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One of Betty Mountain Girl's new weekly features is a section called Survival Skills. Look for this section to include tips, suggestions, and inspiration around the idea of survival. Think your basics- shelter, water, heat, and fire.
This graphic includes tons of variations on your tarp shelter. I'll admit that my current tarp shelter repertoire tends to be a basic A-Frame with an occasional modified Adirondack for coverage around the cook area. What about you? Any Hexagon Fly users out there? Love to see one that didn't billow and bend all over!
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!
Caring for your midlayer technical jackets such as wool layers, merino wool layers, fleece, and softshells helps your gear last longer with improved function and appearance. I regularly monitor my equipment especially my pricey jackets and wool items so that I get the most from them. Here's some tips for washing and caring for your gear.
(NOTE-- Carefully read your clothing and gears labels and follow them carefully. If you have questions or are unsure of how to appropriately care for an item contact the manufacturer/retail store directly.)
For Midlayers (wool, merino wool, fleece, softshell)
Once again I regularly monitor my usage and wash when needed. How often should you wash your wool or softshell jackets? It's very dependent on how often you use the jacket or layer. We spend nearly every weekend hiking and tend to run or snowshoe several times a week. Due to this, we probably wash our gear more frequently than, say, someone who mainly uses their gear for walking the dog around town. So adjust to your needs and usage.
Wash on gentle cycle (less agitation is very important for wool) or skip some of agitation on the regular cycle
Wash with like colors and materials. Avoid washing midlayers with velcro or things with clips/snaps that could snag. Velcro and I have a love hate relationship.
I always wash with cold water.
Use a mild detergent for things like wool or fleece-- I like ALL hypoallergenic (no perfume smell) or Seventh Generation (harder to find depending on where you live)
Use a wash like Nikwax TechWash for softshells or items with waterproofing. TechWash removes dirt and helps revitalize waterproofing.
I always hang dry these items. Read your labels.
Dry wool flat so you don't get weird shapes or stretched out arms.
Have a weird stain on your wool clothing? Ibex has a great section for how to care for your wool here.
Have a weird smell on your wool clothing? Ibex has a great section for how to get out the odor here. I've tried the baking soda method (not with borax though, just baking soda) and it works like a freakin charm. Once again check your labels and always check with the maker of the product if in doubt.
Disclaimer: Product Reviews and How to's are based on opinion only and are not intended to condone, encourage, or promote a product. Some products are sent to me by the manufacturer or affiliates and are mine to keep. I mention this specifically on products sent to me. Compensation and/or product and/or services never interfere with the review of the product. Otherwise, products and services are purchased by me for personal use. I have purchased way too many bottles of Techwash and TX.Direct Spray On than I care to recall. I was sent BaseFresh recently to try.
Via Kinsman Ridge Trail from Ski Parking Lot Number 1 on the list!
Read all about the winter list here and check on our list from this summer here.
In stark contrast to the crowded summer months, Cannon Mountain was a quiet cold peak on the day we officially started our winter list. We parked in a practically empty parking lot and were greeted by some fairly bare ski slopes. Just south of the notch there was no snow to speak of, but looking up towards the peak of this 4,000 footer we saw plenty of white.
The trail itself was covered in snow around 4-6 inches that was already packed down. The initial climb was slippery with ice over the snow and any bare rocks. Microspikes solved this problem easily and the trail became more and more snow covered as we went up in elevation.
Sticks and branches from recent windy weather covered the trail for the beginning of the hike and was quite bothersome. Fortunately, for anyone else planning to go- we ended up clearing the way for you!
I've been digging Marmot's Driclime Jacket for climbs
Cannon Mountain was one of our first hikes this summer as we began the list and we suffered through the steep climb. While I admit to some suffering on our winter attempt it was much less!
We had wet snow falling on us throughout the hike making for challenging conditions. The top was windy and cold but manageable Clouds limited views somewhat. One thing I love about winter hiking is that going down is always much faster. We hightailed it back down in no time and only bumped into one other person walking their dog the entire hike. SO much different than the summer months. I love winter!
I know what it is like to spend lots of money on outdoor gear and clothing and not have it hold up to the elements. One thing I've discovered through lots of trial and error is that it is really important how you care for your outdoor gear. While you may love your wicking baselayers, softshell jacket, and waterproof hardshell so much that it is hard to give them a wash--- it is one of the most important things you can do to protect your gear.
All the activity you do while wearing your gear clogs up membranes that are critical for waterproofing and breathability of the gear. By washing and caring for your gear appropriately you will get better performance. Here is some general tips and products that help me keep my gear in top shape:
(NOTE-- Carefully read your clothing and gears labels and follow them carefully. If you have questions or are unsure of how to appropriately care for an item contact the manufacturer/retail store directly.)
