Best Snowboard Video Ever.

That's right, I said it. That's It, That's All takes the standard shred flick and turns it into a high-def National Geographic special on steroids. If you liked Planet Earth and you liked Die Hard, imagine what they would be like together. Not since Subjekt Haakonsen, where Terje Haakonsen defined an entire generation of snowboarding in 45 minutes, has one person changed the the level of impossibility so much. Travis Rice pulls off so much technical riding that it makes you wonder what they cut out. If you think that the pinnacle of snowboarding is defined by a wavy haired ginger that rarely makes it out of the half pipe, you are sadly mistaken. Just like Rodney Mullen goes greatly unappreciated for his advancements in skateboarding, I feel that Travis Rice has been overlooked because he doesn't really participate in the competitions that prime time television wants you to see.

The Alaska segment of the video shows that Travis isn't just a park rat, he rides because he loves to ride not just to pay the bills. He has fun, and you can tell by watching the video. Also when Terje himself goes on camera to say how good Travis is, well it's hard to beat a testimony that comes directly from the father of modern snowboarding.

Travis Rice is the best snowboarder on the planet, for now. I have yet to see Double Decade by Mack Dawg, and even though I'm a huge fan of their films, I would be very surprised if they could produce a film of this caliber.

That's It, That's All

Trek-Tech TrekPod II Product Review

The very first thing that I noticed about the TrekPod when I pulled it out of the box was the size of the MagMount ball head. I was skeptical about it being able to handle the weight of my camera body, let alone with a lens attached.

However, I threw caution to the wind and attached the mount to my Canon 20D. It looked absolutely ridiculous, until I secured it and stepped away. Not only did it not fall, but it was very secure considering it was being held by a modified monopod and a magnet. Not only that but the TrekPod is very light, about 27 ounces. The aluminum body also adheres to my rule for tripods, if needs be it can be used as a very sturdy weapon (just in case one of those deep woods muggers happens to take a liking to your camera). It does help to be handy with a bo staff.



The one thing that I thought they could have put more thought into was the way the legs are held together. It is heavy-duty velcro, but it's still velcro. It makes transforming the pod to a tripod into a two handed operation. The MagMount is just so cool and unique, but the velcro around the legs might as well be duct tape.

For day hikes and as a substitute to lighten your load it is the perfect camera multi-tool. I'm not going to be throwing out my six pound Bogen tripod anytime soon. For night shots, portrait work and extreme weather situations I still want a rugged heavy tripod with a mount that has two locks and allows me to just fold up the legs and throw it over my shoulder. The TrekPod will certainly cover a lot of miles with me and I can't wait to fold it up and throw it into my luggage the next time I travel instead of the Bogen.

Trek-Tech now also has a MagMount that they claim will hold up to 13.5 pounds which I would feel more comfortable using my 70-200 zoom lens with (I haven't built up the courage to try it with the current mount). All their products can be seen at their website, Trek-Tech.com and look for them soon on BivWak.


The TrekPod that was used for these photos.

Trading Green for Gold

It doesn't seem like it was that long ago that we were welcoming the first signs of spring and watching what was left of last year's long winter melt away. As I sit and write this I am watching the first round of snowflakes fall. It makes me excited and a little depressed all at the same time. I am more than ready to get out on the slopes and play in the deep Cascade powder, but last year's winter was so long and cold the warmth of summer was very comforting. The one joy that Fall always brings, whether you are ready for winter or not, is the changing of the leaves. People drive for hours, if not days, to witness some of the most beautiful color schemes that nature has to offer. If you live somewhere that this happens locally, consider yourself extremely lucky and don't take it for granted.

Now's the perfect time to get your camera out (or go buy that one you've been looking at all summer) and get a few more miles out of your hiking boots before they get put away until next spring. Make sure to be very cautious of weather conditions and take lots of pictures, I'd love to see everyone's photos once you get back.

