MOUNTAIN CAPS

Photo by .anderson

One of my favorite pieces of outdoor clothing is the venerable mountain cap.  Typically characterized by a weather-resistant shell, light insulation, brim and ear flaps.  I personally own three -- Lowe Alpine's Mountain Cap (I also bought one for my son) and two vintage caps by Wilderness Experience and Because It's There.  I suggest trying one out if you haven't already.  Finding one that fits your needs/style should be easy since most outdoor clothing companies produce a version of the mountain cap.  Here's a handful to check out:

• AQ2 Mountain Cap by Berghaus (Berghaus carries a couple different models.)
• Mountain Cap by Lowe Alpine (Can be had for cheap.)
• Featherlite Mountain Cap by Montane (2.1oz and primaloft insulation...nice.)
• Mountain Cap by Rab (eVent shell, enough said.)
• Highpoint Cap by Outdoor Research (Great company, bomber gear, sweet guarantee.)
• Alpine II Cap by Haglofs (lightweight, well-made.)

WINDOWS TO THE WILD

Follow outdoorsman and host Willem Lange as he visits New England's wild places on New Hampshire Public Television's award winning series Windows to the Wild.  Check out their collection of photos from each episode on Flickr; or better yet, stream 41 full episodes online.  Giddy up.

THE MUNROS

This past summer, James Urquhart set out on foot to climb all 283 Munros (A Munro is a mountain in Scotland with a height over 3,000'). In late October he had already bagged 173 peaks before the snow set in.  He will resume his journey in the spring.  James is well on his way to becoming a 'compleater' and earning his Munroist brooch.  Although this trip isn't about the brooch, it's about the experience.  Watch the following trailer for his upcoming documentary.

AMC LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES

Photo by Dian Jordan

The AMC Library and Archives have been collecting books, maps, films, photos, journals, summit registers and more since 1876, the club's founding year.  Today the library has over 3,000 titles, 10,000 photos and is one of the White Mountain rare book collections in the world.  The library and archives is open to the public and is located at the AMC headquarters in Boston on 5 Joy Street -- Look for the green flag.  If you can't make it to Boston you can access their online library catalog.  The AMC also offers prints for personal use and digital files licensed for publication, read more about policies and pricing here.  Happy hunting.

FRED BECKEY'S 100 FAVORITE NORTH AMERICAN CLIMBS

 Beckey still climbing in his 80's. Photo by Juan Maderita.

Patagonia Books just published Fred Beckey's 100 Favorite North American Climbs.  As with most things Patagonia does, it looks gorgeous.  If you don't know who Fred Beckey is, do yourself a favor and read up.  The book is filled with hand-drawn climbing topos, photos, and 40 additional climbs of note, all printed on 100% recycled paper.

SNO-SHU CHAIR

 

A few years ago I purchased a Sno-Shu chair by Native Designs (aka Reginald Lee) based out of Westport Island, Maine.  I am a real sucker for traditional snowshoes and thus, I love snowshoe furniture.  My favorite part about the Sno-Shu chair is that it folds up for easy storage and transport.

If you feel like going with traditional rawhide lacing have a look at Iverson's furniture.  Twice as expensive but more involved design-wise.  I definitely see an Iverson log holder in my future.  Another option would be to scour eBay and tag sales for a renowned Tubbs Sno Shu chair -- which is most likely the inspiration for the name of Native Designs' chair.  Check out the following drool-worthy photos (lifted from eBay) of a Tubbs folding Sno Shu chair.

TRICKS OF THE TRAIL