Gear Box: Polarmax Base Layers

There is an old adage amongst outdoor enthusiasts that says "there is no bad weather, just bad gear." We all love to play outside no matter what time of the year it is, but if you don't have the right clothing, it can make for a very long day. This is especially true during the winter, when cold weather can keep you shut inside for weeks on end. Thankfully, modern outdoor apparel is fantastic, allowing us to enjoy our favorite winter sports in even the worst conditions.

For me, a good layering system always starts with the base layers, and we're fortunate enough to have a lot of options in this area. But I recently had the chance to put the entire line of Polarmax base layers to the test when I went to Montana and Yellowstone in early January, and over the course of several days, I had the full gamut of weather to try them out in.

Polarmax base layers come in three varieties: warm, warmer, and warmest. The "warm" category is actually a lightweight travel silk that can be quite versatile in a number of environments, even when it isn't necessarily all that cold. The "warmer" option offers comfort and performance in a great package, and it even looks and feel like cotton, although it performs like the technical gear you would expect. This option is great for true winter conditions, keeping you warm in just about all temperatures. Finally, the "warmest" option is exactly that – warm! I wore the tops as a stand alone option until temperatures fell below zero, at which time I paired it with a shell jacket and stayed perfectly warm all day long.

Each of the various options come in both tops and bottoms, and all of them are extremely comfortable to wear. I rarely need to wear the technical tights, but on extremely cold days they are nice to have on your legs. The Polarmax pants not restrictive to movement at all, and they kept me warm while breathing, which meant that while I was snowshoeing in sub-zero weather, I remained comfortably warm without getting too hot.

When we're headed out for a day in the snow, that is exactly what we want, great technical clothing that keep us comfortable no matter what we're doing. Polarmax delivers that and then some with their entire line of gear and with all the options they have available, they have the right piece for where ever you're headed or what ever you're doing.

On my Montana trip, I wore the "warm" layers while kicking around Big Sky Resort, snowboarding and zip lining. On those days, temps were roughly 25º-30ºF and when used with a shell, it was comfortable all day long. A few days later, while in the very heart of Yellowstone, temperatures dropped to single digits, with some scary wind chill factors. It was then that I jumped up to the "warmest" option, donning both technical tops and tights. They served their purpose quite well while standing out in the cold watching wildlife and geothermal activity. They were also versatile enough to transition to more active pursuits while cross country skiing and snowshoeing as well.

My favorite piece that I tested was the Quatro Fleece Men's Zip that falls into the "warmest" category. It works so well in so many ways that it quickly earned a place of honor in my gear closet. It can be a base layer on it's own, or you can put a technical top under it for added warmth, and on the very cold days, you can pull a shell over top for a complete layering system. I love a piece of gear that can be this versatile, which comes in handy when you're trying to pack light for winter travel. I've used the Men's Zip alone on cold weather runs and as part of a full layering system on sub-zero days.

With a well designed, good looking line-up of base layers available, Polarmax has us well covered for all of our cold weather needs. If you're planning some winter adventures in the near future, you'll find everything you need in the Polarmax line no matter where you're headed. I give them a big thumbs up for comfort and performance and I think you'll love the layers too.

(MSRP: Varies depending on pieces.)

Ten Winter Activities In Yellowstone

I sent this out to my Twtter feed over the weekend, but wanted to share it here as well. As many of you know, I spent a good portion of the early part of January in Montana and Yellowstone National Park, playing in the snow. This is the second time that I've visited the park in the past six months, and my winter adventure was very different from my summer one, although I did get a blizzard in September too. As a result of this latest excursion, I posted a list of Ten Great Things To Do In Yellowstone During the Winter at Gadling.

Now, some of the things on the last are bit more relaxed than others. For instance, I recommend soaking in the hot springs of the Boiling River, not far from Mammoth. Even when it is freezing cold outside, the river is warm and comforting. I also mentioned spending the night at the Snow Lodge, which is a fantastic place to stay and serves as a great base camp for your Yellowstone adventures. But there are also some amazing outdoor activities to take part in while you visit in the winter as well, such as snowshoeing and cross country skiing, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed.

There are miles of groomed trails to explore in the park, and whether you're on snowshoes or skis, there is plenty to see. In the article I mentioned the Geyser Basin, which is where all the geothermal activity takes place, including Old Faithful. One of my days in the park we spent snowshoeing off the beaten path behind  Yellowstone's most famous geyser, which gave us a view of the eruption that most don't get to see. But that was just the beginning, as we continued further down the valley, there were plenty of other geysers, mud pots, and hot springs to see as well.