In Search of Solitude

In this month's Backpacker Mark Jenkins looks for the most remote spot in the lower 48. While I think his journey is very noble, I think his definition of remoteness is a little skewed. I don't think that solitude can be found with a satellite image and a GPS. 3.3 million people visit Yellowstone a year, and while most of those people barely ever leave the safety of the asphalt, it's almost impossible to get away from everyone completely. Shouldn't the overall goal of finding the most remote spot be to get as far away from every other living breathing human being on the planet. The fact that Mr. Jenkins had to pause on his journey to allow other people to pass on the same trail multiple times should be a clear indication that he had not found the most remote spot in the lower 48. Just being on a trail should be another clue. Within two hours I can be standing where there hasn't been another human being for at least ten years, and it's on public land, not a trail in sight. I'm sure it's within a few miles of an overgrown logging road that probably showed up on Mr. Jenkins's satellite, leading him to believe that there had been a disturbance to the natural order of everything within a 25 mile radius.
I think it's a pretty safe assumption that the most remote place is not within a national park or monument. While these places are truly magnificent they have had more human traffic than Paris Hilton's penthouse on New Years Eve. I do commend him on the effort and the trip sounds amazing, I'm sure he will have a lifetime's worth of stories and some of the wildlife he saw is something few people will get to witness. I guess I just have a different definition of solitude. When I go camping or leave the confines of civilization for any amount of time, I don't want to see even the slightest evidence of humanity let alone another member of our society.
My challenge to everyone reading this is to go out and find your own solace in solitude. Go somewhere that is so quiet you can hear the wind blow on a perfectly still day. Don't do it because I told you to, don't even do it for yourself, do it for the future generations that may not have an opportunity like we have then make a resolution to do some volunteer work next year to help ensure they do. If you do donate money to an organization make sure you know what they do, not just in the public light but what they stand for. We have a few organizations locally that think they are helping but nobody sees what they do where nobody is paying attention. Understand how nature works first then try to help, not the other way around.


Go where you can see all the stars and the Milky Way without street lights washing them out.

Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2008

Outdoor Retailer this year was great (not that we have anything to compare it to). We met a lot of great people, got to see a lot of great products and made some very important contacts within the industry. We could have been down there an entire week and never ran out of people to talk to or items to look at and try. Our meeting with Zach from Backpacker went very well and we were both impressed with how knowledgeable and willing to help they were. Look for our ad in their magazine starting in November.





We spent a lot of time in the Energy Solutions Arena where all the new exhibitors were placed. The traffic was a little slower than the exhibitors would have liked but it was a welcome relaxing environment after spending a few hours making our way around the Salt Palace. Everyone was very friendly and we found some great new products that are just emerging onto the market. Since we were talking directly to the founders and inventors for most of the companies they were all very excited and informative when it came to describing their product to us. We walked away from the Arena with a great sense of accomplishment and some of that enthusiasm put a spring back in our step that our early morning flight had drained from us.





We think that BivWak should have a Unimog. Maybe someday.





Saturday was filled with all sorts of events and exhibitions of every kind. We watched the Five Ten team put on a Slackline show for quite a while. They were very impressive and drew a very large crowd.





Sometimes trying out a product is both relaxing and rewarding at the same time. I think I could have spent the rest of the day in this hammock.

We would like to thank everyone that we talked to for spending some time with us. We took a lot of information from the show and hopefully we passed some along at the same time. Thanks for a great show, we can't wait until the next one.

Outdoor Retailer Show!

After waking up at 3am, flying out at 5:15 and landing at 10:30 we spent the entire day at the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City. Exhausting, but we have met a great group of people so far. We will have pictures up as soon as we get back and recover a little. We can't wait for tomorrow and possibly some networking tonight in downtown SLC. Keep up in real time with us on Twitter at Twitter.com/BivWak.

Where Once There Was Black...

In August 2006 the Shake Table Fire burned 14,500 acres in the forests of Eastern Oregon. I just happened to be there and got the opportunity to photograph the fire making it's biggest run.





