Here in the heart of a soggy winter, summer camping looks mighty appealing. So much so, many of us will spring into camping well before summer.

The REI Alcove Shelter in use during a sunny day near Henry's Fork, Idaho.

Getting out in the ‘shoulder seasons’ – spring and fall – in the Pacific Northwest, though, means making sure you have adequate shelter from rainy conditions.

These days, many top-end backpacking brands also offer great car camping tents, but one of the best we’ve found comes out of our own Puget Sound backyard. REI’s Hobitat series of tents has been around for something like 5 years now, but their 2011 version of the REI Hobitat 4 shows you can improve an already good product.

The new Hobitat 4 (and bigger sibling, the H6) features a three-pole structure, with two cross-poles and a long ridgepole anchored about the door in front, and above the awning in the back. During set up, make sure you get that top ridgepole positioned and locked in place before fitting the cross-poles into the corner grommets.

While technically a modified dome tent, the Hobitat most resembles a small room. The steep wall, 6-foot ceiling and broad rectangular floor (8’4” x 7’6”) makes it a comfortable living space even when you have to hang out inside for hours while storms rage outside.

A full-coverage rainfly protects the tent from drenching rains, and it provide strong enough to withstand sustained winds of 35 mph during use in North Idaho with a fall thunderstorm.

If the single room of the Hobitat proves too constraining, REI offers a number of modular add-ons. A broad vestibule can be zipped in place to provide extra gear storage, and if that’s not big enough, there’s a huge “Tech Garage” that zips onto the fly, providing an extra 56 square feet of storage! Big enough for all the family’s mountain bikes without blocking the doorway!

The Hobitat 4 proved ideal for 2 adults who wanted plenty of elbow room during an extended camping trip, while the Hobitat 6 seems well suited to a family of 4 provided they all get along well. The Hobitat 4 weighs 16 lbs, 8 oz. and sells for $299. The Hobitat 6 (8’4” x 10’ floor) weights 20 lbs, and runs $349. Visit www.rei.com

Of course, hanging out in a tent all day can become wearisome no matter how comfortable the tent. When camping, you want to hang out outside, though not necessarily in the rain. For this, REI also has you covered.

The REI Alcove is a freestanding shelter that goes up in minutes, but stands firm through wind and rain. The open-sided shelter provided cover over a picnic table during one long trip that included a lot of rain, wind and even some sunshine! The table cover gave the campers a place to cook and congregate during the evening after a day’s adventures without having to stay standing in the rain.

How much do we love the Alcove? Our team of testers has worn out two already through excessive use. Though the Alcoves are strong enough to withstand powerful storms, after a few hundred days of sunshine the fabric roof will break down – given enough time, UV light will do what winds can’t!

The Alcove sells for $109. Visit www.rei.com

The Rheumatoid Patient Foundation (RPF) is dedicated to improving the lives of patients with Rheumatoid diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and Juvenile Arthritis through a variety of means, including research, public awareness, patient education and patient-led advocacy. VIsit http://rheum4us.org for more information, to become a member and/or to make a donation.

The name Rheumatoid Arthritis suggests the disease is all about joint pain. But in reality, arthritis is just one of the symptoms of the disease. RA affects the joints and connective tissues, but it also can strike the heart, lungs, nervous system, kidneys, liver and most other organs in the body – even the skin.

What’s in a name? I have RA. My big sister has Lupus. We both feel the pain. We both have compromised autoimmune systems. We both fight chronic ailments. And we both fight to keep our lives as rich and ‘normal’ as possible. I have fought RA for less than 6 years (since diagnosis). Jill has fought Lupus for more than 20 years! She has raised an incredible family of kind, loving, talented kids and she has kept active and energetic throughout the battle. My sister Jill is my hero. I have RA. She has Lupus. Our conditions aren’t that different, but the common names used for them keep us separated in the public mind, but far too often they also keep us separated in the medical world.

Rather than Rheumatoid Arthritis, many of us prefer the term Rheumatoid Autoimmune Disease (RAD).

