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Gear

CamelBak Aventura

by Paulina Dao February 13, 2014
written by Paulina Dao

CamelBak Aventura Review CamelBak Aventura Review CamelBak Aventura Review CamelBak Aventura Review

The CamelBak Aventura backpack is a nifty little backpack that’s great for long day adventures.

This bad boy is a 21L backpack with a 3L water bladder. There are four zippered compartments: a tiny one for tiny items, one small one for small items, a main compartment for larger items, and a separate compartment for the water bladder. Side slip pockets allow you to hold water bottles, map, or if you’re like me, all the wrappers from Clif bars that you eat. And there’s a nice and large slip pocket that can easily fit a Nalgene and readily accessible items like hats. The outside of the pack has attachments to keep your trekking poles handy.

The pack has a sternum strap and a padded waist strap. It also has high abrasion mesh covering channeled EVA injected foam pods for extra ventilation your back won’t get sweaty as quickly.

The right shoulder strap conveniently has a little hook for your bladder hose. However, the hose doesn’t come with a Bite Valve Cover. You’ll need to pick one of those up for $6.

This pack has been my day hike BFF since I first got it in August of 2012 for a trip up Half Dome.. It has lasted weekends of endless abuse, squeezing in tight spots and being thrown over and around obstacles.

I don’t have much to complain about this bag, other than little plastic doohickies are starting to fall off now. And sometimes, if the bag is stuffed to the brim, I think I look like a turtle. This bag is wider at the base and narrows up to the top, so aesthetics look a little funny if you’re hauling a big load.

This pack is now discontinued and on clearance through Camelbak. I’m going to be extremely sad when my pack is on its last legs.

February 13, 2014 4 comments
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Gear

Outdoor Research Incandescent Hooded Jacket

by Paulina Dao February 10, 2014
written by Paulina Dao
Outdoor Research Women's Incandescent Hooded Jacket Review

I’ve been drooling over Outdoor Research Incandescent Hooded Jacket after seeing it in various email blasts and gear sites. When Outdoor Research contacted me about participating in #ORInsightLab (What is it? Whitney and Dave explain!), I was lucky enough to have the Incandescent Hooded Jacket arrive at my door. I’m addicted to down jackets; I can’t help it!

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February 10, 2014 1 comment
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LG.com

Greetings from Strangers

by Paulina Dao February 4, 2014
written by Paulina Dao

Greetings from Strangers

Wes Walker and his wife love traveling, especially through US National Parks. With no trips planned in the future, Wes decided to surprise his wife with the best birthday gift ever: postcards from people traveling all over the world!

He’s armed with a PO Box. And now he needs your help to fill it. Here’s how!

Pick a postcard from a national park, or maybe even a state park. Write a message on it.

Address it to Ruth, PO Box 585, Katoomba, NSW, Australia 2780. Go to the post office, get some international postage (about $1.50) and send it off.

Greetings from Strangers

Don’t want to bother with international shipping? That’s okay. Stick that postcard in an envelope, address the envelope to me at 420 Taylor St., San Francisco, CA 95014. I’ll be collecting all of these and sending them to Wes in one fell swoop. Please make sure postcards are in my hands by March 31, 2014.

Greetings from Strangers

After the postcard is sent, tell a friend. Heck, tell a stranger. Tell someone to continue the chain and help make Ruth’s birthday a fantastic one!

Check out Wes’ blog here as he chronicles his previous adventures with his wife.

February 4, 2014 2 comments
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AdventuresHiking

Hiking the Tin House from Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

by Paulina Dao February 3, 2014
written by Paulina Dao

Julia Pfeiffer Burns Tin House

The Tin House is a hike I’ve been meaning to do for a while. I never manage to make it out to Big Sur though. The one time I did this past summer, I accidentally went to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (I mean, come on, the names are so identical) and ended climbing up the Big Sur River instead. I made it down to the right park this past Christmas, but then drove past the trailhead.

But that’s okay! Because it made the hike to the Tin House even better. I parked at the big turnout down the road from McWay Falls about 500 feet and walked up Highway 1 into park headquarters. For Christmas Day, it was pretty packed full of people already leaving. (It was 10am when I got there.)

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February 3, 2014 1 comment
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AdventuresHiking

Mokelumne Wilderness: Winnemucca Lake

by Paulina Dao January 21, 2014
written by Paulina Dao

Hike: Winnemucca Lake and back
Where: Mokelumne Wilderness
Trailhead: Carson Pass trailhead off of Highway 88. Look for the bathroom!
Level: Moderate
Duration: 3 hours and 58 minutes roundtrip
Gear: CamelBak Aventura pack, UNIQLO Heat-Tech tights, REI Sahara Convertible Pants, Icebreaker Oasis Crew, Triple Aught Design Artemis Hoodie, Ahnu Montara Waterproof Boot, Black Diamond Ultra Distance Trekking Poles, MSR Denali snowshoes, Black Diamond FrontPoint gaiters
Cost of Parking: $5 for a SNOPARK day permit ($25 for the season)

Mokelumne Wilderness is a pretty sweet gem off of Highway 88 near Kirkwood. Compared to its neighbor, Desolation Wilderness, it’s relatively unknown; I’ve rarely seen more than 10 other people on the trail.

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January 21, 2014 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!