For all the guys and gals who love the outdoors, hiking, backpacking adventuring, exploring or just taking some time to find themselves. Here are reviews, pictures, comments and just some cool things for making the best of your experiences. Wether it be trekking the Great Divide, skiing the back country, camping with friends, weekend hiking or capturing the outdoors on film this is a place for all independent enthusiasts.
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
We came, we ran, we saw and now our legs are tired. Team Indie Field Guide loved the flat and fast course of the Buffalo Half Marathon. Thanks to everyone from our support team and thanks to Buffalo. You never disappoint.
P.S. How sweet are these medals.
Buffalo Half Marathon here we come. The team at Indie Field Guide is hitting the road, west bound, to Buffalo, NY for an awesome Memorial Day weekend and the Buff Half Marathon. Buffalo is like our second home and this weekend we will be hitting the pavement hard for the race and then enjoying some camping.
Gear Review: The Patagonia Knifeblade Pullover
My expedition to find a suitable and affordable waterproof shell nearly made me want to rip out my hair and apply for a mortgage. At what cost was I willing to stomach to stay dry and warm in a number of temperatures and conditions?
Based on the amount of time I spend outside (moderate), the conditions I generally want to prepare myself for and the money I was willing to spend, I purchased Patagonia’s Knifeblade pullover.
Quick Specs: Retail $349.00 On Sale Via Patagonia $174.50
-5.9oz Polartec® Power Shield® Pro 94% polyester/6% spandex bonded to a tricot back
- Helmet-compatible, 2-way-adjustable hood with laminated visor for optimal visibility in bad conditions
- Touch Point System™ embeds cord locks in the hood and hem for quick adjustments to seal out rain and snow (patented)
- Modified Y-Joint™ sleeve construction for overhead mobility without jacket lifting
Over all I spent two weeks traveling the west coast from Portland to Big Sur. I ran into just about every weather condition (except snow) and the performance of the Knifeblade stood the test. I had to walk about 2 miles in torrential downpour in Oakland, CA carrying all my luggage. When I finally got out of the rain, my core was dry and I hand’t sweat a lick.
The Knifeblade was light and easy to pack in accessible outer pockets of my pack or even strapped down to the outside. Even without under arm vents my temperature was very well regulated. Its ability to block wind was amazing. The unpredictable high winds I was hit with while staying high up over the Pacific in southern Big Sur didn’t even penetrate the Knifeblade. Features I especially liked were: The high chest pockets. Even though I am not a climber, easily accessible pockets high up were great for important documents and maps, and my keys. Also this jacket is made for flexibility. The stretchy Polartec material fit awesome and moved well.
How a Bicycle is Made (1945)
The design and manufacture of Raleigh bicycles
How to Choose Running Shoes (An Awesome REI Info Graphic)
Check out REI’s wide selection of running shoes
Apocalypse Survival at its finest: Thanks to the folks at Uncrate for creating our Christmas list.
Everything that you need to survive and thrive in the Apocalypse, all stuffed conveniently into one pack.
Okuma Voyager Spinning Travel Kit ($40). Ontario SP16 SPAX Firefighter Axe ($60).Steripen Adventurer Opti UV Water Purifier with Solar Charging Case ($120).Leatherman New Wave Multi-Tool ($60). MSR MiniWorks Microfilter ($90). Survival Seed Vault ($38). Adventure Medical Fundamentals Kit ($110). MSR Packtowl UltraLite($10 - $30). Snow Peak Titanium Spork ($9). Paisley Cotton Bandanas ($6). Mountain House 72-Hour Emergency Meal Kit ($49). McNett Gear Aid Tenacious Tape ($1 - $15).PROKNOT Outdoor Knots ($5). DMM ALPHA Quickdraw ($28). Suunto Global Compass($63). MSR Titan Pot ($112). Sierra Designs Tent Stakes ($10). Guyot Designs Bowl and Cup Set ($13 - $20). Petzl Tikka Headlamp ($53). Swedish Firesteel Scout Model ($6 - $20). COGHLANS Emergency Tinder Kit ($5). American Silver Eagle Coin in Air-Tite Capsule ($39). Cold Kukri Machete ($30). BIC Disposable Classic Lighter ($7). UTG Elite Tactical Leg Holster ($11). Smith Abrasives Diamond Combination Thumb Guard Micro Tool ($29). Type III Paracord ($12). Gregory Mountain Products Tarne Backpack ($140).Mammut Supernova Climbing Rope ($150). iOSAT Potassium Iodide Tablets ($8).Gregory Accessories Raincover ($30). Etón SCORPION Solar Powered Weather Radio($50). Mossberg 500 Pump-Action Shotgun ($500). Hennessy Explorer Deluxe A-Symmetrical Hammock ($177). MTM Survivor Dry Box ($15). Mountain Hardwear Phantom Sleeping Bag ($290 - $365). Sea to Summit Reactor Extreme Thermolite Liner($59). HK P2000 Pistol ($941). Hydrocodone ($TBD). Ciprofloxacin ($TBD). Atovaquone($TBD). Shotgun Shells ($TBD). 9mm Bullets ($TBD).
Yosemite Range of Lights:
Visual artist Shawn Reeder captures the range of light in all of its glory.
Portland + Bikes + Coffee = Chris King Espresso Tamper
When you want some of the best precision bike components only one name rides to the top, Chris King. Passion runs deep when it comes to coffee and bikes in Portland, Oregon. Working with Portland based America Barista & Coffee School, Chris has merged two things that seem to share some common threads, especially in “The City of Roses”. Now nestled under products available from Chris King Precision Components, Espresso Tamper, in three different sizes.
My West Coast: Traveled from Portland to Big Sur for my Honeymoon. This is what it was like..
Man vs. His own best intentions: The best running shoes in the world revealed.
BRENDAN LEONARD from adventure Journal tells it how it is. Man was made to run long distances. Maybe it’s not the shoes but how we run.