Spotting wildlife was especially fun and easy in the winter too. While we didn't get the opportunity to see any wolves, we were able to spot plenty of bison, elk, and sheep, as well as coyotes and even a bright red fox. There were lots of trumpeter swans in the park this winter too, and the famed ravens of Yellowstone were making their usual rounds and being quite the nuisance. The Lamar Valley is a great place to go looking for critters, and I'm told there is an active family of otters in that area this year as well. The fresh blanket of snow makes it easy to see them all, and because there are no crowds during the winter, you're likely to have much of the place to yourself. The park now boasts 3 million visitors a year, of those just 100,000 come during the winter.

So, if you don't mind a little cold (It was -10ºF one morning) and you enjoy a little snow (Old Faithful gets about 200 inches per year!) then I can't think of a better winter playground than Yellowstone. Just e sure to dress warmly and invest in a good pair of boots before you go. Then grab the camera and prepare for a great time, as Yellowstone is even more beautiful in the winter than it is in the summer.

Gear Box: Keen Summit County Winter Boots

Living in Austin, Texas I don't have the need for snow boots very often. In fact, up until a week and a half ago, I hadn't even owned a pair since I moved here from Iowa more than five years ago. But when I received an invitation to visit Yellowstone in the winter, I knew I'd need good boots to keep my feet warm and dry while spending the days playing in the snow. As usual, I turned to the Keen catalog of footwear to see what they had on offer, and ended up going with a pair of Summit County Boots. A choice that would prove to be very wise.

Made from an interesting mix of leather and Keen's patented KEEN.DRY waterproof breathable membrane, the Summit County boots are warm and comfortable, while allowing us to stay active in harsh winter conditions. In fact, the first thing that impressed me was just how comfortable these boots actually are. Often times I put them on at the beginning of the day and didn't take them off until it was time for bed that night, and yet my feet remained comfortable going from the lodge to a snowcoach to a four feet deep pile of snow. It is a real testament to any boot that you can wear it for hours on end without having a negative effect on your feet, and better yet, these boots didn't seem to need any kind of break-in time, as they were comfortable out of the box and didn't cause any kinds of blisters or other discomforts.

Yellowstone is the ultimate winter playground and a perfect place to test any cold weather gear. There were times when I was up to my waist in snow or walking across thick ice. No matter what the conditions though, my pair of Summit County boots kept a firm grip on the surface, and I don't remember slipping once while I had them on. Something that I appreciated throughout my trip. Best of all, even when I was in deep snow, the powder stayed on the outside of the boot and my toes stayed dry throughout.

In fact, the only time that these boots didn't keep me warm was on a morning that we spent watching wildlife. We ended up standing around in the cold weather for long periods of time, and my toes did begin to get quite cold, even wearing a thick pair of socks. To be fair though, the temperature was hovering around zero degrees, and the lack of activity played a roll in chilling my feet. Later that day, when the mercury had climbed to a balmy 5ºF, I wore these same boots on a snowshoeing excursion that lasted for several hours, and my feet stayed warm the entire time.

If you have some cold weather adventures planned for the months ahead, then I'd definitely recommend a pair of Keen Summit County Boots. They are a great blend of comfort, warmth, and quality, all wrapped up in an incredibly light weight package. For the first pair of winter boots I've owned in a half-decade, they are an impressive set of footwear, and one that will serve me well for any snowy adventures I have in the future. In fact, I'd venture to guess that these boots will be perfect for any cold weather activities short of a trek to one of the Poles.

Excellent gear once again from Keen.

(MSRP: $140)

Back From Montana!

Just a quick note this morning to let everyone know I'm back from my trip to Montana and will resume regular updates and postings as soon as possible. I had a fantastic time in Yellowstone, which I'll be sharing  with you more in depth soon, but for now, lets just say that the park is even more beautiful in the winter and far less crowded.

I had the opportunity to go snowshoeing and cross country skiing through some fantastic landscapes, and spot plenty of wildlife as well. The critters of Yellowstone are on fine display during the winter months, as they are often far easier to spot then during the summer, and many of them have come down from the higher altitudes in search of food. As a result, the bison, elk, and big horn sheep are common sights, with plenty of coyotes, trumpeter swans, and even a fox or two as well.

