The Week in Review 271

A rustle in the leaves/ a Grayling jumps/ the Raven’s view

If you enjoy The Week in Review & other articles why not support me with a coffee or two? I work Full-Time on Hiking in Finland to bring you inspiring trip reports, in-depth gear reviews and the latest news from the outdoors. You also could subscribe to the rarer-than-ever Newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Youtube for more outdoorsy updates!

News

Traft is a Tent & Packraft Hybrid.

Katie shares some Updates from the Trail.

Be aware that your InReach might set off an accidental SOS.

What does it feel like to fail your expedition?

Trump’s EPA has become a muscular arm of industry executives getting rich by destroying the planet.

Backpackinglight.se is open!

Do we outdoor bloggers have a Duty to be Responsible?

The Day We Sent Logical Progression.

The Rise of the Adventure Blogger.

To Get to the Summit, Cory Richards Had to Lose It All.

Hungry? Strategic eating for outdoor adventures.

Why your hands swell while hiking.

Jackie explains a Traveler’s Meaning of “Home”.

Would you watch Someone Hike on YouTube? If your answer is yes, then make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel!

Liz shares all the mean, nasty and godawful hateful things people say to her online.

Join the #MillionHoursOfJoy campaign to get out kids outdoors!

The 7th Annual Coffeeneuring Challenge kicks of in two weeks!

The GoPro HERO6 dropped yesterday - which means the GoPro HERO5 Black is now cheaper! And totally brand-new is the GoPro Fusion, a 360° camera!

New from Gossamer Gear is The Two.

And a new cottage from the USA is Waymark Gear Co. which makes lightweight backpacks.

The new autumn gear has arrived at Alpinetrek.co.uk, while some cool Houdini garments are up to 60% off. Reasons enough to take a look =)

Get 50% off on selected Sierra Designs Sleeping Bags.

Trip Reports

Alex was backpacking the Skye Trail - what a superb weather he had!

Bikerafting Loch Maree.

Kate went climbing in the dark.

Jessie was backpacking along the Russian border. Great weather also here! [German]

Paulina was Train Camping on the Noyo and it looks fantastic!

Jörgen hikes the Rockwall Trail in the Canadian Rockies.

Peter was hiking on the Arctic Trail!

A visit in the Southern Utah Day Hiking Paradise with the family.

Uli went for the first skitour of 2017.

Pretty ridge hikes & climbes in the Wettersteingebirge. [German]

Looks beautiful: The Vorder Gärstenhorn. [German]

Cracking Cobra.

Peter and friends took their bikes to Sweden.

Bikepacking on the Adriatic Crest Route turns into Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ken was 9 days in Sarek.

Andrew about his UTMB performance (which was great!).

Emily’s Life Lessons From Bikepacking with a Five-Year-Old.

Alastair loves the Lofoten.

Part 2 of Kathrin’s Bibbulmun Track Trip Report. [German]

Alex and Hannah enjoy a first taste of autumn.

Sheena is swallowed up by clouds at Gaustatoppen, the highest mountain in Telemark.

Martin hiked the Königsweg. [German]

James hikes from Kautokeino to Kilpisjärvi on the Nordkalottleden.

Alen spends an Uneasy Night on Cerro de la Salchicha.

Logan tells the story of the Breaking Trail.

Gear Reviews

Carsten’s Outdoor Essentials: A Baseball-Cap.

Cool: Filmmaker Jay Ritchey talks about his 27.5+ Tumbleweed Prospector.

Drew reviews the My Trail Co. Storm UL Rain Jacket.

Check out David’s 3-Day, 3-Season Backpacking Gear.

Alex reviews the Dilling Merino Longsleeve which he wore from Vienna to Nice. [German]

Dead-reckoning navigation.

Derek reviews the UGQ Outdoors SilPoly Winterdream Tarp.

Sven reviews the Evernew Appalachian Set. [German]

Sarah cooks with the Optimus Vega Stove.

A look at the Becker Gear 40 Below Down Tube Bag – “A Beer Packing Bag”.

Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in this article to help finance the website. Read the Transparency Disclaimer for more information on affiliate links & blogger transparency.

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Reside by Marcon at Cambie Village

RESIDE is an exclusive collection of one, two and three bedroom homes with a coveted Westside Vancouver address. With some of Vancouver’s best parks and amenities close by, this is a well-established neighbourhood. RESIDE will be home to 33 concrete homes and 2 floors of parking. RESIDE is situated near shopping, parks, top-ranked schools, entertainment and dining. Langara Golf Course and Winona Park are within walking distance for you to enjoy Vancouver’s great outdoors. Vancouver International Airport is less than 10 minutes away when you board the Canada Line at Marine Drive Station.

Marcon Developments began as a construction company and gave them the experience to deliver homes not only of high standards, but also of high value. Since inception, they have given the keys to homeowners to more than 10,000 new homes and helped dreams become reality. Marcon has developed some notable residences over the years, such as the first high-rise in Canada to achieve LEED certification. Building to these standards helps to future-proof your home, as well as allowing you to breathe easy from the first day you move in.

The post Reside by Marcon at Cambie Village appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

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ReimaGo & Kidventure

After over six months with the ReimaGo Activity Sensor it’s time to take a look at it again and join the #MillionHoursOfJoy campaign!

Disclaimer: The ReimaGo Sensor and some of the garments have been provided by Reima for review. This did not influence the article as I maintain full editorial control of the content published on this site. There are affiliate links in this article. Read the Transparency Disclaimer for more information on affiliate links & blogger transparency.

Remember my ReimaGo Review from the spring? Well, we feel it’s time for an update on how the sensor and the app have performed and developed over the last six months.

The ReimaGo App

Back in our spring review the ReimaGo App had 15 levels and we were almost through them in a matter of weeks (which means our son was very active and collected lots of points to move his avatar forward through the ReimaGo World). We already knew by then that our son was plenty enough outside (he only uses the Sensor in his outside jacket), but what we learned then too was that when it gets too warm for the jacket he doesn’t collect any points (even if he’s outside) - we were for example in the end of May for two weeks in Germany, and with it being the hottest May on record in Germany ever (we had every day over 30°C degrees, with five days even having over 35°C!) he never wore the jacket and wasn’t “active” those two weeks, even if we were every day outside. Sure, there’s a rubber hand strap that comes with the sensor, but we didn’t have it with us and even now we seldom use it. We really hope that for next year Reima releases some summer garments which have the ReimaGo pocket which can be worn in warm weather.

Anyway, the ReimaGo App. It had a major update since the spring and now there’s over 40 Levels on the new globe map, which lets you travel around the world. This is positive as it makes the game of being outside more long-lasting - lets see if Reima will add more levels once the first kids start to reach the last levels. There’s now also a little story about the avatar (Goey) and how he animates kids to go outside, it’s a nice touch. Our son still loves to move his avatar forward and is happy each time he gets to finish a Level, and for us parents its still very good to see how much he is outside each day and week. The app also still is a good motivator to get him out if it isn’t a great day outside, which is pretty nice. A “Lets go collect some ReimaGo points so you can finish that level” works very well to motivate him to get dressed and go for a walk or play in the garden. The usability of the app still is the same, it’s OK but not mind-blowing - simple and does its job well. Finally, the app also lets you join the #MillionHoursOfJoy campaign easily, which I’ll talk about next.

Kidventure aka #MillionHoursOfJoy

I was along at the OutDoor Friedrichshafen during the launch of the Kidventure campaign. The idea is to challenge kids around the globe to spend more time outdoors, and hence to collect together a million hours of time spend in the outdoors. You can participate via the above linked Website if you have not yet a ReimaGo Sensor, or if you have the latter then it’s super easy to join the challenge by signing up via the app and then automatically all your hours of outdoor time will be donated to the project (as far as I can tell, you don’t lose anything either =). You also can use the #MillionHoursOfJoy Hashtag on Social Media when you’re out there with your kids - because remember #ItsGreatOutThere =) If you compete in the campaign you also have the chance to win prizes each week, and the grand prize is a winter week in Lapland - a very nice experience for kids, as we know!

