If you have been keeping up with my previous blogs, many products that I have discussed come from the US Outdoor Store or Altrec, but I am happy to say that I have become familiar with another company, CampSaver.
I’m sure you’ve heard of CampSaver - as you should of! They have a great lineup of all categories related to the great outdoors, including camping and hiking, climbing, all men’s and women’s gear and apparel, kid’s, snow sports, general travel gear, and footwear. They have a great search option on their site, and also a direct link to their outlet store (a simple tab at the top of their homepage). Not to mention they have AWESOME subcategories within their main pages that easily direct you exactly where you need to go!
After researching and fishing through the CampSaver sight, I could easily find the most popular products for this season, recently viewed products, and site suggestions for me based on what I’ve previously looked at or bought.
While I was admiring all the great features this site has, I was also loving all the products they offered too! I just so happen to be in the midst of new product searching because my climbing gear is getting a little obsolete. I found great climbing kits, jackets, tents, sleeping bags, and more!
I’m really excited to keep sharing CampSaver and all the other great outdoor sites on this blog. After all, reviews and personal testimonies are the best decision makers when looking for new gear. Check out CampSaver.com and let me know what you think!
If you keep on my entries in Step-Outdoors.com, then you probably already know that I am an avid hiker and love the outdoors. Just in the past year, I have discovered so many new Oregon beauties, including trials, waterfalls, parks, etc. Since I am becoming more and more confident in my ability to trek on day-long hikes, I have had a growing pursuit to venture out on a multiple day hike. Being asked many times to travel with friends and family on longer hikes, I’ve had many opportunities pass my way. For some reason, though, I’ve always had to turn them down.
However, my latest visit to the US Outdoor Store provided me with an answer that I’d never thought existed. I don’t really have the proper gear to go out on these treks. Sure, I have a few backpacks and pull-string bags that get me through the day, but I don’t have a heavy duty backpack, clothes, or equipment. ( I just bought myself a pair of awesome hiking boots, so I’m good there. 
Anyways, I started to look at backpacks in hopes that if I felt totally prepared with all the gear I needed for a few days, then I’d actually make a point to go out on one of these adventures. I began looking at all their different backpacks and came across the Osprey Waypoint 85, and I have to say, I’ve never thought about hiking gear the same since.
This backpack looks simple and nothing out of the ordinary, but its features and sleek design give it quite the rank in backpack world. The Osprey can actually be quickly detached into a smaller daypack for easier mobility. It also contains gear attachments, useful organization, and a custom fit for everyone.
Call me crazy, but I have never been so anxious for the summer months as I am this year. Perhaps it’s because our delay of sunny weather has taken a toll on Oregonians. Or maybe it’s because I’m finishing up my degree in two weeks and moving on to bigger and better things. I have already developed a list of things that I am set out to do this summer.
First, (for my indoor time) I just purchased another domain for my photography & art blog. I’m very excited to get that going so I can finally showcase the work I have so far! The blog will contain a lot of landscape pictures including, of course, the Columbia River Gorge, the Sandy River, Mt. Hood, Downtown Portland, and Downtown Gresham. I’m also working on more portrait-like photography, especially since I am now the photographer for a band called Greenish Grey.
Secondly, I have committed to taking my bike whenever and wherever I possibly can. My old 1979 Schwinn is one of my treasured possessions, and it is truly apart of the equation for the perfect summer day.
The next thing I have decided to do is explore more hikes around the Washington/Oregon area. I have done every hike in the Multnomah Falls area, but I would like to venture out and actually complete a full-day hike that is about 12-15 miles. Especially since I just got my brand new, Dakine Apex Hydration Backpack, I’m ready to pack all my necessities and hike for a very long time. This backpack is equipped with everything a hiker could possibly need, no matter what length of hike they like to do. With a 100 ounce bladder, quick detachment for refilling, and comfortable bite valve, this hydration pack makes me even more excited to hike because of its features alone.
Other things on my list include: (but not limited to) wakeboarding, camping, running (and training for a July relay), work at the guitar more, write more songs, read more, take my dogs for more walks, visit the Hood River, Portland, and Gresham Farmers’ Market. I’m truly so excited for this summer! Hopefully the weather can behave and permit everyone to do what is on their lists too!
I’ve grown up in Oregon my entire life, and like most things that we have and are used to, I have not appreciated the northwest enough. Two things come to mind when I think of my home state: cold and rain. For someone who has experienced the infamous northwest rain their whole life, for some reason, I’m still surprised and so disappointed each spring and summer season that contains more rain then it should.
However, within the last two years, I have grown an entire new appreciation for my home land. Partly due to the efforts of my boyfriend, I have actually experienced the northwest outdoors! Whether it’s boating, wakeboarding, snowboarding, hiking, canoeing, or taking pictures—I am learning to accept and love the natural beauty of Oregon.
Nearly every outdoor activity that one would be interested in can all be experienced in the wonderful Columbia River Gorge. The Columbia River, Multnomah Falls, Hood River, and various other falls and landscapes can all be found within 50 miles of driving the Columbia Historic Highway. Don’t think the highway stops there though. It goes all the way to The Dalles, about 80 miles from the start of the Columbia Historic Highway. 
I have been hiking in California, Hawaii, and Idaho, but I still would say that Oregon’s northwest hikes are home to some of the best. Multnomah, Wahkeena, Horsetail, Oneota, Ruckel Creek, Punchbowl, and Tunnel Falls are just some of the mysterious, breathtaking trails located in the northwest. Obviously some other places will have some very exotic plants and interesting animals, (if you’re lucky enough to see them) but I believe that the natural essence of the greens and blues of the landscapes are enough to inspire.
