Blog on a Log
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Nine Gift Ideas for Outdoorsy Gals
She can scale a mountain, portage a canoe, and start a campfire with a single match. This Christmas, give a little love to the outdoorsy women in your life. Whether you're gifting to your mother, sister, girlfriend, or friend, these gifts are sure to keep them out and enjoying the great outdoors all year long.
Wintertrax Shoe Ice Treds
When snow falls and walkways get treacherous, keep mom walking steady all winter long. Shoe Ice Treds stretch to fit almost any size and style shoe, lending extra traction to runners, boots, or even your girlfriend's favourite oh-so-impracticable heels! A great gift idea for winter runners, dog walkers, or those who want some extra security in icy parking lots without having to carry an extra set of shoes.
The North Face Women's NSE Tent Mule II
Your girlfriend's tootsies will stay toasty warm this year with a pair of cozy down-filled slippers. A staff favourite, these comfy faux fur lined booties can be seen around the store on staff members who refuse to take their pair off! The water resistant fabric and durable nylon mesh base means she won't have to - they go from lazing around the house to venturing out for the mail with ease.
The North Face Cable Knit Mitt
Keep her hands warm and stylish with the Cable Knit Mitt from The North Face. The thick cable knit wool is lined with cozy soft fleece for two layers of warmth ideal for those with perpetually cold hands.
Black Diamond Primrose SA Harness Package
A complete startup set for the new or beginner female climber! The Primrose Harness Package includes a Black Diamond harness, ATC belay device, locking carabiner, chalk bag and chalk -- everything she needs to get started climbing indoors or out at one great price. Great for those just taking up the sport or veterans who need a gear overhaul.
Patagonia Merino Cardigan
Classic styling reworked with performance-level fabrics. This soft, touch-it-to-believe-it cardigan is a staple piece for any woman's closet... but made with luxurious, fine-gauge merino wool that's natural, breathable, and completely itch-free! Give her a gift she'll wear for years to come with comfortable, high-performance fabric that feels great against the skin... it's the best of both worlds!
Leki Cressida Speedlock Trekking Poles
Weighing in at just 17.28 oz with a compact, ergonomic grip designed specifically for women's smaller hands, the Leki Cressida is an excellent choice for hikers on your list. Whether navigating a slippery creekbed or tackling a tricky incline, trekking poles provide safety and stability on rough terrain. Just be ready for her to spend all Christmas afternoon planning next year's excursions!
Thermarest NeoAir XTherm
As anyone who's fought over a thermostat knows, women tend to be much cooler than men. Keep her warm in the great outdoors with a NeoAir XTherm mattress. The reflective material throws back heat at the body, giving this mattress and impressive 4-season R-value of 5.7. Bonus? The NeoAir weighs less than a pound, packs smaller than a water bottle, and expands to an impressive 2.5 inch thickness to provide some serious comfort after a hard day of playing outdoors. Perfect for those who find their bodies less and less agreeable to sleeping on the ground....or youngins who realize they can be twice as comfortable while carrying half the weight!
Deuter Futura 30 SL
A proper fitting backpack is one of the most important pieces of equipment an outdoor enthusiast can own. Women, with their shorter torsos and curved shape, have been wearing ill-fitting unisex packs for years. Give her the gift of comfort with a women-specific pack like the Futura 30, equipped with shorter, narrower SL shoulder straps and a conical shaped waist belt to deliver the perfect fit for female users.
The North Face Arctic Parka
A parka that's both warm and stylish is a gem of a gift. The waterproof, breathable Arctic Parka features warm 550-fill down and a slim, flattering silhouette so she can go from tobogganing with the kids to dinner at your favourite restaurant and stay warm and dry the whole way. A gift that will definitely keep giving all winter long!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Nine Gift Ideas for Guys
Men can be so hard to buy for...Save yourself some December headache by picking up a present sure to put a smile on his face on Christmas morning! Whether you're looking for the perfect present for your dad, brother, boyfriend, or best guy pal, we've got nine great gift ideas for the outdoorsy men in your life this season.