Finally, it’s my pleasure to offer you a -15% Discount on ALL Reima garments until the 15th of October - that makes it even more affordable to get a ReimaGo Sensor and a jacket, fleece or pants to measure the activity of your kids or get those Välikausivaatteet or winter garments! The Code is HIK17ING and applies to all products in the Reima Webshop but can not be combined with other discounts. Direct your browser to the Reima webshop and add the code at the end in the coupon field!

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Basalt by Pennyfarthing Development Group at QE Park

The Cambie Collection by Pennyfarthing Homes continues its legacy on Vancouver’s West Side with Basalt, with 51 contemporary residences, located on 35th Avenue and Cambie Street right by Queen Elizabeth Park. Marked by refinement, this fourth chapter of the Cambie Story exemplifies Pennyfarthing’s continued commitment to design excellence and quality craftsmanship. Basalt is at the center of Vancouver and will flourish with the dividends provided by the amenities that the Cambie corridor provides. 

Defined by a modernist exterior, these one to three bedroom homes are set within a premier parkside location. The interiors focus on uniting style with functionality, resulting in bright, open floor plans that highlight panoramic views of Q.E. Park and Vancover’s city skyline.

Since 1980, Pennyfarthing Homes focuses on 3 pillars: integrity, reliability and professionalism. They have swiftly fulfilled the home ownership dreams of nearly 3,000 home buyers throughout the Lower Mainland, Washington State, and California. Following on Bennington House, Grayson, and Hawthorne, this is Pennyfarthing’s fourth Cambie Corridor development.

The post Basalt by Pennyfarthing Development Group at QE Park appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

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Elenore on Fifth by Chard in Mount Pleasant

Exquisitely located on the slopes of Mount Pleasant, Elenore is a boutique collection of 58 modern one, two and three bedroom homes on Fifth and Main. Perfectly situated among the talked-about restaurants, cool galleries, buzz-worthy cafes, curated shops and within walking distance of the Olympic Village, Elenore offers sophisticated living in one of the city’s most dynamic and neighbourhoods.

Townhomes will have a private ground floor patio, while seven second level units will include private decks. There will also be private roof terraces.

 

The post Elenore on Fifth by Chard in Mount Pleasant appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

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Terraces at the Peak at SFU by Intergulf

In the heart of Metro Vancouver, in UniverCity’s established West Highlands neighbourhood, Terraces at The Peak is well-connected to Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and Coquitlam. Walk or bike the 28 kilometers of trails on Burnaby Mountain, nearby shopping, schools, community centers, and restaurants. This 13-storey concrete structure will have 117 homes from studios to 3-bedroom condos and townhomes. Locate at the top of Burnaby Mountain, residences will have spectacular views of the lower mainland.

The collection of studio, one, two, and three-bedroom condos and townhomes exemplify Intergulf’s commitment to intelligent design. Every facet of the homes is meticulously configured to emphasize space, light, and functionality. An open-concept layout in conjunction with expansive windows invite natural light to flow generously throughout the home, and illustrate the dramatic views stretching across the horizon. A limited selection of homes feature lock-off suites to provide you with flexibility or secondary income.

The post Terraces at the Peak at SFU by Intergulf appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

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Impressions From the Öreälvsleden

Wilderness in the middle of Sweden, just an hour away from Umeå? Yes, on the beautiful Öreälvsleden trail! I just returned from Sweden and want to share some first impressions with you about this unknown pearl of a hiking trail!

Disclaimer: I was supported financially by Visit Umeå to go backpacking on the Öreälvsleden. But you know: I’m keepin’ it real and tell you how it is - I maintain full editorial control of the content published on Hiking in Finland. Read the Transparency Disclaimer for more information on affiliate links & blogger transparency.

Four days, 124 km, great infrastructure, beautiful autumn colours and a wild river in Sweden - the Öreälvsleden is a trail that rewards. While I go through the thousands of photos I took during my hike and edit the video here’s some first impressions from this beautiful trail in Västerbotten, Sweden.

