Cragmama

Nov 18 2013

Jumping for joy in a pair of KEEN Alamosas!

It might not even be Thanksgiving yet, but I’d be willing to bet that a lot of you have already started your holiday shopping. You can really never start too early, as many times finding the perfect gift for someone you love can be quite difficult. My husband’s family tries to make this easier on every one via a “Christmas List.” Not just for kiddos around here, we all jot down a few items in varying price ranges and share them with each other. While going rogue and purchasing something NOT on the list is certainly acceptable, the list is a great place to start, especially for out of town family members that you don’t see very often. So with that in mind, here’s a list of ideas for your favorite family that loves to be outside all year long – I chose my gear favorites based on just about any weather condition imaginable. Stock up on these items, and you’ll have no excuses for laying around the house when it’s too cold, hot, wet, etc!

1. HAT – Young or old, hats are a great gift for anyone who likes to play outside! Not only are hats a functional must-have when the mercury dips, but they also offer the opportunity to still look cute and stylish amidst all the bundles of layers. A basic wool beanie is a great simple option, or if you want to get funky, choose a hand-crocheted toboggan from a boutique. For the kiddos, our number one choice of late has been the Hatz from Stonz. These hats are made from a double-layer of anti-pill fleece and have a comfortable velcro attachment at the neck to keep a hat where it needs to be – on your child’s head! Major selling points? It’s not only reversible but also machine washable!

2. DUCKSDAY SUITS – We are firm believers in our house in the mantra that there is no bad weather, only bad gear. Apparently Ducksday subscribes to this philosophy as well, because their gear makes even the gloomiest weather conditions fun! Ducksday’s innovative solution is a two-piece layering system – waterproof rain suit on the outside, and cozy, warm fleece on the inside. Individually, they can keep your child dry in wet, warm weather, or warm in cold, dry weather. Used together, they can keep your child warm enough AND dry enough to play in the snow! (Click here for a more thorough review of this product, written last year when we first found this company!)

CHEESE!!!

3. WOOL BASELAYERS – Yes, a high quality wicking fabric such as merino wool is expensive, and true your children are growing like weeds, but if one kid is cold and wet, the whole family will be miserable. Our family’s baselayer favorites are Icebreaker and Polarn O. Pyret. (For a thorough Icebreaker review, click here.) Both companies use merino wool, which is amazingly soft, breathable, and still wicks away moisture to keep you warm and dry. The gift-giving season is a great time to splurge on a nice set of long john’s for your tyke. Size them to grow into and you can more than likely get through multiple seasons with just a couple of pairs.

4. CAMERA – C first discovered the art of photography a couple of summers ago, and he enjoyed snapping photos so much that we got him his very own digital camera the following Christmas. We chose the Kidizoom from Vtech Kids, and it ended up being a great choice! It’s taken a lot of abuse—it’s been dropped, shoved into a backpack, and thrown into the backseat of a car—yet it keeps on ticking. The body of the camera is thoughtfully designed for little hands: sturdy rubber grips on the sides and a double viewfinder enable the child to peer through the camera like a pair of binoculars. The picture quality is good, provided that your child stops moving long enough to hold the camera steady (which doesn’t often happen at our house). For the toddler to preschool set, this camera is simple and intuitive to use, and very durable. For 5-to-8-year-olds, photo editing, music and games add to the picture-taking fun.

5. HIKING BOOTS – Shoes fall into the “do not skimp” category when it comes to gear, as appropriate footwear can go far in developing healthy little feet. Our go-to company for boots is KEEN. One of the things I love about this company is that their toddler and child boots are the exact same as the grown-up version, just in a pint-sized package. Because of that quality, these shoes aren’t cheap, but they are durable enough to last through multiple children. C managed to make it through 2 whole seasons with his Alamosa’s before growing out of them, and they will still be more than suitable for baby #2 once she is ready for them! With a water-resistant leather upper and a waterproof breathable lining on the inside, they’re perfectly designed for wet, muddy conditions any time of year. Slingshot laces means you can hike all day without having to stop and tie shoes, and a sturdy design makes this shoe supportive for whatever type of terrain you encounter. (Click here for the full review of the Alamosa, written last fall.)

