UPDATE: No dice with these over long distances, which might be why they aren’t on the market anymore. The air pocket in the forefoot is very cushiony, but the constant repetitive up-and-down motion of long walks causes friction at the…
Hiking
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on fitness after 50
by tom • February 21, 2008 • 0 Comments
I never have to go surfing for fitness news, all I have to do is stop in on Sports Geezer, which linked to the L.A. Times blog of basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, who promises a series of posts for over-50…
Hiking in the rain: How do you stay dry?
by tom • February 20, 2008 • 13 Comments
Beyond staying indoors, that is… I’m pretty much convinced there is no such thing as a “breathable waterproof” outer shell, though perhaps there are miracle products out there I haven’t been apprised of. For my money there’s no substitute for…
Lamenting the decline of backpacking
by tom • February 15, 2008 • 4 Comments
Commentary No. 6,466,334 from a paper in Connecticut: The researchers added, “The replacement of vigorous outdoor activities by sedentary, indoor videophilia has far-reaching consequences for physical and mental health, especially in children. Videophilia has been shown to be a cause…
Hiking 10 essentials quiz
by tom • February 15, 2008 • 6 Comments
Test your knowledge: Powered By ProProfs: Create A Quiz Hey it’s only five questions. Here’s one more take on the sacred 10.
New Marin County trail head initiative
by tom • February 14, 2008 • 0 Comments
Got this in the e-mail yesterday from Daniel Sonnet: Marin Conservation League and the County of Marin are attempting to purchase an important trail head that leads to Baltimore Canyon, Blithedale Ridge and Mt. Tamalpais from West Baltimore Avenue in…
Wildflowers: Best Bay Area locales
by tom • February 9, 2008 • 5 Comments
I saw a couple little yellow blooms the last time out, the first hints of the blast of color coming up this spring. So far the weather seems to be pretty good: ample rain but not overdoing it, time between…
Panting over hiking pants
by tom • February 8, 2008 • 3 Comments
Acquiring gear seems forever fraught with the potential for buyer’s remorse, but one purchase I made a couple years back continues to satisfy: Columbia’s entry-level nylon hiking pants. I’ve logged what must be over a thousand miles in these guys…
Great outdoor gear deals in Berkeley
by tom • February 6, 2008 • 2 Comments
Rick from Hike Halfdome was up there the other day. He suggests: North Face has a huge outlet store – a real outlet, not a Gilroy come-on. They had 50% off winter jackets. Thank they deities that winter is almost…