How to Choose a Ski Pass
Choosing the right ski pass depends on factors like the preferences of your friends, your location, planned vacations, your most frequented resorts and whether they offer local passes, how many days you ski yearly, and travel considerations. Don’t forget added costs like travel and lodging. Key is to ensure your pass choice aligns with your skiing habits and budget.
So You Want To Snowboard – Part 2
For beginner snowboarders, renting gear is advised for cost-effectiveness, with seasonal rentals offering advantages like gear swaps. Prioritize safety with a helmet and goggles, ideally with MIPS technology and lens versatility. Invest in appropriate snowboarding clothing, with bibs offering additional protection. For long-term use, buy well-fitted boots, preferably with expert fitting, and consider base layers, specific socks, and gloves or mittens suited to individual needs for warmth and dexterity.
I Found the Perfect Helmet
Research shows that helmets reduce head injury risk by 60% in snowsports, making them essential gear. Helmets like the Bern Hendrix MIPS combine safety with comfort and style, featuring MIPS technology and a low-profile design. They improve mountain experience by enhancing visibility and warmth while allowing music integration.
So You Want To Snowboard – Part 1
Snowboarding has changed my life, offering friendships, adventures, and life lessons. The post outlines essential tips for planning a mountain trip, including budgeting for costs like lessons and lift tickets, the benefits of taking professional lessons over learning from friends, and preparing for the trip with proper planning and self-education on techniques. This is the first installment of a two-part series offering advice to beginners.
How Hiking Half Dome Helped Me Love Myself Again
TW: The following blog post contains personal experiences and reflections on overcoming body dysmorphia through a hiking journey. It delves into the challenges faced, the process of self-discovery, and the transformation of self-perception. If you or someone you know might find this topic distressing, please consider your emotional well-being before reading further. Remember that seeking support from friends, family, or mental health professionals is always an option. Your well-being is important. Life’s journey often presents challenges that push us to our limits and provide opportunities for personal growth. Enter my Half Dome hike. What started as a physical adventure became an emotional journey, helping me change my thought processes regarding body dysmorphia and helping me fall in love with myself for the first time since I was little. Somehow this granite dome and the gorgeous landscape of Yosemite Valley became the backdrop for healing and self-discovery. Confronting Body Dysmorphia Body dysmorphia is a complex mental health issue that distorts one’s perception of their own body, leading to feelings of inadequacy and self-loathing. I battled this silent struggle for years, my self-worth tightly intertwined with how I believed others perceived me. Years of yo-yo dieting and extreme bouts of overexercising and orthorexia fueled my overwhelming hatred of the body I was gifted. Snowboarding certainly helped me learn to love myself, but eating disorders and dysmorphia lurked in the shadows of my mind, as they never truly go away. Embracing the Challenge The decision to hike Half Dome was born after hiking Angel’s Landing. An attempt to secure a permit during the seasonal lottery was successful, and I now had something to work toward. When I attempted to exercise without anything to train for, I always fell into an unhealthy addiction. No goals turned me into a milage monster and a toxic PR chaser. Half Dome gave me a reason. As I researched the trail’s difficulty and gazed at images of the towering granite formation, I felt excitement and apprehension—I’d never hiked this many miles, nor had I challenged myself quite this way. Little did I know that this hike would be a turning point in my battle against myself. The journey began with each step challenging my mental and physical limits. The pre-dawn ascent had me logging many miles on rugged terrain before most normal people awoke. I focused on reaching the summit, leaving little room for self-critical thoughts. With every step I took, I found myself more attuned to the natural world around me, shifting my focus away from my perceived flaws and toward the beauty of nature. I didn’t have time to think about how I looked, my thoughts only consisted of how hard it was to breathe, how tired I felt, and how I knew I needed to push through and persist. Nature’s