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Sara Gress

Skier // Snowshoer // Camper/Hiker // Backpacker // Trail Runner // Boulderer // Biker // Mountain Biker

Sara Gress: #2,432 of 167,143 More Information

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  • Stomping Grounds:

    Roaming around Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. Which means I could be almost anywhere right now.
  • Bio:

    I like to sweat profusely and do it outside.

    Have something you want to say to me? Is it offensive? Totally useless info? Perfect. chubblefuzz2@yahoo.com

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Werewolf Spotlighting

Werewolf Spotlighting

Black Diamond Icon Headlamp

January 7, 2010

Here's the Icon lighting up the trail during a backcountry yurt adventure in the mountains outside of Idaho City, Idaho. This thing makes any fear of the dark instantly disappear.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Excitement!

Excitement!

Backcountry.com Shift Hooded Softshell Jacket - Women's

November 18, 2009

Shift kept the ridiculous wind from ripping my skin off at the top of the Continental Divide at Berthoud Pass, CO.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Saving my hands from instant death

Saving my hands from instant death

MSR Panhandler Potlifter

July 10, 2009

Worked great for cooking up chicken, gravy, soba noodles and reconstituted veggies.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Bouldering

Bouldering

Five Ten Siren Lace-Up Climbing Shoe - Women's

June 28, 2009

Just breaking them in, which wasn't necessary because they've caused zero blisters from day one.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Look better than they sound

Skullcandy G.I. Headphones

Skullcandy G.I. Headphones

Rating for this product: 3 February 19, 2010

While Skullcandy talks a lot of crap about their products, this one doesn't quite deserve the confident blather that is their product description. The sound quality is average; not awful, but not mind blowing. I have yet to try them on an airplane, though I have a feeling they will block noise well.

They are fairly comfortable and adjust easily. They are not compact at all, so if you are looking for something to carry around all the time, these probably won't work so great.

My biggest issue was the cord length. It was ridiculously short and would definitely not work for what I wanted, which is for listening to music while using my laptop. I had to go out and buy an extension cable. Annoying.

I think I would be more disappointed with my purchase if I hadn't gotten them on Steepandcheap for 30 bucks.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Like, Totally Awesome

Clifbar Clif Shot Bloks - 18 Pack

Clifbar Clif Shot Bloks - 18 Pack

Rating for this product: 5 January 5, 2010

Clif Bar has yet to disappoint me. Not only do these little gummi blocks taste exactly like the flavor they're named, they are made out of real food. Real food! When I read the ingredient list, I can actually pronounce the words and know what the ingredients are. This is amazing, especially considering the state of the 'food product' industry at the moment. And to top it off, they make a noticeable impact on my energy level. These are great to have for any activity that lasts more than an hour, which is to say pretty much everything. It's great to have an energy food that isn't loaded with caffeine and 'is that food?' items.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Quite Amazing

Teko Merino Light Low Sock - Women's

Teko Merino Light Low Sock - Women's

Rating for this product: 5 December 28, 2009

These are by far the best socks for running. Ever. I will never wear cotton for running again. These keep your feet from burning up during the summer or freezing off during the winter. Well, not when it's in the single digits, but I tend to avoid running when it's that cold. They hug your foot much better than the sack that is a cheap cotton sock, so these socks provide better support. They're also great for just every day wear.

Buy more than one pair, you will thank yourself.

Oh, and they stay un-stinky and un-crusty for quite a few runs, meaning you'll have to do less laundry. And everyone likes that.

These also get points over other brands for their eco-sensitivity. Teko buys wind power for all of their energy needs. Awesome.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Can't go wrong with CamelBak

CamelBak Ergo Hydrolock

CamelBak Ergo Hydrolock

Rating for this product: 5 December 28, 2009

This little device saves its hydration reservoir from potentially causing a lot of havoc and frustration. It stops water from leaking all over your coat and freezing into an icy addition to your outer layer; it also saves you from losing precious water during the hot summer months. If you pack your car like I do, it stops water from being squeezed out of the bladder that is crammed into the last space available in your trunk.