Early in July I had the chance to go back to the burn and witness just how well it was growing back. I've seen quite a few burns a year or two after and they almost always look good. The Shake Table Fire is amazing. The amount of wildflowers,knee high grass and feed is abundant throughout the entire burn. It was quite amazing to see the contrast of colors with all the burnt trees as a back drop.





Don't get me wrong, the fire did get very hot and destroyed quite a few trees (a lot are actually still able to be harvested and will be soon) but the undergrowth and fallen timber in this area is out of control and when a fire does start it burns very hot and quick. This area is now very clean and supports large fields of feed and there's still lots of habitat for all the wildlife, big and small. I'm not suggesting that everyone throw their torches into the forest to help clean it up but maybe it's not the evil that everyone has been selling us since elementary school.

Skydiving Firefighters, Newborn Dragonflys and What Not to Touch While Camping.

Just when you think it's safe to go back into the woods...
I mentioned a few posts back how important it is to check for fire dangers in the area that you are planning on camping in, but what happens if the fire starts while you are actually camping? If you're me, apparently you wait for the evacuation orders to come in (not always the recommended course of action and BivWak encourages you to contact the Forest Service to see if you are in any danger). The first night camping we witnessed quite a few thunderstorms all around us that started more than a few small blazes. The nearest one looked to be about an acre in size and about three miles from our campsite. Thanks to the incredibly wet spring here and the quick reaction time by the Forest Service, the fire was quickly smothered. We just happened to be camped about 15 miles from a lookout, so the next day we made our way to the top of the mountain. When we got to the top we could see exactly what the storm from the night before had done. Small spot fires were starting to pop up in the mid-day heat and they were not as accessible as the one next to our camp. Just then a plane circled around one of the small smoking spot fires and drops off a smokejumper, then another, and another... four jumpers to be exact. It was pretty amazing to see. I worked as a wildland firefighter for three years and never got to witness what I saw that day.





We also got to witness a birth before the day was out... well, kind of a birth anyway. The dragonflys were just beginning to hatch from their larval skin (which looks surprisingly similar to the aliens from the movie Alien). While it wasn't the most beautiful display that you can witness in nature, it was pretty amazing to watch it dry it's wings and take flight for the first time. Just one more thing to take the time to witness, if you are given the chance.





Just a note for everyone this summer, something that puts out a lot of light is usually really hot. So when your gas lantern needs a few more pumps towards the end of the night, make sure not to steady it by putting your finger on the top. It makes for a funny looking blister on the tip of "pointy". Don't worry though, he's recovering fine and has regained almost all feeling.

There's Elk in Them There Hills...

I would love to tell you that we hiked all day and spent a lot of time sneaking around to get pictures of large herds of elk. The truth is, we saw this herd of about 50 within a quarter of a mile from the road making their way to an alfalfa field. We sat and watched them for about 10 minutes before leaving them to their buffet. The following night we watched them again, this time joined by a rafter of wild turkeys feeding with them (I didn't have my camera with me that time). There were a few small bulls scattered within the cows but what really blew me away was the amount of calves. It actually looked as though there was a calf for every elk.

Week Long Camping Trip Part 1: Snakes in a Creek!

For the 4th we decided to take a week long camping trip. Since taking that long of a trip anywhere with a one year old is a little risky we decided to venture into the Eastern Oregon forests near where I grew up and where my parents currently live (free daycare is a wonderful thing). We managed to find the perfect camping spot, close to water but far enough away so the bugs were very minimal. We arrived later in the afternoon and began setting up camp, which took a little over an hour. After traveling and setting up, it was time to relax a bit down by the creek. Within just a few minutes of being there something caught my eye. It was a small water snake crossing the creek but he was swimming very erratically. When I walked over to see what was wrong with him I noticed that he had a death grip on a Bullhead. I'm not sure how long this battle had been going on but the fish was pretty much just allowing the snake to manhandle him. After watching for about 15 minutes the snake managed to wrestle the fish into a small bush where I couldn't see them. I'm sure it was a struggle but that snake is probably sunning himself right now still trying to digest that fish. It was a great way to start the vacation.




