I just got back from guiding a snowshoeing trip and I feel a little cheesy writing this, but today really reminded me of how much I love winter sports. And it also made me realize that I’ve been seriously slacking in reporting back after our trips. Since January 1st, I’ve guided Snow Tubing & Beer Tasting, Snowshoeing, Ice Climbing, and Weekend and Day Ski Trips. And yes, I should have posted a blog after each trip because they were all awesome, but better late than never, right?
So today I led a snowshoeing trip and I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun outside. The conditions were insane—50 degrees and sunny with three feet of snow. I know it’s hard to imagine because I couldn’t believe it either, but we were snowshoeing in t-shirts and stepping into snow that came up to our hips! And of course it didn’t hurt that we had a sweet crew of awesome people. It’s days like today that make really love my job.
In keeping with the theme of wasting time at work, I absolutely cannot get enough of this video. Hope you enjoy….Ooooooh Wheeeee!
Here in the Urban Escapes office, we have an immense appreciation for the art of how to waste time between the hours of 9am-5pm (we don’t call this blog “Get out of the Cubicle” for nothing). Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love my job, but like any right-minded employee, I can’t go more than a few hours before I need a mindless distraction. So in typical Letterman fashion, I present to you my top 5 ways to waste time during the work day.
5. http://www.sporcle.com - A friend sent me this site a few days ago. It preys upon society’s pension for trivia knowledge and has managed to create an entire website devoted to rote memory recall. From state capitals, to logo recognition, to basic math, this site is sure to leave to entertained and addicted.
4. Pull a prank on someone in the office - Here at UE we prefer the prank call. We do it all the time and are getting better at it every day. It’s great. Spend a few minutes in the morning formulating a plan, chose yourunsuspecting target, and strike. This one, however, requires a disclaimer. As the prankster, you have to be fully prepared to become the pranked in the future. Once Pandora’s Box has been opened, we can do nothing to help you.
3. Play a game of chess - Have you seen that Facebook app that lets you play a friend in Scrabble in such a way that you make one move every time you log on to Facebook. Games can last hours or even days. We do the same with chess in our office. Set up a board in the morning in an easily accessible location and play a game throughout the day against a colleague. Every time you walk by the board on the way to the water cooler or the kitchen, make your move. The game could take days, but it gives you something to look forward to anytime you get tired of staring at the computer.
2. http://www.jaypeakresort.com - You don’t have to live out west to be a powder hound. Five inches here or twelve there can be the difference between edge-dulling ice and your next powder day on the slopes. I like to scope out the snow forecast at Jay Peak (up on the Canadian border) because it makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Jay annually picks up almost as much snow as Aspen, Vail, Steamboat, and most other western resorts you can think of. If you’re stuck between skyscrapers and the mere thought of powder makes you smile, check out the jay website, there’s a high chance it’s snowing somewhere right now not so far from you. ..183” and counting.
* For additional time wasting, check out their photos from the last few weeks. You’re bound to see some sick knee-high gnar gnar.
1. Lunch Break? - As an avid Costco customer there is only one thing better than purchasing my margarine in 5 lb tubs… eating their free samples. The delicious finger foods (the quiche are my favorite) make a delicious snack while you’re shopping, but they make even better reason to leave the office for 30 minutes around noon. Come on everyone, lunch is on me!!
If you’re in the market for a watch, then save yourself the trouble of research and just get the Suunto Core. Trust me because I have one and it’s awesome. It does all the regular stuff that watches do such as get you to the train station on time, wake you up for Snow Tubing and Beer Tasting trips when your iphone alarm malfunctions, and tracks who can chug a beer the fastest. This is just the beginning. Check out these other sweet features:
1. Sunset/Sunrise time depending on your location in the world: Great for us budding photographers who need that perfect light or us romancers who want to grace our lucky ladies with a sunset stroll.
2. Compass: Never be lost again (as long as you have a map, that is!) Seriously handy tool will get you out of the woods.
3. Altimeter: Ever wanted to know how high you were? No, not last night, right now. Er, nevermind. Listen, this feature measures your altitude. ‘Nuf said.
4. Log of Ascent/Descent: Using the Altimeter, you can start/stop the function like a stopwatch and as you go up and down the mountain, it will track how much altitude you’ve gained and how much vertical you’ve dropped. Sick for bragging, i.e. “Hey brah, I totally ripped out 10 ‘thou in Vert today, gnarly!” *Side note, I do not speak like this.
5. Temperature: Take the watch off your wrist for 5 minutes and you’ll get an accurate temperature reading. Instead of “man, it’s so hot!” you can now say, “man, it’s 128 degrees and I’m melting!”
