Gear Testers Wanted for Cocona Fabrics
Cocona Fabrics is currently taking applications for the Cocona Xcelerator Test Team. Cocona Fabrics, found in such brands as Marmot, Mammut, and GoLite, is looking for 1000 outdoor types to test out their new fabric called Xcelerator.
Apply to become a gear tester at Cocona’s site where you will be asked to describe your experience with the outdoors, list any notable outdoor gear you currently own, describe your favorite piece of outdoor gear, and answer several questions about your familiarity with blogs, twitter, and other Internet platforms.
Gear Testers Wanted for Outside Magazine
Outside Magazine is currently looking for volunteers for their Gear Army to review hiking and running shoes, equipment, and apparel. Applicants must submit a sample review of a product that they currently own as well as a list of qualifications. In order to be selected, testers must not be affiliated with any outdoor company. Visit Outside’s Gear Army for more details.
Inspired by Backpacker Magainze’s column Dirbag/Gourmet, Dirtbagger Guide is introducing a new category of posts – The Dirtbag Diner. We can’ guarantee that out recipes and tips will be as gourmet as Backpacker but we will say that ours will be CHEAP and PACKED with all the fuel you need for your dirtbaggin’ pursuits.
We recognize that (like everything) there is a range of dirtbags. There are many who can’t afford much more than institution-sized bags of rice and beans and a ton of weekend warriors touting their Coleman 2-Burners
and a sample of fresh veggies from this week’s CSA. We hope to provide recipes and creative tips for both ends of the spectrum while keeping in mind foods that are good for the body as well as being good for the community and Earth.
While we are gathering our recipes together check out the links below to get started on planning your meals for that Spring roadtrip:
One Pan Wonders - Plenty of hiking and backpacking meals that can be made in one pot or less.
Trail Chef: 8 Dirtbag Dinners – Easy meals using 3 ingredients or less.
Broke Ass Gourmet – The ultimate recipe blog for foodies on a severely limited budget.
]]>1) Skiing Free After 3 at Alta Ski Area
Alta Ski Area opens the gates to Sunnyside lift at 3pm every day of the week. Sunnyside services only beginner terrain but more experienced skiers can find some intermediate runs through the trees. Ski Free is great for beginners or for those wanting to perfect those telemark turns. Can get pretty crowded on the weekend though, but makes a nice (cheap) afternoon if followed by free apps at the Peruvian Bar.
2) Cross-Country Skiing Park City’s Round Valley Loop
Rolling with one-pieces at Deer Valley not your scene, explore the mellow, undulating trails of the Round Valley Loop on snowshoes or cross-country skis. Grab a map of Park City trails at White Pine Touring and some rentals if you need them here too (although they are cheaper in Salt Lake City like at REI or Wasatch Touring). The trails are great and are groomed regularly by the Park City Mountain Trails Foundation. See there website for grooming reports.
3) Enjoying Live Tunes at the Canyons and Snowbird
Save that lift ticket money for brews après ski and kick back and listen to some live music in the resort village. The Canyons Resort in Park City features a Spring Concert Series on Saturdays beginning in early March. Snowbird also has live music on the Tram Deck most weekends throughout the Spring and as far as I know that don’t mind if you pack in your own beverages.
4) Cross-Country Skiing at Snowbasin Ski Resort
Snowbasin is a gorgeous ski area tucked back in the mountains behind Ogden, Utah. Snowbasin maintains 26 kilometers of groomed skate and classic trails and offers them up to guests free of charge. Maps of the ski area can be found at the Grizzly Center Rental Shop – plus they rent skis if you need them. The US Forest Service also maintains a ton of more difficult ski trail that branches off of Snowbasin’s trail system. Call the Ogden Ranger District for more details about the trails (801) 236-3400. Any trip up to Snowbasin necessitates a stop by Ogden’s Roosters Pub for stellar microbrews and tasty, cheap pub food.
5) Dining on Free Appetizers at the Peruvian Bar
The Peruvian Bar at Alta Ski Area may be the freaking coolest ski bar in the entire US. Sure you need to buy your own beer, but the Peruvian staffers bring out free hot appetizers during the après ski hours. Claw and elbow the other dirtbags out of the way to score some free chicken wings, jalapeno poppers, and other assorted fried goods. Also, don’t forget to also ask your bartender for some free popcorn and score some free coffee and hot chocolate for the ride down the canyon. Don’t be a total dirtbag and tip well after all those free goods.