If you'd like to check out some photos of the trip click here. Otherwise, check out my new friend below and I'll get on with the regular adventure news.

The First Adventure of 2011!

I'm off on my first adventure of 2011 starting tomorrow when I'll be heading to Montana to experience Big Sky and Yellowstone during the winter. The agenda includes skiing, both alpine and cross country, snow shoeing, sledding, wildlife viewing, and a whole lot more. I love the wild and beautiful country there, and can't wait to check it out under a blanket of snow.

Never fear though. I'm taking my trusty new MacBook Air along and hope to make some posts when I have Internet access, which may or may not be all that often. When I was out that way back in September, we often didn't even have cell phone service, let alone Internet. Either way, I hope to continue to do at least a little writing while I'm on the road, and may even be able to share some photo and thoughts on the trip as it unfolds.

In the meantime, I hope your 2011 is off to just as an adventurous start. No sense in waiting, just jump right in.

Scenes From Yellowstone

Over the weekend I had a chance to edit some video together from my recent trip to Yellowstone National Park, an amazing outdoor playground that everyone should visit at some point. The scenery is unbelievable and there is plenty of wildlife to spot as well. The video below is just a hint of what you'll find there, with some shots of elk and bison, but also the Lower Falls on the Yellowstone River and the parks most famous attraction, Old Faithful. I hope you enjoy.

Driving Montana's Beartooth Highway

While visiting Montana a few weeks back I had the opportunity to take a drive along U.S. Route 212, better known as the Beartooth All American Road. I wrote about those experiences for travel sight Gadling.com today, but wanted to share some thoughts here as well, because if you're planning to head to Montana or Yellowstone in the future, you owe it to yourself to take this route.

The Beartooth Highway is just 69 miles in length, stretching between Red Lodge and Cooke City. But those are some of the most beautiful 69 miles you'll find anywhere on the planet. The scenery is breathtaking with deep valleys carved by glaciers, clear mountain lakes, rushing waterfalls, and unique rock formations lining the road. Luckily, there are plenty of scenic overlooks and pull offs along the way, giving you a chance to stop the car and capture the landscapes with your camera.

The road tops out at the Beartooth Pass at an altitude of 10,947 feet. At that altitude the weather can be of a challenge at any time of the year, which is why the road closes for the winter in mid to late October each year and doesn't re-open until Memorial Day Weekend the following year. Indeed, while I was there at the end of August, we had heavy snow on consecutive days, with whiteout conditions at the higher elevations. Those freak August blizzards are rare, but you'll want to dress appropriately no matter what time of the year you make the drive.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love the Beartooth Highway for other reasons as well. There is great hiking and backpacking along the route, and plenty of places to camp too. In the winter, the trails allow for snowmobiling, skiing, and snowshoeing too, making it an excellent, and not overcrowded, playground all year long.

Perhaps best of all, the road ends at the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone, so while you'll lament the end of the drive, you'll have that spectacular park to offer consolation. This is one of the least used entrances to the park, and few even know it exists, so it's a perfect way to gain access without too much traffic getting in the way, and once inside, you'll have a whole new landscape to explore.

Next year is the 75th Anniversary of the Beartooth Highway, and celebrations are planned to commemorate the event. The best celebration of all however is to take the ride for yourself. I promise it's worth the trip.

Chasing Wolves In Yellowstone

One of the more amazing things I had the chance to do last week while I was in Yellowstone was to spend some time with park ranger Rick McIntyre who took our band of travel writers out to spot the elusive wolves that now call the park home. I wrote about this experience at length this morning over at Gadling, but definitely wanted to share some thoughts on it here as well, as it was one of those opportunities that rarely come along in your lifetime.

Now don't get me wrong, it is quite possible to spot wolves in Yellowstone. There are a number of packs that wander the park, and while they are shy when it comes to human attention, a little patience and some sharp eyes, will go a long way. But, having the opportunity to watch them with McIntyre is a completely different experience. He is THE guy in Yellowstone when it comes to tracking and observing what the wolves are up to. As I noted in the Gadling story, the wolves are his life, and he works 10+ hours per day, seven days a week, to keep track of what they are up to. In fact, it has been more than a decade since he has take a day off, and pressed on the topic he sheepishly says, "what else would I do?"

McIntyre has endless stories about the wolves, and he knows them inside and out. He knows who the wolves were sired by, and he knows their personalities inside and out. He spins endlessly fascinating tales of the politics of the pack, and told us stories about the wolves that only hinted at the intricate dynamic that not only exists inside those packs, but between them as well.