If you like your water to stay where it's supposed to, get the Ergo Hydrolock and never deal with H2O sneaking out of its home.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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CamelBak Ergo Hydrolock

December 28, 2009

Like the two previous people said, it can take a lot of effort to jam the mouthpiece on there. Which is a good thing, because if it was easy it would probably leak everywhere. I coated the mouthpiece and tube with rubbing alcohol the first time I rammed it on there. It helped slightly, but what I discovered later when I was removing it to clean it works much better. Run both parts under hot tap water to get them warm and loosened up. Then you're able to fit them together with much less effort.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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I sweat a lot so...

CamelBak Omega HydroTanium Hydration Reservoir

CamelBak Omega HydroTanium Hydration Reservoir

Rating for this product: 5 December 28, 2009

I have the 3L version. I would never go with a smaller reservoir; there's no reason why you can't just fill the 3L up halfway if you don't need the full capacity. I have been using the same bladder for everything for about 6 years now and it still looks and functions like it did when I bought it. I have been taking care of it, making sure to wash it out right after I use it, as well as letting it air dry before I pack it away. I had a friend who did not do this and the bladder grew mold after being stuffed away full of water for several months. Moral of the story: don't be lazy and you will have a great hydration reservoir for a very long time.

Water tastes like water when coming out of this reservoir. However, beer tastes like carbonated plastic when coming out of this reservoir. And the bladder retains traces of that taste for about 5 uses later. Moral of the story: don't be an idiot.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Blindingly Bright

Black Diamond Icon Headlamp

Black Diamond Icon Headlamp

Rating for this product: 4 December 28, 2009

I compulsively bought this headlamp for the night scenario portion of a Wilderness First Responder course. It was a good excuse to buy a nice headlamp I hadn't realized I needed. My headlamp easily out-shined everyone else's. This sucker allows you to look halfway down the mountain...or at least that's what it feels like.

I ended up using it a lot while teaching outdoor education in Colorado. I brought it along for a back-up light during night hikes, in case the moon failed us. When the moon did fail, the Icon was an explosion of light along the trail. No tripping was caused by not being able to see. My only issue with it is that the battery pack and the strap over the top made it rather awkward to wear around my neck while I wasn't using it. This could obviously be solved by wearing it on my head where it's designed to go, but why would I do that?

I've recently started using it for bike commuting. I was able to loosen the straps and shove it over my helmet, which works great. However, if I was to use that set up for something more intense, there would be issues. Someone has posted an ingenious way to 'cement' the Icon to a helmet. But no matter how you have it rigged to your helmet, it functions almost better than a car headlight. It ensures you won't be launched over the handlebars by an unseen pothole and drivers will definitely see you.

If you want a headlamp that has great battery life for the amount of light you get out of it and works for pretty much everything, this is it. If you want something small and light to jam in your pocket, pack or glovebox, this is probably not the light for you.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Black Diamond Icon Headlamp

December 28, 2009

I was able to just loosen the straps and shove it over the top of my helmet. The battery pack was held in place by the flat spot on the back of my Specialized helmet. It works great for commuting, but if I was going to do something a little more intense, I would definitely rig it up like Bobbie did. And it really is like a headlight, which is great for seeing things and not being hit by cars. My only issue with it is that to light up things that are not right in my general vicinity I have to lean my head way back to get the light to shine up the road. Which is more my helmet's fault than the headlamp's; the way it sits on there causes that. If I rigged it up like Bobbie (which is awesome) did, I'm sure that wouldn't be an issue.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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The North Face Skareb 50 Backpack - 3050cu in

November 18, 2009

Depends on what airline and what size of plane. I've carried on via a la Cart on Horizon/Alaska Airlines and Delta; I was on their smaller planes. On bigger planes I've been able to shove it in the overhead compartment. I've flown quite a bit with it and never had a problem.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Pretty much amazing

Backcountry.com Shift Hooded Softshell Jacket - Women's

Backcountry.com Shift Hooded Softshell Jacket - Women's

Rating for this product: 5 November 18, 2009

I love this jacket. I've used it for hiking, snowshoeing, skiing and just around town, all of which it worked great. I'm 5'9 and about 150 lbs., so I got a large. The arms are long enough, the torso length is perfect and it's roomy enough for (thin) layering underneath. I wore an Underarmor baselayer with a Pearl Izumi Woolie Mammoth under the Shift; it was about 15 degrees and windy outside and I was almost sweating. I haven't tried bike commuting with it yet, I doubt I will, as someone said on here it's not made for that.