Ducksday suit in action!

6. FAMILY OUTING – Our family has always enjoyed saving up our money for experiences we can share together rather than on things – new cars, fancy clothes, lots of toys, etc. Some years we are able to take a bigger vacation together – such as our Sodak/Wyo Adventure of 2012 or hubby and my’s rendezvous in Red Rock Canyon last fall. Other years we may not be able to afford hopping on a plane, but we can still plan plenty of weekend adventure and road trips together. So my final gift-giving suggestion is to give an experience as a gift. It doesn’t have to be a plane ticket to be meaningful. Last year my mom and I were able to help my dad cross something off his bucket list that he’d always wanted to do – ride around a racetrack in a racecar! If you can’t think of anything specific to give, then consider setting some money aside for a trip-to-be-determined at a later date.

What top gift ideas are on YOUR giving (or getting!) list this year?

Dad and I on the NASCAR circuit!

For more ideas, check out some of my favorite #outdoorfamilies bloggers listed below, who also published gift guides today! (And some of them have some awesome giveaways!)

Tales of a Mountain Mama – Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Families
Brave Ski Mom – A Skiing Family’s Letter to Santa
AKOntheGo – Holiday Gifts for Outdoor Conscious Families
Rain or Shine Mama – Christmas Ideas for the Outdoorsy Kid
AKSkedaddle – Gifts for Outdoor Loving Mothers
Go Adventure Mom – Holiday Gift Guide
Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies – Snow Warm! An Outdoor Mom’s Christmas List
Bring the Kids – Multiple gift guides for everyone on your list, w/giveaways for almost all!

Mountain Mama Review Collage!

Gear Reviews.

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Nov 14 2013

Marni Tank and Alba Pant at 22 weeks

Well, now that I’m at 24 weeks and well into maternity wear at this point, it seemed fitting to review the clothing I’ve received from one of the most innovative and outside-the-box thinking companies I’ve had the privilege to work with. Mountain Mama was born after founder Teresa Delfin realized very quickly during her first pregnancy how inadequate regular maternity clothes are for adventuring mamas-to-be. While maternity leggings, full-paneled cotton trousers, and knit cotton tees are plentiful across every department store in America, a quick google search for wicking, technical apparel will land you at one website – Mountain Mama.

My first connection with this company was via a sponsorship offer in March of 2010 – just one month before my due date, and 5 months before the first Mountain Mama threads hit the stores for the fall season. I proudly sported my 2 pieces of prototype clothing for two weeks…and then C decided he was ready for the world! But since those early years, this company has expanded to include a full line of clothing suitable for every season – everything from bathingsuits to thermal fleece jackets! So you can imagine my excitement when I got a chance to work with them again for baby #2 – THIS time from the very beginning!

Here’s a sum-up of the pieces I’ve tried, and how I’ve enjoyed each of them.

Tenaya V Neck at 23 weeks

Tenaya V-Neck Eco Tee – This might just be my favorite fabric ever. Made from tree pulp(!) and spandex, the EstiraTec 2 fabric is unbelievably soft (think well-worn pajama pants soft…), lighter than air, but wicks like a performance tee. The length is curved in the front, which means a bigger baby bump stays hidden, but it drapes nicely over a smaller bump without looking sloppy.

Anya Performance Tee – Same great fit as the Tenaya, but in a slightly thicker and more durable opaque mesh fabric. This has been my go-to climbing tee for a while now. The added length keeps the shirt under my harness without bunching up, and the durable fabric holds up well to abrasions on the rock and shrubbery snags on the approach.

Anya Top and Alba Pant at 20 weeks

Lumni Crossfront Tank – This is one of several Mountain Mama offerings that are intended to double as both maternity and nursing wear, which I for one think is a brilliant idea. Even better, this comfy tank is made from the same silky soft fabric as the Tenaya tee, which I’m sure baby will love nuzzling against just as much as you’ll love having it on! One word of advice, however – the crossfront neckline makes for a pretty deep V-neck, so unless you are VERY well-endowed, you’ll probably want to wear a sports bra or camisole rather than a regular bra, as it will most likely be seen.

