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Outdoor Tips, Tricks, Inspiration and Activities | MEC Blog

*We’re committed to better representing the diversity of the outdoor community we love, so we’ve been reviewing our criteria for what makes for an epic expedition. We realize that funding crazy trips is awesome, but we need to adjust our definition of epic to ensure all our members get the chance to enjoy the outdoors in whatever ways they can.*

*This trip wasn’t a traditional choice, but it spoke to our hearts and to the wonder of new adventures in the great unknown.*

## Nuchatlitz kayaking expedition, BC
**July 28 to August 3, 2018**



It was the last night of our final day of kayaking, and we had the opportunity to go for a midnight paddle. I had the desire to see bioluminescence in the water, so I managed to get in my double kayak and we followed the rest of the group. Our kayak guides with lanterns on their boat led the way.

We floated on the water in pitch blackness, watching the twinkles and tingles as we dipped our paddles in the ocean. Little fish shot out of the water nearby. It was absolute bliss, indescribable, and an event that I will hold near and dear to my heart. Then, to top it off, one of the guides recited the poem *Being Human* by Climbing PoeTree, which highlights the resilience, wonder and mystery of nature.

It was a magic moment, and I feel so lucky and blessed to have experienced it first-hand.

Since birth, I’ve lived with a neurological disability, cerebral palsy (specifically, spastic diplegia, which affects mostly my lower limbs). Cerebral palsy affects everyone differently, depending on what area of the brain was damaged. For me, it affects my speech, balance, mobility, coordination and manual dexterity. As we age, the effects intensifies; the reality is that it takes more effort for us to do activities or everyday things. I have to find creative ways for me to participate in activities.

Over the past three years, I’ve built an amazing relationship with Spirit of the West Kayaking Adventures, and we’ve talked openly and authentically about supporting me on their kayaking expeditions while meeting their needs. This year, after many conversations with them, we decided that an extra support person would be the answer to enable me to experience the true joy of being in the outdoors. The funds from MEC allowed me to bring a friend to help me keep up with the group during the expedition.



The support person’s main function was to be my partner in a double kayak, as it’s much more stable for balance purposes. Other ways my friend supported me was to navigate the challenging terrain, help me get in and get out of the kayak, and assist me with the many camp duties. On trips like these, I’m part of a larger group and I shouldn’t be expected not to participate in larger camp duties – like washing dishes or organizing gear – just because I have a disability. My friend provided the equilibrium that allowed me to participate as a member of a larger expedition.

Inclusion has always been the framework of my life, and I’ve worked hard to ensure that the proper supports are in place. In my opinion, services that support people with disabilities have done well in providing programs and services. However, mainstream programs haven’t done well, since quite often they don’t have the knowledge, equipment or skillset to accommodate people with disabilities. That means the choice of where to participate doesn’t fall on the individual with a disability, as they’re often prescribed to participate in disabled program.

But to me, inclusion is about personal choice – being able to choose which program to participate in. I often don’t feel included in adaptive programs because the level of my disability is mild, so I don’t require any adaptive equipment or special skillset. I just need people with patience, a sense of open-mindedness, and the willingness to think outside the box.



The many conversations I’ve had with Spirit of the West Kayaking Adventures has helped us understand each other’s needs. This is inclusion at work at its finest: there was open communication from the beginning and a willingness to learn from each other. For inclusion to happen, it takes two to tango – we both need to be open and authentic with each other. I need to be honest with them as to what I can or cannot do in order for us to have a successful trip.

With this notion, I’ve been able to enjoy the gems that this province has to offer. I’ve promised myself to always play in the outdoors, slightly tweaking it a bit to ensure that it’s supportive for me to enjoy it with the changing condition of my disability.

The outdoors are where magical midnight paddle moments happen, and where I have the opportunity to reflect and to challenge my limits.



## Karen’s favourite gear picks
We asked Karen for the gear she loved the most on her trip, and here are her recommendations:



### MEC VectAir Sleeping Pad

Warm synthetic insulation to keep you comfy on cold nights. Raised outer chambers on the [MEC VectAir sleeping pad](/en/product/6008-339/vectair-insulated-sleeping-pad) help keep you centred so you don’t roll off.



### Delphinus -9C Sleeping Bag

The [MEC Delphinus -9C Sleeping Bag](/en/product/5060-385/delphinus--9c-down-sleeping-bag) is insulated with high-end down and has vertical baffles over the torso to prevent cold spots, since the down won’t shift as you move.



### Scrubba Wash Bag

Looks like a dry bag, but is actually a little wash bag for your hiking or travelling clothes. The [Scrubba Wash Bag](/en/product/5036-920/Wash-Bag) packs down small when you’re not using it.



## Related articles
- [5 ways to get funded by MEC](/en/explore/outdoor-impact)
- [Mandatory paddling gear checklist](/en/explore/mandatory-paddling-gear)
- [Kayaks 101](/en/explore/about-kayaks)



Magical midnight moments on an expedition, by MEC member Karen Lai.

Cultivating a sense of inclusion on the water | MEC Blog

Cultivating a sense of inclusion on the water

*The Suunto 9 Baro is Suunto’s newest sports watch targeted towards endurance athletes and ultra-athletes. To put it through its paces, we looked for someone who loves to run and knows numbers. MEC staffer Kathy was training for her next marathon, so the timing was perfect. If you have your eye on a watch upgrade, read this Suunto 9 review to learn about some of the watch’s cool features and a run-down of who will love this watch.*

I’m a recreational runner that enters a couple of marathons and a few half-marathons each year, so though my expectations for a sports watch may be a little less than ultra elite athletes, it’s still important that my watch does what I need in a way that’s easy to use. I had the chance to try out the Suunto 9 to see what type of features it has, including what features everyday users will appreciate.