The name we use matters little in the daily lives of people suffering these diseases. But when we try to explain why we move so slowly sometimes, or when we have to politely pass on invitations and outings, we need more accuracy in how we explain our disease. More importantly, when we deal with doctors and researchers, we need greater accuracy.

Not all of us are so lucky. I’ve heard many horror stories of ‘rheumatologists’ who treat all RA sufferers the same and generally that means treating them like they treat patients with osteoarthritis. They don’t listen to patients’ needs and desires, and frequently they discount or don’t believe the patients when they describe their levels of pain.

Getting these types of health care providers (?) to change their ways quite likely will require making them think differently about our disease. One sure way to do that is to make the disease name more representative of what we actually suffer from. Rheumatoid Arthritis tells a partial tale. Rheumatoid Autoimmune Disease tells the full story.

Our Autoimmune Systems are in disarray and have pretty much declared war on the rest of our bodies. Our immune systems attack our joints, but no organ is safe.  I have arthritis, but it’s merely one symptom of my disease – my Rheumatoid Autoimmune Disease (RAD).

 1.     Polartec NeoShell

The NeoShell represents the biggest leap forward in waterproof-breathable technology since the initial introduction of Gore-Tex. Unlike Gore-Tex products, though, the NeoShell membrane moves moisture – or “breathes” – faster and in greater volumes than traditional shells, even in frigid conditions. The membrane is air permeable so air may flow freely through it, rather than requiring an interior heat to ‘push’ through the membrane like Gore-Tex breathable products. As a hiker who tends to produce sweat easily and in great quantities, I seldom resort to wearing traditional hardshell rainwear unless caught in a true downpour. I tend to get clammy too quickly, thus minimizing the benefits of keeping the rain out. NeoShell, though, lets me shed excess heat and moisture as it develops, regardless of my activity level. That the membrane can be used in a variety of fabrics and shell styles greatly increases it’s worth. See the next two of my 2011 Favorites. For more information, visit polartec.com/shelter/polartec-neoshell/ and bit.ly/neoshell2

 1a.     Marmot Zion Jacket

The Zion bonds the NeoShell to a soft face and a brushed tricot backing to create this stretchy softshell that beats back violent storms like the best hardshell. Any sweat generated during anything from skiing black diamonds to shoveling your driveway will zip through the fabric as it forms.We found the modest stretch in the Zion’s fabric made this a gem of a jacket for active outings such as climbing, backcountry skiing and even steelhead fishing – the jacket flexed and moved with us as we fought those chrome missiles in the icy rivers of the Northwest. Small rubberized nodules on the shoulder yolks add a nice visual element, but also add functionality by keep pack straps from slipping during gnarly descents. A fleecy inner backing helps move moisture, too, but also provides a bit of warmth in more mellow times. Available in men’s and women’s sizes. $375. Visit bit.ly/Marmot-Zion

1b.    Westcomb Apoc

Forget breathing. This puppy pants! The Apoc’s use of NeoShell in a lightweight jacket helps transports sweat so efficiently we briefly worried about its waterproofness. Torrents of rain pounded our team during testing, though, with not a drop penetrating the shell. Even during those drenching downpours, though, sweat smoothly evaporated through the shell. The 340-denier shell material is heavy enough to be durable and tough, yet light enough o keep the total jacket weight to a respectably light 1-pound, 1 oz (men’s medium).The sleek Apoc sports just a few frills – a nice interior iPod pocket, and four deep exterior slash pockets to keep gadgets handy, but dry. An ideal jacket for general outdoor use regardless of weather conditions. $480.www.westcomb.com

2.     Sage One Fly Rod

Trying to toss a bit of feathers and fluff 100 feet upriver and hit a spot no bigger than a fist got much easier this year. The Sage One series fly rods use new carbon-fiber technologies, dubbed “Konnetics,” to allow the rod to bend and flex fluidly while suppressing secondary vibrations. The result is unmatched casting accuracy. The fast-action rod takes a little getting used to, since it does load so quickly and fires line so accurately. But after a few casts, it feels like a natural extension of your arm. Field testing in British Columbia (grayling), Washington, Idaho and Montana (trout) supported the claims. The 9-foot, 5-weight rod comes in a 4-piece version only, weighting just 2.75 ounces.

