Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Dutch Oven Chicken Cacciatore"Robin's Adventures In Camping Equipment"

Chicken Cacciatore


3 lb. frying chicken, cut up
3 tbsp. oil
2 med onions, chopped
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. basil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large can tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup green pepper
2 carrots, sliced
salt and pepper to taste

Brown the chicken pieces in oil, remove from Dutch oven. Put in
onions carrots, green pepper and spices. Cook, stirring frequently
for 10 minutes. Add remaining ingredients including browned chicken.
Cook for 1 to 1 1/2 hours without the lid. Remove the bay leaf and
serve on spaghetti noodles.

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Monday, November 28, 2005

Camping Tips"Robin's Adventures In Camping Equipment"

Watch for up coming articles and camping receipes to help you on your way to fun in the sun. Stop for a look at our camping tips.Great articles for anyone interested in information about the art of Dutch Oven Cooking, delicious stews, the aroma of fresh baked bread or delectable desserts to tempt your palette. Read about how to make these scrumptious meals. Also check out those great dutch oven and camping receipes:Lots Of Mouth Watering Camping Recipes

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Sunday, November 27, 2005

Fun Places To Go For A Family Snowboarding Holiday"Robin's Adventures In Camping Equipment"

By Jeremy Hier

Snowboarding, is quickly becoming one of the most popular family holidays. One of the largest appeals to the family is that it is an active sport which provides plenty of exercise for everyone. With today’s inactive lifestyles, more families are leaning towards taking an active family holiday that provides plenty of fresh air and exercise.

Snowboarding is a winter sport which has evolved from skateboarding and surfing. When snowboarding, you ride an epoxy-fiberglass board which resembles a large skateboard. Your feet are strapped to the snowboard while you ride it down a ski slope or a special snowboard pipe. Basically, you are surfing down the ski slope.

Unlike skiing, where you shift your weight from one ski to the other, when snowboarding you shift your weight from heels to toes as well as from one end of the snowboard to the other end.

Although many people think that snowboarding is similar to skiing, it is really more similar to skateboarding and surfing. The only similarity to skiing is that both are done on snow and can be done on a ski slope.

Colorado is a great state for a snowboarding holiday

Colorado is infamous for being home of the largest skiable mountain. Vail resort is at the top of this mountain and boasts 33 lifts, 193 trails, and 5.289 skiable acres of land. Vail resort has also been recognized for offering the finest of services and ski and snowboarding instruction.

Vail is great place for a family snowboarding holiday because they are challenging enough for the intermediate snowboarders in the family, while at the same time their 1,500 instructors are always available to provide help to beginners. At Vail, snowboarders will find themselves in friendly territory. A special map will show you where to find places for freestyle snowboarding as well as half-pipes and snowboarding terrain parks.

Crested Butte in Colorado is another area that is well known by snowboarders. However, Crested Butte is not the best place to go for a family holiday. It is not a good area for children or beginners and is best left to intermediate snowboarders. It is very steep and ungroomed and it is packed with cliff jumps and tree runs. The night life in this area can also get a little wild, and the area is not really suited for family entertainment.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming is another area to consider for a family snowboarding holiday

Jackson Wyoming has changed in more recent years. Historically, it was known as a summer hunting ground for various Indian tribes. The United States acquired Wyoming from France in 1803, and it was a frontier town for all of the nineteenth century. The busiest time for Wyoming is the summer months when people head out to visit Yellowstone and the Grand Teton National Park.

Winter is their off season, which makes it a nice spot for a snowboarding family holiday. It is easy to find accommodations, prices are lower in the off season, and you are not apt to find a lot of people, lines and waits while you are there.

The Jackson Hole Ski area is an excellent place for both beginners and intermediate snowboarders, making it a wonderful family holiday spot. Located on Rendezvous Mountain, this resort consists of two peaks. It is an excellent playground for all levels of snowboarders with its uncrowded lifts and variant degree of difficulty trails. The top half of Rendezvous Mountain is for extreme snowboarders, while the lower half has easier more manageable trails.

Because Jackson Hole is at a lower elevation than some other areas, they do get a shorter season. However, they still get around 32 feet of good fluffy snow every winter.

Utah Resorts are welcoming families for their snowboarding holiday

In an attempt to increase business, Utah resorts are making it easier for families to choose them for their snowboarding holiday destination. The statewide program is called “Kids Ride Free”. Nearly every resort in Utah is offering free children’s lift tickets with the purchase of an adult lift ticket. In addition to this, many resorts in Utah are making themselves “family friendly” by offering snowboard classes, day camp programs for children and child care centers for babies as young as three months.

Alta Resort, located in the Albion base area, offers childcare for children 3 – 12 months old and classes for children four years – teens.

Brian Head resort is well known for their family atmosphere. Brian Head has a Kids Camp, for children age 12 and under. This is a fully supervised childcare winter sport instruction program. Brian Head also offers child care for children aged 6 weeks and older at their fully licensed child care center.

Brighton Resort has always been known as a fun, affordable place for a winter family holiday. They offer an affordable all day ticket at a price that hasn’t gone up for several years. An adult lift ticket is still $41 and children 10 and under continues to get free lift tickets. Brighton offers all levels of snowboarding instruction classes. They also have instructors that will take you to areas of the resort that you would not have found on your own.

Some other resorts in Utah that are also great family snowboarding holiday destinations include Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain Resort, Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort, Solitude and Sundance. All of these are following the Utah State Wide movement to become the favorite family snowboarding holiday spot. They each offer some form of child care, classes and instruction, and have facilities for advanced and intermediate snowboarders alike.

Snowboarding can be a wonderful family holiday

Whether you go to one of these destinations, or visit a ski area closer to home, snowboarding can be a holiday activity that the whole family can enjoy. While some family members might pick up the sport quickly and advance to more challenging trails or snowboard pipes, you do not have to be an expert at snowboarding to enjoy it.

Snowboarding is a great family activity which provides a lot of exercise, fresh air, fun and laughter for everyone. Why not consider it for your next family holiday?

Elizabeth Fox-Wise is a freelance writer for snowboard-guide.com and a small business owner who enjoys pursuing active winter sports in her free time.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Saturday, November 26, 2005

For All You Snowboarding Junkies"Robin's Adventures In Camping Equipment"

A look at the intriguing History of Snowboarding
by: Keith Kingston

It has taken almost forty years for snowboarding to be recognized as a major sport that is followed and participated in by hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. Humanity’s love affair with snow has been documented throughout the ages, starting with cave dwellers who were smart enough to figure out that snow had its advantages, such as serving as insulation to hold in the warmth in their homes and preserving the day’s kill.

