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The Ultimate List of Outdoor Books by Asian Authors

by Paulina Dao May 24, 2021
written by Paulina Dao

Growing up, I read a lot. No joke, I’d sit in the bathroom and read while getting ready for school until my dad yelled that we had to leave. I’d read books by white authors with white characters. I tried to imagine myself in their shoes with blonde hair and blue eyes. Hearing stories about and reading the words of people who look like you is important. Learning from others who do not look like you is also important. Representation matters. For #AAPIHeritageMonth I’ve rounded up a list of outdoor books by Asian authors. Many of these are children’s books I wish I had growing up; I send all of them to my nieces. Some are memoirs. Some are raunchy romances interspersed with climbing. And some speak my love language: food.

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May 24, 2021 1 comment
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Gear

The Ultimate List of La Sportiva Katana Alternatives

by Paulina Dao May 17, 2021
written by Paulina Dao
La Sportiva Katana alternatives

The La Sportiva Women’s Katanas were my first pair of climbing shoes. They’ve since been discontinued by La Sportiva, which is an absolute shame. The Katanas are the perfect all-around shoe, geared towards newer and experienced climbers alike. Once broken in, they could last on your feet for hours, without extreme pain. I currently have 1.5 pairs (lost a shoe bouldering at the Zephyrs, it’s size 35.5, holler if you find it), and I know that one day, they will no longer be resole-able. In anticipation, I’ve been testing out a bunch of other shoes from La Sportiva. Here’s my list of La Sportiva Katana alternatives.

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May 17, 2021 0 comments
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Ridge Merino Solstice Hoody Review
Gear

Ridge Merino Solstice Hoody Review

by Paulina Dao May 12, 2021
written by Paulina Dao
Ridge Merino Solstice Hoody Review

I love merino wool, so much that I once put it in my Tinder profile. I’m constantly on the hunt for new merino wool that I can put to the test. Mammoth Lakes-based Ridge Merino entered the market a few years ago, and I got my hands on the Ridge Merino Solstice Hoody to test out and hide from the sun. Here’s how it fared.

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May 12, 2021 0 comments
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Gear

Asian-Founded Outdoor Brands to Support

by Paulina Dao May 1, 2021
written by Paulina Dao
Asian owned outdoor brands

Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Month! 2021 has been a year (and we aren’t even halfway through!). I wanted to compile a list to support the Asian outdoor community, especially in light of the recent increase of violence against Asians. I’ve put together a list of Asian-founded outdoor brands to throw your dollars behind.

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May 1, 2021 1 comment
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AdventuresHiking

How to introduce someone to the outdoors

by Paulina Dao April 26, 2021
written by Paulina Dao

This post is a paid partnership with Subaru of America.

I didn’t grow up outdoorsy. My parents did not either. I recently had the chance to show my mom around Lake Tahoe. I’m lucky because my mom had to go along with whatever shenanigans I concocted. Most people are not as fortunate (or unfortunate?). After three days of making my mom try things out of her comfort zone, I have all the tips for you to successfully introduce a loved one to the outdoors. If I could do it again, these are the things that I would keep in mind.

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April 26, 2021 0 comments
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Paulina Dao Little Grunts

Hi, I’m Paulina! A full time adventurer with a day job, I’m a firm believer in the 5-9, and maximizing every second of being out of office. I didn't grow up outdoorsy. This little corner of the internet chronicles my trials and tribulations of heading outside. Learn more about me or just say hi!

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littlegrunts.com
  • About
    • About Paulina
    • Why Don’t They Look Like Me? The Diversity Dilemma in Outdoor Media
    • Contact Me
  • Climbing
    • Bouldering at Castle Hill, New Zealand
    • Bouldering at the Jardines, Queenstown, New Zealand
    • The Best Beginner Boulders in the Buttermilks, Bishop, CA
  • Backpacking
  • Hiking
  • Travel
  • Destinations
    • California
    • Iceland
    • Idaho
    • Washington
    • Utah
    • Greece
    • New Zealand
    • Norway
  • Gear Reviews
    • How to Build Out a Subaru Outback Without Any Building
  • Work With Me!