This truly is The One we like best! $725. www.sageflyfish.com

3.     Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS

Water and fine electronics don’t usually get along. Sometimes, though, wet and digital gadgets go hand in hand. The Pentax WG-1 GPS camera offers outdoor enthusiasts a handy means of documenting their adventures in pictures in wet weather and even underwater. Fully waterproof to 33 feet, the WG-1 sports a 14-megapixel sensor behind a 5X optical zoom lens (equivalent to a 28-140mm zoom). The 2.7-inch LCD screen is bright enough to be viewable underwater for clear framing of submerged shots. It also offers enough contrast and clarity to be usable in bright sunlight. For trail enthusiasts, the camera’s rugged body is designed to withstand impacts and falls of up to 5 feet with no damage. Despite that sturdy structure, though, the camera retains a slim profile that fits comfortably into shirt pockets and the narrow pockets frequently found on new backpack belts.  We tortured the WG-1 GPS in the wettest, most rugged locales we could find in the Northwest.  The camera’s controls are large and easy to operate, and Pentax offers a host of options to assist in framing and exposing images properly. One unique feature, though, really helps the Pentax WG-1 excel as an adventurer’s camera: the integrated GPS function. The GPS chip built into the WG-1 GPS allows users to automatically embed exact location information into the metadata of every picture taken. In short, every picture included an embedded GPS waypoint, so you can quickly and easily pinpoint your pictures on digital maps and online sharing sites such as Google Earth. $399. www.pentaximaging.com

4.     Dahlgren Socks

Technically, these aren’t “new” for 2011, but the brand is “new” to far too many of you. If that’s the case for you, you’ve been missing out. There are a LOT of great outdoor sock brands. Many will serve you well. But after 20 years of field testing socks while stomping up and down trails, tracks and unmarked terrain, one brand stands apart as the makers of the best hiking socks I’ve ever worn. Our testers especially praised the Dahlgren’s Hiker alpaca-wool socks. Dahlgren actually blends the highly insulating alpaca wool with denser merino wool to create a moisture-controlling sock that provides great cushion in the heel and instep, while allowing good breathability and venting. Even better, the small family-owned business makes their socks right here in the Northwest to further ensure excellent production quality. Dahlgren’s Hiking Socks are available in Mens and Women’s sizes. $19.50.  www.dahlgrenfootwear.com.

5.     Fishpond Pawnee Gear Bag

Designed specifically for fly fishers, the Pawnee Duffle offers the best means of keeping your angling gear organized and ready to go. A heavy-duty zipper around three sides of the lower compartment allows the top three-quarters of the Pawnee to swing off the lower section, revealing the flat storage perfectly sized to fit a pair of wading boots and waders. A tough nylon mat folds out from the bottom of this section to provide a clean, dry place to stand while pulling on your waders and boots. The upper compartment sports a wide anvil-style zippered opening that reveals a bag big enough to hold your vest, a wading jacket, small landing net, reel cases, etc. A clear-faced zippered pocket on the outside of the main upper compartment is a perfect place to stash spare tippets, leaders, tools and assorted small gear. We’ve tried other gear bags, and liked many of them, but none were as perfectly matched as the Pawnee Gear Bag to the needs of river-wading fly fisher. $130. www.fishpondusa.com

