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Gardening Tips with Caroline Gleich

By
Leah Fielding
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0
"Gardening can be a work out." Photo: Kristopher Orr

More and more people are starting vegetable gardens, even in the city and on small plots of land. It’s not only good for the environment, but it’s healthy and is a valuable skill to have. Maybe you’ve gardened before, or really want to start your first garden, but your schedule is too demanding? Not to worry we caught up with  pro-skier, and green thumb goddess Caroline Gleich for some gardening tips. Caroline was in the midst of what she called a  “backyard couloir mission” in the Wasatch mountains surrounding her Salt Lake City home-base. And if she can squeeze maintaining a successful garden into her sporadic schedule, then perhaps so can you. 

Caroline Gleich, backcountry skiing, Utah backcountry skiing, Caroline Gleich skier

WGG: How/when did you get into gardening?
CG: When I was 15, I spent a summer working at a plant nursery, so I suppose that was my start, but in terms of having my own vegetable garden, it’s been about four years now. I don’t consider myself an expert my any means, it’s always a process of trial and error. In some ways, it’s like hiking a couloir. You have to know what time of the day certain aspects will get sun. Gardening is similar, you want to be sure to maximize the sunlight. Plant horizontally to the south. It’s also important what time of year to plant certain crops. It’s very difficult to grow a cold loving plant like spinach in the heat of summer. It takes a little bit of planning, but once it’s all setup, it’s so easy!

WGG: Have you started your seedlings yet?
CG: Yes, I planted a ton of seeds two week ago. I planted kale, chard, spinach, cilantro, parsley lettuces, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, carrots and beets. Come mid-May, it will be too warm for these plants so I will harvest them and plant summer vegetables: tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, corn, pumpkins, sunflowers, watermelon, cantaloupe, basil and peppers.

WGG: What do you love/hate most about gardening?
CG: My favorite thing (besides snacking on cherry tomatoes) is sharing the food with friends and family. I usually have so much extra – my friends will stop by to pick up a bag and I have tasty meals to make for my family.
I hate when it gets too hot to work in the garden during the day. The plants love it, but I have to get up extra early to get my chores done, otherwise I sweat and get dehydrated. Gardening is actually quite a workout!

WGG: Why should more people garden?
CG: People should garden to become more connected to their food sources. It’s so easy these days to buy cheap junk food, many people no longer know what fruits and vegetables are seasonal or local. In the grocery store, it seems everything is always in season. When you grow your own food, you begin to understand why those winter tomatoes don’t have the same flavor as the summer ones. Also, when you pick the food from your backyard, it saves a ton of fuel. Flying planes full of grapes from Chile or driving trucks from California takes a lot of fossil fuels, then you still have to drive to the grocery store. It’s so nice to be able to go outside and harvest a meal.
It’s therapeutic. Working in the dirt, digging in the soil, you gain a connection to the earth. It’s good for your body and your mind! That’s the biggest reason, to gain the personal satisfaction.

WGG: Describe the difficulties gardening in the city/or a small lot? Any gardening tips?
CG: Sometimes it’s hard to figure out the best way to configure a garden – this is probably the most important thing, making sure your plants will get 6-8 hours of sunlight a day. South and east facing aspects are best. People always want their gardens tucked away in a backyard nook, but they’d do best front and center to maximize sunlight. I’d like to see more people’s lawns turned into gardens.

Also, don’t think you need to spend a lot of money on gardening supplies. Get creative, and find ways to make things cheaper. You’d be amazed what you can find on craigslist for free.

WGG: Any particular plants/vegetables that stand up to dry Utah/Rocky Mountain climate?
CG: In Utah, my tomatoes thrive! Maybe it’s the salt from lake effect snow (comes off the Great Salt Lake), but they are so tasty. Corn did really well for me last year too.

WGG: What is your favorite plant vegetable that you’ve grown and why?
CG: My favorite is probably the sun gold cherry tomatoes. They are the little orange ones. They are so sweet and tasty, I can eat them all day. They are delicious raw, or they make an insane salsa or tomato sauce.