6. Barometer/Storm Warning: Camping? Strap this watch to your tent while you sleep and if there’s a huge change in Barometric Pressure, the storm warning alarm will go off giving you enough time to get your rain-fly on and get things in order. Stay dry, stay warm and stay safe!
Happy Trails,
-Jason
Philly Director
Why is good customer service so important? Because people write blogs entries about your company when you have it!
Seriously, I emailed the guys at Native Eyewear this morning to see if they could process my order today and overnight a pair of goggles to me before I go to Utah in two days. Honestly, I actually thought it was a fairly demanding request, but it was worth a shot. They wrote back within the hour and gave me the okay to place my order. I’ll have goggles on Wednesday!
So thank you Native, and guys, if you’re looking to switch to a new sunglasses/goggles company, check them out. I’m stoked.
Inspired by Apple’s newest product release, let’s take a brief look back on the evolution of Apple… from their founding in 1976 until now.
1976 - The Apple 1 is Apple’s first product. Not a computer by modern standards, it contained a motherboard with CPU and RAM (no mouse or display), all encased in this nice hand-crafted wooden box.
1984 - The Macintosh 128k is Apple’s first personal computer and the basis for their Mac® line. Retailing for around $2400 dollars, this bad boy weighed in at 22 lbs, and had the processing power of your old flip phone.
1998 - After an intentional re-branding phase, Apple launched the iMac, a stylish new desktop computer that would forever change the company’s success.
2001 - Apple breaches the MP3 market with its first generation iPod, a 5 gig black and white model with a spinning wheel.
2007 - The iPhone and iTouch are released. These tech toys represented Apple’s push towards a 100% touch screen interface system.
2010 - Apple’s most recent innovation, the iPad. Somewhere in between a laptop and the iTouch, this new tablet computer is faster, sleeker, and more versatile than any apple product yet.
I will admit, I am not an Apple fan. I’ve never owned one, can’t figure out how to work them, and fear the day when an iPhone takes over my existence. With that said, I have a profound respect for their rise to success. They have transformed the computing world into a fashion show reminding consumers that design is just as important as function.
Who knows what sorts societal lifestyle changes will ensue with the release of the iPad. With iPod and iPhone, the impact on society was almost immediate, transforming luxury into necessity overnight. Throughout its history, Apple has changed the way that humans communicate and interact. It is completely reasonable to assume that they will do this again. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Need plans tonight? The film ‘North Face’ is playing at the Beekman Theatre, Lincoln Plaza Cinema and the Sunshine Cinema.
Based on a true story, North Face is a suspenseful adventure film about a competition to climb the most dangerous rock face in the Alps. Set in 1936, as Nazi propaganda urges the nation’s Alpinists to conquer the unclimbed north face of the Swiss massif—the Eiger—two reluctant German climbers begin their daring ascent. Personally, I love stuff like this. If you want more info, check out their website here.
If you’ve ever been hiking (and I’m inclined to think anyone reading this likely has), then you know that the most aggravating part of a trail is not the drastic change in elevation or the occasional drizzle or even the hungry mountain lion eyeing you from afar. No, the real annoyance is much, much smaller. I’m talking about bugs. If it’s not a mosquito sucking the very life out of you five milliliters at a time, it’s the killer wasp trying to penetrate you with its phallus. As intrusive and dangerous (especially if you’re allergic) as these little critters are, there is one bug in particular that takes the proverbial cake. Gnats.
Whereas bees and mosquitoes are often smart enough to realize when they are facing the prospect of impending doom via the hand-slap, gnats seem to be highly impervious to these basic survival instincts. These tiny-winged Lucifers are not only highly annoying, but incredibly stupid. What’s worse is that they are so damn little that you can’t even catch one and teach it a lesson by ripping it’s wings off! Not that we at Urban Escapes condone that sort of behavior. So what can you do when gnats attack?
People will tell you that Citronella candles work best because they are harmless to us but highly toxic to all little creatures. Well I tested that theory with a homemade Citronella candle necklace last week, and let’s just say I’m not yet ready to side with the masses. I guess 3rd degree burns followed by a trip to the emergency room would dwindle anyone’s confidence.
What about bug spray? Well if you don’t mind rubbing chemicals all over your body and praying that you don’t succumb to a DEET-associated seizure (EPA reports say the likely seizure rate for DEET users is only about one per 100 millions users) then by all means, spray away! But for those of us who often forget our bottle of Off! at home, I’m going to give you a simple, drug-free solution to the gnat problem.
