Outdoor Tech blogger Clyde Soles notes a study which says pack straps decrease circulation in hands and fingers. Using ultrasound and a pulse oximeter, the scientists measured brachial artery pressure as well as capillary flow in the finger tips. After…
Gear
Admit it, you want a hand-carved hiking stick
by tom • May 30, 2008 • 3 Comments
A guy named Mike from up Dunsmuir way (Mount Shasta neighborhood) asked if I’d be so kind as to add a link for his little wood-carving business. Among his wares: Hand-carved hiking sticks. From his prices page: Custom Hand Carved…
Eyeglasses for gram weenies
by tom • May 29, 2008 • 2 Comments
I just got these new spectacles — had to bow to advancing decrepitude and switch to bi-focals (nothing like walking around feeling like you’re on hallucinogens all day) — and one thing I noticed was how surpassingly light they are.…
Sew your own hiking clothes
by tom • May 16, 2008 • 1 Comment
The truly inspired need no patterns, but sane owners of sewing machines often go to places like butterick.com for guidance (my mom sewed reams of stuff from those patterns). Today Melissa bumped into this page: Butterick Green Pepper, which has…
Interesting camper concept
by tom • May 5, 2008 • 5 Comments
Yeah, I should’ve been out hiking yesterday but instead I spent the afternoon gawking at the clever creations at Make Faire, where wacky do-it-yourselfers get their ya-yas out every year at the San Mateo County Fairgrounds. While there’s a smattering…
Hats off (well, on)
by tom • May 1, 2008 • 12 Comments
The one thing I never, ever hike without is a wide-brimmed floppy hat. I need the brim to keep the glare out of my eyes and the top to keep my bald spot from getting scalded. This is approximately the…
Evil plastics in your water bottles
by tom • April 22, 2008 • 12 Comments
The number 7 is unlucky if you find it stamped in the bottom of your water bottle — it means the bottle contains may contain Bisphenol A, a component in lots of plastic bottles. Nalgene insists there’s no evidence that…
Hiking panties suggestions wanted
by tom • April 10, 2008 • 6 Comments
I’m overcoming my almost genetic aversion to typing the word “panties” because, well, some jobs, though grim, must be done. A hiker at tribe.net’s Bay Area Hiking Group laments her undies aren’t getting it done when she hits the trail.…
Drying out wet shoes, an update
by tom • April 10, 2008 • 4 Comments
Back in January I posted some advice about how to get your soggy shoes dry again. Since then it’s been an enduring fave of wet-footed googlers. Yesterday this comment showed up on the post: I have an innovative product that…