The Ultimate Gear Shed!

Love Shack- Peter Vigneron

Outside Magazine

** Good

 

          

                 In outdoor ed we have learned about several different types of equipment and how it is especially important to treat them with care. Organization is an easy way to ensure that they will not be broken which is very important when it comes to the safety of the users.

     

My article is about a 61 year old skier and and climber from Washington who builds a highly impressive gear storage facility. he has packed ten pairs of skies, two bikes,and all of his climbing and camping equipment in his twenty by twenty foot garage.He used the extra space to house a home brewing kit, a walk in cooler, and two climbing walls on the exterior of the shed. He has given tips on how to store all your gear properly to maintain its shape, functions, and quality.

This article has mad me think of how to store my sporting items properly, and has come to conclusions in why some of my gear has not lasted as long as i expected. I have learned that sleeping bags should be stored in loose sacks, as i thought they should be stored tightly. Also that safety equipment should be stored at eye level so it is harder to forget and that wet gear should be stored near the front for ventilation. I think keeping some of the rules i have learned in mind will make me more organized with my equipment and more aware when doing certain activities that I have read about in this article. This article has opened my eyes to care for my equipment and I feel as though I will be more careful with the equipment i am given in the future.

By: Heather Murty

Vigneron, P. (2012, October). Love Shack. Outside, 35, 36.

Life is Short - Try Backpacking

****

This is a great article about that wonders of backpacking and  the opportunities it offers. Take a break from your normal life, and escape to the great outdoors! This is the message displayed in this article and it is enforced with many reasons. Getting away from the busyness of the city, the stress of work, and the commotion of everyday life, and explore some of the most beautiful places in the world. It will allow you to focus on the terrain and the beauty of your surroundings. The article also talks about some great backpacking locations lie the San Juan Mountains in Colorado. It talks about the vigorous terrain that is a never-ending challenge. 

This article has influenced me and made me  want to go backpacking in many great locations. I think this would be a great experience and I would be able to shut everything else out and just focus. This would be a excellent activity, and I would love to go to many beautiful mountains and just hike. Overall, this was a great article that is motivating and informational. 

- Liam Husen

http://www.americansportsmanoutfitters.com/article-library/backpacking-articles/life-is-short-try-backpacking

Snow Making at Ski Resorts Go High Tech

****

This article's focus is snow making at ski and snowboard resorts, and how it has improved in the recent years.  Because of the recent lack of snow, ski and snowboard resorts have had to improve their snow making techniques in order not to push away their customers.  And it was a huge success.  "'If I'm going down a run, I cant tell you if I just skied on natural or man-made snow,' said Bruce Lee, a Redondo Beach resident who has been skiing for 30 years.'"  The recent success in improving the man-made snow is music to the ears of all snowboarders and skiers who have been down due to the lack of natural snow.

As an avid snowboarder and skier,  I can personally say that this article made me feel better about the upcoming winters.  Last year was an awful year for skiing and snowboarding, and this year has already been an improvement.  It made me hopeful for the years to come, and it inspired me to keep boarding.  I learned that making snow isn't as easy as I had originally thought, and it taught me to be more appreciative of how far the ski resorts go to improve the hills for us.

Link to article: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-high-tech-snowmaking-20121213,0,3691980.story

Get a Grip

****

This article talks about ice fishing, and how the technological advancements in recent years have made it easier to be proficient in the sport.  It talks about the secret techniques and trick used in the sport for better success.  "Called the underhanded hold, this technique provides better balance and comfort and also has advantages for finesse jiggling.  Try this easy way to improve your ice-fishing game."  This technique is the focus of the article, and it explains the trick and gives an explanation on how to use the technique.

This article more or less introduced me to ice fishing.  And with a family of avid ice fishers, it helped me better understand the sport my family takes a part in.  It inspired me to ask my dad to take me on one of his trips, and now we have plans to go this winter.  It taught me to be less critical about the ice fishing sport, and that is it not as easy and simple as it may seem.

Link to article: http://www.ontariooutofdoors.com/icefishing/articles/?ID=304&a=read

Mud Run Wars

*****

The sport of obstacle racing has been recently introduced to the world, by new entrepreneurs creating races that test the limits of the human body and mind.  This article talks about three of such companies, Tough Mudder, Spartan Race, and Warrior Dash.  It focuses on the success these three companies have attained after only a few years.  "The obstacle course craze is taking over America.  This year some 1.5 million people will enter an event."  The article talks about how the companies got started.  What challenges did they go through in the creation of the races?  Questions like this are answered frequently in the article, and it is a great read for those interested in researching about the new sport and it's origins.

This article inspired me to sign up for a race this summer, and it inspired me to get more active and do something better with myself.  I learned that nothing can be gained without taking action, and it made me change my behaviour to a more lively, active lifestyle.

Link to article: http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/multisport/Mud-Run-Wars.html

Spartan Race Invades Time Square 

****

This article is about the kick-off of the popular obstacle race, known as Spartan Race in New York. It describes the types of conditions of the race and many of the obstacles. "There is fire, mud, water, barbed wire, and occasionally Hell on Earth. There WILL be obstacles to catch you off guard. Curve balls, so to speak. Get over it." This article also briefly discuses the new partnership between Reebok and Spartan Race, and how it will affect the race. This was a shorter race, as it was in downtown New York, but was still a great event for all participants.

