Spring 2013

FORAGE FOR FOOD • PLAY WITH FIRE • TRAIN LIKE A PRO

Highliner Emily Sukiennik On Fear and Falling

SPRING 2013

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64 GEAR ESSENTIALS

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Endurance Training Fly Fishing Hiking

Cast Your Line, Dive A Wreck, Protect Your Skin, Retreat In Hill Country

Contents

The Ladies of Lhotse The women who rule the routes on the world’s highest peaks.

By Jon Kedrowski

50

Catch and Release First-time angler Heather Hansman learns to fly fish on Montana’s wildest river.

46 Her Turn

54

aspire

wonder

8

10 Discuss Records, Falling, Preventive Exercise 34 16 Trends Ultraviolet Protection Factor 38 18 Tech Talk Fly Fishing Gear 41 19 Tech Talk Foot Care 42 20 I’m Proof That... Climb For Kids 44 22 Hotel Homebase Fredericksburg, Texas 26 Trends To Retreat or Not To Retreat?

28 Travel Pro Alexandra Cousteau’s Blue Legacy 29 5 Ways To Cycle Switzerland 29 Travel Gear Three New Things 30 On the Map Find Your Own Adventure

travel

32

Beyond Diving Shipwrecks Beyond Highlining Try This Poi Advocate Rivers For Change Dream Job Elephant Sanctuary

master

72

Gear

Essentials for the beginner fly fisher, the aspiring endurance racer, and those who need extra sun protection (all of us). Hiking gear, a rechargeable bike light everyone can appreciate, and the best of what we’ve tested.

60

62 64 66 68 78 79

Mix It Up Canyoneering

80

It’s Personal Catch It In A Cup

Sport Road Biking Sport Standup Paddleboard Racing Skill Foraging Marketplace Partnerships

Cover: Highliner Emily Sukiennik uses fear to push herself farther, higher, and beyond. Read her story on page 38. Emily’s essence is captured by Australian photographer Krystle Wright, who has been living as a gypsy lately. “I am on a continual quest to discover unique characters and stories,” Krystle says. “Travel highlights for me include camping on a frozen fjord for a month, flying at 7,000 meters in a tandem paraglider above the Karakoram Range in Pakistan, and standing beside a rookery of 100,000 pairs of King Penguins on South Georgia.”

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SPRING 2013 What new and exciting thing are you challenging yourself to do this season?

EDITORIAL

PUBLISHER SUE SHEERIN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JENNIFER C. OLSON

for a 200-mile, [ Train overnight relay

Designers D. Kari Luraas, Sarah Chesnutt

[ Web Director Susan Hayse

Learn to care for a bee hive

MATTIE SCHULER is a freelance writer and editor currently living in Wisconsin. She focuses on topics that include the outdoor industry, recreation and gear, adventure sports, fitness and health, yoga, parenting, and travel.

In her free time, Mattie enjoys snowboarding, hiking and backpacking, practicing yoga, cooking, reading plenty of books and magazines, and she always tries to get outdoors as much as she can. Mattie is a frequent contributor to mensfitness.com, and her work has appeared in Outside, Parenting, and other publications. She also is an editor for Millennial Youth publications and a blogger for mutasia.com.

[

Travel Editor Gigi Ragland

[

Start Piloxing (Pilates/boxing)

Editorial Intern Katherine Maguid

Road bike longer distances

Copy Editor Mira Perrizo [ Contributing Writers Chris Kassar, Casey Flynn,[Eva Hathaway,

Getting married!

Think less. Play more!

Mattie Schuler, Cat del Valle Castellanos, Haven Livingston, Linda J. Williamson, Heather Hansman, Dr. Jon Kedrowski, Courtney Johnson, Kit Mitchell Contributing Photographers Krystle Wright (cover), Rich Crowder, Steve Rawls, Gigi Ragland, Stephanie Pearson, Jenna McLennan, Oscar Durand, Stephen Frink, Ellen Barone, Bob Care, Haven Livingston, Laurelyn Sayah, Casey Flynn, Jon Kedrowski, Benjamin Thouard, Sarah Fuller (foraging illustrations)

SUBMISSIONS For contributor’s guidelines, visit www.womensadventuremagazine.com/contributors-guidelines Editorial queries or submissions should be sent to edit@staff.womensadventuremagazine.com Photo queries should be sent to design@womensadventuremagazine.com Women’s Adventure is always looking for new and innovative products for women. For consideration, please send non-returnable samples to 3005 Center Green Drive, Suite 225, Boulder, CO 80301

[ Driven by a passion to capture the most unique perspective not yet thought of, KRYSTLE WRIGHT is a pioneering photographer from Australia who is accelerating the awareness and visibility of the most extreme sports and their athletes to the world. On a continual quest to challenge herself and others mentally and physically, Krystle consistently brings attention to the demanding adventures and landscapes that the public is rarely fortunate enough to be exposed to.

2 2 WAM WAM • • SPRING SPRING| |2013 2013

Live by my motto: YOLO (You Only Live Once).

Key Accounts Sue Sheerin

sue@womensadventuremagazine.com

Account Manager Marleigh Hill

marleigh@womensadventuremagazine.com

Taking the Ironman world by storm. Kona anyone?

[

contributors

AJ JOHNSON

Writer COURTNEY JOHNSON first tried standup paddling when she attended a free clinic in Boulder, Colorado, in 2010.

It took her only two weeks to buy her first SUP board when she moved from Colorado to Ventura, California, in February of 2011.

“There is nothing like beginning your day paddling on the Pacific Ocean with seals and dolphins around you!” Read her tips for SUP racing on page 66.

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©2013 Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Official footwear licensee for Patagonia, Inc.

GO THE DISTANCE IN TRAIL RUNNING GEAR MADE TO WORK TOGETHER THROUGH THE DAY, ACROSS THE RIVER, UP THE CANYON, INTO THE NIGHT… • Houdini® Jacket – the highly breathable, ultra lightweight, take-it-anywhere jacket with weather-resistant protection • Short-Sleeved Fore Runner Shirt – fast-drying, highly breathable with 30-UPF sun protection • Nine Trails Skirt – breathable and stretchy with form-fitting, chafe-free and stay-put boy-short-style liner • Tsali 2.0 Trail Shoes – lightweight, neutral-cushioned with dynamic lacing system for heel hold and drainage and protection for varied terrain See it all at patagonia.com/trailrunning The day after her record time on the 48th mile Zion Traverse, Patagonia ambassador Krissy Moehl cools the burn.

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Discover the season’s top destinations for family, solo, or girlfriend getaways—always with an active, adventurous twist.

BOOK CLUB

We have a fabulous book club over on Facebook and you are welcome to join! Most of our reads are written by outdoor women adventurers and we vote as a group on what our next book will be. facebook.com/ groups/womenadventurers

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for contest updates!

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ADVOCATE WEEKS We’re partnering with our retailers to raise awareness and funds for local conservation efforts and environmental initiatives. For dates, locations and organizations, go to: onepercentfortheplanet.org/advocate.

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If you don’t want Facebook in your life, we respect that. Visit the Book Club page on our site, where we replicate some of the posts from the Facebook group, to comment and discuss books with the same community of outdoor-fanatics and avid readers. womensadventuremagazine.com/book-club 75193 PTG Gamut Adven Ad 1/3 V2.indd 1

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At Women’s Adventure, we practice what we preach and really geek out about gear.

Check out reviews of our favorite gear online every Tuesday.

1/29/13 4:55 PM

From the Editor A

s a recreational runner who pulls on my shoes for an hour on some weekdays, rides my bike on the weekends, and hikes or paddles in between when I feel like it, I carry a little extra padding on my hips and too much gear in my pack. But last spring, I signed up for a 120-mile, six-day trail running race in the Colorado Rockies with a close girlfriend, which would eventually end up testing our endurance, discipline, and friendship.

The GORE-TEX TransRockies was an adventure so far out of my comfort zone that I wasn’t sure I’d make it through alive and was even less sure that I’d have fun doing it. Yet, we did survive and had the time of our lives. Along the way, I sprouted blisters the size of El Cap (page 10), loosened my pinky toenail and bruised several others, ate more gummy snacks and potato chips that I had in my entire previous life, outgrew (thanks to swelling) my favorite pair of running shoes, grimaced through four massage treatments, drank almost-daily margaritas like I deserved them, and became best friends with my compression socks—and medical tape.

The less tangible but just as lasting evidence of the run: I developed friendships with runners from all over the world, learned just how far my body can carry me, and discovered a new kind of motivation—one that drove me on through knee pain, intensified my emotion, and propelled me to the goal that was previously so far out of my reach that I hadn’t even considered how to celebrate after the moment of accomplishment.

But also along the way, I—the amateur trail runner who wasn’t even sure I could finish this race—became the poster child of the TransRockies Run. Stage two took us runners up and over Hope Pass, where we posed for triumphant jump photos and snapped our own pictures of grazing llamas near the aid station, then to Twin Lakes, Colorado, where we soaked in the runoff water and laughed about the morning’s events. One of the jump photos my partner and I took with our new buddy, Dave, on Hope Pass is front and center in this year’s TransRockies Run promo materials. To prove it, I’m including an image of the TRR poster right here on this page.

I’m sharing this, (you caught me) partly to brag, but mostly to encourage you toward a goal that seems like a bit of a reach yet is potentially doable. (See page 68 to learn the benefits of staying in your stretch zone.) I’d challenge you to sign up for something new this spring, work toward it this summer, and catch the adventure bug—hopefully taking on something different and exciting every year from here on out.

My goal this season: Brush up on my Spanish conversation skills and interact with Costa Rica locals on an all-women’s vacation, ultimately bringing home more stories of life in the stretch zone.

Adios!

6 WAM • SPRING | 2013

The TransRockies Run is a multi-day point-to-point trail running race which allows athletes to access and traverse wild and fantastic scenery, while building camaraderie, overcoming adversity and sharing a singular adventure.

Call for a free informational DVD! 1-866-373-3376

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Photography: Gabe Rogel I Location: Grand Tetons I Athlete: Paige Claassen

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RICH CROWDER ©ADIDAS.COMOUTDOOR

Climbers Mayan Smith-Gobat and Chantel Astorga made history by becoming the first women to link two of Yosemite’s giants—El Cap and Half Dome—in under 24 hours. Flip the page to discover how their perseverance, determination, and spirit paid off during this exhausting but exhilarating day.

PHOTO CREDIT

w Discuss

How’d These Climbers Conquer Yosemite’s Giants?

The Women Who Climbed El Cap and Half Dome in Less Than a Day Speak Out

By Chris Kassar

even hours, 26 minutes: That’s all it took for Mayan Smith-Gobat and Chantel Astorga to make history by scaling the Nose Route up El Capitan faster than any woman before them.

But, rather than celebrating the fact that they just shattered the female speed record by almost three hours, this dedicated duo pushed on in pursuit of another lofty goal: to become the first women to link two of Yosemite’s giants— El Cap and Half Dome—in under 24 hours.

The perseverance, determination and spirit demonstrated during this grueling exploit inspired climbers worldwide. Mayan, a 33-year old Kiwi considered one of the top rock hoppers in the world, made time to chat with WAM between adventures.

10 WAM • SPRING | 2013

CK: How did you chop so much off the previous record?

MSG: We short-fixed the entire route. Shortfixing means that, for the first part of each pitch, the leader climbs on a “death loop.” Once she arrives at the belay, she pulls up all the slack and ties it off to the anchor, so the second climber can start jugging to immediately begin climbing the next pitch. We broke the climb into blocks that best suited our personal strengths, and had total faith in each other and ourselves. We did not have any amazing tricks. We simply moved fast and efficiently and made sure we did not make any silly mistakes.

CK: What did it feel like?

MSG: It was a lot of fun! We both slipped into our routines and climbed efficiently. It was a rare and wonderful occasion, when everything seemed to just flow. Before we knew it, we were on the last few pitches. The whole climb felt almost effortless!

CK: What was the hardest part?

MSG: The hardest part of the Nose was the first pitch. I was nervous and not warmed up. The climbing seemed awkward and slippery, but after that everything was fine. However, the hardest part of the whole day was definitely the descent off Half Dome in the wee hours of the morning womensadventuremagazine.com

RICH CROWDER ©ADIDAS.COMOUTDOOR

S

Discuss

after having been on the go for 20 hours.

(The duo finally hit the valley floor after 23 hours and 35 minutes on the move.)

CK: What mental tricks did you use?

MSG: In order to move as fast as possible, we short-fixed the entire route. Falling in this situation would be extremely unpleasant so I automatically put myself into a soloing mindset. Even though I have a rope, in my brain, I am soloing and it’s important that the thought of falling never even crosses my mind. I focus only on the next movement and nothing else exists.

CK: What was biggest factor in crushing the record?

MSG: Strategy, knowing the route, good teamwork, and a bit of luck with not having to pass any other parties in bad places.

CK: What couldn’t you have done it without?

MSG: Definitely, a good solid partner! And, caffeinated gels—they kept me going when I was crashing!

w

CK: How did you celebrate the climb?

MSG: I spent the day lying in El Cap Meadow staring up at the Nose, enjoying our success and dreaming about future missions.

CK: Why do you climb?

MSG: I climb because I love it! I love the feeling of challenging myself, constantly attempting to do something beyond my ability, and therefore learning, getting stronger, growing—physically and mentally. This creates meaning in my life …

CK: Tips for aspiring women climbers?

MSG: Do not think of yourself as a “woman climber.” Simply be a “climber.” The only limitations that exist are self-imposed, so just have fun and go hard!

CK: What comes next?

MSG: In April I’ll go to Smith Rocks, Oregon, where I’ll attempt climbing “Just Do It,” the first 5.14c in the USA. Then in May and June, I’ll be back in Yosemite Valley, working on free climbing the Nose. My plans for the rest of summer are very exciting, but still top secret …

Meredith Miller

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WAM • SPRING | 2013

11

w Discuss Steph Davis, On Love and Fear Instead of Laboriously Climbing, Open Yourself to Falling—and Flying

P

rofessional rock climber Steph Davis spent twenty years ascending the world’s most awe-inspiring and dangerous peaks. But suddenly, Davis found herself without a partner, a career, a source of income…or a purpose. That’s when she discovered opportunities to fly. In this exclusive Women’s Adventure interview, Steph shares why she began skydiving and BASE jumping, what she’s learned through heartbreak and hardship, and how to live with fear.

What was it about skydiving in particular that attracted you at this point in your life?

As someone who climbs without ropes sometimes, the idea of free fall is one of the strongest, most primal fears. So I wanted to start experiencing it, focusing on it, and figuring it out.

What motivated you to make these changes in your lifestyle and sports? What role do those changes now play in your life?

I’d been a professional climber for more than ten years when I got into jumping. It’s an amazing life path—and it’s highly unpredictable. At that moment, I was struggling with both my career and my personal life, and I was trying to find an anchor. I found it in jumping, which turned out to be something I really love. Skydiving, wingsuit flying, and BASE jumping are a big part of my life now—from career to community to relationships, even beyond the activity itself. My husband Mario and I started a business together in Moab, called Moab Base Adventures (moabbaseadventures.com), which offers tandem BASE jumps and BASE and climbing guiding.

Are emotions a person experiences while climbing also relevant to skydiving?

You deal with fear a lot in any sport that involves high places.

Jumping is a gravity sport: Things

12 WAM • SPRING | 2013

happen fast, and you have to be able to go with the momentum you are in. Climbing is an antigravity sport: It is very slow, and you are always painfully pulling away from gravity. There’s a lot more time to think and you need to stay mentally present for a very long time. Jumping is so much about that intense moment when you are standing ready to leave the edge as your mind explores all the emotions telling you not to do it, and you have to make the final decision to go.

How did the notion of hurling yourself off of a cliff go from one of weakness to strength?

If you throw yourself off a cliff without a parachute, it’s probably the last thing you’ll do. But learning to BASE jump—where jumping off a cliff is a beautiful, repeatable activity—really turns things upside down in terms of what you see as possible. It’s very empowering to do something “impossible” and, even more, to enjoy it and learn to do it well.

You mentioned that you had to “understand your fear.” What role did fear play in your climbing and skydiving experiences? How has fear helped you grow?

I think fear is maybe the strongest human emotion, along with love. The problem with fear is that it can stop you from living and keep you from doing things you

want to do. It can be easy to make decisions just to avoid feeling fear, which is probably kind of instinctive, but in the long run that can really take away freedom. I’ve learned when I should back off and not do something that is causing fear feelings, and when I should push through and force past feeling afraid. Messing around with fear is really intense and it strips away all the layers that most of us wear when facing the outside world. So I think that putting yourself in these intense situations repeatedly forces you to grow.

LEARNING TO FLY: An Uncommon Memoir of Human Flight, Unexpected Love, and One Amazing Dog debuts this April. It’s a transcendent account of an earth-bound athlete embracing the aerial world of skydiving and BASE jumping. Not just an adventure tale, it is a woman’s story of risktaking and self-discovery, with love at its heart.

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TRY NOT TO STARE

Š2013 Brooks Sports, Inc.

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w Discuss

Foundation Training to Treat or Prevent Chronic Back Pain Improve Your Performance, Eliminate Pain, and Strengthen Your Core

By Katherine Maguid

W

hen Maia Ignatz broke her back after a cliff-jumping accident, she didn’t know how, if at all, she would fully recover. But through persistence and dedication to healing, along with a new and relatively radical form of core strengthening exercises called Foundation Training, Maia fully recovered. But she also went on to found her own massage business and to become the amateur XTerra Triathlon World Champion in her age group.

Foundation Training was created by Santa Barbara chiropractor Dr. Eric Goodman, who developed it as a way of treating his own chronic back pain. A unique series of exercises that focus on strengthening the posterior chain of muscles, Foundation Training can benefit everyone—whether you’re an elite athlete or someone who spends most of the time seated in front of a computer.

According to Maia, “It’s that seated position that stretches and weakens both our anterior and posterior core muscles—sometimes so much so that we end up in pain.”

Foundation Training is specifically designed to target and activate those muscles, encourage proper movement patterns, and stabilize the pelvis. By opening up the anterior side of our bodies and strengthening the posterior side, it provides a comprehensive approach to core stabilization.

So, everyone can benefit from Foundation Training. “We spend so much of our time seated,” Maia

14 WAM • SPRING | 2013

“If you have a really strong core, you will be a stronger and healthier individual.” says, “and that—combined with poor posture and aging—leads to our muscles becoming weaker in general.”

The Foundation Training website offers information and helpful resources. “But people will ultimately learn how to perform the exercises in the best way possible for their individual bodies if they can take at least one private session first,” says Maia, who was one of only thirty people selected to participate in the first Foundation Training certification program in December 2012. She now offers both private and group sessions of Foundation Training.

“Without proper movement integrity and a strong core, the health and strength of your body will become compromised,” says Maia.

“You may become prone to injury or pain because you have dysfunctional movement or compensation patterns. But, if you have a really strong core, you will be a stronger and healthier individual.” foundationtraining.com

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UPF Apparel Protect your skin from cancer-causing, age-accelerating UV rays with these cute and functional pieces!

By Marleigh Hill Ibex OD Sophia Top. This 100 percent New Zealand Merino wool top boasts a relaxed, feminine fit and was made in the USA. This light, cool top features an adjustable and trendy tie at the hem plus a tapered waist, making it appropriate for a spring picnic or just hanging out at camp. $85; ibex.com

Horny Toad Sun Stripe Shirt. There is a lot to love about this shirt. This classic button down shirt boasts lightweight cotton material and a healthy dose of UPF protection. $70; hornytoad.com

With the Patagonia Solimar Skirt you get the best of both worlds. This cargo skirt is both adorable and offers UPF-30 sun protection. And the soft, wrinkle resistant, and fast drying material makes it the perfect travel skirt! $65; patagonia.com

16 WAM • SPRING | 2013

UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor and indicates the level of sun protection in the garment’s fabric.

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Exofficio Sol Cool Zippy. This is the perfect cover up for an adventure.

From the beach or boat to the trailhead, this zip-up will keep you cool and protected from the sun. The built-in hood and thumb holes are extra perks, along with the feminine cinching along the sides! $85; exofficio.com

Fabric made of merino wool offers great sun protection plus it’s moisture-wicking, stink-fighting, fast-drying, and odor-resistant.

In a nutshell, merino garments are absolutely essential in any active lady’s wardrobe!

Athleta Zanzibar Swim Tight. This pant offers sun protection in rash-guard form. Use it in the ocean this spring or summer when it’s too warm for a wetsuit. Its waistband lies flatteringly flat and won’t budge while you’re playing in the waves. Seams along the legs visually lengthen your girlish silhouette, too. $69; athleta.gap.com

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WAM • SPRING | 2013 17

w Tech Talk

Understanding Fly Fishing Gear Get What You Need and Learn How to Fish This Year

By Jennifer C. Olson

E

xpert fly fishing guide Aaron Abeyta owns a fisherman’s club with his brother, where he guides visitors of all skill levels. Here, he offers tips for getting started.

Julie Sprinkle—a fly fishing guide and the buyer for one Colorado fishing shop—provides her best gear-buying advice for female anglers.

Outfits: Starter kits are called outfits, and most major fly fishing gear companies offer good ones that end up being great bargains. “These fully loaded packs are priced to sell,” Aaron says.

“The difference between buying a complete outfit and buying everything separately is about $100.”

Rod: “A nine-foot, five-weight rod with the appropriate reel and a weight-forward floating line is a good, basic set-up that can be adapted to streams, rivers, and lakes without much hassle,” Julie says. Before you buy a rod, try out several, feeling for ease of use and the size and shape of the grip. Many shops have ponds out back specifically for this.

Reels: “Reels—at their most basic—just need to hold the line, take it in, then let it out smoothly and quickly,” Julie says. Most manufacturers offer plenty of options that’ll do that with prices starting around $50.

Fly line: The whole system is built around the line. “Since the fly is so light, the line is what enables it to cast out to where the fish are,” Julie says. “The rod is built to throw that line efficiently.” Most fly fishers use a weight-forward line, which makes it easier to weight the rod and cast the fly out. For beginners, a multipurpose line is best. “Really, they’ll all do the job and last a few seasons if you don’t drag them over rocks or get them horribly tangled in trees,” Julie says.

Leader: Since the line is too big to fit through the teensy tiny eye of most flies, you need to step down the diameter with a tapered leader: clear, supple monofilament that attaches to the line with a loop connector and tapers to a thin tip. Then comes the tippet. “You can tie the fly directly to the leader,” Julie says, “but every time you change flies, that tapered end backs further up into the thicker part of the leader, so it’s not quite so supple and doesn’t land your fly so gracefully and delicately when you cast. Since the leader is a six dollar piece of mono, we use tippet to make the connection instead.” Tippet is a single-diameter stretch of nylon or fluorocarbon monofilament that costs around $5 for 30 meters.

“When you tie that to the leader, then to the fly, you’re losing less money and less performance when you change or replace flies,” Julie explains.

18

WAM • SPRING | 2013

Backing: A typical fly line is only 90 feet long so anglers apply backing (line that goes on the reel first) in case a fish runs away with your line. “A really big fish could tear the line off your reel,” Aaron says, “so you’d lose your fish and your line, which could cost about eighty dollars. A fish big enough that it takes you into your backing is the Holy Grail!”

Flies: Match the hatch. “Flies catch more fishermen than they do fish,” Aaron says. So, in general, match the look of whatever bug is hatching at that particular time. “You want to use Stoneflies in May and early June, then some form of Blue-Winged Olive or some form of Drake, then Cattis. Stonefly imitation, mayfly imitation, and Cattis imitation,” Aaron lists, “that’s all you need.”

Flies usually run a couple of dollars each and you should always get at least two of each pattern.

“If you don’t, it’s almost guaranteed that the one fly that’s working like dynamite will be lost,” Julie says. Keep your flies in small, waterproof boxes lined with slotted foam.

Other must-haves: Hemostats (clamps) with smooth surfaces on the inside of the tips for pinching down barbs, nippers to cut your tippet, a box with flies appropriate to the area and conditions, small split shot (sinkers), a strike indicator (bobber ball), and a vest or waist pack.

Zingers: Essential for keeping your clamps and nippers, zingers are spring-loaded leashes that clip to your vest and to the tool. “The cable uncoils so you can draw out and use the tool, then retracts so you don’t drop it into the cold, rocky depths,” Julie says.

Waders: Julie suggests neoprene stockingfoot waders. “Simms Gore-Tex women’s waders are well-made (in Montana!) and dependably durable. Plus, their fit is extensively detailed and works for a wide range of sizes with custom footsize options,” Julie says.

Wading boots: “The ‘in’ thing is to have sticky rubber soles,” Aaron says. “Invasive species stay in felt soles, and you can spread them from one river to the next.” Sticky rubber is more eco-conscious if you’re fishing multiple rivers, but felt is stickier in the water, easier to wade in. The solution? “If you fish multiple rivers, get Vibram soles. If you fish the same river, use felt soles. Or, keep a pair of boots for your home water and a different pair for other rivers.”