To say who actually invented the sport of snowboarding would be impossible because people have always loved to slide down a snow-covered hill. Soaring through the snow on some kind of seat or board is nothing new. The ways to enjoy the snow are numerous, and people have devised ways to turn garbage can lids and cardboard into “snow boards” to enjoy an afternoon frolic outdoors. The various ways to glide through snow have become more sophisticated and have evolved into using polished boards or skis in much the same manner as a surfboarder would ride a wave.

There have been many attempts at developing a modern snowboard. In 1965, the “Snurfer” (a word play on ‘snow’ and ‘surfer’) was developed as a child’s toy. Two skis were bound together and a rope was placed at the front end to afford control and stability. Over 500,000 “Snurfers” were sold in 1966 but they were never seen as more than a child's plaything even though organized competitions began to take place. The year 1969 brought a slightly more sophisticated snowboard based on the principles of skiing combined with surfboard styling.

The “Flying Yellow Banana” was developed in 1977. This was nothing more than a plastic shell covered with a top surface like that of a skateboard, but at the time it was considered a major advance in the little known sport of snowboarding. The first national snowboard race was held in the area outside Woodstock and was known as “The Suicide Six.” The race consisted of a steep downhill run called The Face in which the main goal was probably mere survival.

Snowboarding continued to increase in popularity over the next several years. In 1985 the first magazine dedicated specifically to snowboarding hit the news stands with huge success and furthered the popularity of this exciting sport. Hoards of fans began to organize regional events and pretty soon snowboarding events were held in all parts of the world. In the year 1994 snowboarding was finally declared an Olympic event, much to the delight of fans. The not-so-new sport of snowboarding was finally recognized and meant a huge victory for serious snowboarders across the globe.

A collection of snowboarding tricks and stunts was released on video in 1996. Filmed in Alaska, the breathtaking beauty and captivating snowboarding techniques featured in the video exposed snowboarding to a new generation, and by 1998 snowboarding constituted almost 50% of all winter activity. Today, nearly all ski resorts accept snowboarders. There are still a few holding on to the past but this is unlikely to continue as the number of snowboarders continually increases.

From the first crudely built snowboards to the advanced and specialized models available today, snowboarders have carried a “bad boy” image. This rebel reputation is still common today in spite of the fact that snowboarding appeals to men, women, and children of all nationalities and social groups. At most major ski resorts you can find snowboarding gear, information, and lessons. Olympic and world wide snowboarding events are among the most popular of winter sports and the competition to be the best is fierce.

Retailers nation wide and around the world carry many types of snowboards, and the choice in specially made snowboarding gear is immense. Snowboarders have participated in the X Games and even charity events such as Boarding for Breast Cancer. From its early meager beginnings snowboarding has progressed into a fully recognized sport, and large numbers of people are turning to snowboarding for adventure, fun, and professional recognition.

About The Author


Keith Kingston is a professional web publisher. Visit his snowboards and ski vacation website at http://www.all-4-snow.com/ There is information also on snowmobiles, snowplows, snow sleds and skiing.

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Friday, November 25, 2005

You Don't Have to Hurt Yourself to Snowboard"Robin's Adventures In Camping Equipment"

by Lauren Traub Teton


You Don't Have to Hurt Yourself to Snowboard
Snowboarding Gear to Keep you Safe and Comfortable as you Learn and Ride

Are you thinking of trying snowboarding, but reluctant because you've heard that you'll be bruised after the painful edge-catching falls of the first three days? Or have you tried snowboarding but thrown in the towel because it hurts too much when you fall?

Snowboarding without Injuries--
Snowboarding without injuries is actually a possibility. If you wear protective snowboard gear you will greatly reduce the odds of hurting yourself when you snowboard. You will not have to worry as much about possible pain and injury on the slopes, and you can relax and enjoy the ride. If you are lucky enough to always ride on soft deep powder, protection is not such a big issue. But hard snow happens, especially in Eastern America.

Most Websites and Magazines Do Not Discuss Snowboard Safety--
and protection for the snowboarder. In some circles, it seems there is something stoic and admirable about enduring pain. If you disagree. and want to spend quality time on the slopes instead of nursing bumps and bruises on the sidelines or sustaining slow-healing injuries that can become chronic and arthritic, read on.

Main Points of Impact with Snow and Ice--
When you ride, the main points of impact where your body will meet the snow or ice are predictable: knees, hands and wrists, buttside or tailbone, and head are the target zones. Protect these body parts and you will hurt less and have a lot more fun.

Knee Protection for Snowboarders--
Knee protection is one of the most important pieces of snowboard protective gear. Your knees are bony and vulnerable. And they are complex joints that are painful and expensive to fix.

Wear in-line Skate Knee Pads beneath your snow pants. Make sure they are soft and well-padded on the inside and hard plastic to absorb shock and protect on the outside. Good pads will also keep your knees warm and flexible, and you can relax so much more knowing that a fall forward is not going to be painful and damaging. Beginners fall on their knees often. Believe it or not, good knee pads also help to protect your wrists. Read on.

Hand/Wrist Protection for Snowboarders--
Falling forward with your weight on your hands is a good way to break a wrist. Fists should be balled up, with your thumb outside, as if you were ready to punch someone. Try to relax and fall evenly on your protected knees, and forearms. You should wear good protective knee pads so you can distribute the weight on both your knees and hands. Then you won't have to try to catch yourself with your hands.

Some experts argue that wearing skate wrist guards can increase the severity of a fracture by sending the "shock" up the arm to a larger bone. A new snowboard specific safety glove and wrist guard is now on the US Market. It was designed by a French Emergency Room physician who has worked on thousands of snowboard fractures, and it is supposed to reduce snowboard wrist injuries by up to 60%.

Butt/Tailbone Protection for Snowboarders--

People sometimes say "But I have plenty of natural padding on my butt." Forget it. You need padding that is not connected to your central nervous system.

If you're a beginner and if you don't have anything else, you can slide some bubble wrap down the back of your pants. Use plenty! You'll hear the bubbles pop when you fall and you'll be glad you wore them. And you will have saved a lot of jarring to your spine as well as wear and tear on your buttocks and tailbone.

Once you're convinced of the need to save your posterior, invest in some real padding designed for snowboarders. A hard plastic shell outside with soft padding on the inside is great. It will hardly be noticeable beneath your snow pants and it really helps.

Helmets for Snowboarders--
You might think (mistakenly) that helmets are only for people who ride in the trees, or do big tricks. But the first time you catch an edge and go CLUNK! and the back of your head hits the hard hard ground, you'll reconsider. A helmet also adds the comfort of warmth and dryness, as well as cushioning for your brain. With a helmet on, you can ride in the rain comfortably, and have the slopes almost to yourself.

