4,000 Footers during winter.

Winter really changes everything for hiking the 4,000 footers. Streams and rivers that are typically crossed with shoes off and pants rolled up become a major make or break moment. The worst weather in the world brings it in the winter. The winds are regularly strong and now become a windchill factor. Roads are closed for the winter sometimes adding five to six extra miles to an already long hike.

So tonight we celebrate with whiskey and jalepeno poppers as we tackle a new challenge. Here's a list of other smart winter adventures that may peek your fancy...

• Build an igloo
• Dig a snowcave
• Ice skate on a lake
• Climb up a mountain just to sled down it
• Throw snowballs for your dog
• Scoop up your own all natural snow cone (food coloring too!)
• Winter Camping
• Winter Peakbagging
• Breaking the trail with your snowshoes
• Make your own snowflakes (below)
• Night Hiking

source

Cabin of the Week

source

As my faithful readers well know-- I am a cabin, tiny house, and vintage camper addict. My pinterest boards are loaded with these types of pins. This little rustic cabin looks like a perfect mountain getaway.

Feeling the cabin/tiny house love? Check out these links for worthwhile blogs and sites.

• Tumbleweed Houses
• Tiny House Blog
• Free Cabin Porn

Vintage Camper of the Week

source | photographer

This entire set-up is just perfect. It may not be vintage, but it's certainly calling out for a little get-away...

On Dealing with Failure

We've spent the summer attacking the list of White Mountain's 4,000 footers- 48 in total to be exact. It started out slowly and without a specific goal, sort of like- "let's see if we can hike again next weekend" type of thing. Then suddenly we were addicted to these hikes. My work weeks suddenly seemed shorter and more bearable with plans for adventure each weekend.

Over the summer weeks and weeks of successful hikes went by. We got up earlier to avoid massive thunderstorms. We pushed through on Owl's Head despite colossal downpours all day. Somehow we got our groove on and the hiking gods were with us.

But towards the end of the summer we started to hit road blocks. It started on Whiteface and Passaconaway. We had attempted these mountains at least twice before in previous years, but always had to turn back. On our chosen day this past summer we arrived sans lunch and sans band-aids/blister supplies.

My summer has been an amazing whirlwind of hiking and adventure that also included incredible blisters. Blisters that were really covered with more blisters and then covered with blood blisters. Really so many blisters that I couldn't possibly hike with out first aid supplies. And no lunch? The hike was doomed. We made it a few miles in because we wanted to stretch our legs. We hiked back to the car defeated again.

In September and October we ran into new dilemmas  The hikes we saved for last were further away and required close to three hours of driving just to reach the trail head. Timing was critical on these hikes because the days were shorter as dark crept in earlier. With six hours of driving and six hours of hiking we needed to make plans for someone to take out our dog. It literally required an army of pre-planning and calling in favors to complete these hikes.

We arrived at Mount Moriah at 8:30 am (that means we were up and at em' at 4:00 a.m. who-hoo) to find not a single parking spot at the trailhead and spray painted signs saying "don't even think about parking here."  

The next trailhead for Moriah was 30 minutes away, but we gave it a shot. A mile or so in a river crossing that hasn't quite frozen over yet but was covered in ice and slippery snow prevented us from claiming Moriah that day.

On Mount Waumbek we couldn't find the trail head once.

Another week we came back to discover that Adam forgot his pants- yes- forgot his pants!! No, he didn't drive up pantsless- but he wore a pair of jeans. Waumbek in November is covered in snow and Adam had no waterproof pants or long johns. At that point we had made so many trips up to these mountains to fail that we just freakin' went for it. We monitored the weather and Adam's comfort the whole time and ended up hiking Waumbek in jeans!

All those days of missteps and failure were crushing at the time. It's hard to look forward to something all week and then suddenly realize you forgot your pants (wink, wink). Even harder was the realization that our hope of completing the list before winter was slowly fading.

What I discovered about dealing with failure is this-- Sometimes you have to get up at 4:00 in the morning and drive three hours only to realize you forgot something. Places are hard to find. Stars don't quite line up perfectly all the time. But you know what? Eventually we climbed Mount Whiteface and Passaconaway. We eventually climbed Waumbek. And well Moriah...eventually we'll climb her too.

The point is- being in the outdoors, having outdoor goals, and taking up outdoor sports will have moments of failure. But everyday you get up you have a chance to try again. Everyday you wake up and are blessed with ability to put one foot in front of the other you get another shot-- that is unless you forget your pants.

The Best Adventure and Outdoor Blogs for Women

After so much great feedback we've expanded the original list of best adventure and outdoor blogs for women. My new list includes blogs, websites, and companies that tailor, feature or inspire outdoor women athletes. Enjoy!

Tales of a Mountain Mama

An amazing mountain family that is really living the dream for so many- living it up with their little ones in tow!

Just a Colorado Girl

Just a Colorado Girl is a great blog that features long distance cyclying, endurance sports events, running, skiing and adventuring. Fun and inspiring!

Gear Gals

Gear Gals is a blog dedicated to reviewing and featuring outdoor gear reviews for women. Not only are their reviews helpful and insightful- but they also have a pretty spiffy dress up section too.

Crag Mama

A rock climbing enthusiast sharing her love for nature, climbing, the outdoors, and family.

Outdoor Industry Women's Coalition (OIWC)

The Outdoor Industry Women's Coalition is a group that brings outdoor industry women together through online networking, networking events, and kick ass professional development. Really a must join group for any female currently working in or interested in the outdoor industry.

