Blue Sky Beginnings for Spring

By Chris Kalous

Who came up with making New Year’s resolutions in January? I know, technically, it is the New Year, but to try and change your behavior overnight during the darkest and coldest season while nursing a hangover is just naïve. Seriously, without skiing, I would barely get out of bed in January, let alone declare myself a more moral and fastidious being.

But spring time is the right time to start something. By March, everybody and everything is ready for a change. Nature is behind you, biology is stirring your soul, and the sun is juicing you up with an expanding solar charge. Though the snow may still be flying, all things natural are on the move: from tufted titmice to tulip bulbs. So get connected and start growing.

First of all, get rid of that winter jelly-roll by trying something new. And what better way to burn calories and get fit than by throwing yourself at an activity at which you suck? Get your synapses firing by engaging a whole new set of movements and technical hurdles, get organized, and recycle some of that gear that is a little long in the tooth.

 

Loki Lore Light Softshell

Just like spring, Loki’s designs are fresh. Mitts and a faceguard are incorporated in their Lore jacket, and frankly, these features are cool as hell. The ends of the sleeves flip around to become loose-fitting mittens that are spindrift-proof and wind proof (think biking home at midnight). Once used to it, getting in and out of the mitts is simple and fast. The hidden faceguard acts like a neck-gaiter when worn, and as a bonus feature, it forces your hood to swivel with your head for added visibility. The Lore works as a great layer or light outer in warmer weather or when building up a sweat. Made by locals out of Grand Junction, Colorado, I commend these guys for their innovative thinking. $159. www.lokigear.com

La Sportiva Sandstone GTX-XCR

Saying that this shoe will absolutely fit on whatever gnarled version of a foot you run on is like saying I have a spare kidney just for you. In other words, one person’s comfy spirit-lifter could be another’s blister-machine. You just have to try them on. What I can tell you is that like all La Sportiva products I have used, these are built to last. Solid stitching and quality materials are a hallmark here. The Sandstone, like the high-top Onyx, is designed for rugged all-around use. They feel a bit stiff for pure trail-running, but then most of my trail-runs end up as more of a brisk hike anyway. Coupled with an aggressive tread and somewhat sticky rubber, that stiffness is an advantage while marching up rugged terrain. And for your own Blue Sky piece of mind, La Sportiva is a 100% wind-powered business. $120. www.lasportiva.com

Patagonia Men’s Workender Pant

Patagonia was green before everybody but Kermit the Frog. They continue to lead the charge with open discussions of what it truly means to minimize impact. They have an incredibly honest and transparent look at the creation of their products from cradle to grave on their website, which is worth a few minutes (or hours) of your time. Oh, and the pants? Well, the main feature of these rugged and good-looking (on me, at least) pants is the fabric by Toray. It feels like cotton, but is nylon, 36% recycled, and apparently produced with lower energy consumption than similar fabrics. Abrasion resistant but soft, these pants are made for everything from kickin’ around town to crack-climbing. $99.99.
www.patagonia.com

Bigfoot Bag

Climbers who use rope-bags will recognize this design and wonder why nobody did it earlier. The Bigfoot Bag stores and transports your stuff and then quickly unzips into a tarp with your booty sitting in the middle ready to be deployed. Now, instead of the one-footed snow hop as you are changing into your ski-boots outside your truck, you just unzip the bag, grab your boots, and stand on the waterproof tarp in your socks. Then after you get done snorkeling in the powder, chuck that wet snowy stuff back on the tarp, change into your mukluks, and zip it up. Small $54.95.
www.bigfootbag.com

Adventure Medical Kits S.O.L. Survival Pak

Those punky do-gooder brats spouting off the motto “be prepared” have nothing on Adventure Medical Kits. The S.O.L. Survival Pak (S.O.L. stands for “Survive Outdoors Longer”) has the goods to keep you alive and comfy while waiting for help to arrive, including matches/tinder, a survival blanket, duct tape and more. At 5.4 ounces, this might as well live in your kit for when things get out of hand, or just for when somebody forgot the friggin’ lighter. The Thermo-Lite Bivvy Sack rocks in at a paltry 6.9 ounces and is a great survival tool, or an inexpensive way to add a few degrees to that sleeping bag when that snowstorm surprises you in July. And check out their first aid kits tailored specifically to adventurers because, let’s face it, death is just not en vogue this spring. S.O.L. $25, Thermo-Lite $30. www.adventuremedicalkits.com

Eagles Nest Outfitters Double-Nest Hammock

Imagine this: you’ve peeled off the polypro and that greasy down jacket is in a pile on the floor. The sun is out and it is truly warm for the first time in months. That person you live with but forgot to look at for weeks beckons you outside to see the sky. In a moment, you have slapped up the compact and easily deployed ENO Hammock that you picked up on your last internet surf-session from a couple of dudes in Asheville, NC. The ease of setup and cool design are marvelous to behold. The two of you smile and climb in. The birds sing. All is good. $64.95. www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com

Gerber Obsidian Clip Knife

When I was six I thought the coolest thing about my Great Grandpa Glen was that he always had a knife in his pocket to fix just about anything. I took to carrying a pocket knife myself until I was caught whittlin’ (a skill I learned from Grandpa) out on the playground. Gerber’s Obsidian Clip Knife is perfect for keeping handy. It has a smooth locking blade (something Grandpa said is a must) along with an extra safety lock. An upgrade Pops would have loved is the two screwdrivers and a bottle/can opener hidden tightly in the handle. One drawback is that the drivers don’t lock. But becoming a bit more like Grandpa Glen would do us all some good. $36.00. www.gerbergear.com

Clif Shot

As the thaw begins in March, most mountain people only know it’s spring because the gopher said so. It’s certainly no time to give up on snow sports. Clif’s new hot drink mixes will fill your thermos with steamy goodness and keep your body moving. The Cider, which is 97% organic, tastes great and replenishes electrolytes and energy. This is a sweet drink for skinning breaks or when you have to wait for your snowboarder buddy to dig out of yet another tree-well. The hot chocolate (also mostly organic) is for cool-down/warm-up with protein and carbs to help with recovery. Add these to your swag this spring for a little more backcountry luxury, and back at the pad, trundle around on Clifbar.com to see how Clif is giving back to the world. $1.49. www.Clifbar.com

Eddie McStiff’s MicroBrewery and Restaurant

Looking for some guaranteed blue skies in March? Moab, UT is waiting for you. Climb, bike, hike, and, if you must, ski the La Sals under the nurturing spring sun. Afterwards, hit Eddie McStiff’s for great beer (yes, it is 3.2) and good vibe. The main reason to recommend McStiff’s is that they treat locals like family in the off-season with cheap pints and food. I know this probably doesn’t apply to you, but we are all locals somewhere, and supporting a place that gives back to the people that make the scene gleam is just good karma. When the winter wonderland has morphed into a snowbound hell, which it eventually does every year, hit the desert for dirt, rock and afterwards, beer. Oh, and it’s for sale! $1.2 mil. www.eddiemcstiffs.com MG