Water snake with a mouth full of bullhead.










This was only the first day of our epic journey. More blog posts soon to follow as I am sifting through all the photos that I took. Come back soon to see what follows.

RIP Brodie 1997-2008

Last week we lost somebody in our family that was very much loved and was always there for us. Brodie was my Siberian Husky that I got before I moved back to Oregon from Utah. We covered a lot of ground together and had a lot of fun times. Most recently he became best friends and play buddy with my son, and if "woof" is in the dictionary, he taught him his first word. Everyone that met him fell in love with him and he always wanted to be where all the people were. The second half of his life was plagued by an infection in his throat that kept him on medication and last year spread to his right eye which had to be removed. No matter how sick he was, he never showed it and was always energetic and playful until the last week. He was a better person than a lot of the people in this world, and we will miss him.

Safety in the Forest

Summer camping season is finally here! Next week marks our first major outing this summer (and the first camping trip with my son), so this weekend I began getting all the gear together. The one thing that I always remember (even when I always forget at least one thing) is a small emergency kit. Unless I'm hiking into a campsite I actually take quite a bit of gear for a "just in case" situation.

#1 - Water
Everybody's heard about how long you can live without food but you would die in just a few days without water. Having seen the effects of Giardiasis or Beaver Fever, I would like to emphasize the importance of clean water. Sometimes having access to water, if it's not clean, can make a bad situation worse. Clean water is a must, no matter where you are going or how far you travel.

#2 - Flashlight or Headlamp
Anyone who has the burn scars from trying to use a lighter to find their way at night can attest to this. When there is a new moon, it is unbelievably hard to see anything. They also work great when trying to draw attention to yourself at night.

#3 - Lighter, matches, or some fire starting tool
Even when it's warm enough outside and you don't really need a fire, there is something comforting about having a campfire that can keep you from going crazy. It also offers a way to cook food, boil water, dry clothes, keep you warm and signal for help.

#4 - Food
I have an MRE that I keep in my emergency kit. They don't always taste the best and the crackers are like eating stale bricks but when you are really hungry and need some energy, they are a lifesaver. Also trail mix, dried fruit, granola bars, peanut butter... anything to give you protein and keep you going but also doesn't go bad if it isn't refrigerated.

#5 - Pocket knife or multi tool
When you have to, a pocket knife can be used for just about anything. It's a versatile tool that should never leave your pack. I also recommend using larger than a standard pocket knife, just in case you need to use it as a makeshift hatchet or to acquire protein another way.

#6 - Blanket or emergency shelter
Even if it's not used to keep you warm, it can be used to keep you dry. There's also various other ways it could be used if you had to.

Those are the essentials that everyone should have with them when they go out hiking or camping. They really don't take up much room, they weigh very little and they could save your life. There are a few other items that usually get thrown in like a small first aid kit, a whistle, a mirror and a compass. All of it seems a little cumbersome until you actually need them but it's better to have them and not need them then to not have them and need them. Know the area where you are and if there are any concerns at the time, here in Oregon that would entail forest fires. It just takes a few minutes to check the news before you leave to get a pretty good account of impending natural disasters. Common sense goes a long way and it could save your life. I hope everyone is getting ready to enjoy the camping season this year, maybe I'll see you out there.

Digital Cameras in the Wild.

I'll be the first to admit it, I like new stuff. When I see an ad for a new backpack or some sort of new attachment for my camera, I have to fight the urge to run out and buy it right then. As of right now, I'm resisting the "need" to have a new carbon fiber tripod. Which brings up the question, what exactly do you need? Obviously lugging around my 6 pound aluminum tripod is a far cry from Ansel Adams' 60 pound glass plate camera. Below is a list of gear that you really should have (or something very similar) if you plan on taking your digital camera out into the wild.