## Setting up the Suunto 9
The Suunto 9 is super-easy to set up; just press the middle button then follow the screen prompts. I recommend checking out the [Suunto 9 support videos](https://www.suunto.com/en-ca/Support/sports-watches-support/suunto-9/) to quickly learn how to pair the device with your smartphone. The Suunto 9 syncs to the new Suunto mobile app as opposed to Suunto’s older Movescount app, which I mistakenly loaded onto my phone first. After a few extra steps to “forget” Movescount on my watch and uninstall Movescount from my phone, I was able to sync with the correct app.



## Let’s talk numbers
The Suunto 9 checks all the boxes in terms of what I look for in a sports watch, and the app provides useful analysis of all the usual running metrics including distance, cadence, pace, heart rate, laps, intensity zones, altitude and hours of sleep. In run mode, I could receive analyses of laps in 1, 2, and 5km increments, look at my 30-day activity summary, and check out my heart rate, pace and altitude during any point of my route.

This watch gives you 80 different activities to choose from – everything from yoga to cheerleading. When I was testing it out, I ran, hiked, cycled and mountain biked. To measure heart rate, it has an optical heart rate sensor; as I tried it out during different activities, I found that the optical heart rate monitor was less accurate during my runs. At times the max spiked to 200 bpm, which was almost 50 over my actual. This might have been because I was wearing the watch band too loose; I have a small 14cm wrist, and watches tend to loosen depending on my body temperature. If you’re looking for the most accurate heart rate reading with this watch – I’d recommend pairing it with a heart rate strap, or purchase the Suunto 9 Baro with the HRM strap.

Beside the activity stats, the Suunto 9 includes a count-down timer, stopwatch and notifications from your smart phone (texts, calls, emails) that pop up on the watch face. You can scroll through your notifications history right in the watch, though if you want to delete anything, you’ll need to do it from the mobile app.

## Connecting to apps
You can use Facebook to share your activities or follow other members. The watch doesn’t sync directly to Strava, but you can add the Movescount app, which does. If you use both Movescount and the Suunto mobile app, you can take advantage of some other Movescount features too. For example, you’ll need Movescount to use the watch GPS “Routes” plans.

Note: I selected the Explore function in the Suunto mobile app, which lets you map routes that will sync to the Routes function in the watch, but I got a message telling me this feature is not yet available. (Hopefully this comes soon.) Suunto recommends installing Movescount to your computer if you use both apps.

## Look and feel
The Suunto 9 is a statement; it has a large, thick face with a wide band. Being a 5’1” gal with small wrists, the watch face is about the width of my wrist. People of a similar stature may prefer a watch with a smaller profile. The strap is wide, soft and comfortable, with ample notches to fit even the smallest wrists while creating airspace to allow your wrist to breathe. The strap is also replaceable and Suunto has a selection of colours and styles to keep things fun.

Like all larger sports watches, the thickness of the watch and rubber strap means it can be tricky getting tight-sleeved shirts and jackets on and off (a minor annoyance, but something to think about if you plan to do some de-layering mid-run).

## A few highlights
The touchscreen is one of my favourite features and lets you scroll through the functions and settings quickly and easily. When you touch the screen and hold it, the shortcuts screen appears so you can access anything you need in just a few quick seconds. Just like the touchscreen on your phone, it works very well as long as your screen is dry. As I found out on a particularly rainy hike, a wet watch face is not a happy one; if it’s wet out or if you’re really sweaty, it’s best to switch to the 3 side buttons to access the watch functions.



The watch alarm has a pleasant 3-note beep and when you wake up you’re greeted with a friendly “Good morning!” message and your sleep stats. The sleep stats include hours slept, time over/under your sleep goal, average heart rate, time you fell asleep, time you woke, time awake and hours of deep sleep. You can also hit the snooze button for extra minutes of sleep, a nice feature to have on the weekend.

## Suunto 9 battery power
The highlight of this watch and a major reason it appeals to ultra-athletes (and those of us who don’t enjoy recharging our devices every day) is the 3 battery power modes:

- **Performance mode**: Rated for 25 hours in training mode with GPS. This setting uses the most battery power since it gives the best GPS accuracy and maximum brightness. I used this mode to run a marathon distance and needed to recharge the watch after about 48 hours.
- **Endurance mode**: Rated for 50 hours in training mode with 20% brightness, and “good” GPS accuracy. I use this mode the most for everyday use and weekly activities, as it gives me about 5 days on one charge averaging around 2 to 3 hours of activity per day.
- **Ultra mode**: Rated for an amazing 120 hours of battery life in training mode with GPS. The display screen operates at 10% normal brightness and “okay” GPS accuracy. The display is noticeably dimmer at this setting, so I would only recommend it for the most extreme endurance events.

With endurance and ultra modes, the GPS readings are further apart to lengthen battery life, but the accuracy of the GPS remains sound thanks to Suunto’s FusedTrack technology that uses motion sensors to fill in the gaps.

Regardless of what battery mode you select, once you hit a navigation function during your activity, the watch automatically switches to the best GPS accuracy. If the battery starts to run low during your activity, it’ll give you a warning and ask if you want to switch modes. The Suunto 9 also learns and remembers your activity days and notices if the remaining battery power may not be enough for the length of your usual activity that day. When this happens, you’ll get a message that allows you to switch to a more battery efficient mode. If the watch is running on fumes, it automatically switches to chrono to ensure it lasts to the end of your activity.

Serious athletes will appreciate FusedSpeed, which combines wrist acceleration and GPS data to more accurately measure running speed. FusedSpeed is great when you’re running trails or doing intervals, somewhere a GPS may not capture the data.