Caroline’s Favorite Garden Fresh Recipes:
Eggplant with mango and soba noodles.
Kale Chips

STATS

Home mountain: Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, Brighton

Sponsors: Zeal Optics, Nordica, Leki, Patagonia, Clif Bar, Sanuk, Thule

First Ascent Downlines Jacket

By
Leah Fielding
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0
Eddie Bauer First Ascent Downlines Jacket, First Ascent Downlines Jacket, Eddie Bauer Downlines Jacket

A flattering, feminine fit, 700-fill down insulation, and a water-repellant treatment makes the Eddie Bauer First Ascent Downlines Jacket great for everything from frigid, mid-winter temps to a wet, chilly spring night out on the town.

The Overview
Warmth and cuteness don’t always go hand in hand, but Eddie Bauer’s First Ascent Downlines Jacket manages to sneak a feminine cut and some technical performance all into one piece. A tapered waist makes this jacket look good on any body type, plus weather sealed seams and water-repellent finish beads up any precipitation, preventing the European goose down from becoming a heavy, wet mess.

Fist Ascent Downlines Jacket, Eddie Bauer Downlines Jacket, First Ascent Down Jacket, Eddie Bauer Down Jacket

The Test
Since this jacket is made to be both warm and water repellant, I naturally had to test it out on cold days and wet days. I can truthfully report that this jacket is indeed warm and it is water repellent. On a cold—single digits— day back in February of 2013 I was warm and toasty all day, in fact a little too toasty at certain points. When I walked the five blocks from my house to the Silver Queen Gondola on Aspen Mountian, I definitely noticed a heat build up. But, the pit zips allowed me to regulate my temperature quite well.

I was able to observe the jacket’s performance on a very deep powder day at Vail very recently. The snow was a bit wet and heavy by Colorado standards, ensuring that the jacket’s water repellent capabilities were pushed to the max. The Eddie Bauer Downlines Jacket kept moisture at bay and allowed me to enjoy the powder all day. I also appreciated the higher collar to keep snow out while getting face shots. The adjustable powder skirt was a nice touch, since you can snap in into the jacket for non-powder days and pop it out for those deep days.

That being said, I did have one very, very big complaint. No powder cuffs in the sleeves! And the sleeves were way too short. I kept getting snow up my sleeves and in my mittens. In my opinion, if you’re going to add a powder skirt to a jacket, you should probably add powder cuffs, since the jacket is obviously intended for ladies looking to get a little radical in the pow-pow. Plus if the sleeves are going to be on the shorter side, the powder cuffs would prevent the unpleasant occurrence of snow in places you don’t want it to be.

Rating
3 (out of 5)

Design: It’s hard to overlook the sleeve length and absence of a powder cuff, especially when a lot of thought clearly went into the adjustable powder skirt. +0
Style: I’ll say it again, the feminine fit does wonders for any female body, plus the diamond stitching adds a nice touch. However when zipped up the hood looked quite strange, sort of like an elongated alien head. I believe this is because the collar was a bit too small and constricting for that shape. +.6
Durability: I wore this jacket for a solid two weeks total, and sent it through the washing machine (with Nikwax Down Wash, of course) and saw no deterioration. +1
Performance: While this jacket excels in cold weather, and also stands up to precipitation, the issue of the powder cuff would certainly make me think twice about wearing this on a powder day again. +.4
Comfort: Fleece lining along the collar prevents neck and chin chafing. And who doesn’t like to be warm and dry? +1

Buy First Ascent Downlines Jacket on Sale!

 

First Ascent athlete Lynsey Dyer preview’s the Downline Jacket.

RAMP sports ~ Company Feature

By
Megan Davin
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0
ramp sports, ramp skis, ramp snowboards,

There are more and more companies popping up these days looking to make and sell a product with a conscience. Many people are concerned about the state of the environment and  are looking for those specific products that are made in a more sustainable way. And other people just like the products because they are awesome. RAMP sports, a manufacturer of skis and snowboards, has managed to do just that.

When it comes to the snowsports industry everyone knows that manufacturing skis can be very unsustainable—with the exception, perhaps, if they become adirondack chairs or benches after their skiable lifetime.

RAMP sports (Riders, Artists, Musicians Project) is a company around the concept of doing the right thing. Green practices are a foundation of the brand, and their core values around these sustainable, conscious practices. Check out some of their key initiatives:

ReUseable Bag: When you order skis or a snowboard, it comes with a FREE bag. They are shipped in padded ski and snowboard bags, which is great when you don’t have to deal with the giant box and recycling it you get a bag that can be used over and over again.