For Baselayers (wicking shirts, running tights, hiking pants and shorts--mainly synthetic material)
How often should you wash your baselayers and other technical gear? Depends on how often you use them. I like to wash my baselayers everytime or everyother time I use them. I find that regularly washing these items prevents stinky smells.
I typically wash mine in cold water (check your clothing label and follow it exactly)
Wash like items together
Don't place your base layers in with items that contain velcro or clips. One of the most common ways my wicking shirts get ruined is from snags, many of which are from other pieces of gear.
I was recently sent BaseFresh by Nikwax to try and find it to be a great addition to my cleaning gear. You know when you can't get that stink out of your favorite running shirt or wicking layer? This stuff's a charmer and seems to deodorize the stinkiest of gear. Recently after a drenching winter hike where we sweated through several layers of gear, froze it, and then resweated in it-- we tried this product. I'm please to say I can finally get the smell out of both my outdoor gear and my gym gear.
I always hang dry all my synthetic items. If you read the label on your item it may say dry on low, but personally I find that my gear lasts longer and looks better if I hang dry items. I have a large rack to hang dry things or I hang things over chairs and available items.
Disclaimer: Product Reviews and How to's are based on opinion only and are not intended to condone, encourage, or promote a product. Some products are sent to me by the manufacturer or affiliates and are mine to keep. I mention this specifically on products sent to me. Compensation and/or product and/or services never interfere with the review of the product. Otherwise, products and services are purchased by me for personal use. I have purchased way too many bottles of Techwash and TX.Direct Spray On than I care to recall. I was sent BaseFresh recently to try.
I purchased the Marmot Women's Zion Jacket because I am a softshell loving freak. I love softshells and wear them constantly adventuring and going out and about town. When I first spotted the Zion jacket online I wanted it red but eventually settled with the black color because of the contrast zips and stitching. It's a lot more subtle and easy to sport everyday.
I've worn the Marmot Women's Zion jacket a handful of times on different types of outdoor adventures- from apple picking, dog walking, wind blown mountains in the Presidential Range of New Hampshire, and in windy, snow blowing cold in the White Mountains. Here's how the Zion holds up....
Marmot Women's Zion Jacket: Fit
I've long been a huge fan of Marmot (maybe the biggest), particularly their softshells. I literally have softshells from Marmot that I have worn daily, for years, that look brand new. They're incredibly durable and well worth the money. I caution you to really pick something that suits you though- and isn't just a trend or the latest color. Marmot's stuff isn't cheap and it lasts for years so you may as well get something you are crazy about- and will be just as crazy about in five years.
Lately, I've notice that Marmot's cuts have been getting slimmer and more athletic- not a lot of room for layers in some of their pieces. I was nervous about the Zion jacket since I ordered it online and couldn't try it on ahead of time. Fortunately it fits me well and I tend to be a solid medium in everything by every company. The fits is just slightly athletic in the waist, but allows room for some well thought out layers. The arms are nice and long and stay put while you wiggle and fuss with gear, gadgets, and climbing up stuff. I really love how the zippers are placed slightly higher than your usual pocket. Overall, good clean fit.
Marmot Women's Zion Jacket: The Elements
I started bringing my Zion jacket along this fall as we tackled all the Presidential's in New Hampshire. These mountains are home to Mount Washington, where some of the worst weather in the world including fastest wind speeds ever recorded can be found. We hit some big winds on these hikes including sustained speeds of 45-55 mph and gusts of 75 mph (these knock you right over).
The Zion was crazy bomb proof on these hikes. The hood is perfect in so many ways- it comes right up around your face with tons of ways to fasten it down tighter. The material itself felt amazing against these winds. The winds blew-- I even fell down a few times from it-- but the jacket completely blocked the elements for me. I tend to layer very carefully- so I am sure this had some part in it too.
Marmot Women's Zion Jacket: Final Thoughts
We just started our winter hiking list a few days ago. Our first hike of the season was cold and snowing and the jacket held up nicely for me. As I brave some new elements I'll let you know my final thoughts on the jacket- particularly the waterproofing.
Disclaimer: Product Reviews are based on opinion only and are not intended to condone, encourage, or promote a product. Some products are sent to me by the manufacturer or affiliates and are mine to keep. I mention this specifically on products sent to me. Compensation and/or product and/or services never interfere with the review of the product. Otherwise, products and services are purchased by me for personal use. The jacket was purchased by me.
