Lauren Archive at Gregory Goes There

Author Archive for Lauren

Up and away in Park County, Colorado

By Christine Rasmussen

If you’re jonesin’ to enjoy the remote, isolated feel that a Colorado 14ner can offer, but aren’t into heavy logistics and the agitation of trail traffic, explore the southern section of the Tenmile-Mosquito Range in Park County, Colorado.

Park County is home to super photogenic, archetypal peaks that usually hold snow on their very tops year-round (much prettier live than on “South Park,” which showcase these mountains in the town’s crudely drawn backdrop).

My own Tenmile-Mosquito adventure entailed summiting Mt. Lincoln and Mt. Bross in one day. Because the peaks of Lincoln, Bross, Democrat and Cameron are situated relatively close to each other, the group is a common destination for ardent 14ner baggers who like high returns on their climbing investments.

Yet while the ridgelines connect, hikers don’t so much. There are five trailhead options to access this group, and my friend Alison, Sierra-doggie and I were the only hikers departing from Quartzville Creek Trailhead. The fairly-well maintained access road to Quartzville Creek (Forest Service 437, off Park County 4, off Colorado 9) goes up pretty high, so we were walking above treeline in no time. We saw very few people and lots of bright, petite wildflowers.

We hit Mt. Lincoln first, the highest peak in the Tenmile-Mosquito. Sitting atop it, I was reminded of why I loved the drive from Breckenridge, just north of Park County, to Alma, the highest incorporated town in Colorado at 10,578 feet. From that vantage point, I saw all the peaks I usually gawk at on that drive, as well as scores of tiny, ice-blue lakes cupped in countless basins.

Next, we tramped along the ridgeline to the rotund peak of Mt. Bross, whose flat summit was ideal for throwing sticks for Sierra, sprawling out, and eating lunch without a deluge of 14ner zealots asking to take their photo.

*For this type of hike, Christine recommends the Gregory Wasatch (12 liters)/Navarino (11 liters) as the perfect daypack to summit a Colorado 14ner. The pack is just the right size for a water bladder, rain jacket, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, small first aid kit and small camera.

Recommended maps: Alma, Climax, Pike National Forest.

Published

Lauren

on August 5, 2010

in Gregory Culture

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Speculation surrounding Ansel Adams found negatives surfaces

Earlier this week, news broke about the discovery of a number of Ansel Adams’ missing photographs. As the story goes, Rick Norsigian of California bought old negatives at a garage sale for $45 (after talking the seller down from $70) some 10 odd years ago. A decade later, Mr. Norsigian came to find the negatives he held were in fact worth $200 million.

It was first believed that the negatives in the 64 year-old man’s possession were taken by the famous Ansel Adams, but now, many are claiming they could be the work of other 1920s photographers, namely ‘Uncle Earl‘ or ‘Pop Laval.’ Both stories seem to have reasonable and viable leads as to who these photographs originated from, so it looks like it will be some time until the confirmed photographer is named.

So while the debate remains heated over who created these Ansel Adams-esk photographs of Yosemite National Park, it’s pretty darn cool that these majestic photographs from the 1920s have been uncovered and shared with the public. Not to mention, I bet garage sale attendance will be up this coming weekend- I know I’ll be attending a few!

Photo via CNN

Published

Lauren

on July 30, 2010

in Uncategorized

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Bill AB 1998 is nearing a Senate vote

Being headquartered in California’s capitol, Sacramento, it’s disconcerting to hear we Californians use approximately 19 billion single-use plastic bags each year and that less than 5% of all single-use plastic bags are recycled. As a result, those plastic bags end up polluting our oceans and communities.

In response, a bill called AB 1998 has been making it’s way to the Senate since Assemblywoman Julia Brownley introduced it this past February. AB 1998 looks to ban single-use plastic bags in California and is currently facing the state Senate. If the bill passes, California will become the first state to ban single-use plastic bags. A floor vote is projected to happen by the end of August, where the bill is expected to see resistance. In that vein, many organizations like the Sierra Club are encouraging people to send their Senator a letter of support for the passage of AB 1998.

So if you believe in banning the plastic bag, go to the Sierra Club’s website and find out how to contact your Senator. Also, you can keep up AB 1998’s status on the Senate floor HERE.

Published

Lauren

on July 29, 2010

in Outdoor News

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Avoid the crowds in Yellowstone: Go hiking

In 2009, a record number of people, 3.15 million, visited Yellowstone National Park. As shocking as that number might be, it’s all the more shocking to realize how many of those visitors only see Yellowstone from their car or bus window. So, while it sounds slightly horrifying to visit America’s oldest National Park with 3.15 million of your best friends, as backpackers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, you won’t have to.

This past weekend, I took an all-girls (or, as we call it, JUGS- just us girls) trip into Yellowstone and expected to see the famous sites along with the rest of middle America. What I didn’t expect to find is how much of Yellowstone goes unexplored. We summited Avalanche Peak the first day and quickly learned how easily we could we could avoid the swarms of people.

Published

Lauren

on July 22, 2010

in Uncategorized

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The Barenaked Ladies want YOU outside, ya hear?