Header Photo Courtesy: Flickr:UncleWeed
]]>Be forewarned as Nordic Skiing is only for hardcores. No amount of experience skiing flawless Utah powder fluff can compare to the balance and agility required for descending a 45-degree slope with your quads a spazzin’ on a pair of edgeless, skinny sticks. Not to mention the amount of mental focus and poise needed for hitting a kicker with your heels flopping about as seen below.
Photo courtesy of Szymon Nitka
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. She encourages people to do what she calls a 21-day financial fast meaning that you only purchase necessities and pay for everything with cash. The fast gets you thinking about your desire to consume even if you are thrifty already.
I have been trying to cut back on expenses lately in anticipation of three huge trips I have in the works for this year (Spanish school in Central America, dirtbagging through Hawaii, trekking through Patagonia, and not to mention a ton of climbing and backpacking trips throughout the west) and decided to take the challenge. I have seriously minimized my expenses in the last year but am still wondering how I can reduce my spending further. I thought I was super frugal but four days into the fast I realize I had been spending more than I had thought. So give it a try and abide by the following rules:
Rules of the 21-Day Financial Fast
- Only Purchase the Bare Necessities
- Essential items like food and medicine
- Essential personal items like toothpaste, shampoo, etc.
- Essential items for work such as a work uniform.
- The means no going out to eat, no going to the bar, and not stopping for coffee.
- No gifts.
- Only use cash for purchases (no plastic, even debit cards)
- Don’t window shop or go to the mall (does that mean REI?)
- No online shopping or browsing through retail catalogs
There is something about paying with cash that makes you realize that you are actually spending money. Paying for gas with cash the other day made me cringe. When I pay with plastic, even though it is usually my debit card, it really doesn’t feel like cash. Seeing all that cash leave my hands to pay for gas was painful and totally made me think about how much I have been driving lately. Oh and that urge to stop for coffee is pretty rough – I wonder if it will dull after three weeks of this.
I am just glad I have a stockpile of beer in the fridge and several bottles on the wine rack because I don’t think Singletary would buy the idea of booze as an essential. It fuels my creativity and is thus an essential for me but I am going to see if I can go the three weeks without purchasing any beer or wine, but I may need a bottle of champagne for that brunch I am hosting this Sunday – or do I?
If you give it a try – leave a comment to let me know how you do. I am curious what types of free things you find to do to keep yourself entertained for all 21 of those days.
Also check out these resources about other ways to reduce your expenses and build up that travel fund.
Ways to Save Money for Travel
28 Ways to Save Money For Traveling
Drastic Ways To Save Money For Long-Term Travel
Create a Sustainable Lifestyle: 5 Ways to Trim Living Expenses
]]>The poolside bar offers up a bunch of microbrews and organic wines including Montana’s very own Ten Spoon wines as well as sodas, juices, coffees, and MIMOSAS. Their All Local Foods Grill serves up some seriously tasty salads, soups, and sweets made with produce grown on site or by nearby farms.
The No Loose Dogs Saloon at Norris Hot Springs
Water of the Gods features live folk, bluegrass, acoustic rock, and Americana music every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night (even throughout the winter months). Bands play right above the stage in their igloo looking dome stage complete with splashguard. Music starts at 7 and entrance to the pool runs $7 ($5 during the day sans tunes). Designated drivers get a free soak pass. Check out their upcoming music lineup.
The Stage at Norris Hot Springs
The Author Enjoying a Mimosa in the Pool
Camping Near the Water of the Gods
There are no camping options at Norris Hot Springs. There is designated camping 6 miles east of the springs at nearby Red Mountain, which is a fee area from April through December. There is also plenty of BLM land in the area so just get a map, follow some dirt roads, and find a spot to pitch the tent.
Directions to Norris Hot Springs
From Bozeman, take Route 84 west 35 miles to Norris Hot Springs (left hand side of the road, just ¼ mile before reaching US-287).