Backpack

I think everyone has their preference but I really like Tamrac packs. I've owned three or four now and all of them have really performed well and protected all of my equipment. I've slowly gotten larger and larger packs and now I think I have the perfect size for an entire day out shooting. The Tamarac Expedition 8 provides all the space for my gear and allows a little extra room for food and water.

The best questions to ask yourself when buying a camera pack:

How comfortable is it? If it hurts to walk around with it for a few minutes in a store, just think how horrible you will feel after a full day with it on.

Is it the correct size? There's no use in carrying a pack with a bunch of dead space, or one that will not fit all your gear and leave a little room for essential survival gear.

Can I access my equipment easily? Sometimes you need to take a shot quickly and rummaging around for five minutes is not an option.

Is it built to withstand the environments in which I plan to take it? I always make sure that every pack I own has weatherproof zippers and the stitching is very durable and tight.


Tripods

It's always hard to decide whether to get a tripod that is extremely durable or one that is extremely light. I think that it is alway worth it to carry a little extra weight for gear that will work in any situation and will hold your camera steady no matter what. The ability to wield it as a weapon if needs be also has a certain attraction for me. Lets also not forget that this is the instrument that is holding up all your expensive gear and if it goes over, it's not going to be pretty.



I like the Bogen tripods and ballheads. A lot of their stuff may not be the lightest but you can be sure that your camera isn't going anywhere when you lock it down and their ballheads will work reliably for many many years.

Accessories
I like to make sure that I have a nice, clean, streak free cloth that I take with me everywhere I go. You never know when your lens could get something on it or you just need to wipe it off(humidity, rain, fog...). Extra batteries are an absolute must. Even though the newest generation of rechargeables are very good at holding a charge, you always want to have at least one spare (I would recommend two).
I've left lenses at home to save weight and it seems like every time I do, I regret it. So, when it comes to photography I now pack all the equipment I can, safely.

Point and Shoot

For the extreme minimalist or someone who just wants to leisurely enjoy hiking and not worry about all the gear, this is the gear for you.



Tamrac Velocity Sling Packs are a great way to carry a smaller amount of camera gear. Not only that, but if the elusive Sasquatch makes an appearance your camera gear is just a couple of seconds away. It's a very light and durable alternative to a large pack without sacrificing anything but space.




No, it's not a picture from a horrible remake with Tom Cruise. The Gorillapod is a great alternative to a full size tripod. You might have to be a little creative when using it but they work great (and pretty inexpensive). You'll be impressed at how sturdy they are and how well they can grip pretty much anything you can wrap its tentacles around.

One last thing - Don't forget the trail mix. Nothing makes for a more horrible hike then being hungry the entire time, especially when you have to be patient and wait for a shot to happen. Remember, chance favors the prepared mind.

May Showers Bring June Flowers?

In between rain showers this weekend we managed to make it out to scout for new camping spots in Eastern Oregon. The last two weeks' rain has definitely made the vegetation in the forests explode. If you can handle getting a little wet, it's worth it to get out there and see what the Eastern Oregon spring has to offer.


I would love to tell you where this meadow is located, but I'm not going to. Sometimes it's better to go into the forests without an exact destination and try to find places like the one pictured above. You never know what you'll find but you're guaranteed to see something new.


Most everyone has been shocked by the amount of rainfall recently, including the slightly disoriented pelican in the picture above. He's about 280 miles from the coast so I'm not sure where he was headed.







It's still just a little early for some of the flowers but within the next two weeks most of them should be out in droves. If you haven't planned to take some time to get out and either take some photos or just spend a little time away from civilization, now is a great time.


The rain has also provided the perfect conditions for mushroom hunting, so if you know what you are looking for you can find the makings of a gourmet camp buffet. I can't emphasize how much you need to study what you are picking and eating. Double and triple check everything you are throwing into your homemade mushroom stew otherwise you could end up in the hospital or even worse.
Unfortunately there is also another danger that needs to be discussed that is a direct effect of mushroom growth. Mushroom hunters will be all over, especially if there has been a forest fire within the last few years. I'm not talking about the recreational mushroom hunters, but the mushroom sellers. Due to the amount that certain types can be sold for, mushrooms have spawned many a violent attack. They also crowd into campsites and can take over an entire section of a forest.