Marni Movement Tank – Finally, a maternity tank that took a climber chick’s love for strappy tank tops into account! A thin line of racerback AND over-the-shoulder straps make for a combination that is as supportive as it is flattering. As far as sizing goes, this top is very customizable – it’s offered in XS through XL in two different shelf bra options – one made for A-C cups, and the other made for C-E cups. (And ladies, if you’re in the middle, don’t forget to factor in an inevitable increase in cup size…)

Lumni Tank at 23 weeks

Alba Wide Leg Pant – These pants are comfortable beyond belief, and are now my go-to pants for climbing, hiking, or just playing in the woods with my son! At first I was afraid that the wide leg would cause issues with seeing my footwork while climbing, but it hasn’t caused a problem, and the bottoms roll up easily anyway. The fabric is a lightweight, stretchy nylon, similar to the utility stretch fabric in several of my fave climbing pants from Athleta. There is no panel in these pants, which makes for one less thing to bulk up under a harness or a backpack, but this also means that they come down a little low. When I first started wearing them at the 20 week mark, they were a tidge too loose and I spent a lot of the day worrying about whether or not my butt crack was hanging out as I was being lowered from my climbs. A couple of weeks later and the problem had significantly decreased as the pants fit better – and in the interim a bellyband did the trick!

Lassen Hooded Jacket – Ah, Polartec, Powerstretch fleece – comfort defined on chilly morning hikes! Functionally, I appreciate how the pockets both have zippers, which means that I don’t have to worry about my phone/keys/etc falling out. The only con is that while the fit is mostly great with plenty of extra room for layering, the sleeves seem a bit tight around the forearms compared to the rest of the jacket…although admittedly that may be a climber’s build thing?

Lassen Jacket in Black

Clouds Rest Baselayer Bottoms – This piece gets the value award, as the “below the belly” fit and the stretchiness of the fabric and waistband means that you can more likely wear this as a comfortable baselayer any time, pregnant or not! Once again, the fabric is top-notch – tight enough to support and layer without bulk, without inducing a muffin top. These pants work just as well when worn alone, and they even have a cargo pocket on either side for phone, keys, etc. As a bonus feature, they even come with detachable suspenders for those last few weeks of pregnancy where pants insist upon falling down. My only complaint is that the waistband is not very stiff, which makes it want to roll, especially in the back.

Clouds Rest Baselayer Cross Front Top – A nice mid-weight layer that can be worn as a baselayer or on its own. The fabric is super stretchy, and the cross front allows for easy nursing access during the “fourth trimester.” It’s worth noting that, for my body anyway, the sizing between the Clouds Rest Tops and Bottom seemed to be a little inconsistent. I got an XS in both, and the top still has PLENTY of room, whereas the bottoms might be a little more comfortable in late pregnancy had I gotten a S.

Clouds Rest Baselayers in Flame

Isabelle Midi Dress – I’m generally not much of a dress-wearer, but this dress has proved to be an exception, especially on occasions where I want to look nice without “feeling” like I’m dressed up. When I wear it, I feel like I’m wearing a t-shirt…but look like I’m ready for a night on the town, especially when paired with a cute pair of boots and leggings.

Although I received all of my clothing for free as part of my sponsorship, all opinions expressed are my own and unbiased. I can’t say enough what an excellent value these clothes are. While they are indeed more expensive than what you’d find at Old Navy, Target, or Pea in a Pod, the fabric is top-notch and made for outdoor adventuring rather than sitting on the couch with pickles and ice cream (although I can vouch that they handle post-climbing ice cream dates with a particular amount of style ;)) And unless of course you WANT to, there’s no need to replace your entire wardrobe – a splurge on a few select items should be plenty to get you through the season that you need them for!

Since I’ve still got plenty of time left to “expand,” I’ll be posting an update closer to the end of my pregnancy about how all of these clothes are faring with a 3rd trimester belly. I’ll also soon be posting a glowing review of the Mountain Mama Climbing Harness – the ONLY harness designed for pregnant women. In the mean time, you can read about fellow Mountain Mama Ambassador Amelia Mayer’s favorite maternity picks here!

Reusable Snack Bags Tutorial

Miscellaneous.

