The Daily Feed Archives // womenspecific.com

Daily Feed Archives

December 2005

December 30, 2005
Posted by Jannine

Life Link Triple Direct Backcountry Poles

Life-Link’s Triple Direct poles are simple and light at just over a pound for a pair with baskets; they are easy to adjust and break down; and best of all, they are affordable at $50.00! This pole has a textured grip at the base, which makes it easier to grab and twist with gloves on in the frigid weather. The three-part poles break down to a reasonably small size.

December 30, 2005
Posted by Jannine

Cloudveil Koven Women’s Ski Jacket

LAYERING!!!! Should I wear a mid-weight base layer with a windstopper vest? OR should I wear a lightweight layer with a breathable shell? Maybe I will just wear a mid-weight base layer on its own. OH wait…do I just load up all the layers on those cold, windy days? I have been backcountry skiing for almost 8 years now and I still have not figured out my perfect layering system. My ski buddy, Lauri, is usually irritated when I call her and ask…what layers are you wearing?

December 27, 2005
Posted by Jannine

The Snow is Flying in the Tetons

The snow is flying in the Tetons and the surrounding backcountry area reminds me of abstract art – a white canvas with squiggly lines everywhere. The parking lot at the top of Teton Pass is packed every morning…people jockeying for first tracks left and right. There are hikers headed up Glory Peak, folks skinning south to ski and ride a whole variety of runs, and people building kickers in Telemark Bowl. As I buckle up my boots for the first time this season, dig around in my backpack for my avalanche transceiver, and don my new fancy Pistil hat, I wonder how many other people are thinking about the surface hoar and near-surface facets that are lurking under all of this newly fallen snow.

December 23, 2005
Posted by Jannine

Dear Santa...

Another crazy holiday season is upon us. I am assuming things are kind of hectic up there in the north also. I bet you are all breathing easier now that the ANWR passage was blocked…at least until they dream up another way to get in there and exploit the environment. Probably a little close for comfort to the North Pole. Thank you, as I am sure you had a hand in stopping the drilling. This was one of my wish list requests.

As for the rest of my list:

December 20, 2005
Posted by Jannine

When to say no to POWDER!

I spent the entire day yesterday at work feeling quite under the weather. My throat was starting to hurt and that hollow feeling was setting in. Emergen-C packets and hot tea were not going down fast enough. I was sending little mind bullets to myself that I refuse to get sick. As this was going down…the snow was coming down. It was dumping. All I could think of was taking that dawn patrol run in the morning before work. PLEASE, don’t get sick!

December 20, 2005
Posted by Jannine

Pistil Women's Ski Hat

My favorite things to buy or be given are winter hats. I wear them year-round, have several in my car, one in every backpack (8+), baskets full of different hats, and yet I am always in search of another.

December 19, 2005
Posted by Jannine

Sierra Design Women's Answer Ski Jacket

Sierra Designs Answer Jacket is a comfortable soft shell with features that work for resort or backcountry skiing/riding. It has a pass clip in the right-hand pocket, an inner pocket for keys, money, and a credit card. The hand pockets are nice and made from quick dry fabric (though I prefer a lightweight fleece); there is a left arm pocket good for your lip stuff, and there are open pockets inside which are good for drying your climbing skins. The hood is small or a snug fit when the jacket is zipped all the way up, too small to fit over a helmet. The jacket is also a bit bulky for stuffing into your backcountry pack, but the fit is good for those with a longer torso. There is no powder skirt; one would have come in handy riding Grand Targhee’s 23” in 24 hours snowfall a couple of weeks ago. I shoveled a bit up my back falling in the fresh pow. Overall this jacket is a good affordable option at $150.

December 16, 2005
Posted by Jannine

Isis ESTABLISHES Goddess Scholarship Fund TO HONOR WOMEN

ISIS, known for its commitment to design, innovation, fit and performance in apparel for active women, announces that is it establishing the Isis Goddess Scholarship Fund. The Isis Goddess Scholarship Fund offers one woman each year, the opportunity to take part in a transformational retreat free of charge at Mind Over Mountains of Ridgeway, Colorado. The ISIS Goddess Fund acknowledges inspirational women of all ages and all walks of life for their often unrecognized deeds, commitment to their communities or mentorship to a younger generation of women.