## Who will love this watch?
The Suunto 9 will appeal to serious athletes and anyone who is interested in analyzing their performances from a high level right down to the tiny details. It’s also amazing for people who don’t want the worry that their activities will outlast their watch battery. It’s built for users who place a lot of importance on accurate and reliable performance statistics and GPS data and who are out “doing their thing” over long periods of time.

For those less “ultra,” the fact that you potentially don’t need to charge this watch for long periods of time is a definite bonus.



## Related articles
- [Test run: overview of the Fenix 5X Plus Sapphire](/en/article/test-run-overview-of-the-garmin-fenix-5x-plus-sapphire)
- [What’s the best running watch for you?](/en/article/whats-the-best-running-watch-for-you)
- [How to prepare for a long trail run](/en/explore/how-to-prepare-for-a-long-trail-run)



The Suunto 9 is Suunto’s newest sports watch targeted towards endurance athletes and ultra-athletes. To put it through its paces, we asked an MEC staffer who loves to run and knows numbers.

Test run: Suunto 9 Baro Review | MEC Blog

Test run: Suunto 9 Baro watch review

Climbers, runners, campers, cyclists and travellers: we’ve got something for all of you in this week’s edition of new products landing at MEC. One of the most exciting things to arrive? It’s for kayakers – and it’s the first-ever MEC recreational kayak. Get a closer look at all this outdoor-activity potential below.

## BioLite FirePit


There are some things you could just watch forever, and one of them is a campfire. This stainless steel portable firepit gives you a 360-degree view of the blaze through X-ray mesh side panels.

- Inside the pit, there’s a rechargeable battery-powered fan with 4 different flame settings.
- The fan is Bluetooth-compatible, which means you can control the intensity of your campfire from the palm of your hand or across the campsite.
- Thanks to 51 airjets that improve burning efficiency, this pit produces less smoke than a traditional fire.



There’s hand cream, and then there’s hand cream for climbers. Apply ClimbSkin an hour or two before your climb to let it start working its magic.



## Hoka Hupana Knit Jacquard Cross Training Shoes


Road running shoes with responsive midsoles that feel cushy but springy as you rack up the kilometres. The svelte knit upper is ultra-breathable and light, so it feels like an extension of your foot.



Snap these on and be visible. These clip-on magnetic reflectors are easy to use on any piece of clothing – great for cyclists, dog walkers or runners.



Fantastic for travelling. Made from streamlined nylon, it’s light enough to carry all day but also durable enough to survive jostling under your train seat or close encounters while sightseeing. What’s more, the whole thing packs away neatly into its own pocket to make for fast storing or packing into your checked bag.



The first-ever recreational kayak from MEC! This super-stable Rover Kayak is a comfortable, easy-to-manage boat that’s great for exploring the shoreline near your cottage or getting in a little cross-training on the weekend.

- A wide, flat hull helps it hold steady as you paddle about, and a sharp bow entry line lets it track well for such a short kayak.
- Durable shell stands up to lots of launches from the beach or dock
- Watertight compartment lets you pack lunch with confidence, knowing your treats won’t wind up waterlogged.



A slim seat bag to hold a spare tube and CO2 inflator. It expands with a quick zip when you need to cram in gloves, a helmet liner or arm warmers.



Show what you’re about – wild places, mountains, road trips – with these new graphics on classic tees. As always, the shirts are made of soft, organically grown cotton, are Fair-Trade Certified, and are Bluesign®-approved fabric.



Soft and lightweight fabric to keep you comfortable when you’re running errands or exploring the next town over. Plus, pockets! Made of naturally wicking and odour-controlling Tencel sourced from responsibly forested eucalyptus trees.



## Related articles
- [All about kayaks](/en/explore/about-kayaks)
- [What to pack in your carry-on travel capsule wardrobe](/en/article/what-to-pack-in-your-carry-on-travel-capsule-wardrobe)
- [What’s new this week: last week’s edition](/en/article/whats-new-this-week-10)



A first-ever product for MEC is part of this week’s list, along with new items to make your climbing, running, camping, biking and travelling summer keep getting better.

What’s new this week | MEC Blog

What’s new this week

*MEC Ambassador [Louis Rousseau](https://vimeo.com/241918025) shares the story of an expedition in April and May 2017 with climbing partners Adam Bielecki (Poland), Rick Allen (Scotland) and Felix Berg (Germany). Written by Rick and Louis, with collaboration from Adam and Felix.*

## Video: Annapurna One


Annapurna One - Movie

## The story behind our attempt
Everything started in spring 2017. We’d planned to open a new route in alpine style (no fixed ropes, no supplemental oxygen, self-supported) on the north face of Cho Oyu in the Himalayan mountain range – the sixth-highest summit in the world.



Among the eight-thousanders (mountains above 8000m), Cho Oyu is generally considered the easiest to climb – if you go the normal route. But scaling the north or south face is a different story. The north face is steeper than Everest’s north face (45°) and about even with K2’s or Dhaulagiri’s north faces (+50°). In 1988, a [Slovenian team climbed the north face of Cho Oyu](http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/12199835202/Asia-Tibet-Cho-Oyu-New-Route) for the first time.

Since then, there have been only two other successes on the north side. With some research and help from members of the 1988 expedition, Louis put together a plan to establish a new line on the north face in the middle of the 4km-wide wall that’s about 2000m high, and invited Adam, Rick and Felix to join him.



## Rough start for the dream team
Before we started the expedition, a perfect storm of professional, personal and bureaucratic obligations put an end to our Cho Oyu plans. Our original expedition plan to the far end of the world ended before it even kicked off, but we wouldn’t let this setback stop us.

Since we were already in Katmandu, we sat in the hotel garden with a laptop and looked for a new line that would inspire us. What about Annapurna? According to the accident stats, it’s the most dangerous 8000m peak. But what about the northwestern flank? It was steep with mixed ice, snow and rock, but relatively safe.