6.     REI Endeavor Pants

Everyone I know prefers to hike in shorts when at all possible. But shoulder season outings in the Cascades can be a bit chilly on bare legs. So pants are needed. REI’s Endeavor Pants are the latest and greatest we’ve found that address the needs of cool weather trekkers without looking too teched out. With a relaxed fit, contoured legs and gusseted crotch, the Endeavor Pants allow smooth, natural strides without binding or rubbing. The polyester-spandex material gives the pants great 4-way stretch for additional mobility and comfort during strenuous activities like scrambling and climbing. That material also sheds water efficiently and dries almost instantly – in fact, I wore these will wet-wading on a fly fishing adventure in northern BC, and the legs didn’t absorb more then a few drops of water despite hours of immersion in the clear, cold rivers. Zippered pockets on the back and sides keep small items secure, and deep front pockets provide good storage for essentials close at hand.  Available in men’s and women’s sizes. Bottom line: The best performing, and best looking, mountain pant we’ve found. $79.50. www.rei.com

  Next up: The Best yet to come – Top Spring 2012 Products

Minimalists and traditionalists prefer a single-bladed folder that slips easily into a pocket. More tech savvy gear geeks lean toward the versatility of the multi-tool, which provide an array of functions in one pocket-sized package.

A recent reader request sent us scurrying to find the best folding knife and the best multi-tool we could find for general outdoor use. We decided to focus on weight, durability and functionality as prime considerations, as well as comfort in hand. Bearing all this in mind, here’s what we came up with:

The Aegis, from Lynnwood-based SOG Knives, sports a 3.5-inch blade that locks in both the open and closed positions – this is a nice feature since even an exposed blade tip can be a significant problem in a pocket. To open the blade, slip the small safety on the back of the handle to the “open” position and use the thumb-stud to flip the blade out. As the blade comes forward, SOG’s ‘surest assisted technology’ (SAT) engages and a pair of springs quickly pushes the blade up into its locked-open position.

The straight-edged steel blade holds an edge remarkably well – we found it sharp enough easily slice through 1-inch tubular webbing, even after a week of whittling around camp during a fishing expedition into Idaho’s Henry Fork country.  The Aegis’ nylon handle features checkering and inserts of tacky rubber to ensure the knife stays firmly in hand, even in wet conditions. The Aegis proved durable, tough and comfortable to use even with light gloves. It sells for $93.25 and weighs a mere 3.1 ounces. For more information, visit www.sogknives.com.

On the multi-tool side, the new Crucial FAST from Portland-based Gerber Knives. This compact tool includes an assisted-opening blunt-tipped blade for quick, secure deployment of the knife edge. Beyond the knife, you’ll find a firm pair of needlenose pliers, flat- and Phillips-head drivers, bottle opener, wire cutters, and a second blade (partially-serrated). The Crucial is smaller, lighter and more functional than many of the larger, more expense multitools on the market. Indeed, for the price, and weight, this tool can’t be beat for the backcountry. The Crucial FAST retails for $58.00 and weighs just 5.8 oz. Visit www.gerbergear.com for more information.

Donna in Mountain Hardwear Dry.Q

W.L. Gore offers its lightest, most breathable membrane ever to the market this year, but competitors also offer innovative new products to challenge the king of waterproof breathables. We found some winners among them:

Polartec’s NeoShell membrane moves moisture — or “breathes” — faster and in greater volumes than traditional shells, even in frigid conditions. The membrane is air-permeable so air may flow freely through it, rather than requiring an interior heat to “push” through the membrane as with Gore-Tex breathable products. The Stretch Neo Jacket from gear maker Rab utilizes the Neo-

Shell in a fully waterproof-breathable jacket with a softshell feel. During a hot, wet climb up to Spectacle Lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the Stretch Neo transported sweat so efficiently we briefly worried about its waterproofness. But torrents of rain failed to penetrate, even as perspiration smoothly evaporated through the shell.

The sleek Stretch Neo sports just a few frills — nice zipper-sealed gear pockets to keep gadgets handy but dry and a stowaway hood that proved comfortable when in use and unnoticeable when folded away. It sells for $365. See us.rab.uk.com andwww.polartec.com for more details.

Mountain Hardwear developed a new membrane it calls Dry.Q, using licensed technologies from General Electric, maker of the eVent membrane. Like NeoShell, the Dry.Q membrane is air-permeable.

