caddis craziness

By ccrossen | July 29, 2010

The fishing has been really fun, with the caddis coming out en force a couple of weeks ago. Flows have been all over the map, however, with the Upper Little Truckee falling off steeply and the big Truckee gaining flows with the Lake releases. We’ve had tons of success with the basic elk hair caddis lately.

I went out to the LT with my three year old son to go after some small rainbows - we experienced a feeding frenzy while we were there. The session didn’t last too long, and I think that my son enjoyed the rocks, pools, and bugs more than the fishing, but he brought in his first trout.

For those looking for a little more in-depth information right now, be sure to check out Matt Koles site. Matt is a local guide, and his blog provides a wealth of information in a very condensed form, with some amazing photos of big fish from recent trips.

Topics: Introduction | No Comments »

gear review: sanuk sandals/shoes

By ccrossen | July 28, 2010

One of the best (best!) things about summer in the mts, especially after a long winter of ski boots, Sorel’s, and cold toes, are sandals. There’s nothing like easing into a pair after a climb, ride, or run. Nothing feels so at ease with the world. I have tested out a lot of sandals over the years, and while many are good, few make it to these pages, let alone get praise. Well, I had the opportunity to try out some Sanuk sandals and shoes this summer, and I am happy to report that they are super-comfy, stylie, and durable so far. I’ve been really happy with the ahh! factor once slipping them on, which says a lot.

Sanuk makes both sandals and sidewalk surfers, aka slip-on shoes, which they call “sandals” as well, based on the comfort-factor. Sanuk boasts an incredibly deep line-up of sandals, from conventional to not-so. Two pair that I especially like are the the Chris Sharma-designed Crag sandal and the Hey Jute surfer. Both incorporate a lot of California, nouveaux-hippie, eco flair, especially the Crag, which is a vegan product, incorporating a partially recycled sole.

The Crag, designed in part with climber Chris Sharma, is billed as the Ultimate Approach Sandal, and while that title is a bit of hyperbole, I will definitely call it the best approach flip-flop, which it mostly resembles. Using a unique, modified flip-flop strap design, The Crag incorporates straps encircling the big toe as well as beefy side straps in an effort to keep the foot centered when scrambling, edging, and venturing off horizontal. The sandal does an ok job at this, but in reality, it’s a great flip flop, with an extra deep, beefy sole, that may help you out a little bit more on your approach to your favorite boulder or crag than the average flip. I like the fact that they are vegan, incorporate a new, very functional design, and use decent rubber to help get you over the rocks.

The Crag runs slightly large, and if you intend to use this as an approach sandal or for scrambling, it helps to get a tighter fit. Make sure you try on if you can before buying as you may want to go down a size for more control.

One very cool detail: the Crag uses Evolv climbing shoe rubber (Sharma climbs for Evolv) on the sole. EVOLV and TRAX Rubber developed eco-TRAX, a recycled content high friction rubber compound and started using it on products beginning Fall 2008, making EVOLV the first climbing shoe company to use a more environmentally friendlier rubber on climbing shoes. The technology comes from decomposing selective pre & post consumer rubber waste and then reprocessing it to make a useable compound. Currently, 30% of the eco-TRAX compound used on select parts of outsoles is recycled material, however we plan to use a higher recycled percent compound on other applications that don’t require maximum friction.

The Hey Jute sidewalk surfer takes shoe and sandal comfort to a combo level. These shoes feel like stepping onto a nice Tempurpedic mattress, way more comfortable than sandals. Simply put, they’re about as comfortable as a shoe can get and make you relax from the get-go. Sidewalk surfers are super-light, pack down flat, and can cover most of your shoe needs.

To start with, we need more slip-ons. In keeping with the summer nature, wearing shoes without laces is awesome: on in five seconds, and you just kindof feel a little more free. If you live at the beach or in the mts, or in the city for that matter, these shoes will get a lot of use. The sidewalk surfer line covers a lot of ground and can easily make the transition from slipping on to get the morning paper and post-ride to gallery openings and date night.

Despite being a slip-on, the Hey Jute’s utilize a real sole, one that provides a lot of shock absorption and will last for years. Also,the elasticized side panels that connect the tongue to the canvas sides do a great job of keeping the fit snug. The shoes stretch as you walk, allowing the shoe to flex and remain connected to your feet, so they don’t feel loose at all. These shoes do not provide much arch support, and that’s by design Barefoot Un-Technologyâ„¢ which allows your foot to bend and flex the way nature designed. This unimpeded foot movement strengthens the small muscles that support your arch (makes you walk correctly).