So we made a new plan: the great Annapurna, 8000m, climbed for the first time in 1950. It inspired generations of climbers. We were on our way, smiling and highly motivated as the Cho Oyu dream slowly faded away.



Annapurna was our new goal, but we needed another mountain to acclimatize if we wanted to summit in true alpine style. We scanned the map to find a 7000m peak close to our main objective, something with a gentler slope where we could get in time with our ice axes and crampons, and also multiply our precious red blood cells to prepare for altitude. Tilicho Peak, at 7134m, had a ridge at 6200m followed by a long safe climb to the summit. This was going to be our prep for Annupurna.

## Getting to know Tilicho
We were relieved to leave Katmandu for the mountains with our new plan. It took 10 hours on a bumpy bus ride to reach Besishahar. At that time of the year, the road is passable by jeep past Manang (but it made the bumps from the day before pale in insignificance).



On April 18, we trekked to Tilicho Lake (the locals call it the highest lake in the world), which was completely ice covered. From there, we had a great view of Tilicho Peak, and admitted it was quite impressive, dominating the skyline northwest.

The next day, we left the comfort of the lodge and set out to reach the far end of the lake to establish our true basecamp for the next 10 to 12 days. But we’d underestimated how hard it was to trek in Nepal: it took a lot of effort to cross the 5340m Tilicho Pass in worsening weather with our heavy packs. After an 8-hour hike, we reached a fine spot close to the foot of our objective. We had huge respect for our porters who’d crossed the pass with heavier loads.



We spent April 20 resting and organizing basecamp, and the next day, we finally headed out to climb. The steep scree and snow slopes led to the first broken, rocky pillar, which we climbed quickly without touching the old, faded and unreliable fixed rope (indicating that this line had been followed by previous teams). We reached the ridge that was our goal for the day, and then set about finding a spot to establish camp. Climbing down about 80m on the other side of the ridge, we found a comfortable and safe site on top of a line of seracs (ice cliffs).



When we reached the windy crest, we quickly realized this was an inhospitable place to set up our second camp. Luckily, Adam found a canyon created by an old crevasse in the seracs. It seemed we couldn’t have asked for a better end to a good day, but at night, the wind shifted and our crevasse became a wind tunnel. We battled incoming snow in our prototype high-altitude tents, and our bodies suffered from the first night at 6150m. After sleepless hours and having accomplished our goal of acclimatization, we decided to descend.

Climbing down such steep terrain isn’t easy, and the safest option was a series of long rappels. We made good use of the pitons abandoned by previous expeditions that Louis had thoughtfully collected during the climb. Adam navigated the complex terrain and efficiently set up fresh anchors and we progressed quickly. We reached basecamp safe but tired, just in time for a late lunch. Sleep came easily. The next few days, we spent time in our newly installed mess tent that doubled as a perfect place to play chess.



## too optimistic
On April 27, we headed out again up Tilicho Peak to continue our acclimatization. About 9 hours later, we reached our wind-tunnel crevasse; most of us had a bad night and we postponed pushing further until the next day. We woke up at 2am, but the wind was even stronger and wasn’t relenting. Finally, at 6am, we reluctantly decided to begin the descent to basecamp, and were happy to reach it a few hours later.



For the next few days, heavy snow fell repeatedly and left about a metre of snow on the ground at basecamp. We spent the time resting and digging out our tents. At this point, we had to admit that our plan for a quick acclimatization on Tilicho Peak was proving to be too optimistic. Louis also had less time to complete the expedition than the rest of the team, and on May 3, he had to make the difficult decision to return home to Canada.

## The team continues on
After Louis left, the weather allowed the remaining team members to head straight on upwards, moving together over soft, deep snow patches and hard neve, over crevasses, through rock bands and around seracs to reach the summit of Tilicho. Satisfied with this fine, 7134m peak, the three of us – Adam, Rick and Felix – snapped some photos and saw our next destination: the northwest face of Annapurna.



We were sharing the open slopes above the north Annapurna glacier with small Italian, Spanish and Chilean teams who were all on the mountain, pushing for the summit via the 1950 French route. This period of low wind enabled the established teams to complete their ascents while the new arrivals could only look at the longer term forecast of strong summit winds (90kph) in frustration. When the successful pairs descended, their tales of avalanche risk and serac collapse confirmed the dangers associated with the classic route, and re-affirmed our team’s choice of Tilicho Peak for acclimatization.

The Annapurna line that we’d chosen beckoned: it was extremely challenging yet feasible. Acclimatized and ready to go, we hoped that mother nature would be kind to us and that the violent winds would die down before monsoon season began.



## 3 days, 2 sleepless nights
The team was waiting for a 3-day weather-window of low wind at 8000m, combined with little to no precipitation, to tackle the climb. As time passed, we realized this wasn’t going to happen. So we lowered our expectations and took advantage of a single day of low wind followed by a day of high snowfall. We set out on May 17 for a pure alpine-style attempt on the northwest face of Annapurna.

Our chosen route took us to the edge of the glacial lakes at the foot of the north Annapurna glacier (200m below our base camp at 4100m). From there, we slowly climbed over boulder-strewn terrain toward the moraines below our face. The glacier was extremely fractured and we toiled over alternating rocky ridges and abruptly icy slopes separating deep fissures of crevasses before we reached a snowy glacier in late afternoon. We pitched our tent on a flat spot at about 5000m and enjoyed the last few rays of the evening sun.



The next morning, after an hour’s walk, we arrived at the base of a huge triangular buttress and an icy couloir that ran up its right side. We crossed the bergschrund (major crevasse) which separated from the glacier face and began to climb.

