UltraRob's Adventures

It’s snowing and I’m getting excited about one of my favorite winter sports – snowshoeing. We have three pairs of snowshoes – all Redfeathers – but I’m always dreaming about a new pair.

My new favorites? Crescent Moon. This small company is based in Boulder, where they make all their shoes. They’re a green company that uses materials with no environmentally harmful PVC plastic; they use wind-powered energy in their factory and office and they recycle and reuse everything they can – frames, rivets, claws, bindings and decking (non-PVC, of course).

Once you get your snowshoes, check out these trails in the area:

• Anywhere in Mueller State Park (in the picture). Best bets? Homestead and Elk Meadow trails (pick up a map at park entrance or visitor center).
• The Crags. This side of Pikes Peak holds the snow, so you can find deep stashes even after it’s melted on the other side.
• Rainbow Gulch off Rampart Range Road. Throw in the trail that circles the reservoir and you’ve got a hefty loop (about 15 miles).
• Barr Trail. It’s usually packed down on the lower section, but we’ve used snowshoes on the stretch between the top of the Incline and Barr Camp.
• Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. There isn’t snowshoe-worthy snow here season-long, but after a good storm, it’s perfect.

- Deb Acord

Crescent Moon Silver 13 Snowshoes Price: $169.95

Crescent Moon Kids Snowshoes Price: $79.95

Crescent Moon Snowshoes Silver 10 Snowshoe Price: $178.95

Labels: Colorado, outdoors, snowshoeing

Recent studies have shown a decrease in strenuous outdoor nature recreation activities such as hiking and backpacking. To someone who prefers uncrowded trails, that might sound like a good thing, but a recent study in PloS One, a research report site, shows that decline might have a negative impact on conservation groups.

The study, conducted by Oliver Pegams, visiting research assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Patricia Zaradic, director of the Red Rock Institute in Pennsylvania and Peter Kareiva, chief scientist for The Nature Conservancy, showed that “the type and timing of nature experience may determine future conservation investment.”

The study showed that people who spend their time hiking or backpacking often increase their conservation contributions more than a decade later. According to the study, that translates to $200 to $300 annually per person in future contributions.

- Deb Acord

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Labels: hiking, outdoors

Every year about this time, when the mountain scenery fades from green to brown, I’m drawn to a different kind of terrain – dusty high deserts, rocky canyons, shifting sand dunes.

Fall and winter are the best times to visit these places and you’ll often have them to yourselves. Here are three of my favorites close to Colorado Springs – Paint Mines Interpretive Park, which is nearby; the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, which can be done on a long day trip, and Hovenweep National Monument, which can be part of a longer road trip that also includes Mesa Verde National Park.

• Paint Mines Interpretive Park, part of the El Paso County parks system, is unlike any other park in the region. To get there, take U.S. Highway 24 east to Calhan; drive south on Yoder Road/Calhan Highway; east on Pain Mine Road, and follow the signs. The park is named for the hoodoos and spires capped in sandstone (pictured) and “painted” with clays. It’s a small park – 750 acres with four miles of trails – but you’ll want to linger and explore the maze of rock formations.
• Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve near Mosca has the tallest dunes in North America, set dramatically against a backdrop of the Sangre de Cristos. In the summer, the dunes are crawling with visitors. In the winter, we’ve had the park all to ourselves.
• Hovenweep National Monument near Cortez and Blanding, Utah. Mysterious rock towers and petroglyphs dot the high desert here; remnants of a culture 10,000 years old.

- Deb Acord

Asolo TPS 520 GV Boots Mens Price: $247.95

Asolo Hiking Boots FSN 85 For Men Regular Price: $145.00 $109.95 on sale

ASOLO Cholatse TH Mountaineering Boots Price: $399.95

Labels: Colorado, hiking, outdoors

As I do most weeks, I picked up the latest Colorado Springs Independent which is their Best Of volume two. It's been laying on my desk at work waiting for me to have a chance to take a short break to scan for something interesting. Work has been so busy that I hadn't taken the time to look past the cover.

Imagine my surprise yesterday when Deb Acord emailed me today that this blog had been named Best Local Outdoor Blog. Of course Deb has been writing great posts for the last couple months and she shares in this recognition and deserves a big thanks.