This article has given me a little more insight on the race. Eric and I are doing one in June, so this article was very interesting to me. I have learned about the partnership between Reebok and Spartan Race, and am looking forward to what they can accomplish together. This article has made me even more excited for the race this year, and the challenges it beholds.

-Liam Husen

Link to article & pictures of race: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/01/17/times-square-was-taken-over-by-a-mini-spartan-mud-race-on-thursday-and-we-have-14-awesome-pictures-of-it/

Day Packs and What to Put In Them - Greg Vincent

****

This article discusses the types of packs available and what equipment to pack for a single day venture. It talks about the advantages to a standard backpack versus a fanny pack, as well as waterproofing options. More in-depth, water bottle access and women's packs are also touched on. The article finishes with a great list of equipment to pack, and I suggest taking a look at it before going hiking. 

From this article, I have learned many things about packs and what is important to have on one. I learned about many items that are key to carry in your pack when hiking, and the specifics about packs and their straps and padding. Reading this article has made me really want to go hiking, and I will probably check the list before I go. This is a great, quick article that has a lot of information and suggestions. 

-Liam Husen

http://www.execulink.com/~gvincent/TheRightStuff/packs.html

How can you know if your being ripped off?

Could you be getting ripped off on the outdoor gear you buy?

This article is about how many different companies have to oppertunity through smart advertising to  tak
advantage of your knowledge to get you to buy things you don't need or may not be fully useful
to you. 

The last thing you want to happen to you when you go camping is for your equipment to fail on you and
be left in the outdoors unprotected. Some companies will put an extremely high price on an item and 
promote the the product in a way witch makes you believe that you have to have it. Once you purcase
this product such as a tent, you go out camping and find that it collapses on you! This is what this article explains
which is not to buy things that you don't trust or may be at a high price range. 

In conclusion i would give this article 4 starts because it goes into detail about how not to buy things that may
seem out of you're price range and probably won't end up working out for you in the long run.  I believe that 
this article is very helpful and others should as well read it before making big price rang decisions. 

wanna know more? http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/gear-guy/What-gear-is-expensive-but-useless-.html

Dangers of hiking unprepared

This article explains the dangers of going hiking when not fully prepared. When you head for an exciting and dangerous journey of hiking you have to make sure that you are fully prepared and know what you are doing or you can get into serious trouble.

This article goes into detail about how three American hikers head to Iraq to hike the Zagros mountains and come into some trouble because they didn't know what they were getting into. These American hunters went hiking on the Zagros mountains which lie near the boarder of Iraq and Iran. The Americans went at the hight of summer and the path they chose to take was deserted. Through non preparation, ignorance and cultural misunderstanding they ended up straying off the path into Iran. They were brought to jail by the Iran boarder guards thinking that they were American spies.

What this article shows is that when going out into the wilderness without any preparation and knoledge of the outdoors it can make you end up in places you didn't want to be. In conclusion I would give this article three and a half stars for teaching future hikers about the dangers of hiking when poorly prepared.

"ENVIRONMENTALISTS, HUNTERS CLASH ON OUTDOORS BILL"

"ENVIRONMENTALISTS, HUNTERS CLASH ON OUTDOORS BILL"

This article explains about the concerns environmentalists and hunters have towards the "sportsmen's act of 2012" bill that is said to soon be passed. It explains the negative impact this bill will have on the environment and how it has nothing to contribute to society. 

The "Sportsman's act of 2012" is a bill that encourages the raise in cost of fish and wild life habitats as well as expand opportunities of hunters. The money that come out from the raised causesgoestowards enviromental issues. Now why are the environmentalists cosernd? Well, the bill initials the continuation of lead ammunition witch produces around 14,000 tons of lead in the environment each year. This also follows with many different types of material that may be harmful to the environment.

In conclusion I would give this article 4 stars for informing people about how the enviromental bill is more harmful to the enviromental than it is helpful and it gives a good reason to be concerned. 

Concrete canoe? Science NonFiction!

You Thought Your Canoe Was Heavy!

My Rating: *****

If you remember the Algonquin trip, you might have noticed that I didn’t carry any of the canoes. I have trouble balancing a canoe on my shoulders. But my classmates said the canoes were light. Well, this canoe is definitely not light!

If you’ve fashioned anything out of concrete before, you will know that it will be heavy. Heavy things that are solid chunks will sink, like chunks of concrete. So how do you make concrete float? It’s difficult to make a functional boat out of concrete. I know because I actually did this. During the summer, I did this engineering camp at McMaster University. One of our projects we did was building a boat out of concrete. Mine didn’t work. But hey, that’s engineering. You break stuff until you figure out how to make it so it doesn’t break.

This canoe of concrete, however, is different from the concrete boats that we made at McMaster’s engineering camp. First of all, it’s bigger. Second of all, they’re racing them against each other. Third of all, it must be fast and easily maneuverable. Even for a team of second year university engineers, that’s a difficult task. But it all pays off in the end, even if you don’t win.

