New Winter Bag: Western Mountaineering Cypress GWS Expedition

On December 2, 2020March 9, 2021 By arcoleoIn Alpine, Backpacking, Camping, Mountain, Sleep, Snow, WinterLeave a comment

I’m a super cold sleeper, so I went as warm as I could. I also wanted a bag that could open like a blanket. I went overboard. This thing is hot. You can see it here.

Update: this bag is stupid hot. I only ever use it opened up.

Gregory Targhee 45

On February 4, 2020February 28, 2020 By arcoleoIn Backpacks, Mountain, Outdoors, Skiing, Snow, WinterLeave a comment

Technically a Backcountry / Touring ski pack, I plan on using this at resorts because it supposedly packs down very well. This is designed to hold avalanche equipment so it should be good for next year when I take avalanche classes.

Update: Only used it once. Tore my MCL and broke my leg. RIP skiing.

Oros Apparel Aerogel Parka

On January 1, 2020January 9, 2020 By arcoleoIn Jackets, Travel, WinterLeave a comment

They claim it’s good to -40F. I’ve tested it to 5F and it was warm with just a t-shirt underneath.

Merrel Chameleon 7 Stretch Low Hiking Shoes

On January 1, 2020January 9, 2020 By arcoleoIn Backpacking, Camping, Shoes, Spring, Summer, TravelLeave a comment

Great in the dry season, wear them almost every day.

Thanksgiving 2019 – Lake Tahoe

On November 28, 2019 By arcoleoIn Outdoors, Sierra Nevadas, Trip, WinterLeave a comment

Spent the week of Thanksgiving at a house at Lake Tahoe. Got lucky, it was the first snow of the season and we got about a foot.

Got to use the snow chains for the first time. Absolutely necessary.

Colombia III – Ciudad Perdida Trek

On July 20, 2019 By arcoleoIn Colombia, Jungle, Outdoors, Spring, TripLeave a comment

After the scuba diving I signed up to do the Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) trek. It was advertised as being 50km long and four days. What a lie. It turned out to be 73km with three days of actual hiking. Being out of shape, it was brutal for me. I did however get in much better shape than I thought I could in three days.

[insert long summary here]

One thing that came out of it was realizing I could push myself into much better shape than I thought. When I got home I started running. I’m currently only able to run three miles in just over half an hour, but that’s more than I’ve been able to run without stopping in over twenty years.

Colombia – Part II – Scuba Diving

On July 20, 2019 By arcoleoIn Colombia, Outdoors, Summer, Trip, WaterLeave a comment

The second part of my trip was spent Scuba diving. I spent four days in Taganga with Poseidon Dive Center. It was fantastic.

I did the following

Deep diving to almost 40 meters
Drift diving where you just drift with a current
Night diving where I saw crabs fighting, giant colorful lobster, and fish sleeping in the water
Regular diving where I saw fish of every color and tons of clams, moray eels, etc

The water was about 75 degrees which was perfect for me for skin diving. Every day I dove Nitrox so I never felt tired afterwards.

I also got my Advanced Open Water PADI certification, so that was nice.

Colombia – Part I

On July 20, 2019 By arcoleoIn Colombia, Summer, TripLeave a comment

Went to Colombia in June. Spent a week in Cartagena. It’s hot, humid, dirty, and expensive. Parts are very nice, but way too many aggressive street vendors.

Cartagena is a classic tourist destination, I would skip it next time.