“The best option for the health of the streams is sticky rubber with studs for mossy conditions,” Julie says. Simms offers a women’s boot

with a Vibram sole and multi-directional tread pattern with rubber-component tweaks designed for fly fishing. “Many women do find that the more-varied men’s options work for larger feet,” Julie says, “so don’t rule them out.”

Also bring with you to the river: • polarized sunglasses with keepers • broad-brimmed hat • sunblock • lightweight, sun-protecting gloves • a wading staff to help navigate the uneven depths Visit womensadventuremagazine.com for the full article, more tips, and a list of resources.

Our gear recommendations The new Carhartt for women Medford Jacket ($85) and Medford Bib ($65). carhartt.com Grab river-inspired accessories designed by artistic anglers from Montana Fly Co. montanafly.com Fishpond Chica Fishing Vest. $140; fishpondusa.com Redington Topo Outfit. This new outfit works well for beginner anglers, as it includes a fly rod in a case, an already spooled reel, a leader, a spare spool of tippet, a nipper to trim knots, and six flies—dry flies for trout fishing anywhere in the nation. $200; redington.com

Redington Women’s Sonic-Pro Waders. $380; redington.com

womensadventuremagazine.com

Tech Talk

Happy Feet Foot Care Tips for Active Women

By Casey Flynn

F

eet are the wheels of the body. Chore-runners, dog-chasers, road-racers, pedal-pushers—they are the foundation of an active life. If your feet are unhealthy or injured, all your daily activities become more difficult. For active women, foot care is essential to maintain a high quality of life and engage in adventure.

The body needs a solid base. “If the feet are not well-aligned or not comfortable, you’re going to have compensation and change occur up your entire body,” says Dr. Karen A. Langone, sports medicine podiatrist. “An unstable foot base is not going to allow the ankle, the knee, or the back to remain stable and function as well as it should function.”

Proper footwear selection for daily and active use promotes a healthy and stable foundation.

Look for good support and fit when choosing shoes. “Make sure you feel really comfortable right off the bat,” says Dr. Langone. If the shoe isn’t comfortable when you try it on, it is unlikely to get any more comfortable over time.

What you wear at home or at work determines how your feet feel when exercising. Highheels and narrow toe boxes common in women’s formal footwear can cause Achilles tendon problems and deformities like bunions and hammer toe, according to Dr. Alison J. Garten, podiatrist and Certified Pedorthist specializing in footwear and supportive devices for the feet. Flat, flexible shoes that give no arch support can bring about plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the tissue near the heel bone, and other injuries.

Shop at specialty stores for your sport where the staff is well trained, and let them know of any problems you’ve had in the past. Consider an evaluation from a podiatrist and custom insoles or orthotics if you have recurring problems.

Let’s take a look at some of the common issues for each sport and how to prevent them:

Running “When you run, you put twice the amount of body weight on your feet, joints, muscles, and nerves,” says Dr. Garten. A good running shoe can reduce the amount of pressure on your joints by 40–50 percent and lower the risk of overuse injuries like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and stress fractures in the feet.

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ods of time can cause hot foot, an impingement of the nerves in the ball of the foot that leads to burning pain, according to Dr. Langone. Avoid slim-fitting shoes that squeeze the ball of the foot and try insoles that have risers in the metatarsal area for prevention.

Swimming Cross-training brings balance to the feet and body, making runners less prone to injury.

“If you stick with one exercise, it can create an overuse syndrome because you’re not focusing on all the joints and the muscles of your feet. You’re only training them for that one specific activity,” Dr. Garten says. Ease into new sports gradually and allow your body to adapt to the new movements.

The growing popularity of barefoot and minimalist running has come with an increase in stress fractures and other foot problems. Education on proper use and running form helps reduce the chance of injury. Most people can incorporate minimalist footwear into their training, but it is important to work slowly through transitional shoe gear to a less supportive shoe over months or even years.

Hiking and Backpacking The added stresses from long days, uneven ground, and the weight of a pack require a more supportive shoe or boot with a solid shank. Try cushioning insoles to help diminish the high impact forces. When selecting a boot, bring a fully loaded pack and hiking socks into the store to mimic backpacking conditions.

Acute trauma, like twists and sprains, is more common when traveling on trails with a pack. “For hikers, I suggest stabilizing exercises for prevention,” says Dr. Nadia Levy, podiatrist at the Center for Podiatric Care and Sports Medicine. Stabilizing and strengthening the feet and ankles protect hikers when their bodies are stressed on rocky or uneven terrain, Dr. Levy says.

Cycling Switching from flat, platform pedals to clipless pedals or one with a toe cage helps to improve technique and reduce injury. “If you’re not locking your foot in, you’re creating a muscle imbalance in your legs, developing very strong quads and very tight hamstrings,” says Dr. Garten.

“That can end up causing knee problems as well as foot problems because you’re constantly pushing off and straining the ball of your foot.”

The intense pressure of a cyclist’s body weight bearing down onto the foot for long peri-

Swimming is a great cross-training and recovery activity because the stresses on the foot are very low. Avid swimmers can sometimes experience Achilles problems, bone bruises, and tendonitis from pushing off the wall too aggressively or from improper kick patterns.

Swimmers more commonly encounter skin issues like warts, athlete’s foot, or foot fungus from the moist pool environment. Minimize contact with the surface outside the pool by wearing sandals and be sure to wash your feet well after swimming and dry thoroughly between your toes.

Listen to your body. Try to avoid dramatic increases in training volumes and pushing through discomfort. If something starts to hurt, ask yourself, “What have I changed in my training? Did I run/bike/swim farther or faster than usual?” Ease off and allow yourself to recover.

If you do have an injury and your doctor tells you to refrain from your sport, don’t give up hope. “You might have to modify your activity level or change what activity you’re doing at that time until you can get back to doing the things you really love,” says Dr. Garten. “But don’t stop exercising.”

Cosmetic Care for Active Feet • Trim your nails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails. Keep the length even or behind the tip of your toe to prevent your toenails from hitting against the front of your shoe, which can damage the root.

• Stay away from over-the-counter corn removers. See a podiatrist to treat the cause of the problem.

• For pedicures, be sure that pedicurists use new or sterilized equipment, or bring your own. And don’t let them cut your cuticles, which are protective barriers for your nail.

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w I’m Proof I’m Proof That …

Even the Busiest of Us Can Climb Mountains for a Cause

By Katherine Maguid

L

ast year, single mother of four teenagers Angela Lieb was feeling particularly blessed to be raising healthy children and to be working in a career she loved as a real estate mergers and acquisitions specialist. So, she started looking for a challenge—a new and exciting goal to push herself further than ever before.

Then, at a business event, Angela heard Century 21 President and CEO Rick Davidson speak about his plans to climb two volcanoes in Mexico in an effort to raise money for children in need. She was intrigued. So, when Davidson invited Angela to participate, that was all it took.

She signed up to do this Climb for Kids and set a goal to raise funds for the Easter Seals’ Make the First Five Count campaign (easterseals.com) to engage the nation in early detection and treatment for the 1.45 million children under age five who enter school each year with learning and health issues.

“I’ve never climbed a mountain, but I am training to take on the Mexican volcanoes,” Angela wrote in her blog to garner support for the cause. Then she began preparing.

As a real estate professional and a single mom, Angela didn’t have copious amounts of time to train, and she had zero mountain climbing experience. Combine that with her concerns about spending the money to travel to Mexico, and the challenge was a daunting one.

“I have 100 percent financial and time custody of my kids, so that alone was a huge reason to not do the climb,” she explains. The rest of her teammates—married men— could spend multiple hours in the gym every day and take weekend hiking trips, but “I just couldn’t do

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Stomping Grounds: St. Louis, MO The Challenge: With no previous mountain climbing experience, to climb two of North America’s highest mountains located in Mexico: El Pico de Orizaba (18,800 feet) and Iztaccihuati (17,887 feet).

Lessons Learned: While there is no “I” in “team,” there is in “visionary.” In this situation, though, it took a great team and great leader to get up the mountain.

Moving Forward: Angela blogs about ways to take action in your business and personal life, so you can learn more about her at angelalieb.com.

that,” Angela says. “I had to trust that my body would get me there.”

Since she lives at sea level, there was no way for Angela to train for the altitude. She also has sports-induced asthma, so she stocked up on her inhalers and hoped for the best.

To get in shape for the climbing, Angela used the stair climber at her gym and filled the new pack she

bought for the climb with twenty pounds of weight during her hiking excursions. She ran in order to prepare herself for the endurance component of the climbs. On some days, she’d hoist her loaded pack and climb a set of 120 stairs near her mother’s house repeatedly. When traveling for work—a regular occurrence for her—Angela took every

opportunity to run and climb stairs wherever she could find them. While she knew her training regimen wasn’t at the level of the six men on her climbing team, she knew that she was strong enough to go.

Before she knew it, it was time for Angela to head off to Mexico where she summited Iztacchihuati (17,500 feet) and El Pico de Orizaba

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I’m Proof

“I was kind of like a starry-eyed kid.

And once I was at the end of the climb, I didn’t think I could ever do it again.”

(18,800 feet) within the span of a week.

“With the first mountain [Iztacchihuati], I didn’t know what I was getting into,” Angela said about their summit on November 29, 2012. “So I was kind of like a starry-eyed kid. And once I was at the end of the climb, I didn’t think I could ever do it again. It was just so physically and mentally hard.”

After climbing Iztacchihuati, the team rested for a day and then headed up El Pico de Orizaba. By then, Angela was feeling anxious.

“You know that this impending pain is going to come, but if you can get through the pain, you have this wonderful reward at the end,” she says. “I didn’t know if I could go through it again, but my team was really encouraging and said that the fact that I was even attempting to do it was more than most human beings will ever do.”

What Angela didn’t expect was the massive outpouring of support that she received from the

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2,600 people on Facebook and Twitter who had been following her training, climbing, and fundraising progress.

“That’s actually what motivated me to do the second climb,” she said. “I had posted about my weariness a little bit on Facebook after the first climb, and two ladies who had donated said, ‘Even if you’ve already donated, let’s give her more for climbing the second mountain!’”

From there, hundreds of people began cheering her on by sending her motivational messages, saying everything to the effect of “You can do it!” They wrote, “You’re my hero!” and “You’re an inspiration!”

For Angela, that made all the difference. Along with her virtual support system, Angela’s teammates enabled her to summit each climb.

“I never would have done it if I didn’t have a team,” she said.

“In this situation, it took a great team and great leader to get up the mountain. I found that if I was behind the guide at the front of the line and had my six teammates behind me, I wouldn’t stop.

When I thought I just couldn’t do it, they’d make me keep going. The guide kept telling me, ‘Confidence, Angela, confidence!’”

Angela’s confidence and perseverance paid off and she successfully summited both mountains with her team. She says that conquering the challenge of climbing two of North America’s highest peaks was nothing short of amazing. The challenge showed her that nothing is impossible.

VOLUNTEERonADVENTURES the CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL We provide the leadership, great food, tools, safety gear and incredible views.

You bring your personal camping gear, camera and an attitude for adventure!

(Oh yeah, did we mention that our projects are free?)

Trail projects are a great way to give back, stay active, meet new people and explore a new area. From easy to more difficult, there is a perfect project for YOU this summer.

Check out 2013 CDT Montana trail projects and register online today at

www.cdtmontana.org

You can also contact Montana Wilderness Association staff at 406.781.0627.

If you are looking for a unique adventure — perhaps exploring ancient ruins in Peru or kayaking in Québec — www.adventure.travel is your guide for physical, cultural and nature-based adventure travel world-wide.

POWERED BY

All tours are operated by members of the global Adventure Travel Trade Association

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travel

Hotel Homebase

Fredericksburg, Texas HOTEL HOMEBASE

Considered the cycling capital of Texas, Hill Country spreads out a lush welcome mat of cheery bluebonnets each spring.

Kick back in a rustic cabin, inn, or guesthouse in the historic town of Fredericksburg to recharge your batteries among the bountiful blooms of the Texas countryside.

GIGI RAGLAND

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Hotel Homebase

W HY VISI T

Warm western hospitality flows deep in the heart of Hill Country, where you will be treated to panoramic vistas of the area’s rolling hills and wildflower-carpeted meadows along with some surprising rocky features topping out the terrain. The old-world feel of German-influenced Fredericksburg combined with Texas cowboy charm will keep you entertained between full days of outdoor adventures. visitfredericksburgtx.com CULTURE

“Willkommen, y’all!” Don’t be surprised if you hear a friendly local greet you with this sort of Texas-German lingo. Fredericksburg was settled by German pioneers more than 160 years ago and named after Prince Frederick of Prussia. From the architecture, music, and festivals to even the bier and brats, the area is infused with old-world flavor. Plus, Texas Wine Country lies right outside town and country music honky-tonks offer options to liven up the evenings. texaswinetrail.com OUTDOOR SPORTS

Road cycling, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, and trail running.

LANDSCAPE

Just 70 miles northwest of San Antonio and 80 miles west of Austin, Fredericksburg is far enough away from the crowds but still conveniently less than a two-hour drive from either big city. Winding roads lead to picturesque villages and state parks with miles of rolling hills in between. Cutting through ranches and farmland are narrow rivers and quiet creeks bearing names that belong in country-western songs, like the The Llano, Blanco, Guadalupe, and Honey Creek.

TEMPERATURE

Spring temperatures range from the mid-60s to mid-70s during the day with 50-degree averages at night. Expect spring showers from April to June.

NEAREST AIRPORT

San Antonio International or Austin International Airport.

By Gigi Ragland

P

ack your boots (cowgirl style!), rustle up your biking, hiking, and climbing gear then head for the hills, as in Texas Hill Country.

Texas is known for all things big in size. After all, it is the second biggest state in the Union. But there is more than meets the eye in this land of big hair, big steaks, and big trucks. Go beyond the cities and you will see what has drawn so many pioneers to settle in Gillespie County, a gem of rolling hills in a state better known for its expansive pancake-flat landscape.

While the settlers might have used horses and covered wagons to get around, it is probably best to rent a car at the airport because— depending on the activities you choose—you’ll likely have to cover long distances to the trailheads and climbing spots. Having a car will allow you freedom to roam beyond Fredericksburg into the far reaches of Gillespie County. Plus, you will definitely need to give those cowgirl boots a work out in the “blink and you’ll miss it” tiny town of Luckenbach, Texas. Originally a trading post in 1849, it’s where you can dance to some of the best twosteppin’ country music in Texas.

Stroll along Fredericksburg’s Haupstrasse (the town’s main street) and observe the fine gingerbread cutouts and wrought iron details of the buildings, influenced architecturally by nineteenth-century German settlers. You will see evidence of a proud heritage alive and well in daily life today, including Germanstyle biergartens, which offer a fine way to pass the afternoon after an über hike or bike ride.

Unique to Fredericksburg are Sunday Houses. Long ago, on weekends, farming and ranching families came into town to go to church, shop, and visit the community hall for meetings or festivities.

They built small two-story houses (Sunday Houses) to overnight in town while on their weekly trips.

Some of the guesthouses offered to tourists today are modeled after the charming limestone or wooden structures of that time period.

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travel

Hotel Homebase

Retreats with chic style, like Sunday Houses, are a specialty in this part of Texas and they serve well as Hotel Homebases, too. Here are our picks for enjoying sunsets from the porch after a day in the outdoors.

Town Creek Log Cabin O NE -S TORY CAB I N

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tep back in time while bunking at this reconstructed 150-year-old Kentucky log cabin one block from the historic Haupstrasse. There’s something about a rocker on a porch that lulls you into relax mode. And, luckily, this in-town hideaway’s backyard faces a creek and a neatly maintained herb and flower garden. Cozy up on the leather sofa across from the fireplace with a book and glass of local wine or bier. Then, enjoy a night of sweet dreams on the shabby chic queen bed. From $135. fbglodging.com

The shop’s website (hillcountrybicycle. com) offers info about group rides and links to trail maps. For more route maps, check out cycletexas.com and texasvelo.com.

ROAD BIKING Fredericksburg offers a bounty of local rides to please every level of cyclist. We recommend you patronize local bike shops and ask about local cycling clubs or suggested rides. Hill Country Bicycles sells a sweet lineup of riding gear and also rents Specialized road bikes, fitness hybrids, and Electra Townies.

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Explore more Hill Country trails in Pedernales Falls State Park and the Hill Country State Natural Area. mountainbiketx.com

GIGI RAGLAND, GASTEHAUS SCHMIDT

HIKING An abundance of private and state parks offer dozens of hiking trails in the area. You can explore along creek beds and rivers, in meadows full of wildflowers, or on nature paths. Plus, you can hike to heritage sites, like the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site, and wander in woodlands, picnicking wherever you chose. There’s something for everyone. visitfredericksburgtx.com/attractionsactivities/parks/

MOUNTAIN BIKING Numerous parks in Gillespie County feature mountain bike trails but, for some serious cross-country riding, spend a day at Flat Rock Ranch. This mostly singletrack trail system is privately owned by Jimmy and Terri Dreiss, who cut, carved, and designed every trail. The ranch—a labor of love, sweat, and possibly tears (while in the saddle!)—has been in the family for more than 100 years and now raises Black Angus cattle and Angora goats. Chances are, you will see some of the bovines and their furry friends grazing out in the pastures and on rocky ridges. The trails challenge the best of mountain bikers with grinding climbs, long downhill sections, and technical singletrack, along with several creek crossings. The five-mile No Sweat Loop is good for families, and laps on the 11-mile Upper Loop or 15-mile Lower Loop will satisfy intermediate and advanced riders. Races like The Texas Chainring Massacre 6-Hour Race, The Guts-N-Glory 12-Hour Endurance Ride, and the STORM (South Texas Off-

Road Mountain Bikers) Hill Country MTB Challenge have taken place there. So you’re sure to experience adventure on these 27 miles of rugged trail. Single day riding passes cost $7, and a camping and riding pass costs $10. (Night rides are allowed and encouraged!) flatrockranch.net

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Cyclismo B ED A ND B REA KFA S T

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he owner of this two-suite, Victorian bed and breakfast is an avid cyclist who can recommend riding options in the area.

Who knows, maybe he’ll even invite you out for a spin and show you the sights! The bed and breakfast offers storage for bikes if you bring your own. The ground-floor unit boasts a deck perfect for noshing on local baked goods for breakfast, while the upper level features a balcony where you can sip your morning coffee before heading out on a bike ride or run. Each kitchen is stocked with local beers, wine, and chocolate.

You’ll enjoy all the homey touches in these contemporary suites located two blocks from historic Haupstrasse. From $125. fbglodging.com

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Hotel Homebase

Palo Alto Creek Farm FOU R GU E ST H O US ES

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his charming farmstead was first settled in 1854 by a German immigrant for his bride, but the hilltop property near Palo Alto Creek still evokes a sense of timelessness. All the limestone buildings are original and have been lovingly restored to accommodate guests in style. The four buildings: The Barn, The Hideaway, The Log Cabin, and The Itz House each have their own personality plus fully equipped kitchens, whirlpool tubs, and fireplaces. Each guesthouse is exquisitely decorated with local furnishings, artwork, and antiques without looking kitschy. The resident goats and cattle are apt to crowd the fence to get a better look as you enter the long gravel driveway. But they add to the country charm of this peaceful retreat where you will truly feel like you are getting away from it all— even though you are only a few miles from town. From $140. paloaltocreekfarm.com

STEVE RAWLS

ROCK CLIMBING A hot spot for learning to climb, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area draws lots of beginner rock climbers and ardent technical climbers. In Hill Country, it is the premier place to rock climb. The 425-foot pink granite dome covers 640 acres and is a magical place at 1,825 feet above sea level. The entire natural area encompasses 1,643 acres on Big Sandy Creek and features interesting hiking trails as well, including the four-mile Loop Trail circling the park. Plan to hike the Summit Trail, which climbs 425 feet in just over half a mile, for great views from the top of Enchanted Rock. Peak season in the park runs from March to June because it’s when views are the prettiest, thanks to abundant blooming wildflowers coloring the valley floor. The park’s website lists outfitters and guide services that provide guided rock climbing activities, lessons, weekend clinics, and more. tpwd.state.tx.us/ state-parks/enchanted-rock TRY SOMETHING NEW Volkssport For something new, try European “volkssporting,” an organized, noncompetitive walk, run, or bike ride that is meant to be social, scenic, and relatively short. Fredericksburg started the first organized Volkssport club in the U.S. ava.org SPECIAL EVENT Texas Flower Country Women’s 5K/10K Run Sign up for the May 11, 2013, run that starts and finishes at Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg. The loop takes runners through more than 200 acres of

bluebonnets, black-eyed susans, and poppies along the Pedernales River and back to Wildseed Farms on a flat, non-technical dirt path. runintexas.com/ flower

DID YOU KNOW? President Lyndon B. Johnson grew up in Texas Hill Country on a farm overlooking the Pedernales River. The historic Wilderness Act he signed in 1964 was set to protect and preserve the nation’s wild places. Take a look at what he said then and ponder whether it still rings true today: “If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them something more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it.”

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Travel Trends

To retreat or not to retreat Do our to-do lists drive us? Or do we drive them?

By Eva Hathaway

I

26 WAM • SPRING | 2013

My desire to try new things, lest I miss out on the discovery of a new passion, won out over my original do-nothing attitude. I couldn’t resist the lure of the equine experience and the promise that, despite my fear of horses, I too could learn the secrets of horse whispering in just a few hours.

At the stable, resident cowgirl Betsy led us through the process of brushing down our horses before saddling them up. She explained that care taking is where a real relationship with a horse begins, and it is the step usually skipped by casual trail riders. “Be honest with yourselves and own up to whatever feelings come up, including fear and nervousness,” Betsy counseled us. “Horses read and respond to feelings and thoughts, so it’s no use trying to fool them.”

My horse Red looked ready to fall asleep on his feet. I wondered if he could tell that I was thinking about the last time I had ridden a horse, when I’d been thrown off into a hornet’s nest and stung more times than I cared to count. I’m sure you understand my trepidation, I thought.

I soon found myself alone with Red in the round pen, whip in hand. I wasn’t supposed to touch him with it, just use it to get him to follow my lead. He looked at me sidelong, sizing me up.

It didn’t look like he trusted me as far as he could buck me.

Betsy called directions from the sidelines. I was to walk him around the pen and lead from my belly button toward his tail, never passing his shoulder. If I sped up, he should speed up. If I slowed down, he should slow down. I was only to move in front of him if I wanted him to change direction.

I could easily get Red to change direction but, when I tried to get him to speed up, he continued to plod along slowly. Frustration crept in. Being a perfectionist, I wanted to be good at this immediately, never mind that I had no previous experience. I wanted to be able to execute the directions on the first try, and found myself thinking more about what wasn’t happening between Red and me than what was.

Jody, resident cowboy and rodeo champ, called out from where he stood leaning against the fence, “Slow down and pay attention.” He had a point. I needed to stop listening to my inner voice reprimanding me for not getting it all right away, and just focus on Red. I took a deep breath. Red was my mirror, expressing my feelings of agitation to the world.

I allowed us to go at Red’s plodding pace for a few more minutes, practiced switching directions, and forgot about trying to speed up.

When I felt ready, I stopped in the middle of the

womensadventuremagazine.com

TRAVAASA EXPERIENTIAL RESORTS

suffer from an affliction that I am sure many active modern women share—the inability to slow down. Most of my days are scheduled with back-to-back activities beginning early in the morning and lasting well into the evening. I find myself rushing through the day, thinking ahead to the next task, rather than giving my full attention to the one at hand. I hardly find enough time to sleep, let alone engage in self-care activities such as yoga or meditation. The closest I may get is the occasional collapse on the couch in front of the TV at the end of the day, more of a capitulation to exhaustion than an intentional act of relaxation and rejuvenation. In these moments, I question the health and wisdom of living life on the go. I wonder, in my frantic rush through life, have I lost sight of how to be in the moment? By trying to do more, am I actually accomplishing less?

At the height of stress, I’m the kind of girl who dreams of getting away from it all, preferably to a place with plenty of sun, lounge chairs, and paper umbrella–adorned cocktails. I want to be lazy in the best sense of the word. I want to lie around with a good book and—for at least one whole day—not allow thoughts of my ever expanding “to do” list disturb my tranquil state of mind.

I thought that a weekend away at Travaasa Spa and Resort, nestled in the Hill Country outside of Austin, Texas, would provide the perfect opportunity for total, guilt-free relaxation.

As I traveled up the resort’s driveway through the dry landscape accented with bright wildflowers and the spiky rays of agave plants, I felt ready for two days of communing with the cicadas, eating gourmet food, and drinking wine on the terrace overlooking Lake Travis, topped off with an indulgent massage at the spa.