You should buy a helmet in person at a shop. Correct fit is mandatory and tricky. Get expert help at the snowboard shop to be sure the helmet fits. And have your helmet checked for safety and fit next season if you fell on it a lot or grew dreds or shaved your head since you purchased it.

Hydration for Snowboarders--
Snowboarding creates heat. That means you are perspiring, even when it's cold. Stay hydrated with water, and you will be able to ride longer and better. To replace the water lost perspiring and breathing the dry winter air, use a hydration system. It is a backpack with a water bladder, and a tube to deliver the water to your mouth. Simple and efficient. Just grab the tube, bite the valve on the end, and sip. You can easily do it while sitting on the lift. You can wear it outside your coat, or even under it on freezing days.

You can do tricks and ride the pipe while wearing a small hydration backpack, no problem. You can also throw an extra clothing layer, energy bar, tool set, or whatever in the hydration backpack. The backpacks come in many different sizes and configurations.

Safety for Your Board--
It's just as important to protect your trusty ride when you get off it.
Hardcore riders never let their boards out of their site. If you do, check yours at the lodge, or lock it with a small cable lock that you carry in your backpack. Also register it online at http://www.SnowboardRegisty.com so if it does disappear, you at least have a chance of getting it back. And be a good citizen of the snowboard universe. Before you buy a used board, check its serial number at http://www.SnowboardRegisty.com to make sure it wasn't reported stolen.

Ride Happily Many a Day--
Unlike with skating and surfing, you DON'T have to endure pain to learn and ride your snowboard. Respect yourself. Dress for safety and comfort on the slopes, and you'll come back to ride happily many a day.

Read more about snowboard safety gear at http://www.snowboardsecrets.com/secrets.htm
Lauren Traub Teton is an avid snowboarder and the Editor of SnowboardSecrets.com and the Snowboard Events Calendar at http://www.WhatsonSnow.com. Get "16 Secrets for Successful Snowboarding" when you sign up for the Snowboard Szine at http://www.snowboardsecrets.com

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Thursday, November 24, 2005

A Look at The Intriguing History of Snowboarding"Robin's Adventures In Camping Equipment"

By Keith Kingston


To say who actually invented the sport of snowboarding would be impossible because people have always loved to slide down a snow-covered hill. Soaring through the snow on some kind of seat or board is nothing new. The ways to enjoy the snow are numerous, and people have devised ways to turn garbage can lids and cardboard into “snow boards” to enjoy an afternoon frolic outdoors. The various ways to glide through snow have become more sophisticated and have evolved into using polished boards or skis in much the same manner as a surfboarder would ride a wave.

There have been many attempts at developing a modern snowboard. In 1965, the “Snurfer” (a word play on ‘snow’ and ‘surfer’) was developed as a child’s toy. Two skis were bound together and a rope was placed at the front end to afford control and stability. Over 500,000 “Snurfers” were sold in 1966 but they were never seen as more than a child's plaything even though organized competitions began to take place. The year 1969 brought a slightly more sophisticated snowboard based on the principles of skiing combined with surfboard styling.

The “Flying Yellow Banana” was developed in 1977. This was nothing more than a plastic shell covered with a top surface like that of a skateboard, but at the time it was considered a major advance in the little known sport of snowboarding. The first national snowboard race was held in the area outside Woodstock and was known as “The Suicide Six.” The race consisted of a steep downhill run called The Face in which the main goal was probably mere survival.

Snowboarding continued to increase in popularity over the next several years. In 1985 the first magazine dedicated specifically to snowboarding hit the news stands with huge success and furthered the popularity of this exciting sport. Hoards of fans began to organize regional events and pretty soon snowboarding events were held in all parts of the world. In the year 1994 snowboarding was finally declared an Olympic event, much to the delight of fans. The not-so-new sport of snowboarding was finally recognized and meant a huge victory for serious snowboarders across the globe.

A collection of snowboarding tricks and stunts was released on video in 1996. Filmed in Alaska, the breathtaking beauty and captivating snowboarding techniques featured in the video exposed snowboarding to a new generation, and by 1998 snowboarding constituted almost 50% of all winter activity. Today, nearly all ski resorts accept snowboarders. There are still a few holding on to the past but this is unlikely to continue as the number of snowboarders continually increases.

From the first crudely built snowboards to the advanced and specialized models available today, snowboarders have carried a “bad boy” image. This rebel reputation is still common today in spite of the fact that snowboarding appeals to men, women, and children of all nationalities and social groups. At most major ski resorts you can find snowboarding gear, information, and lessons. Olympic and world wide snowboarding events are among the most popular of winter sports and the competition to be the best is fierce.

Retailers nation wide and around the world carry many types of snowboards, and the choice in specially made snowboarding gear is immense. Snowboarders have participated in the X Games and even charity events such as Boarding for Breast Cancer. From its early meager beginnings snowboarding has progressed into a fully recognized sport, and large numbers of people are turning to snowboarding for adventure, fun, and professional recognition.

Keith Kingston is a professional web publisher offering information on snowboards, skiing, ski vacations, snow removal and snowmobiles at http://www.all-4-snow.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Skatesailing – The Ice Age"Robin's Adventures In Camping Equipment"

by Jakob Jelling

As with any extreme sport, some people enjoy the warmth of surfing and others prefer the cold weather and would rather skate instead of surf. With this, another popular extreme sport has been created Skatesailing. Skatesailors like to take to the ice and zip around the lake on their two skates. The cost of this sport is relatively low and very seasonal.

Most people who enjoy skatesailing do so with the simple pair of skates and a sail that is held and steered by skater. As the wind velocity increases the skater moves into the wind and picks up speed across the ice. The skater can reach speeds up to 40 mph and above. The downside to this sport is that you are landing on a hard surface should you fall. Extreme skaters love this sport; they live for the challenge to tame high winds.

As with most skating sports they take place on a lake. Most of the time, lakes can create great wind gusts that can help increase the speed of the skater. It can be dangerous to be skatesailing on thin ice, so you should always practice caution and heed signs about ice conditions. Since the skater needs a basic pair of skates they can also purchase their sail. A setup can cost up to $500 depending on which type of sail they have purchased. Some sails are held like a boom while other sails drape across the shoulder bladed.

If you are new to the sport you may want to exercise with caution, there are some schools that will teach you the art of skatesailing. You will need a good pair of ice skates as well as the sail. Pay close attention to the instructor, they will teach you the art of turning, navigating, speeding up and slowing down. Once you have mastered the basics you can then begin to speed up and learn other tricks that can increase your speed. You can also learn how to skatesail on skis, although there needs to be more wind to push you and the skies.

Although skatesailing has become popular, it is a seasonal sport. Most people who enjoy skating will take to it with passion.