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Nov 07 2013

My bags in action at the crag!

Last week I posted about greener packaging options for food, whether it be in a lunchbox or on the trail. One of the ideas that got the most feedback were the homemade fabric bags I made to replace all the ziploc bags we were using on climbing/camping trips. I had several requests for directions on how to make them, and since I certainly don’t plan on selling them, I’m happy to provide you with the “pattern” I went by. FYI, I use the term “pattern” pretty loosely, as I’m not sure I’ve ever followed an ACTUAL sewing pattern all the way through without making some sort of change or adjustment. My usual sewing m.o is to glean a bunch of ideas (pinterest is great for this…) and then put them all together and wing it. Usually it turns out okay this way, while ironically the few times I’ve ever tried to follow a specific pattern, something always goes fatally wrong…

Anyway, these bags are EASY to make. If you’ve got some basic sewing skills under your belt you should be able to whip a bunch of these out in an afternoon. If you don’t, this would actually be a decent choice for a first project!

The onus of keeping our environment healthy and clean is up on all of us who inhabit within it. Use custom insulated tote bags which are completely eco friendly and does no harm to nature.

Materials needed:
Fabric for bag exterior – any sort of lightweight cotton works great.
Fabric for inner lining – I used eco-PUL, since it offers a waterproof barrier that is also food-safe. I ordered it here. If you are just using your bags for “dry” foods like crackers or chips, then you can probably get away with using cotton again, but the oils from the food may decrease the life of your bag somewhat. Also, even if you are using cotton for both, it’s probably best to use a lining fabric that is different in pattern/color than the exterior, just to keep things from getting confusing.
Velcro – can be purchased at any fabric store. Make sure you buy BOTH sides – hook and loop (or fuzzy and bristly.)
Iron, sewing machine, thread, scissors, etc

Directions:
1. Cut out a rectangle of desired size out of both inner and outer lining fabric. I made a lot of different sizes for mine, and I based them all on ziploc bags. For example, if I wanted to make a square sandwich bag that is 7 x 7, I doubled the length (b/c it has to fold over itself to make a pouch), and then added a few inches for the flap part. Therefore, my rectangle pieces would be in the neighborhood of 17.5″ tall and 7.5″ wide (don’t forget to add a 1/4″ seam allowance!)

2. Pin right sides of your inner and outer linings together. You should now have an inside out rectangle.

3. Sew the inner and outer linings together along the perimeter of your rectangle , leaving a few inches unsewn on one side.

Steps 1-3. Note: My “opening” is on the right side, in between the two blue pins.

4. Stick your hand in the opening that you left unsewn and turn your rectangle right-side out and iron flat, folding under the raw edges left from the opening.

5. Fold your rectangle onto itself, leaving a few inches extra on the bottom side for the flap. Your rectangle should now look like a bag with the flap open. For example, if you used the measurements from earlier to make a 7 x 7 bag, you should double over one side of your rectangle 7 inches, leaving 3 inches extra on the bottom layer for the flap. Once you’ve got it situated, give it a good ironing to hold its shape

Folding the raw edges under in step 4.

Step 5, w/velcro placed but not sewn yet.

6. Sew on your velcro. Just pin or hold it in place, and sew along the outer edges on all sides. I like to put the velcro on the flap side first, THEN line it up so that it matches on the bottom part of the bag. You can sew the velcro on in either a vertical or horizontal strip, whichever seems best for the size of bag you’re making. (For my sandwich bags, I uesd a 3 inch strip placed horizontally.) For wide, short bags, (like the snack size of Ziploc), I used a small square of velcro on each side of the flap.

7. Topstitch the bag together. You’re almost done! All that is left is to situate your bag as you did in step #5 so that it is laying flat, with the flap open. (Double check to make sure your velcro lines up correctly – if not, adjust the amount of rectangle that is doubled over to make it match.) Then starting at the top right corner, topstitch all the way down and around the perimeter of your bag, which will attach both the front side and the flap side together.

Getting ready to start Step #7.