Patagonia Travel Belt
No one enjoys wearing a bulky moneybelt under their pants. If your guy is a traveler (or just likes a secure pocket when walking through crowds or hitting the bar) this belt is a great one-of-a-kind item. The heavy duty webbing hides a zippered, 19-inch pocket perfect for storing emergency cash, a spare key, or a copy of your passport. Features a no-slip forged aluminum buckle.
GSI Glacier Stainless Steel Leather Flask
The rugged durability of stainless steel meets leather styling in this timeless flask from GSI. Stainless steel is flavour-free, so Dad's beverage of choice won't have any unwanted aftertaste. And with a classic leather look, he'll be fielding compliments for years to come. A great investment piece that's both stylish and practical.
Goal Zero Rock Out Portable Speaker
Fishing in the boat, riding in a golf cart, or biking down a mountain trail - whatever he's getting up to, he can take his tunes along for the ride with the rugged, portable and--best of all--rechargeable Rock Out speaker. The built-in lithium battery recharges via USB and lasts up to 20 hours on a single charge, and the wooden sound box and bass booster technology deliver a full range of high quality sound while standing up to a beating without batting an eye. Pair it with a Goal Zero solar panel for an eco-friendly music experience that never needs charging!
Smartwool Ridgeway Glove
It's time dad's old hockey gloves got an upgrade! The Ridgeway glove features a durable leather exterior with reinforced double layered thumb and index finger. The lining is warm, terry-loop wool/nylon for warmth and comfort. A warm, classic choice that will keep his hands warm for years to come.
Gibbon Classic Slackline
Perfect for the guy who loves a challenge! Slacklining is a fun, low cost sport that's quick to set up, requires no training, and is addictive fun for any age (at one staff party we had users from age 3 to 60 spending all evening insisting they just had to have "one more go"!). Give him everything he needs to get started with a Gibbon slacklining kit.
The North Face Base Camp Duffel
This is not your average duffel bag. Watch the luggage carousel at any airport and you'll see this bomber expedition duffel being collected by explorers from around the world. Check your neighbour's canoe, and it just might be keeping their gear nice and dry. Designed with tough and durable waterproof PVC fabric, this resilient bag is tough enough to be roughed around in-flight or to be transported up a mountain via a yak, so he can use it on a weekend excursion or an epic expedition.
Patagonia Men's Better Sweater
Keep him warm with a rugged Better Sweater, which shifts from wood hauling to winter hiking to Christmas get-together without batting an eye. The versatile design features a warm fleecy interior and a smooth heathered sweater-knit face for a polished look that's still cozy as can be. Works as both a mid or outer layer.
Atlas Snowshoes
Snowshoeing is a great winter sport that requires no training and very little gear. Strap on some shoes, dress for the weather, and get out to see all that winter has to offer! Modern designs feature lightweight aluminum frames, slimmer styling and heavy-duty crampons to keep your grip. Great for dog walkers, hikers, and anyone who likes to get out to enjoy the winter season, minus a booter or two!
Patagonia Men's Wanaka Down Jacket
For a gift that keeps on giving all winter long, try the sleek, urban look of the Wanaka Down Jacket. Your guy will battle through whatever mother nature can throw at him with a combination of waterproof 2-layer polyester shell for durability, and ultra-insulative 600-fill premium goose down to stop bone-chilling temperatures. The multifunctional collar design was inspired by vintage army jackets, flipping upright and snapping closed to seal out buffeting winds so he'll stay warm and dry all winter long.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Nine Gift Ideas for Little Adventurers
There's nothing quite like sharing your love of the outdoors with the little ones in your life! Whether you're taking your toddler on their first canoe ride, getting your son on a day hike, watching your neice grip a bouldering wall or keeping a newborn grandkid warm through the winter, we've got some great gift ideas for the kids on your 'nice' list.
Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Sippy Cup
Food-grade stainless steel is the material of choice in the brewing, food and winemaking industries because it doesn't retain or impart flavors--which means your kid's apple juice tastes like apple juice. Nothing more, nothing less. Kids feel big drinking out of a water bottle just like mom and dad's, while you rest easy knowing it's hygienic and safe. Designed for small hands so it's easy to hold, with a large mouth for easy cleaning and a spillproof cap. Klean Kanteen bottles are designed to last a lifetime--even when the 'lifetime' is just getting started!--and come with a lifetime guarantee.