I also owe a big thanks to you the readers, whether long time readers or just new. If I didn't know people were reading and commenting, I probably would have quit blogging a long time ago. It's changed a lot from it's birth as a way to record my training for RAAM to now being a much broader cycling and outdoor blog.

If you're local, you can pick up a copy of the Indy around town and check it out in print on page 59 or you can check out the online version.

- UltraRob

Asolo Hiking Boots FSN 85 For Men Regular Price: $145.00 $109.95 on sale

Bora GTX QC Hiking Boots Women Price: $174.49

REI Backpacker Hiking Boots Womens Regular Price: $165.00 $79.83 on sale

Labels: Colorado Springs, outdoors

I've avoided deer encounters ever since last fall when an overly protective doe attempted to stomp the life out of our beagle.  He was standing next to our deck, and had wandered between the deer and her fawn when she attacked him.  As I ran down our back stairs, I yelled at the doe just as I would yell at an attacking dog, but that didn't even phase her.  Luckily, Hunter the beagle is small, fast and loud, and we came to his defense quickly, throwing pebbles at the animal until she finally backed off.

A Florissant, CO woman wasn't quite as lucky.  On Monday, 63-year-old Joan Nutt was gored by a buck at the home of her sister on County Road 31 near Florissant.  Nutt's family was familiar with the deer, according to the Colorado Division of Widlife, and said it visited their property often.  Nutt called the deer, attempting to pet it, but when it got close, it lowered its head and charged.  A passerby helped scare off the buck, but  Nutt received cuts and bruises on her hands, upper leg, stomach, hip, elbow and upper arm.

The deer was tranquilized and later euthanized, and its body was sent to a DOW wildlife health lab in Fort Collins.

DOW officials took the opportunity to remind people to remember that wildlife can always pose a threat to humans.  If you encounter a deer, give it space.  Don't approach it, and (does this really have to be said?) never, ever pet it.

- Deb Acord

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Labels: Colorado, outdoors, wildlife

On any given Saturday, the parking lot at Rainbow Falls off Colorado Highway 67 is packed.  It's one of the most popular staging grounds in the area for one of the most popular outdoor sports in the country - motorized recreation.

ATVs and dirt bikes are two of the most popular ways to get into the forest - in some parts of Colorado last year, nearly 50 percent of the people on trails were on some kind of motorized vehicle.

And all that use has taken its toll.  That's why the Pikes Peak District of the U.S. Forest Service is working on a plan to determine which roads and trails are necessary, functional and sustainable in the South Rampart area of the Pike National Forest.

The district published a motor vehicle use map in February and since then, has been gathering comments on the designated roads and trails it includes.  Several public meetings have already taken place. I wrote about the past meetings in the Colorado Springs Independent in July and interviewed both motorized fans and those who want more areas closed to motorized travel.

Two more meetings are scheduled this week - 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Woodland Park Middle School, 600 E. Kelly Road, Woodland Park, and 6-8 p.m.Thursday at the Colorado Springs Utilities Leon Young Service Center, 1521 Hancock Expressway.

Those who attend will be able to ask questions about the plan, make suggestions, and see the existing map. For more information, call 636-1602.

- Deb Acord

The North Face STH 2 Jacket Price: $199.00

The North Face Pumori Jacket Price: $99.00

The North Face Freethinker 2 Jacket Price: $569.00

Labels: Colorado, outdoors

In 1999, a series of public meetings to gather input on opening Pikes Peak’s south slope to recreation was attended by eager outdoor enthusiasts. Using input from those meetings, a sweeping master plan for the entire mountain, including the south slope, was completed in 2000.

So why were residents streaming into a hot conference room at the Leon Young Service Center Tuesday night, 10 years later, to discuss the possible opening of the mountain’s south slope? This meeting was organized by Colorado Springs Utilities, the department in charge of the south slope and its collection of seven reservoirs fed by Pikes Peak snowmelt and rainwater.

The original plan was never implemented, resulting in this eerily similar gathering. “Wow. Déjà vu,” said one person attending.

Those who were at this meeting were hesitant to guess when or even if they would ever explore the south slope trails. Some utilities employees believe a 2012 opening could be possible. Others are more pessimistic, remembering the 25-year wait for the opening of the North Slope. And still others recall that disasters such as the terrorist attacks of 9-11 and the Hayman fire of 2002, both of which were used as excuses by CSU to keep the gates locked, could occur.