As it turns out, that wasn’t going to be as easy as I expected. During check-in I was directed to the activities board, where I discovered that at Travaasa one could do a sunrise hike, yoga and meditation class, and the Outward Bound Challenge course—all before lunch, followed by wine tasting, juicing, archery, and mechanical bull riding. My mind was already busy over-scheduling myself for the weekend. I was like a gambler who had walked into a casino on the pretense of using the bathroom. The temptation was too great.

Total relaxation looked less and less likely.

TRAVAASA EXPERIENTIAL RESORTS, STEPHANIE PEARSON

travel

Travel Trends

ring. I lay the whip down in the dirt, and stood with my arms at my sides, empty palms turned toward Red to communicate that I was ready for the join-up.

“Wait for the sign,” Betsy said. “Red will look at you three times, then you know that he trusts you.” After the third glance, I moved to him, touched his cheek and neck. Then I turned and started to walk. He followed, just off my shoulder. I stopped, he stopped.

I walked, he walked. It was as if an invisible lead rope connected us. We had formed a bond of trust.

I took the lesson of this experience to heart. If I had continued to push for speed and perfection in every element on the first try, it’s likely that I would have ended up frustrated and disappointed at my failure to make a meaningful connection with Red. Instead, I went slower, I focused on what was working, I paid attention to the cues he gave me, and as a reward he demonstrated that he trusted me as a leader.

Later that evening, I tried to apply the same principles to mechanical bull riding, another first for me. I found that it required complete presence of mind—lose concentration and focus for one second and you’re on your ass. I couldn’t think about anything besides being instantly responsive to the bull’s movements, maintaining balance, leaning away from the bull’s movements. I focused only on the goal of staying on.

I think I lasted 20 seconds before I missed a cue and fell off. It was a small victory—20 seconds of uninterrupted concentration on the task at hand, but I was still clearly a long way from being any type of cowgirl.

My weekend at Travaasa reminded me that you are who you are, wherever you are, and I am a person who feels compelled, for better or for worse, to participate when there is activity.

Since I couldn’t escape my compulsion to do something, I tried to choose healthy, mindful activities that encouraged slowing down, such as guided meditation, serenity stretch, and a Willie Nelson-themed massage. It felt good, but I also struggled. My mind wandered back to my “to do” list during these quiet activities, and I found myself repeating Jody’s words as a mantra—slow down and pay attention.

I would love to say that after this experience I came home and radically changed my lifestyle

habits, but that would be untrue. I continue to over-commit and wear myself thin, but I have noticed some slight shifts in the way that I engage with activities, reminding myself to be more present and aware. The schedule for the yoga studio down the street from my house is hanging on my fridge, and although I haven’t yet gone to a class, I have the best intentions of doing so. I started listening to a CD of guided meditations and deep relaxation to give myself at least a few minutes of stillness during the day. Little by little, I move toward the goal of a healthier balance that allows for both activity and self-care.

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travel

Travel Pro Q&A

Storytelling for a Healthier World Explore the Story of Our Water Planet with Alexandra Cousteau

By Gigi Ragland

G

randdaughter of the renowned ocean pioneer and conservation activist Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Alexandra Cousteau continues the Cousteau family legacy that is linked with the exploration, discovery, and protection of our oceans and rivers. Her passion for the all things water began at a young age, maybe even before her grandfather taught her to scuba dive at just seven years old. But it has continued into her adult life, where she has—among other accomplishments—founded The Blue Legacy International to “tell the story of our water planet and shape society’s dialogue” to include water as a defining issue. The foundation aims to educate and excite the public about critical water issues by creating and distributing short films, blogs, and images through the lens of watershed-first thinking with the purpose of engaging and spurring to action a global audience. www.alexandracousteau.org

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segments. No film is more than 10 minutes. Our hope is that, because we are distributing them through a network of media partners online, people will share them with their spheres of influence: their families and friends. And that, as we tell the story of their community, the people will continue spreading that story and shape the conversation around water and the issues that they face. We also make our content available for free to non-profits so they can continue the narrative after we’re gone. That is really important.

What sort of traveler do you expect on the new Blue Legacy trips?

The travel series that we offer is an opportunity to take people to extraordinary water places and help them understand water in that context so they become advocates in their own right. So many people have wanted to join our expeditions, but I’ve always had a really strict rule prohibiting tourism on expedition because, frankly, we are there to work. Filmmaking can be really boring for a casual observer because it takes so long to set up, break things down, and find the spot. It’s not compatible with tourism.

But there were so many requests so I thought we should give it a try. It’s a great way to help raise money for the organization and give people once-in-a-lifetime experiences in really important water places. Hopefully these experiences will help travelers understand this world and become water advocates in their own communities.

How can people be more conscientious?

It’s really easy. People always hear advice like, “turn off the tap,” while you are brushing your teeth. It’s a great thing to do but our participation on the issue doesn’t end there. Find out what watershed you live in; learn where your water comes from and what happens to it as it flows through your life and community; and note who lives downstream from you. Reach out to a local

water conservation group or Waterkeeper group and ask them about these things. They will tell you how to be involved in meaningful ways to protect the water in your community. I find that it becomes a really exciting way for people to— instead of thinking of conservation as a chore— build their communities, be involved, meet like-minded people, get their kids outside, and do something fun. Involvement makes you feel like you are making the place where you live better.

What other organizations do you recommend our readers check out?

The Waterkeeper Alliance (waterkeeper.org) and the River Network (rivernetwork.org) have umbrella organizations that bring together water conservation groups across North America, so those are good places to start. Find your local Waterkeeper group. Also, I am a senior advisor with Oceana, and I really like their approach.

So, people interested in ocean issues should check out oceana.org.

The Blue Legacy Travel Series If you have ever wanted to stand in the footsteps or even swim near the fins of a Cousteau, now is your chance. Alexandra Cousteau and her expedition team have developed a new travel series that will offer adventurous globetrotters the opportunity to experience places where water is the centerpiece for understanding the environment. The first trip in the series takes place in the Okavango Delta of Botswana, April 19–29, 2014. This hidden oasis at the edge of the Kalahari desert is inhabited by a great variety of wildlife, including zebras, elephants, giraffes, lions, crocodiles, and more. Other trips are in the works. alexandracousteau.org/travel

womensadventuremagazine.com

© BLUE LEGACY/OSCAR DURAND

Describe when you first realized the importance of watersheds.

As a child I spent lots of time around tide pools, creeks, and rivers catching tadpoles and frogs and understood the value of those places instinctively.

I grew up traveling but even after college spent a lot of time working and understanding environmental issues all over the world. But it wasn’t until a 2009 global expedition and 2010 U.S. expedition that I truly understood how important it is to approach water issues through the lens of watersheds.

Explain “watershed-first thinking” for us.

Watershed-first thinking is looking at the systems as a whole. A healthy watershed provides a lot of environmental services. It stores water in wetlands and buffer zones; it purifies the water and releases the water back into the rivers and environment.

And, in a world where our watersheds are increasingly impacted and fragmented, we are eliminating those buffer zones: We are taking away the forests and wetlands, and we are channeling the rivers. We are experiencing a degradation of the quantity of water that our culture is used to and the quality of water that we need for fishing, drinking, and even swimming, and we are wondering why. But when we destroy our watersheds, we destroy the system that provides us with water quality and quantity.

What about climate change?

Climate change is like a gas pedal on those issues.

So I am traveling to the States to look at the Colorado River, which doesn’t reach the sea; at the Mississippi, which ends in a dead zone; and at countless smaller watersheds across the country.

What can people expect from your films?

Our films and advocacy projects are centered on communities facing challenges and the solutions that they find. Those are the stories we tell through film and photography and short

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travel

Travel Musts

New Things for Spring

By Gigi Ragland Lowepro Photo Hatchback The Possibilities:

Joby GripTight Micro Stand The Possibilities:

Travelers who like to Skype or Facetime friends and family across the globe will appreciate this sturdy little stand. Set your iPhone or compatible smart phone in its grippy arms for steady, hands-free video calls and long-distance chats.

The Goods: The tiny tripod is light, compact, and durable. Only 3.2 inches long when folded, the GripTight Micro Stand easily tucks into your pocket or hangs on your keychain for greater portability. $30; joby.com

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AblePlanet Travelers’ Choice Sound Isolation Earphones The Possibilities:

Amateur and professional photographers with pricey equipment can breathe a sigh of relief— finally an outdoor heavy-duty backpack made especially for them! Lowepro’s hatchback is roomy enough to stash a tablet, a jacket, and other small items in addition to your coveted camera gear. Safely stow your complete camera kit in the removable, padded box.

The Goods: Adjustable to allow a custom fit, the pack features expandable shoulder straps for big loads and a webbed side handle, too. There’s even a dedicated memory card stash pocket! A built-in storm cover protects gear from the elements. Available in two sizes: 16L and 22L. From $100; lowepro.com

Tune out noisy neighbors during your bus commute or airplane ride.

Pop these little gems in your ears and enter a world of sound that’s designed by you—not by the surrounding traffic or squealing babies. These earphones cancel out the unwanted noise so you can listen to music or movies in uncommon clarity.

The Goods: Select from three sound-isolation ear-tip pieces for the most comfortable fit. And choose a pair to match your style. These earphones come in eight bright hues, like our favorite: metallic purple. The in-wire controls are easy to use.

Compatible with most Apple products, MP3players, and smart phones. $60; ableplanet.com

Ways to Bike Switzerland

The inventive Swiss have developed all kinds of ways to access mountain villages, the backcountry of the Alps, and distant cities. Sure, you can take the timely trains and hike from hut to hut, but bike touring puts a whole new spin on exploring the canton (province) of your choice.

By Gigi Ragland

1) Kickbike in Zermatt

ELLEN BARONE, SWITZERLANDMOBILITY

While you wouldn’t kick your way up the Matterhorn, you can certainly descend neighboring mountain trails and catch some stunning views while flying down to the village of Zermatt on these adult-sized scooters. The front of each kickbike is fitted with a knobby fat front tire and set up with mountain bike brakes to slow you down efficiently.

Rentals from Sunnegga Valley Station come with helmets. Adults 18 CHF. zermatt.ch

2) Electro-Bike Emmental This might seem like the cheater’s way of bike riding uphill. It’s not. For day touring, the added zip from the e-bike’s powerful but quiet motor gives you a little boost just when you need it. There’s even a tandem electrobike up for rent! Rentals start at 40 CHF. emmental.ch/en

3) TrottiBike in Grindelwald

Discover more about Switzerland’s abundant adventure opportunities at myswitzerland.com.

Just a snowball’s throw from Interlaken and tucked in the Alps within the Jungrau Region is the pretty village of Grindelwald, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most mountaineers pass through on their way up to the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. If you want to experience the Alps in a unique way, try a scooter bike ride into Grindelwald. Start by taking the aerial cableway from the village up to Bort Station. From there, enjoy your speedy scooter ride down asphalt paths back to town. This activity is available between May 4th and October 20th this year. jungfrau.ch/en; grindelwald.ch

4) Urban Cycling

Rental bike stations are located all over Switzerland’s cities and larger village train stations.

You can cruise the city streets and beyond. The best part: You can return the bike at any of the hundred Rent-a-Bike locations across Switzerland.

The city of Zurich is a main hub for travelers, making it a great starting point for bike touring and urban exploring. The Zurich HB station rents out touring, mountain, and children’s bikes, along with the ever-popular e-bikes. rentabike.ch

5)

SwitzerlandMobility Routes The SwitzerlandMobility Network designed a sign-posted trail system for active non-motorized traffic throughout the entire country, specifically for hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, inline skating, and canoeing. You can virtually begin a human-powered tour from your fly-in city, start off road cycling, continue on foot, then canoe to your next stop, and mountain bike to the finish point. SwissTrails is the preferred operator for all national routes. schweizmobil.ch/en/welcome.cfm; swisstrails.ch WAM • SPRING | 2013 29

travel

On The Map

Experience the natural wonders of Iceland this May with an early season photographic vacation that will combine the iconic sights of southern Iceland with some of the lesser-visited locations. Some of the highlights of the Iceland Photography Vacation: Glaciers, Volcanoes & Waterfalls include— as you might’ve guessed—glacial landscapes, geothermal wonders, volcanic phenomena, icebergs, basalt rock architecture, black beach, wildlife, and flowers. responsiblevacation.com/ vacation/3416/iceland-photographyvacation-glaciers-volcanoes-andwaterfalls

Add these travel opportunities to your life list.

By Katherine Maguid

Alaska

Join World Extreme Skiing champion, Kim Reichhelm, at her ski camp based out of Alaska’s Tordrillo Mountain Lodge, where you will not only have the opportunity to heli-ski, but also to enjoy the local fishing. Though many of Kim Reichhelm’s Ski Adventures are for women only, this one is co-ed. Reichhelm’s unique ski camps are custom-tailored to the ability levels of the participants and take place all around the world, so if you can’t make this camp (June 12–18, 2013), then try one in Colorado, Utah, British Columbia, or Chile. skiwithkim.com

USA

Florida

BIC Sport announces the launch of the new international BIC SUP One Design Challenge this March. All competitors use the same standup paddleboard in a variety of race situations and follow one guiding principle: to have a fun and friendly competition without the equipment ‘arms race.’ bicsuponedesign.com

Galapagos

Join Wellfit Institute founder Jill Wheeler at her Wellness On The Water Retreat (May 2-5, 2013) in Naples, Florida. During this allwomen’s getaway, you can enjoy daily yoga and meditation, standup paddleboarding, water and outdoor fitness sessions, and delicious fare— not to mention the company of other women up for adventure and self-discovery. wellfitinstitute.com

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Ever dream of swimming with sea turtles in the Galapagos Islands or beluga whales in the Arctic? If so, try a Wildlife Expedition through Shedd Aquarium. Chicago’s prestigious Shedd Aquarium seeks adventurous adults to participate in wildlife expeditions across the globe. Trip participants will immerse themselves in the beauty and natural habitats of sea animals and learn about conservation efforts in each of the exotic locations. Our picks: Galapagos: Exploring Darwin’s Enchanted Isles (April 19–28, 2013) and Churchill: Belugas and the Arctic Summer (August 5–13, 2013). sheddaquarium.org/4351.html

Iceland

Brazil

Through voluntourism in Rio de Janeiro with Iko Poran, you’ll make a real difference to others and learn about the culture of Rio de Janeiro. Iko Poran brings international volunteers to unique communities where people share their valuable skills and experience with those in need. This program is ideal for those wishing to become partners in a development project. Summer 2013. govoluntouring.com

womensadventuremagazine.com

travel

On The Map

If you’ve ever dreamed of cycling across all or one of the world’s seven continents, then this is your chance to ride through at least six of them. If riding across a continent hadn’t occurred to you as possible (or fun), then read on!

Join the 7 Epics Cycling Challenge for an experience that will test every fiber of your being. Tour d’Afrique Ltd. offers trans-continental bike tours on six continents. If you complete the set they call the 7Epics, then you will have cycled about 38,000 miles. The company’s original expedition covers almost 7,500 miles in four months and goes from Cairo to Cape Town. But, whether you have ten days or four months to travel by bike, Tour d’Afrique has a tour waiting for you. tourdafrique.com

Ever dream of exploring the former empire of Genghis Khan and home of the Gobi Desert? Then the Mongolia Eagle Festival (September 30-October 12) is for you. Join AdventureWomen for a journey through time across mountainous and desert landscapes. Your adventure will begin in the Bayan-Uglii Province at the Golden Eagle Festival then continue on through the Gobi Desert, the sand dunes of Moltsog Els, and the Flaming Cliffs. adventurewomen.com

Mongolia

Nepal Egypt

South Africa

The UCI World Cup circuit stops briefly in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, for the 2013 Mountain Bike World Championships (August 26–September 1, 2013). If you travel there to watch the UCI World Cup cross-country and downhill events in this area recognized as a hotspot for cycling, you’ll probably get first-class treatment.

The KwaZulu-Natal government in Pietermaritzburg throws itself behind this exciting event and looks forward to hosting amazing athletes and supporters alike. uci.ch

Big City Mountaineers’ unique Summit for Someone program gives participants a chance to travel, climb the world’s premier mountains, and make a difference in the lives of under-resourced urban youth. Explore Everest Basecamp, Aconcagua, and Ecuador or take part in one of their many other climbs. Each expedition is led by professional guide services that will enable firsttime summiteers as well as experienced mountaineers to fully enjoy this extraordinary opportunity. bigcitymountaineers.org/summit-for-someone

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KRYSTLE WRIGHT

“The funniest moment of the shoot with Emily,” photographer Krystle Wright says,“was when we car camped overnight between shooting at the arch. I teased Emily about beeping the horn in morning, because she was sleeping on a mat in front of the car while I slept in the back seat. By sheer accident at 5:30 a.m., I set off the car alarm. Thankfully, we both laughed about it!”

PHOTO CREDIT

aspir

a Beyond

Wreck Diving, For the Truly Adventurous At what point does something uncomfortable, something that makes you anxious, something that could land you in the morgue turn into something you must do?

By Ashley and Jennifer C. Olson

ASHLEY: My dive cert experience started with a United States Air Force Academy P.E. class, where we teased the underclassmen having swim class above us in the pool and played underwater hockey as our final class activity! Our teacher was an ex-special operations guy who did some crazy 34 WAM • SPRING | 2013

This coral reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary off Key Largo is part of the only contiguous coral barrier reef in North America. (and probably top secret) missions for the Army involving scuba. Academics are taken seriously at USAFA, so I had the essential knowledge down pat.

I completed my certification at Blue Hole in Santa Rose, NM, a lake 80 feet in diameter and 80 feet deep. The water is constantly circulated at a rate of 3,000 gallons per minute, which means it is fully circulated every three minutes, making the water almost completely clear. Blue Hole stays a constant 64 degrees year round. While there, I did four dives to complete the requirements for an Open Water Certification and looked forward to diving with Jenn ever since!

Because Jenn organized everything, I tried to go with the flow and didn’t research much about diving in the Keys. I actually had no idea Jenn was so nervous for our first dive and figured she’d be fine since she got certified in the ocean. I guess I didn’t think through the possible dangers of diving so didn’t, and actually still don’t, understand her nervousness. I’d only been in a pool and lake so was a little uncertain about diving in actual open water. But I felt confident in my own abilities and knew we’d be with experienced instructors, so I wasn’t worried about our safety. Maybe I should have been womensadventuremagazine.com

BOB CARE/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU

JENNIFER: My sister and I arrived at Captain Slate’s Atlantis Dive Center in Key Largo an hour early. The shop guys at the computers were confused about why we checked in for our dive so early, but no matter. They directed us next door to a tiny pub, where we pounded iced tea and stared at each other. We were doing that silly thing grown women do when they each think the other is being a bitch—pout and stubbornly practice the silent treatment. In the photo I took of Ashley sipping her tea, she looks annoyed. But, we were about to head off into the deep blue with only each other for guidance and protection. We had to be cordial. And, even when she is driving me nuts, high-risk situations are good reminders that I love her. She’s my baby sister.

Ashley completed her dive certification last spring, and I’d finished mine a year earlier— filling my dive log with everything from night dives to wreck dives almost immediately. But, it’d been more than a year since I’d last donned scuba gear, and we were tackling a pretty extreme dive for a newbie paired with someone who might or might not remember how to inflate her BCD. So, I was nervous.

She thought my nervousness was ridiculous.

That’s why she was pissed off. But, until after our dive that day, I didn’t realize how much she underestimated the risk.

Still, we had planned this trip exclusively to scuba dive, and we chose the Florida Keys—aside from the area’s warm, clear water—for its pristine shipwrecks open for exploration. That day, we would explore the Spiegel Grove.

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more sympathetic, but sometimes it’s better to ignore feelings like that because talking about them only makes anxiety worse.

Besides, during the drive from our vacation rental in Marathon to Key Largo, I wasn’t thinking about the dive at all. I was being an arrogant little bitch. Fresh out of the Academy, I felt like I was entitled to what I imaged would be a perfect life, but instead my life felt hard. I was tired of pretending like everything was perfect when it was obvious that my dad—ill with cancer—was not OK and that the long-term relationship with my boyfriend I wanted so badly to work out was falling apart. I was oblivious to Jenn’s apprehension about the dive.

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J: Back at Captain Slate’s, we got geared up, asking for full wetsuits and making sure our fins fit just right. We tested our masks for secure seals, loaded up the boat, and checked our air gauges.

On board, we realized that our captain was the dive shop owner and all the other passengers were certified dive masters!

Captain Slate started up the boat and we headed out over John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (floridastateparks.org/pennekamp)—the world’s oldest underseas park—toward the Spiegel Grove (spiegelgrove.com, fla-keys.com/spiegelgrove), which is six miles offshore. One of the guides showed us a map of the wreck and explained what to expect. “Now at about a hundred feet, we’ll see …” he was saying, but he lost me there.

One hundred feet! The deepest I’d ever been was 82 feet, and that was by accident.

My sister—who’d only ever completed dives at Blue Hole and had been no deeper than 60 feet—was unfazed.

A: I was super excited to dive once we loaded the gear and met everyone. I knew we would be diving a wreck but didn’t know much more about it. I was stoked to learn that it was a former Navy ship sunk on purpose to create a coral reef and habitat for sea life.

J: “We’ll get about three martinis deep,” our guide joked, reminding us that we’d probably feel a little drunk while exploring the Spiegel Grove.

Each atmosphere of added pressure distorts your thinking and reasoning abilities a little more.

When you’re at about 130 feet, simple math— like rearranging the numbers 1 to 10 in backwards order—becomes supremely difficult.

I’m a lightweight and would certainly make regrettable mistakes with three martinis in me, especially on top of those gallons of iced tea I’d downed before the dive. So it’s likely I wouldn’t even survive to regret the mistakes I might make while feeling tipsy underwater.

Our boat sped over the giant, rolling waves while I focused on breathing to calm my nerves.

Once, we slowed down to check out a large crate floating hazardously in the open water. The boat rocked back and forth while the captain examined and maneuvered around it.

A: Captain Slate said these rough seas were normal. One of the instructors had been in the military (Marines, I think) so I was again reassured of our safety. Still, I’m certain they laughed at us when we revealed what little experience we had, which should have clued me into how intimidating this ought to have felt. But I was ignorant to the risk and high on the feeling that comes before a new experience.

J: Then, we were speeding over the waves again, and our guide was rattling on about the American flag on-deck and the painting of Snoopy on the Spiegel Grove’s floor. When we arrived at the dive site, we circled it, looking for a place to anchor.

The only other boat out there was performing a rescue.

A: I felt clumsy squeezing into my wetsuit while the boat tried pitching us out, but our instructors helped us with our gear and made sure we had everything we needed.

J: I slowly worked my wetsuit over my hips, zipped it up partway, and then sat to gaze at the horizon in attempt to curb my seasickness.

Captain Slate told me, “Come on,” and pulled my zipper to the neck. I tugged at it, keeping it away from my throat. “Don’t worry about that,” he said, hoisting me to my unsteady feet and strapping on my tank. I scooted to the back of the boat, breathed in through my regulator, and scissor-stepped into the ocean.

A: I remember jumping into the water and grabbing onto the rope while Jenn jumped in after me. When I popped to the surface, I took out my regulator but instantly discovered why my instructor at USAFA made us keep our regulators in our mouths at all times. I gulped in a mouthful of salt water from a wave washing over my head. At that point, I could tell Jenn was unsure whether she actually wanted to do this. The instructor didn’t give us much time to think about it, though; we started descending as soon as we reached the line leading down to the ship.

J: My face in the water, I swam toward the rope. Once everyone was there and had signaled thumbs up, we deflated our BCDs to begin sinking. A guide was leading; Ashley was just above

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him and below me; the two others followed, hovering above me.

A: I remember thinking, We’re actually doing this!

We’re so cool! I kept looking up at Jenn to see if she was doing OK, and she was following along just fine. The water was murky at first, but it became colder and clearer the deeper we went.

J: Equalizing was no problem. I swallowed and breathed to keep my ears clear. I was physically comfortable, now that the water had loosened the neck of my wetsuit, and I was reacquainted with my gear. But I couldn’t see a thing.

The divers onboard guessed visibility was at about 30 feet, which is perhaps unusual in the Keys, but none of them were concerned. I, on the other hand, am the sort of diver who needs to see pretty fishes and inhabited shipwrecks as distractions from anxiety over total reliance on my equipment and my capacity to operate it.

Still, I kept breathing and looking for signs of the ship. I knew that I’d be able to complete the dive if I could just glimpse the wreck.

At 50 feet, we crossed a knot or maybe a buoy in the line. When our hands had reached the other side, our leader put his thumb and finger together in the A-OK sign, meaning I had to signal back and indicate my condition. He turned to Ashley; she signaled OK. They both turned to me.

A: I looked up at Jenn and saw she had a panicky look in her eyes but was signaling OK. J: Interpreting in the straightforward way those signals are intended, the other two divers took off to get below us so they could snap photos capturing the moment when Ashley and I would view the Spiegel Grove for the first time.

A: They continued down without us, because it seemed like we were doing great and would be following right behind them.