The start of the trail for me, just a bit outside of Örträsk. Skin-out weight: Too heavy.

If you followed me on Instagram you could see my Stories Live from the Trail =)

A perfect packrafting river, I made the stupid last-minute decision to not take the packraft. Next time I won’t make that mistake!

The autumn colours were sublime.

The Lingonberries were ripe, tasty and plentiful.

There was tasty food in the evenings.

The Hapi Sil was pitched.

There was sunshine here and there.

Towards the south the trail became more civilized and I hiked between fields and the river.

And passed through lovely little Swedish villages.

And I rewarded myself with a tasty Calzone and Goat-cheese Salad and Beer back in Umeå!

The full trip-report including details on logistics et al. comes next week, until then I hope you enjoyed these first impressions from the Öreälvsleden trails - and follow me on Instagram to see more of it!

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DMM Alpha Light Quickdraw Review

There comes a point in a climbers life where she or he no longer wants to loan a friends quick-draws. What kind of ‘draws they want often depends on their preferred style of climbing: Do they like to sports climb, climb indoors at the gym, go to the mountains or even climb ice in winter? I settled for the DMM Alpha Light QuickDraw - why you will find out in my review.

Disclaimer: The DMM Alpha Light Quickdraws and DMM Alpha Trad QDs have been provided by Bergfreunde for review. But as you know: I’m keepin’ it real and tell you how it is - I maintain full editorial control of the content published on Hiking in Finland. Read the Transparency Disclaimer for more information on affiliate links & blogger transparency.

Already a couple of years ago two Trad Sets of DMM Alpha Light QDs and one set of DMM Alpha Trad QDs arrived at Hiking in Finland HQ and since then have been used mountaineering in the Alps, rock and trad climbing in Greece & Norway, ice climbing in Finland and I also have clipped some gym routes with them.

The reason I went for the DMM Quickdraws - also the Ange Finesse QD from Petzl was being considered - was that they were for me the best all-round solution which works well in all the arts of climbing which I like to practice, and they were the lightest ones, too. The Alpha Light Quickdraws are made up of a full-size carabiner and a Dyneema sling and weigh 65 g for the 12 cm ‘draw, 68 g for the 18 cm length quickdraw and only 71 g for the 25 cm long QD. This light weight is achieved thanks to DMM’s I-beam construction, which is very durable with high breaking loads but at the same time allows to shave weight. Once you add that shaved weight up to a full set of QDs which can be anywhere between 8 and 15 draws you can easily safe some 100 g or more. This might seem like not a lot, but remember: When you’re climbing up you have to carry all the weight up, and the lighter the gear on your harness the easier the climbing is.

So besides being the lightest draws available it also is important that they’re easy to use. As the Alpha Light and the Alpha Trad are full-size Quickdraws they lie very good in the hand and are easy to clip - on both ends. The large gate opening makes for easy clipping to the bolt, ice screw, cam or nut, and likewise makes clipping the rope very easy - also with gloves on in winter. The grooved pattern at the back of the draw makes them easy to handle, no matter if you’re climbing in warm Greek temperatures or at Korouoma in Finland in winter. The wire-gate construction is less likely to accidentally open and the clean nose profile again makes for easier clipping with less snagging. Finally, the deep rope basket with a 8,5 mm rope radius treats your rope well and lets it run through the draw smoothly. The final reason for me to get the DMM ‘draws was that they are Made in Wales, which I find in times of globalisation a nice thing to do.

The Bottomline is that I have used these two different draws - and the differences are minimal, with the Alpha Light being slightly lighter and the Alpha Trad being minimally bigger - ice climbing in Finland, rock climbing in Meteora, Greece and Norway, mountaineering in the Alps and always was very happy with their performance. The different lengths in the Sets make them especially for trad climbing and mountaineering very versatile, while the light weight and normal carabiner size make them for sports climbing a very good choice. If you climb only hard sports routes you’re probably better off with a sports climbing specific ‘draw which you can easier grab by the sling, but for all-around use on rock, ice and in the mountains I can not imagine a better quick-draw. If you like to keep your climbing varied and want the lightest full-size quickdraw on the market, look no further than these fine ‘draws from DMM!