But still, the overall mood was of subdued optimism. Even though the south slope has never opened, advocates for its expanded use aren’t giving up. A citizen advisory board has been working for several months on the new Colorado Springs Utilities Watershed Access Plan.

Another public meeting is planned for January, 2010. And CSU is still gathering input about how the south slope should be used recreationally. Should there be camping? An overnight hut system? Rock climbing? Fishing? If you missed this meeting, let CSU know your feelings about this hidden treasure by calling 448-4800 or checking on plan updates at csu.org

- Deb Acord

Asolo Hiking Boots FSN 85 For Men Regular Price: $145.00 $109.95 on sale

Asolo Echo Hiking Boots For Men Regular Price: $170.00 $114.95 on sale

Asolo Flame GTX Hiking Boots Price: $189.95

Labels: Colorado Springs, outdoors, Pikes Peak

If you're reading this blog, this probably doesn't apply to you or your kids. But it's worth noting anyway. U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar stopped in Omaha, Neb., today to speak to employees of the National Park Service, and according to the World Herald, he told his audience that kids in America spend about four minutes a day in the outdoors, compared to six hours in front of their computers, televisions and other electronic devices.

I don't know if this is a real statistic or if Salazar was just making a point, but it's true (and sad) that the average kid is probably much better at Wii's Sports Resort (water skiing, basketball, baseball, archery and kayaking all in one!) than he or she is at water skiing, basketball, baseball, archery or kayaking.

What does this mean for future generations of athletes? Salazar told his audience that one of his priorities is getting more of the nation's children "connected with America's landscape." That's the actual, not the virtual landscape.

Let's go outside!

- Deb Acord

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Necky Sky Kayak Regular Price: $498.95 $374.21 on sale

NECKY Looksha 12 Si Kayak Regular Price: $998.95 $699.27 on sale

Labels: outdoors

I was just talking with a friend of mine last night about a terrifying mountain bike ride she did recently outside Steamboat Springs. She was riding a rough trail when she was attacked by angry bees. As she tried to brush them off and escape their rage, she hit a hard bump, was knocked head-first off her bike, and fell down a six-foot drop-off, landing in, of course, prickly weeds.

She’s OK, but she said she later heard that bees had attacked others on area trails, and that they are known to be especially angry this time of year. We wondered together if that happens in other places and on other trails.

Then I saw local climber/author Stewart Green’s blog on his climbing page at about.com and his post about bees attacking an Arizona climber last week on Camelback Mountain in Phoenix. According to Green, the climber disturbed a hive of Africanized honeybees. He tried to get away but was stranded on a cliff, and by the time he was rescued, he had been stung more than 120 times.

Green says this wasn’t the first time climbers and scramblers were attacked on that same mountain, including a 2004 attack when a climber tried to flee from the bees, fell, and was killed.

The Steamboat bees weren’t the deadly Africanized strain, but it’s still frightening to think about a bee attack on a trail. My friend and I wondered if there was anything she could have done to deter the bees.

The USDA posts some tips on its site. Most are common-sense stuff, and don’t offer any new advice for mountain bikers : "be careful when using machinery that produces sound vibrations or loud noises."(?)

The only tips that could apply to mountain biking or hiking:

• Wear light-colored clothing.
• Avoid wearing scents. Don’t even chew gum (which is scented).

- Deb Acord

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Climbing Rope Key Chain Price: $3.00

Beal Top Gun II Climbing Rope 60m Regular Price: $229.95 $189.95 on sale

Labels: mountain biking, outdoors, rock climbing

It’s been a tough couple of days on Colorado trails:

A search is on for a Fort Carson soldier and his girlfriend who didn’t return from a Saturday day-hike in the Lost Creek Wilderness. According to KUSA-TV in Denver, the search expanded today (Monday).

The two hikers were reported missing after they headed out on the Goose Creek trailhead. Their car was found in the trailhead parking lot. The search party includes deputies from Jefferson County and Park County; a bloodhound; search and rescue teams from Summit, Arapahoe and Douglas counties; two helicopters from the Civil Air Patrol, and two fixed-wing planes. KUSA reported that about 160 people were searching for the hikers, who weren’t dressed for the weather.

KUSA also reported that on Sunday, two women hiking the Signal Mountain Trail near Comanche Peak Wilderness Area were assaulted by a man wielding a knife. Larimer County deputies are searching the area for the masked assailant, who jumped out from behind some trees and held a knife to the throat of one of the women. The women fought him off with a walking stick.

