Cold Splinters

In the midst of buying the car that has since shuttled me around New England for the last couple of years, I went back and forth about what it was that I wanted and needed. I couldn’t pull the trigger on a truck: Not nice to my friends. I test drove and salivated over a Dodge Raider (the same as a 2 door Montero), but knew that if I ever wanted to make it to the Kancamagus, I’d have to put in a very pretty penny. The teenager in me imagined taking the top off of an old 4Runner, but those dreams died when I realized I’d have nowhere to put it once it was off. The car that really drove me bonkers was the Toyota Tercel SR5, a car that can still often be seen around town, only noticed if you’re actually looking for it. Yes, they’re sort of ugly, but there’s something about those boxy 4WD wagons (AMC Eagle, Subaru Outback) that just strike a chord. Call me weird…

I didn’t end buying the Tercel (but always still looking…) and went with a 1999 Subaru Impreza Sport instead. I don’t regret that choice for a second – that car has been one of the best purchases of my young life – but after passing a Tercel this weekend parked on a lonely country road, I couldn’t resist getting out and drooling. Probably not a car that most of you feel the same way about, which is very, very understandable, but we all have our Wish List, right?

Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend.

MP3: Erroll Garner – She’s Funny That Way

MP3: Frank Sinatra – Sleep Warm

Tomorrow, November 17th, marks the official start to Penfield’s “Race For the Summit,” an online treasure hunt that celebrates one of their original and classic styles, the Summit Down Insulated Jacket. Starting on the Penfield homepage, twitter, and Facebook, clues will lead you on an online trail (of which Cold Splinters will be a part of) culminating in the final clue to be given out on December 15th, 2011. Watch out for two clues a week, one on Tuesday and one on Thursday. Lots of prizes to be won, including the first prize, a one-off, custom-made ‘Race For The Summit’ premim down insulated parka (pictured above). In preparation, go on over to Penfield and register yourself so you can actually participate. Good luck and stay tuned for more updates.

All above are for sale on Etsy or Ebay. Have at it.

This week’s CS-penned Outside column, “From The Lean-To,” is all about Portland, Oregon’s Poler, making “camping stuff” for those of us who enjoy some of those good ol’ quiet camp vibes. Read the article here then go buy yourself a Napsack.

A few months ago, while visiting the guys from Outlier at their Brooklyn headquarters (more on that soon), I noticed a bright white backpack poking out from under a desk. It was my introduction to Hyperlite Mountain Gear, the brainchild of Mike St. Pierre, who has been making ultralight packs and shelters out of his small Biddeford, ME factory for almost three years now. (Before he started HMG, he was spending weekends backpacking in the Adirondacks while cooking at New York’s Per Se and Prime Meats.)

I immediately got my hands on the Windrider Ultralight (pictured above, top right), which was selected this year as BACKPACKER’s Best Ultralight Pack. The Windrider, like most of HMG’s gear, is made out of Cuben Fiber, a non-woven, rip-stop, composite laminate developed in the 1990s by a nuclear weapons physicist and an aerospace composite engineer. It’s lightweight, waterproof, and four times stronger than Kevlar, making it an extremely durable fabric for any type of adventure on the trail.

After many hours with HMG gear in the Catskills and the Whites, several emails back and forth with Mike and the HMG team, and finally, a trip up to Biddeford for a tour of the factory and a couple of beers at a nearby waterfront bar, I am extremely excited to announce that Hyperlite Mountain Gear is Cold Splinters‘ newest client.

Much more to come…

I’ve been noticing more and more folks with dogs out on the trail, which, if I had a bigger apartment and a yard of any sort, I would certainly do as well. I’d imagine throwing a pack on your Blue Heeler is a real time.

Who has a dog that’s a permanent fixture at the campsite? What kind of gear do you buy for him/her?

Humina Humina. Archival Clothing for Wilderness Workshop. Can’t miss em as you walk on downstairs. (See post below).

Last week, after a friend sent me a link to the army cutlery set pictured above, I couldn’t remember using any sort of camp utensil much this summer. I don’t know if that means that there was a lack of effort on my part in making dinner, or if it was purely a realization that I just enjoy a sandwich-ish something more than a big bowl or rice and beans. I’m sure it’ll change as the temperatures drop. Usually does. And I’ve never really enjoyed the Light My Fire thing, but I did encounter an AT hiker in VT this summer that was stoked on his titanium version. He had already broken four or so of the plastic version while scooping out peanut butter.

Thoughts?

What can I say? I’m a sucker for these types of things. Especially that handsome Lakes Of The Clouds one.

Buy them at the Appalachian Mountain Club Store