J: But I wasn’t done signaling. I felt fine, except I couldn’t see the wreck and wasn’t motivated to continue. The risk loomed more massive than the ship that I couldn’t even see, though I was already 50 feet underwater.

A: We were in the middle of a school of very large barracuda that looked potentially threatening but like they were trying to ignore us.

J: I wasn’t confident that I’d think and act rationally at 100 feet, where there’s no immediate bailout option—like there is on a bouldering problem or a technical mountain biking trail.

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a Beyond spot Goliath Grouper, large jacks, and colonies of gobies. Little fish swam along with us, but the bigger ones froze and tried not to be seen. There were barnacles growing on the ship, but I was surprised at the lack of coral. Also, colors look unusual that deep underwater, so everything is different than you expect. Eventually, we went inside the Spiegel Grove through a hole cut in the side of it and swam through a very narrow hallway. We saw the old dining hall and several smaller rooms. But the most awesome sight was the painting of the ship’s mascot, Snoopy, on the floor of a hallway. It seemed like fate. Snoopy was the mascot of several of my AF squadrons, so he has a special place in my heart.

A diver explores a portion of the artificial reef near the Spiegel Grove.

I wasn’t up for visiting a place I couldn’t safely escape in a second, since there was no telling what I’d do. My rationale would be unpredictable.

A few of my dive buddies have shared horror stories, describing instances when their equipment seemed so burdensome that they wanted to tear it off while deep underwater, shed the suffocating tanks and masks and insulating layers with no regard for the fatal consequences. I wasn’t ready to experience that sort of freak-out while three martinis deep with my little sister there to see it occur and possibly, helplessly witness my demise.

I decided not to continue the dive.

Before Ashley and our guide could go on, I jutted my right thumb up toward the surface, which means basically, “I want to go up.” To me, it meant, “I want to find the surface, breathe noncompressed air, and sit on that nausea-inflicting boat—not here, risking my life for an experience I am too anxious to appreciate and may not even survive.”

A: Jenn kept signaling OK and then motioning to ascend. I thought she was just mixed up, but our instructor caught on.

J: I tried smiling at Ashley, to let her know I was fine and that she should continue and enjoy herself. The attempt was unsuccessful, with my mask blocking my encouraging eyes and my regulator preventing an upward lip curl or exposed teeth. It just confused her.

The dive master understood though. He took hold of my arm and held his other palm toward Ashley, as if saying, “Stay here.” Then he swam with me to the surface.

36 WAM • SPRING | 2013

A: He was grabbing her arm to stop her from swimming straight up like she was trying to do and asking me to stay put. So there I was, 50 feet under the surface, alone and clinging to a rope surrounded by fish big and menacing enough to eat me.

J: I watched as Ashley’s fins kicked in the murky water and got farther away, fading then disappearing completely. I thought, I shouldn’t be leaving her.

A: Surprisingly I remained fairly calm, and soon the instructor was back with me.

J: When we reached the waves, he signaled OK and I signaled OK; then he sank under again to be with Ashley. I prayed he’d find her again so she’d swim through that wreck, see alien-like fish, and be stunned speechless by the experience. I hoped she’d get hooked on diving and be forever hungry to discover more of that underwater world.

~

A: We sank down a few more feet and the ship came into view. I was amazed at how big and dark it looked, so first I just swam along one edge, admiring it. At one point, I scared myself while trying to turn around and see the instructors: I bumped the ship with my tank instead and made a loud clanking noise.

After a few minutes of wandering, the guide led me under the bulkhead, where several of the ugliest, fattest fish [hog fish] I’ve ever seen were hanging out. In the Keys, 130 species of fish live among algae, sponges, and coral. Along with barracuda like we’d seen, it’s possible to

J: I knew Ashley would be just fine. Captain Slate kept his eye on me as I swam to the boat. It was tipping in the waves, but he expertly pulled be aboard. I took off my gear and sat staring at the horizon, trying my best not to get sick. The captain told me that surfacing was smart. “I knew we shouldn’t have brought open water divers out here without knowing them first,” he said. But it didn’t make me feel like an idiot or a wimp so I knew surfacing was the right thing to do.

I’m not sure if he was unaware of my sea sickness or just trying to distract me, but Captain Slate chatted about his decades of experience diving, his passion for it, his need for water and exploring beneath the surface. He chatted about the life choices he made to realize his dream and expressed confidence in his decision, the evidence of which is his successful business and remarkable reputation in the Keys. He contentedly snacked on Goldfish crackers as I tried focusing on his inspiring words and on the horizon. But, when my stomach finally had its way, he went to the front of the boat while I yakked off the back.

A: My air was running out quickly so after the swim-through it was time to go up. I was disoriented and had to blindly follow the instructors toward the anchor rope. As we ascended, we passed through that same school of barracuda.

J: I was dangling my feet off the end of the boat, letting them get soaked with each swell, when Ashley and the others arrived. They just popped up out of the water, regulators wheezing and eyes blinking. Their tanks made light metallic noises when water splashed them. I got out of the way while they climbed aboard.

A: I was glad to see Jenn chatting it up with the captain, safe and sound. I was stoked about the dive but didn’t want to hurt Jenn’s feelings by acting too excited. I could tell she was disappointed in herself. womensadventuremagazine.com

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J: My sister’s face was bright. She’d undergone a total transformation from the moody woman she’d been that morning. It’d been years since I’d seen her express that sort of surprised elation and wonder. Knowing that our trip there was worthwhile, even just for this one experience, was a fabulous relief.

A: I felt ravenous! Diving takes a lot out of you and breathing that weird air makes your stomach feel strange. I wanted to wait a few hours and do the same dive over again so Jenn could see it too! I felt bad that she felt like she couldn’t do it, because I had confidence that she could have. But it also takes guts to say no to something you really want to do when it makes you uncomfortable.

J: The worries that halted me that day seem excessive, but I feel they’re reasonable. Quitting the dive was the right decision for me, as a relatively inexperienced diver who hadn’t been diving in more than a year prior to trying this advanced wreck.

~

J: Later that week, Ashley and I had two more dives planned, both off Big Pine Key (fla-keys. com/lowerkeys). We’d dive the Adolphus Busch in the morning then a low-key reef, which is literally called Looe Key, after that. I was less nervous this time. The Adolphus Busch is more beginnerfriendly (but not necessarily shallower). Plus, I felt more confident in my ability to use my equipment, was more mentally prepared, and had a fresh memory of the wonder on Ashley’s face after diving the Spiegel Grove. Visibility was slightly better that day, too.

STEPHEN FRINK/FLORIDA KEYS NEWS BUREAU/HO

A: Our dive on the Adolphus Busch was different because we were with a larger group and only one instructor. I actually felt more sketched out about it, but Jenn was determined.

J: Though this dive shop was less attentive, it actually made for a better scenario. We were plain and simply expected to complete the dives, feel lighthearted about the outing, and just enjoy the day. On the boat with us were four middle-aged men and two shop guys—one to dive with us, the other to captain the boat. After we anchored, we pulled on our wetsuits, checked our air gauges, and fell overboard into the water.

Ashley and I signaled OK to each other and started the descent. We could see the boat before long, so I focused on that instead of on my anxiety. The middle-aged men were gung-ho about the whole thing, and it showed in their somewhat dodgy techniques. One reached out to touch plants, fish, and parts of the ship. Another alarmingly almost knocked out my regulator with his fins while swimming above me. Ashley and I gave each other thumbs up often, but this time it meant, “Cool!” instead of, “I want to go up.”

A: I don’t actually remember much about the ship itself. I remember they wanted us to do a swimthrough, and Jenn had that panicky look again, so we decided not to do it. The rest of the dive went smoothly, and we made it back to the surface together without any problems.

J: During our five-minute safety stop on the way up, the teeniest fish did circles around the rope, hanging out on the line with us, too. We were all smiles on the way to the next dive site.

A: The reef dive was beyond awesome. I’ve never seen anything like it. There were so many fish and colorful coral and anemones and things that I don’t even know a name for.

J: One of the middle-aged men partnered with us at that site. All the other guys were buddies, but he was alone.

A: We lucked out because he had been to Looe Key several times and offered to guide us around the reef. It was perfect because we could just swim and look at everything and not have to worry about where we were or how to get back to the boat. I never would have been able to keep track of our location. We swam with huge tuna, blacktip shark, hog fish, and millions of brightly colored exotic fish.

A diver swims near the forward deck of the Spiegel Grove, a retired Navy landing ship dock just after it was sunk in 2002 in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to create an artificial reef.

J: He led and we followed him up and down the fingers of the reef. He’d point out notable fish and gesture at fire coral so we wouldn’t touch it accidentally. Ash and I were born and raised in the high desert, where colors are muted, not electric like the ones in the sea. So, if our jaws could’ve

a

dropped and still hung on to our regulators, they would have.

A: I love diving. It’s frustrating because you can only stay underwater for what seems like one minute. If I could have it my way, I’d stay down there for hours at a time. I now understand the dangers of diving, though. If I had been alone, I would not have understood Jenn’s hand signals of distress and would have gotten lost down at 100 feet both times and also on the reef. Experience is priceless and, if you don’t have that, you should pay someone who does have it to go with you. It’s worth it!

~

A: Sister relationships are hard to handle sometimes. I want Jenn to think I’m cool and she wants me to think she’s cool. But, secretly, we each think that we’re the cooler one.

J: We’re just different, not better in any way than each other. Because of our independent perspectives, we approach experiences differently and so things occasionally pan out in opposite ways.

I need a sense of security and familiarity to feel safe, while Ashley is more daring and thrives on challenges in the unknown.

A: Everything fun you do in life has some risk associated with it but, if you manage that risk correctly, the rewards of the experience far outweigh the risk. Learning to use your gear and preparing your body can make a risky activity worthwhile.

If the rewards surpass the risk, experiences that don’t go exactly as planned or that are only fun in hindsight make for the best stories and the tightest bonds.

J: We both felt wonder and delight in our discoveries that week in the Keys, and we both felt safe.

Together, we enjoyed the rewards of planning, practicing our skills, and preparing for an adventure as sisters.

We had really positive experiences with Captain Slate’s Atlantis Dive Center in Key Largo (captainslate. com) and Innerspace Dive Center in Big Pine Key (diveinnerspace.com).

So, if you don’t know whom to trust or where to look when it comes to finding dive shops in the Keys, then give them a try!

WAM • SPRING | 2013 37

a Beyond

Walking the Line

In a sport where fear could easily overtake an athlete, highliner Emily Sukiennik uses that fear to push herself farther, higher, and beyond

By Mattie Schuler

KRYSTLE WRIGHT

38  WAM • SPRING | 2013

womensadventuremagazine.com

Beyond

E

mily Sukiennik, 26, doesn’t do anything small.

She goes big, as big as she can go, and conquers her fears, like completing one of the most exposed highlines in the U.S., the Lost Arrow Spire Highline in 2009—just three months after first stepping onto a slackline. Slacklining is similar to walking a tight rope, except the line is dynamic and stretchy instead of completely taught.

Amp up that concept by stretching that line over a canyon or gorge and you get highlining.

“I had seen a video of the first women to ever walk this highline in particular,” the Utah resident says of the Lost Arrow Spire. “That video was the one thing that truly inspired me to try highlining myself and made me focus on that line first.”

Emily grew up an athlete; she practiced gymnastics and ice hockey as a child. These balance-oriented sports, and her passion for climbing, prepped her for slacklining. Climbing gave her not only the physical strength to walk across a line, but also the mental capacity to take slacklining one step further with highlining. Both sports go against a person’s natural instinct to stay safely on the ground, not some hundred-plus feet in the air balancing on a line one-inch wide.

And so she went with her friend and fellow highliner Damian Cooksey to give the Lost Arrow Spire Highline a shot. After hiking up the Yosemite Falls trail in California’s Yosemite National Park, rappelling 200 feet down to the beginning of the line, and trying to stay calm on a ledge two feet wide with 3,000 feet of exposure below, Emily stepped onto the line.

“I was completely terrified,” she says. “I was shaking uncontrollably.”

But, as soon as she got on the line, her mind and body relaxed. She knew she could handle it.

She had been practicing that length for months in the gym, just at a lower level. A line in a gym and a line some thousand feet high are different though, and Emily’s mind got the better of her.

“Once I reached the middle, I just completely freaked out,” Emily says, describing the fall

that left her dangling in her harness. “I took this huge whipper on the back-up leash. It was one of the scariest moments of my entire life.”

Emily ended her day after that fall but didn’t let the fear take over her determination to complete the line. The next day, she stepped back on it and walked across to sit in solitude on the Lost Arrow Spire.

“I had no idea whether she was ready,” says Damian, who is the owner of Bridges Rock Gym in the Bay Area, “so it’s all the more amazing that she walked the Lost Arrow Spire highline on her second try. Emily’s success crossing that line is unmatched.”

After becoming the fourth woman in history to complete the Lost Arrow Spire highline, Emily began limitlessly pursuing attempts at more—she has since completed more than 60 lines and many on her first try. She has walked the longest longline (413 feet), pulled off many yoga-like balancing poses on highlines, and landed on the podium in numerous slack- and highline competitions.

a

Emily can pull off some pretty intense tricks on the line, including a Double-Knee Drop, where she balances with her ankles on the line and uses her core and thigh strength keep her torso upright. “The hard part about the

“Highlining is a metaphor for life.

It’s really difficult, and you are going to fall and be scared, and it’s going to hurt. But you have to keep going … It’s euphoric.”

Slacklining and highlining have just recently become mainstream. You’ll often see people partaking at parks or rock-climbing gyms, and last year’s Super Bowl halftime show is where slacklining made its biggest debut.

In the slackline and highline worlds, Emily has become a celebrity. After getting a taste of slacklining at Bridges Rock Gym with Damian, she became a spokesperson for Gibbon Slacklines, one of the sport’s primary gear companies.

For about two years, she traveled the country doing demonstrations, working tradeshows, and even making a few TV appearances to represent her sport.

Double-Knee Drop on the highline is that you are looking straight out into the exposure, so it totally changes everything,” says Emily, who lists another challenging trick called the Butt Bounce, which is exactly what it sounds like—you bounce off the slackline on your butt and land back up on your feet.

Emily eventually realized that turning a passion into a job wasn’t completely rewarding for her. “Doing it every day took the excitement out of it,” she says. “I’m trying to figure out a way to keep the passion and excitement. I would hate for myself to fall out of love with slacklining.”

Emily finds that the most surefire way to stay excited about her sport is to always bring back the fear—the fear of falling, the fear of an incomplete line, the fear of a longer, higher line.

Damian knows how hindering fear can be when on a line, but he doesn’t usually see it halt Emily.

“Any person who highlines has this ability to handle fear in a miraculous way and not allow it to actually tell them what to do,” he says. “Emily has a very clear ability to do that.”

Although fear can be a hindrance, Emily conquers it and also uses her addiction to it to push herself beyond her previous limits. “There

WAM • SPRING | 2013 39

a Beyond are always ways to make myself scared again,” she says, “like looking down as I traverse a line.”

“If I try and walk a longer line, it’s going to be harder and scarier for me than the lines that I’m used to,” she says. “I want to get that feeling of fear again, that feeling of accomplishing something. I just don’t want it to get boring, so I keep challenging myself.”

This extreme athlete also adds fear by sometimes foregoing the regular harness that wraps around the stomach and legs for a SWAMI belt, which only wraps around the abdomen. “I need something that is going to add fear,” she says about using a SWAMI belt, which she has seen others fall with and end up with broken ribs, “so that I can feel that challenge again. When I’m wearing a SWAMI, I can’t fall in it or else I’m going to get hurt.”

Although there are other notable women highliners, Emily pushes herself more than most highliners do. You’d never hear her put down her competitors, though, such as Libby Sauter, 28, the highliner in the video that inspired Emily to try to the Lost Arrow Spire. “There is a lot competition these days, and competition is great, it pushes advancement,” Libby says. “With Emily though, I have a partner who isn’t about competition—the desire for success is equal. It’s not that competition is bad, but the nice thing about highlining with Emily is her general love of it and her desire for everyone to succeed and have a great time.”

Emily’s support is evident whenever she highlines with others, but so is her innate ability to persist with her own challenge and continue to advance the balancing act. “We just don’t know where the sport is going to go,” Libby says. “It’s so up and coming that having someone who is as excited as Emily is super motivating.

It’s exciting to see people like Emily push their personal boundaries and see where we can take this new sport.”

The grit necessary to highlining success goes beyond physical training—though leg, core, and shoulder strength is key for balance. It’s largely mental. Emily claims that overcoming and embracing the sport’s inherent mental challenges, like fear, is her favorite aspect of the sport. “Challenging myself makes me better and makes me feel stronger,” Emily says. “For me, highlining is a metaphor for life. It’s really difficult, and you are going to fall and be scared, and it’s going to hurt.

But you have to keep going, get up. Once you get to the other side, it’s euphoric.”

She loves witnessing that in others, too. “It’s like reliving what I felt when I walked my first line,” she says. “It’s remembering what it felt like to walk the line in spite of my overwhelming fear.

That moment, when you’ve just done something most people find unthinkable, makes you realize you can do anything.”

“I was completely terrified,” she says.

“I was shaking uncontrollably.”

40 WAM • SPRING | 2013

• Slackline: The sport of balancing on a piece of nylon webbing that is stretched between two anchor points. Though similar to walking a tight rope, slacklining is done on a line that has more give. It’s less taught so it stretches and bounces.

Plus, slackliners don’t use a balancing pole.

• Highline: Highlining is similar to slacklining, but is done 25 or more feet off the ground. Highliners rig their webbing differently and use stronger gear, along with a back-up line, which is attached underneath the main line in case the main line were to fall.

• Back-up leash with harness: The back-up leash is attached to a regular harness, much like a climbing harness, which is worn around the waist and has leg loops. The leash consists of one rope inside reinforced webbing.

• SWAMI belt: Using a SWAMI belt makes highlining more dangerous (and thus scarier) because, instead of having the harness attached around the abdomen and the legs, the harness is only around the stomach. The harness around the stomach is then attached to the line by the back-up leash. “It’s an incentive not to fall,” Emily says, “and, if you do fall, you want to catch the line before the belt catches.”

womensadventuremagazine.com

JENNA MCLENNAN

Emily Sukiennik completed the Lost Arrow Spire Highline just three months after taking up slacklining. On her first attempt, she fell midway. The next day, she became the fourth woman ever to walk that line successfully.

The Lingo

Try This

a

Poi

Women Who Play with Fire

By Cat del Valle Castellanos

I

f your parents were anything like mine, they raised you with the following rules: Don’t run with scissors, don’t talk to strangers, and definitely don’t play with fire. So you can imagine my mother’s excitement when she found me literally dancing with fire in her backyard. The result was a softly mumbled “Oh my God.” To her credit, the well-raised southerner did not denounce my new hobby, but when asked what she thought, only responded with a traumatized squeak of “that’s interesting.” I might as well have lit her rulebook on fire.

Poi, (rhymes with “boy”) is a performance art where one swings tethered weights in different geomet-

ric and rhythmic patterns. It’s a great form of exercise, a way to improve coordination and a lot of fun. Poi is the art itself as well as the equipment used. And don’t you dare call them “pois,” you novice! Fire poi, then, involves swinging chains with wicks at the end that you dip in gasoline and then light on fire.

And to answer your question before you ask: No, you will not light yourself on fire. Do, however, wear a hat that covers your head the first couple of times. Hair tends to singe quite quickly … Okay, maybe we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

Before you light up you’ll need to get some practice first.

do

• Take it step by step. Break tricks into pieces before you try the whole thing at once.

• Use a mirror. Your dominant hand will generally learn quicker than your less-dominant hand. You might think your poi are swinging straight when your left poi is actually perpendicular. A mirror helps to literally straighten out the kinks.

• Keep your feet shoulder-width apart. Maintaining your balance is key.

don’t • Wear glasses. Sooner or later, you will smack yourself in the face. While embarrassing, it’s a lot less humiliating than having a black eye and Harry Potter–style glasses.

• Go too fast. The slower you practice, the easier your tricks will become. As you progress, you’ll be able to speed up.

• Be afraid to experiment (carefully!). By varying speeds, heights, and angles you can come up with new styles and trick variations.

Poi sites: Every poi item you’ll ever need can be found at Home of Poi. Check out their main page for links to poi articles and videos. www.homeofpoi.com A well-stocked shop and free video tutorials are offered at Poi Poi. poipoi.info

What you’ll need: A set of practice poi. Practice poi are more or less long tube socks with tennis balls in the ends. In fact, if you still own tube socks from your high school gym class days, throw some tennis balls in the ends and you’re set. You can also order some, perhaps, classier-looking practice poi on the web or Google instructions on how to make your own using fabric and some simple sewing techniques.

Now what: Start by holding one poi (the non-tennis ball end) in the palm of your dominant hand. Use your thumb and forefinger to pinch the fabric so you have more control. Make a couple forward circles, keeping your arm low, about a foot from your side. Use only your wrist to make the movement and try to keep the poi going in a circle parallel to your body instead of at an angle. Can’t get it to swing straight? Try varying the position of your wrist until your poi straightens out.

Got it? Now, try the same movement with the other hand. Then both at the same time. Once you’ve got that down, try moving them in split time, meaning one poi is at the top of the circle while the other is at the bottom.

Conquered that? Poifect. Explore some of the poi sites below for tools, tricks, and technique. Create a routine, keep practicing, and then look into purchasing fire poi. Needless to say, make sure you are well practiced with your fire poi before you light up. You’ll find that fire poi are much heavier than practice poi and require more preparation and strength to maintain control. Be certain that you understand and follow the safety guidelines for lighting up, available on the Home of Poi website listed below. Still uneasy about the whole playing with fire thing? There are plenty of other kinds of poi that look just as impressive. Check out flag poi, cone poi, and my second personal favorite, glow poi, which uses LED lights and makes for a great show at night.

WAM • SPRING | 2013

41

a Advocate

Rivers for Change Danielle Katz paddles to inspire change and encourage river health

By Haven Livingston

O

42 WAM • SPRING | 2013

in 2012 for the nonprofit she founded, Rivers for Change.

Danielle Katz was born to river people. Her parents took her on her first river trip when she was just four months old because they thought it was important for her to see the Stanislaus River in California before it was dammed, even if she wouldn’t remember it. Every summer growing up, she accompanied her dad as he ran riverrafting trips on the West Coast from California to Alaska. By age fourteen, she began guiding her own rafts.

This upbringing exposed Danielle to the recreational side of rivers, but in 2009, she took part in a source-to-sea expedition down the Mississippi River that focused her interest into three

major issues and drove her to seek out something deeper than just the adventure of river running.

“The Mississippi starts as this narrow little river. You can reach out and touch both sides of the banks with your hands. Three and a half months later, you’re paddling in a 4,000 footwide channel with oil tankers,” said Danielle.

“The Mississippi trip inspired me to take a step back, look at the whole picture and develop a source-to-sea understanding of a river and its watershed.”

The second striking issue Danielle observed was the disconnection between neighboring communities that depend on the same river. “It’s a challenge for us all to recognize how an upstream town may be affecting a community downstream,

womensadventuremagazine.com

HAVEN LIVINGSTON

n a hot and sticky August afternoon in 2012, three women came together on the banks of the Klamath River in Northern California. Season and I met up with Danielle not far below Iron Gate Dam. It was releasing just enough tepid water into the riverbed to push a raft, kayak, and channel-choking algae downstream. Despite the less than natural state of the river, the landscape of rocky cliffs and great swaths of evergreen forest was awe-inspiring.

The three of us have one singular, stand out commonality that roots us together. We are all madly, passionately, devoted to rivers. Danielle had invited us to the Klamath to join in on her journey from source to sea. She was pursuing a campaign to paddle twelve rivers source to sea

Advocate

a

Help connect the drops in …

1 Hour • Learn the basics: Look online or call your local water district to find out what watershed you live in and what the closest river or creek is.

What river does your closest creek flow into?

• Find out where your tap water comes from. (Many people in L.A. get their water from reservoirs hundreds of miles away in Northern California.)

• Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth.

especially when that distance is more than 2,300 miles away,” she said. “Linking communities along the river is critical to understanding their interdependence.”

The third issue that compelled Danielle was the separation that she saw between adventurers and conservationists. “I’d like to see more of a bridge between people who go out and explore for fun and those working so hard to preserve and restore our natural world,” Danielle explained.

Danielle became obsessed about trying to do more to protect and restore rivers, but she’s the first to admit that she doesn’t always have the answer for how to do it. She doesn’t have a science or business background, but her enthusiasm is overwhelming. “I can talk to people and connect them to the river and its threats. Running a nonprofit is a lot like running a river. There are rapids you have to learn to navigate; sometimes your world gets flipped upside down; and you have to eddy out a lot to reassess your direction. There’s no way I could be doing this without help,” she claims, gratefully.

That’s where Season Martin and I come in.