Mirror: A Lesson in Perspective As the trail led me higher, the breathtaking vistas of Yosemite National Park unveiled themselves as the sun rose. The vastness of the landscape dwarfed my insecurities, reminding me that my perception of self was just a fragment of the bigger picture. Half Dome stood as a testament to the grandeur of nature, and in its presence, I realized there’s so much more to life than what I look like. Moments like these are what I want to live for. I was so tired of worrying about how I was perceived and focusing on the wrong aspects of myself when there was so much about me that was incredible and awe-inspiring. Empowerment Through Accomplishment The final push to reach the summit was one of the most terrifying things I’ve ever done. I was anxious as I stood on the dome, thinking only of the descent. A surge of accomplishment overcame me once I completed the downclimb on the cables. The sense of achievement was not just about conquering a physical feat but about proving to myself that I could do anything. My tummy rolls weren’t a factor when I ascended the 400′ of cables. The farther I hiked that day, the more proud of the body I have I became. I walked in disbelief that my legs could carry me across this distance— a distance that beat my longest prior hike by 7 miles. I looked at my arms as I walked and only thought about how happy I was to have the strength to get up those cables. The journey had demanded strength, resilience, and self-compassion, qualities that began to replace the self-criticism that had plagued me for so long. A Shift in Perspective The descent from Half Dome marked a descent into a new chapter of my life. The journey back was not just a physical return but a mental shift. The landscapes that had seemed daunting on the way up now symbolized the hurdles I had overcome. Every step reinforced my newfound self-love, each stride a testament to my journey toward acceptance. Each experience was so powerful throughout my road trip because I chose to make it that way. The moments spent in nature show me we are so small in the grand scheme. I hardly looked in a mirror throughout the almost three weeks I spent on the road. Now that I’ve returned home and sat at my desk to write this, I know my thoughts will never be 100% positive, but I can remind myself of the indelible strength had and how I moved the needle so far forward that day. Hiking Half Dome became more than just a physical adventure; it transformed into a healing journey that reshaped my relationship with my body and self-worth. The journey reminded me that my body is capable of incredible feats, and its value goes beyond appearance. While the battle against body dysmorphia is ongoing, the experience of hiking Half Dome stands as a constant reminder of my strength and resilience. I love hiking because I leave behind a piece of the self-doubt that once held me captive with every step. Being in the outdoors is so
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Installing and Using a Rooftop Tent
You might have noticed I am a huge fan of rooftop tents. Before purchasing, I (as usual) did numerous hours of research—shoutout ADHD hyperfixation. I hope this helps anyone interested in switching to the elevated camping life by sharing everything I’ve learned as a RTT owner. Feel free to skip ahead to a section that interests you using the table fo contents: Table of Contents What is a rooftop tent? The rooftop tent (RTT) is perfect for adventure-seeking campers; with their quick set-up time, you can camp easily anywhere, anytime. These are great entry-level products for camping in a less primitive (read: off the ground) and more comfy way than standard ground tents offer cost-effectively. Designed to compete with camper vans, RVs, teardrop trailers, and similar camping vehicles, the rooftop tent is a cheaper alternative that doesn’t require towing capacity. I chose a rooftop tent for my car camping adventures because it is simple to set up, comfortable, and safer than sleeping on the ground (in my option), especially when camping alone. Plus, the cost was within my budget and feasible for me at the time of purchase. The following information is very transparent, including the cost and my opinions, but heed this warning—RTTs are not *cheap*, just cheaper than van life/campers/etc My first tent, a hard-shell my current set up cost Camping vehicles, vans, and tow-behinds can be anywhere from $5,000 to $200k+; A rooftop tent typically falls within the $800-$5,000* range. Shoppers can find soft-shell tents used on Facebook Marketplace, lowering costs and making a rooftop tent the most accessible option. Both