I liked this article because it was both outdoorsy and scientific at the same time. I bet portaging that concrete canoe must be an elephant (or at least a few bison)

article avaliable at: http://www.canoerootsmag.com/features/features-canoes/1366-you-thought-your-canoe-was-heavy.html

Staying Ahead of Hype

Helmets: Free Choice or social obligation?

My rating: ****

Ski Canada published an interesting article about ski helmets. It really stuck in my head because I skied bareheaded until I was roughly seven or eight. My mom still goes bareheaded, and it sort of makes me feel left out. She’s not the only one: plenty of skiers go sans helmet. I am also not alone, it’s more or less mandatory for pros to wear helmets on the slopes. That doesn’t stop me from feeling left out.

I see a bunch of pictures of people skiing and compare them to myself. I think what separates them from me, and then I come to yeah, they’re not wearing helmets. They should be, though. While it’s true that a helmet provides some degree of protection, it’s not going to make you invincible. And it shouldn’t be abused as a moral litmus test (in fact, I’m really fed up with these people saying that magazines should depict all skiers with helmets, because these magazines have a duty to portray things as they really are).

Taking all of this in, it was a good article, and it seemed to portray the issue in a neutral light. Well written, and makes a good point.

Works cited

Koch, George. "Helmets: Free choice or social obligation?" Ski Canada. 12 Feb. 2008: n.pag. Web. 28 Dec. 2012. <http://skicanadamag.com/2008/02/12/gear/helmets-choice-or-obligation>.

First Article Assignment - Benefits of Hiking Review

James Warner: The Benefits of Hiking

****

This article examines the positive factors of hiking. The author of the article spends a few times a week on a trail and explains how simplistically it can change your life.

James Warner goes hiking twice a week locally and makes destination trip for hiking every so often. He explains that when a person is on a hiking trail they can leave everything that has to do with work, school, friends, complications, and thoughts behind. James talks about how things seem clearer on the trail and it is easier to make decisions. He also talks about how hiking can change you emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Another thing James talks about in the article is that when you are around nature you can appreciate it more. Lastly, he talks about how hiking can mend relationships. It is something that can be enjoyable to do with family and friends. Overall this article is very positive and shows that hiking is something that should be incorporated in everyday life for everyone.

All of this information stood out to me because I enjoy taking nature walks to forget about the rest of the world with homework and jobs, along with using them as a time to exercise and clear the mind. I spend a lot of time each week inside and outside of school exercising. It is really important to me to get that amount of exercise. During the article I was thinking about autumn and how it is coming so fast. I think autumn is the best season to hike in because everything looks so nature enriched with all the colors changing. I learned from this that I should be taking more walks as this school year starts up. It will give me time to clear my mind and appreciate the seasons and the nature around me, along with make decisions with a clear mind. My behavior is about to change because I have taken a different look on hiking through James Warner’s eyes and it has shown me that there is more to taking some time to take a walk on a trail or a mountain. I am going to go for a walk through the woods after school today because I am looking forward to the experience that was described in this article.

Jenny Dilar 

                                  Terror at 13,000 feet: skydiving mishap nearly kills 80-year-old                                                            By:Yukio Strachan

I chose to do do my article assignment on an 80 year old women that alomost lost her life when going parachuting on her birthday. This articlee was publisheed on May.24,2012 and since then has already racked up 451,000 views.

What happened on the day of this event was that it was this girl named Laverne Everette on her 80th birthday went skydiving in Acampo, California and it will proabably be the last time she ever leaves the ground. Everything was going fine until thee last second when shee was about to jump out she relizes that shee is not fully straped in and refuzes to jump but was forced/pushed out and falling at the speeds of around 125mph with a non working parachute.

This article affecteed me beeacusee i know that if it was mee up their free falling and I made it down I would neever leeavee thee ground again.Something that I learned about this is that wheen thee day comes that I want to go sky diving im going to make suree that I am fully straped in.

I didn't know that about ice fishing

Why you should stay off the bottom when ice fishing- Gord Pyzer

My rating: ***

So, it’s my first blog post on here and I couldn’t find any articles in the Outdoor Canada magazine about horseback riding, I thought I would write about ice fishing.

The article I chose is about mistakes people make about ice fishing. Some of these mistakes include putting the lure too close to the bottom of the lake and putting the bait right in front of the fish. Instead of putting your lure at the bottom, put it at least 18 inches off the bottom, but not directly at the bottom. Also, tease the fish a bit with the lure. If you make it too easy for the fish, then they’ll recognize that it’s a trap (fish are smarter than you think they are). If you follow these tips when ice fishing, you will get twice as many fish.

I chose this article because I wasn’t sure if we could write about horseback riding or not, and I noticed that Outdoor Canada had ice fishing. I thought that I could write about that because it was a little different. I learned that fish don’t necessarily hit the bottom of the lake during winter. Next time I go ice fishing, I will keep that in the back of my mind

to see what I'm talking about, read
http://outdoorcanada.ca/17609/fishing/ice-fishing/why-you-should-stay-off-the-bottom-when-ice-fishing