The best use of the Dry.Q membrane for general outdoor use is in the Mountain Hardwear Drystein jacket. We put this jacket on a few female testers and sent them into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, as well as into the heavy fog and rain of northern British Columbia. They all reported the same thing: Not only does the jacket’s main body block rain while shedding sweat moisture, but the jacket design helps improve its breathability. Taking advantage of the new material’s capabilities, the designers tossed out the old-school use of pit zips and inserted panels of highly breathable stretch material under the arms. That provides great breathability, and improves the wearer’s mobility without compromising weatherproofness. The women’s cut fit testers perfectly, even over modest mid-layers for insulation. The jacket sells for $425. For more information: www.mountainhardwear.com.

Finally, the W.L. Gore company refuses to rest on its laurels, and this fall brings the lightest, most breathable Gore-Tex product ever. Gore-Tex Active Shell technology pairs an ultrathin Gore-Tex membrane to a featherweight face fabric to create sleek, lightweight jackets designed for high-energy aerobic activities in all weather conditions. Vancouver, B.C.-based Arc’Teryx uses Active Shell in its Beta FL jacket. By stripping off all unnecessary features, such as pockets (just two chest pockets remain) and pit zips — no need for them given the breathability — the Beta FL meets the featherweight requirements of minimalist hikers, as proven by our fast-packing testers during an outing to Ingalls Lake. The jacket tips the scales at a mere 11.4 ounces. $450.

With two or three perfectly functional rain jackets in the closet, we go out and buy the latest and great.

When the newest fly fish rod comes out, promising to improve your cast by 10 yards, and your accuracy by 10 percent, we go buy it.

If a new stove promises to be 0.3 ounces lighter than our current stove while cutting our boil time by 30 seconds, we gotta have it.

With resources becoming ever more scarce, and our economy on the rocks, rampant consumerism is a problem. We buy too damned much stuff we don’t need and don’t use the stuff we have for its complete lifespan. I’m sorry to say that, at least in the outdoor market, I’m a big part of the problem. For the last 20 years, I’ve reviewed the latest and greatest outdoor products and through a variety of publications, encouraged you to buy them all.

I do believe I offer a valuable service in providing honest reviews based on substantial field testing. But I also have come to accept the fact I need to be talking about durability and longevity of products, too. A Polartec softshell jacket can last for years – decades even, depending on the type of use – and the gear maker’s should be touting that fact. Same with Gore-Tex, Schoeller and Primaloft products. But even more importantly, I should be touting that fact – and so should all my colleagues.

I know I’m not alone in this belief. Earlier this year I enjoy an evening out with Todd and Shannon Walton and this topic was one of many we discussed. They’ve both been leaders in the PR side of the Outdoor Industry and they both expressed strong interest in encouraging “durability marketing.”

I’ve also discussed this with folks from other PR agencies, from manufacturers and from retailers. While these businesses need new retail sales to stay afloat, they all realize there is an environmental and moral imperative to reducing the “throw-away” culture we currently have in place.

With all this percolating through my mind for the past several months, I was pleasantly shocked to see a unique ad in New York Times on Black Friday – the most rampant day of consumerism in America. Patagonia ran a prominent ad in the NYT today, telling consumers, “Don’t Buy this Jacket.”

Patagonia's NY Times ad

Their ad content speaks for itself:

“Black Friday, and the culture of consumption it reflects, puts the economy of natural systems that support all life firmly in the red. We’re now using the resources of one-and-a-half planets on our one and only planet.

Because Patagonia wants to be in business for a good long time – and leave a world inhabitable for our kids – we want to do the opposite of every other business today. We ask you to buy less and to reflect before you spend a dime on this jacket or anything else.”

For most businesses, running an ad of this kind would result in immediate firings within the ad department. For Patagonia, it’s just a continuation of an on-going program of reducing waste and overconsumption.

