Wilderness Wear Merino Fleece Socks, Wild and Wooly for All Seasons
August 29, 2008
I have to admit, when I first saw Wilderness Wear’s Merino Fleece socks on the rack, I thought that they were heavy-duty winter trek socks. I spoke to the Wilderness Wear rep and he assured me that they were an all-season sock, as good in summer as they are in winter. “No way,” I proclaimed, aloud. He then gave me a pair to try out for myself, reiterating his guarantee. Ok, you’re on.
Wilderness wear is an Australian company that specializes in Merino wool apparel, including socks and base layers. The Merino Fleece sock is an over-the-calf blend of 83% Merino wool with a blend of nylon (15%) and spandex (2%). The sock is described as a “great bushwalking sock”—very Australian.
I waited until a particularly hot, 95+ day and took a several hour hike up a demanding canyon. The hike included a mile of trail that was exposed to the elements, the only plant life being sagebrush and scrub oak.
When I first put the sock on, it was clear that the thick Merino blend would provide ample cushion and keep my feet comfortable on longer hikes. I also liked the way I had to stuff the large socks into my hikers, as it allowed for a very snug fit. Even if my lace came undone, the socks would maintain a tight fit.
As I set out hiking under the midday sun, I did not have any issues with overheating, much to my surprise (sales rep guarantee aside, I definitely expected to be sweating). Any perspiration was quickly wicked away by the wool. My feet remained cool for the entirety of the 2 ½ hour hike. The cushion of the sock definitely made the hike comfortable and less taxing on my feet, and the tight fit came in handy on more than one scramble up steep, rock-strewn traverses.
Overall, despite my reservations this sock did work quite well in the summer, and performed as advertised. The one drawback is that it is a rather large, burly knee sock and made me look as though I should be wearing lederhosen, toting an alpine horn with me to the summit. Definitely not so stylish. I had looked for a pair in an ankle cut, but to no avail. However, Wilderness Wear has a line of similarly-blended socks, in various styles, including an ankle sock.
I am also looking forward to using the socks in the winter, as they should be very warm and comfortable for snowboarding and snowshoeing—very versatile. Overall, this sock is extremely comfortable and would be a great option for backpacking trips or extended hikes, so long as you can get over the initial skepticism and glaring lack of style. If you’re looking to cut some money of your clothing budget and want a functional sock that will work on backcountry trips in both summer and winter, this sock is for you.
Polarized Shades for Crabbing
August 27, 2008
Between Nehalem Bay State Park and the little coastal town of Manzanita, the Jetty Fishery company operates a crabbing company that attracts kids like flies to honey. Crabbing can be done from a boat or just off the dock - I think those looking for a big haul of crab for dinner are better off in a boat, but with a bunch of kids running around, the dock is more fun.
A few dollars (call 800-821-7697 for updated pricing) will get you a crabbing basket with a big old dead fish secured to the bottom for bait, and a rope and bobber tied to the top. Crabbers under 14 years old do not need a license, and the adults in our crown were happy to step back and let them take charge! With a mighty heave off the dock, and a few minutes wait, they’d pull up a basket teeming with dungeness crabs.
Along with the crab basket, the rental includes a bucket to hold your catch, and the crab measuring stick. Only males can be kept, and must be at least 5 3/4 inches across the back. Males are easily identified by the narrow design on the underside - the only tricky part is flipping the crabs over without getting pinched!
Our day at the crabbing dock included a revelation for the kids: the ability of polarized lenses to cut through surface glare. With polarized glasses on, they could view the underwater action, watching crabs scuttle around and work their way into the basket. On a cloudy day, which is most days at the coast, pink or yellow lenses make colors pop a little more; on sunny days a gray or blue lens is easy on the eyes. In either case, this was a day that convinced the kids that sunglasses do more than protect their eyes from UV rays (which I apparently am always telling them, to no avail.)