From West Yellowstone, take Montana-87 north and then turn left onto US-287. Continue on US-287 for 87 miles and then take a right onto Route 84 and you will see Norris Hot Springs on the right.
For more information on hot springs in the area – see Touring Montana and Wyoming Hot Springs
The Pool at Norris Hot Springs
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From the Matador Network:
“we publish stories, photography, video; we raise questions and share ideas and information in a way that isn’t bounded by geography or culture but ripples out from one traveler to another worldwide. Over time, these connections, dialogues, and relationships are affecting positive changes and creating new opportunities in the real world.”
The Colorado and Green Rivers divide Canyonlands National Park into 3 distinct districts, The Needles, Island in the Sky, and the Maze. Although each district of the park is adjacent to the next they are separated by hundreds of miles by road. The rivers and their tributaries have carved out innumerable canyons, dizzyingly vertical cliffs, and incredible panoramas.
The Needles district, named for its red and white needle-like pinnacles, offers sixty miles of interconnecting trails with most trails rated from moderate to difficult. To get to Chesler Park, leave you car at the Elephant Hill trailhead and descend into Elephant Canyon. Continue hiking for 3 miles over slickrock and dry gulches to reach the expansive meadow called Chesler Park.
Drop your pack at the campsite and take a breather while taking in the expansive views of the brightly colored sandstone spires that completely surround Chesler Park. Set up the tent and kick back with a worn copy of Abbey’s Desert Solitaire
Rise early to watch the sun cast all sorts of colors over the brightly colored pinnacles and head out to explore the expansive trail system that surrounds Chesler Park. Definitely check out the Joint Trail – a trail winding through a series of narrow and cavernous fractures in the rock.
Backcountry Permits for Canyonlands National Park
Make sure to secure a backcountry camp spot in advance if visiting the park during peak Spring and Fall seasons. Backcountry permits are required for all overnight camping and are obtained from the National Park Service here. As of fall 2009, backpacking permits cost a flat fee of $15 for a group of up to 7 people.
Best Season to Backpack into Chesler Park
Spring and fall are ideal times for backpacking into Chesler Park. Permits are more difficult to obtain at this time, so make sure to reserve a campsite at least a month ahead of time. Summers tend to be too hot and water sources are unreliable, but winter is an absolute stunning time to visit Chesler Park with the contrasts of the snow, blood red rock, and vivid blue skies. It is highly likely that you will have the meadow entirely to your self and have your choice of campsites. Winter days are usually comfortable and sunny, but you should be prepared for freezing conditions at night.
For an awesome guide to the trails around Canyonlands National Park (and the rest of Utah) – check out David Day’s Utah’s Incredible Backcountry Trails.
Early season snows have seen first tracks all over the West. Check out these amazing shots of the first runs of the year at Snowbird Ski Resort here.
Still enjoying the lovely fall weather, I drove up to Independence pass outside of Aspen yesterday to try to get my stoke on for winter. Here are some views atop the Continental Divide. Bring it on!
There are many definitions of dirtbag out there, but for the terms of this website we are using the word dirtbag to describe the dreamer, adventurer, conventional dissenter, uber cheap, and sometimes well-worn traveler. The new dirtbag has evolved into an ambitious, eco-conscience, cooperative individual from its dirty, unkempt, and contemptable roots.
- You get up at 5 am and sneak out of the campsite before the camp host gets up instead of waking at a more reasonable hour and risk having to pay for the site.
- You buy a box of wine or a 6-pack of tall boys rather than spending money at the bar.
- You are on an all expense paid trip for work and you cook dinner outside your hotel room so you can pocket the per diem.
- You know the camping limits and rules of every major BLM recreation area.
- You consider a natural hot spring a shower.
- You can wrap anything in a tortilla and have perfect wrapping skills.
- You have a particular adoration for Wet Wipes.
- You can sleep peacefully basically anywhere (bivy sack in a rainstorm, a picnic table or the backseat at a rest area).
- You catch free wireless at the library rather than the coffee shop because you don’t have to buy a cup of coffee.
- You are constantly scheming up ways to quit your day job and never have to work again.
This post was cross-posted at dirtbagwriter.com.
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