The Patagonia Common Threads Initiative encourages Patagonia customers to repair, re-use and eventually recycle their products before buying something new. They offer incentives, aid, and lots of educational material to make this happen. See details here.

Other companies are doing similar things on a smaller scale, and I want to step up and promise to do my part, too. So while I will continue to review and recommend new products, I will also offer information on how to make your existing products last longer. I’ll present stories on restoring old gear to like-new condition. I’ll provide information on where you can recycle – rather than just throw away –truly worn out gear. And I’ll try to focus my recommendations of new gear on products that will last for years, decades or even generations.

Adventures NW

The recent news that the Seattle Times has slashed its outdoor section budget and eliminated my column initially came as a blow to me. But now I see it as an opportunity. I’ve allowed my blog to be stagnant. No more.

Adventures Northwest will be a voice for responsible consumerism. We will follow Patagonia’s lead and encourage careful choices for outdoors enthusiasts. I will review gear that works, but will also – when appropriate – pull no punches when describing gear that fails to meet our standards.

We all have too much shit. It’s time glean the wheat from the chafe. It’s time to get rid of the shit and stick with only the quality gear that will keep us warm, dry, safe and happy.

Halfway up the ridge leading to Skyline Lake near Stevens Pass, a heavy snowdrift sat as a near-vertical 4-foot wall in our path. Climbers would simply kick the toe of their boots deep into the face of the drift, plunge their ax in and climb the small wall of snow.

But what about snowshoers? Turns out, web-footed snow hikers should do the same thing. Our group, mostly novices, easily climbed up and over the drift to continue on up to the ridgetop.

When you’re on snowshoes and you encounter steep ascents, going straight up usually proves to be the safest and most effective means of getting up the obstacle. In fact, you should use that kick-step move perfected by alpine climbers.

Simply pretend you don’t have snowshoes on: Kick the toe of your boot through the toe-hole in the front of the snowshoe, plunge your trekking pole in next to your boot, and climb up. By driving your toe straight into the snow-face, you force the snowshoe’s forward crampons into the snow as deeply as possible, while also giving you as firm a foothold as possible.

Keep your kick-steps close together and always have three points of contact (both hands on well-planted poles, and one foot kicked in, for instance) firmly on the snow.

If you can walk …

The common refrain when introducing someone new to the world of snowshoeing is, “If you can walk, you can walk on snowshoes.” That statement fails to address the many nuances of snowshoeing, though. As detailed above, there are many scenarios where simply being able to walk won’t help you much.

In addition to going up, going down poses potential problems — especially steep slopes. Watching even experienced snowshoers slipping and tumbling down from Mount Rainier’s Panorama Point proved this point.

What’s the problem? Walkers generally descend steep slopes by keeping their weight slightly back, so if they fall, they fall on their well-padded bums.

Get your weight back during a snowshoe descent, though, and those snowshoes easily become miniature toboggans on your feet, especially in soft snow or on snowshoes without substantial rear traction.

For a safer descent on snowshoes, flex your knees and slightly bend at the waist like a skier, keeping your weight centered over the balls of your feet. This puts all your weight over the snowshoe’s crampon teeth and gives you the flexibility to respond to any slipping or sliding without simply falling.

You should also reach out in front with your trekking poles on each downward stride to help guide and brace you. If you have adjustable poles, extend them out to greater length so you have better reach downhill.

Crossing hills

Adjustable poles can also be a great benefit when traversing (i.e. going across) a steep hillside. Lengthen the downhill pole and shorten the uphill one so your hands are parallel in front of you. That helps keep you balanced, and makes for easier walking.

As you traverse, focus on keeping your snowshoes pointing straight forward in the direction you want to travel, and keeping your feet centered on the snowshoe deck.

The tendency is to let the snowshoe tails swing downhill but that allows slipping, and makes you work much harder than you need to.

Finally, there will come a time in every snowshoer’s experience when you’ll hit a dead end, at which point you’ll either need to turn around or back up.

