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Gear

Farm to Feet Madison

by Paulina Dao June 17, 2014
written by Paulina Dao

Farm to Feet Madison Crew Sock Review

You’ve heard of farm to table, but what about Farm to Feet? 100% US ingredients and 100% US manufactured, this North Carolina company creates high performance merino wool socks sourced directly from American Sheep Industry ranchers and manufactured in the United States.

Farm to Feet socks are pretty darn high quality, and the Madison are no exception.

Built for long treks, this medium weight crew sock with full density cushioning encases your foot in a comfortable, mushroom-like cocoon of ultimate comfort. These socks are well constructed; they don’t have saggy sock syndrome throughout the day. They don’t let pesky debris in, and they hold up to crawling through bushes and treks across coastal bluffs. Prickly brush and sand are no match for this sock.

The Madison is made of 74% merino wool, which is really just code for you-can-wear-this-sock-for-days-on-end-and-as-long-you-shower-semi-regularly-your-feet-won’t-stink. What can I say? Good socks are hard to find, and good socks are expensive. When I get a pair, I want to get my money’s worth. These seriously do not stink and they prevent your feet from getting sweaty. With some socks, I get this weird second day funk, but not in these. With these, every time I put them on is like the first time I’m putting them on.

They also come with a lifetime guarantee. Not satisfied for whatever reason? Send them back for a replacement for a refund.

I can totally, 100% get behind a company that creates homegrown goods and stands behind their product. If you’re in the market for a new pair of socks, or even if you’re not, pop by Farm to Feet and check out their goods.

The Madison retails for $23.

These were sent to me for review.

June 17, 2014 2 comments
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Hiking Tomales Point, Point Reyes National Seashore
AdventuresHiking

Hiking Tomales Point, Point Reyes National Seashore

by Paulina Dao June 11, 2014
written by Paulina Dao

Hiking Tomales Point, Point Reyes National Seashore

The Tomales Point trail at Point Reyes National Seashore is one of my favorite trails in the Bay Area. It’s a moderate 9.4 miler out in the tippity top of Point Reyes. The drive from the Bay Area is kind of a pain. The weather can be unpredictable–it’s one of the windiest spots on the west coast–but when you’re out there, the annoyances disappear.

Read on to see why.

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June 11, 2014 4 comments
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Gear

Chums Smokey Fire Starter Paracord Bracelet

by Paulina Dao June 9, 2014
written by Paulina Dao

Chums Smokey Fire Starter Paracord Bracelet Review

When the Chums Smokey Fire Starter Paracord Bracelet arrived in my mailbox, I had high, high hopes for it.The 16 feet of paracord doubles as a firestarter with a firestone and steel washer clasp.

I watched this video and I was so excited to try it.

But I just couldn’t get it to work for me. Not out in the backcountry, not under the redwoods, not even sitting in the comforts of my own home in a controlled environment, and not in a near-dark room.

Needless to say, I am a little disappointed and all I have to show for my fire-starting efforts are bruises and scrapes from my hands knocking against the ground and against the firestone. The washer and firestone are fairly small and not ergonomically friendly; it seems purpose is to be a bracelet closure first, and fire-starting device second.

I have fairly small hands and I found myself fumbling with them. It seemed that there was no way to comfortably hold them and scrape to my heart’s desire.

At approximately 3 oz, it may be a good tool for you to have in your pack if you can get it to work. If you’re counting ounces and saving space, this bulky bracelet is probably not for you.

All in all, I like the idea, but I struggled with the whole fire-starter aspect which tarnished the product for me. However, your experiences may be different than mine. At $16.99, this won’t set you back by much and at worst, you’ll have a paracord bracelet for your adventures.

Buy through Chums for $16.99.

This was sent to me for review.

June 9, 2014 1 comment
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AdventuresHiking

El Corte Madera OSP: Resolution Trail and Plane Crashes

by Paulina Dao June 5, 2014
written by Paulina Dao

Hike: Resolution Trail, Plane Crash and Vista Point
Where: El Corte Madera Open Space Preserve
Trailhead: Star Hill Road
Level: Moderate
Duration: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Length: 4.7 miles
Gear: Icebreaker Women’s Tech T Lite T-Shirt, Arc’teryx Delta LT, Lululemon leggings, REI Flash 18 Pack, 
 and Ahnu Sugarpine Waterproof Boot
Cost of Parking: Free

Had a rare day off several weeks ago with no real plans, so I called up my friend, Karl of Alpha Roaming, to see what kind of mischief he was stirring up for the day. We decided to go chase some plane crashes near El Corte Madera Open Space Preserve.

The first and more interesting plane we stopped by, well, is sort of a secret to preserve the sanctity of the crash. This plane found its final resting site nestled among dense redwoods. Story goes that the pilot was coming in too close and abandoned plane before it crashed here. However, not much is known about this wreckage.

El Corte Madera Open Space Preserve: Resolution Trail and Plane Crashes El Corte Madera Open Space Preserve: Resolution Trail and Plane Crashes El Corte Madera Open Space Preserve: Resolution Trail and Plane Crashes El Corte Madera Open Space Preserve: Resolution Trail and Plane Crashes El Corte Madera Open Space Preserve: Resolution Trail and Plane Crashes

The second crash site lies within El Corte Madera Open Space Preserve off of the Resolution Trail. It’s pretty easy to miss if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Most of the debris has been picked over, and supposedly, a lot more of it lies down the steep hill. We started at Star Hill Road, headed down the El Corte Madera Creek Trail to the Resolution Trail and up to the Vista Point. Near the Vista Point, a memorial plaque is dedicated to the 19 people who perished in the Resolution plane crash on Kings Mountain. More information can be found about the crash here.

El Corte Madera Open Space Preserve: Resolution Trail and Plane Crashes El Corte Madera Open Space Preserve: Resolution Trail and Plane Crashes

For more information on the above two crash sites, please visit Karl’s blog post here.

June 5, 2014 0 comments
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AdventuresHiking

Hiking Horsetail Falls and Ropi Lake

by Paulina Dao June 3, 2014
written by Paulina Dao

Hiking Horsetail Falls and Ropi Lake

Sometimes you plan on a really long day out. Sometimes those plans get cut short because you’re captivated by the beauty around you.

That’s what happened to me this weekend. I set out to hike up Horsetail Falls into Desolation Wilderness backcountry and out to Lake Aloha. Ropi Lake cut me short.

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June 3, 2014 1 comment
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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
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    • How to Build Out a Subaru Outback Without Any Building
  • Work With Me!