The couloir started as a snow slope, but increasingly hard icy streaks predominated at an average of 55°. It was long – longer than we’d estimated – and afternoon snow showers didn’t help the situation.

There was no break in the angle to provide any relief for a bivouac site, so we cut a ledge in the ice at the foot of a rock wall where we could secure the rope. Torrents of spindrift poured intermittently down the wall. We were alert to the possibility that a full avalanche may develop.



At sunset, the snow relented and we had a glimpse of the sun and eastern flanks of Dhaulagiri. Finally, we had enough of a ledge for half a tent and we sat in a row, belayed inside our tent fabric with a single pole keeping it off our faces and our legs hanging free. We cooked a simple meal, brewed many hot drinks and lapsed into fitful rest. Through a tiny vent, we watched a clear, starlit night over the central Nepal Himalayas.

Getting moving in the morning was slow. We melted more snow for hot drinks, carefully unwound the safety lines that attached everything to the wall, and packed up. The icy slope angled right from the top of the couloir and we roped up; one climber led and placed ice screws as the other two followed simultaneously.

A mostly sleepless night, the efforts of the 2 previous days, and the brittle, thin ice over the rock made progress slower than before. Snow started falling again and at the end of the day we were in a place where there was nowhere to set up our tent.



Descending spindrift clouds added urgency to our search for a place to bivouac. An hour before dark, we tried to make something of a rock ledge at 6500m. It sloped alarmingly and gathered so much snow that we ended up hanging in our harnesses from our belay points, shrouded in tent fabric. There was no way to take off our boots to slip on dry socks or change into warmer clothes.

It took a lot of effort, but Felix did manage to melt some snow so everyone could have a little bit to drink. The previous night’s bivouac seemed like luxury compared to this one. We spent most of the night shivering and constantly disturbed each other as we shifted positions to mix up the pressure points from our harnesses.

When one careless movement created a rip in the tent (not designed to be hung like this) we suddenly had a new view of the world… through the hole in floor to the glacier far below. If that wasn’t enough, we lost a sleeping mat to the abyss overnight, and in the morning a sleeping bag slipped through the cellar door and disappeared as well.



In the morning, we seriously evaluated the situation and considered whether we should go on or turn back. On the one hand, we’d climbed half of the northwest face, had confidence we could handle technical difficulties, and had ample food and gas. On the other hand, the incessant afternoon snowfall was alarming, our progress had slowed and after 2 sleepless nights, we weren’t going to get any faster.

From here onwards, retreat would become much more serious and breaking through to the summit ridge would require full commitment. When you added on the loss of one member’s sleeping bag, it all tilted the decision firmly in favour of descent.



Nine hours, 20 rappels on Abalakov ice belays and several pitches of down-climbing later, we were back on the glacier, relieved and glad to pitch our wounded tent on flat snow. We cooked up our first meal in 2 days, and listened to the sound of powder snow avalanches pouring down the face, which confirmed our decision to descend. Another full day took us back down the glacier and its moraines to the welcoming tents of basecamp.

As we toiled back up from the glacial lakes, evening sleet continued to fall and it became clear that the weather window we’d needed to climb the northwest face of Annapurna never materialized.

*The decision-making on this kind of enterprise is crucial and most of us would say we would only contemplate seeking a route with someone we have climbed with extensively. Adam, Felix, Rick and Louis had never climbed together before but would gladly do so again. That is one measure of success.*

## Essentials Louis used on this expedition:


- [MEC Synergy Jacket](/en/product/6011-164/synergy-gore-tex-jacket)
- MEC Synergy Pants
- [MEC Talon -10 Down Sleeping Bag](/en/product/6005-007/talon--10c-down-sleeping-bag)
- MEC Light Obsession Hoodie (“It’s the best,” according to Louis.)
- [MEC Merino T1 Short Sleeve Crew](/en/product/6019-341/t1-merino-baselayer-short-sleeve-top)
- MEC Alpinelite 42 Backpack
- [MEC Reactor Sleeping Pad](en/product/6020-219/reactor-4-sleeping-pad-regular)



*Top photo:**Last vertical section before Tilicho Peak. Photo: Felix Berg*

## Related articles
- [Record-setting climb: Naomi Prohaska’s Mount Logan Sumit](/en/article/record-setting-climb-naomi-prohaskas-mount-logan-summit)
- [Who bolted that awesome line?](/en/article/escalade-le-travail-dans-lombre-des-ouvreurs-equipeurs)
- [About climbing ropes](/en/explore/about-climbing-ropes)



When it comes to 8000m mountains, things don’t always go as planned. Watch the video and read the story of MEC Ambassador Louis Rousseau’s team expedition.

Attempt on the northwest face of Annapurna | MEC Blog

Annapurna attempt: the northwest face

It’s rad to hear about all the summer adventures members are getting up to, from quick-hit weekend getaways to long trips where you finally settle into a vacation groove with morning coffee on day 5.

To set you up for good times, the latest batch of new gear to land at MEC includes some excellent travel items, a headlamp that you can use as a bike light, easy to pull on kids’ Blundstones, the redesigned MEC Uplink Jacket and lots more.

## Ecco Soft 7 Sneaker


Classic lace-ups are elevated by a rich, dark leather upper to carry you through from morning commute to happy-hour tacos. A surprisingly lightweight chunky rubber sole stands up to the daily grind.



Why carry your bulky winter coat on fickle-weather days or weekend getaways? This lightweight insulated jacket packs up into its own pocket for deployable protection whenever you need it – or to become a pillow on long flights or overnight train rides.



No rope left behind. The Escaper lets you rappel a full rope length and then release the rope from the anchor, making it a solid backup in case your rap line becomes lost, stuck or damaged. Loop it through the anchor and back through itself, attach it to one end of your rope to create a strong hold, then descend normally. Once you’re at the bottom, tug it free.