About the Author
Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.kitesurfingnow.com/ . Visit his kitesite for the latest on kitesurfing equipment, kiteboarding lessons, places to surf and much more!

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Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Blind Skiers See the Light"Robin's Adventures In Camping Equipment"

by: Stephen Michael Kerr

About three hours west of Denver lies Snow Mountain Ranch, one of the top cross-country ski centers in the United States. Known as the "YMCA of the Rockies", it boasts a large ski chalet and over 90 kilometers of packed and groomed trails.

From January 30 to February 6, 2005, the center will host the 30th annual Ski for Light International event, a week that brings blind and mobility-impaired adults together with sighted ski instructors for cross-country skiing and fun social activities. Participants come from the United States, Norway, and several other countries to either learn skiing for the first time, or improve on previously developed skills.

The first Ski for Light was held in Norway in 1964, and was so successful that a nonprofit all-volunteer organization was formed. Chapters began spreading to other parts of the world, and the program was first introduced to the United States in 1975. The idea is to provide the blind and mobility-impaired a chance to experience the freedom and benefits of physical activity through cross-country skiing.

At the beginning of the event, each skiier is paired with an instructor/guide, according to experience level. Beginners are taught basic fundamentals of the sport, while more advanced skiiers work on improving their techniques and endurance.

Skiiers navigate the slopes in pre-set tracks or grooves in the snow, while their instructors ski on a parallel set of tracks. The guide advises when to change direction, speed up and slow down, and describes any changes in the level and direction of the tracks. Skiiers with mobility impairments use sit-skis, while their guides give instructional tips and offer physical assistance if needed. In addition to cross-country skiing, mobility-impaired participants also have the chance to learn the sport of sled-hockey during the week.

The sighted instructors are volunteers from all over the United States who pay their own way to attend, just like the other participants. Duane Farrar, a blind skiier and chairman of Ski for Light's Public Relations Committee, says their role is vital to the success of the program.

"They are there because they love cross-country skiing and wish to share that love with someone like myself who otherwise might not have the opportunity to experience the sport and the exhilarating sense of freedom that it brings," Farrar explains.

The highlight of the event is a 5-K rally and 10-K race, complete with national anthems and Olympic-style finish line. Skiiers get the chance to showcase the skills they've learned during the week over a measured distance, but don't have to be competitive or athletic. The only thing asked of them is to give skiing a try, and have fun.

Mary Kozy, a blind clinical social worker from Chicago, was a bit apprehensive when she attended her first Ski for Light in 1978. But it didn't take her long to discover the joy of learning to ski, and meeting other people with positive attitudes.

After attending Ski for Light, I caught the "if I can do this, I can do anything" attitude, and went on to love skiing," Kozy recalls. "It is a real high to go to SFL for a week and be around so many enthusiastic people."

While skiing is the big attraction, it is only part of the total experience. After a day on the slopes, skiiers and guides return to their hotel for dinner, talent shows, music and dancing, or just lounging in a heated pool or hot-tub. Even poor snow conditions can't stop the event. In cases of extremely low temperatures or not enough snow, participants organize games, field trips, exercises, and other activities.

Many skiiers believe the most rewarding aspect of Ski for Light is the memories and camaraderie they share with each other and their guides.

"The friendships I've made through SFL are deep, and those I will have all my life," Mary Kozy says. "People come through town and visit, and we are now like a big family."

Deborah Kendrick, a freelance writer and devoted participant, agrees. "I believe there is no other environment in which participants suspend, so completely, the sense of who is and who is not a person with a disability," she says. "People of all walks of life come together for that one week to share a love of skiing, the outdoors, learning, and loving life."



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To find out more about Ski for Light, or the upcoming event in Granby, Colorado, visit:
www.sfl.org



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About The Author


Stephen Michael Kerr is a blind radio broadcaster, freelance writer, and publisher of Adaptive Sports And Recreation, a free ezine devoted to sports for people with disabilities. To subscribe, http://zinester.com/mpb/ml_fs.cgi?topic=41809
For a sample issue, send an e-mail to: mailto:stevekerr@ev1.net with "Sample Issue" in the subject.
stevekerr@ev1.net

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One for Ten Cabin Fever in Haines Alaska"Robin's Adventures In Camping Equipment"

by: Adam Longnecker

Mountains, massive piles of rock and earth shaped by glaciers, erosion, and weather; can conjure feelings of awe, enlightenment and fear in people. For millions of years weather systems have shed soft crystals of snow on these massive peaks, and now we stand as mere specs in the history of these giants, aloft on their high ridgelines. As we descend a sensation secretes from our brains pulsing throughout our bodies as adrenaline, sculpting our passion to return to the top of these towering peaks over and over again.

Pursuing their love for the mountains, Jason Shutz, Bill Buchbauer, Annie Fast, Chris Ankeny and Tom Routh headed for southeast Alaska in late April– Haines, Alaska to be exact. Haines has been moderately popular among the ski and snowboard film crews for years, but still contains plenty of pristine wilderness only attainable by glacier plane and split board. The posse, made up of Montanans, headed to Haines for an affordable backcountry trip aboard Cessna ski planes. They were armed with split boards, mountaineering gear, and winter camping equipment. During the first two weeks of April the group bagged a lot of great sunny days up on the glaciers, split boarding new lines and eying up lines for next year.

After a full day of Air Travel from Montana I arrived in Haines, Alaska aboard a single engine Cessna. Haines is positioned at the North end of Alaska's Inside Passage and at the Northern end of America's longest Fjord. The town shares its border with 20 million acres of protected wilderness: Glacier Bay National Park is 25 miles by air, and Canada's Kluane National Park and Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park are just up the road. A Bald Eagle Preserve is also just outside of Haines giving the area an amazing collection of dramatic scenery and plethora of wildlife.

Day Two of my trip was like 99% of Alaska days: it rained. The Montana posse that I came to hook up with spent the day recuperating from a 4-day backcountry camping /split-boarding trip. I sat and listened to spook stories about new uncharted areas with sketchy snow pack, hairball plane flights onto glaciers, and all the great runs in between. Make no mistake; no matter where you ride at home, Alaska is bigger. Everything in AK is big: the mountains, the fish, the wildlife, the trees, everything is just so damn gigantic. The air was getting cold and it was snowing on the peaks; our conversations turned to the next mission once the sun broke again and the stoke began to build among us.