Some of these locations have access to the crystal clear water for swimming, canoeing, and cliff diving. So for those of you who don’t settle for simply a hike and some pictures, there are some internal activities as well. I personally have overcame my fear of cliffs and heights at Punchbowl Falls, where many will go for jumping and swimming. Since that day, I have always been willing for even more of an adventure (if safety hazards aren’t an issue).
Not only has my adventurous side received its thrill from the northwest, but my artsy side has also thrived from the beauty of it. I have come to love photography and the fact that photos taken within the northwest scenery do not need a lot of editing and altercations. The best image of a Columbia Gorge waterfall or river view is the natural photo—the organic photo that has very minute (if any) editing done to it.
Whether you are from the northwest or not, whether you have scene an Oregon waterfall or swam in the Columbia River, it’s easy to be impressed by the photos and testimonies that we see and hear about the northwest. However, there is one thing that can never be compared, altered, or misunderstood. That is your own personal experience of what the northwest has to offer.
As you all know, I have access to a great hookup for hiking gear! You’ll need some good, efficient boots for all your hiking this summer.
Save up to 55% on these hiking boots!
Most would agree that sporting goods can really cost us. The more I thought about this, the more angry I became. I thought about all the opportunities that an active, outdoor lifestyle bring to an individual’s life. Family time, healthy benefits, and a positive outlook on their environment—an active lifestyle should not be ran from because of the cost of products like shoes, warm clothing, or backpacks.
Purchasing a new travel backpack was a goal I had set out on about a year ago, but expensive prices from REI and other companies scared me away. Across the board, these backpacks seem to carry more than just your travel necessities—they seem to carry an insane price as well.
So when I came across this Osprey Porter pack, I was sold. Not because of its hauling capabilities or stylish look, but because of its extremely affordable price. Compared to some that can go for a whopping $300-400, the Osprey has a vastly comparison.
After purchasing the Osprey, I learned that,along with a great price, the pack was the total package. My backpack is very reliable, weather-proof, light and sustainable, and easily capable of carrying all my hiking necessities. :)
Depending on where you live, the weather could be permitting a start to 2011’s hiking season through the summer. Some of you might still be experiencing large amounts of snow or chilly weather, an unfortunate number of rainfall, or perhaps too much wind. Even if you are not weather-permitted to begin your hiking adventures, you can initiate your preparations for different excursions you will take this year.
This will be beneficial in a couple different ways. (1) You will be consciously thinking about the possible hikes so you can take all the necessary actions for supplies or gear in order to be ready. (2) You can research more on the different possible trails if you need to find out more about them. Maybe they are currently under construction or even closed. Finally, you can create an outline of your spring and summer hiking months which enables you to have some sort of check-list.
Having a goal in mind allows us to stretch for that plan, no matter what its difficulty, and then we are able to look back after all the time spent on that goal and actually feel proud of our accomplishments—-even if it isn’t finished! I have this same mindset for my hiking experience every year. I’ll set a goal or list of places that I want to visit, whether they are mile-long hikes or three-day hikes, and set out to at least attempt these goals. What a great way to bond with family and/or friends too! So go pick up a great hiking excursion book that contains all the great hikes in your region. Good books usually contain beneficial tips, cautious reminders, and numeral information for each of the unique hikes found in that book. Talk to different family members and friends, tell them about the possible excursion, and make a plan to carry out the adventure. You will experience awesome satisfaction and accomplishment when you get to check off that trailhead. Think of it like a mini bucket list, for a 4-6 month period.
If there are places on your list that weren’t accomplished that you had hoped to visit, carry it over to the following year’s bucket list. Make an effort to be actively engaged with the beautiful and interesting environment around you!
I love to hike. One of my favorite places to hike is Multnomah Falls. When I was younger my parents would always take me there to hike. Now as I get older I love to go there with my fiancé. There is something about hiking that helps you escape the world and take you a little bit out of your element. Something about the fresh air and the feeling of unlimited freedom makes it the perfect outdoor activity!
The enjoyable things about Multnomah Falls is that the hike is only 1 mile up and 1 mile down and it is a pretty simple hike. It is a steep hike so when you get to the top you are ready to head down hill. I also love the scenery! At Multnomah Falls there are lots of green trees and the waterfall itself is just breathe taking! I love how when you reach the top of the falls there is a wood plat form that extends over the falls! It is a great treat for making it to the top!
If you have never been to Multnomah Falls and you live in Oregon you should try to make a trip there! It is a very easy but enjoyable hike!
On Sunday, my fiance’ and I decided to meet some friends and go for a hike. Now my fiance’ and are from an outer city area about a half an hour away from any major city. We drove into Northwest Portland and we were all ready for a hike. We had all of our hiking gear on including: hiking boots, clothes comfortable to hike in, sunscreen because it was so hot outside and even hats to protect our faces from the sun. We were ready to go, but this was going to be a different type of hike then we ever expected!
Urban hiking is a lot like a regular hike except for you are in the city. So instead of walking through a forest and hopping over rocks and dirt, we were hiking around the city and dodging people and cars. It is funny to think that we prepared for the hike the same way that we would have prepared if we were going on a forest hike. Urban hiking is a good alternative if you live in the city and do not want to drive to far to get some exercise and enjoy the scenery. Next time you are in a big city and you want to go for a hike I recommend you go urban hiking!