Not that we have all the answers, but Danielle’s energy is so infectious that it draws like-minded people around her who are looking for ways to make a difference. We were there to help develop a strategy that would make Rivers for Change (RFC) a sustainable organization in pursuing its mission to engage, collaborate, and promote conservation through source-to-sea adventures.

Danielle and RFC co-founder, John Dye, spent nearly all of 2012 in the whirlwind campaign to paddle twelve California rivers from source to sea. They engaged locals along the way with community paddle days, cleanups, and outreach programs. RFC collaborated with a

scientist studying climate change, collecting algae samples for him along the twelve rivers in hardto-reach locations. RFC also coordinated with the California Native Plant Society to take members kayaking on the San Francisco Bay Delta. There, they discovered occurrences of six rare plant species in locations inaccessible by land.

Floating down the Klamath, notebook in hand, Season guided us through a process she knows well from working with other nonprofits.

She led discussions and took notes until a horizon line indicated a rapid. Then the notebook was stowed in a watertight bag and we laughed our way down the whitewater. It was the embodiment of Danielle’s vision: adventure and conservation happening in the same place, the same time. In the end, we had bonded with each other and the river, and our intentions were committed to making that sort of experience possible for other people.

In 2013, California’s largest river, the Sacramento, is the focus for RFC’s source-to-sea expedition. The journey will involve community paddles, river cleanups, discussions, art projects, and the biggest event of all—the California 100, a 100-mile paddle race from Redding to Chico on the Sacramento River. “We want people to have opportunities to make a connection with a river and each other, whether that means racing, looking for insects on the banks, or having a BBQ at the water’s edge,” Danielle said. “It’s one thing to intellectually understand a river and the upstream/downstream effects, but to experience it viscerally—by feeling, touching, smelling it— creates a much deeper and intimate connection.

It’s a connection that ultimately enables a larger capacity for change.” riversforchange.org; calriver100.com

1 Day • Explore your watershed: Seek out a riverkeeper group or local organization and get a map of your watershed. (If you can’t find one, check out AmericanRivers.org.)

• Walk a levee trail, go fishing, participate in a cleanup in your area.

• Join Rivers for Change on an outing! riversforchange.org • Many campaigns have public comment periods, which are critical parts of the river’s voice being heard; is there an informational gathering in your area?

1 Week • Volunteer to be a water quality tester: This usually requires one day of training and monthly site visits to collect data.

• Sign up with a river outfitter for a multi-day river trip to see how a river changes.

• Take a pledge to fix leaky faucets and only run full dishwasher and washing machine loads.

1 Year • Join an ongoing campaign.

• Help organize a river cleanup.

• Find out how you can make a blue trail near you. bluetrailsguide.org/ about • Find a way to help kids make a connection to their water source and get to know a river.

• Become the voice for your river.

WAM • SPRING | 2013 43

a Dream Job meet

Katherine Connor, Thailand’s Elephant Savior

By Linda J. Williamson

In her early twenties, Katherine Connor had a successful career as the merchandising manager for a Gap store in a fashionable part of London. She spent her income on clothing and accessories, bought her own house, got engaged, and enjoyed time with her career-girl friends. But something didn’t feel right. So in 2002, she quit her job, sold her house, broke up with her fiancé, and began what she thought would be simply a fun vacation that actually ended up transforming her life. “I was looking for something,” Katherine says, “but had no idea what it was, until it found me.”

Describe how BLES (Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary) began.

I have always had a passion for all animals, but elephants held a special place in my heart. I saw a baby elephant for the very first time while traveling when I was 21, and I realized I needed to help conserve the Asian elephant. There was nobody putting the elephants’ welfare first. Every place I visited, it was all about making money, bringing in the tourists, and keeping them happy. I wanted to make the elephants happy.

In 2005, BLES was founded as a U.K. charity to help rescued and retired elephants. I started fundraising, working full time, and saving every spare penny I had. I sold practically everything I owned and stood 44 WAM • SPRING | 2013

on street corners in the pouring rain, holding a bucket—I needed every penny and was prepared to do absolutely anything to raise it. I moved back over to Thailand in 2006 to start building BLES. Exactly one year to the day later, we officially opened BLES and started taking in visitors. It has been a roller coaster ever since!

What challenges you about your work?

We have big dreams for the elephants and we need big bucks to make those dreams come true. We are fighting against time. Deforestation is destroying our chances of ever being able to release the elephants and preserve the other wildlife in this area. Once the land

is gone, it is gone forever. If the forest dies, all our dreams and hopes to give the elephants back their freedom dies too.

But when the going gets tough, so many things keep me going. My animals—all of them. We rescue dogs and cats, along with elephants.

When I see them well, happy, and safe, that makes me want to carry on.

What is a typical day on the job like for you?

There is no such thing as an average day for me! I usually wake up around 5:00 a.m. and start my day with feeding the 14 cats and six dogs. Then, I iron the school uniforms and get my two eldest children up and ready for school.

Finally, I try and jump online for ten minutes to see if I have any urgent messages before I start working with the elephants.

I spend a lot of my time during the day teaching people about elephants. I do positive reward training with our youngest elephant, Mee Chok (Blessed One), who is three years old, and then examine the elephants for any wounds or injuries and treat them. We then take our elephants out on a walk, into the forest. We walk beside them and give them the space they need to be able to relax and just be elephants.

Each walk lasts about four hours, and it is a form of meditation to sit and observe these beautiful animals in their natural environment, doing simply what they were born to do. womensadventuremagazine.com

Dream Job

a

Age: 32 Stomping Ground: Sukhothai, Northern Thailand Job: Founder of Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary (BLES); blesele.org When we return from the walk, I collect my children from school and get them bathed and fed, then make sure they get their homework done.

I jump online again quickly before the sanctuary guests come down for dinner. Once the guests have retired for the evening, I feed the cats and dogs again and then get the children settled for the night. When they are asleep, I get back online and get the bulk of my correspondence done.

I usually go to bed after I have fed my youngest son, who is still being breastfed during the night, and then it all begins again at 5:00 a.m.

What inspires you about BLES? I love elephants because of their emotional intelligence. I love their ability to forgive. I love their intense passion for family. I love the fierce protection they show for their young ones, their physical strength,

and what great teachers they are. I love that they are so loyal and that they allow us humans to walk along beside them. I love everything about elephants!

I know I am doing what I was destined to do because, even after ten years of living beside elephants, they still move me to tears in a heartbeat, still make me laugh out loud, and still make my heart swell with pride—daily.

Once revered in Thailand, the Asian elephant is now an endangered species. In the past, elephants were used in Thailand’s logging industry but, once the government cancelled logging concessions, struggling elephant owners faced the choice between feeding their families and feeding their elephants. Now, the tourism industry has elephants performing gymnastic displays and giving tourists rides. Baby elephants are often prematurely separated from their mothers, reducing their life expectancy and overall health. Plus, elephants are often overworked, poorly fed, and sometimes abused. This—plus the reduction of forest space—all contributes to the decline over the past hundred years from an estimated 100,000 elephants in Thailand to about 5,000.

WAM • SPRING | 2013 45

{Catch

Learning to fly fish on the wildest river in Montana

46  WAM • SPRING | 2013

womensadventuremagazine.com

and Release{

By Heather Hansman

I

’m starting to imagine fish, to see the flesh of white bellies flashing as the river moves over the rocks.

I’m shin-deep in the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, fly rod in my left hand, line in my right. Black flies skim over the green flush of the water. Every time the shadows change, every time I feel a hitch in the gravity of the current, I yank my fly, fighting patience, hoping for fish.

I am not a fly fisherman. I am not a fisheranything. I came to northern Montana to try to fix that. I wanted to learn how to cast, to tie knots and pick flies, and to read pockets of busy water to find fish. It’s ended up being so much easier and so much harder than I thought it would be.

The Middle Fork of the Flathead River flows 92 miles through the Great Bear Wilderness, the corridor between the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Glacier National Park. It’s the middle of nowhere, so the native cutthroat trout are dumb and lonely. It’s not easy to get to. When the water’s high enough you can fly into the headwaters, but when I went in mid-July the river was low and scrapy below the put in. We drove in through the burned remains of the a fire, then hiked the last hour down to the river, fly rods on our backs, rafts and gear strapped to cranky teenage mules. Darwon Stoneman, owner of the Glacier Anglers guide company, and the first person to commercially run this stretch of the river, pushes the mules down the trail. He cracks a beer once we hit the river and ties on a fly for me.

We fish right at the trailhead. There’s a deep green pool upriver and we hike around it, then cast our lines into the riffles at its edge. Hilary Hutcheson, who grew up on this river, was a guide and now hosts the fishing TV show Trout TV, gives me pointers as I fumble with my line. I’ve known Hilary for a while—she invited me on

Get your fishing license, map out where to fish, and create a packing list at takemefishing.org. It’s a resource put together by The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) with the aim to increase participation, ultimately protecting and restoring aquatic natural resources.

WAM • SPRING | 2013 47

Catch and Release

the trip—but I’ve never seen her fish before. Her rod snaps back and forth, and her line makes sine waves over her head. I want to fish like that, but my casts are choppy and my line crumples in front of me when I let it go. Jane, the third woman on the trip, sits with Darwon and watches us from the shore.

She’s here with her husband, and she says she probably won’t fish. She hasn’t before, and she doesn’t know if she wants to.

After we scare all the fish away we get in the boats and paddle down stream. Glaciers carved out the river’s course, cutting a canyon through the slate and argillite. The walls of the canyon are high above us, and the water is so clear you can see every rock on the bottom of the river.

The first night we sit around the fire, putting down beers that we keep in an icy stream behind the campsite, and asking the kind of get-toknow-you questions that you ask at the beginning of a trip with strangers.

We drink from the stream, too, no filter. Darwon says it’s fine, he scoops up the just–snow melt water in his hands. We talk about our histories, and the river’s history. Jane reveals her past as a baseball stadium anthem singer.

The fishermen spin myths about steelheading, empty streams, and the fish they’ve caught before.

The next morning, we fish a lake above camp. I can’t get my rod to cooperate. Hilary sees me struggling and comes over. We talk about books for a few minutes while I untangle my fly from the bushes I’ve got it stuck in, then she stops me once I’ve pulled my line back in. “You’re breaking your wrist,” she says. “Can I show you something?” She tucks the butt of my rod into the cuff of my shirt, so it’s stuck tight to my arm, I can’t bend my wrist.

“Now cast,” she says. Suddenly, my line goes straight in front of me and pops behind me. When I let it go, it spools out cleanly over the lake. I can focus on the metronome of my cast: 10 and 2.

On the water, Darwon tells stories of when they first paddled the river in the ’70s. He’s probably run this stretch more than anyone in the world, so

Because the Middle Fork of the Flathead River is a dangerous river in the wilderness, you must go with an experienced guide. Stay safe in this wild and scenic area with a company like Glacier Anglers. glacieranglers.net

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“ You’re holding a little bit of life and death in your hands every time you catch and release a fish.” he knows where all the hidden pockets of fishy water are. He tells me that it’s easier for women to learn to fish than men—they’re more coordinated and they don’t force it. I like the sound of that, but I can feel myself trying to force it, willing my line out. I want to be good now, but my casts are impatient, and they get worse when I get frustrated.

But I’ve been catching a couple fish almost every time we stop to cast. Sometimes I think I’m starting to get it. I’m starting to think like a fish, to predict where they’ll be. Every once in a while I can drop my fly right into the seam between the current and the still pools. I make Hilary teach me all the knots I’ll need to know, twisting my tippet into a blood knot. My fingertips are dry and peeling from the cold water and they move slowly through the newly learned motions. I painted my nails before I came to Montana for a party at home in L.A., and now the peeling polish feels ridiculous.

Even though fly fishing takes just as much grace as it does muscle, there aren’t many women on the river. It’s starting to change a bit, but it’s still heavily male dominated. Women still get ignored in fly shops, and talked down to at put ins. Hilary says she doesn’t really know why more women aren’t interested, or don’t try—maybe because you have to be willing to expose yourself to the cold of the Learn how to choose flies, buy gear, and talk the talk on page 18, where river, maybe because fishing takes a level of macho two expert guides lend their best fly fishing pointers. Or find more confidence, maybe because you’re holding a little bit detailed tips at womensadventuremagazine.com. of life and death in your hands every time you catch and release a fish.

I want to fight that. After I get a little more confident I decide I want to do everything myself. I want to land the fish, In the morning we break camp, stuffing our tents and gear back grab it, let it go, but the first one I take the hook out of I struggle with. I into our drybags, eating the remains of our food. I have S’mores for don’t want to hurt it but I’m making it worse. It feels like there’s too much breakfast because we can’t let the chocolate go to waste. Up the bank happening at once—my rod is everywhere, I can’t hold the net and the fish a ways Jane casts by herself, the butt of her rod tucked into her shirt at the same time, and the current is pushing me around. The cutthroat is sleeve, her forearm learning the muscle memory of the up and down. looking lifeless, like it’s been without air for too long. It’s splintery teeth On the last day I catch a million fish, or maybe just 30. I get in chomp my fingers, fighting. I finally pull hard, yank the hook and put the the boat with the serious fisherman and we fish from the raft, floating fish back in the water, stroking its gills to revive it, feeling the squirm come slow, catching eddys when we see trout rise. I don’t even need to be back. I let it go and realize I’ve been holding my breath the whole time. patient, because there’s something to catch in every pool and pocket.

As we get closer to the take out, the fish get scarce and we start to see other people fishing the gravel bars on the side of the river.

Of all the fish I caught, you should have seen the one that got By the time we stop for lunch it’s 4:30. We forgot to eat. We pull into camp as the light is getting slanted in the canyon. In summer in Montana it away. It was a beauty, at least 20 inches, a rainbow of muscle and fight.

I lined it up perfectly, set the hook at just the right second and started doesn’t really matter, because the sun won’t set until 10:30. We have dinner hauling. Then, in a classic rookie move, I got excited. I reeled it in at 10:00, then drink whiskey and make S’mores until morning. We only have a few dozen miles of river ahead of us, but I never want to leave. Being too fast, and pulled in too much line. The tippet caught the end of the line, snapped, and the fish slipped away into the slick green of the on the water makes me calm, and fishing gives me purpose. I think I could river. n be a fisherman forever.

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By Jon Kedrowski

The Ladies of Lhotse The women who rule the routes on the world’s highest peaks

A

wind storm was raging and the team was running out of time as morning approached. Approaching 27,500 feet in a narrow couloir, Grace McDonald of Canada and Mia Graeffe of Finland were tired but still going strong. They had been climbing very steep terrain for almost seven hours and were ready to get to the summit so they could descend, to escape the dangerous winds and sub-zero temperatures. The duo had a bird’s-eye view of Mt. Everest and the southeast ridge route, where I had been earlier that morning, but they had no idea what was happening on Everest. (Five people perished that night alone.) Neither of the women worried about the events on Everest; they were focused and pragmatic as they had come to climb a steeper and more technically demanding peak, so they gave Lhotse their undivided attention. Prior to the expedition, the two didn’t know each other very well, but their newly formed friendship was helping them achieve their summit goal. The two women climbed in a small team with Arnold Coster of the Netherlands, plus Ang Dorje and Nwang—two exceptional team Sherpas.

“The weather on the summit day was the most challenging weather I had ever climbed in,” Grace comments. “The wind was just wild and the ice shards it carried were a bit painful. I was so proud of us for having faith in each other, remaining confident in our abilities and not turning back.”

Minutes before climbing some desolate rock steps and ascending banded cliffs, the team encountered the body of a climber that had just recently perished on a separate attempt only days earlier. With the blue morning sky, the crispy crunch of the team’s steel crampons changed tones slightly

50 WAM • SPRING | 2013

as they transitioned across the rock onto some ice and finally compacted snow. If anything, the experience of seeing a deceased climber made the women pay more attention to what they were doing and reminded them not to stay on the small snow-clad summit for too long once they reached it.

Mia estimates they spent about 10 minutes on the summit. “Since I didn’t have my camera, I tried to soak in the view while Grace and the Sherpas snapped the photos,” she says. “I could see Baruntse and Makalu, as well as Ama Dablam, and I was looking for Cho Oyu. I remember looking across at a rocky summit nearby and wondering what it was. When we were lower down, I realized I had been looking at Mt. Everest! I don’t remember feeling really happy or emotional on that summit, but when I got back to the high camp, I thought, ‘Mission accomplished.’”

Everest and Lhotse share three of the four camps with the same route up the mountain until their respective highest camps. On an April-May 2012 expedition utilizing Seattle- and Nepal-based SummitClimb’s logistics, I often found myself climbing through the Khumbu Icefall or the Western Cwm of Everest with Grace and Mia, while I acclimatized for my own Everest summit attempt last May. Our expeditions were unguided, and for good reason. The women of Lhotse were seasoned Himalayan mountaineers and didn’t need guides. When asked why they climbed Lhotse and not Everest, Mia said she likes climbing peaks that are physically and mentally difficult and which she finds interesting and challenging in one way or another.

While there were hundreds of climbers on Everest for the 2012 season,

womensadventuremagazine.com

Mia and Grace at 21,000’/6400m near Camp II with Lhotse behind them.

Author’s Note: Every spring, the media sensationalizes the events taking place on the highest mountain on Earth, Mount Everest. The 2012 climbing season in the Himalayas was no different. However, while a crisis emerged on Mount Everest the morning of May 20th, two newly acquainted but very strong and phenomenal women tranquilly made their way to the summit of the fourth highest mountain in the world, Lhotse, at 27,940 feet/8516 meters. Their feat was no easy task, showing that some attention should be taken away from the Everest bandwagon to Everest’s much more technically challenging neighbor that is every bit as dangerous as the highest of them all.

there were fewer than one hundred Lhotse permits. The certain isolation on summit day plus the social aspects of the Everest community during the six weeks of acclimatizing were appealing to both women.

Called higher For many who enjoy the outdoors—climbing peaks or getting out for short hikes on the weekend—Lhotse and Everest might seem a bit extreme, but it all starts with a dream. Mia and Grace share similar climbing backgrounds.

They began with hikes and backpacking trips in their home countries first then traveled to other parts of the world. Each has her own story of deciding to climb progressively higher and more difficult peaks while also weaving in long treks and learning skills, like ice climbing. Trekking into the wellknown Khumbu region of Nepal interests many in climbing Himalayan peaks, and it’s an excellent starting point. Grace, a lawyer by trade, began a sabbatical with a trip to Nepal to fulfill her life-long wish to see Mount Everest.

However, she decided to try out high-altitude climbing while she was there and climbed Luboche East, a good challenge at 20,075’/6119m. She fell in love with climbing and has since continued venturing higher and higher on numerous expeditions to peaks in Nepal, Tibet, and Pakistan over the past three years. She may even try to climb K2 in 2014, because she

recently returned from a summit attempt of Broad Peak in Pakistan and was in awe of the mountains there.

“It’s a dangerous pursuit but I keep doing it because anyone who has ever felt being fully present in the now knows that it is too good a feeling not to chase over and over again,” Grace says about how she felt on the summit of Lhotse and to explain why she climbs Himalayan and Karakoram peaks. “I think my favorite moments are when I catch myself standing still somewhere on a mountainside, just taking in the views around me and completely appreciating how lucky I am to stand there—not to be cheesy—but it’s my ultimate state of grace.” But enjoying a minute on the summit of Lhotse was only the halfway point for Grace and Mia. They still had to get down to the safety of their high camp in that day’s fiercely blowing winds.

After a few pictures, Sherpa Ang Dorje, who had climbed Lhotse a few times before, told the women it was time to get down. Grace clipped into the fixed line which started the team down the steep, rocky, and then snowfilled chute leading back to Camp IV. Mia’s ice axe served as the top anchor, because Ang Dorje took it with him when he left the summit. He used it at the start of the long Lhotse chute to set the anchor for Grace and Arnold before descending in front of Mia. Mia was the last one to descend the ice field below the summit and remembers wondering if the ice axe and additional anchors set were going to hold Grace below. If they came loose, how was Mia going to climb down without her ice axe? But she knew she could trust her teammates and the an-

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The women of Lhotse were seasoned Himalayan chors that were fixed. Ang Dorje returned the axe to Mia after he removed it to head down,deeming the additional anchors he set as sufficiently strong.

Though it was only for a few moments, Mia remembers feeling very lonely and privileged simultaneously when she had the top all to herself.

“The solitude and views on that summit were beyond amazing,” she recalls.

Teammates and friends After their climb, Grace and Mia reflected on their newly established friendship and camaraderie that came along with all the time they spent together during the 2012 Lhotse expedition. The two formed an exceptional bond on their expedition, from the trek into basecamp all the way toward the final summit attempt. They actually had met in Kathmandu in the fall of 2011, when Grace was heading out to Ama Dablam and Mia was heading out to Mera and Baruntse. Except for a few group dinners together, the pair hadn’t interacted much, but they at least “knew of ” each other going into the 2012 trip to Lhotse. For the first half of the expedition, the two remained more as acquaintances than friends, because their personali-

ties are quite different. But, their mutual respect for the other’s experience and apprenticeships in the big mountains formed the foundation of their eventual friendship and strengthened their teamwork while acclimatizing for Lhotse. Grace and Mia often shared their frustrations and opinions about their climbs or about others they observed on Everest, and they discussed their climbing strategies daily.

In a comical tent-sharing episode in Camp III for both mountains, I found myself sandwiched between the two women for one night. The experience would probably seem like every man’s dream, especially at 24,000’/7300m. But I got to see first hand that these ladies of Lhotse meant business and were focused solely on making it to the top of the world’s fourth-highest summit.

We were all very efficient with our food and gear preparation the next morning, and we politely took our turns getting ready before departing for our respective high camps very early, motivating and encouraging each other toward the top.

Grace and Mia ended up sharing a tent in most camps, and I was often their neighbor. They found that, while their personalities were certainly opposite, discovering those differences made for humorous stories. But, in the important ways, they were similar. Both were on the same page about ef-

sume r’s Re Climbe 972. atten‐ E 4/15/1 F AEF flight inland r F o i MIA GR , n i e k S in mbing: n Hels ot cli Born i when n n o i t Occupa ser. or Pur dant f ons: pediti and ex s b m i l c Major 2001 2008 August IN tober 897m, 5 MOUNTA r 9m, Oc o 8 d 1 a 6 u c l E a p , e xi se, N 009 Cotopa Imja T pril 2 Peak, 19m, A 1 6 l a Island , Nep y 2010 e East 0m, Ma Lobuch r 2011 t, 730 e b i T Octobe u, 6476m, Cho Oy , 2011 l a r p e Octobe 2012 eak, N 7152m, Mera p .00 am , 9 l a t p a e N 0 2 , e y s a M Barunt 8501m, Nepal, Lhotse 2006 Tibet Camp, ALPINE e s a B m 1 1 erest 008 21 Mt. Ev eden 2 5083m se, Sw 8 i 0 a 0 k 2 e n l Keb , Nepa m g n a h 5 s T 8 550 al 200 Nankar r; Nep a h m t 0 t 6 a 3 09 5 Kala P 15m pal 20 009 40 769m Ri, Ne ance 2 r F 2009 3 Gokyo , e e Franc Ecrinc , e s m d n 1 i 9 e r 8 r c 3 E Bar 2009 e des France e Neig d , l e a m t o n D Orie 69m je pic 009 37 La Mei ance 2 r F , u a m e 4 t 6 a 1 4 Le R H 2010 orn, C 527m Breith 4 0 1 0 m CH 2 m Liskam 0 4228 CH 201 r m 2 9 Casto 0 4 0 CH 201 4478m 1 Pollux 1 0 2 H horn C r e t t a M

Mia crossing a ladder over a crevasse in the Western Cwm* valley.

(Photo by Jon Kedrowski) *The Western Cwm is a glacial valley that runs right up to the foot of Everest and Lhotse. It wa snamed by the first expedition party to explore the upper sections of Everest when searching for routes to the summit. (Cwm is pronounced coom and is Welsh for a bowl-shaped valley.)

52 WAM • SPRING | 2013

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mountaineers and didn’t need guides. ficiency and preparedness. At the end of the day, those are the most essential all of us gals strive and work toward goals like this, there will be fewer ingredients for a good climbing partner. men looking perplexed and bewildered when we zoom past them.”

