13
Jun
2011
jloomis

SMC Capra Ice Axe Review

Product Rating: 
5
SMC Capra Ice Axe

Features:

SMC's Capra ice axe is the culmination of two years of extensive design and testing around the globe. It is one of the lightest ice axes in this category at just over 16 ounces for the 65 cm model. The new full-sized head is designed to fit more naturally in the user's hand for increased comfort during extended use. It's assembled with SMC's patented insulating connection, reducing vibration and associated fatigue. Another feature is the Carpa's unique handle, designed to be easy to grasp for positive placement in self-arrest.

12
Jun
2011
kloomis

Climbing Mount Saint Helens, Washington via Worm Flows Route

Mount St. Helens

Although we had been eyeing a climb on Mount Saint Helens all winter, a good weather window didn’t present itself. Just in time for summer, we got a much-needed break in the weather this week. We were able to find two permits to climb on Sunday. Mount Saint Helens (50 miles NE of Portland, Oregon), an active stratovolcano, is most famous for its eruption on May 18, 1980. Now only 8,364 feet tall, the mountain previously stood at 9,677 feet tall.

11
Jun
2011
jloomis

Homemade Glissading Sled aka "Glissade Diaper Sled"

Product Rating: 
4
Glissade Diaper Sled

The original idea for the Glissade Diaper Sled came from jmjula4. It's a sled that wraps around a climber like a diaper to protect their clothing and backpack while provided a faster, more efficient glissade down the mountain. See full post for instructions with pictures on how to make your very own Glissade Diaper Sled.

07
Jun
2011
jloomis

Snow Peak GigaPower Stove Review

Product Rating: 
5
Snow Peak GigaPower Stove

Features:

The featherweight Snow Peak GigaPower stove is available with either automatic or manual ignition. The adjustable flame and four trivets make for easy cooking in any situation from simmer to boil. The GigaPower stove folds nicely for storage and includes a lightweight storage container. Uses butane/propane canister fuel.

05
Jun
2011
jloomis

Hiking to Catalpa Lake, Oregon from Barlow Creek Campground

Catalpa Lake, Oregon

Katie, John, and I decided it would be fun to go on a day hike while we were camping along Barlow Creek on Saturday. We set off for Catalpa Lake from Barlow Creek campground following Bonney Meadows trail #471. This trail intersects Catalpa Lake trail #535 just before it ends at FS road 250. The hike is approximately 5 miles round-trip with 1,000 feet of elevation gain.

05
Jun
2011
jloomis

Barlow Creek, Oregon Camping Trip

Old Barlow Road Along Barlow Creek

This was our first beautiful weekend of the year with temperatures forecasted in the low 80s F in Portland. My friend John and Katie and I spent the weekend car camping along Barlow Creek off the Barlow Road (FS road 3530). It's a beautiful area with silty soil and a mixed conifer forest (pine, fir, cedar, hemlock, etc.). There are several primitive camping spots along the creek between Barlow Crossing and Barlow Creek Forest Service campgrounds.

02
Jun
2011
jloomis

GSI Outdoors Tea Kettle HAE - 1 Qt. Review

Product Rating: 
4
GSI Halulite Tea Kettle

Features:

The GSI Outdoors Halulite™ Tea Kettle is perfectly sized for ultralight backpacking. Features collapsible handle on kettle and lid for easy storage. The one quart size is designed to work with ultralight stoves. According to the manufacturer, "Halulite says goodbye to scratches, burn circles and ounces. As light as Titanium, Halulite is a proprietary alloy that also conducts heat better and more evenly—so you can leave the extra fuel at home. Plus, every piece is Hard Anodized to create a surface that withstands scratches and abrasions like nothing else."

31
May
2011
jloomis

La Sportiva Pamir Leather Backpacking Boot Review

Product Rating: 
5
La Sportiva Pamir Leather Backpacking Boot

Features:

The Pamir by La Sportiva is a heavy-weight leather hiking and backpacking boot with traditional styling. It is built to take long-term abuse and provide comfort, stability, and traction on long treks. The Idro-Perwanger® full grain leather uppers are water-resistant and supportive. Traction and braking are provided by the Vibram® soles. The Pamir boots feature an anti-torsion shank on the back of the boot and anti-shock insert to dampen impact with the ground.

