There’s a ton of hype surrounding social networking sites like MySpace.com. Personally, I don’t participate, read or pay much attention to them. Too many teenie boppers. I did run across a different kind of social networking site specifically catered to the outdoor community. According to their press release:
“The site will give outdoor sports enthusiasts an outdoor themed alternative to other
social networks like Myspace.com. Users can sign up for free and upload information,
stories, reviews, pictures, and more to the site. The site design focuses on being
clean and easy to use for the members.”
I poked around a bit and I like what I saw. Check it out at Outdoorzy.com. They’ve got a great looking site with some great ideas for us. I especially like their “trip reports” section that allows us to read about outings from other members or even post our own experiences for others to enjoy.
Heads up adventure freaks and check out the blog over at The Adventure Blog. It’s hard to keep up with all the goings on in the adventure world, but The Adventure Junkie doesn’t seem to miss a beat. I consider myself up to date on what’s going on around the globe, but I hadn’t heard of half the stuff he’s blogging about. The blogs has good, clean, relevant info for all of us to read. Check out the blog and enjoy.
New for 2007, the Big Agnes Big House tents are the ultimate dwelling for 4-6 campers and all their gear. A straight forward floor plan means you’ll be set up, cooking and putting the kids to bed while the guy next door fumbles with his multiple room big-box tent. Because there’s no need to sacrifice comfort when weight isn’t a huge concern, the Big House also features an optional, extra large accessory vestibule for more storage or a shady sitting room. With a head height of 6′ 3″, you’ll be able stand up completely, unless you are taller than most. With The Big House Tent, you’ll feel right at home even when you couldn’t get farther away.
Another year, another tent I must have. Last year Big Agnes lightened up their Seedhouse Superlight tents, making them two of the lightest double wall tents around. The Seedhouse SL 2 was just under 3lbs and their 1 person Superlight was only 2lbs 6oz! They aslo introduced the Seedhouse Superlight 3 tent which sleeps 3 but was lighter than most 2 person tents. With the Superlight tents came sacrifice, and that sacrifice was space. Although you can sleep 2 people in the 2 person Superlight tent, it is a bit tight. Is there a tent that’s lightweight that doesn’t sleep like a can of sardines? Yes, my granola friends, there is. The eagle has landed and hatched the 2007 Big Agnes Emerald Mountain Tent. Slender, voluptuous, sexy…I could go on for minutes. Late night fantasies high in the Tetons have been realized. The Emerald Mountain 2 person tent comes in at 4lbs 3oz. That’s not great on weight, but get this. Two doors and 22 sq ft of vestibule space! Also, the big difference is in the length. This tent is 7′ 6″ from end to end, which should be enough length for just about anyone. The Emerald Mountain 3 gets even more interesting. This 3 person lightweight has 44 sq ft of floor space. The Seedhouse Superlight 3 only had 36. It also comes with 2 doors, 7′ 6″ of length and only 5lbs! Compare this to the MSR Mutha Hubba which has only 40 sq ft of space and comes in at 6lbs 12oz or the Sierra Designs Baku 3 tent which has 42 sq ft and weights 5lb 6oz.
I’m not a big fan of bulky double wide sleeping bags for a couple of reason. First, they are impractical for backpacking because of size and weight. Second, the only air mattresses available are crummy inflatable mats that seem to always spring a leak in the middle
of the night. Enter the Mother of Comfort, Big Agnes. This year Big Agnes introduc