Because Grace and Mia were serious about their objectives and could I tend to agree with this, as I witnessed both Grace and Mia take care of themselves, I could count on them if we happened to be in the zipping past many climbers during my forays up and down Everest same camp on the same days. Often, I was out of a camp and headed to my during the 2012 expedition! I expect to see women excelling on many next one very early in the morning, and Grace or Mia wouldn’t be far bemore Himalayan and Karakoram giants in the years to come, and I hind, always out ahead of most other climbers. Two particular mornings, we wouldn’t doubt it if the Grace and Mia duo makes it to the top of descended the Khumbu Icefall together, and I was confident that we could Everest someday soon. n all climb together quickly, safely, and efficiently. Most importantly, we had lots of fun! The gals were usually cracking jokes and enjoying the spectacular Jon Kedrowski, Ph.D, is the best-selling author of Sleeping on the Sumvistas. I’d say 2012 proved to be the Year of the Ladies of Lhotse, as several mits: Colorado Fourteener High Bivys, a climber, and motivational women from the United States, Poland, and Great Britain—in addition speaker. Find him on Twitter at @drjonked or his to Mia and Grace—made successful summit attempts. You get everything website jonkeverest.org. you earn by climbing the highest mountains on Earth because the views and experiences are well worth the effort. Grace says, “The big mountains are great equalizers.Though you may not start out the fastest, strongest, most independent, experienced, helpful, Climber’ s Resume or confident climber, with enough work, you could be. And, if G RACE MCD ONALD Born in Toronto, Canada 8 Occupati /22/1978 on when . not clim bing: La wyer Major cl imbs and expediti 2010: Lo ons buche Ea st; 20,0 2010: Ac 7 5 ’/6119m oncagua (attempt got to 6 , weathe ,500m); red off, 22,841’/ 2011: Ch only 6969m o Oyu; 2 6 , 9 0 6’/8201m 2011: Sh ishapang ma (Cent 26,289’/ ral Summ 8013m it); 2011: Am a Dablam ; 22,349’/ 2012: Lh 6812’ otse; 27 ,940’/85 2012: Br 16m oad Peak (no oxyg off, got en attem to 7,000 pt, weat m); 26,4 2012: Ko hered 14’/8051 hsar Gan m g , supposed but we t ly a 6,0 hink may 00 m mou be actua aborted ntain lly a bi due to d t less ( angerous attempt 2012: Sp route, r antik 23 ockfall ,054’/70 etc.)

27m

WAM • SPRING | 2013 53

HER turn

BY JENNIFER C. OLSON

The final part in our series about women who excel in their personal, professional, and outdoor passions partly due to help from their gallant and understanding supporters

NA M E :

Lisa Conrad

AG E :

48

S TOMP I NG GROU N D S :

Fitchberg, Mass.

triathlon, snowshoeing, standup paddling

SP ORTS:

NUMB ER OF S TAT E S IN W H ICH S H E HAS RAC ED : 11. “I picked up the eleventh state last October when I added Georgia to my list!” She’ll be in Nashville in April and is looking at Myrtle Beach for this fall.

KEY SUP P ORT E R :

O

her husband Chris

n most weekdays, Lisa Conrad’s husband washes the dinner dishes, prepares Lisa’s snacks for the next day, and then does light maintenance on her tri bike. Chris bought Lisa her first pair of snowshoes, got her started cross-country skiing, and kayaks beside her when she practices open water swims in Walden Pond near their home.

“He’s the real outdoorsy guy,” Lisa says. “He’s not as much into road racing, he prefers to sit in the woods. He fishes, and he and my son ride their snowmobiles a lot.”

But Chris is into helping her race. “Training and racing make her happy,” he says. “She has found a way to do all that and work a full time job and take care of me and our son. On the flip side, I accept that she is away a lot. And I accept that some nights she is going to be tired.”

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“My son thinks I’m a nut. He used to call me a running Nazi,” Lisa says to explain her family’s take on her time- and energyconsuming hobbies. “But without him and Chris, nothing I do would be possible. They pick up the slack with chores around the house, stand by me when life gets a little overwhelming, and put up with me falling asleep on the couch by 9 p.m.—sometimes earlier.

They might not be at all my events, but I know they are with me in spirit,” Lisa says.

Lisa started running at age 38 to be in great shape when she turned 40, and set a goal to do a 5k that year, challenged herself to race a 10k the following year, and then ran a half marathon with her running group girlfriends the third year. “I keep trying to one-up the prior year,” Lisa says. And that annual progression eventually led her to triathlon. “I got hooked,” Lisa says about her start in the sport. “Honestly, it was a dare.”

She and the fifteen other gals in her running group decided to try something new and fun so ended up entering an all-women’s sprint triathlon in September 2009. “We had the whole summer to get ready,” Lisa reminisces. “I wore a tiara for the run and matching earrings. One of the girls showed up with streamers flowing off her handlebars. I’ve never laughed so hard.”

She calls herself the old lady of the group because the rest are at least ten years younger. But she’s a self-proclaimed “back of the packer” or “middle of the road gal” and says she isn’t too hard on herself. “I’m not too concerned with where other people are in the races. I want to be able to cross the finish line and know I did my best.”

womensadventuremagazine.com

These two triathletes—one a corporate accountant, the other a business owner—share how they and their supporters pull it off to accomplish their dreams.

PHOTO CREDITS: QUIS IN COREM QUIDE VOLOREP ERROVIT REMODIASIT ES

Lisa Conrad began racing triathlons on a dare. The rest is history.“I got hooked!” she says.

Lisa’s made good friends through running, snowshoe racing, and triathlon. “My circle of friends has changed, and now my closer friends are people I race with,” she says. “The women around me are happy I have an out from my stressful job.”

She’s head of accounting for a plastics manufacturer, where she collaborates with attorneys and CPAs and of course spends a lot of time sitting at her desk crunching numbers.

Last we spoke to Lisa, she was heading back from Stratton, Vermont, where she and her team have run the Vermont Romp to Stomp Snowshoe for Susan G Komen since 2010! “It was so cold but so much fun and beautiful!” says Lisa, who volunteered on race morning. “It was 0 degrees at 7:30 a.m. We started snowshoeing at 11 a.m., and the trail this year was just spectacular!”

As much as it was for fun, the race was part of her cross training efforts for the upcoming season. Last year, Lisa moved up to Olympic-distance triathlons and still wanted more. “I tried a half Ironman and had a panic attack in the water,” she said, mentioning that now she’s putting together this year’s race calendar. “I will go back and finish the half Ironman in August.”

Swimming is still her weakest sport but she’s working on it. “I go to Walden Pond—heaven on earth. Across and back is a little over a mile,” Lisa says, “and it’s stepping out of my comfort zone with the little fish abelow me. The first time she swam across and back, Chris was her lifeguard, following in his kayak, making sure she wasn’t off-course. “If I got really nervous, I’d hold on and take a breath,” she says.

It’s not that she’s afraid of the water though. Standup paddleboarding is the newest addition to her lengthy list of hobbies.

“I took a lesson this past summer,” Lisa says. “Because I’m in good shape it came easy, and we did fun stuff—pushups, yoga poses.”

She and Chris bought their own SUP and are eager to use it this

summer. Chris says there is nothing she can’t do, and he’s proud of her. “I always knew Lisa was a superstar,” he proudly declares. “The woman beat a brain tumor. She is dealing with breast cancer issues.

Even if she decided not to race the way she does, she will always be a superstar!”

But that doesn’t mean he saw this coming. “I don’t think either one of us ever predicted it would get to this point,” Lisa remarks.

“My husband had a 75-mile commute everyday when my son was in high school. It would’ve been easy to sit in front of the TV with a glass of wine by myself every night.”

“ Somewhere along the line you drop the ball, and one day you’ll have to make up for it. But I’m happy and I’m healthy.”

So, Lisa trains, takes care of a family, manages a career, maintains a home, all while keeping herself healthy, stress-free, calm, and together? “It’s not always easy but definitely doable,” she says. “Make the most of every minute of your day. Plan ahead. Get out of bed early. Make sure your family knows you love them. And make sure you are having fun. If it’s not fun, it’s not worth it!”

“Yes,” Chris says, “she is obsessed with what she does but there is no balancing. She knows when it’s time to take a break.”

She prioritizes family over workouts but workouts trump household chores, so Lisa has a few systems in place to keep the everyday things from falling apart. “I have a cleaning lady!” she

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HER turn exclaims. “And, I try to stick to the same workout times on a regular basis, too. Most of my training is done at 5 a.m. when everyone is asleep. On Sundays, I iron my clothes for the week and do as much prep work for meals as possible. “Anything you can do ahead of time is well worth the time spent.”

Lately, she’s trying a food service, too. “It seems like we’ve been eating a lot of takeout, and I really don’t like that,” Lisa explains.

“I’m hoping this not only buys me some free time but is healthier.

Good food is fuel for my next workout. A skimpy lunch isn’t going to fuel a 2,000-yard swim workout at 5 p.m.”

Though she’s had a few curve balls thrown at her health-wise, she feels lucky to be healthy and able to race. “It broke my heart when they pulled me from the water in my half Ironman,” she says. “Even then, though, it was the best I could do that day. It’s hard not to be heartbroken when you put so many hours into it.”

The balance between the drive to win and the necessities of motherhood and a career is delicate but, on a racecourse, it’s not about motherhood or corporate accounting.

“Training and racing allows me a chance to step out and just be me,” Lisa says. “I’m not mom out there. I am not the boss out there.

I am not Chris’s wife. I am just Lisa, having fun doing what I love to do. The pressure is there until I start training and racing. It only takes a few minutes and the pressure is gone.

It’s my out!”

Chris understands. He sees her confident and happy and proudly displays photos from all her races in his office. So, he lets her cues guide his support strategy. “Some days she needs my support. Some days she needs me to let her do her own thing. And some days she needs me to remind her how much she loves it and get moving!”

“Luckily my husband is great, and my son is 20,” Lisa says. “I don’t have little ones at home, so I can keep to my schedule better.

Don’t get me wrong—I miss my workouts here and there.”

High school sweethearts, Lisa and Chris have been married 27 years now, and they maintain the flame these days by making the most of their weekends together. “We take my races and turn them into mini vacations,” she says. “When we can get away for a night here or there, I like to do that.”

Chris agrees. “I love when she does races out of town,” he says. “It gives us a few days away from life. We see some sights. We spend time together. And she gets to race. She steals my heart when she smiles as she crosses every finish line!”

“He knows it means a lot to me,” Lisa says.

“I couldn’t do it without having him on my team—not at all.”

A corporate accountant, Lisa depends on her husband, her son, and even her cleaning lady to make

“ When it’s no longer fun, I’m going to stop.”

daily life run smoothly so she can fit in her training and attend races on weekends.

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NA M E :

Lisa Ribes

AG E :

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STOMP I NG G ROU N D S :

Tucson, AZ

professional triathlete, lisaribes.blogspot.com

SP ORT:

KEY SUPPORT E R :

Jon Roberts

T

ucson-based pro triathlete Lisa Ribes own a landscape and architecture business, teaches bike safety classes, and does trail outreach on a volunteer basis. Passionate about all she does, Lisa strives for success in all of the above areas but—try as she might—she can’t do it on her own.

“I have quite a large support system on many levels,” Lisa says, listing her fiancé Jon Roberts, her co-worker who’s also a triathlete, her training buddy and friend Leanda Cave, her coach Thorston Abel, and the multitude of teammates and friends she occasionally meets up with in the pool or on the bike path. “They all make up my support system, even if they’re just there to help me get through the one workout in the morning.”

Lisa was raised in a small town, where the support system is made up of essentially the entire community. “I grew up with that sense of everybody helps out to help everyone else achieve their goals. I still

Lisa Ribes has an extensive support system, which includes everyone from her occassional training partners to her hometown community.

use that. I can still tap into that support system anytime, walk right in the back door.”

Since Lisa owns her own company, she and her coworker and fellow pro triathlete Chris Jeffery can plan their weeks around their training schedules. “Chris is part of my support system, because we help each other get our training in and do our work. We spend a lot of our time while we’re working chit chatting about race stuff. We can talk about things that frustrate us or make us laugh.”

Two people work for her, so they maintain flexibility through planning and communication. “I can do a swim in the middle of the day, then go to a meeting,” she marvels. “Still, as much as I plan it, I always have to shift things around.”

Luckily, her coach Torsten—also a pro triathlete—understands she has limited time to get through the workouts. “There’s not a lot of extra fluff in my training plans,” Lisa says.

Torsten has been in the business since the early ’90s and knows all the in’s and out’s of triathlon training from an athlete’s and coach’s point of view. He realized he would be backing a superstar last season when Lisa came in second at the Phoenix Desert Duathlon.

He describes Lisa as a “pretty tough chick” because she is disciplined, diligent, and determined.

When asked, Torsten says it’s easy to balance her obsession with his needs as a coach: “I get paid,” he states simply and then truthfully says, “I love helping her as much as I can.”

And Jon has his reasons for supporting Lisa, too. “It’s her time now. I’ve had my time. Five years from now, her time will be over.

It’s a logical thing,” he explains. “And she’s cute.”

Jon started coaching Lisa more than four years ago. “I knew she would accomplish great things—once she would actually listen to me!”

He’s her significant other but also her mechanic and live-in unofficial coach. “I understand her goals and what it takes to compete,” says Jon, a former bike racer. “She shouldn’t have to decide which ball to keep in the air. It’s on me.”

When she can work it into her schedule, Lisa trains with other women, like her friend Leanda, who is the 2012 Kona Ironman women’s world champion. “I can rant and rave to her,” Lisa says.

“She’s been racing for 20 years!”

Right in line with that, Leanda says her support strategy centers around just being a good listener. “Lisa is a very calculated person and she knows how to organize and prioritize things in her life,” she says. “If Lisa calls me up, I know it must be important!”

Plus, they have pretty parallel ambitions in triathlon. “We are on the same page when it comes to an obsession,” Leanda says.

“Lisa is my age, and I know there is a best before date on being a professional athlete. Essentially we have the same needs, so we work in sync.”

Since Leanda is the more experienced and accomplished in triathlon, Lisa solicits her advice. But that’s about it. “Honestly, she is so independent. As a good friend, I try to offer her a little more,” Leanda says. “She should ask for more. Lisa doesn’t ask for enough.”

To carry out the logistics of this lifestyle, Lisa keeps a printed weekly schedule, outlining both her workouts and her work appointments and deadlines. “That sounds very regimented,” she

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HER turn

“ I knew she would accomplish great things — once she would actually listen to me!”

Lisa trains with the best of the best, including 2012 Kona Ironman World Champion Leana Cave.

consents, “but I am just as flexible with things that pop up suddenly so I am constantly changing the schedule. It at least keeps me organized.”

This sort of organization actually helps her stay flexible. And, she tries being resourceful, too, keeping her training gear in her car in case she’s able to squeeze in a midday workout. “I juggle fairly well,” Lisa assesses, mentioning that her workouts are sometimes built into her work commute. “I am always packing and unpacking bags of clothes, files, laptops, etcetera and lugging them back and forth. I take what I need for that day and sometimes take clothes for a few days ahead. All of this gets figured out at the beginning of the week with my schedule.”

“I am trying to do two full time jobs at once and do them one hundred percent,” she says. “I don’t have a lot of extra time, so I have to get on with work or training, because I have something else to do right after that task.”

But, even with efficient scheduling and organization, something has to give. “There are times when I don’t get much sleep, which is supposed to add up after a while,” Lisa half-jokes. Then she is serious: “I just focus on what needs to get done today. I do as much as I can and start all over the next day.”

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Her business contracts take precedence over workouts, period.

“Prioritizing is the easy part, I think,” Lisa says. “I can be somewhat flexible with my training, but when a project is due, I have to hand it to my clients that day.”

If she must, Lisa can move around appointments, and many of her clients understand. “My clients are flexible, too, and just as interested in my racing as they are in the designs we are creating for them! In a weird way, they become part of the support system as well,” she says.

Jon takes care of most everything else. “I make sure she breathes,” Jon says. “I take care of the cooking and the normal daily stuff and help her pack up her bike before she travels.”

Lisa does sacrifice time with friends and sleep sometimes, but in general resists giving up either. “Both of those are key to my emotional health, so I try not to do that too often. But I can rest when my time on this earth is over.”

“Eventually it catches up with her,” Leanda sympathizes, “and that’s where I come in to give her a bit of support. Plus, her fiancé gives her a bit of space!”

So, ultimately, Lisa’s support system is integral to keeping her healthy, stress-free, calm, and together. “They understand what I am

womensadventuremagazine.com

trying to do and are flexible with me,” she says. “I think they do it all because they want to and because they know I would do the same for them.”

Jon agrees. “Ultimately, it’s her time. She’s the right age and still has another three or four years of competing. Typically, with endurance sports, you need to be a little older. Your body needs that time to adapt to that sort of training.”

And it has taken several years for Lisa to truly adjust to the volume and intensity of training necessary at the pro level. “I remind myself every time it hurts that working through the pain is what makes me a better, stronger athlete,” she says. “Anyone can stop when it starts to hurt; those who excel are the ones who push through it.”

And Torsten tries easing the stress by coaching Lisa efficiently and maintaining communication. “I deliver workout plans that balance training versus general life stressors, such as work,” he says. “It is extremely important to me to know what’s going on in her life and adjust training accordingly.”

But some days she just wants to stop striving so hard. “But I love doing these things because it gets me outside, and it keeps me active, traveling, creative, and productive,” she insists. “I also enjoy it because I feel it inspires others to get out and do something.”

“I think she has a hidden battery tucked away somewhere!”

Leanda jokes.

Though she hardly gets overwhelmed, Lisa’s supporters know how to respond in the rare occasions when she does feel inadequate. “It’s important to her to keep perspective,” Jon reminds. “Leanda Cave, one of her best friends, is one of the top triathletes in the world.

And Lisa’s work partner is a top Xterra triathlete. She’s competing and playing with the best and has to realize she can’t train as hard as Leanda.”

Jon explains further: “She has the same skill set. She’s got another set of skills in her business. She’s well respected in that community as well. She’s at the top end of both her professions. She has to be realistic, but she can do both.”

Torsten thinks Lisa is tough on herself sometimes and really can shine if she just trusts herself. “With regards to racing, she still needs to become more confident in her own abilities and keep racing the big girls,” Torsten says. “She has to learn to relax, go out there, and have fun racing. That’s the best way to achieve a state of excellence and have a breakthrough race.”

Lisa knows she often tries to be too perfect or competitive.

“You’re breaking yourself down more than helping yourself at that point,” she says. “I do question my sanity on an almost-daily basis,” Lisa says, “But that goes away pretty quickly.”

So, a majority of the time Jon is a cheerleader, insisting she relaxes, breathes, and worries less about the future. “Emotionally, I try not to let her defeat herself,” he explains. “She is very driven and is afraid that she is not doing enough. As an athlete she runs the risk of overtraining, over worrying and over-complicating life in general.”

Lisa schedules down time and tries to space out appointments and workouts to allow some breathing room and relaxation. “Giving myself that extra time makes me more focused,” Lisa explains, “and I can actually achieve more than if I were to cram in task after

Lisa Ribes excels as a pro triathlete and as a business owner.

task after task. Jon helps me out tremendously with this and is my reminder that I need to take a break now and then.”

“Sometimes I’ve just got to tell her no,” Jon says.

Lisa leaves no stone unturned. “She does everything with one hundred percent effort and commitment,” Leanda explains. “I think when you do all the little things, the big things seem a little less overwhelming, because you have done everything in your power to be the best you can be.”

Still, Leanda encourages Lisa to have a more singular focus. “Lisa tries to juggle both passions in her life,” Leanda says. “I am trying to convince her to have a good crack at just being a pro athlete while she has the support system in place to enable that to happen.”

Jon’s perspective is a bit different. He wants her to realize both dreams and is eager to help her achieve them. “I don’t consider her choice to excel in business and athletics an obsession,” he says.

“We’re partners in this life and she approaches my needs with the same fervor she has for her own. Since she has a small window to live her dream as a professional athlete, I’m okay with focusing on her needs for now, because I’m confident that when the day comes for my obsession she will be on board.”

Jon considers the chance to support Lisa not as a compromise but as an honor. “I’m her biggest fan,” Jon explains it simply. “I love watching her shine.” n

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WAM • WINTER | 2011

BENJAMINTHOUARD

aster 60

This could be you. Find gear and skills tips or learn how to get started standup paddleboard racing on page 66. Our experts encourages all women to SUP with our friends and family for fun, fitness, and of course adventure.

m Canyoneering

The sun fades as you lower into the Medieval Chamber. Your eyes adjust to the darkness and the vertical stone walls turn salmon pink, a contrast to the glowing oranges and reds the sandstone takes on under the desert sun. The legacy of the water that carved this cavern is obvious, the walls undulating in ripples and waves. You brush your hand against the smooth rock and feel the course, sandy grains against your fingertips. The air is cool and moist, a refreshing respite from the heat above. Your feet touch down on the soft sand of the canyon floor. You’ve completed your first canyoneering rappel.

Enter the world of canyoneering and the hidden treasures of canyon country. Canyon descents are often in remote landscapes where rescue is difficult, but with the proper skills, equipment, and training, you can take on these adventures of discovery.

Train Up Start with an easy canyon that has an established approach trail to familiarize yourself with canyon travel. Take classes with the American Canyoneering Academy (canyoneering.net) to learn and hone your technical skills or hire an American Canyon Guides Association–certified guide (canyonguides.net) to show you the way.

By Casey Flynn

Canyoneering

Delve Into the Narrow, Winding World of Canyon Country

Reduce Your Impact Stay on bedrock, in a wash or creek, or on established trails where ever you can to minimize erosion. When traveling through canyons of soft stone, such as sandstone or limestone, extend the anchors for rappels over the lip to avoid wearing grooves into the rock when you pull your rope.

canyoneering (also canyoning) noun the sport of exploring a canyon by engaging in such activities as rappelling, rafting, and waterfall jumping.

Route-Finding Canyon country can be disorienting, with ribs of rock and deep chasms often blocking passage. “You’re not always going to be on a trail, so it’s important to be able to read a map and understand and identify main features so that you make sure you go down the right canyon,” says Stephanie Martin, a 14-year canyoneering veteran based in Arizona. Here are Stephanie’s best route-finding tips.

• GPS is helpful, but don’t rely on it. Technology can help with the approach, but once you’re inside the canyon it’s hard to get a lock on satellites.

• Use the twists and turns of the canyon and incoming drainages to orient yourself on the map.

• Know your route. You won’t always be going to the bottom of the canyon, so watch for tributaries you may have to turn up as part of your exit route.

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Canyoneering

Anchor Evaluation

Though some well-established routes have artificial anchors like bolts or pitons, most descents involve rappelling off natural anchors, such as boulders or trees. Evaluating the reliability of natural features is a difficult skill to develop. “Unfortunately, it’s all kind of subjective, whether you wish to trust your life or your person to whatever you happen to be using for the anchor,” Stephanie says. We advise extreme caution, formal training, and guidance from a more experienced canyoneer.

• Use thick, deeply rooted trees, logs that are securely wedged, or large boulders that cannot be moved as anchors.

• Never trust an old anchor without first assessing it. Canyons regularly experience fast-flowing water and a large weather event may have shifted the terrain and compromised the anchor.

m

Rappelling

Descending canyons requires unique rappel skills that are more akin to caving than rock climbing. Rappel starts are often awkward and ungraceful because of sharp overhangs or questionable anchors. Malia McIlvenna, Utah canyoneer and regular attendee of the annual Chick-Fest Women’s Canyoneering Festival, offers advice from the field.

• Ease your weight onto the anchor. Sit and scoot over the edge, or downclimb using your feet and non-brake hand to get the rope on the rock surface. This added friction helps ease the load on the anchor.

• For sharp overhangs, place your knees against the lip and lower yourself gently until your upper body is below your knees. Once your rappel device has cleared the edge you can let your knees off and settle into a free-hanging rappel.

• Be careful of pinching your hand under the rope or webbing as you weight it. You can grab on to help lower yourself into the rappel, but make sure you remove your fingers before the rope presses against the rock.

• Have someone give inexperienced rappellers an additional belay from above and a fireman’s belay from below, where a partner holds the bottom rope strands as a back-up brake.

CASEY FLYNN, LAURELYN SAYAH

Find a friend Going with guys can be great, but finding a group of gals to explore with is a whole different experience. Join the Chick-Fest Yahoo group (groups. yahoo.com/group/ ChickFest2) or visit Bogley Outdoor Community’s Ladies Only canyoneering forum (bogley.com/ forum/forumdisplay. php?119-***-LadiesOnly-***) to find a partner or ask a question.

Gearing Up

Flash-Flood Risks Narrow canyons funnel water from large drainages above and a small amount of rain can turn into a twenty-foot flood.

Rain many miles away can drain into the canyon you’re in, so pay attention to the weather forecast for the whole watershed that feeds your river or wash. Recent rain that has saturated the soil or drought that has hardened the surface can also cause increased runoff.

“I try to do all my shopping at thrift stores,” says Malia. “Canyons are hard on clothes.” Beyond the technical gear—rope, belay/rappel device, webbing, harness, helmet, and extra carabiners—Malia offers up some innovative gear ideas.

• Protect your joints with kneepads and elbow pads. Wrestling kneepads stay in place better than volleyball pads and neoprene elbow sleeves, like those made for football, are great for protection and extra friction.

• Go with sticky-rubber shoes that drain well. La Sportiva and

5.10 make canyoneering shoes, but neither have women-specific models. Wear them with thick wool or neoprene socks to avoid hotspots. Approach shoes for rock climbing that have a synthetic upper or river shoes for kayaking and rafting are lightweight and good choices for summer.