As of August 15th, the crab season closes on the ocean, but along the coast it continues year round. If you go, shoot for calm weather: a little rain is okay, but a heavy storm will chase the crabs deeper off the coast. We ended up catching a whole lot of females and a good number of smaller males, but no keepers, unfortunately. Our bucket went home empty, but it sure
Hiking With Your Dog in the Mountains
August 26, 2008
With a mountain hike, as with your usual dog-walking activities, you should follow your basic common sense hiking rules (keep you and your dog hydrated, wear sunscreen, pick up after your dog on the trail), but when you’re in the mountains, a little more preparation and advance planning will be helpful.
- Pay attention to how you feel as you gain altitude, particularly if you are not local to the area. Thin air can take some getting used to. If you feel light-headed or develop a headache, rest, drink some water, and only proceed (slowly) if you’re feeling up to it. Altitude sickness is no joke, and can be really debilitating if you’re suscpetible to it.
- Take breaks more often than usual during your hike. This will help both you and your pooch enjoy yourselves. Choose a shady spot and drink more water.
- Mountain creeks can be great spots for your dog to cool her paws or glug some water. But they can also be swift-moving and icy cold. Keep an eye on your dog when she takes a dip to make sure she doesn’t lose her footing and take a tumble. River rocks are slippery. You might also want to bring along a towel or an extra shirt to dry her off if she will be emerging into very cold air (don’t forget, it gets chilly at higher altitudes).
- It’s always great at the end of a hike when your dog is pooped and everyone is happily tired. However, strenuous hikes are not safe for every dog. Older dogs or very small dogs might not be up to the pace or the elevation changes of a hike in the mountains. Keep your dog’s size, health, age and experience in mind when you undertake a difficult hike, and be prepared to cut your trip short if she begins to lag and it becomes clear that she is not going to make it.
- Bring snacks. For both of you! First of all, who doesn’t like snacks? Secondly, a little food along the way will help your dog keep up her strength for those steep inclines or any tough downhills you might encounter on your hike.
Before you head up the trail, take the time to consider whether you - and your dog - are physically ready for the unique challenges of a mountain hike. If you’re not sure, then perhaps that day you should consider a meandering stroll through a flat field or forest. Those can be pretty great, too.
Light Up the Night—New Energy for All Your Adventures
August 25, 2008
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Carabiners - Versatile, Functional, and Sometimes Fashionable
August 22, 2008
I admit - duct tape is one of my favorite all-purpose “fix it” tools; but the truth is that carabiners offer a great deal of compact functionality just when I need it. It’s not often that I carry a roll of the sticky grey stuff, but I can always count on having at least one carabiner with me at all times
For our adventurous readers and those in-the-know, carabiners are standard and important pieces of equipment for bouldering, mountaineering and a host of other recreational activities. Having the right carabiner for any of these sports is vastly important, however, the versatility of this handy little gadget in daily life is worth noting
I am curious as to how others use carabiners, so I am in the midst of conducting my own informal survey (and I do emphasize “informal”). There’s nothing scientific about my methodology at all; just simple probing. I have asked the adventurous and non-adventurous alike to share their carabiner experiences with me. To date, my unofficial survey has yielded a variety of responses ranging from the predictable, to the resourceful and creatively eclectic:
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“Securing tents and fly tarps.”
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“I hook it onto my fishing bait bucket while trolling the walleye hotspots”.
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“A keychain - - did I mention that it’s green?”
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“Keeping essentials together - packs, tools, gear, water bottles, made-for-carabiner sunscreen, and so on.”
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“My kids enjoy clipping these with jump ropes to form a train-like tether between their wagons, scooters and trikes.”
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“I never owned one, but a classmate jury rigged a sagging car fender using a couple of industrial grade carabiners that he had in the trunk.”
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“We’ve used them to connect cardboard boxes to make a portable puppet theater.”
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“My wife and I use it as a marital aid….”
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“It’s my business card.”
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“I wore one as an enlarged earring during my Goth-Emo-Punk phase.”
How about you? Share your favorite and unique uses of this invaluable little gadget by logging in CascadeGear.com!
