Hiking in Finland

Climbing, bikepacking, skiing & packrafting in the north

The Week in Review XXXI

Next Sunday = No TWIR. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Flickr for live updates from the trail, though.

Going up

News

Bunyan Velo - a new quarterly Online Magazine about the simple pleasures of traveling by bicycle. Superb - you want to check this out.

Life Above Treeline – an interview with Pablo Vigil.

Coast to Coast Sweden has its own website. This is a TGOC-like event just that it is free, longer, and in Sweden.

LOCUS GEAR launches the Pneuma Bivy eVent.

Camino de Santiago is out. The Holy walk from Selånger in Sweden is in.

Very cool crowdsourcing effort to index all laavus (lean-tos) in Finland: laavu.org.

Internet Bike Dating.

Nude hiking – What’s it all about?

Four Years in the Woods – Musings of a Wilderness Parent.

Check out Phil’s beautiful music video & song “Our Land” and give it a Thumbs up.

Mammut is bringing out a new trail running collection.

New UL gear from The OMM.

What is Bicycle Tourism?

The 102 mountains of Japan.

Inov-8 Races Into Trail Running Apparel.

A dehydrator recipe for Lamb Orzo.

MSR Reactor 1.0 l

Trip Reviews

jackieboy hikes the Southern Alps of Japan. UL backpacking in Japan - always an inspiration.

Greg is on the Trail in Arizona.

Forrest enjoys the Overland Track, Tasmania.

Leor goes on a snowshoeing trip to Buena Vista Peak, Horse Ridge & Ostrander Snowshoe and boy are the views superb.

Craig sings a Desert Song.

Three days of snowshoe hiking in the Blackforest.

Peter takes his boys out on a winter overnighter.

Benjamin and friends went snowshoeing in Switzerland. Not everything went according to plan.

Jake enjoys a Olympic Coast Winter Camp.

Vamos a la playa, Part three.

El Cocuy, Colombia.

Brendan is out on the Black Ridge.

Darren heads out for some Sea Kayaking from Bundeena to Wattamolla.

Patagonia Verde.

Toby does some “ski-touring” in Nummi.

Toni reports from the Rovaniemi 150.

Paul hikes from Red Pike to Fleet Pike.

Mammut Smart

Gear Reviews & Gear Deals

Joe answers The Question Of Gear for the Iditarod Trail Invitational.

Black Diamond WindWeight Mitt reviewed.

Damien puts a lighter (but still burly) Telemark ski setup to test.

Black Diamond Vector Helmet reviewed.

Mountain Hardwear Hooded Ghost Whisperer reviewed.

Jetboil ZiP reviewed.

A rustproof knife.

Joni on when size matters. Good tips and brand recommendations for tall people with looooong arms and legs.

Colin on his Z-Packs Quilt Failure.

Respect is due for Grivel Crampons.

Brian explains how to clean EVA Trekking Pole Handles.

Phil is introducing you to The Cloud, Kelty’s Ultralight Backpack.

Velbon V-Pod vs. Gorillapod SLR

Akinori CF stove.

FREELIGHT mapchest bag. One of those things that make you say “Why didn’t I think of that?”.

JVC GC-XA1 POV camera.

Chad bought a GoLite Chrome Dome Umbrella.

Kershaw Cryo reviewed.

Black Diamond Contour Elliptic Carbon Trekking poles reviewed.

Affiliate Links: Buy via these links and I earn a small commission, without any extra costs to you. Alternatively you can buy me a coffee or two if you enjoyed TWIR.

Looking for something more than your iPhone or Android smartphone? Then the Takwak TW 700 GPS & Phone would suit your needs just fine. It’s a GPS, Smartphone, and Walkie Talkie, water & dust resistant.

At the REI-OUTLET you can save up to 50% off on Outdoor Gear & Clothing.

Bergfreunde have the final sale going on, with up to 60% discounts on gear. My recommendations: The Outdoor Research Lodestar pants is my current favourite winter pants - warm, wind and waterproof and easy to vent over the side zippers. With 50% off it’s a great bargain.

The Outdoor Research Alibi Pants is also 50% off and my ice climbing pant of choice. Durable, waterproof and allowing for a lot of movement, this is a light and warm pants for days on the ice. More discounted Outdoor Research garments & gear.

For torso insulation you’ll like the 50% discounted Patagonia Nano Puff.

There always seems to be a sale at Backcountry.com. Right now the Semi-Annual Sale is on at Backcountry.com - Up to 50% off plus free 2-Day shipping on orders over $50.