What can happen when you throw six internet friends on a backpacking trip prior to the biggest outdoor tradeshow of the year? A lot apparently. #UintasHike16 was born as a pre-show gear testing and hang out opportunity to experience the Utah backcountry. 40+ miles through the Wasatch over three days was going to be an adventure.
I was too slow. I was too fat. Maybe my pack was too heavy. I shouldn’t have gone to the gym yesterday. Did I really need to bring my DSLR and tripod? Why couldn’t I keep up? What if he didn’t want to ever go on climbing adventures with me again?
My trekking pole got stuck in a crevice. I yanked it out and subsequently knocked the handle into my eye. That was the final straw that broke the frustrated camel’s back. I tried to stop it, but one sniffle led to another. Then I was suddenly bawling on the last half mile section to our Matterhorn campsite for the night.
It’s no secret that Salewa is my most favorite hiking shoe brand ever. When I saw that they made approach shoes, I had high hopes. With the ultimate comfortable fit and fun colors, I was pretty sure that Salewa would knock it right out of the park. The Firetail 3 arrived at my doorstep a few months ago and I put them to the test.
It’ll be easy, I said. It’s only a few pitches of 5.6, I said. We’ll be in and out with tons of time to frolick and lounge, I said. That’s how I talked my friend, Joe, into spontaneously driving to Tuolumne Meadows with Josh and I to climb Cathedral Peak with us one June weekend.
Outdoor Research has been killing it lately in the outdoor lifestyle department. From the Umbra Hoody to the Bryn Dress, all the pieces look good going out and going outside. The Outdoor Research Petra Pants are no exception.