Readers from the UK can order the DMM Alpha Light QD Trad Set and the DMM Alpha Trad Trad Set from Alpinetrek.co.uk while readers from the USA find the DMM Alpha Trad Set from Backcountry.com.

German, Austrian and Swiss Readers can easily buy the QDs and some my other favourite climbing gear via the Outtra Widget underneath:

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Petzl Sirocco 2.0

The Bad News: The best helmet for climbing & mountaineering got heavier (but only 5 g). The good News: The Sirocco 2.0 is more protective, has a slimmer profile and is still the best helmet on the market.

Disclaimer: The Sirocco 2.0 has been provided by Petzl with no strings attached. Which means: I could review it, or I could just happily use it and never tell anyone about it. And as you know: I’m keepin’ it real and tell you how it is with the gear I review here - I maintain full editorial control of the content published on Hiking in Finland. Read the Transparency Disclaimer for more information on affiliate links & blogger transparency.

If you have bought your Petzl Sirocco helmet after you have read my review 3,5 years ago you now have a dilemma: The Sirocco helmet has a lifetime of 10 years including a 3-year guarantee against any material or manufacturing defects. That means if you hadn’t had a major fall or hit your head really hard against a rock or ice wall you’re good to use your orange Sirocco helmet for a while still. On the other hand, if you love your orange Sirocco but are more a Ninja-Black kind of colour person, then maybe that’s the only excuse you need to treat yourself to the Sirocco 2.0 =) Right now the Sirocco 2.0 is available in black with the orange top, but in 2018 it also will be available in white with the orange top - so if you’re more a Samurai-White kind of guy, wait a few months still!

I received the new Sirocco helmet at OutDoor from Petzl and had it out climbing and mountaineering in Norway last week, and can tell you: It’s a beauty that is so light that you still can wear it the whole day without noticing it, just like the old Sirocco. At 170 g in Size M/L for large heads it’s still super light, but thanks to the new hybrid construction (The shell is made from EPP (expanded polypropylene) foam and on top there’s a rigid crown injected with EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam) it sits lower on your head. This results in two things: It protects the back of your head better and you look less like you’re having an egg head. Lets have a Side-By-Side look at the old and new Sirocco to see the differences:

The new ventilation opening design is immediately apparent. I never got hot or cold with the old one, and also the new design seems to do its job just perfectly.

At the back you see that the attachment for the headlamp has changed, the elastic for attaching your headlamp now is a wee bit bigger which makes it easier to attach your headlamp to the helmet.

At the front and top you see the new design especially well, with the new ventilation openings in the front and the polycarbonate crown on top which should protect even better against rocks and ice from above, and also allows the helmet to sit lower on your head.

The inside also has changed a wee bit, but happily Petzl kept the adjustable headband and chinstrap which I always found fantastic - they’re very easy to adjust, also with gloves on, and I can wear the Sirocco with a thick beanie or just directly, having it adjusted in seconds. Also the great magnetic buckle stayed, which makes opening and closing the helmet with one hand super easy.

The new construction also allows it to be much more easily be worn under a hood - and the Hood on my Houdini Aegis jacket isn’t super-large, so that’s very welcome.

The Bottomline is that I love the new Sirocco and am very pleased that Petzl updated the helmet in a meaningful way. The new Ventilation Opening did an outstanding job in Norway on the warm & humid days I had it out, and while I wasn’t able to test its protective capabilities I am very sure that the helmet won’t disappoint me when I’m out ice and rock climbing or mountaineering and doing Via Ferratas in the Alps. If the old Siroccos fitted you well and you need a new helmet - the Sirocco 2.0 is a worthy update. And if you’re in the market for a new helmet - try the Sirocco on before you buy to see if it fits. Because a helmet that doesn’t fit and hence doesn’t get worn simply isn’t smart.