The rain continued for the next eight days with little sign of the sun. Chris, Annie, and Tom went home leaving Jason, Bill, and I to wait for the sun. Pool, darts, scrabble, ping-pong, eating, reading, beer, coffee, beer, coffee, fishing, hiking, and hacky sack became the motion of the days. Cabin fever can invoke some strangeness in people and after eight days of rain and no riding; the walls were closing in – I can't take it, I can't take it. Freaking out and pounding your head on the wall is no way to deal with it, sowe ran around in the rain for a few hours. But that was a bad idea. We ate again even through we'd eaten an hour ago, and two hours before that. We were beginning to lose our minds and we only had two days left; The northern lights are out that evening and it was clear – would it be clear in the morning? That was the question.

We talked about just taking some heli runs if the sun did shine because your chances of getting to fly in the heli in moderate light is better than it is in the ski planes. The ski plane pilots need very clear days in order to see the ever-changing landscape that they are landing on, where with a helicopter you don't need a runway to take off and land. Besides after you land in a plane you usually still have to hike up to the top of your line. The drawback was that there was only one helicopter operating in town and there were six groups wanting to go out. We hoped that the Men's Journal Adventure Team which was there with a group of ski racers and ski legends would go for their main objective – a peak on the coast; which would mean a lot less of a cluster getting onto the heli.

With the original plan for some glacier plane trips into Glacier Bay National Park for split boarding and a winter camp squashed by the weather, and the chance to heli jaded by the adventure boy team, the drinking waged on and on. The locals say that you can drink it blue.

Well, after nine days of drinking, the sun finally shone, and we headed to the heli at 33 mile for day ten, the last day in Haines. Being on the not so special list, we finally got out at around 4:00pm for two runs with our ultra-cool guide Jim: the first was on "Deflowered" and the second on "Hangover Helper" – short runs in Alaska standards, but pretty damn big anywhere else. The snow was blower, lots of new snow from the eight days of precipitation and just enough cold air to keep it light and fluffy late in the day. All of a sudden it was 7pm and we had to haul ass to catch the ferry. Cramming all of our stuff, the three of us, and Jason's dog Chewe into the helicopter pilot's 1970's Subaru was a bold task, but we got it done; and off to Juneau we went to catch the plane home.

After nine down days I was leaving Alaska 1 for 10. Two long powder runs in the bag made for a relaxing ride to Juneau on the ferry, and many daydreams longing for more on the plane ride home.

Alaska is a land of adventure. You don't have to be loaded to ride high powdery peaks in Alaska; you just have to have solid backcountry knowledge, glacial travel experience, and knowledge of the local mountains. Three people can catch a ride on a glacier plane (Drake Olson / Earth Center Adventures ( 907- 723-9475) at one time and depending how far you go into the mountains, you can expect to pay about $300 each for the roundtrip in and out. Once you're there you can explore via split board for the day or camp out for as long as you like; just remember tent fever comes on a lot quicker than cabin fever!

About The Author


Adam Longnecker,http://www.adamlongnecker.com/ , is a professional snowboard and skateboard coach. He travels the globe in search of the ultimate rush on his boards while enjoying incredible sites and people along the way. Expression through stories and photos is his way of sharing his ride with you. This story may not be reprinted or placed on the web without prior consent of the author in writing.

adamlongnecker@yahoo.com

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Sunday, November 20, 2005

The Ultimate Skiing Experience"Robin's Adventures In Camping Equipment"

by: Lachlan Brown

For downhill skiers, “powder snow” provides the ultimate skiing experience. For most skiers however, good powder skiing is a short-lived and infrequent event. Ski areas in some geographic areas enjoy fairly frequent “powder days” but in most areas, powder days are rare and the dryness and depth of snow is often marginal.

In most ski areas too, when powder snow does occur, it is only a matter of hours before it is completely "tracked out”, lumped up and beaten down. Only those few early birds that ride the first chairs in the morning get the ultimate run of the day, in deep, consistent, smooth, untracked snow.

For years, diehard powder snow enthusiasts have headed for the backcountry to “ski the powder” among remote alpine peaks, far from crowded ski areas. Many enjoy the peace and quiet of ski touring and move and ski at a pace governed by their own physical fitness.

Others who may be less ambitious or have less time, but who have ample disposable funds, have headed for the backcountry in helicopters. For about $1000 per day or more, heli-operators offer small groups of proficient skiers 5 to 7 days of guided skiing on huge pristine slopes, high in the mountains. Guests stay in comfortable lodges and spend their days being shuttled back and forth with their guides, with each run on a fresh untracked slope. Heli skiing has its problems. There are “down days” when storms make flying impossible and there is always the inherent risk of all backcountry skiing: avalanche.

Avalanche risk depends on many factors. All reputable backcountry operators provide highly qualified guides who choose areas for skiing and a safe route down the hill. On days of poor weather or unstable snow, guides may avoid alpine areas and restrict their groups to "skiing the trees”. Tree skiing is a fixture of all mechanized backcountry skiing and is preferred by some skiers to the more open “alpine” skiing.

In recent years, a new type of mechanized backcountry ski operator has emerged. Snowcat skiing operators use snowcats to transport skiers and snowboarders into backcountry regions. Snowcats are fitted with a large cab that seats clients in a warm, comfortable environment. A snowcat typically carries a group of 12 clients, two guides and a driver.

Of course, snowcats are much slower than helicopters. They are also much less expensive and guests can expect to pay between $500 and $600 a day, including transportation, lodging, meals, and guiding. As slow as snowcats may be, most clients will wear themselves out every day and get just as much skiing as their group can handle.

The great advantage of cat skiing is that “down” days almost never occur. Clients ski every day and bad weather can often mean extra-good snow. Cat skiing is more relaxed and “laid back” than heli skiing as there is no need to share equipment between groups or to maximize equipment usage. Cat skiing is very “client-friendly”. Each group has a dedicated machine and it moves at the group’s pleasure. Weaker skiers can feel at ease and not “pushed”.

Snowcats provide a relatively quiet, comfortable, warm and relaxed environment in which the trip back up the hill can be almost as much fun as the run down. Guests can “unbutton”, dry out, warm up, converse and browse on sandwiches, cookies, cake and drinks. If a guest gets tired, it’s easy to “sit out” a run and ride down to the next pickup with the cat driver.

Snowcat skiing is more restricted geographically than heli skiing. However, that has a drawback. Since they can operate in a larger area, heli-operators may sometimes be less familiar with changing snow conditions and risk factors than snowcat operators who work in a more restricted area.

Most snowcat operators have ample terrain to consistently provide good snow, even in periods of drought, and to ensure that clients exhaust themselves every day. Chatter Creek Mountain Lodges Ltd. operates in a 95 sq. km area and ski between the elevations of 5400ft and 9500 ft. Monashee Powder Adventures advertises an area of 66 sq. km and operate between the elevations of 7800 ft and 3,000 ft.. Baldface Lodge uses over 140 sq km. Guests need not worry about running out of terrain!