December 15, 2005
Posted by Jannine

Rally Ho! 7 Tips for Randonnée Racing

There’s something about backcountry travel in a group that makes some women climb a little faster, break trail a little longer, and keep turning until their thighs are burning rubber. If you secretly revel in beating your boyfriend up the hill, it’s time to put yourself to the test in a randonn�e/ski mountaineering competition. But before you enter your first race, consider these tips from the nation’s top racers:

December 13, 2005
Posted by Jannine

La Sportiva Nepal EVO GTX Women's Mountaineering Boot

Okay, I admit, I’m a little cynical these days on the marketing of women’s specific gear – the idea that it can often be all marketing and no content. Having done quite a bit of testing, I’m also trained never to let first impressions impress. Whether it screams ‘hot and sexy’ or howls to have the box top jammed back on seconds after opening, I try not to judge until I’ve had some time in real conditions. Boots are the crux for me in every technical sport especially climbing, where they need to fit very
close in order to perform well. I find it extremely difficult to actually find a boot that fits a typical women’s foot – wide in the forefoot, very narrow in the heel and sensitive over the top of the arch with a flex that works for a small foot. I have an average women’s foot, size 7.5 – or what used to be average before they added hormones to our milk!

December 12, 2005
Posted by Jannine

Day 3: Women's Avalanche Course

Today we met up at the top of Teton Pass for our last day of the course. Again, we split up into two groups. Each group went over the avalanche forecast that our guides printed up for that day. We also looked at a map reflecting the area we were heading in to. My group headed up Mount Glory on Teton Pass in Jackson. During the 1-hour boot pack we continuously spoke of the terrain, weather, and snow pack. We were applying all of the information we learned the past two days to make good decisions.

December 11, 2005
Posted by Jannine

Women Get Saaavy in the backcountry.

On Friday, Dec. 9, I began the Jackson Hole Mountain Guide / Babes in the Backcountry all women’s level I avalanche course. This is taking place is Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Please click on to our Living Adventure section to read my daily updates. PLEASE look into taking one of these courses if you are beginning to head into the backcountry.

December 10, 2005
Posted by Jannine

Day 2: Women's Avalanche Course, Jackson Hole

YES…another day of learning about this SNOW thing we spend so much time in. At 8:00 am we all met up at Jackson Hole Mountain Guides (the classroom). Here we logged on to our local avalanche forecast report. After reading over the forecast we then applied the factors to the information we learned yesterday. We spent time painting a picture with our new avalanche eyeballs and created a preliminary prediction of what we might find in the backcountry today. Check out www.avalanche.org to find your local avalanche forecast.

December 10, 2005
Posted by Jannine

Day 1: Women's Avalanche Course, Jackson Hole.

Today was Day 1 of the Jackson Hole Mountain Guide / Babes in the Backcountry Women’s Avalanche Course in Jackson, Wyoming. We began the day with some classroom time. This was a great chance to drink copious amounts of coffee and talk about SNOW. Yes…we did speak about how sweet deep powder is, but mostly we spoke of how and why it can also be so dangerous. At introductions it was apparent that half of the group were very new to the backcountry world and the other half had experience but wanted to gain more knowledge to feel more confident making their OWN decisions. We headed outdoors for the second part of the day to practice with our transceivers (avalanche beacon) and learn some basic rescue techniques.

December 08, 2005
Posted by Jannine

How Quickly We Forget.

It seems like just yesterday when it was 85 degrees, sunny, and I was out on my bike. I just dreaded the coming of winter and the cold. I even went as far as to consider moving somewhere warm for the winter. That thought made me shiver and shun today as I was getting huge face shots of powder on my skis. The most ironic thing is the temperatures this morning were logging in at -10 degrees with a high of -3. Most people avoid being out in these temps…but for the manic people of Jackson, we decided to hang out in them for 3+ hours to play in the deep snow.

December 07, 2005
Posted by Jannine

A Day of Revelation: Journal Entry #6

There are certain moments in life that change you, that can even change your life. This morning, I had one of those moments that lasted for two hours. Today was my group’s turn to go on a boat to a deserted beach. This alone would have been a great experience, we even saw a family of humpback whales on the way out. Just paddling from the boat into the lineup, I realized it was going to be a good day. The swell actually did come in last night, and conditions were perfect.