The overall sole on the Hey Jute is wide, though Sanuk makes other similar models with a somewhat narrower profile that provide the same great comfort. The Jute has two small vent holes, but I found the canvas uppers a bit on the warm side some days, so if you have hot feet or live in really warm climes, you may want to look at a Sanuk made from lighter weight materials.

The Hay Jute does not come in half-sizes. I generally wear a 8.5 US and the 9 fits great.

From Sanuk:

Crag

The Sharma sandal! Ability to climb anything not included.

Super Soft, High Rebound, Injected Footbed

All New Pattern Developed with Chris Sharma for the Ultimate Approach Sandal

Canvas Strap Upper featuring Chris Sharma Signature

Super Soft Neoprene Liner
Molded Rubber Outsole Featuring EVOLV Sticky Rubber for Maximum Traction and Control
Vegan and Vegetarian
$60

Hey Jute

If you love the white album, then youâ€™ll love these sandals

Sanuk calls them Sidewalk Surfersâ€”the year-round protection of a shoe with the comfort of a sandal bottom

Textured canvas upper with Jute wrap around detail and vented sidewalls

Ultracushiony molded EVA footbed brings your feet back to basics

Vented sidewalls enhance breathability

Stretch side panels for easy on/off and a secure fit

Rubberized EVA Happy-U sole

Barefoot Un-Technologyâ„¢ allows your foot to bend and flex the way nature designed

Loose upper allows your foot to spread and absorb shock naturally

Unimpeded foot movement strengthens the small muscles that support your arch (makes you walk correctly)

$55

Topics: Gear Reviews | No Comments »

riverside studios show: august

By ccrossen | July 23, 2010

Riverside Studios in Truckee will be showing a number of my smaller paintings during the month of August.

Opening night party: Friday, August 6th, 4PM-8PM

Riverside Studios (downtown Truckee)10060 Donner Pass Road (next to Squeeze In)

The show will be with Mary Kenny, an artist whom teaches at Sierra Nevada College and makes beautiful, colorful prints.Hope to see you there.

Topics: Art | No Comments »

truckee: clips of faith

By ccrossen | July 21, 2010

Friday, July 30, enjoying some outstanding beers and fantastic amateur film clips!With Truckee being one of 14 stops along New Belgiumâ€™s nationwide summer tour, this unique event includes beers from New Belgiumâ€™s Lips of Faith portfolio which features some of their most creative and hard-to-find brews. Amateur film clips range from kayaking buddies navigating grizzlies and whales on a paddling trip from Alaska to Seattle, to an absurdist spaghetti western about a flat tire (and some beer). There are visual odes to peopleâ€™s love affairs with their bikes, assorted comedy shorts, and thought-provoking environmental pieces. Food will also be available from local vendors. There is no admission fee to enter the event or view the films, just the cost of beer and food. All beer proceeds benefit the Truckee Trails Foundation!Word on the street is that the Clips of Faith festivals in other cities this summer have been fantastic! Truckee is very fortunate to have New Belgium back in town for this great new event. Bring your friends and join us!!Details:When: Friday, July 30Time: 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. (films begin at dark)Where: Truckee River Regional Park: Chief Truckee LawnOther tips: Outside food is welcome, alcohol is not (leave that to New Belgium)Bring low chairs or blankets â€“ or lounge on the grass!High 5â€™s to All Who Ride!!!(bike valet available)

Topics: Introduction | No Comments »

gear review: ergobaby carrier

By ccrossen | July 21, 2010

Periodically, we focus on the family at RDS, mainly gear that lets us get out there with our kids, considering many of us have one or two+ kids roaming about. This review is for all those parents intent on getting out there … in comfort and style and peace.

As a father of a three year old and a four month old, there have been a few CRITICAL items that have kept me and my wife sane, traveling and adventuring. One of these is the Ergobaby Carrier backpack.

The short version of this review is as follows: if you have an infant or toddler or are going to have an infant or toddler, buy one of these carriers. They are the best sling/backpack/front-carrier system out there, bar-none. Really. And they will last through a few kids (or more) from ages newborn - three/four years. These carriers are not designed to carry a lot of additional gear, rather they focus on being relatively small and compact, while offer excellent support and comfort.

