• December 27, 2006
• Posted by Jannine

The Ice Queens of Canmore

Guest Blog by Shannon Ryan.

A few years ago, my friend Ned called up and asked me to come over and check out the ice wall he had created in the backyard at his place in Tetonia, Idaho. I jumped into the truck and headed right over to check out his creation of plywood, chicken wire and the garden hose that resulted in an impressive curtain of uncertain ice. I donned borrowed plastic boots and crampons, my own climbing harness and helmet, tied into the top rope and started to madly swing Ned’s ice axes. I quickly knocked off a big chunk with a poor swing, and then just as quickly descended with a cut up face and a minor black eye.

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• December 26, 2006
• Posted by Jannine

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Well, most of us are back to work now…daydreaming of our wonderful weekend of family, friends, food, wine, and POWDER (for those of us in the mountains). Now what do we do? Yeah, we look forward to the antics of New Years Eve…always a good time. BUT…honestly, New Year’s resolutions are pretty much a bore.

SO….Womenspecific.com has a suggestion to spice up those usual boring resolutions such as: No more drinking, no more sugar, Adkins…blah blah blah. This year make your resolution to hone your skills in the sport you love. Sign up for a women’s adventure camp.

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• December 22, 2006
• Posted by Jannine

A New Friend, The Two Dollar Bill

When was the last time you touched, saw, thought of, or even used a two dollar bill? They are still in circulation and your local bank should have some on hand. Lately, I have been asking for them and using them around town. Usually, they go underneath the tray in a cash register or in the slot for 100s, 50s, and personal checks. Interestingly enough most electronic bill acceptors will take a two dollar bill even though this denomination is not listed. Think about it, every $2 bill saves (1) one dollar bill. Could this be an environmental step in the right direction?

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• December 18, 2006
• Posted by Jannine

Womenspecific.com Scavenge-HER Hunt at Winter Outdoor Retailer.

We are sure that all of you gear heads are getting ready to attend the Winter Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City this January. This is the place to be to check out all the latest and greatest in outdoor gear for 2007. Athletes, retailers, media, and manufacturers all come together to OOOH and AAAH at the upcoming gear.

This year Womenspecific.com has joined forces with the Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition to raise awareness of women’s products and the companies that are committed to them. Together Womenspecific.com and the OIWC has organized the first in a series of trade show Scavenge-HER Hunts that will kick-off at the 2007 Winter OR Show.

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• December 18, 2006
• Posted by Jannine

Womenspecific.com Scavenge-HER Hunt at Winter Outdoor Retailer.

Womenspecific.com has joined forces with the Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition to raise awareness of women’s products and the companies that are committed to them. Together Womenspecific.com and the OIWC has organized the first in a series of trade show Scavenge-HER Hunts that will kick-off at the 2007 Winter OR Show.

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• December 16, 2006
• Posted by Jannine

Kokatat Women's Inner Core Short Sleeve

What is perfect paddling form? After trying to learn how to surf in Kauai I still did not understand perfect paddling form…nor did I get anywhere close to it. This made me and my sore rib cage very thankful to Kokatat.

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• December 16, 2006
• Posted by Jannine

Kelty Light Year 3D 45

After spending 2 weeks traveling around Kauai I realized that a sleeping bag is not totally necessary. It is always 75-80 degrees…everyday, all day. A light sleeping sheet is all you really need.

However, I did pack the Kelty Light Year 3D 45+ sleeping bag. My intension was to have a really light weight bag to pack around. I am always the first person to be freezing in my bag and was afraid I would be cold. I am the gal who religiously takes her 0 degree bag if the temps are going to be any lower than 30.

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• December 15, 2006
• Posted by Jannine

MSR® Duralite Mini Cookset

Tested MSR Duralite Mini Cookset on the Na Pali Coast in Kauai along with the MSR Simmerlite Stove. What a great little MSR team!

Bonus Points: This stove was light and the MSR Simmerlite stove fit right inside. The cookset kit came with a pan handle and a small pack-towel. HUGH BONUS POINTS go to how incredibly well liquid pours out of these pots. No spilling and slop. Precision pouring into nalgene bottles….YEAH!

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• December 15, 2006
• Posted by Jannine

MSR® Simmerlite Stove

We knew we wanted to pack as light as possible for hiking along the Na Pali Coast in Kauai. This trails gains 5,000 ft in elevation in 11 miles. This amazing trail leads you to the fairy-tale Kalalau Beach. This place is what dreams are made of.

With 80 degree temperatures and 150% humidity you really wanted to lighten the load for hiking. The MSR Simmerlite Stove really helped with this mission. This little stove kicked out some big flame.

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• December 11, 2006
• Posted by Jannine

Oh the weather outside is frightful...so go Snow Biking!

I know, life cannot be that hard when your biggest stresses are holiday shopping and not getting any new snow for almost 2 weeks. I try to keep my spirits up when I look outside to another cold, dry, and sunny day. This becomes difficult when everywhere you go you run into ornery people jonesing for some snow. The post office, the coffee shop, grocery store, pubs, and local restaurants have this heavy, somber feeling over them that can only be lifted by a HUGE dump of snow.

Well, a few of us decided to take this depression into our own hands and create a new style of winter fun for ourselves…SNOW BIKING. Yes, this is the answer to those high and dry days. No, this is not a new sport…just new craze!

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• December 07, 2006
• Posted by Jannine

2006 World Freestyle Kayaking Champion: Tanya Faux

Tanya Faux
Australia’s First Professional Whitewater Kayaker
2006 World Freestyle Kayaking Champion

December 4th, 2006.

Nominated for Australian Female Athlete of the year award.
The Australian Sport Awards are an annual event which provide the opportunity to celebrate Australia’s achievements as a sporting nation.

The awards recognise Australians across all areas of the sports sector who have achieved outstanding success in their field during 2006, from athletes and coaches to administrators, officials and sports business. They also provide an avenue to acknowledge those who have made exceptional contributions to sport in Australia.

www.australiansportawards.com.au

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• December 04, 2006
• Posted by Jannine

The Teacher Man

When Scott and I arrived home from Hawaii and found out that 500 tickets were given away FREE to see author Frank McCourt speak we were crushed. Frank McCourt is Scott’s favorite author and I must say he is right up there for me. As a Fitzgerald, Scott can relate many Irish family stories of his to Frank’s. Angela’s Ashes, Tis’, and Teacher Man are literary masterpieces that make you feel like you know McCourt or at least that you want to know him. The fact that he was going to be in our home town and we could not see him was torture.

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