• Affordable and durable nitrile gardening gloves are great for rappelling and sticking to the canyon walls. Get some with a synthetic back so they dry quickly.

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By Chris Kassar

Foraging

m Foraging You sit down to dinner and enjoy a dandelion green, wild onion omelet, fresh spinach salad, and strawberry pie.

Sounds delectable, right? Now imagine you gathered many of the ingredients for this feast while out on a walk that very afternoon. Makes it even more delicious, doesn’t it? Well, this scenario doesn’t have to exist only in your imagination. Master the art of foraging and you can begin easily and safely adding to your table’s bounty without any extra trips to the market.

Where Do I Start?

Learning to correctly identify and use edible and medicinal plants can be daunting, but try not to get overwhelmed. With time, extensive research, and these tips from our experts, you’ll be enjoying the fruits (and veggies and herbs) of your labor in no time.

Find an Expert. “The most important thing you can do is get a good teacher,” says foraging expert, renowned author, and director of Wild Food Ad-

Common Useful Species

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According to Dave Canterbury, a survival expert with 20-plus years of experience, “Foraging describes the ability to supplement your diet in an emergency or longerterm sustainment scenario with local resources including plants, nuts, berries, and tubers.” This age-old craft of finding wild edibles, medicinal plants, and herbs requires patience, detective skills, a sense of discovery, and a desire for adventure.

and field guides abound, but not all are created equal. Kallas recommends finding one by an author with personal harvesting experience, while Canterbury suggests carrying multiple references at all times since no one guide can cover everything.

Read reviews here: wildfoodadventures.com/ bookstorereviews.html Master a Few. Learn the names and identifying features of a small number of plants common to the places you’ll be exploring.

Other common plants for food: In the spring across the U.S. it is not hard to find clover, dandelion, dock, cattail, and various other edible and useful plants, many of which may grow in your own yard.

Chickweed: Cold weather- and freezetolerant. Available in quantity in late winter and spring. Good raw in salads or cooked.

Black Walnut Tree: You can eat the highly nutritious nuts. Plus, the roots, leaves, and bark have many medicinal properties and can be used as anti-inflammatory, astringent, blood purifier, blood tonic, detergent, emetic, and laxative. womensadventuremagazine.com

ILLUSTRATIONS BY SARAH FULLER

White Oak: “Generally considered the mega tree of medicinal trees,” says Canterbury, this tree’s bark contains vitamin B-12, calcium, iron, and zinc— plus the compounds tannin, which acts as astringent, and quercin, which boasts aspirinlike properties.

ventures, John Kallas, PhD. “Throughout history all of this knowledge was passed down from elders and parents to children.

Humans still learn best this way, so find someone who can pass on the information firsthand.” He suggests taking classes from a local botanist or wild food expert, so check out local nature centers, clubs, and state parks for classes and workshops.

Read, Read, Read. Spend hours researching and becoming familiar with the plants and herbs in your area. Books

What Is Foraging?

Foraging

What are the Benefits?

Tips for Fruitful Foraging “What used to be common knowledge is now largely forgotten,” says Kallas, who has dedicated his life to reintroducing modern folks to the art (and science) of foraging.

Here’s how to avoid the most common pitfalls.

Mind the Details. “It’s not enough to know a plant is edible or has medicinal properties,” says Kallas. Once you’ve identified it, you need to know 1) what parts are edible (or medicinal), 2) at what stage of growth it is when you spot the plant, and 3) how to properly prepare it. “If you don’t know those things about each part of a plant, then you don’t know enough to eat it or use it.”

Know Before You Go. “Plant identification skills need to be learned and practiced,”

says Canterbury. It’s important to hone your ID skills prior to an expedition or even a hike because “the last point at which you want to learn about differentiating between the edible cow parsnip and the very toxic poison hemlock is in a survival situation.”

Keep An Eye Out. You don’t have to go far to begin your foraging career. “You would be surprised just how many edible and medicinal plants grow very close to your front door and are considered weeds we should kill so that our lawn looks nicer for the neighbors,” says Canterbury.

Harvesting can begin with a walk through your neighborhood, a nearby park, or a wilderness area that is farther afield. Just try to choose a

healthy environment free from chemical sprays, polluted water, car fumes … and dog pee!

If In Doubt, Leave It Out! “It’s not like people get poisoned right and left doing this,” says Kallas. “People are pretty cautious about this—and with good reason.” However, the consequences of misidentification can be dangerous and even deadly so only use a wild product if you are CERTAIN you can accurately identify the species in question.

Take Only What You Need.

Harvest responsibly. “Sustainability is a proactive way of thinking,” says Kallas. “It’s a state of mind and a way of being that dictates how you harvest and how our ancestors harvested.”

“Foraging is, at times, just useful entertainment when we are outdoors and want to identify edible or medicinal plants,” says Canterbury, who is a co-founder and instructor at Pathfinder School.

“At other times, however, foraging can help you survive.” In addition to helping you endure a crisis, gathering products directly from nature brings many other rewards.

Eat Fresher Food. “The ability to harvest

wild edibles means you can add absolutely fresh food to your table every day. This is as fresh as it gets,” Kallas says. Plus, the fare you gather is packed with more nutrients and flavor than most processed and purchased foods.

Reconnect with the Land. Wan-

dering outside and harvesting traditional edibles provides a respite from e-mail, cell phones, and worries, which creates opportunity to strengthen your connection with and appreciation for nature.

Stay Active. Gathering plants and

wild berries may not be high intensity training, but it is exercise. “Foraging gets you outside and moving in nature rather than sitting inside and looking in your refrigerator,” says Kallas.

Tread Lighter. “Knowing how and what

Resources

Find a Teacher Near You: eattheweeds.com/foraging/foraging-instructors Classes /Events: • Wild Food Workshops & Events: wildfoodadventures.com/workshop.html • Pathfinder School LLC: thepathfinderschoolllc.com • Forager’s Harvest: foragersharvest.com Books & Guides: • Waterford Pocket Guides: Edible Wild Plants and Medicinal Plants • Peterson Field Guides • John Kallas, Edible Wild Plants: Wild Foods from Dirt to Plate • Samuel Thayer, Forager’s Harvest • Any book by Matthew Woods (recommended by Canterbury) matthewwoodherbs.com/books.html

Pine: Most pines have several edible parts and are useful for medicine, glue, fire making, and Vitamin C.

m

Wild Spinach: Common in gardens and disturbed areas.

Many of us see it as a weed, pull it, and toss it out. Instead, toss in salad or lightly steam.

to forage enables us to carry less and save space when recreating outdoors,” says Canterbury. This means a lighter pack, a happier back, and more interesting backcountry meals.

Free Food! Understanding what common plants we can eat or harvest helps us supplement the things we currently buy.

Kids Love It. According to Kallas, children excel at foraging because they often “pay attention to details better than adults do and can find plants that their parents don’t recognize.”

It’s Fun!

Garlic Mustard: Most nutritious leafy green ever analyzed.

Purslane: Contains more Omega 3 than any other plant.

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By Courtney Johnson

SUP Racing

m SUP Racing Standup paddleboarding, or Hoe he’e nalu in Hawaiian, can be traced to the early days of surfing in Waikiki beginning in the early 1950s through the ’70s. A dry spell of waves in the early 2000s is said to be the rebirth of the sport as pro surfing athletes turned to SUP as way to get in a good workout while paddling long distances.

So, you know how to hold the paddle correctly, have paddled for an hour or so multiple times, and can get through a session without falling off. You might be wondering what your next challenge should be. Why not try your first standup paddle race?

Who’s done it?

“I actually had a really positive first race experience,” said Brandi Cumin Baksic, a mother and firefighter from San Clemente, CA, who won two gold medals at the 2012 ISA World SUP Championships in Peru and has finished top three at Battle of the Paddle the past three years. “I knew what the course would be, so I practiced it a couple of times, and there were no surprises.”

Races vary in distance. Start small and choose your race distance based on your skill level. A five-mile run might not seem long, but a five-mile paddle is. When possible, choose a race you can pre-paddle. Most races are also unisex with a mass start for each race distance. A racecourse may be an out-and-back or a downwind sprint or triangle shaped loop.

A short course (two to four miles) race is best for a first timer—or someone who doesn’t race that often—or for an athlete who isn’t used to course conditions (a lake paddler racing in an ocean). Another option is also prone racing, where you lie down on the board and paddle using only your arms.

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1. Paddle the distance. This is the best advice for a first-time SUP racer.

Unlike a marathon, where you don’t have to run a full 26.2 in training, paddling the full distance of your race multiple times is important.

2. Grab a friend. It is easier to make long paddle sessions actually happen if you have a friend along. Even if that friend doesn’t want to race, remind her what a great low-impact, total-body workout standup paddling can be. You can talk while you’re paddling, and going out in pairs is also safer. Plus, it holds you accountable, will make you push more, and you can simulate a race where your competitive side can shine. If you go out alone, tell someone where you are going and how long you’ll be out.

3. Consistency, consistency, consistency. Paddling is one of the sports that you need to practice as much as you can in varied conditions. “I fell all the time when I was beginning—on flat water too,” says Brandi.

“I train in the open ocean on flat days and windy days to experience all conditions. It truly just takes time on the board to get the feel for every circumstance.”

4. Practice your water entries, turns, and exits. Practice makes perfect when it comes to race starts, turning, and exiting on a beach. When you are out for a paddle session, simulate beach starts and beach exits. With a mass field, you will not have the usual amount of room to make wide turns. Do repeat buoy turns every time you get out on the board.

5. Mimic a race and mimic the racecourse. If you have the opportunity to paddle the actual racecourse pre-race (several days before), then do.

“Familiarity with a course helps with confidence and competence,” Brandi says. “If you can’t do the actual course, find out what type of course it is, what the conditions will likely be, and how long it is. Then, paddle something similar. If I race in a foreign place, I usually follow the fast locals. They know the quickest route, understand the local tides, and are aware of the hazards.”

6. Learn from the best. Attend a race or SUP clinic to get tips and learn better stroke technique. “Actually, I learned my stroke from paddling behind a more experienced racer (Rob Rojas), and I watched Jimmy Terrell of QuickBlade’s video on stroke technique,” admits Brandi. womensadventuremagazine.com

COURTNEY JOHNSON, BENJAMIN THOUARD

Choosing a Race

Getting Ready to Race

SUP Racing

m

Race Day Musts

Expert Training Tips Brandi Baksic offers her best quick beginner training tips, recommending intervals and cross training. SUP training follows the same format as many other sports: If you want to get better, faster, and more efficient, you’ve got to practice, practice, practice. “Anyone, [eventually] can go out and do a five-mile cruise but that is when SUP is a leisure activity,” Brandi says, emphasizing that racing is a whole other animal. “Like many sports, to get better, you’ve got to get uncomfortable. To me, this means incorporating intervals in your workout. Long, medium, and short intervals will hurt and, if they don’t, you are not going hard enough. Yes, intervals takes the

fun out of the sport, until you are done, then you feel great and stoked on what you just did.”

Regarding the gym: Cross training is important in every sport and it’s important in SUP racing. “I find that paddling a lot gives me the upper body strength I need for paddling and for work—I’m a firefighter. I do, however, do lots of circuit-like workouts that involve light weights mixed with high-intensity cardio sessions, like spin class and crossfit-type workouts. But, at the end of the day, if you want to get better at paddling, you’ve got to paddle lots—and with intensity.”

1. Check the forecast before you go. And not just the weather forecast. Especially if the race is on the ocean, check the water forecast. The direction of the waves, whether there is chop, and the size and period of the swells are all important to know.

2. Arrive at the race venue early. Check out the conditions, get a good start position, and warm up if possible.

3. Pay attention at the pre-race meeting. The race director will be giving out essential info, including any last minute course changes.

4. Race your own race. It is tough at any race or event not to get caught up in the adrenaline, emotion, and excitement. Don’t exhaust yourself trying to find open water, and don’t get sucked into going out too fast.

5. H20! Hydrate, because it does a body good.

Being on the water and in the sun will zap your hydration levels quicker than you think.

Many racers choose to use a hydration pack or belt (Camelbak makes an SUP-specific one).

Sport drinks with calories are a good idea for races four miles and longer. Drink before you are thirsty!

6. Remember you are out there to have fun. If you fall off, so what? Get back up and enjoy the day!

SUP is a great low-impact, total-body workout!

Equipment Roll Call 1. SUP board with leash (Board length guidelines: 12’6” for races between two and six miles or 14’ for six- to nine-mile races) 2. Paddle (Length: With the tip of the paddle on the floor, the grip should reach the palm of your hand with your arm stretched upward.)

3. Hydration pack 4. Sunglasses 5. Board shorts, a rash guard, or something similar (some races hand out numbered rash guards) 6. Waterproof sunblock 7. Waterproof GPS for tracking distance 8. Heart rate monitor (not necessary but makes it easier to stay in your most efficient zone for the distance)

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Why Ride Liv/giant Retailer Trainer and Event Coordinator for the West Coast, Val Vanderpool is a certified pro mechanic who drives thousands of miles a year to teach women’s bike maintenance and ride clinics, explore local cycling routes, and offer product demos.

Here, she teaches us the specifics of how to get comfortable on your bike, learn how to take care of it, and feel great while riding. Look for her smiling face and able hands in how-to videos on womensadventuremagazine. com throughout 2013.

Riding in Traffic Be predictable. “Cyclists typically make drivers nervous because the cyclist is weaving and the driver can’t tell what she might do,” Amber explains. “Pick a line and hold it, instead of weaving between parked cars and the curb.”

Venture out of your comfort zone but not past your stretch zone. “I like to think that you’ve got your comfort zone, your stretch zone, and your panic zone,” Amber says, applying this advice to urban riders, club riders, and new racers alike. “When you’re learning, keep yourself in that stretch zone. At first, you’re riding in a quiet neighborhood. It’s where you learn and where you stay safe. If you throw yourself into a race or downtown traffic, you panic and lose your bike handling skills.” In the stretch zone, you can improve your skills and stay safe in the process.

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“Riding a bike is fun!” Val exclaims. “If there’s one sport that’ll make you feel like a kid again, it’s probably riding a bike. It’s also good for you.

You’re exercising and it doesn’t necessarily feel like it.”

Getting started: Go with a friend. Borrow a bike if you don’t have one, and ride it. If you really like it and want to get into cycling, then shop for your own. “Demo as many as you can,” Val advises. “Get a sense of all the options and know that there is a bike that fits you well and that will work in your budget, even if it’s a tight budget. There are even more options for women than ever before.” So learn about those options.

Go into your local retailer and ask questions.

Ask your friends who ride what they like, what their experience is.

Getting back into it: If you already have a bike and maybe took a break for a little while, take it to the shop. Make sure that everything works, that it still fits you, that everything is dialed in so you have the most comfortable, safest ride possible.

Getting more involved: Doing a charity ride or a race is a good way to get motivated because you’ll have a goal and can make it a social thing. Try to keep riding fun. Ride with your kids, your husband, or your friends.

Keep Your Bum Happy “When your bum is happy, you’re happy,” Val says, which is why your bike seat is key. “Sometimes we luck out, and the bike we buy has a great saddle that we love. But, you might have to shop around in order to find the right one.” Take advantage of a saddle demo program at your bike shop so you can shop around without spending hundreds of dollars. You can try one style for a week, then bring it back and try another. “Saddles do wear out,” Val reminds us, “so if things start feeling uncomfortable, take it into the shop. They can tell you whether your saddle is shot and help you find a new one.”

Cushiony vs. Slim “Cushy saddles—big fat cruiser bike saddles—are made specifically to the geometry of the bike,” Val explains. “On a cruiser, your body is in an upright position where all the weight is on your bum. But when you get into, say, a drop-bar road bike, your weight shifts forward and lifts off your sit bones a little. You won’t need and won’t want all that cushion. We’re all shaped differently and come in different proportions. It’s not about the padding; it’s more about the fit, which has to do with where your body weight is while you’re hanging out on the bike. So, on a cruiser, you won’t want that road bike saddle either. It’d be torture.”

Saddle Height Women who take Val’s clinics report having aches and pains that can be prevented with proper bike fit and the correct saddle height. “Having your bike set up properly for you can make or break your experience,” Val says. “It’s the difference between having fun and being miserable.”

Choosing a Route Plan ahead and map out a low-traffic route. “I like to use Google maps and turn on the satellite picture,” Amber says. Look at the main route (the one you might drive in a car) between Points A and B. Then find a parallel road and see what it looks like.

Check whether it’s busy or easily congested so you can avoid traffic.

Bike tech, bike commuter, and recreational road rider Amber Cole has been an REI Outdoor School instructor with the Los Angeles outdoor school since it began six years ago.

“Road riding is the best way to move and get to know an area,” she says. “You just get out there and have fun.”

womensadventuremagazine.com

LIV/GIANT

By Jennifer C. Olson

Road Biking

m Road Biking

Road Biking

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Experiment Don’t get in the habit of riding in just one or two gears.

“It’s important for women in particular to learn how to shift and experiment with their shifting a little bit. It might be intimidating but learn that it’s okay to use all your gears. It’s easier on your body and on your bike. Keeping up with maintenance will help you because all your gears will work. If things are out of tune, they won’t work as well.”

Lube Up

Gain Independence

“Chain lube is crucial to smooth shifting, and using it properly will prevent your bike parts from excessive wear,” Val says. “But the type of lube you need depends on the weather and how dusty your area’s roads are.” Ask a shop what type of lube is best for where you live and ride.

“Learn how to fix a flat,” Val instructs. “Learning how to do that will give you confidence to ride farther from home or go out with your girlfriends.” Our how-to fix a flat video also explains which tools you should carry with you: womensadventuremagazine.com

“Especially on a road bike, having gears is sometimes overwhelming.

They’re nice to have but they’re even better to have when you’re actually using all of them.”

Find That Sweet Spot The right amount of tire pressure can be the difference between a comfortable, cush ride and an energy-sucking slog. “Tire pressure is really personal,” Val says, “A shop can’t say, ‘You should be riding this.’ They might be able to give you a starting point based on your weight, riding style, and tires, but it’s important for you to find what’s comfortable.”

Though there’s no cookie cutter formula for finding the right tire pressure, you can figure it out pretty easily yourself. “It’s a big deal but not as scary as it sounds,” Val says. “Typically, a max PSI and a minimum PSI will be printed on the sidewall of your tires,” Val explains. “You can play within those limits and not be afraid to experiment.” Here’s how: Step 1: Say the max is 120 PSI. Fill your tire until the gauge on your pump is just about at 120.

Step 2: Take your bike for a spin. Notice how it rides, how your braking might be affected, and how easy or hard it is to pedal.

Step 3: Subtract 5 or 10 PSI and go for the same ride, maybe even on the same day. Compare how those pressures felt and note which felt smoother, easier, and more fun for you.

Repeat the last step, subtracting or adding a few pounds of pressure at a time until you find the sweet spot. Try not to drop below 90 PSI on a road bike. And, remember to check your tire pressure frequently so you catch possible problems before you get out on the road.

Maintenance For a Smooth Ride “You don’t have to have a big, strong mechanical background to improve the performance of your bike,” Amber assures you. “Knowing how to take care of the little stuff is empowering.”

• Keep your tire pressure up. “It seems really basic but is overlooked often,” Amber says. “Similar to a car, where you get better gas mileage with the proper tire pressure, on a bike, you’ll get less rolling resistance when your tires are inflated properly.” Plus, it’s easier to pedal when your tires are inflated and you’ll get fewer flat tires.

• Keep your chain clean and lubed. You’ll have a smoother ride and will put less wear and tear on your bike parts with a well-maintained chain. “It doesn’t take a whole lot of work,” Amber says.

“Depending on the weather conditions, you might do it a couple times a month.” When (or preferably before) you get that greasy chain tattoo on your calf, you need to clean it. That mark is from lube that has attracted dirt and created paste that then marks you as a rookie. “On the flip side,” Amber adds, “if your chain wasn’t lubed enough, it’ll be dry and won’t attract that dust.”

• Stay on top of mechanical issues. “Hopefully, your bike was in good shape when you bought it, whether new or used,” Amber says. “If anything changes, you’ll notice. The chain might hop. The bike will make strange noises. Or you’ll have to pull really hard on the brake lever. That’s when it’s time to take the bike into a shop.”

Skimp or Splurge?

“I would not skimp on the saddle or the wheels but I also wouldn’t get caught up in all the fancy stuff,” Amber says. “A fancy bike makes you a fancy-looking rider but not necessarily a better rider.”

Make sure that your bike fits well and that the seat on it is right for you.

“If you want to get really crazy, then upgrade your wheelset,” says Amber, who compares riding with heavy wheels to running in heavy shoes. “You’ll feel the difference with a lighter wheelset.”

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m Road Biking Pro cyclocross, mountain bike, and road racer Jenni Gaertner is a physical therapist, coach, and mom of two children. Jenni and her husband own a high-end bike shop in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where she started a women’s cycling team in 2008. “I’ve been racing bikes in some capacity since 1993 when I started as a junior,” Jenni says, “and I’ve since tried almost every cycling discipline out there—mountain, cross, road, and triathlon.” The 37-year-old Raleigh athlete called us after racing at Cyclocross Nationals in Madison, Wisconsin, this winter to offer her best bike handling, racing, and gear tips.

Learn Gather up some girlfriends and learn about your bike. A lot of shops offer maintenance clinics if you just ask. They’ll jump at that chance to provide that education, especially if it’s the shop you’re pretty loyal to,” Jenni says. On that note, “Having a mechanic or bike shop that you trust is so important.”

Why Spend On Bike Clothing?

“It’s a case of ‘you get what you pay for,’” Jenni says, “But, if you’re just starting, you don’t need the fancy schmancy stuff.” Still, the more time you’re spending in the saddle, the more important it is to have highquality gear. There’s no reason to be chafing or getting saddle sores.

Wheels Assistant Product Manager for Town Bikes, David Studner says, “Wheels are a much more complicated component than they get credit for.

They are a big part of ride comfort on any bike. Have your wheels inspected and trued annually. A good mechanic can get them straight and true and alert you to problems or damage that might otherwise go unnoticed.”

Tires “Road bikes often come with medium-quality 700x23c tires for the best compromise of speed, cost, and weight,” says Studner, “but recently great strides have been made in tire technology.” A higher quality 700x25c tire rolls as fast as a 23c but offers better ride comfort and traction with very little weight penalty. Great tires also offer your wheels better protection from whatever the road throws at them.

Bike Handling Tips For newbies: Ride with a group as much as possible. Practice riding in proximity to others so you get more comfortable with it. “Try closing the distance between the rider in front of you and behind you,” Jenni suggests. “Then close the distance beside you and ride shoulder-to-shoulder, hand-to-hand.”

Learn what it means to overlap a wheel. “You don’t want to do that,” she warns.

Learn how your movements affect other riders. “Be very aware of your surroundings all the time.”

Jenni has observed that new riders aren’t focused on much outside their immediate bubbles. So, note what others do that makes you nervous or compromises your safety and avoid doing those things.

Maintain smooth, fluid lines. Try not to make any sudden movements or abrupt braking.

For intermediate riders: Make contact. “Once you’re comfortable riding near others, do some drills,” Jenni suggests. “On team rides, I’ll go up to a girl, get really close, and put my shoulder up against her, put my hand against hers.” In a race, you’ll have contact with wrists, elbows, and hips. So, simulate that. “Get comfortable shifting your weight over the bike. Don’t stiffen up,” Jenni says.

For seasoned roadies: Spend time off road. Try mountain biking or cyclocross racing. “All the accommodations you’ll have to make for uneven or unexpected terrain will help you,” Jenni says.

Ride in the drops in criterium races or similar situations. “I race with the men in our Tuesday night crits,” Jenni explains. “These guys were shoving me out of my line so I had my husband take me out and shove me around. I learned to ride with my hands more or less resting on the brake levers.” In this position, you’ll be ready for quick braking but, most importantly, you’ll protect your shifter levers so they don’t get hooked over or under someone else’s bars. “When you’re riding protective like that, your center of gravity is lower and you are more stable,” Jenni explains.

If you get pushed, lean into it. “I learned I have an advantage against these taller guys because I’m lower to the ground and can protect my space by contesting it,” Jenni says. “You don’t have to be shoved around.”