times I bought my rooftop tent from Facebook Marketplace. And both times, the tent was brand new-in-box, never used. *I know this is a prohibitive cost and does sound like a lot, but if you’re in the market for an elevated camping experience, this is the most cost-effective option. The rack options are one cost that sometimes flies under the radar when choosing a rooftop tent—I did not consider a rack or the crossbars when initially budgeting for my first tent. Keep reading to learn more about the trials and tribulations of installing a rooftop tent correctly and with the proper gear (learn from my mistakes). Baby’s first tent (installed on the absolute worst crossbars you could imagine eek) BEFORE YOU CHOOSE A TENT… Consider how much weight your vehicle’s roof can hold. If you’re in a pickup truck, you don’t have to worry about this. Most SUVs meet the weight requirements for RTT installation, but looking over your vehicle’s manual is always good. For compact cars, be mindful of the tent’s weight and the total static capacity of your car’s roof. Cars are meant to have rollover capacity, but a Honda Civic probably shouldn’t hold a 4-person hard-shell RTT. Again, your car’s manual will have this info, but you can also google it or ask an Overlanding shop to give you some insight. Do You Know the Type Of Crossbars/Racks You Need? You may be asking yourself what the hell a crossbar, rack, and side rail is, and that is the MAIN REASON I chose to write this blog post! I was a lost little idiot when I initially purchased my first tent. I committed to buying before researching my roof’s capacity, what dynamic or static weight meant, and which crossbars I needed to support my tent. This is my set up on a Subaru Crosstrek. Not every car has raised side rails. Some cars don’t even have side rails! What the F*** is Dynamic Weight? According to the place the installed my first tent, I needed a certain amount of dynamic weight capacity for my crossbars. I went on to spend several hours trying to figure this out. I am not an Overlander or a car girl, so I had no clue what “dynamic” and “static” weight meant and how that applied to the crossbars needed. I searched high and low to find an answer. I looked in the Amazon product descriptions, brand websites, and REI to find out what dynamic weight is and kept coming up short. So here is your answer: Dynamic weight is the amount of weight your crossbars can handle while in aggressive motion — if you go over gigantic bumps (offroading or driving in downtown Denver), slam on your brakes, or accelerate very quickly. Static weight only matters when your car is parked. The static weight your crossbars are rated for could be 1000 lbs when the dynamic is only 120 lbs. Some rooftop tents themselves weigh 120lbs+ at rest. Let’s talk about physics: If you drive over a big Denver pothole and that 120 lb tent goes up, the force it will impart on your crossbars is much more than its stationary base weight. Make sense? Tip: Look for bars with a dynamic weight of 175 lbs or more. The load limit is higher than the usual dynamic weight capacity. Remember, when the car is not moving, the weight limit is 3x-6x higher than the dynamic weight capacity. That means using the rooftop tent at night to rest and adding more items will no longer be a problem since your vehicle is not in motion. BAD CROSSBARS (Amazon lol) GOOD CROSSBARS (Yakima, second try) Please, please, PLEASE DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. Ask questions at a physical store or contact your local overlanding shop. The $120 aluminum crossbars from Amazon will not cut it. Your vehicle’s factory rails are likely not the suitable capacity either. YOU WILL NOT GET AWAY WITH INSTALLING YOUR $1000 INVESTMENT ON $120 CROSSBARS—trust me, from experience. The price of the correct crossbars will run you about $500. Be prepared to invest here! PS: Sorry for all the yelling— trying to save you from my mistakes. And no, it did not fly off and hurt anyone, but it has come loose and been dangerous to me and others because of improper gear/installation. TIL: A Roof Rack and Crossbars Are Not The Same! Another episode of
My Solo Weekend At Zion National Park
Seizing the chance to fulfill a dream of exploring Zion National Park during a road trip. Successfully snagging a last-minute campsite and pivoting plans, I enjoyed the breathtaking Narrows hike. After initial disappointment, a surprise permit for Angel’s Landing marks a victorious moment. The trip’s challenges foster new friendships and self-discovery, solidifying Zion’s place in my top parks and emphasizing the journey’s importance over the destination.