After learning that 90 percent of people spend their lives indoors, the Barenaked Ladies, founders of Green Music Group, took it upon themselves to motivate people outdoors.

How you might you ask? Luckily, they won’t be trying to serenade people outside with ‘One Week‘ or ‘If I Had a Million Dollars‘ (oh, the 90s). Instead, they’re asking people to simply get outside and document their experience with a camera for a chance to win $1,000 Sierra Club Outing gift certificate. The certificate can be used toward hundreds of camping, hiking and kayaking trips.

So as the other 10 percent of the population, this contest should be a no-brainer, especially for the chance to put $1,000 toward Sierra Club adventures of your choosing. The contest ends July 30, so hurry up and post your photos here.

Via TreeHugger

Published

Lauren

on July 20, 2010

in Uncategorized

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Gregory Z35 on the Today Show!

It’s not everyday Gregory Mountain Products is recognized by the likes of Matt Lauer and Ann Curry, so we’re psyched to the share excitement with the Gregory Goes There community.

Backpacker Magazine’s, Kristin Hostetter, appeared on the Today Show this past Saturday to give a run-down of the must-have camping gear this summer and featured the Gregory Z35.

Big thanks to Kristin and the rest of the crew over at Backpacker Magazine. We’re honored the z35 is considered one of your ‘favorite backpacks.’

Published

Lauren

on July 9, 2010

in Uncategorized

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Gregory Tech: Wraptor Stabilizer

When it comes to backpack fit, Gregory’s team of expert backpack makers scrutinize all pack-carry angles to build solvent technology that ensures comfort and correct pack carry.

The Wraptor Stabilizer is one of many Gregory systems that guarantee optimal carry by employing the idea of stabilizing the pack at the lumbar region. The popular Alpinisto as well as the new Fusion LTS series use the Wraptor Stabilizer. Essentially, the Wraptor Stabilizer technology allows the wearer to put the pack on normally and then pull both shoulder straps to ‘suck’ the backpanel to the small of your back. Once the pack has auto-located to the lumbar region, the pack-load will carry evenly and prevent bounce.

What makes this system unique is the ‘V’ like strap structure with two separate attachment points as a opposed to the traditional vertical downward, one attachment point strap structure. With a quick pull of the Wraptor Stabilzer, the ‘V’ shaped straps ensure a smooth and forward (toward your back) movement for optimal placement.

See minute 1:19 of the LTS series video for a demonstration of use.

Published

Lauren

on July 7, 2010

in Uncategorized

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Rent bear canisters on your next backpacking trip

The US Forest Service is now renting bear canisters for $2.50 a day, which means you won’t have haul the awkwardly shaped canister to and from a National Park again. While bear canisters are not required in every national park, the forest service is hoping to lower bear-human encounters by renting out this preventative measure.

As for actually packing and carrying bear canisters while you’re in the backcountry, check out our resident pack expert’s (George McCloskey ie. ‘Ask George’) advice on how to properly pack a bear canister.

Published

Lauren

on July 1, 2010

in Outdoor News

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Gregory spotted at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival

While ‘tarp hoping’ around the Telluride Music Festival during the Mumford and Sons show a few weeks ago, I met a girl named, Sam, rockin’ the Gregory Miwok in style. I got to talking with her about her pack and she enthusiastically said, “oh ya, I have a Gregory pack in every size. I love them. This one is my go-to concert/festival pack.”

She then proceeded to tell me that she carried her Deva 60 around South America for year and had no issues with the pack, even noting that it still looks like new. Seeing her excitement for Gregory packs, I asked her if I could take a photo for our blog. Luckily, she didn’t look at me like I had ten heads and awkwardly skirt off saying she needed to meet someone at the hula-hoop coral. No, she was gracious enough to pose for this photo to left, so I could share with GregoryGoesThere of yet another awesome Gregory packs customer and fan.

It’s like Wayne Gregory said, ‘When you see someone wear one of your packs on the street or in the mountains, it’s pretty dang cool. That never gets old.”

Published

Lauren

on June 29, 2010

in Gregory Community

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Flashpacking

When I first heard the term ‘flashpacking,’ I thought of fastpacking at night with some sort of flashlight contraption. Ya…it turns out the term has nothing to do with flashlights or fastpacking, but more to do with the being a ‘flashy’ backpacker.

There’s a new generation of traveling backpackers who are neither hairy nor living on dime. No, this kind of backpacking requires a little more $$ and little more flash. What do I mean by flash? Well let’s just say they expect a little more TLC from their hostels and their pack isn’t holding only a t-shirt and a couple pairs of shorts. Rather, these backpackers have more than a few outfits and a pack full of the latest in electronics.

Scoffing at the idea? Well, according to a 2006 Hostelworld study, twenty-one percent of people carry laptops, 54 percent carry an mp3 player, 83 percent carry a mobile phone and 68 percent travel carry a digital camera.

So as it were, most of us are probably considered, ‘flashpackers.’ I don’t know if I’d go as far as to say that every backpacker with a camera should be considered flashy, but you get the point. Either way, flashpacker or not, we could all use the reminder to simplify and lighten the load because that’s what it’s all about, right?

Via How to Travel the World

Published

Lauren

on June 24, 2010

in Outdoor News and Uncategorized

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