## Portland Design Works Pathfinder Headlight


The Pathfinder has a custom reflector that focuses light down into your riding line where you need it most. Light above the riding line helps keep you visible, but it also wastes power and dazzles those around you.

- Custom-engineered reflector focuses up to 200 lumens down to your riding line.
- To make sure you don’t drop off anyone’s radar, 2 surface-mounted LEDs flash brightly.
- Easy USB charging means you can top up your battery nearly anywhere you go.
- Weatherproof housing means if you’re willing to ride in it, the Pathfinder will light your way.



This full-sized backpack is ready to trek through Thailand and converts to a suitcase for checking into respectable hotels when you’re tired of roughing it. Once you’ve checked in to your temporary home, grab the integrated fully featured daypack and go explore the area.

- Panel covers the shoulder straps and hipbelt to safely check it for a flight. Panel stows when not in use.
- Large zippers let you access the main compartment and an integrated spill gate keeps your gear from falling out when you unzip.
- Integrated rain cover keeps your belongings dry.



## Garmin Vector 3 Pedals Dual-Sensing Power Meter


This dual-sided power-meter provides plenty of cycling dynamics data including left/right balance, time spent in and out of the saddle, power phase analysis as well as platform offset centre, which measures where you’re applying force in relation to the centre of the pedal. With an industry-leading 1% accuracy and measurements taken at the pedals, you can confidently say that every watt it picks up was produced by you.



Sandbagged by an abrupt change in the weather? Whip this super-light technical jacket out of your pack or unclip it from your harness and slide it on. The close cut and elastic quilting underarm and back panels keep the outline lean and eliminate air spaces. Thermolilte synthetic insulation retains warmth when wet.



These pint-sized versions of the iconic Australian slip-on boot have nifty grab loops that make them easy to pull on. An extra footbed helps it fit growing feet through a growth spurt or two.



The Snap is fully dimmable, allowing you to choose how much light you need from 0–200 lumens. The modular housing lets you take the light off its strap and snap its magnetic base to nearly any metal surface for broad area lighting. Extra included mounts let you easily attach your light to your bike’s handlebars, or anywhere you would hook a carabiner.



In case you stumble across a farmers market or interesting pop-up shop, be prepared with this 13L bag. The Travel Light Tote Pack folds up into its interior pocket, making it easy to toss into your purse, pannier or suitcase. Carry it like a tote bag or deploy the hidden backpack straps for heavier loads.



The vívoactive 3 Music stores up to 500 of your favourite songs and plays them over Bluetooth so there are no cords to get in your way. Plus it has the latest-generation Elevate optical heart-rate monitor to read your pulse information straight off your wrist. Some other highlights:

- GPS and an internal accelerometer track training metrics like speed and distance information, turning your movement into data.
- Internet Live Tracking during activities (through a connected smartphone) allows you to share your location and heartrate with friends, family or coaches.
- Follow daily highs and lows by tracking stressors (monitoring your heart-rate variability). When stress levels are high, a relaxation timer walks you through steps to reduce them.
- Built-in activity modes for biking, running, walking, swimming (indoor only), strength training (with rep counter), and more.



A soft and timeless layer that keeps your neck toasty. The soft organic cotton blend has just hint of spandex for an easy stretch.



## Related articles
- [Travel checklist](/en/explore/travel-checklist)
- [The ultimate travel pants](/en/article/the-ultimate-travel-pants)
- [How to choose bike lights](/en/explore/choose-bike-lights)



Have a trip coming up? Travel’s a big part of this week’s latest, along with a headlamp that you can use as a bike light, kids’ Blundstones, the redesigned MEC Uplink Jacket and more.

What's new this week

Locals know that there’s no shortage of outdoor havens in the Greater Edmonton area. From river ecosystems and accidental beaches to an extensive network of hiking and biking trails, Edmontonians have plenty of opportunities to get outside. I’ve raved about some of Edmonton’s best [day hikes before](/en/article/5-day-hiking-trips-near-edmonton), but what if you don’t have a car? Thankfully, the city’s transit system and Parkbus has you covered, so even without your own set of wheels, the great outdoors are still within reach.

## 1. Elk Island National Park
Located to the east of the Edmonton City Centre, [Elk Island National Park](https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/elkisland/activ/experiences/a) is one spot you don’t want to miss. Grab your friends and spend the day exploring (and bison searching) on the park’s numerous trails, ranging from short and easy boardwalk loops to longer and more challenging tracks. Bring a picnic lunch to hang out on the beach after your hike, or rent a paddleboard on-site to float on the lake.

**How to get there**: Elk Island National Park is now accessible via [Parkbus](https://www.parkbus.ca/elkisland), an initiative supported by MEC that helps transport Canadians to their next outdoor adventure. And for 2018, it’s a free day trip shuttle! Be sure to make your [reservation online](https://www.parkbus.ca/elkisland) to guarantee a spot.

**Good to know**: The shuttle is free, but if you’re over 18 there’s a $7.80 national park entrance fee.

> “When we pick up people from the park, it’s great to see everybody’s smiling faces and hear all the stories from passengers on board as we make our way back to the city.” – Alex and Boris, Parkbus co-founders
>
## 2. Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park
A giant aquatic ecosystem right on the western edge of the Edmonton and St. Albert city limits? You got it! Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park is home to some of the best bird watching in the area, as well as an 8km lake and an interpretive boardwalk and wildlife viewing area. The best part is that it’s totally accessible via the Enjoy Centre stop on the St. Albert Botanical Loop.