A Trip to Northern AZ: Part 2
This is part two of my Northern AZ Trip Series. Check out part one first here! Next Stop: Flagstaff Of course, we first hit up the REI and a local craft beer store. Initially, we were supposed to camp, but we had a super early reservation for a tour of Antelope Canyon, and it was very cold and rainy that evening. We spent the night at a hotel in Flagstaff, AZ. Antelope Canyon Tour We headed to Page, AZ—about 130 miles north of Flagstaff— early the next morning. Here’s the biggest pro tip no one told us: The Navajo Nation in Arizona DOES OBSERVE daylight savings time. And in case you didn’t know, Arizona is the only state that does not observe daylight savings time—meaning we never change our clocks! On your way northbound from the Phoenix area, you cross through several areas, and your phone clocks change, causing widespread panic in your car and leaving you thinking you missed your tour time. Luckily, after a brief panic, we read the tour email. While hosted by the Navajo Nation, they specify that the tour observes Phoenix time. We were safe! There are two options for Antelope Canyon Tours: Upper and Lower. We did quite a bit of research to decide which tour to do. Below is some info that may help your group decide: Upper Antelope Canyon When people say to Antelope Canyon, they usually talk about Upper Antelope Canyon. This is the more popular of the two slot canyons. With its light beams, falling sands, and very high canyon walls, this is the more photogenic of the two canyons. Fun fact: the most expensive photograph ever sold is over Upper Antelope Canyon. Both canyons are stunning, but when you see photos of Antelope Canyon, they are usually of Upper Antelope Canyon. If you want photos of the light beams, you want to visit the upper canyon midday, preferably between 10:30 am and 1 pm. Those tour times are more expensive and sell out first. Upper Antelope Canyon offers fewer tours, meaning tours sell out months in advance. If you want to visit the upper canyon during the magical hours between 10:30 and 1 pm, you should plan to make your reservation as much as six months in advance. Additionally, tours are very pricey. My group of three cost $300 for an hour-long tour. Lower Antelope Canyon Lower Antelope Canyon is shaped like a “V.” It is very narrow at the bottom and wide open at the top, making the lower canyon feel brighter and warmer than the upper canyon. It’s more fun if you’re into true canyoneering and traversing through narrow slots. This is also the canyon famous for its ladders. You will descend into the canyon on a series of ladders. As you make your journey through the canyon, you will climb several more, making this much less accessible than Upper Antelope Canyon. We chose the Upper Antelope Canyon tour. Our booking email recommended arriving a bit early for check-in. There are portapotties and seating available at this entirely outdoor facility. When our group was called, we hopped on a converted truck/trailer that drives you to the slot canyon a few miles away, and the tour begins there. Inside the slot canyon, it was a bit chilly in mid-May. Exiting the canyon after a tour, it was sweltering—dress in layers. Each group consisted of about eight or so individuals plus a guide, and our group was the first to enter. Our tour guide had many iPhone photography tips and tricks for us and helped each member of our group get some truly amazing photos inside the canyon. Previous Next Throughout the tour, I struggled with how I felt about the experience. While it was so beautiful to see, I had a hang-up on how this place can be so culturally significant to the Navajo Nation, while some just visit for an Instagram photo. Of course, I wanted to have photos of this experience too, but I genuinely struggled through some intense feelings of “what is the point of this all” throughout. I’ve noticed these days, a number of gorgeous, natural places—especially those on Native land— are being exploited for social media clout and profit. It’s very much a case of to each their own, but traveling to see a place such as this and then spending the whole time behind your phone screen taking photos rubs me the wrong way. Luckily, I brought along some great gal pals who were willing to hear me out and help me shake this weird disingenuous feeling. This moment was truly a reminder to exist in the now. Soak in the experiences and don’t get too caught up in the screen. I did love that we were able to learn a bit about Navajo Nation history and that our tour was led by a Navajo guide. I urge anybody who this blog has reached to take a step back and consider the reasons behind your desire to visit some of the world’s most beautiful destinations. Escape that tiny computer in your hand. Take in your surroundings and do so for the experience, not just for the photos. This reminder isn’t to shame people for taking photos—heck, you can see 10 of mine above this section. This is a reminder that so much lies beyond your phone’s screen. Take a moment to soak it all in while you’re there. Post-Tour Breakfast in Page, AZ Next, we went to Lake Powell Espresso in Page, recommended to us by our tour guide. Page is a tiny, native town. There aren’t many activities in this area, but I wanted to experience a local coffee shop and support more people in the Navajo Nation while I was in town to do this tour. We went to this very cute Cafe right next to Ace Hardware. They had delicious food, a great cold brew, and good coffee drinks for my friends. After this brief stop, we decided to
A Trip to Northern AZ: Part 1
We explored Northern Arizona’s scenic Sedona, admiring its famous Red Rocks and spiritual vortexes. Starting early, they navigated the increasing tourist traffic for a hike on the Subway Canyon trail, an extension of Boynton Canyon Trail, with easy-to-moderate terrain leading to the impressive Subway Cave.