8. Load your new bags with your favorite snack or sandwich, and off you go!

Care: I keep one of those mesh laundry bags (the kind intended for lingerie) hanging on a shelf above my washer. As the bags get soiled, I turn them inside out and toss them in the mesh bag. Then the next time I do laundry, I just throw the whole bag in with the rest of my clothes in the washer as well as the dryer.

Clear as mud? Hopefully the pictures might make it a little clearer, but if anyone has any questions, please feel free to email me personally about it – infoATcragmamaDOTcom. Also, if you end up making some, please please PLEASE send over some pictures, b/c I’d love to see!

New bags packed and loaded!

Another Round of Pilot Mountain – 22 Weeks Pregnant

Climbing. North Carolina. Pregnancy.

1 Comment.

Nov 05 2013

Crag-kiddo parading around with his beach bod.

Another beautiful fall weekend, another day trip to Pilot Mountain. Only this time the leaves were in spectacular color, making for a gorgeous backdrop the entire day. While I didn’t accomplish anything noteworthy, I certainly enjoyed myself. I got to try out several new pieces of gear, including the latest Phase Quickdraws and Cord Trapper Rope Tarp from Trango. I was even able to get on a few newer routes that were recently bolted.

Pole Dancing (5.7) – A great new addition to the cliff, and a much better option for a beginning leader than other nearby routes at similar grades.
Psychometric (5.11b) – Once nothing more than a chossy toprope route that was rarely done, this line has been recently cleaned up and fully bolted. There were still a couple of BIG loose blocks, but they were pretty easy to avoid. The business is pulling an awkward bulge, but it’s over in the first 15 feet, followed by moderate face climbing.
Mrs. Henar (5.10c) – While my friend Sam took it upon himself to tackle the full monty (MR. Henar, 5.12b), I could tell from the ground that my big belly would be no match for tiered roofs, so I opted to stop at the intermediate anchors, which still makes for very nice climbing.

Mrs. Henar (5.10c)

Single-Handed Sailor (5.11b) – Easy crack to a spicy traverse on bad feet, followed by some jug hauling and several burly moves up top. This route would have gone off without a hitch had I not gotten my foot thoroughly wedged in the crack. After a few quick tugs and wiggles, it was going NOWHERE, and I had to step on a bolt to get more leverage to finally slide it out. To be honest, it was pretty unnerving, as I’d never had a body part get THAT stuck before, and all I could picture was that horrible shot of Ammon McNeely’s foot after his recent accident (ok so maybe that was a bit melodramatic on my part, but had I have fallen with my foot in that position it would not have been good.)
Any Major Dude (5.11d) – I knew hopping on this would be pretty optimistic, but I was psyched that I was able to do the moves, even though I had to rest a few times. It was very evident how much power I’ve lost already when my attempts to use my previous beta were no where close.
Papa Bear (5.10b) – I guess you could say that for me, this route has somewhat of a pregnancy stigma to it. After years of being frustrated on it (it’s got one really hard move on a horizontal roof crack that always used to spit me off), I swore it off until a random time when I was VERY pregnant with C and lo and behold preggo-pointed it easily! Up until this weekend, I hadn’t been on it since, so it was fittingly ironic that I preggo-pointed it again, this time with baby #2!

You may have noticed from the picture that I’ve moved into my full body harness. This trip was actually my maiden voyage in it! I’m thankful this time around to have a harness designed specifically for pregnancy – the Mountain Mama by Mad Rock. Look for a review of this harness, as well as the other goodies I’ve received from Mountain Mama in the coming weeks. Until then, I’d love to know what adventures everyone else was up to this past weekend!

Greener Packaging Options for Food Storage (and GIVEAWAY!)

Gear Reviews.

22 Comments.

Oct 28 2013

Bulk is better…especially when M n M’s are involved!

Back in mid-August, I wrote a post entitled “8 Tips for Greener, Healthier School Lunches,” with the hopes that it would provide families with a few fresh ideas for maximizing nutrition and minimizing empty calories during the school day. Most of the ideas also happened to be more eco-friendly as well – but why stop at just the foods you eat when it comes to having a greener lifestyle? The way those foods are stored can be just as important to the environment (as well as for your health!) So here’s a few tips for “greening up” your food when it comes to packaging – whether you’re packing for a weekend of climbing, camping, hiking, or whether you’re just packing lunches for your school-aged kiddos! Getting healthier is important, not having a healthy lifestyle can lead to serious illnesses which may need Home Care Assistance.

