|
|
Backcountry Access Stash Pack - 1150 cu in
The Backcountry Access Stash Pack is the world's first fully integrated winter hydration pack. This year it's slightly bigger and offers a ski strap, too. The hose and bite valve are neatly stashed inside a well insulated shoulder strap where they're kept warm by body heat to ensure you'll have water to drink on cold winter days. When traditional hydration packs have turned to ice cube trays, you'll be drinking water and staying hydrated.
On Sale
$109.90 $98.91 
This pack rocks
I've used this pack a few times touring this season. Here's what I noticed about it: Great design. Hidden drinking tube works great. Waterproof zippers have no flaps to get in the way. Nothing hanging of the outside to get snagged. Very tidy design. The small interior is well organized. With shovel, probe, and water inside, there's only room for goggles, a light jacket and some snacks, so it's probably not the best choice for a long tour. I ran out of water (70 oz bag) on a 3-4 hr tour. This is a great pack for quick hops into the backcountry. If you plan to stay out all day, the next size up maybe a better choice.
Perfect pack for lift service skiing
The tube insulation works - I haven't been able to freeze it yet, even below zero F. This is the perfect pack for all-day lift service skiing - lets you carry your water, lunch, goggles, and maybe an extra sweater in a slim pack that you hardly know is there, or carry your avalanche probe and shovel in the backcountry. Well constructed and well thought out details overall. It's my all around winter daytrip pack now.
Sweet touring pack
This is a well designed light weight pack. The sleeve in the strap insulates the hydration hose well. I haven't had any freezing problems at all. My shovel fits neatly inside. It's small, but on most days that's just what I need (it's also very light weight).
best so far
I've only used the Stash for 3 days thus far...temps weren't too low but they were low enough that my buddy's camelbak was freezing. The Stash never froze up once. Bite valve design works well and doesn't leak. Overall, the construction of the pack is thoughtful and detailed. I haven't found any evidence of poor construction yet. Hydration tube is easy to remove and stow in the strap with gloved hands. Pack is unobtrusive on the lift. My only real complaint is that it feels like the main pack straps could be placed a bit better. I noticed that the strap with the hydration tube doesn't seem to fit flush on my shoulder; the inner edge of the strap is all that touches my shoulder/chest. If this were a heavier pack carrying more weight this might be a major problem but all I really carry around is an extra layer, cell phone, and energy bars so it barely matters. I've looked at just about every hydration pack on the market for 2005 and this was the best I could find.
Best Small Pack Ever
I have used a lot of packs in the past few years. If you are looking for a no frills hydration pack, this is the one. The thin profile is great on the chairlift, even with a shovel inside. There is enough room for the basics for a day of in/out of bounds skiing without the "puffy" feeling of some packs. This pack is wide and thin. Also, the zippered water hose really does not freeze, at least not at Tahoe temperatures. Get one now and enjoy.
|
Training Tips
When buying a new pair of running shoes, bring your old ones with you. You will get a better fit if you know if you supinate or pronate.
Heart monitors are useful for knowing when you are in the right zone for your training efforts. If you understand what your maximum heart rate is, you can set up your monitor to beep at you when you exceed the high or low range of your heart rate for the type of workout you are doing.
Cross training gives your body a chance to recover while still exercising. If yesterday has a hard run day up and down hills, then today's bicycle ride gives your aching knees a well deserved break.
Anaeroic threshold is when lactic acid starts to build up in your body as your muscles are not getting the oxygen they require. This threshold is typically expressed as a percentage of your VO2 max - the amount of oxygen per kilogram of weight that a person can use in converting fuel to energy. Elite athletes threshold might be as high as 90% of VO2 max.
|
|