Summer is finally here and it's time to get out and hike. Our first trip of the summer is coming up and I hope yours is too. So if your stuck looking for a new trail to hike then check out GORP. A website dedicated to everything hiking. Look up a trail or learn a new skill, it's all here. Oh and don't forget to pick up a Sportback to help you out with your adventures.




GORP

Symbiot designs bouncless, hydration capable backpacks, utilizing a harness system that gives you a full range of motion during high activity.



Click Here



$39.99


Adjustable chest & shoulder straps
2 multipurpose chest pockets
Breathable padding w/wickable mesh
Large hydration/gear pouch
Exterior cargo compression flap
Various multipurpose pockets
Weight: 1.75lbs
Capacity: 200 cu.in.
Chest Sizes - Small:35"-37" Medium:38"-40" Large:41"-43"

Tandems Expo 2008 Page



Symbiot will be at the Tandem Expo 2008. Come check out our booth and pick up a Sportback in person.

2008:
Saturday, March 29th 12-6pm
Sunday, March 30th 9am-5pm

Pittsgrove Township Middle School
1076 Almond Rd. Centerton, NJ Rain or Shine

70 Tandems on Display : Great Free Refreshments : Other Vendors : Free Test Rides : Info : Compare and Buy : Meet with other tandem owners

This past weekend we were off on another adventure. This time we were on the Appalachian Trail in good old central PA. We went to check out an area called The Pinnacle. As in true weekend warrior fashion we ditched work as early as possible and headed up there.

This time we were all coming from different directions so getting there at the same time was going to be tricky. Personally my drive blew; it poured the whole way there. I was the first to get into the area after learning that Ash and Nate were lost somewhere in the hills. Jon arrived next then Nate and Ash followed.

Immediately we hit our first snag while getting ourselves together to head into the woods. Nate had left his sleeping bag at home and it’s about 25 degrees out. So we gathered up all the blankets and fabric we could find. It was going to have to do.
We walked into the woods just down from where we had parked to find a nice spot with a fire ring. We knew we weren’t far from civilization because this freaking street lamp at the water works was lighting up the whole camp site. Then to really give you the feeling of being “out there” a car drove down an unseen road just 50ft from us.

We got through the first rainy night with a good bottle of scotch, a nice big fat porterhouse. The next morning we headed up the mountain. As we got to about 1200ft. the nice wet ground started to turn into a thin sheet of ice pellets. The further up we go the larger the ice pellets get and the more ice covered trees become. Actually out at the Pinnacle trees were frozen solid with horizontal ice cicles. It was quite cool. I have no pictures of this because the ground was so icy that getting myself and the camera out to the cliff was to dangerous.

That night we found a choice camp site deep in the woods far from any street lights. The ground was still covered with a thin layer of ice when we threw down the tents for the night. We had a small fire and another delicious meal. It sure it nice when its cold because you can carry meat without worrying about it spoiling.

The next morning we woke up and headed out on the still icy trail. This morning the sun finally showed up which was kind of a curse. The sun was melting all the ice on the upper branches and causing it to drip down and refreeze on the ground bellow, making the trail really freaking icy and very difficult to walk. Good trip though. Not sure whats up next.
Booze

The Group

Frozen

One Slick Cliff

The SportBack may help you carry all your necessities comfortably but it wont help you become a better snowboarder.

For years I have been against using any sort of trekking pole. I guess it seems sort of dorky to use them. That and one of our hiking buddies used them and was always getting them caught and falling. It just never seemed like a good idea. But I think my view has changed on using them. the past few trips I have taken I noticed on both accents and decents that my body was taking a beating. Since I want to keep hiking for years to come I think it's time I pick up a pair and give my joints some help. So I'm currently doing some research. Here is some basic information on the benifits of using trekking poles if your also looking to get a pair.

Fewer injuries. Poles reduce the risk of injury and tendonitis in knees, calves, thighs, and even hips. Trekking poles also allow hikers to keep a more normal stride and a faster pace with less effort.

Less pounding. Up to 4.4 percent of the force that reverberates through your body with each step is absorbed by the poles. After a long day and thousands of steps, that support adds up.
Relief for ailing knees and joints. Dr. Torry says that angling the tips of your poles forward slightly can reduce the compression in your joints as you hike downhill. When hiking uphill, angle the poles backward for an extra boost and reduced ankle stress.

Fewer face plants. While researchers didn't test stability, they agree with what many backpackers already know: Four legs are better than two on uneven terrain.

Less fatigue. Properly used poles reduce the workload for lower-body muscles and joints by transferring some of the load from your legs to your arms.