Either option poses problems, though, as snowshoe tails tend to drag on a tight turn, or drop and dig in when trying to move backward. Somehow you need to keep those tails up and the snowshoes tight to your foot. But how?

The easiest means of backing up, or turning 180 degrees in close quarters, is to simply use your trekking poles to push down on the toe of the snowshoe, thus lifting the tail. You can now step back without burying the tails and tumbling over.

Safety first

Before heading out to try these techniques, though, there’s the most important action to perform: Evaluate the avalanche conditions of your chosen destination.

Fortunately, this can be done quickly and easily thanks to the Northwest Avalanche Center.

Every time you plan to venture out into the snowy mountains, first log into the center’s website,www.nwac.us, or call them at 206-526-6677, to get the latest updates on snow conditions and dangers.

Additionally, you should know the warning signs of avalanche conditions. The danger of avalanche is found anywhere there is a slope with snow on it. Sometimes the danger is minimal, sometimes a slide is inevitable, and frequently you won’t be able to tell the difference by looking at the hillside. Knowledge of current snow conditions, recent weather patterns, and future weather forecasts are all necessary to help you understand and evaluate the avalanche danger on a given day, in a given area. All avalanches start with unstable snow-snow that isn’t bonded to the hillside. Avalanches are of two primary types: slab avalanches occur when large solid sections of snow break away at once, and loose snow avalanches occur when unattached snow crystals slide down a slope, dislodging more and more snow as they go.

A quick study of the slope ahead of you can reveal clues to avalanche potential. First, estimate the steepness of the slope. Avalanches are most common on a slope of 30 to 45 degrees, but they can and do release on slopes as gentle as 25 degrees or as steep as 65 or more degrees. Second, take note of the profile of the slope. A slope with a convex profile-that is, it bulges out a bit-is more likely to slide than a concave slope. Third, look at the exposure of the slope. A north-facing slope may be slower to stabilize than other slopes because it doesn’t receive as much direct sunlight, and therefore the snow doesn’t settle and compact as quickly. A leeward slope tends to become wind-loaded with unstable snow more often than a windward slope, since a windward slope generally has less snow, and what is there is more compacted by the wind.

Wind is a major contributor to avalanche hazards, and the higher and more prolonged the wind, the greater the threat of avalanche.

Other visible clues to avalanche danger include the following:

• Sticky snow, which indicates the surface snow is warmer than the snow below.
• Evidence of recent avalanches. If you see a slope that has apparently slid in the last 24 hours or so, consider it a good indication that snow conditions are unstable.
• Hollow drumming or “whomping” sounds coming from the snow underfoot indicate slab conditions, and a high potential for release.
• Rime ice on trees. This build-up of ice and frost suggests there were high winds during a recent storm, and therefore chances are good that leeward slopes are highly wind-loaded and likely to slide.
• Broken limbs and/or snow plastered to the uphill side of trees shows past avalanche occurrence. A slope that slides once will slide again after the next storm.

Understanding and recognizing these signs isn’t all there is to know about avoiding avalanche danger. This discussion simply serves as a brief primer on the subject. More detailed information is readily available in a number of excellent books, including The ABCs of Avalanche Safetyby E. R. LaChapelle (The Mountaineers Books, 1985).

Sister companies Fishpond and Lilypond tackle this problem by offering packs, briefcases and bags built with the same structural and design strengths you’d find in their active outdoor lines, but with stylings suitable for daily use around town.

The Switchgrass Carryall Backpack from Lilypond works as a tote bag or rucksack-style backpack, thanks to a unique sliding strap system. Slide the straps out to the side and they become backpack straps. Slide them up to the top and they work as sling-style shoulder straps. The bag also has braided nylon handles so the Switchgrass can be carried as a handbag. The handles and straps are detailed with patterned materials for style points.