I have yet to find any drawback to this jacket.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Great for feeding the addiction

MSR Mugmate Coffee/Tea Reusable Filter

MSR Mugmate Coffee/Tea Reusable Filter

Rating for this product: 5 July 10, 2009

This filter is super simple to use, just put coffee grounds in it, stick it in your mug, and pour boiling water in. Let it sit about 10-15 minutes, depending on how strong you like your coffee, and ta-da! Low-effort backcountry coffee. When you get to the bottom there's some coffee ground sludge, but that's to be expected. Tastes a bit different than when it's made at home with a percolator, but that's also to be expected. With how easy it was, I was totally satisfied.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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It works

Black Diamond Primrose AL Harness - Women's

Black Diamond Primrose AL Harness - Women's

Rating for this product: 4 July 2, 2009

I got this for practically nothing on Steep and Cheap. I'm not a hardcore climber so it functions well for what I need it for. I wear a size ten in pants and the size ten Primrose fits perfect around my legs and hips. However, I have no hips and am described by my friends as a twig. If this is not you, order at least a size up.

It's not the easiest to adjust, which isn't necessarily a bad thing; who wants a harness with straps that don't stay put? I found it comfortable. Simple.

It did its job, I am still alive. So there's that. For the price I paid, it was an excellent deal. Decent harness for not too much cash.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Be Coordinated

MSR Panhandler Potlifter

MSR Panhandler Potlifter

Rating for this product: 4 June 28, 2009

It allows you to cook without burning your hands, which is a good reason to use it. However, if you're not careful, it is possible to scratch your cookware with it. This only happens if you really try and have lapses of ineptness.

The Packtowl sleeve works wonderful for clean up and storage.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Bike Commuter Use

SmartWool Adrenaline Medium Crew Sock - Women's

SmartWool Adrenaline Medium Crew Sock - Women's

Rating for this product: 5 June 28, 2009

I bike commute in the winter because I am slightly crazy. So it's snowing and blowing? I don't see a good reason to drive. These socks are perfect for keeping my feet from falling off during my winter commute. They allow me to be lazy, as they only really need to be washed after at least two days of being worn. I could wear them throughout the day and my feet wouldn't be soaked in sweat while I was inside.

They also work great for snowshoeing and cold weather hiking, which is probably what sane people use them for.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Won't wear anything else

SmartWool Ski Sock - Medium

SmartWool Ski Sock - Medium

Rating for this product: 5 June 28, 2009

I have chronically cold feet (thanks to inheriting faulty circulation) and these socks solved the problem. They're comfortable, don't itch and don't feel soggy when sweated in. And they don't creep down your leg throughout the day, which is obviously very nice. These socks are more than worthy to share my ski boot with my foot.

Oh, and they also work great for any other winter activity...snowshoeing, bike commuting or just being able to walk down the street without your feet going numb in -20 degree weather.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Quality Stuff

Five Ten Siren Lace-Up Climbing Shoe - Women's

Five Ten Siren Lace-Up Climbing Shoe - Women's

Rating for this product: 5 June 28, 2009

These shoes are perfect for indoor and outdoor climbing, as well as bouldering. I've used them mostly on indoor walls and sandstone and they've functioned very well. They're comfy enough to be able to stand around in while belaying, though I do have narrow feet that squeeze into pretty much anything. Good construction, they don't rub wrong anywhere and are holding up well. I haven't tried the elastic laces because the regular ones work just fine.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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