If you decide to venture out into Eastern Oregon and need a great place to stay a day or two, you should give the Fish House Inn in Dayville a try.
Fish House Inn
Dayville also has a great Fourth of July Celebration. It makes you feel like you're in a Norman Rockwell painting.

The most important thing to remember is, of course, to get all your outdoor gear at Bivwak.

Top Ten Local Day Hikes.

So what if gas is at an all time high. If you don't live somewhere that is a very short drive to a trailhead, maybe it's time to start looking for a new place to live. Fortunately for everyone that lives here in Central Oregon a top ten list is really hard to come up with because we have so many choices.

I judged the hikes based upon two main criteria. The first is how much gas needs to be used to get to the trailhead. A couple of the hikes are a short drive but not more in gas than what you would spend in cash for one person to enter an amusement park. The second criteria is payoff. The one thing that I hate about some trails is that it follows a road, barely ever veering off into the wilderness, then ends at a viewpoint filled with cars. I understand that the journey is the most important part of any trip but I like to hike to get away from the cars and overcrowded viewpoints. Experience nature in its purest form if you will. The only other stipulation I judged the hikes on was how much I enjoyed them. Sounds easy enough, here's the list.

#10 - Black Butte
Even though this hike is pretty short (almost two miles each way) it's the elevation climb that really makes it worth it. 1,600 vertical feet is gained in this short hike making it fairly strenuous for the casual hiker, but the reward waiting at the top is amazing. On a clear day numerous Cascade mountain peaks are visible and if you hike Black Butte during fire season the lookout could be open.

#9 - Shevlin Park
Okay, so it's not the most strenuous workout and you can't see into another state from anywhere on the trail. It does however boast a great leisurely walk through small meadows, over a covered bridge, and around a creek. It's a great place to bring the family for a picnic lunch or just spend some quiet time after work. There's also lots of wild flowers and aspens just in case you have your camera with you.

#8 - Tam McArthur Rim
This 5 mile round trip hike has just about everything you can cram into a short day hike. First off, it starts out at a lake. It's almost like being rewarded for starting the hike. The only real climb you have is right at the beginning and the views are amazing the entire time. Once you pull out onto the top it's one of the most amazing views you can have of the Three Sisters and Broken Top. It's also from an angle that you rarely see in photographs, it's almost as if you are seeing the mountains for the first time. While staring at Broken Top to the South don't forget to watch where you're walking because the rim is right in front of you. It almost feels like you're standing on the edge of the Earth looking out over the valleys below with the Cascade giants at your back.

#7 - Tumalo Mountain
Another one of the short but rewarding day hikes, Tumalo Mountain lets you take in all the scenery after a stressful day at the office. It's only 15 minutes from downtown Bend and a 1.5 mile hike but when you get to the top you realize you would have hiked all day to get to where you're at. If you wanted to you could probably get a Starbucks coffee in town (which probably costs more than the gas to get there) and make it to the summit of Tumalo Mountain to enjoy your still warm coffee in hand.

#6 - Deschutes River Trail
I'm not talking about the part of the trail that runs through the middle of town and through the Old Mill. For anyone who hasn't made it further than the South Bridge, the Deschutes River Trail is a very nice trail that follows the Deschutes as it winds it way through the ancient lava flows and high desert meadows. Don't forget to hike around Benham Falls and Dillon Falls or start at Benham and hike into town to reward yourself with a dinner at Anthony's.