Like most bugs, gnats are naturally drawn to us because of the heat our bodies give off. This radiation signals to gnats what fluorescent “24-hour Diner” signs indicate to people: food! Gnats will also generally flock towards the highest point of heat on a body because this generally implies the head of the animal where the skin is likely softest, and thus most easily bitten. How can you use this to your advantage you say?
Grab a branch off the ground; anything between 15-25 inches should do the trick. With both hands rub one end of the branch for a good 60 seconds. This will transfer a good amount of heat from your hands directly to the tip of the branch. Then take the cool end of the stick and lodge it in the space between your back and the pack you are wearing, being sure to leave the warm end of the stick exposed and at least 6-8 inches above your head. Congratulations, in addition to looking like a walking flagpole, you’ve just created a new high point of heat emission. Now relax and enjoy your hike as those stupid little buggers flock around the stick hovering above your head, leaving your ears buzz-free.
Sincerely,
Guest-Blogger Dan Josebachvili
While backpacking last summer in Kings Canyon National Park, my group and I each chose a day to be in charge of dinner. While the dehydrated meal-in-a-bag is enticing, I really wanted to show-off my culinary skills even though we were 40 miles from the nearest kitchen. After a quick google search, I stumbled upon this quick and easy recipe that was a real crowd-pleaser (though part of that may have been due to the 14 miles hiked, 4,000 feet in elevation gain and 2,000 feet elevation decline.)
Thanksgiving Dinner
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
* 1 bag of stuffing with seasoning
* 1 bag of turkey jerky
* 1 packet of instant gravy
* 1 box of powdered mashed potatoes
* 1-2 bags of dried cranberries
* water to boil
Preparation:
Place all items in a gallon freezer bag before departing home and add boiling water to the mix in your cooking pots. Now if only we could find a way to pack in Grandma’s Pumpkin Pie! Bon Appetit!
There are few people in life who I believe deserve idol status. Perhaps Einstein, Mandela, the creator of Saved by the Bell and a thin slew of others may qualify. And while few exist, many come quite close, deserving our admiration or at the very least our awe and amazement. One such close -comer dwells in the realm of ultra long-distance hiking. His name: Brian Robinson, or to people who have seen him on the trail, Flyin’ Brian.
For those unfamiliar with the long distance hiking world in the US, there exist three main routes in the lower 48, appearing as arteries that trisect the country in to four sections. The Appalachian Trail is perhaps the most familiar to us east coasters. This 2,183 mile footpath provides a continuous connection from northern Georgia all the way to Maine’s highest peak Mt. Katahdin. A lesser known, but equally formidable trail, known as the Pacific Crest Trail (2,650 miles) traverses the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Ranges in the west, and runs from the US-Mexico border outside of Campo, CA all the way to the US - Canada border in northern, WA. The behemoth of the three trails is the Continental Divide Trail. The 3,120 mile CDT is the trail of all trails. It spans from Mexico to Canada along the spine of the Rocky Mountains, providing the most desolate and demanding terrain amongst the three
Together, these three mega-trails comprise what is known as hiking’s Triple Crown. Few have hiked all three. To complete just one of these feats in a year is an accomplishment in itself. Usually a six month undertaking, attempts at any of the three requires both advanced planning and physical training. Combined, roughly 400 people complete a thru-hike of ONE of these trails in any given year. Some people complete all three over the course of several years. No one has ever completed two of the trails in a year…except for one person, Flyin’ Brian. And not only did he complete two, he completed all three…7,371 miles in 300 days.
Brian Robinson, a computer programmer from CA, is a mathematician at heart. To him, the thought of thru-hiking these three trails was certainly a challenge, but more simply an equation; an equation solvable with the appropriate calculations. Years in advance, Brian calculated to the mile and calorie his every step and food intake/calorie output. One year prior, Brian was running 50 miles a week. In the three months leading up to his first step on the AT on New Year’s Day of 2001, Brian was running 90 miles a day. Consuming and burning 6000 calories a day and often walking 30+ miles a day would be Brian’s future for the next 300 days. On October 27th, 2001, Brian walked his last step on the Triple Crown as he crested the summit of the AT northern terminus at Mt. Katahdin, the 7,371 mile journey under his belt and the all-time record in tow.
In my opinion, what separates Flyin’ Brian from many other athletes is the fact that not only did he set a record, he absolutely shattered it. At the time of Robinson’s triple crown, no other person had ever completed two thru-hike’s in a year. In one attempt, Brian tripled the mileage record in just 75% more time. As a hiker myself, I am truly astounded and in awe at what Flyin’ Brian proved the body and mind are capable of. Since this monumental feat, Brian has completed countless ultra marathons and holds records across the nation in various races. His story is truly remarkable, but likely one of many… I’m confident there are others out there like him in other areas of sport.