Monica Prelle 

I love Monica’s blog because it is all about fun, outdoor sports, and outdoor lovin’ lifestyle. She’s not constantly pitching you products- she’s much more into posting amazing photographs, writing sharp little features, and inspiring you to shut off and get outside. Great blog!

Women's Adventure Magazine

Seriously one of my favorite sites to stop by. They have killer reader adventures posted on their blog, you can read past issue or current issues ONLINE. For reels. Amazing photograpy, writing, and inspiration for women adventurers.

Outdoor Women’s Alliance 

A great organization that is all about inspiring women to get outdoors in any non-motorized way whether it is skiing, biking, or climbing…. Their twitter feed regularly features 

Jill Outside

The amazing female adventurer Jill. Words can't describe..

Rock Climber Girl

Rock Climber Girl is a truly inspiring blog. She details her climbing adventures, provides tips and tricks on gear and climbing.

Specialized Bikes- Women

Specialized Bikes has truly expanded their women's bike selection. They're one of the few companies that really analyzes women's geometry and builds better bikes for female riders. More than that- they've got an inspiring website and have really spread out across multiple social media. Check them out on twitter or facebook. Specialized has been kicking butt in the women's specific arena- but here is my challenge for them. Remember the Specialized Trail Crew from last year? Well I think we really think we need to see a Women's Bike Crew...What do you say Specialized?

Girl Bike Love 

A passionate group of cyclists inspiring women to be involved in racing, commuting, and riding bikes. Great bike blog that I definitely recommend

Mudd Bunnies

A women's biking club out of Vancouver, BC featuring forums, tips, and teams for downhill, freeride, or cross country mountain bikers. Oh, I so wish I lived nearby!

Outdoor Divas

Outdoor Divas are based out of Colorado and feature clothing, gear, killer events and classes for multiple sports.

Velo Mom

Connecting women, bikes, and their children. Truly informative posts on biking, pregnancy and biking, and kids.

Expand Outdoors

Totally original and authentic- a life coach with a specialty in the outdoors.

Adventure Inspired

Philly based outdoor blogger Katie Levvy regularly features an array of sports, events, and reviews on her blog.

Chicks with Picks

Chicks with Picks is a site for women rock climbers and ice climbers. Their site features a blog, newsletters, and merchandise for female climbers. They also have amazing clinics all around the country for women climbers.

Hiking Lady

The Hiking Lady blog mainly features reviews and tips for women who hike or backpack. Honestly- she has some great tips on lacing your boots to prevent blisters as well as video features. A must check out blog!

Girl Mtn Biker

Girl Mtn Biker is a brand new site for women mountain bikers. Currently they feature a blog, reviews for women, and a great event section. I expect that we will be seeing more and more as this site begins to unfurl.

Terry

Terry has been making bikes and cycling gear for women before it was cool. Now they're still kicking butt and taking names in all things female and bike related.

Girls Outdoors

Girls Outdoors is a great forum for women outdoor athletes. Whether you bike, paddle, ski, or run- Girls Outdoors has tips, reviews, events, and inspiration for everyone.

Bike Shop Girl

A site dedicated to helping women handle more of the mechanics in biking, reviews on gear, and bike industry info.

Title Nine

Title Nine sells all my favorite brands and puts together an absolutely amazing catalog that is always inspiring me to get out more! I love their gear, their amazing positive can-do models, and amazing photography. First rate outdoor women’s company for sure.

Women's Wilderness Institute

Courses, news, tips, and inspiration for both the seasoned outdoors women to young girls.

See any great sites or blogs that I missed? Please comment below and we may include them in future posts!

I Tent Camping Stocking Stuffers

Love camping? Have a loved one who is a camping fanatic? Here are some of my stocking stuffer picks!

Source

Source

Source

Vintage Camper of the Week

This glorious little gem is just screaming out to go for a road trip...Maybe an offbeat campsite...Maybe an overnight to a tiny coastal town in Maine...

Small enough for just a couple people and a dog...

Source

Builders, Dreamers, and Doers: Smokehouse

The Smokehouse from Smith Journal on Vimeo.

When we aren't climbing or hiking or biking- we are digging and planting and dreaming of things like this...

Planning

I hope the weekend found you all some adventure! We've been hunkered down with the cold that has been making the rounds, but finally starting to feel better!

The holidays are fast approaching and we are already planning our new year. We still have 11 more peaks from our List to finish. We have our heart set on the Winter List, which is essentially all of White Mountain 4,000 Footers in the winter. 

The winter list is much more difficult and contains far fewer "members." All of the peaks are more challenging because they are covered in snow and may or may not have been packed down and you have winter weather to deal with. My favorite winter challenge is that many of the roads that lead to the trails are closed for the winter, which adds sometimes five additional miles to a ten mile hike. 

Our plans this next year will also include a few traverses that we have dreamed about and up over the years. We grow a garden every year and every year learn something new about how to improve it. And I've also added log rolling to my list of must do's. What about you? What new schemes are you dreaming up this year? Do share...

Vintage Camper of the Week

Source

This little Gingerbread Shasta is honor of the holidays. Have you started your holiday decorating? I have to admit I rarely spend a lot of time or money decorating. We put up a few small trees and handmade wreaths, but we keep it simple.

Mountain Girl Art

The Wheatfield | Katie Daisy

Great gift for the mountain girl in your life!