The Switchgrass features stout 420-denier nylon outer fabric, with an inner liner of softer nylon — in a contrasting color to gain additional style points — to keep your valuables well protected. The carryall tote proved perfect for short outings such as picnics or trips to the beach, but we also found it a great catchall for extended road trips. During a 17-day camping loop through Washington, Idaho and Montana, we used it to hold items we needed every day but didn’t have a permanent place for — like binoculars, lunch utensils, dog bowls and iPod speakers. It also proved its worth as a rucksack during weekly trips to the Puyallup Farmers Market. When it was loaded up with fresh corn, peaches, carrots and potatoes, the Switchgrass’ shoulder straps put the load on my back instead of fingers (hauling that heavy produce by a hand-strap would result in deadened fingers in no time).

The Switchgrass comes in two colors and measures 14 inches tall by 12 inches wide by 8 inches deep. It retails for $79. See lilypondusa.com.

For the business-class outdoors lover, the Sporting Club Briefcase from Fishpond meets your carrying needs for office essentials. This durable briefcase utilizes 420-denier nylon that looks a bit like suede, so you get the incredible durability and weather-resistance of the synthetics, but the classy look of suede leather. The briefcase sports three main zipper-closed compartments: a padded laptop compartment (big enough for a 17-inch computer), a small documents pocket on the back of the bag, and one main compartment for bigger files, books or gear.

There is a front flap-covered compartment with several internal pockets for small items. There are also two water-bottle sleeves on the ends of the case, so you can stay hydrated while walking to work. I found this case provided ample room for my laptop, a dSLR camera, a couple of portable hard drives and reams of paper — everything I needed in a travel workstation.

The Sporting Club Briefcase sells for $219.95. See fishpondusa.com.

That changed this fall!

The Rheumatoid Patient Foundation (RPF) launched last month as the first and only organization with the sole purpose of benefitting people with RA. Established as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, RPF is dedicated to improving the lives of patients with Rheumatoid diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and Juvenile Arthritis through a variety of means, including research, public awareness, patient education and patient-led advocacy.

RPF works to improve the lives of people living with RA by:

That’s a lot of people and a lot of money. Still, many of those animal lovers want to hold onto as much of their paycheck as they can — which explains the emails we’ve received asking for suggestions on the best affordable binoculars available today.

After checking out several binoculars, we found a couple that have crystal-clear optics at a reasonable price.

At the top of the list stands Brunton’s Echo Compactseries. We recommend the 8-power version (8×25) since 10-power compacts can be difficult to hold steady (the extra magnification also magnifies any vibration/hand shake, creating an unstable image).

The Echo 8×25 glasses proved remarkably comfortable in the hand, and the lenses were sharp through the field of vision — we noticed just a hint of fuzziness at the extreme edge of the field of view. The light transmission was very good, presenting a bright view, even at dusk and dawn when wildlife is most active. We used these while watching young bighorns scamper in the twilight above Umtanum Canyon in Central Washington, and to spy on ospreys hunting trout in the Yakima River Canyon.

The Echos even earned praise from our hardest-to-please binocular tester: Donna has a small face, and frequently finds she can’t bring binocular barrels close together enough to allow easy viewing. The Echos, though, fit her well, while also working wonderfully for our bigheaded, wide-eyed lead tester (yours truly). The Echo 8x25s weigh 38 ounces and sell for $120. More info: www.bruntonoutdoor.com.

For a smaller, lighter pair, we recommend the Pentax Papilio 8.5×21 binoculars. These compact optics fit comfortably in the hand, adjust to fit a wide variety of faces (including Donna’s) and weigh a mere 10 ounces. The optics are sharp and clear — not as bright as the Bruntons, but nearly as sharp. What’s most remarkable about the new Papilios, though, is the focusing range. These binoculars have a close-focus distance of just 19.5 inches, meaning you can zoom in on that bee sitting on the flower right in front of you. You can examine the patterns of pollen on its legs, and count the hairs on its back as it flies over to sting you! No other binoculars we’ve found — or even heard of — offer this ability to act almost as a microscope on your wilderness adventures.

The Pentax Papilio 8.5×21 binoculars sell for $149. See www.pentaxsportoptics.com.