Buyback Program: Skis and snowboards are designed to last a long time when exposed to the elements, which means that when they end up in a landfill they stay there. At RAMP sports, they give people a $50 credit towards new gear when they trade in any old skis or boards. And when the gear they receive is in good condition, they donate the equipment to junior programs or adaptive programs. When the skis and boards are no longer safe for use, it is made into furniture, with the proceeds from the sale of the furniture become a donation to NativeEnergy to help with carbon offset.

 Plyboo Bamboo Plywood: At RAMP sports, they are prideful about using environmentally friendly U.S. materials in thier skis. Using the Smith & Fong’s Standard Plyboo sustainable forestry bamboo as the core of their skis. The bamboo has little to no fertilizers or pesticides, and is four times harder than poplar wood—the most common wood used in skis and snowboards.

On the Chair

These are just some of the initiatives RAMP sports is taking to produce their products. To see the full list of their initiatives go here. 

Writer’s Note: What I liked about their skis is not only are they environmentally conscious but also a fun, playful and a responsive ski. My favorite ski was the Chickadee women’s skis. It was designed to carve turns on groomers but also transition into the woods and float through fresh snow.  The 90mm waist is the best shape for versatility and lots of fun.

If you get a chance check out one of the many RAMP sports demo’s all over the country and fall in love with fun skis that have a green conscience.

Buy RAMP Sports.

Oakley Align Bra

By
Leah Fielding
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0
Oakley Align Bra, Oakley Bra, Oakley Sports Bra
Oakley Align Bra

Get ready for sunny, sweat inducing activities with the breathable, skin protecting Oakley Align Bra.

The Overview
While high performing sports bras are on the up and up, few are as a cute and functional as the Oakley Align Bra. This bra has the works: adjustable, comfortable straps, breathable mesh fabric and most importantly UV protection. Most tatas have spent the winter months hidden from the sun, so the last thing you want to do on your first outdoor tennis match, trail run, or bike ride, is expose your delicate bosoms to harsh, skin damaging rays.

Oakley Sports Bra, Oakley Align Sports Bra The Test
This bra has been worn for yoga class, bike rides and hikes. During each activity I’ve been able to focus on a certain feature. For example in a hot yoga class, I’ve been able to really test the breathability of this bra. I was dripping sweat from every pore in my body, yet the top half of my body, was notably cooler than the spandex shorts I was wearing on the bottom half. I attribute this to the breathable mesh found on the back of the bra. I was also able to note the moisture wicking capabilities of the bra on a late fall bike ride. In Aspen, every mountain bike ride starts off with an intense uphill jaunt, so by the time I made my descent—temps were rapidly cooling down—and I was quite soaked. The moisture wicking material in the bra aided the baselayer I was wearing in drying my sweat, preventing the chills and allowing me to join my friends for a apres-bike beer. The adjustable straps not only allow for optimal adjustment, but they are made of soft, satin-y material that feels great next to skin and seems to prevent any possible chaffing. The soft, built in cups also increase comfort and support.

And of course the pattern is just adorable. But did I mention that the mess is shimmery/slightly sparkly? What girl doesn’t like a little bit of glitter?

The only downside to this bra is that it doesn’t really work for larger chested ladies, as the largest size is meant for a C cup. I guess you can’t win em’ all.

Rating 
4.3 (out of 5)

Design: While there are certainly a lot of cool, aforementioned features, small-breasted girls aren’t the only ones who are active. +.3
Style: Adorable prints, sleek racer back straps, mesh with a little bit a glam? Way to go Oakley. +1
Performance: UV protection, moisture wicking material, breathable mesh, comfortable, adjustable straps…top points here. +1
Durability: I’ve washed this bra several times now, and haven’t noted any fraying or de-threading. +1
Comfort: Adjustable straps and soft, built-in cups, combined with breathable mesh and soft moisture wicking fabric, ensure that you’re comfy in any exercise activity. +1

Buy Oakley Align Bra.

Spring Cleanse

By
Leah Fielding
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0
Spring Cleanse Women's Gear Guide, Spring Detox, Spring Detox Cleanse, Spring Diet

Spring has sprung! It’s the season to start anew. And just like you clean out your house every year, you should also clean out your body. Registered nutritionist Heather Cherry provided a list of foods you can still enjoy (and foods to avoid) while cleansing your body of toxins. This spring cleanse is a great alternative to detoxes that sap you of your energy, you con continue to do all the activities you normally do.