On Friday, a man’s body was found below the False Keyhole on the Longs Peak Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. Park officials said it appeared that the man’s fatal injuries were the result of a significant fall on the north side of the mountain.

- Deb Acord

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LEKI Sierra Antishock Trekking Pole 1 Pole Regular Price: $79.95 $63.96 on sale

Trekking Pole Bag Price: $12.00

Labels: Colorado, hiking, outdoors

It's happened again. A black bear attacked a man in his home Thursday night in Aspen. According to the Colorado Division of Wildlife, a man in the Meadowood Drive area off Castle Creek on the west side of town. The DOW reports that the man heard his three dogs parking on the ground floor of his house, and when he went downstairs, he was confronted by a large black bear. The bear struck him, but then escaped through a window the man managed to open. The DOW has set a trap for the bear; if it's caught, it will be killed. The agency hasn't released any information yet about what might have attracted the bear to the house.

- Deb Acord

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Bear Vault BV500 Bear Resistant Food Canister Regular Price: $79.95 $71.96 on sale

Bear Aware The Quick Reference Bear Country Survival Guide 3rd Edition Price: $7.95

Labels: Colorado, outdoors, wildlife

The outdoor industry had a problem. Consumers were clamoring for BPA-free water bottles. The plastics industry insists BPA doesn’t pose any threats to people but concerns over the possible health risks of bisphenol A, an industrial chemical, aren’t going away, and consumer groups continue to issue warnings.

So companies have come up with solutions. REI had had 28,000 pounds of water bottles that it had pulled off the shelves because of concerns over BPA. Instead of piling them in landfills, REI teamed with Aladdin and created recycled, repurposed eCycle travel mugs.

The mugs, which come in glacier, dusk, pine and mulberry shades, feature a double wall with the repurposed polycarbonate on the outer wall where it has no contact with your beverage. The mug weighs 12 ounces and holds 16 fluid ounces; it costs $14.95.

Water bottle giant Nalgene no longer makes bottles with the industrial chemical and has a complete line of BPA-free products.

Another popular bottle-maker, Sigg, found itself making headlines recently when its CEO revealed that the epoxy liner in the company’s aluminum bottles contained trace amounts of BPA until the company switched to a “BPA-Free EcoCare liner” in August, 2008.

So what kind of water bottles are BPA-free? According to TreeHugger.com, Camelbak and Kor One join Nalgene’s new BPA-free bottles.

- Deb Acord

CamelBak Sutra Daypack w 5L Better Bottle Womens Free Bottle Regular Price: $74.95 $63.70 on sale

CAMELBAK STAINLESS STEEL BETTER BOTTLE 75L PATTERN WATER BOTTLE Price: $23.95

Camelbak CamelBak Bottle Classic Bottle 5L Regular Price: $8.95 $7.95 on sale

Labels: gear, hiking, outdoors

Recent headlines in Colorado:

• “Bear escapes skateboarding park: climbs ladder.”
• “Ouray woman killed by bear she fed.”
• “Bear breaks into woman’s home.”
• “Bear put down after it scratches Aspen woman.”
• “Bears have nightly buffet at the dump.”

Never before have we been able to take the term “living with bears” so literally. Bears have been wreaking havoc in Colorado this summer, and the result of their antics has been tragic for both animals and people. The Colorado Division of Wildlife has been busy searching for marauding bears, capturing them, and in 25 cases, killing them, especially in the Aspen area.

The DOW’s web page on living with bears, offers guidelines for bear-human co-existence. The rules are fairly simple and almost all have to do with bears’ attraction to anything they can eat. According to the DOW, one study showed that putting trash out in the morning instead of the night before pickup decreases the chances of a bear visit from 70 percent to just two percent.

It seems like such a small thing but our personal habits can mean the difference between life and death for Colorado's bears.

Follow the DOW's rules for living with bears:

• Don’t leave trash out overnight.
• Bring bird feeders and pet food inside at night.
• Lock bear-accessible windows and doors at night.
• Don't leave any food containers or food in your car overnight.
• Pick fruit before it ripens, and pick it up off the ground.
• Clean your outdoor barbecue grills after each use.