If you’re interested in more about Flyin’ Brian Robinson story, check this out.
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/29/us/for-a-speed-hiker-three-trails-end-in-maine-and-a-record.html?pagewanted=1
I love these blog posts. You know, the ones where we find a ridiculous(ly cool) product and tell you about it. Here’s the latest: The Batter Blaster. It’s sort of reminiscent of EZ Cheese, but this one is organic and doesn’t leave you with that guilty feeling after you eat it. It’s pancakes (or waffles) in a spray can. Perfect if you just want a couple of pancakes and don’t want to deal with making the whole batter, or for our purposes, incredibly perfect for camping trips! Want to try it? Sign up for an overnight 
Or just go and buy it at the store…
Though my heart will always be in the Poconos, this video is shot in the Swiss Alps. Check out Francois Bon from France in late ‘08 bombing down the Eiger in Switzerland. He’s the pioneer of one of the coolest extreme sports, Ski-gliding, a combo of skiing and paragliding. Don’t worry Escapers, we’re working on getting this trip on the calendar! It probably goes without saying but don’t try this at home.
Echoing Luke’s sentiments from yesterday, I don’t endorse products. That’s generally not my style. I figure American consumerism is bad enough already, the last thing Average Joe needs is another excuse to go buy that mp3-playing can opener he’s always wanted. Well folks, even my rules were sometimes meant to be broken, so I give you my first ever product endorsement.
Polarized sunglasses.
Last month, after breaking my fifth pair of rest-stop sunglasses in as many weeks, I finally decided it was time to invest in solar protective wear that wasn’t pulled off an assembly line in Cambodia. Being a man of impeccable taste and a soft spot for sporty-name brands, I went with Oakley’s Flak JacketTM frames with polarized lenses.
I never thought I’d spend more money on sunglasses than I do on a date, but after giving these bad-boys a test run I was immediately sold. In addition to costing between $50~$100 more than traditional lenses and making you feel like an absolute gangsta’ in the process, polarized lenses also offer a uniquely crisp image of the world by eliminating the effect of reflective glare off a flat surface.
You see, light travels in waves. If you remember your 8th grade science textbook, you’ll recall those images where light waves are drawn as a zig-zag lines. When light is reflected from a flat surface however (like water or a paved road), it generally travels in a horizontal pattern. This reflection produces that icky thing we complain about while driving. Glare.
What makes polarized lenses so freakin’ cool then? They contain a special filter that blocks this type of intense reflected light, reducing glare. Now when I am in the out-of-doors not only can I stare directly at the sun with minimal discomfort, but I can run, swim, and parade myself through nature knowing that my eyes will not be blinded by the powerful forces of Mother Earth.
Excuse me sir, but will you be needing a sun visor with your car rental?
No thanks, these lenses are polarized.
Score: Dan 1, Nature 0.
*Note, I am not a scientist. My understanding and thus explanation of glare is as rudimentary as basic algebra. In no way, shape, or form do I pretend to understand the complexities of specular reflection. All I know is that my father was right, polarized lenses really give nature a new look. A worthy investment indeed.
Sincerely from Argentina,
Dan “down there” Josebachvili
This is my first product endorsement on the blog, and I’m pretty sure it is one of the best we’ve seen. Home made wool winter hats. Detailed knitting techniques, advanced text and graphics, brims, a million colors and styles. Warm. Functional. Stylish. Why wouldn’t everyone want one of these?
For real though, Huckzegnar Knittings is a team of three rip-roarin’ babes currently out of Alta, Utah with several dealers throughout the west. The knitter-in-charge is a pro white water kayaker in the summer and a totally bad ass skier in the winter. Year round though, she just so happens to be the best hat maker in town.
More Huckzegnar Knittings products for viewing and sale and information on their facebook page here.
Last week I told you guys about how awesome the tubing was, but I didn’t have my camera to prove it. This time I prevailed and despite the frigid cold, I managed to shoot one video of people going down the family tube. Caution: family tubes go wayyyy faster than single tubes.
Haven’t signed up for a snow tubing trip yet?! Get on it—there are only a few spots left!
I highly recommend Urban Escapes for all levels of adventure seekers! I went without knowing anyone and my hiking experience was great from start to finish. The guides were fun…
This trip was memorable because it was just awesome! I promise that Urban Escapes takes you to a wonderful world and refreshes you, all while broadening your perspective. Hiking through Bear Mountain in all its greenery was incredibly beautiful and relaxing. The scenery starts as soon as you get in the car and leave the city. Getting away…
Waka…
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