**How to get there**: The [St. Albert Botanical Loop](https://stalbertbotanicpark.com/botanical-loop/) is a hop-on, hop-off free transit loop touring some of the best botanical themed locations in the area, and runs on Saturdays in summer. There are plenty of buses from Edmonton to the St. Albert Centre Transit Exchange where you can join the loop (check out the [ETS Trip Planner](https://www.edmonton.ca/edmonton-transit-system-ets.aspx) to plan out your day).

**Good to know**: The bus also stops at the St. Albert Farmers Market and the Enjoy Centre, two great places to spend some time after a morning of nature. More info is available on the [Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park site](https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/central/lois-hole-centennial-pp/).

## 3. Red Willow Trail System
The City of St. Albert has some really well organized trails and parks of its own. [The Red Willow Trail System](https://stalbert.ca/rec/parks/trails/) boasts over 85km of recreational use trails that link all of the city’s neighbourhoods and parks, many of which run along the Sturgeon River. The trails are multi-use, so you could also bring along your running shoes or your bicycle to start exploring.

**How to get there**: The Edmonton Transit system runs regular buses to the St. Albert Centre Transit Exchange. Download ETS’s easy-to-use mobile app, [ETS Live to Go](https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/apps_mobile/app-ets-live-to-go.aspx), for quick trip planning.

**Good to know**: The Red Willow Trail System is open and maintained year-round so brave hikers can get some steps in even on a brisk winter day.

## 4. Kinnaird Park Highlands Hiking Trail
How could I leave out the stunning North Saskatchewan River Valley? Famous for its well trafficked multi-use trails, this network of parks and paths – extremely accessible with public transit – is just waiting for adventures to be had. The area features about 160km worth of trails in total; the [Kinnaird Park Highlands trail](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/alberta/kinnaird-park-highlands-hiking-trail), a 4.3km inner city loop, is a great place to start.

**How to get there**: Kinnaird Park is accessible via a simple one-bus ride from the [downtown Edmonton MEC store](/en/stores/edmonton). Take the #2 heading east on 104 Avenue for less than half an hour. The bus will drop you off at 79 Street and 112 Avenue, which is just a short walk from the entrance of the park.

Not owning a car is no reason to miss out on experiencing some of Edmonton’s natural attractions, and whether you’re a seasoned or novice hiker, there is something for everyone in this pocket of Alberta.

Have questions about how to get ready for a day hike? Stop by the [MEC Edmonton Downtown store](/en/stores/edmonton) or the [MEC South Edmonton Common Store](/en/stores/south-edmonton) to chat with helpful staff.

## Tips before you go
Stay safe and be prepared. Check out the weather before you leave, tell a friend where you’re going and when you plan to return, and bring first aid supplies and proper clothing. For more tips, check out [day hiking for beginners](/en/explore/day-hiking-for-beginners) and [how to plan for overnight hikes](/en/explore/planning-for-overnight-hikes).



## Related articles
- [The 10 essentials for hiking](/en/explore/the-10-essentials-hiking-camping)
- [How to choose and fit a backpack](/en/explore/choose-and-fit-a-backpack)
- [Hidden gems: 5 campsites to check out from Edmonton](/en/article/hidden-gems-5-campsites-to-check-out-from-edmonton)



How to escape the city limits and get into nature, even without your own vehicle. Edmontonians have plenty of opportunities to get outside, from river ecosystems to wildlife hotspots.

Discover the best hiking spots in Edmonton to visit without a car

Where to go hiking in Edmonton if you don’t have a car

*Whether you like to pull on plastic or daydream about dry rock, part of what makes bouldering rad is the minimal gear requirements. We checked with Alannah Yip [(bio here)](https://olympic.ca/team-canada/alannah-yip/), Canadian Climbing Team member and MEC Ambassador, for her favourite gear picks for the gym or the crag:*

## Scarpa Crux Approach Shoes


These [Scarpa Crux approach shoes](/en/product/5057-422/Crux-Approach-Shoes) are comfy and have Vibram rubber on the sole. That means you never have to worry about slipping when you’re scrambling up/over/around/below rocks searching for that climb the guidebook *definitely* said was around here somewhere…

*(Looking for the men’s version? The *[*men’s Scarpa Crux Shoes*](/en/product/5057-420/Crux-Approach-Shoes)* exist too.)*

## Scarpa Instinct VSR Rock Shoes


I like climbing outside in the [Scarpa Instinct](/en/product/5031-386/instinct-vs-rock-shoes) because of the stiffness and their amazing heel and toe hooking abilities. And when in Squamish, this is of great importance.

## Sumi Boar’s Hair Brush


If you want a *serious* brush, the Sumi Boar’s Hair Brush is the best one out there. With one thick end and one thinner, angled end, you can reach every nook, cranny and nubbin on those crux holds on your proj.

## Flashed Tool Bag Chalk Bucket


A [simple bouldering bag](/en/products/climbing/bouldering/chalk-and-chalk-bags/chalk-bags/c/955) that holds an entire 312g bag of Flashed chalk, plus a few brushes. What more do you need?



In my opinion, this is the best chalk on the market. It has no additives and won’t break the bank.

## Flashed Podium Chalk


This is my [favourite liquid chalk](/en/product/5059-719/Podium-Chalk) ever because it stays on and dries out my sweaty fingers for the longest period of time, hands down.

## Flashed Drifter Pad


I love the [Flashed Drifter Pad](/en/product/6005-092/drifter-pad---plain) because it’s small, light and easy to pack up when you’re moving between boulders, yet still heavy duty enough to keep you safe on your project.

## Picky Bars Smooth Caffeinator Energy Bar


I’m a terror when I’m hangry so I always bring snacks out climbing. The [Naak Caramel Macchiato Caffeine Energy Bar](/en/product/6023-234/caramel-macchiato-caffeine-energy-bar?colour=NO_COLOUR) is one of my favourite energy bars ever because it’s delicious (coffee, chocolate, hazelnuts!) and doesn’t weigh you down like other popular energy bars. It also has a stellar ingredient list so you feel good about what you’re eating.