Suggested Foods

  • Breakfast: yogurt, 1-2 oz lean protein, or oatmeal (only plain) with fruit.
  • Lunch: 3-5 oz lean meats with fruit and/or vegetables.
  • Dinner: 3-5 oz cooked lean meat with fruit and/or vegetables.
  • Snacks encouraged: yogurt, fruit, and vegetables.
  • All cooked or raw fruit or vegetables except: white potatoes, corn, peas, watermelon, and pineapple.
  • All canned fruit in natural juice (except above pineapple).  Canned applesauce included.
  • All lean meats including: chicken, turkey, fish (raw okay), round/loin red meats (max 2 times a week).
  • Low-fat Greek yogurt may be used in place of protein. ½ cup = 2 oz protein.
  • Eggs are allowed if there are no known allergies.››
  • Fructose, agave, honey (1 tsp total a day).
  • Lemon or lime juice encouraged but not necessary.
  • Water, water, water!  Goal: 1 gallon a day
  • Canola, peanut, or olive oil (3 tsp total), or avocado (3 slices total), or nuts (1 oz total).
  • 1 oz of dark chocolate allotted per day.
  • Take 1000 mg Calcium per day (consult with your physician).
  • Take 1000 mg Vitamin D per day (consult with your physician).  Vitamin D deficiencies may cause many health related problems.
  • Take a Multivitamin per day (consult with your physician).
  • Take fish oils (consult with your physician).

 

Foods To Avoid

  • No other grain except oatmeal.
  • No cheese.
  • No white products: white rice, white bread, and white potatoes.
  • No refined sugar or sugar alcohols.  Look on food labels under Total Carbohydrate (Sorbitol, Mannitol, Maltitol).
  • No high Glycemic Index carbohydrates: white potatoes, corn, peas, watermelon, pineapple, and ripe bananas.
  • No High fructose corn syrup or table sugar (sucrose).
  • No alcohol.
  • Limit Caffeine to no more than 200 mg. This is equal to 2-8 oz cups of coffee. Milk can be used in the coffee.
  • No sugar sweeteners (splenda, aspartame).

Video of the Week: Sage Donnelly, 12 year old pro-kayaker

By
Leah Fielding
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0
Sage Donnelly 12 year old kayaker, Sage Donnelly kayaker

Wow, just absolutely, wow. This little girl is incredible. Here’s a recap video of Sage Donnelly’s 2012 kayak season, specifically freestyle events. Check out femalewolfpack.com for more videos of badass women, doing badass stuff.

Airblaster Ninja Suit

By
Megan Davin
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0
Airblaster Ninja Suit Women's Merino, Women's One Piece, Women's One Piece baselayer, Ninja Suit

With the Airblaster Ninja Suit, you no longer have to sacrifice extra bathroom time for the coolness of a onsie.

The Overview:

I’m a NINJA! I have always wanted to say that and have it be true. As I sit here writing this I am wearing my 1 piece merino wool long underwear aka the Airblaster Ninja Suit. The first thing I did, after putting this suit on zipping it up hood and everything and running around saying “I’m a NINJA, Hi-ya!”, was go the bathroom. I had to test the true feasibility of the zipping bathroom system, and it works! It take a few times to get used to it but it works! 

The one-piece women’s specific design helps seal out snow, when you fall, and takes away the bulk of double waistbands and awkwardly tucking in base layer shirts.  A zippered rear hatch that makes answering natures call faster and easier than ever.

Did I mention it has a hood and thumb holes?

The Test: 

I have never skied in a one piece suit of any kind before (tragic i know). And what better place to start than with the Airblaster Ninja Suit long underwear. From negative degree days to sunny days in the 30’s the Merino Wool Ninja Suit kept me warm, dry, and feeling steezy, even under my ski outfit. I got true black so I can be stealthy like a Ninja, but it comes in lots of other fun colors as well.

Rating:
4.5 (out of 5)

Style: Sleek, sexy, one piece with a bathroom zipper. What more could you ask for? Being a one piece it allows for less constriction and makes dropping your trousers at the bar later on more exciting. I like the draw string around the waist just above the butt zipper, but I can see it feeling bulky and less streamlined. +.7

Design: It’s simple to pull on and with a zipper that goes 3/4 the way around you it makes bathroom breaks much easier. It takes a few times of unzipping around the butt to get comfortable with it but it works great! +.75

Durability: I have to admit, I have worn it for several days without washing it and great news! It doesn’t stink! +1

Performance: It keeps me warm! And the thumb holes in the sleeves are excellent for keeping drafts out when wearing a jacket that does not have wrist gaiters. +1

Comfort: I feel like I have nothing on when wearing the one. I put it on in the morning wear it all day skiing, into the evening, hanging out at home and sometimes even fall asleep in it. It also makes a great lounging around the house outfit even if you are not on the mountain. +1

Buy Airblaster Ninja Suit Women’s Merino..