How Not To Be “That Guy” When Hiking
Getting out into nature is magical. The feeling of conquering peaks, breathing in the crisp air, and immersing yourself in Mother Nature is unlike anything else. However, every now and then, we encounter someone who ruins the experience for others. Yes, I’m talking about “that guy” on a hike—the person who ignore basic trail etiquette and acts disrespectfully. If you’re determined not to be “that guy” on your next hike, read on for some tips to make sure you and your fellow hikers have an enjoyable time. Respect The Trail One of the most important rules of hiking is to respect the trail and the surrounding environment. Stay on marked trails and avoid shortcuts or creating new paths. When hundreds of people a day walk off the path, erosion and damage to delicate ecosystems can result. Remember, the trail is there for a reason, and making your own or bushwhacking somewhere else off it can have long-lasting effects. I know trails get busy, but wait your turn, and we can all enjoy the trail for many years to come. Leave No Trace (LNT) This rule cannot be emphasized enough: Leave no trace. When you’re out in nature, take everything back with you that you brought in— including trash, food wrappers, and any other waste. Pretend you were never there, and you’re good. Dispose of it properly in designated bins or carry it out with you. We all want the trails to stay as they are for billions more years! Bagged-up dog poop, organic waste (such as apple cores or orange peels), and toilet paper don’t occur naturally and do not belong when you depart. Even if you swear you’re returning for your doggie’s shit bag, pack it up and carry it along. There’s nothing worse than seeing the trails littered with plastic bags full of poop. A common myth is that apple cores, orange peels, and similar waste will biodegrade. While that is technically true, for these items to compost, they must be buried for a while. Leaving this trash along a trail attracts animals, provides a foreign food source for these animals, and disrupts nature as a whole. PLEASE pack out your waste, especially on a car ride. Food peels on the side of the road attract animals to places they don’t normally forge for food and can be the reason they get hit. Yield To Others Hiking trails can be busy, and encountering fellow hikers is inevitable. When you come across others on the trail, be courteous and yield to them. Step aside and allow faster hikers or groups to pass, especially if the trail is narrow. A friendly smile or greeting goes a long way in creating a positive hiking experience for everyone involved. PSA: The uphill hiker always has the right of way! That means to allow them to pass as you descend if they are approaching. Now, if you’ve ever hiked a hike with significant elevation gain, you’ll know that breaks are often welcome, and pulling over to let downhill hikers pass is a great chance for one Keep Noise To A Minimum You knew it was coming—leave the Bluetooth speaker at home. Your DJ skills have no place on the trail. Enjoy the sounds of nature for a few hours. Silence may be difficult at first, but the peacefulness of nature is one of the best things about being outdoors. While it’s great to enjoy the company of friends and engage in conversation along the way, be mindful of your noise levels. Avoid shouting, blaring music, or disrupting the peace with excessive noise. Respect the peaceful environment and allow everyone to enjoy the solace of nature. Mind Your Furry Friends If you’re hiking with a four-legged companion, you’re responsible for their behavior too. Most hiking trails require dogs to be leashed, no matter how good of a boy you think you have. Keep in mind, even if Fido is friendly, someone else’s dog may not be and that shouldn’t be a reason other pups can’t enjoy the outdoors. Surprise encounters from an off-leashed animal is stressful for many dogs. Wildlife may also be present, so keeping your pup leashed will help avoid any incidents. Be sure to clean up after your pet, bag their waste, and dispose of it appropriately. Remember, not everyone may be comfortable around dogs, so it’s essential to respect other hikers’ space. Be Prepared Nothing ruins a hike (or your life) more than being unprepared. Before setting off, research the trail and the weather, understand its difficulty level, and pack accordingly. Carry the 10 Essentials on every hike, every time. By being prepared, you ensure your safety and minimize the chances of needing assistance from fellow hikers or Search and Resue. For more info on The 10 Essentials, check out my post here. I recently listened to an episode of my favorite podcast, and I wanted to share the story because it’s a perfect example as to why you should always be prepared for the unexpected: A woman went on a short, well-trafficked hike near a city. As she was hiking down, park rangers informed her to turn back—a fire engulfed the trail below and to warn other hikers. This detour added several additional miles, forced hikers to summit a snowy peak, and descend on the other side. This short hike became a several-hour survival mission for hikers and is a testament to the necessity of being prepared for anything. Even a short, heavily populated day hike near a major city can take a turn at any time.