Sometimes I struggle to stay warm when I’m out bouldering because of the long breaks between attempts. A packable warm jacket is easy to throw on over top of my climbing top and keeps me nice and toasty – I love the new [Uplink Hoodie](/en/product/6018-086/uplink-hooded-jacket), it’s warm, light and packable.

## Nalgene Wide-Mouth Water Bottle


I don’t know about you, but I climb better when I’m hydrated properly. This [Nalgene water bottle](/en/product/6020-229/nalgene-sustain-wide-mouth-water-bottle-1l) holds 1L of liquid and is the perfect size for a day outside.



## Related articles
- [15 things I wish I knew before I started climbing](/en/article/15-things-i-wish-i-knew-before-i-started-climbing)
- [How to choose climbing shoes](/en/explore/choose-your-climbing-shoes)
- [The gear I love: one pro climber’s summer essentials](/en)



You don’t need much gear, but you do need a few basics (so choose wisely). Alannah Yip shares her favourites for the gym and the crag.

Gear I love: a Canadian climbing champ’s bouldering essentials | MEC Blog

Gear I love: a Canadian climbing champ’s bouldering essentials

Weekends hanging out at the cabin or cottage are about to get more fun, thanks to Yeti cooler backpacks, dehydrated cocktail mix, and snorkels to help you find the sunglasses that someone inevitably drops in the lake. If wheels are more your jam, we’ve got new bike stuff landing, alongside burly alpine layers and gear made for speed.

Dig in to our latest picks:

## Aerobie Squidgie Disc


What’s a trip to the beach without a floating plastic disc? The Squidgie’s aerodynamic design makes for easy throwing and pinpoint accuracy no matter your skill level.



BarCountry dehydrated cocktails distill your favourite mixed drinks into compact, easy-to-carry packets. To make any hour Happy Hour, just add water and a measure of your favourite bourbon, mix and enjoy. Each waterproof pouch has a fill line, making it easy to add the perfect amount of water.

Comes in Cherry Infused Old-fashioned, Coconut-Lime Margarita and Pickled Caesar mixes.



There’s no height restriction when it comes to crushing it. In a world with kid-sized carbon race bikes, the Radar EV XS Sunglasses make sure the quality of their optics matches the level of their ride.



Looking for a pair of burly active pants? The Ferrata Pants take you through 4 seasons of climbing, touring and mountaineering. Warmth coupled with wind resistance is a winning combo for long days at the mercy of Mother Nature. Tons of technical features like stretch, articulated knees and an integrated webbing belt help you push further up the skin track or ascend a particularity challenging ridge.



This technical midlayer is lightweight and breathable enough for alpine terrain. Low-loft fleece provides a good level of insulation for ticking your way up a pitch, and its smooth outside slides easily under outer layers when the temperature drops or it’s time to ski down.



## Fathom Varadero Mask with Dry Snorkel


Dive and return to the surface without taking in water. This combo lets you venture deep below the surface. It’s easy to equalize and offers a great field of view. Any water that does enter can be purged through the mouthpiece valve.



Super light, super fast. These sleek racing flats stay true to the road warriors who fell in love with the originals. Secure fit, stable chassis and REVlite midsole let you eat up the road that stretches out ahead. Great for races and fast training runs.



## 808 Audio Earcanz Bluetooth Headphones


Streamlined Bluetooth headphones that bring big sound from a small package, whether you’re listening to music or taking calls.

- Up to 3 hours of music or talk time on a single charge.
- Integrated button lets you answer calls and control your music.
- 3 different sizes of ear pads and ear fins let you find the perfect fit.



## Race Face Turbine R 457/150 Dropper Post


Built on the same platform as the FOX Transfer dropper, with the aesthetics that matches the rest of your Race Face R series build. This dropper post blends a cable-actuated post’s ease of maintenance with the responsiveness and reliability of a hydraulic post. 150mm of travel, and post length is 457mm.



A premium 29er, and in fact, one of the finest 29ers available anywhere in the world. Detailed and engineered for XC excellence, the Primer’s hyperlight carbon frame and top-tier Pro Build components deliver a ride that’s competent, flickable and fully race-ready.

- i-BOX Pivot System allows for compact seatstays and a shortened wheelbase for a remarkably nimble and efficient ride.
- Buttery RockShox Pike RCT3 fork and Monarch RT3 rear shock both feature multiple travel positions for a dialled ride on any terrain.
- 1×12 SRAM X01 Eagle groupset, with GX shifter, leverages a massive 10-50 cassette.



## Outdoor Technology Calamari 3-in-1 Charging Cable


The Calamari bundles the 3 most-used charging tips into a single cable, meaning you no longer need to carry a nest of wires with you everywhere you go. Includes Apple’s Lightning tip, a USB-C tip and a micro-USB tip.



Carry your cooler on your back and free your hands to help you scramble. A seriously rugged semi-soft backpack cooler, the Hopper BackFlip is designed to hold up to 20 355ml cans and enough ice to keep your beverages cold.



## Related articles
- [How to choose a wetsuit](/en/explore/how-to-choose-a-wetsuit)
- [2018 Intense bike lineup: A run down](https://www.mec.ca/en)
- [Gift ideas for people who love cabins and cottages](/en/article/gifts-for-people-who-love-cabins-and-cottages)



Weekends hanging out at the cabin or cottage are about to get more fun, thanks to Yeti cooler backpacks, dehydrated cocktail mix, and snorkels to help you find sunglasses that someone inevitably drops in the lake.

Base layer week: Get 25% off toasty layers, ends December 18

Order by December 18 at noon PST to get them in time for the holidays. See details