Deb Acord

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Bear Vault BV500 Bear Resistant Food Canister Regular Price: $79.95 $71.96 on sale

Bear Aware The Quick Reference Bear Country Survival Guide 3rd Edition Price: $7.95

Labels: Colorado, outdoors, wildlife

My family has always preferred fall camping to summer. Our favorite backcountry haunts and favorite trails are uncrowded and the weather is more predictable. We’ve had many nearly perfect camping trips through the years, but for some reason, it’s the ones that weren’t so perfect that stand out in our minds:

The time my boots caught on fire. It was Thanksgiving. It was really cold, so we built a campfire in a fire ring. I put my feet on a stone near the fire and after about 20 minutes, we smelled rubber burning. I backed away from the fire, and after a couple of hours, my boots had stopped smoking.

The time(s) the dog took the fire. We don’t always have a campfire, but if there’s a fire ring and wood available, we’ll build one for warmth, using small sticks and pine cones. Our irrepressible yellow Labrador retriever, Waldo, loved fire for a different reason – it was a collection of sticks. He would wait for the perfect moment to retrieve a flaming stick from the fire and then stand proudly, waving it like a sparkler.

The time the dog retrieved the bait (related to the previous incident.). I mentioned that Waldo was a retriever. We spent a long weekend fishing for brookies in a mountain stream, and each time we would throw a line into the water, Waldo would jump in and retrieve it.

The time we were surrounded by a herd of cows It’s not funny. We were hiking in a wilderness area where ranchers hold grazing permits, when we met a dozen unfriendly black cows that felt they deserved the right-of-way. We were on a narrow path with a raging stream on one side and a steep, rocky hillside on the other. We yielded by crawling up the hill and allowing the unfriendly group to pass.

The time we forgot the food It was OK. We didn’t forget the whiskey.

- Deb Acord

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Eureka Nergy 9 Tent Price: $219.95

Eureka Backcountry 1 Tent Price: $159.95

Labels: camping, hiking, outdoors

We hadn’t been camping for a while, so when my husband I headed out last weekend, we were a little rusty. Sure, we tested our headlamps at home but when the sun went down, we realized neither one would stay on unless we held them upside down (a minor inconvenience).

We ditched our old but reliable camp chairs for two new ones we picked up at a sidewalk sale last summer and had never used (and which broke as soon as we set them up and leaned back). We packed trail mix with unsalted almonds, and sorely missed the salt after a long, hot hike.

But we did a couple of things right – along with our GPS unit, our lightweight single-wall tent and state-of-the-art down sleeping bags, we packed our umbrellas, the small foldable kind, and we threw in our old Radio Shack transistor radio.

Yeah, that’s right – umbrellas and a radio – two decidedly old-school ways to make a great camping trip even better.

I learned the umbrella trick years ago when I interviewed Ray Jardine, who was a pioneer in ultra-light backpacking.

Jardine, a native of Colorado Springs, made a name for himself in the 1990s with his unconventional camping and hiking methods – he chose tennis shoes with the tongues cut out instead of hiking boots; a quilt instead of a sleeping bag, and rayon instead of Gore-Tex. And he always carried an umbrella. (He still preaches the lightweight way on his Web site.)

Ever since then, umbrellas have saved us from stinging hailstorms and blazing sun. Earlier this summer, when we were caught in a storm that threw quarter-sized hail at us, we opened our umbrellas, linked our arms and walked down the trail, our beagle trotting comfortably between us.

On our most recent trip, we set up camp in full sunlight. It would be perfect the next morning because the sun’s rays could warm it quicker, but it was hot in the afternoon. So we opened our umbrellas and relaxed in comfort. The only challenge? Keeping the beagle from hogging the shade.
- Deb Acord

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GoLite Dome Umbrella Spring 2009 Price: $25.00

Go Lite Dome Umbrella Price: $24.95

Labels: camping, outdoors

While I was training the Race Across America, a reporter from our local paper, The Gazette contacted me about doing a story on RAAM. The reporter was Deb Acord. I'd never met her but I had been enjoying reading her outdoor articles.

We met for coffee one day and she wrote an article on me racing RAAM. She also did a follow up article after RAAM. Unfortunately Deb fell victim to one of the many cuts at The Gazette.

I've mainly blogged about cycling and mountain biking because that's what I do most. Just because I spend more time on my bike doesn't mean I don't enjoy other outdoor activities. I regularly hike the Manitou Incline, have done backpacking trips as long as 2 weeks and do hut ski trips.