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No Excuses “The biggest thing that turns people off is the riding in a pack aspect,” Jenni notes, adding that women are also worried about getting dropped (falling behind the pack). “I tell girls, ‘Number one: We’ve all been dropped.’ I’ve been racing for almost 20 years. When I started, I got my ass dropped every ride. It still happens sometimes. It’s not that big of a deal. Everybody’s been there. Because there are so few women participants, most people are just glad to see you out there. To prevent getting dropped or lapped as often in the future, Jenni recommends you hold on for as long as you can. That extra effort will make it easier to hang on the next time. “The learning curve is pretty steep. I encourage girls to be persistent,” Jenni urges. “Give it a good college try before deciding that you can’t. If you step back and realize you’re not alone, you won’t be discouraged.”

womensadventuremagazine.com

Road Biking

Apparel The popular women’s technical riding apparel brand SheBeest is making a comeback this spring, and it’s back with a bang. We put together two fabulous outfits for hitting the road in style this spring. With either ensemble, we encourage you to slide on SheBeest’s Summer Sleeves with UPF 50 for maximum sun protection. They come in Peacock, Snakeskin, or Mewow prints ($30). shebeest.com The SheBeest Strada jersey ($80) almost looks like an everyday Tshirt but is a technical riding jersey with a zippered back pocket. Pair it with your favorite shorts and slap on the SheBeest Sportwrap Spring Mix Skirt ($60) post-ride as a cute coverup.

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Types of Road Bike Races

road race: a fast ride, usually anywhere from 35 to 100-plus miles Road racing is about endurance and tactics. “The strategy makes it fun,” Jenni says. criterium (crit): a timed lap race on a closed course “Crit racing can be intimidating because it’s all about the pack, the speeds, the cornering,” says Jenni, who really likes racing in crits. “It’s great cross training for triathletes, too. Speed work only helps.” time trial: point-to-point timed event with every rider racing against the clock

“Starting with a time trial is low pressure,” Jenni says to first-time racers.

“You’re not in a pack, just against the clock. It’s so low key.” stage race: a combination of the above disciplines; the rider with the least accumulated time is the overall winner “All the different types make stage racing fun because some people will have strengths in one area but not necessarily others,” says Jenni, explaining that teams try to capitalize on their riders’ individual strengths in stage races.

Whatever sort of races you try, remember to have fun with them. Don’t be discouraged when you realize you’re good at some aspects of road racing and not others. “Just because you might suck at hill climbs doesn’t mean you’ll suck at road racing,” Jenni says. “I can’t climb with skinny girls to save my life but I can race against men in a crit.”

For a more traditional roadie look, try the SheBeest S-Cut Peacock Jersey ($70) plus the Pro Splice Solid Short ($75) with a seven-inch inseam plus an elastic-free waist and hem for a flattering, comfortable fit.

Gore Bike Wear Baselayer Lady Thermo Shirt Long. Every cyclist’s staple: a baselayer built for seamless, comfortable warmth in early spring conditions and that carries you through winter’s chill, too. $79.99; goreapparel.com

Helmets

Giro Sonnet. Whoever said helmets were unflattering has never tried Giro’s new women’s line. Function and style blend into one great piece of cycling gear with the Giro Sonnet helmet. Its super lightweight design and fun colors plus feminine graphics make it an easy winner among women’s helmets. $90; giro.com Rudy Project Wingspan. Known for flashy colors and “technically cool designs,” the wingspan TT helmet is among the favorites of speed-seeking triathletes. The padding and vents at the front of the helmet ensure that you’ll stay cool and comfortable during those warm rides, while its aerodynamic design is sure to help you shave time off that personal record. Plus it comes in pink. What’s not to love? rudyprojectusa.com

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gear

Go Long: Endurance Essentials Check out some of our new favorites. They’ll help you get back in shape, stay out longer, and enjoy every hour of sunshine that comes with the glorious return of spring. By Chris Kassar

MOW: Burned out on chalky bars and gnarly gels? Grab Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews ($1.99) for a tasty, Vitamin C–packed BRAVE ANYTHING: No matter the adventure, don’t leave home without Outdoor Research’s Redline Jacket. Feather-light yet breathable, this piece will protect you from the elements during any high-exertion outing.

It packs neatly into its own chest pocket so you can toss it in your pack, stuff it in your jersey pocket, or clip it to your harness just in case. $85; outdoorresearch.com

option that you’ll actually enjoy. Our fave flaves: Pink Lemonade, Cherry Blossom, and Lime-Ade (with caffeine!). Or, for a truly unique, scrumptious energy boost, try an Organic Stinger Waffle ($1.39). We still think the Honey flavor is the best! honeystinger.com

GEEK OUT: With a built-in GPS, barometer, altimeter, and compass, the Suunto Ambit records all the data you could possibly need for any escapade. (Pretty much all this thing can’t do is communicate with Mars!) This stellar product is durable, reliable, accurate, and intuitive so you can spend more time outside and less time fumbling with manuals; $500; suunto.com

SEND IT: Climbing season is upon us and with Metolius’ Contact Climbing Board—their most complex, creative training tool to date—you’ll be ready to crush it in no time.

The ergonomic design puts less stress on joints. With the incredible assortment of holds, variable width pinches, and pull-up jugs, you can build muscle, increase finger strength, and gain skill. Bonus: gentle texture won’t tear up your hands. $95; metoliusclimbing.com

HYDRATE…and then some: Options abound for how to carry what you need.

At the top of its class for singletrack exploits:

PLATYPUS TOKUL XC 5.0,

a new, lightweight pack with superior fit, ventilation, and gear organization. $79.95; cascadedesigns.com

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The spunky new GREGORY PACE TRAIL RUNNING PACK is the no-chafe minimalist solution to staying hydrated, prepared, and most crucially comfortable while on trail—whether for two or seven hours. Built for the female body, every strap and pocket on the Pace was strategically designed, placed, tested, tweaked, and perfected. Outfitted with an easy-to-fill reservoir and compression system to minimize sloshing, the Pace comes in 3L, 5L, or 8L volumes. gregorypacks.com

MAMMUT’S 201 PACK claims to be “the lightest trail running backpack in the world” and after wearing it, we believe it.

Hugs your body, stays put, and provides room for all the essentials. $79.95 for 7L, $89.95 for 10L+2; mammut.ch

womensadventuremagazine.com

gear

Endurance Essentials

HIT THE TRAIL Over the long haul, the tiniest discomforts become a major issue.

Keep your feet happy by pairing the new Vasque Pendulum ($110; vasque.com), a light yet tough trail runner that still feels good after 20 miles with the

UNDER IT ALL: The most critical choice you

KEEN Zip Hyperlite

($16; keenfootwear. com), a breathable, well-cut sock that never bunches or causes blisters.

Toss on the airy All Weather Dress from Patagonia—a soft, flowing tank that dries quickly and moves with you—and you’ll be cruising down the trail in unfettered ease and style. $49; patagonia.com

make might be in the layer you put right next to your skin. It’s a no-brainer now that Skirt Sports makes a series of adjustable and becoming bras.

The Skirt Sports Sabrina (A/B), Kelly (C/D) and Jill (DD) are unique and customizable so you can feel confident and comfortable while crushing it. $50–65; skirtsports.com

BUILD VIRTUAL COMMUNITY: Tired of exercising alone? Thanks to the folks at Strava, we can now share and compare endless stats with friends, family, and strangers from across the world via mobile and online apps. By making fitness more social and adding an element of competition, Strava hopes to increase camaraderie and motivation that used to come from training partners and teams. strava.com

ENJOY THE RIDE

Spring weather is iffy. Chilly mornings give way to warmer afternoons while rain and snow remain likely possibilities.

TRACK YOUR PROGRESS: The ‘Believe I Am’ Training Journal helps you set goals and identify patterns. Dappled with quotes and advice, it serves as a source of inspiration, helps build confidence, and emphasizes the importance of the mind, body, spirit connection. This beautiful one-of-a-kind motivational tool is a must-have for any female athlete. $24.99; believeiam.com

RECOVER Nothing gets you back in action like a good yoga session, so grab Helly

Hansen’s Pace Stretch Pant, the most flattering,

comfortable, yet functional bottoms we’ve tried and get your stretch on. $80; hellyhansen.com

Pearl Izumi’s Elite Thermal Arm, Leg, and Knee Warmers make it easier to dress right so you can stay out longer, train harder, and have more fun. They move with you, keep the chill out, and slide off easily, allowing you to respond quickly to changing conditions. $32–45; pearlizumi.com

GO ALL NIGHT: Endurance athletes eke out endless hours of running, riding, and hiking whenever they can. If you find yourself training and competing in the dark, you need Princeton Tec’s Remix—a simple, lightweight, versatile headlamp. Pick the single Maxbright LED for scoping out terrain ahead or switch to the 3 Ultralight LEDs to scope out obstacles right in front of you. $44.99; princetontec.com

Soothe post-race aches and pains with Hyland

Homeopathic Muscle Therapy Gel with Arnica, a natural non-greasy lotion that safely and effectively tackles inflammation, eases bruising, and relives sore muscles, sprains, and strains. $8.59; hylands.com

Fight muscle fatigue and minimize swelling with Smartwool’s PhD

Graduated Compression Socks in ultralight ($37.95) or

light ($39.95) and the new PhD Compression Calf Sleeve ($35).

Durable construction and the perfect amount of compression increase circulation and decrease couch time. smartwool.com

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gear

Hiking

Spring into Hiking

By Chris Kassar

The latest in hiking gear might inspire you to scale peaks, traverse ridges, or ramble through canyons. Grab this stuff, get out there, and explore as the Earth comes alive once again.

Beyond Coastal Active SPF 34 Sunscreen goes on clean and smooth without any yucky, greasy residue. In addition to providing broad spectrum protection (UVA & UVB rays), this lotion feeds, moisturizes, and restores your skin by bathing it in aloe vera, shea butter, vitamin C and E. $14.99 for 4 oz.; beyondcoastal.com

Gorgeous and feminine floral design—who said outdoor gear can’t be cute, too?

IceBreaker Flash Short Sleeve V. Made from weightless merino, this v-neck top doesn’t itch and manages body temp and sweat extremely well. Maximum venting and anti-chafe seams make it perfect for hustling across a ridge or tackling a peak. $79.99; nz.icebreaker.com

Mountain Hardwear Yuma Trekkin Skirt. You’ll never wear shorts again after trying this sweet, springy skirt that stretches with each step. The extra-wide, plush-lined waistband is comfortable under a pack’s hipbelt, and the skirt’s draw cord makes the fit easily adjustable fit. Plus, the fabric blocks out harmful UV rays while its DWR finish repels water. $65; mountainhardwear.com

Melanzana High Loft Hoody: Be careful … once you put on this ridiculously soft, fuzzy fleece, you might not ever be able to part with it. We wore it for four days straight (no joke) after our visit to the sweet solar-powered Melanzana store/mini-factory in Leadville, CO. This unique, furry top with a generous neck gaiter and adjustable hood envelops you in comfort and offers extreme warmth in a light and packable piece that looks sharp on and off the trail. $97; melanzana.com

Big bonus: It’s handcrafted in the U.S. using American-made materials.

TrekSta Evolution Mid GTX. Say goodbye to sore, tired feet … forever. Even after spending a full day climbing your favorite peak or exploring a desert oasis, your dogs won’t be screaming thanks to NestFIT, a patented technology that helps this hiker cradle your foot, provide instant comfort, and prevent hotspots. Don’t be fooled by looks: This lightweight, low-profile shoe is super grippy and durable enough to take on even the roughest terrain. $160; trekstausa.com

womensadventuremagazine.com

gear

Hiking Outdoor Research Endurance Gaiters. Rocks, mud, and snow

Bergans of Norway Imingen Lady Zip-Off Pants. Conditions this time of

are no match for these rugged, breathable, low-profile technical gaiters. Redundant closures keep debris out from all angles, making these a critical piece of gear for adventuring off-trail or on sketchy terrain. $69; outdoorresearch.com

year change on a dime. Before you head out the door on cool mornings, throw on these quick-drying, lightweight bottoms and you’ll be ready to respond. As the day warms up, either convert to capris using the built-in snaps or zip off the legs and voila—you’ve got shorts! $150; bergans.com

Garmin Fenix. Remember when watches just told

Patagonia W’s Overcast L/S Shirt delivers sun protection in a lightweight, classic, feminine buttondown. Beautifully designed and made of soft, wrinkleresistant material relaxed enough for a full day of hard hiking. Travels well and keeps you cool while looking stylish. $79; patagonia.com

Eddie Bauer’s Microtherm Down Vest adds warmth without bulk, making it the perfect layering piece for spring hiking. Stretch panels increase breathability and movability while the outer shell repels water and retains body heat. Weighing in at a mere seven ounces, this airy jacket stuffs into its own small pocket for easy packing. $119; eddiebauer.com

Rab Myriad Jacket. Looking for the ultimate shell? Behold this new 12-ounce piece loaded with Polartec® NeoShell, a fully waterproof, breathable fabric that powerfully wicks away moisture so you stay dry and cozy even during or after extreme exertion. With a multitude of extras including a helmet-compatible hood and wired brim, reflective trim, no-chafe chin guard, beefy, waterproof zippers, and packfriendly pockets, this coat is versatile and tough enough to handle almost anything. $375; us.rab.uk.com

time? With comprehensive navigation and tracking functions that allow you to create trips, plan routes, and follow maps on the watch screen, this new gadget from Garmin goes far beyond the watches of old. You can also access real-time info about elevation, weather changes, and your position, thus giving you yet another tool with which to make good, informed decisions while adventuring on or off-trail. $449.99; garmin.com

KEEN Olympus. The newest addition to KEEN’s fantastic family of socks, the Olympus is made of soft merino and reinforced at the toe and heel with ‘Dura-Zone,’ a resilient material that provides superior abrasion resistance so you’ll never get a hole again.

Thanks to the innovative design on the heel pocket (a.k.a. the ‘Heel Hold’) and the ‘Wunderseam’ (to prevent bunching and irritation), this sock provides unmatched all-day fit, comfort, and durability; $20 (lite), $22 (medium weight); keenfootwear.com

Camelbak’s Aventura, a superb women-specific pack will bring you— and 21 liters of your gear—to new heights. Smartly designed with a bomber 100-ounce hydration bladder, ventilated back panel, multiple attachment points for poles or axes, two stretch pockets, and an overflow pouch for easy access to essentials like food or layers, the Aventura ($140) is the perfect hiking partner to keep you organized and moving fast.

Toss a tablet of Camelbak Elixir ($10), an effervescent, sugar-free drink loaded with electrolytes into your reservoir for a refreshing, fruity pick-me-up. camelbak.com WAM • SPRING | 2013 75

gear

Staff Picks Merrell Mix Master Glide. If you’re looking for a running shoe that gives you a barefoot feel with some cushion for extra support, this is the shoe for you. The low profile design paired with the shock absorbing sole give you the minimalist feel and the comfort needed for longer runs. This is the perfect shoe for any run, including those light trail runs! Super packable and cute, Merrell’s Orenco jacket ($89) pairs nicely, too! $100; merrell.com

Light the night! Light & Motion’s Taz 1200 bicycle light throws enough lumens (a measurement of usable light) to compete with a car headlight in brightness.

W

hen TAZ and I ride around the dark streets of Chicago together, I easily dodge potholes and navigate through drizzly weather. Even more importantly, the Taz makes me very visible on my bicycle, with its bright front light and small amber-hued side lights for 180-degree visibility.

Rechargeable lithium batteries power the Taz for up to an hour and a half on the bright setting, but you can choose five different light patterns and brightness modes to extend battery life for up to 18 hours. In fact, the Taz can switch between Race mode (high and medium light settings) and Cruise mode (high, medium, low, pulse, and flash settings) depending on what sort of riding you’re doing. With a micro USB charge cord and an optional wall plug converter, the Taz will recharge in as little as four hours. If the cost of rechargeable LED lights gives you pause, think about the long life of the rechargeable batteries—they can provide years of steady, dependable illumination.

Sherpa Imja Jacket. Whether it’s a brisk morning run or a late summer hike, this jacket will keep you cool and dry in any weather. The flexible fabric moves and stretches to fit your body in all the right places. I love the cut; the long sleeves with thumb holes keep your hands warm, while your buns stay nice and toasty with a longer cut in the back of the jacket. It’s the perfect top layer for all your exercising needs! $125; sherpaadventuregear. com —Marleigh Hill

Light & Motion calls the Taz a crossover light—one light to rule them all—equally perfect for urban riding and 24-hour racing.

While I don’t race, I couldn’t resist occasionally using it as a turbo-charged flashlight in my scary basement. Now that’s crossover!

LifeProof iPhone 4/4S or 5 case. From the beach to the ski slopes, the LifeProof iPhone case has protected my already cracked and vulnerable device from sand, water, and even me! It’s shockproof, fully snowproof, and dust-proof for life on the trail. Plus, its seamlessly functional screen display is easier to use than ever! $70; lifeproof.com —Jennifer Olson

76 WAM • SPRING | 2013

Light & Motion Taz 1200 Rechargable Bike Light.

Why I like it: Aside from feeling like I’m riding with a light saber on my bike (safe at last!), one of my favorite features is the strap mount that makes putting the light on my bike take about two seconds. The base allows you to pivot the light from side to side to get just the right angle (and not blind the oncoming traffic). The Taz is helmet-mount compatible, too. $299; lightandmotion. com —Susan Hayse

Nathan Quickdraw Plus. I’m not exaggerating when I say love the Nathan Quickdraw Plus. This handheld hydration system is an essential for all my long runs or hikes. The adjustable strap fits any hand size, and will actually keep your hand dry with its moisture-wicking fabric. My favorite part is the zip pocket that fits anything from granola bars to car keys. Staying safe thanks to its reflective fabric and keeping hydrated has never been so easy! nathansports.com —Marleigh Hill

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Smartwool Women’s Cortina Jacket.

mophie juice pack plus. My iPhone battery notoriously dies when

The soft and silky Cortina Jacket has a moisture-managing, odor-controlling Smartwool interior lining and a lightweight outershell for max comfort during my daily runs. The jacket’s zip-up design blocks the spring wind from reaching my skin and its stretchy side panels amply allow for moving in my arms and across my chest. This jacket kept me warm while running in temperatures just above freezing this winter, and it’ll remain a staple in my running wardrobe through spring and into fall. $160; smartwool.com —Linda Doyle

I need it most, which I why I sought out the mophie juice pack as a powerful battery backup! Choose from the colorful lineup of protective cases (available for the iPhone 4/4S) and enjoy hours more talk time and music streaming between charges! Accessorize with mophie’s OutRide ($150) wide-angle waterproof mounting system to record, edit, and instantly share video via the OutRide app. $99.95; mophie.com —Sue Sheerin

gear

Staff Picks

Moving Comfort Serendipity Tank.

It’s pretty great when a 64 year old gets compliments at the gym for her workout attire. That’s what happened to me when I wore the Serendipity Tank in violet. I need some breathing room around my rib cage, and this workout tank has room to spare.

The lightweight material has a nice feminine feel, and the replaceable cups make me—a breast cancer survivor—look like everyone else! $58; movingcomfort.com —Linda Doyle

Osprey Mira. The daypack offers the hiking hydration features I need and the storage capacity for a full day outdoors. The 18-liter volume is plenty for me, but it comes in a variety of sizes and two rich, back-tonature colors. $139; ospreypacks.com —Mira Perrizo

KEEN Women Haven CNX. Love the look of KEEN shoes? Check out the new KEEN.CNX line debuting this spring and enjoy the low profile and lightweight features engineered into the classic KEEN that you’ve always enjoyed—the toe-protective ridge, contoured arch, secured heel, and underfoot structure to give you all the support you need. With it’s clean and simple design, the Haven CNX will meet all your needs from day hiking to regular urban strolls. $110; keenfootwear.com —Katherine Maguid

{

We’re also voting the KEEN Verdi Mid WP ($120) as the go-to light hiker this year.

}

Gore Running Wear Air 2.0 Lady Tights short ($60). There’s nothing comfier than these short tights during long runs on the road or on trail in warm weather. These shorts offer maximum ventilation and reduce friction with flat-lock stitching and a six-inch inseam. ensure With inside key pocket and a zippered back pocket for quick fuel, it’s great for race day or an evening workout, thanks especially to reflective print on the waistband and down the sides to outline your body for absolute visibility and recognition. For just as much comfort but more coverage and additional features, try the Gore

Running Wear Essential Lady Skirt ($70), which includes two

mesh side pockets and an outlet for your headphones in a flirty, relaxed style. goreapparel.com

WAM • SPRING | 2013 77

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WAM • SPRING | 2013

79

It’s Personal

Catch It In a Cup

Adventures and Menstruating

By Kit Mitchell

Disclaimer: This is a discussion about my own ride on the crimson tide so, in effect, the content is highly personal and may seem like TMI. But, since this is Women’s Adventure, I’m going to go there.

E

ven among women, there are some who are uncomfortable talking about it—menstruation in the wild. But because we’ve all had our share of frustration with periods, I feel compelled to share my quest for a better way to handle menstruation in the backcountry, which became most ardent in my preparations for a long-distance hike when I decided to try catching it in a cup.

On a ten-day trip, during which I was on my period, I was introduced to the intimate and delicate matter of menstruating in the wilderness. Feeling strongly about Leave No Trace principles, I followed the rule of pack it in, pack it out. This of course applied even to the contents of my uterine lining. I carried tampons, extra wet wipes, hand sanitizer, plus pads for nights. So, on top of the toilet paper for other bodily functions, this resulted in many ziplock bags full of bulky materials, including one notorious bag dubbed the “death bag.” Since we were in bear country, the death bag went into the bear cans at night with the food and, even though this package was double zipped, I couldn’t help but think about the possibility of it leaking. It didn’t feel very tidy or sanitary. And I didn’t feel very happy.

Made of latex, silicone, or rubber, menstrual cups are small, reusable alternatives to the disposable products that flood the market. The cup is inserted into the vagina, forms a suction seal at the cervix, and collects menstrual fluids and tissues that typically get absorbed in a tampon, pad, or cloth. Because the fluids are not being absorbed, there is little concern for Toxic Shock Syndrome, therefore the cup can be worn for up to 12 hours at a time. After a length of time contingent on flow, the cup is gently pulled out and—after the contents are emptied—rinsed with a bit of water, then reinserted. When the flow stops, the cups can be boiled in a pot of water for 5 minutes before being stored in a small cloth bag until the next period. (In the wilderness I dig a four-inch cat hole and empty the cup’s contents into it before filling in the hole; the hole doesn’t have to be as deep as when digging for number two.)

So why catch it in a cup?

Comfort and Protection During Activities I didn’t take immediately to the cup. The first month was awful. Even though I like to think I have a healthy relationship with my body, I was worried about mess factor and approached it the same way I did when I first learned how to insert a tampon—with skepticism and nerves. Thus, I didn’t actually try it out before my first long-distance hike and found myself in the desert of Southern California navigating the world of my vagina by a stand of Yucca blooms. My husband provided an extra hand in washing out my cup for the first few rounds, which brought us to a whole new level of intimacy. But, after the initial learning curve, I found advantages I’d never experienced prior to the cup. Unlike tampons, when the cup was inserted properly, I never felt it. There wasn’t any slipping or moving around in there, and it was really comfortable. I also stopped needing to deal with leaks. With the exception of the first few days, when I had to empty the contents every couple of hours or so, I could go for a full day

80 WAM • SPRING | 2013

of hiking before emptying. And, I carried a much more manageable death bag.

More Sanitary I found the cup to be more sanitary than the alternatives while backpacking. There is no longer a strong odor when on my period, because the menstrual fluid is contained and not exposed to air. Also, unlike tampons, menstrual cups don’t change the pH of the vagina and do not increase harmful bacteria or excessive yeast, so there is little risk of infections that are linked to using tampons. While backpacking, I do need a regular source of potable water on hand so I can make sure to sanitize my hands before and after handling the cup. Now that I’ve established a routine, this is second nature.

Environmentally Friendly According to the Pleasure Puss reusable menstrual pads company, the average woman uses 16,800 tampons or pads in her lifetime. That means, in the U.S. alone, 12 million pads and 7 million tampons find their way into the landfills each year. That’s a lot of waste. The Diva Cup, which I use, costs $40, but there are a number of other brands on the market, ranging price-wise between $25 and $40. Manufacturers have varying recommendations for replacing the cup, but I’ve read that every 5–10 years is suitable.

I’ve always felt badly about spending money on a tight-wad of cotton on a string, and this is a great way to tread more lightly—on the environment and on the wallet—when bleeding.

Increased Body Awareness There is something really empowering about knowing the length and width of my vagina and understanding its sense of place and space in that inner world I don’t see. There is also something initially alarming about holding a cup of my own menstrual blood, clots, and tissues, which I’d previously disposed of without observing the volume or contents. I was surprised at how much came out of me and was at first freaked out about how often I had to empty the 30-milliliter cup. Then I became really interested and, much to my husband’s chagrin, considered keeping tabs of the amount and storing the contents in jars to see whether it changed from month to month. I imagined a really neat science experiment. But then I realized that it would be pretty creepy, so never went through with it.

Seriously, though, there are many brands of menstrual cups out there, and each woman has a unique anatomy. I would encourage you to explore the various options at your “disposal.” The Live Journal community for menstrual cup users is a great resource. menstrual-cups.livejournal.com After more than a year on the cup, I am convinced that it was one of the greatest purchases and decisions I’ve made to date and feel even more empowered in the backcountry. Even at home, I can’t imagine going back to the world of conventional products. Yes, I’m all for catching it in a cup.

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