While we sat on an exposed hill, peering through a powerful spotting scope, watching members of the Blacktail Pack on a distant ridge, it was hard not to feel empathy for the wolves. Through Rick's stories, they ceased to be wild animals wandering Yellowstone, but had instead become characters in a dramatic story that unfolded on a daily basis. It added a unique element to watching them, even from a distance, that makes the experience a lasting one.

If you head out to Yellowstone, and I highly recommend that you do, be sure to take a good pair of binoculars or a spotting scope of your own, and keep your eyes peeled for the wolves. Better yet, watch out for Rick's yellow Nissan Xterra, as he's sure to be close by if you spot it. He is always happy to share stories and give some hints on where to find the wolves.

Back From Montana and Yellowstone, Photos To Share!

After spending the better part of last week in Montana and Yellowstone National Park, I'm home again and ready to get back to work. I had an absolutely wonderful time traveling with five other travel writers while being hosted by some fantastic people.

You'll be hearing a lot more about that trip in the days ahead, but some of the things I did while I was there included riding the Beartooth Highway, kayaked on Lake Yellowstone with OARS, went wolf spotting in Yellowstone with the ranger in charge of the program, and trail riding at the Lazy E-L Ranch. In short, it was a very busy, but very fun week.

As you might expect, the scenery was spectacular in Montana and the park. The Beartooth Highway has been called the most beautiful drive in the country, and with good reason. The views are amazing and breathtaking, and every turn brings something new to be discovered, including snow capped peaks, rushing waterfalls, and clear blue mountain lakes. But beware. If you make the drive yourself, the weather can be a bit fickle. Even at the end of August, we witnessed heavy snow and whiteout conditions, on two consecutive days. That's life in the mountains I suppose!

If you'd like to see some photos from the trip, I've put together another gallery. You can take a peek by clicking here. Hope you enjoy!

A Big Thank You To The Adventure Blog Readers

This weekend I'll be heading off to Montana for what is shaping up to be a great time in the mountains that will involve kayaks, bikes, horses, and trails. But before I go, I wanted to pass along a big thank you for all the readers of this blog. August has already been the best month in terms of traffic that I have ever had on The Adventure Blog, and there are still several days to go. I just wanted to let everyone know that I appreciate you stopping by, sharing your comments, and sending me thoughts and perspectives on the adventure community. This is indeed a labor of love, and I'm glad that I can share it with all of you.

While in Montana, I'll be having some fun adventures of my own, and I'm looking forward to visiting Yellowstone and taking in some of the spectacular scenery out there. That means I won't be posting any updates next week, but will probably have some things to share starting on the 4th of September or so. I'll take lots of pictures and you know I'll be writing about the trip, as I haven't been to Montana since I was there in 2008 for Primal Quest.

Everyone have a great weekend. Get out on trail somewhere and enjoy the final weeks of summer. Autumn isn't as far away as we'd like to believe at this point. I'll be back soon!

Nature Valley and Author Patricia Schultz Work To Preserve The Parks

Earlier this year, Nature Valley launched their National Parks Program in which they announced a plan to help preserve the parks by raising funds for the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). Nature Valley will donate as much as $600,000 to help fund three different preservation projects, and we consumers can help them reach that goal.

Between now and the end of August, for every specially marked Nature Valley granola bar wrapper that we send in to the company, they'll donate 10 cents to the NPCA, up to the $600,000 goal. You can find out more on the project, including where to send your wrappers, at PreserveTheParks.com. You'll also be able to donate directly to the NPCA there as well if you'd prefer.

The three projects that the company is donating the cash to include a plan to reestablish important plant life in the Grand Canyon, establishing free migration routes for Pronghorns in Yellowstone, and rebuilding coral reefs in Biscayne National Park as well. The funds will be put to good use working to reverse environmental damage that has been done over the years at each location.

Joining the cause is National Parks Spokesperson and best selling author Patricia Schultz. Patricia wrote the book 1000 Places To See Before You Die, which features many of the national parks quite prominently. She describes the parks as one of America's great resources, and is working to help preserve them for future generations of travelers to enjoy as well.

Nature Valley isn't just helping to preserve the parks however. Later this summer they'll also be giving away three trips to the Grand Canyon, one of the most spectacular parks in the entire system. Check back at PreserveTheParks.com and on the company's Facebook page for details on how you can win one of these trips too.