1. BUY IN BULK – Buying in bulk is not only kinder to the planet by eliminating a lot of excess packaging, but it’s also kinder to your wallet! Making your own trail mix from bulk containers of nuts and dried fruit is significantly cheaper than buying a smaller container of pre-mixed goods, as is buying a large block of cheese over individually wrapped slices.

Loads of cool patterns from SnackTAXI!

2. STORAGE CONTAINERS – For produce and bulk items that are divided out, you’ll need some sort of container to transport your food from the kitchen to the trail/cafeteria/etc. Choose something that is easily washable as well as fairly inexpensive in the event that said container accidentally gets thrown away with lunch scraps. While plastic may seem like an obvious choice, there has been a lot of talk in recent years about the dangers of chemicals leaching into foods from plastic storage containers, in particular BPA. With that in mind, should you go the plastic route, please choose something that is labeled BPA-free. But while BPA is the most well-known culprit found in plastic, it’s not the only suspect, so if you are still leery, go with one of many hard container alternatives – glass, ceramic, or stainless steel.

3. FABRIC FOOD STORAGE – While hard containers work out great for a lunchbox or stacking leftovers in the fridge, they are bulky and take up a lot of room in a backpack on climbing trips. (Not to mention that glass and ceramic containers are breakable!) Our family used to rely on Ziploc baggies on climbing weekends – I’d gather up all of our bars, divy out fruit, crackers, and trail mix into snack-size baggies, and then throw everything into a big 1-gallon Ziploc. Though they are of course plastic, Ziploc bags are in fact BPA and dioxin free…but reusing them more than a few times is pretty hard to do, so it’s a fairly wasteful option. That’s where fabric storage bags really shine – lightweight and easily packable, but easily washable and reusable! The first ones I tried were from Snack Taxi – and they were so kind as to offer up a giveaway (see below for details.) All of the materials they use are lead, BPA, and pthalate free, and the inner liner (made from a polyurethane coated nylon, so technically still plastic, but far more reuable…) is easily wiped off with a damp sponge (or put in the washing machine for bigger messes!) Snack Taxi offers a cloth option for a wide variety of sizes/types of food storage – from sandwiches and snacks, to bread and produce.

C digging through our homemade collection of bags to find the perfect crag snack!

C digging through our collection of bags to find the perfect crag snack!

MAKE YOUR OWN: In fact, I was so excited about this idea, that I recently went out and bought my own fabric to make loads of storage bags in various sizes. (For any who are wondering, it took me a while to find a “food-safe” inner lining – I ended up going with EcoPUL. And FYI if you just want your bags for “dry foods,” you don’t even need a laminated inner lining – just plain old cotton will work just fine!) I modeled the sizing off of the foods we most often take with us on the go – small rectangular ones about the size of a checkbook that are perfect for C’s half sandwiches and small snacks, square ones that accomodate a large sandwich, chopped up fruit, or trail mix, and a couple of giant 1 gallon size ones to replace the ziploc bags we were using on crag days! (And if you want to try your hand at making your own, I’ll be posting a tutorial next week!)

Kudos to Snack Taxi for offering such a brilliant storage option for on-the-go families, as well as sponsoring a giveaway in conjunction with this post! Simply leave a comment describing your family’s food storage habits, and you’ll be entered to win a Snack Sack of your own to try! (As always, more entries will be given for “liking” Cragmama or Snack Taxi on facebook! This contest will run through Friday, November 1st, when a winner will be chosen at random. But for those of you that don’t want to wait to see if you’re the lucky winner, Snack Taxi is offering 31% off of all full-priced items from now through October 31st!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Not all who wander are lost.” —JRR TOLKIEN

Cragmama "Not all who wander are lost…" JRR Tolkien

An All-Weather Gift Guide for All-Year Adventures!

Mountain Mama Review Collage!

Reusable Snack Bags Tutorial

Another Round of Pilot Mountain – 22 Weeks Pregnant

Greener Packaging Options for Food Storage (and GIVEAWAY!)