My wife and I have used one of the first basic Ergo carrier designs for awhile, and Ergo sent us a newer Original Design, which has a number of updated features, to test out. Like the older style, the Ergobaby carrier can be used as a sling, for infants, and as a backpack or front carrier. Your choice of carrying style depends largely on age, and what your child likes best, as well as what’s most comfortable for you. The pack comes in one size, and due to its adjustability, both my wife and I can use the same pack without any difficulties.

We’ve used the sling-mode extensively with our four month old over the past three months: he likes it a lot and can usually last about five minutes before he’s fast asleep. On a recent trip, the Ergobaby was our go-to for getting him to sleep on a number of occasions. Once he has adequate neck strength and can sit up well, we’ll transition him to the front and back modes, which carry the weight better than the sling mode.

One great feature for any mode is the sleep-hood, an attached elasticized fabric piece that folds up over the child’s head to provide additional neck/head support, as well as sun protection. The sleeping hood features easy snaps and elastic for a customized fit. The hood can be tucked and folded away as well.

Overall, the Ergobaby is very comfortable to wear, with wide, well-padded shoulder straps and hip belt (better than many ski-focused packs I won, distributing weight evenly, even for my 36 pound three year old son who wasn’t quite ready to tackle a 500 stairs climb down and up on a recent trip. The carrier worked fine for me, though we were in the jungle, it was quite warm and rainy, and the 100% cotton fabric takes a while to dry, if at all, in a rain forest setting. This will happen with any 100% cotton fabric, however.

The model we tested did not have an additional pocket, but you can buy one that attaches easily or improvise on your own.

Construction/stitching/fabric quality are all excellent, and as mentioned previously, these carriers will last for many many years.

Compared with the newer style packs, our older model was lighter and more compact, more minimalist in design, and a bit better suited for long-term travel. that said, the newer models are easy to fold up, stuff in a bag, suitcase, duffel, etc. and are not that much larger/heavier.

A key accessory item is the Infant Insert, which you need to buy if you’re going to use the carrier for an infant, which we did. It’s important to get this insert if you have an infant, as the carrier without the insert does not adequately support an infant’s neck, spine, and body. Per Ergobaby, the design encourages healthy maturation of the spine by supporting the pelvis, hip joint, and leg position rather than putting a baby in a compromising sitting position before the spine is ready. The ERGObaby Infant Insert also supports the safety of the baby’s head and neck in this critical stage of development. The ERGObaby Infant Insert is a specially padded and shaped cushion that can be quickly and easily placed in the carrier and readjusted as needed. This design easily enables parents to ensure that their newborn is positioned correctly on the pillow, keeping pressure off the developing sacrum, and supports the development of the spine and hips. It snaps closed around the infant, holding the baby in a cozy, protected environment close to the heart, as well as in an ergonomically correct natural sitting position.

Also look for Ergo’s new ERGObaby - Performance carrier. This lighter, sportier, pack/carrier looks excellent as well.

From Ergobaby:

Using the ERGObaby carrier gives you continuous connection, fabulous feeling of freedom, and security knowing your baby is safe.

This is the all-in-one soft baby carrier, assisting you through all the stages of your baby’s growth and moving from front to hip to back position easily.Parents tell us the ERGObaby carrier is the best of all the baby carriers on the market. It was designed by Karin Frost and has undergone extensive testing by tens of thousands of parents. Its innovative design makes wearing your baby comfortable for hours at a time, gives you the freedom to remain active and productive in your daily life, and holds your baby secure to your body so you are HandsFree.

ERGObabyâ€™s baby carrier design supports a natural sitting position for babies, eliminating compression of the spine and hips that can be caused by unsupported suspension. The baby carrier also balances the baby’s weight to parents’ hips and shoulders, and alleviates physical stress for the parent.

Standard Baby Carrier Features
Ergonomic design
400 threads per inch cotton poplin lining and hood
100% cotton batting in body of carrier to soften edges
One inch, high density foam in shoulder straps
Quarter inch high density neoprene foam in waist belt
High Quality buckles tested by SGS
Waist belt circumference from 25″ to 43″
Fits from 5′ to 6′5″ body height with adjustable shoulder and chest straps
Sleeping hood with elastic, adjusts in length to growth of babyHigh quality webbing, matched to carrier color
Reinforcement stitching used at all fabric intersections
Interior rip-stop reinforcements at critical intersections
Durability/strength tested up to 90 pounds
Machine washable - cold, gentle cycles, mild detergent, no bleach. Dry in low heat

Topics: Introduction | No Comments »

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caddis craziness

gear review: sanuk sandals/shoes

riverside studios show: august

truckee: clips of faith

gear review: ergobaby carrier