December 06, 2005
Posted by Jannine

Sierra Design Women's TS 31 Ski Jacket

SO SOFT!!! ...my first response to the women’s TS 31 ski jacket, then some fleeting skepticism (but can it perform?) ...then, SO MOBILE! I have never felt such freedom of movement in a jacket before! My skepticism changed to a self reminder that the designers and the technology today allow for super comfort, ease, and quality. BUT, let’s see if it meets some more standards…

December 06, 2005
Posted by Jannine

Day 4 In Paradise: Journal Entry #5

After living in a ski town for 8 years, one would think I had learned to never listen to forecasts….especially ones having to do with snow, surf etc. Of course, the predicted swell never materialized; instead I heard “You should have been here last week”. Despite the little baby waves, I had an awesome day. Possible the best surf day yet was because of the high quality instruction here at Las Olas women’s surf camp.

December 05, 2005
Posted by Jannine

Canon Fire + Festivals + Surfing = LIVING: Journal Entry #4

Day 3 Las Olas Women’s Surf Safari

Waking up at 4:00 am to canon fire is alarming to say the least. I woke in a panic thinking we were under attack, from who I am not sure. In fact, Sayulita was not being attacked, but instead celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe. From December 3 to the 9th, Mexico celebrates the Virgin of Guadalupe with fiestas, fireworks, parades, and extended family gatherings. Another country’s culture, like this twelve day celebration of an incarnation of Mary, is why I love traveling. Combining culture and a sport like surfing makes traveling that much better.

December 05, 2005
Posted by Jannine

Rethink where you want your money to go this holiday season.

As the holiday season approaches full swing I plead with you to reconsider buying that random Santa statue for the mantle, or that inflatable candy cane for the front lawn. Instead consider donating that money to a relief fund for the earthquake victims of Pakistan.

December 04, 2005
Posted by Jannine

Massage and Salsa Dancing...Sign me up: Journal Entry #3

Ok here’s day 2:
Yoga class at sunrise overlooking the ocean is not a bad way to start your day. It’s hard to believe the day will keep getting better and better. After an awesome breakfast, we surfed for a few hours with our instructors. I actually caught four waves in a row (this is a big deal for me, on my last trip I was lucky if I caught one every four days, just ask Scott, Jannine’s boyfriend).

December 03, 2005
Posted by Jannine

Surfing Snow...Surfing the Ocean...Life is Good.

As I surfed 11 inches of new powder here in the Tetons I thought of my board woman, Sarah Long, reaching Sayulita Mexico to attend the Las Olas Women’s Surf Safari. Sarah was surfin it up also. She is definitely much warmer than I was. Please log on to our Living Adventure section of www.womensepcific.com where you can read up on Sarah’s daily adventures. Surfs up everywhere!

December 03, 2005
Posted by Jannine

Touch Down at Las Olas Surf Camp: Journal Entry #2

Traveling alone internationally is always a little nerve racking. Last time, I ended up in a Morrocan open air airport terminal, whacked out on dramamine, with chickens and people on roller skates doing laps around the baggage claim. Yesterday, as soon as I walked out of customs, Stephanie, a Las Olas instructor, greeted me with a big smile and then walked me over to the cantina for a cold cerveza.

December 02, 2005
Posted by Jannine

On my way to Las Olas Women's Surf Camp: Journal Entry #1

While growing up, my parents would ship me off to camp every summer. I went to basketball camps, art camps, girl scout camps, and everything in between. Right before I left I was always nervous, and most of the time less than thrilled. Who wanted to go to basketball camp when I had just been the only kid to get cut from the sixth grade basketball team????

December 01, 2005
Posted by Jannine

Deuter Glide 25+ SL Alpine Backpack

Considering my primary form of skiing exists in the backcountry, I am on the constant search for the ultimate backpack. My women’s specific ski needs force me to carry a ton of stuff. I have sacrificed fit in the past to use a pack with features that allow me to have all of this stuff. Other times I have found a women’s specific pack that fits my geometry but is not big enough or has the features I am looking for in a backcountry backpack. Deuter you did it!! I am a bit stunned that I can say those words. I have been reviewing the Deuter Glide 25+ SL for the past two weeks.