Snowcat skiing provides a wonderful holiday for intermediate and advanced skiers alike. Individuals, family groups, groups of friends, business associates can have a “trip to remember”. Operators with remote lodges offer a real “backcountry” experience, usually with good food and very comfortable accommodations.

About The Author


Lockie Brown is retired and lives near Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He has cat skied for about 10 years, taking groups of 12 and 24 friends to different cat ski venues in British Columbia. He now takes his groups to Chatter Creek Mountain Lodges near Golden, B.C.

For more information, please refer to the Chatter Creek Web site at
http://backcountrywintervacations.com/

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Saturday, November 19, 2005

Snowboard Girls Take Your Skills To The Next Level At Girls-Only Camps"Robin's Adventures In Camping Equipment"

by: Jeremy Hier

Women who love to snowboard are commonly called snowboard girls. They love snowboarding freestyle, freeride, and freecarve. A great way for you snowboard girls to improve your skills quickly and have alot of fun is to go to a girls-only snowboard camp.

All-girl snowboard camps provide snowboard girls the perfect environment to improve their skills and take their skills to the next level and beyond. In Timberline, Oregon their is an all-girls camp called Progressive Ski and Snowboard Camps.

This is a girls-only park and pipe camp. The newest coach is Hannah Epps who is joined by veteran coaches Sarah Burke, Emily Bonnett, Denise Jaworsky, Jen Critchton, and Jesse Bennie. They will be teaching the ski and snowboard girls.

At the camp you'll be able to improve your halfpipe, rail and jump skills with the help of some of the best female coaches in the sport. Ski and snowboard girls can progress in the park wether you are dropping into the halfpipe for the first time or are looking to add another trick to your already amazing slopestyle run.

Depending on your needs their are a variety of packages to choose from. An all-inclusive package covers meals, lift tickets, coaching and accomodations. Ski and snowboard girls can get more information at progressionskicamps.com.

Before you go off to camp make sure you have all the necessary snowboard equipment such as snowboard, boots and bindings, and outerwear.

About The Author


Jeremy is an avid snowboarding fan and writer. To find out which snowboard is best for you go to: http://www.articlecity.com/www.snowboard-guide.com/ride-snowboards.html.

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Friday, November 18, 2005

Organize a Cat Skiing Trip, Ski at a Discount"Robin's Adventures In Camping Equipment"

by: Lachlan Brown

What’s better than backcountry powder shared with a couple of good friends? What beats chasing your buddies through the trees, sharing great lines on open slopes and watching your mates “pop” off bumps into the “pow”? Now, if that though brings a smile, broaden the picture to include 12 good friends. Think about a day of great powder shared with the 12 people you most like to ski or ride with. Then expand that thought to three or four days in succession. Oh, yes, and throw in some uphill tranportation that gives you 12 to 15 great runs a day.

If it seems like a wild dream, it’s not. Snowcat skiers are doing it every year.

Assemble your own group to share a snowcat and two guides and to control the pace of each day’s skiing. The cat rides back up the mountain become almost as much fun as the runs down, filled with the old lies and jokes and stories that you all enjoy sharing. Evenings in the bar at the lodge playing pool or darts for “shots” or soaking in the hot tub just continue the fun of the day. Our "Favorite Chatter Creek Photos" (http://favorite-chatter-creek-photos.blogspot.com). were taken by some old friends who go cat skiing together every year.

Many cat skiing operators in BC encourage groups. At least two operators offer no particular incentive to group leaders, but point out the advantage to having companions that know one another and are all compatible skiers and riders. However, at least three BC operators provide group organizers a free seat and one operator offers two free seats (take 12 people, pay for 10). Other operators offer a discount ranging from $1200 per day, to $1500 for a 4-day tour. Typically, it’s all or nothing and the group size must be 12 to qualify for a discount. As nice as it is to get a great discount, Group Organizers shopping for a cat skiing tour should think about group discounts last, after making a short list of operators having terrain and skiing conditions that best suits their group’s needs.

Organizing a group is no cakewalk. The group organizer is the sole point of contact with the company. He or she collects and accounts for all funds, makes lump payments on behalf of the group, distributes company literature, collects client information and submits it to the company. Above all, the organizer ensures that group members understand the tour dates, transportation arrangements, meeting times and special conditions like baggage restrictions or clothing needed for the trip in to a remote lodge.

The real effort goes into filling the group with compatible skiers. A sign-up list circulated at the end of each tour always generates lots of interest in the following year. Everyone’s ready to be back next year; same time, same place, same group. Fantastic! However, things change a bit in the following weeks, when the deposit becomes due. People return home and remember (or are reminded of) family vacation promises, visiting relatives, budgetary constraints and other priorities. Then it’s “scramble time” for the Group Leader. The deposit is due shortly and the group is not full. Some Group Leaders end up subsidizing the group deposit.

Finally, the organizer handles last minute changes. People get sick or have emergencies or “things” happen at work and substitutes have to be arranged. Snowstorms can force last-minute changes to travel plans, requiring telephone calls to the entire group, as described in the article, “Getting to Chatter Creek: Go Early and Get there“ (http://backcountrywintervacations.com/getting-to-chatter-creek.html)

You may have known your buddies for years, but you don’t really understand them until you try to organize their ski trip. As one cat ski operator noted, “It’s like herding cats”. One or two email messages is not enough to convey critical dates and other information. There is always that benighted soul who forgets or is confused or looses forms or is always late with payments. Experience teaches the value of a standby list of people happy to step in and replace “foot-draggers”. That usually focuses the attention!

Regular reminders and specific confirmation is needed to ensure that people really do understand what they need to know, and that critical dates and times really have been recorded in next year’s calendar, and not this year’s. If the meeting point is in a different time zone, alarm bells have to be rung regularly, or people will forget the time shift, or get it backward. People need reminding that there is a day of travel before and after the dates of the tour. If tour members are married, it’s a good idea to ensure their wives know “the drill”.

Different organizers handle their discount in different ways. Merle McKnight, manager of Chatter Creek, in Golden recommends, “Put it in your pocket, you’ve earned it!” Many organizers do just that. Others share the discount with the group members, giving everyone a small discount. One organizer rents a bus to take his group from Calgary to Golden, where his cat skiing tour starts. That tour really starts and ends in Calgary and everything in between is a blur.

In the end, whatever frustration a group organizer may bear falls right away on that first run of the annual tour, as one’s mates charge down the hill, with whoops and hollers and powder snow flying. The grins on their faces make it all worth while!