31
May
2011
jloomis

Backpacking Badger Creek Trail #479, Oregon

Badger Creek, Oregon

Despite a forecasted that included rain showers, we decided to go backpacking with our friends in the Badger Creek Wilderness over Memorial Day weekend. We had originally planned on a three day/two-night trip, but the weather Saturday was not favorable. We instead opted to leave Sunday morning for an overnight backpacking trip. Badger Creek trail #479 begins near Bonney Crossing Campground off FS road 2710 (about 2.5 miles North of Rock Creek Reservoir as the crow flies). The trail closely follows Badger Creek for approximately 11 miles to Badger Lake and then continues another 1.5 miles around the lake and up to FS road 4860.

26
May
2011
jloomis

Osprey Talon 44 Backpack Review

Product Rating: 
5
Osprey Talon 44 Backpack

Features:

The Talon 44 is Osprey's lightest multi-day backpack. It is designed for cragging and climbing as well as light overnight and thru-hiking trips. It features a top-loading design with zippered sleeping bag access, a floating removable top lid pocket, front and side stretch pockets, and an aluminum rail with composite side struts for excellent load control. The AirScape back panel is designed to provide airflow between your back and the pack. The mesh-covered perforated shoulder straps and hipbelt are lightweight and feature pockets. An external hydration pocket makes accessing your reservoir quick and easy.

23
May
2011
jloomis

Climbing Mount Mitchell, Washington via NW Couloirs

Mount Mitchell, Washington

My climbing partner Matt and I set off to climb Mount Mitchell (about 11 miles South of Mount Saint Helens) early Saturday morning. The normal route is a 2.5 mile (one-way) walk-up hike around the back of the mountain (South side) on a marked trail. But Matt and I wanted to be more adventurous and climb the snowy couloirs on the Northwest side of Mount Mitchell. We came prepared with full mountaineering gear (ice axes, helmets, crampons, rope, snow pickets, etc.) as we didn't know what we might encounter.

22
May
2011
jloomis

Shad and Salmon Fishing on the Willamette River, Oregon

Shad and Jack Salmon

After a fun day climbing on Saturday, I dedicated much of Sunday to fishing for shad (great crab bait) on the Willamette River with a couple of friends. We took my boat, launching from Meldrum Bar around 6:30 AM. The weather was calm with mostly cloudy skies and a temperature in the low 50's F. The river was extremely high, making launching the boat more challenging than usual. The upper part of the ramp was covered in water, making the dock inaccessible.

19
May
2011
jloomis

Otto All Season Gaiters Review

Product Rating: 
3
Otto All Season Gaiters

Features:

Otto All Season gaiters are designed to keep snow and other debris out of your boots. They are constructed of durable water-repellent materials like Cordura® nylon. The gaiters are secured with rip-and-stick velcro closure on the front. The breathable uppers feature nylon webbing with a cam-lock buckle for a secure fit. The lace hook on the lower portion of the gaiter allows a secure fit in combination with the adjustable Hypalon® instep strap that is field repairable. The lowers also feature elastic on the back half for a better seal around boots.

15
May
2011
jloomis

Skunked Again Fishing for Salmon on the Willamette River, Oregon

Jason Salmon Fishing on the Willamette River

My buddy John went out salmon fishing a couple times last week and caught fish, so we decided to brave the crowds and fish on Saturday morning. We launched at the Swan Island ramp on the Willamette River near downtown Portland. We were at the ramp just after 5 AM (running on only an hour or two of sleep) and there were already a couple dozen trailers in the parking lot. The three of us (John, Andy, and I) set off in John's North River boat hoping for a successful day of Spring Chinook fishing. The weather was overcast and calm with a temperature in the upper 40's F.

13
May
2011
jloomis

Petzl Elios Climbing Helmet Review

Product Rating: 
5
Petzl Elios Climbing Helmet

Features:

The Petzl Elios is a low profile, well ventilated, easily adjustable climbing helmet. It has a foam liner which is covered by a hard ABS shell, perfect for rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, canyoning and caving. Features adjustable side-release chinstrap, nape height, and headband for a custom fit. Headlamp and VIZION face shield compatible.

Pages

Subscribe to Loomis Adventures RSS