#5 - Smith Rock
Misery Ridge certainly has the natural beauty and views that everyone hopes for as they are climbing 600 feet to the top. Once on top the ground is fairly flat which is perfect because you won't want to look at your feet the entire time you are there. The Crooked River winds its way around this huge monolith and the high desert lies beyond scattered with farmland and sagebrush. Beyond that the Cascade Mountains rise out of the ground and almost always tipped with snow. It really is a sight to see. Also, apparently you can rock climb here.

#4 - Green Lakes
Green Lakes is one of those hikes where you can see everything that is beautiful about the Central Oregon Cascades. The trail follows a creek that flows through meadows and over lava flows. If you look hard enough you can find some hidden waterfalls along the way. Wildflowers bloom well into the summer and the end of the trail is a high mountain lake overlooked by a semi-active volcano. What more could you ask for?

#3 - Broken Top
Broken Top is a little bit longer than the Green Lakes hike and instead of ending at a lake, you end up straddling a giant decimated volcano. It really shows the destructive force of nature, while at the same time wildflowers can be found most of the summer all along the trail.

#2 - Tumalo Falls
I'm a sucker for waterfalls, especially if I can be there in five minutes from downtown Bend. Tumalo Falls is one of those hikes that really gives you something to take a picture of every few steps. Make sure not to stop at any of the waterfalls and complete the hike, you won't regret it. The unfortunate side is that since it is so close to downtown, it can get a little crowded.

#1 - South Sister
This is by far the hardest day hike, and by day hike I mean it will take the entire day. Make sure that you leave in the morning to give yourself enough time to spend on the top enjoying your reward. Also, remember that thunderstorms can sneak up on you quick and even quicker when you're above 9,000 feet. I've had this happen twice now and it's not fun to be in a thunderstorm that high. Another thing to remember is wear hiking boots. Digging cinder out of your boots the entire trip down is not fun. Now that all the warnings are out of the way, everything that is good about this hike. This trail is absolutely amazing! Multiple glaciers throughout the summer and the highest lake in Oregon, creeks, lava flows, breathtaking views, and a summit that is 10,200 feet high. The third highest in Oregon. From start to finish this never lets you down and although you may be feeling it in your legs the following couple of days , the amazing pictures you can get will last you a lifetime. My advice; be prepared, take food and water and snacks, start in the morning and be ready for a workout. It will be a very rewarding trip I promise you, for less than the price of a Venti skinny caramel latte.

Just because these are my favorite hikes that doesn't mean they are the best. If you disagree with my list please feel free to comment or email me. Don't forget to get your gear at Bivwak.

Pole, Pedal, Paddle!

Saturday brought the annual Pole, Pedal, Paddle in Bend and unfortunately there was no Bivwak team this year (although there are rumors of a team in the works for next year, please post comments to apply). It was the first really hot day that we had seen here all year which made it all that much more difficult for some of the competitors.

Kayakers racing down, then back up the Deschutes River.


Bryan Furry sprinting for the finish line.


The finish line at the Les Schwab Amphitheater.


It's at that point in the year where it's just getting really hot outside but you know that all the water in the river is 100% snow and glacier runoff, making it an invigorating 40 degrees. It didn't look like it slowed the kayakers down at all and it was a great way to kick off the summer season here in Bend. Personally, I love the winters here but this year it just went a little long and the amount of snow we had made me really appreciate the summers. Also, this will be the first year I can really go camping with my son, and there is nothing he likes more than being outside and playing in the dirt with his parents.

First Day Success and New Posts!

Bivwak opening day was a huge success with thousands of visitors and dozens of new posts in multiple categories. Thank you to everyone who made the first day a success and we can't wait for this weekend and the weeks that lay ahead. Summer is almost here (in Central Oregon anyway) and we can't wait for the hiking, backpacking, and camping season to begin. I'll miss the snow, but I really can't wait to throw on the pack and get out and take some photos while everything is still green this spring. Hope to see you somewhere along the trail.

Discovery Channel Commercial

I have had this commercial stuck in my head for the last week and every time I almost get it out, I watch the Discovery channel and it is back. If you haven't seen it, make sure and watch it! Boom-de-yadda!