Having written so much about organizing groups, I should add that, over the years, I’ve had a number trips with two or three friends, sharing a snowcat with strangers. Without exception, these trips have been wonderful experiences. I’ve made new friends and have thoroughly enjoyed myself. Even though I am an experienced skier, I have rarely felt held back by weaker skiers. Well, perhaps just once. Snowcat skiing is so “laid back” and relaxed and guides are so skilled, that a range in ability within a group can “work” very well. Most snowcat skiing operators encourage just strong intermediate and expert skiers, so “slower” skiers are rarely far behind. More often than not, they end up waiting while the hotshots “scope out” special challenges; cliffs, bumps and the like.

If you don’t really know what cat skiing is, check out Cat Skiing Articles at http://cat-skiing-articles.blogspot.com/.

About The Author


Lockie Brown lives in Vancouver and skis regularly at Whistler and Blackcomb. For five years, he has organized snowcat sking tours to Chatter Creek , near Golden (http://www.backcountrywintervacations.com/). Before that, he had a number of trips to Island Lake Lodge near Fernie. For lots of photos about cat skiing, Lockie suggests the Chatter News at http://powder-skiing.blogspot.com.

lockiebrown@hotmail.com

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Snowcat Skiing Are You Ready"Robin's Adventures In Camping Equipment"

Backcountry Skiing: Getting there can be Half the Fun
by: Lachlan brown

Western Canada is a land of mountains, lakes and rivers. There are also deserts (yes, Walter, small deserts), huge forested plateaus and lush farmland, but mountains are a predominant feature. From the Coast Range in the west to the Rockies in the east, from the Cascades in the south, to the Cassiar Range in the north, there is one range after another; the Cariboos, the Monashees, and the Selkirks, to name just a few.

The mountains of British Columbia offer untold opportunities for every kind of skiing, including backcountry touring, snowcat skiing and heli-skiing. There are many ski resorts and many backcountry lodges, mostly located near small interior towns, away from the large population centers and international airports.

Getting to a backcountry skiing holiday can involve travel on roads that traverse narrow valleys and high passes. After heavy snowfalls, roads can sometimes be closed while crews clear away debris from slides.

At the end of January 2004, a heavy snowfall caused overnight closures on some BC highways. Two days later, a second storm closed other roads, including the Trans Canada highway. This is a tale of getting from Vancouver to Golden BC in the midst of these storms.

The weather in Vancouver was mild. There had been a recent gaggle of small disturbances, but no big storms. The freezing level was too high. We prayed for snow. We watched the forecasts, but things looked “iffy”.

After months of anticipation, our trip to Chatter Creek was nearing. In two days our annual powder-bash would begin. Four days of cat skiing in Rocky Mountain powder!

This year, we had a group of 24 old friends and regular ski buddies. Many had been to Chatter Creek before and knew what to expect. We were all anxiously counting down the days.

Most of us live in Vancouver, Squamish and Whistler. Individually, we had made our arrangements for getting to Golden. Some would fly to Calgary, rent a car and drive together to Golden, a four-hour trip through Banff, Lake Louise and the Kicking Horse Pass. They would arrive in Golden just in time for our 3:00 PM helicopter flight into the lodge.

Others would drive from Vancouver or Whistler, at best a long nine-hour trip. With an early start on flight day, and with hard steady driving, they should easily reach Golden in time. I would leave a day early, stay with one of the group in Kamloops, and have a leisurely drive to Golden the next day.

Missing the helicopter flight to the lodge was to be avoided. No one’s budget covered an extra night in Golden and a private helicopter flight.

The flights don’t wait. They have to go on time. They would deliver us to the lodge and bring out departing guests. The transfer starts in mid-afternoon (time varies as the winter progresses) and has to be to be completed in daylight.

Two days to go and the telephone rang. “Hi, it’s Merle.”

My heart sank. A call this late from Merle McKnight, Chatter Creek’s marvelous manager, could only mean trouble. What was wrong?

“We’ve had a 'dump'! The passes are closed in both directions. No one is getting though. Crews will work all night and the roads should open sometime tomorrow. However, there is talk of yet more snow. Get here a day early. Come tomorrow!"

Good news and bad news! Lots of fresh snow at Chatter Creek, but getting there would be a challenge.

One always heeds Merle’s advice! As my group’s organizer, it was time to start phoning.

Hours later, everyone had been alerted. Most were changing their plans but some could not or decided to chance it. Not a good plan! Weather in the Interior can be unpredictable.

I called Al in Kamloops. “We’ll be there by 10:00 AM tomorrow, let’s go right through. We can ski Kicking Horse in the morning, before our flight”. “Fine”! Al would be ready.

A few hours later, a mate and I were on the road. After days of drizzle, the day dawned sunny and mild. It was like spring!

The first mountain road is the Coquihalla. It was bare and the sky was clear. There was no hint of a storm. The roads ahead were reported open.

I thought to myself, “I’m never going to hear the end of this! After getting all those people to change their plans, I’m going to get some rockets.”

We were in Kamloops in less than four hours. We picked up Al and six hours later we were in Golden. There had been a delay at Three Valley Gap, where road crews were cleaning up a slide. However, there had been no real problem and the driving had been easy. False alarm! Oh well, we would get a morning at Kicking Horse Resort before our afternoon flight to Chatter Creek.

Morning dawned, and I arose to look outside. My car had become a huge white mound. Not even the tires were visible! It had dumped overnight and it was still dumping! On went the “telly”. The road to the east was closed again. The road to the west could close at any time.

Some of the lads were leaving the coast in the “wee” hours, much earlier than usual to give themselves extra time. Would they make it? Would they get through Three Valley Gap and then the high Rogers Pass before things shut down? The road was bound to close, it was just a matter of time.

At 2:00PM, shaking off the Kicking Horse powder, we headed for the airport. The radio advised that all the passes were now closed. Had our friends made it?

As we drove up to the hanger, we saw all sorts of activity. There was Owen, and Jim was there too. The others from the coast had arrived, the last cars allowed through. Great relief!

However, as we assembled to count heads; 17,18,19,20….?? We were missing the four who were flying to Calgary. They were not to be seen.

A cell phone rang. Chris and Kevin were stopped on the Radium road. The Kicking Horse Pass was closed, so they had tried the alternate route. No luck, it was closed too. They were there for the night. Disaster!

Guests fly to the lodge in three flights, one flight of 12 and two flights of 6. If all 20 of us were to fly to the lodge that night, the stragglers would have an expensive private flight the next day.

Merle and her husband Mike came to the rescue. A radio call was made to the lodge.

“Were there six departing clients willing to stay over and fly out in the morning?” Affirmative! No problem! There were many volunteers.

Merle then asked, “Now, are any two people willing to stay tonight in Golden? Then the last flight of 6 will fly in the morning”

Silence. Glum faces. Hands in pockets. No volunteers!

There was more discussion. “Was anyone willing to snowmobile to the lodge tonight?”