Readers from the UK can support the blog and buy the Sirocco 2.0 at Alpinetrek.co.uk, if you’re at home in North America please buy it at Backcountry.com or REI, and if you’re from Germany, Austria or Switzerland use the Outtra Widget underneath to find your new Sirocco Helmet from your favourite outdoor shop:

If you enjoyed this article why not support me with a coffee or two? I work Full-Time on Hiking in Finland to bring you inspiring trip reports, in-depth gear reviews and the latest news from the outdoors. You also could subscribe to the rarer-than-ever Newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Youtube for more outdoorsy updates!

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Dressed for Autumn & Spring With Reima

“We’re not gonna dress her up in pink clothes” was what my wife and me agreed on when our daughter was born about two years ago. And for one and half years we re-used her big brothers clothes through all seasons. But then came spring and it became clear that we won’t be able to hold on to that idea - because our daughter loves pink and she didn’t fit the clothes we had. And so a pair of pink shoes, a pink beanie and a pink overall arrived from Reima, and we haven’t looked back since.

Disclaimer: The Reima shoes, overall and beanie have been provided by Reima for review without requirements. And as you know: I’m keepin’ it real and tell you how it is - I maintain full editorial control of the content published on Hiking in Finland. Read the Transparency Disclaimer for more information on affiliate links & blogger transparency.

Välikausivaatteet is Finnish for In-between seasons garments and refers to garments for the very brief but vibrant spring (those two weeks where everything bursts out green plus those many weeks or months of grey & brown) and the colourful autumn. To be honest, though - the summer in Finland was for the third year in a row so wet, grey and just not summer-y that you could wear these Välikausivaatteet from May till when winter comes (thanks to climate change that likely is again January or February). Anyway, what makes these garments - and lets focus for a moment especially on the Reimatec Nauru Overall - special is that they are less warm than winter clothes but still keep especially wind and rain at bay. The Nauru Overall is very waterproof and fairly breathable, the diagonal zipper makes it easy to put on and the hood can be removed when not needed. We picked it because it is pink, but not straight-out-Barbie Pink but a nice block print with different shades of pink - something that parents that are slightly opposed to this colour still can accept. Our daughter didn’t share this colour aversion and as the Nauru Overall arrived it was the best thing ever, something that she’d pull off the wardrobe and put on as soon as just the word “outside” was spoken! She really loves this overall, and it has been very good on all her little adventures so far - be it playing on the playground, strolling through the forest and picking bilberries or sitting in the Thule Chariot when we ride around town. The suit is also spacious enough that she can wear a fleece or wool overall underneath it when it gets a bit colder, and it has a great freedom of movement that allows her to climb, slide and run. She’s been now wearing it since five months and in that time it has been several times in the laundry, but it still looks great and with some luck she still will fit it when the next in-between-season arrived in 2018.

As we needed some new shoes for her too, we decided to go pink all the way and ordered the Knappe Shoes. These have Velcro closures which she can open herself, and while she can not yet put the shoes on she can take them off when we come home. They have good grip on wet forest trails with roots and rocks, and also are fine to climb on boulders and at the playground. As it has been quite a bit rainy over here the shoes have kept her little feet dry and warm.

And to complete the pink outfit we got the the Linna Beanie (currently 50% off!). It’s made of Polyester, Elastane and Cotton in two layers, which means it’s too hot even for a Finnish Summer, but as I highlighted already in the beginning: There was not much of a warm summer here either way! It’s a cute little beanie that she likes to wear (beanies she doesn’t like to wear she takes off!) and it keeps her head warm and her hence in a good mood =)

The Bottomline is that we have crossed into the segment of parents who dress their kids up in pink. It’s a rather large segment here in Finland (99% big) and as it makes her happy while keeping her warm & dry we parents will slowly but surely get used to the colour pink - and it isn’t as difficult if the garments are as stylish as these ones! And on the plus side: She’s easy to spot when she disappears in the forest to search for berries =)

If you enjoy this article why not support me with a coffee or two? I work Full-Time on Hiking in Finland to bring you inspiring trip reports, in-depth gear reviews and the latest news from the outdoors. You also could subscribe to the rarer-than-ever Newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Youtube for more outdoorsy updates!

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