Archive for December, 2008

‘I don’t know where you study, but this bar’s my favorite!’

Winter can be damn cold.  Van camping in the winter can be even colder.  But nothing warms me up like a good book (and maybe a shot of whiskey!) before I bed down for the night with the snow piling up outside.  To that end, I figured I would pass on a great link for all you outdoors enthusiasts.  Patagonia has a publishing wing of their enterprise, and since they have entered into the whole literary world, they have compiled a list of books that are must reads for adventure fans worldwide.

Listed under the proper categories, the books range from Guns, Germs and Steel , a book about how civilizations have evolved, to Surf is Where You Find It , a memoir by big-wave surfer Gerry Lopez.  I have only had the chance to dip into a few of the titles, but after reading the blurbs, I am now confronted with the daunting task of finding enough time to devour the rest.  Speaking of devouring, at least there’s a book in the list titled, The Omnivore’s Dilemma .

Click the links below to check out the list of must-reads:
Activism
Adventure/Travel
Climbing/Mountaineering
Environment/Ecology/Conservation
Falconry
Fiction
Fishing
Memoir
Naturalists/Natural History

And a big thank you to Patagonia’s blog for putting this one together.  Oh, and if you want a copy of Guns, Germs and Steel, I have one in the TatsVan, so ask for it if you see me!

Keep warm while reading in this Backcountry Siphon Wool Hooded Jacket

2% of your purchase goes to SheJumps.org

I know.  I’ve been bad.  It’s been a full two weeks and I haven’t updated the TatsVan Chronicles. However, I’ve been able to hop back on a pair of skis and shred the mountains the way they’ve been begging for it since last season.  It’s snowed at every place I’ve driven into since my first run on Aspen Mountain in 18 inches of blower pow.  I’ve been to Crested Butte, Snowbird and Sun Valley since then, but the story will soon come.

In the meantime, I have a little gem of a video for you to enjoy.  It’s your chance to see what the Sun Valley Christmas Eve torchlight parade looks like from a skier’s point-of-view.  Unfortunately, the higher-ups at the company wouldn’t let me up the lift (due to the fact that I’m not a ski instructor this season!), but my good friend Brie Wetmore was there to lend a helping hand, or head I should say.  After clipping on my POC Receptor Bug helmet and turning on the VIO POV.1 helmetcam velcroed to the top, she hopped on the lift at 5:45pm, December 24th, 2008 and proceeded to capture a beautiful moment on skis.

The energy in this valley runs high during Christmas season, and all the tourists are out in full force.  Sun Valley puts on an ice show at the Sun Valley Lodge ice skating rink and follows it up with a torchlight parade and a firework show.  It’s a pretty magical experience, and if you ever get a chance to see it for yourself, you’ll know why.

But, without further adue, here is the video clip.  Thanks Brie for giving us all the chance to see what you saw!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

POC Receptor Bug Helmet

2% of your purchase goes to SheJumps.org

I recently stumbled across this little gem of a website.  The Forest Service has done a great job of updating their site with skier-oriented and snowmobile-oriented avalanche tips, information and videos.  In light of the unfortunate recent tragedies at some of my favorite ski areas, this information is ever more important for anyone even thinking of going out and playing in the snow.

I especially like the ‘A Day in Avalanche Country’ section.  It provides a nice checklist of things to do and think about as you prepare to head outdoors for some backcountry skiing or snowmobiling.  This is a great resource for all the questions we need to ask ourselves yet find it difficult to line up in the haze of an early powder day morning.

So, click here , check out their website and get those beacons out for some good ‘ol practice.  And remember, you’re only as safe as how well your buddies know their gear too!

This Ortovox S1 Avalanche Transceiver is on my wish list

2% of your purchase goes to SheJumps.org