Hesitation, then Tony, good old Tony, raised his hand. He would do it. A ninety-km trip on a snowmobile, following a leader at high speed on a cold night with fresh snow on an unplowed road was not anyone’s idea of fun! Tony would have a 90-km blizzard.

Merle explained, “If we sled the luggage to the lodge tonight, and one person sleds too, then we’ll put an extra person in the large ‘bird’ and the last flight will go in the morning. There will be no extra charges and everyone that’s here will get in tonight.

Perfect! Relief! We would have warm drinks and a meal waiting for Tony.

The flight to Chatter Creek was spectacular, with shafts of late afternoon sunlight striking the surrounding peaks. In 20 minutes, back on the ground, we stumbling though the fresh “powder” to the welcoming door of Vertebrae Lodge. Eighteen glum-faced skiers and boarders passed us on the way. After a great tour, no one wanted to leave. Six smiling faces greeted us at the door. They would get another great meal and an extra night at Vertebrae Lodge, an unexpected bonus.

Two hours later, Tony arrived, a frozen “Michelin Man”. It took a while to thaw him out. Next morning, not long after breakfast, we heard the familiar sound of an approaching helicopter. The last four were arriving.

Our group was complete, the weather was clear, there was lots of fresh snow and our Chatter Creek tour was launched. It turned out to be the best tour yet!

Travel to Golden is not usually difficult. This was an infrequent, but very possible case. The roads from the east and the west both go over high passes, and can pose a problem. The road from the south (Spokane WA) follows valleys and is rarely closed.

For more information on getting to Golden for your cat skiing adventure, look at the “Getting to Golden” page on the Chatter Creek Web site, at http://www.backcountrywintervacations.com/golden-bc.html . A photo journal on Chatter Creek is located at http://powder-skiing.blogspot.com/

About The Author


Lockie Brown has cat skied for about 10 years, taking groups of 12 and 24 friends to different cat ski venues in British Columbia. He now takes his groups to Chatter Creek near Golden, B.C. For information on Chatter Creek, please look at .
http://backcountrywintervacations.com/.

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Thursday, November 17, 2005

The Road to Expert Skiing"Robin's Adventures In Camping Equipment"

You want to learn more about skiing?

Imagine yourself cruising down a groomed run carving elegant turns with your new shaped skis. In the distance you see two symbols, a blue square for a left turn and a black diamond for a right turn. Without hesitation you steer to the right. The pitch becomes steeper, the snow is un-groomed, and there are trees, lots of trees. You stop momentarily, pick a line, push off, and tighten your turns as you begin the descent.

Click below for the rest.

The Road to Expert Skiing

Skiing Exercises for Recreational Skiers"Robin's Adventures In Camping Equipment"

If you exercise often, you'll begin to build your strength and enhance your endurance in the muscle groups used in downhill skiing. You'll be preparing yourself for the rigors of skiing in the expert zones where both staying power and explosive power are of the utmost importance. First, we’ll get into the why and when you need to exercise, before moving onto the five essential elements of ski-specific exercising.

To read the rest of this article, click on the link below.

Skiing Exercises for Recreational Skiers

Monday, November 14, 2005

5 Easy Steps to Giving the Perfect BackCountry Gift"Robin's Adventures In Camping Equipment"

by: Chuck Fitzgerald

Does the thought of buying a gift for a friend or relative make you smile or does it stress you out? Is there a hiker or camper on your gift giving list? What can you give to the someone who already has everything? The secret of gift giving is not always the “what.” Many times the “why, when and how” make an ordinary gift the Perfect Gift. Continue reading to discover 5 sure-fire steps to giving the perfect gift to the outdoor enthusiasts in your life.

Step 1: Do Your Homework. This is the toughest of the 5 steps. Doing your homework means thinking about your outdoor enthusiast and what he or she likes about being in the backcountry. Are there any current or past outdoor interests? Perhaps he likes to fish or she likes to climb. Maybe you overheard the comment “I remember when I used to go camping every long weekend. I miss those days.” Our personal shopper service receives hints like this all the time. Chances are you already know their interests, so take a few minutes to think prior to shopping. There are loads of great outdoor gifts available.

Another part of your homework is to understand the relationship between you and your gift recipient’s outdoor hobbies. Last year I was camping with a dear friend who got mildly lost. After about an hour, he showed up in camp a little embarrassed – but safe. So the perfect gift for him before our next trip was a GPS unit. I also included a hand written coupon good for one free lesson and an extra set of batteries. The relationship we had allowed me to have a little fun with the gift giving. I did provide him with a quality gift and he uses it all the time.

Step 2: Speaking of High Quality. The best way to get the most enjoyment out of our backcountry experiences is to have good gear. When giving a backcountry gift, be sure it’s high quality. There are two gear buying rules to live by. First, only give gear you would use. And secondly, buy the best gear you can afford. Nothing derails good times in the great outdoors like bad gear.

Step 3: The Right Way to Give Certificates. Gift certificates can be an excellent choice for a gift. Here’s a great use of a gift certificate - I was fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of this story. A friend living across the country knew I loved to hike. He also knew from his own experience that you can’t just buy a backpack for someone else. Backpacks are a very subjective purchase. Instead of buying a me a pack and giving me the task of returning it in order to get the right one, he sent me a gift certificate AND he told me what to buy with it. So now I get the backpack I want and my friend has proven once again how well he knows me. I loved the gift. When giving gift certificates, tell the recipient what to buy with it.

Step 4: Seek Out Customer Friendly Retailers. This is especially important when purchasing a gift on-line. Make sure you are purchasing from a store with visible customer satisfaction and return policies. If your gift recipient needs to exchange or return a piece of gear, the process needs to be hassle-free. If the return procedure is clunky, the perfect gift just became imperfect.

Step 5: Timing is Everything. The best time to get “the birding binoculars I always wanted,” is not on your birthday or at Christmas time. The best time to get them is just before you go birding. The new backpack is a more thoughtful gift just prior to hiking the Grand Canyon than it is for graduation. The value of a gift is greatly increased when given at the right time. Surprise someone with a perfectly timed present.

Giving the Perfect BackCountry Gift is easy to do. Determining “what” to give is important, but so is knowing “why, when and how” to give. Make your next gift giving experience a good one. The outdoor enthusiast in your life is counting on it. Use this information and you’ll Get It Right The First Time.

Get Outdoors!

About The Author


Chuck Fitzgerald is the President of Arizona based BackCountry Toys, an online store providing backcountry specialty gear and educational information for outdoor enthusiasts. Visit http://www.backcountrytoys.com/ to receive the free newsletter "FreshAir” or call (800) 316-9055. chuck@backcountrytoys.com

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