New Things at Columbia
August 21, 2008
Shorties for the Short Set!
August 20, 2008
In the northern states, we have some really great opportunities to play on water, on rivers, in lakes, and at the coast. Paddling, swimming, or surfing, kids take to water like guppies. But, there’s just no getting around the fact that it takes half the summer for all these beautiful bodies of water to warm up - especially this summer, when the road up to our favorite lakes was blocked by snow well into July. No kidding!
We’ve found the best way to extend the season is with shorty wetsuits. Some people prefer the full suit, with long arms and legs, but they can be exasperating to get in and out of, especially for kids. The other benefit of a shorty for kids is they don’t outgrow them quite as fast - kids’ torsos can squeeze in to the same size for a few seasons, even if they’ve gained several inches in height.
Wetsuits are bouyant as well, which is really nice for kids who swim well enough to not need a life jacket - it just gives them a little lift in the water. (They are no substitute for a life jacket however - or adult supervision!) But they definitely make water play warmer and easier for kids.
Few can swim on the Oregon coast without a wetsuit, and even splashing around on the edge gets pretty chilly. On our last trip to the coast, Will spent hours playing on his skimboard, long after the rest of us got chilled and retreated to the fire. A skimboard is like a mini-surfboard that skims along the water right as the waves hit the beach. It takes a bit of coordination to run with the wave, toss the skimboard down and hop on, then ride it out. The learning curve involves plenty of falls in to the water, so the shorty was put to good use!
Outdoor Retailer 2008 Open Air Demo—New Trends of the Outdoors: Paddleboards
August 19, 2008
Rescue in the Woods: A Comparison of Two Top Names in Locator Devices
August 18, 2008
Ginger Ferries: Professional Dog Hiker
August 15, 2008
People in my town love dogs. It’s rare to see a car driving down the street without a lab hanging his head out the window, or to take a walk on an area trail without running into friends getting some exercise with their furry companions.
Ginger Ferries is one local who has taken her love of dogs and her love of the outdoors and combined them to create her successful dog care service, Hound Around. Her business has been up and running for about seven years now, and her services range from doggie hikes to canine massage therapy.
How did you get into taking care of dogs as a profession?
I loved spending time with my dog Crosby, who was my best friend and hiking companion for 13+ years… She was with me at work and on the trails every day until my husband and I moved to Portland, OR. Living there, Crosby had a litter of pups - one of which we kept, but unfortunately I couldn’t take the dogs to work. I hated leaving the two of them at home during the day even though we had a dog walker come and hike them. Her job sounded like so much fun, hiking with dogs for a living. It was then that I started researching the dog walking industry and ended up getting a canine massage certification. My husband and I moved back to the Wood River Valley which was the perfect time and place for me to start this business, one that would enable me to be with my own dogs every day.
What do you like most about your job?
Being able to hike on the beautiful trails of our valley each day with dogs who always have such positive and playful energy.
This spring you were involved in a major trail clean-up effort. You really set an example for responsible dog ownership, cleaning up after dogs when others neglect to do so. How important is it to pick up after your dog - is it necessary even while hiking in the backcountry?
It’s very important. People don’t realize the impact it really does have on the environment and on the health of other dogs. Not only that, but if people don’t act responsibly by picking up after their dogs, we may eventually see some trails closed to dogs altogether which would be such a shame.
Do you have any advice for people who want to enjoy the outdoors safely and responsibly with their dogs?
Always carry poop bags. Make sure there is water along the way so your dog(s) can hydrate throughout your hike. Know the area and whether or not you need to be aware of wildlife (which is almost everywhere in our valley). It’s not a bad idea to put a bell of some sort on your dog to announce your presence. If you’re going on a longer hike, carry a first aid kit for yourself and your dog, as well as a canine first aid book. When applying bug spray to yourself for buggy hikes, remember your dog, too. Mosquitoes and horse flies love dogs. A few natural bug repellents to try are essential oils of citronella, peppermint and lemongrass. Dogs don’t like the smell but neither do the bugs!
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