THE NINJA SUIT @ Baldface Lodge from Airblaster on Vimeo.

Armada TSTw Review

By
Leah Fielding
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0
Armada TSTw, Aspen Mountain, Ajax, Uncle Wiggly's Tree Farm, Aspen/Snowmass, Aspen, TSTw

Armada’s TSTw is the ultimate intro to rockered technology skis for women, and it makes for a fun, easy, breezy all-mountain ski for the more experienced ladies.

The Overview
Rockered skis can look a bit intimidating to some women, yet unless you’ve been living under a rock you’ve heard about the benefits of a rockered technology for both powder and all-mountain skiing. Clearly, at this point, that technology isn’t going anywhere, it’s only being further developed with each coming year. So, what to do? You may be an intermediate to advanced skier who is looking to purchase your first rockered skis, or perhaps you’re extremely advanced and looking for a fun, playful and lightweight all-mountain ski. The TSTw meets the demands of a variety of different skier’s needs, thanks to its large rockered tip and stiffer tail with minimal rocker, reduced sidecut and traditional camber underfoot—allowing for quick edge to edge and carving performance— plus, lightweight materials and smart construction make skiing any terrain in any conditions fun and efficient for women.

Note: To avoid confusion when purchasing, reading this website or speaking with ski shop professionals it’s important to note that rockered and early rise mean the same thing.

17-16 armada tstw review, 16-17 armada tstw The Test
I first got on these skis last Spring (2012) at Freeskier Magazine’s annual ski test.

[Editor’s Note: Our review was conducted on the 12/13 TSTw, which was not changed for 13/14, 14/15, 15/16 or 16/17, except for the graphics.]

Conditions were mostly warm and sunny, so naturally groomers were skiing best. The TSTw had me from first turn, they could easily set an edge and carve, thanks to the skis shortened sidecut and traditional camber underfoot. It felt as if I could bust out a 360 at any given moment because of the lightweight materials used.

Armada TSTw, Aspen Mountain, Aspen/Snowmass
The TSTw’s crush Uncle Wiggly’s Tree Farm on Aspen Mountain

Although the tails are a tad stiffer and contain less early rise than the tips, they still allowed you to throw the skis sideways in case of an emergency stop or speed check. This season (2013), I got to test them in trees on a powder day at Aspen Mountain, and dang were they fun! They are just as responsive in deep snow as on hardpack. I could quickly maneuver if I wanted to or hold onto a nice turn for a while and them whip the skis around quickly when needed. And they floated like any reputable powder ski should.

Rating
5 (out of 5)

Design: Armada stepped out as technological game changer a decade ago and continues to stay ahead of the curve. While the shape and construction (rockered tip, stiff tail and traditional camber underfoot) of these skis are fun for both men and women, it’s Armada’s use of lightweight, but stiff materials that truly resonate with female skiers. +1
Style: I’ve got to admit Armada doesn’t always nail the ladies graphics, but the 2013 TSTw graphics are purple (and who doesn’t love purps?) and reminiscent of the Northern Lights meets the Pyramids of Giza. Pretty hip if you ask me. +1
Durability: Cap construction in the tip and tail, plus carbon and Kevlar stringers in the tail (for enhanced stiffness, pop and durability) and edges are heat-treated to increase their life.
Performance: What more can I say, the TSTw’s do everything beautifully. Because they are lightweight and have a reduced swing rate (ability to get the skis around) I would even suggest them as a touring ski, since they can perform well in all conditions and the construction/materials conserve much-needed energy. +1
Innovation (swapped for non-applicable Comfort category): Rockered tip, a stiffer tail and matched reduced sidecut and camber are all the rage with ski manufacturers right now, as the perfect one-quiver ski, but not everyone is necessarily doing it right. Armada’s TST and TSTw are among the few leading the charge and maintaining impeccable design and construction. +1

Buy Armada TSTw.

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