I've been planning to write more hiking, camping and other outdoor posts but I always have more to write about cycling than I have time. I'm very happy to announce that Deb will now be writing outdoor posts here on UltraRob.com.

Please join me in welcoming Deb!

Deb Acord's Bio

Deb Acord is an award-winning journalist and author based in the Pikes Peak region. Over the past 30 years, her work has been featured in the Colorado Springs Gazette, Rocky Mountain News and Colorado Springs Independent, as well as Hemispheres, Destinations West and Outdoors magazines.

She is the author of three books, “Happy Trails,” “Colorado Winter,” and “Biking Colorado’s Front Range” (Altitude Publishing), and was co-creator of the popular Out There section in the Colorado Springs Gazette, where she wrote exclusively about the Colorado outdoors.

She lives in Woodland Park, Colo. , where she writes from a home she shares with her husband, a musician; a beagle and two cats.

She writes about her life and the outdoors on her blog, rockymtnwriter.blogspot.com

- Rob Lucas

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The North Face Womens Get Down Jacket Price: $299.00

The North Face Wow Jacket Womens Regular Price: $348.95 $139.58 on sale

Labels: outdoors

Five words you should know to make you sound smart on a hike in the Rockies:

1. Cairn. Small piles of rocks that serve as trail markers. These can be lifesavers, unless you’re on a rocky trail that’s essentially a collection of cairns. Note: If you see a cairn, leave it alone to guide the next guy.
2. Talus. Loose rock that has fallen down a hillside. If you have to walk on it, proceed with caution. The operative word is “loose.”
3. Giardia. A nasty parasite you can’t taste or see that lives in rivers, lakes, streams and even puddles. . We’ve all met a guy who swears he has drank water from mountain streams his whole life and never gotten sick. We’ve also all met another guy who got giardia and lost 30 pounds in a month from an unplanned “whole-body cleansing.”
4. Scat. A nice way to say “bear poop” or any kind of poop (not human). Use it when you are trying to impress your fellow hikers. (“Yes, I see from the scat on the trail that a coyote has been here recently.”)
5. Alpenglow. When the mountains turn pink at dusk or dawn. This is that “aaaaahhhh” moment we all love.

- Deb Acord

Asolo Hiking Boots FSN 85 For Men Regular Price: $145.00 $109.95 on sale

Bora GTX QC Hiking Boots Women Price: $174.49

REI Backpacker Hiking Boots Womens Regular Price: $165.00 $79.83 on sale

Labels: hiking, outdoors

Smokey Bear is 65 years old this month, and to honor the beloved bruin, the Forest Service has hosted celebrations around the country (and spruced up its Web site, www.smokeybear.com)

The agency is proud of its mascot, claiming Smokey (and no, there’s no “The” in his name) has helped reduce the number of acres burned each year by wildfires from 22 million in 1944 to an average of seven million today.

So obviously, that message – “Only YOU can prevent forest fires,” has worked. Before the agency had Smokey Bear, it took a slightly less kind, less gentle approach.

“Death rides the forest when man is careless!” screamed one of the very first Forest Fire Prevention Campaign posters, featuring a grimacing skeletal creature on a rearing horse.

That image, in 1940, started a decade of forest fire-prevention ads that alternately appealed to both our senses of conservationism and nationalism in a time of war. “Our Carelessness – Their Secret Weapon,” with a cartoon of a leering Nazi was on a bookmark distributed in 1943.

“Careless Matches Aid the Axix,” warned another bookmark in 1943. Smokey made his appearance in 1944, and after the war ended, the Forest Service opted to spread its message a different way.

In 1948, a poster depicted the loveable bear on his knees with the message, “And please make people careful, amen.”

- Deb Acord

Kelty Hub Backpack Price: $159.95

Kelty Beat Backpack Regular Price: $69.95 $64.95 on sale

Kelty Womens Course 82 Backpack Price: $249.95

Labels: outdoors

This Saturday, June 13th, is National Get Outdoors Day. It is a new annual event to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun. Participating partners will offer opportunities for American families to experience traditional and non-traditional types of outdoor activities.

There are activities at 62 locations across the country. There are lots of cool things to do. For example the Denver location has rock climbing walls, junior ranger camp, ropes obstacle Course and much more.