Smartwool Baby Booties
Shoes, bike wheels, Twix bars...good things come in twos. Like this adorable package of two warm, cozy smartwool baby booties! The colourful patterns are sure to be a hit, and since they're made of Merino you know they're natural, breathable, sustainable and completely itch and odor free. Oh....and did we mention machine washable too? Yep. Mom and Dad will thank you for that feature!
Warm Winter Hats
Think of them as an insurance policy for winter fun! These single- or double-layer hats are made from toasty warm, soft, itch-free merino wool with excellent temperature regulation to stop your kid's noggin from getting too hot. They're cut for little heads, with a 'just right' sizing loose enough to be comfortable, while snug enough to stay in place while storming a snowfort or tumbling off a toboggan.
Kids' Rash Guards
Provide the water lovers in your life with sun and cool water protection with a short or long-sleeved rash guard. Prefect for protecting young torsos from SUP, wake, or boogie board rash with SPF 50+ protection that can't wash off during a day in the water! A great Christmas gift to get young water lovers excited for the upcoming season.
Sawyer 38' Youth Paddle
No kid wants to just come along for the ride...they want to participate! Let young paddlers dip their oars in early with these beautiful pint sized paddles. Choose from four unique power face designs featuring kid-friendly critters. The back side has space to write down their first paddling adventures and what they saw along the way. Kids can feel part of the adventure as they learn basic paddling techniques, and the paddle makes a great memento for the wall when it's eventually outgrown.
Deuter Kids' Schmusebar Backpack
Little backs aren't meant to carry big loads. Get your boy or girl set up with their own bag, sized specifically for little bodies. Perfect for adventures in the playground, toting daycare necessities, or heading out on a hike with mom or dad.
Kids' Life Jackets
Give the gift of peace and mind for mom and dad! There is nothing more important than keeping little folks safe on the water. Our infant, toddler and kids life jackets are designed specifically to fit smaller frames and always keep kids heads resting out of the water. A must-have for paddlers, boaters, or anyone with a cabin.
Warm Winter Outerwear
Boys' and Girls' winter gear should be waterproof, durable, and move with them so little bodies can get up to all sorts of snow-loving mischief and still stumble home warm and happy. Give a gift they'll make use of all winter whether building snowforts, hitting the slopes, riding a toboggan or learning to skate!
Chariot Child Carriers
Chariot has been the go-to name in outdoor child transport for the last 20 years. Whether you stroll, jog, bike, hike or cross-country ski, a child carrier is the best way to keep your littlest ones on the go. The Chariot carriers adapt easily to almost any outdoor activity and terrain so you never have to feel tied down. Plus they meet all general safety standards and Chariot's own additional internal standards, so you know your 'cargo' remains safe. The ability to take your kids easily on nearly any outdoor excursion? Ok... this gift might be just as much for you as for them!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
National Parks Ditch Cross-Country Ski Trails
Visitors can still snowshoe on unmaintained trails
Bad news this year for those looking to get outdoors in Manitoba this winter.
The setting and cleaning of cross country ski trails in several national parks will not be maintained this winter due to federal budget cuts. Parks affected include Prince Albert National Park and Mantioba's own Riding Mountain National Park.
In the past Riding Mountain has maintained over 218km of winter trails, as well as 'Carins Cabin,' a overnight point on the popular 26.4-kilometre Ochre River trail. Visitors can still snowshoe or cut their own trails in the park, but will not have the benefit of regulated track maintenance.
Winnipeg Free Press: "Budget cuts take the fun out of winter"
Friday, November 2, 2012
Friday Facebook Digest - November 2 Edition
October 20-26 Facebook Digest
Our most popular facebook posts of the week, in one simple digest. Subscribe to our blog to receive these updates direct to your email!
October 29
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October 31
Brilliant Rick Mercer rant on the impending closure of the Experimental Lakes Area. Find out how you can join the fight to save the ELA here
