My FiveFingers

Heading out into nature is an excellent way to clear your head and get some great exercise. After enjoying many day trips, I decided to move on to longer multi-day hikes a few years ago. The key to enjoying a safe, successful outing is preparation. And once you invest in a minimal amount of high-quality gear […]

I have worn my VFFs for lots of different things.  I wear them for my CrossFit workouts, I have ran a race in them, climb trees, rock climbing, and on plenty of day hikes. But what I have never worn them for is an extended hike over several days while carrying a heavier pack.  This […]

Today, I spent the day tromping around the Fundy Trail Parkway provincial park with a 29lb backpack on a fairly humid day.  I was out with my son, a cousin-in-law and some of her children to see how two things worked.  The first was to see how her backpack is with a full load and […]

There are few places where you can go running, biking or even hiking in woods while the busy city roads buzz above and around you. Even few options are available if you add ing swimming and sunbathing on smooth rocks. My recent expedition took me through all of this and more, and it was not even […]

I ride my bike almost everywhere. I had a car when I first moved out here to Tucson, a run-down jalopy that took me across the country half a dozen times. That car was good to me. I was not so good to it. I was broke for one, and knew nothing about standard car […]

Ah, Cochise season. Psyched for a full day of backcountry climbing, we loaded the car, tossing in packs, rope, harnesses, gear, and a little summit pack with a couple liters of water, a camera, and snacks. We stopped for burritos on our way out of town, as is the ritual, and drove down the highway, […]

The most foul word in any language is not a swear word, it’s this: Bushwhack. I hate bushwhacking. Nearly every instance where it has been required of me in the past, I last about five minutes before I break down into an agitated, whiny puddle. Sometimes I cry. Don’t get me wrong, I’m an adventurous […]

We ventured into the Gila Wilderness with a bit of a twist on the normal backpacking routine: most people bring a pair of sandals or Crocs, some light pair of shoes that will be a comfortable change from the hiking boots that they’re slogging around all day. My boyfriend and I hiked in Vibram Treksports, […]