Asolo Hiking Boots FSN 85 For Men Regular Price: $145.00 $109.95 on sale

Asolo Echo Hiking Boots For Men Regular Price: $170.00 $114.95 on sale

Asolo Flame GTX Hiking Boots Price: $189.95

Labels: outdoors

Congratulations to Nathaniel for winning the Action Wipes giveaway I announced on my Action Wipes review. Martha Van Inwegen threw in a special gift set on twitter yesterday. If you didn't win, you can get 15% off Action Wipes with coupon code ultra.

Sounds like Nathaniel will get good use out of the Action Wipes. Below is the comment he used to enter.

I train everyday swimming, running, or biking with most days doing at least two workouts. In order to fit them all in I need to do one in the morning before work and then one after work. I also have a baby due real soon so my time allowed for showers and self cleaning will be drastically shortened to non existent. New baby = no sleep and not much time to train. Being able to use action wipes after I work out would really help me save on time and energy. Plus I won't be getting all of those weird looks that I get now when I go into the office right after working out. I've heard many good things about them just haven't had the chance to try them out yet. I've got plenty of baby wipes stocked up but those stink bad and leave your skin feeling gross.

Nathaniel just send me an email (on in right side bar or on About page) with your address.

Selle San Marco Era K Saddle Price: $125.00

Selle Italia CX Zero Saddle Price: $439.00

Selle Italia C2 Saddle Price: $94.50

Labels: gear review, outdoors

Update 4/5/09: Martha from Action Wipes wants to add some romance to the giveway (Details below). She is adding a special gift set for the winner so a big thanks to her.

Adventures in the outdoors are sure to leave you dirty and not smelling so fresh. I've done 2 week long backpacking trips so I'm quite tolerant of not being the cleanest. Still after a long, hard bike ride or other adventure, I hate the feeling of salt and other crud caked on my face.

Last fall before the 24 Hours of Moab, Martha from Life Elements sent me some Action Wipes. I got them on a hot day and there was a strong smell of Eucalyptus so I had my doubts about them. I don't like scents because I'm allergic to most of them and they trigger my asthma. Fortunately I'm not allergic to Eucalyptus.

I wasn't racing this time but I was out on the course taking photos of the 24 Hours of Moab racers. During the early part of the race, there was a dust storm. As you can see from the photo above, I made good use of the Action Wipes. I've been using them since then including last week when I was mountain biking in Moab and sleeping in the back of my van.

I was concerned that I'd smell like the Eucalyptus and tea tree oils. Turns out I can barely smell them right after using an Action Wipe. They leave me feeling nice and clean and smelling much better. Even better they don't use artificial scents that bother my allergies and asthma unlike most baby wipes.

Action Wipes feel almost like using a cloth but baby wipes feel slimy to me. Action Wipes are large and strong enough to wipe off most of my body if I'm not too disgusting. They are more convenient and feel better than using cold water and a cloth except that cold water can feel good on a hot day.

If you're looking for a convenient way to clean up after your adventures, Action Wipes is your answer. Use coupon code ultra to receive 15% off your order of Action Wipes.

I'm giving away a 5 pack of Action Wipes this week. Tell me in the comments below why I should give them to you. Enter by this Sunday night (April 5th) and I'll post a winner Monday morning. Good luck!

Action Wipes Likes

• All natural and easy on skin
• Come in a zip-lock bag for convenience
• Large size
• Can be washed and reused making them friendly on the environment

Action Wipes Dislikes

• Dry out quickly in desert air
• Cost more than baby wipes but then you get a much better wipe

Smart Wipes Cue Care Wipes 20 count Price: $14.95

Bens 30 Travel Wipes Price: $5.99

Natrapel 8 Hour Wipes Price: $6.99

Labels: gear review, outdoors

This morning I was driving in to Moab from were I spent the night along Kane Creek Road. There were a couple guys standing along the road looking up at the cliffs above them.

I stopped to see what was going on and noticed a parachute laying beside one of the guys. I asked him if he had base jumped. He said yes and that there was one more guy getting ready. I waited and got to see the guy jump. It was very cool! Here are some photos I snapped of him jumping.

The North Face Ion 20L Backpack Price: $88.95

THE NORTH FACE Skareb 50 Backpack Regular Price: $219.00 $118.98 on sale

The North Face Heckler Backpack Regular Price: $84.95 $68.95 on sale

Labels: Moab, outdoors, Utah