Because I Said I Would: Falling Asleep at the Keyboard

This afternoon, I told The GearCaster about falling asleep while I wrote and promised I'd post the result. The following is a post that I attempted to write last night following Columbia's Fall '12 preview dinner. This is a rough draft with no fact-checking or editing. Please don't unsubscribe because of this.

Today was day 2 of Columbia's Fall '12 Preview Event and man, these guys know how to throw a party. After a great ice-breaker dinner last night, about 40 other journalists and I donned some down jackets (it was like 15 degrees outside) and piled into a tour bus to check out Park City's Olympic Center. We witnessed the unveiling of a new display, heard from a few olyians, then some of us were able to go on a bobsled ride. I couldn't go because of my neck sprain, but I got to see the other folks hit 80 mph and 5 G's on their way down the track, which was almost as good as doing it myself. No it wasn't.I'm jealous.

After a quick lunch, we headed down the hill to watch the freestyle team practice and were treated to some aerial excellence from the ski team (flips and such), then we piled back into the bus for a trip to the Academy of Excellence olympic training facility, where we got to see firsthand why we have the best olympic ski team in the world. The training there is amazingly detailed, from oxygen level manipulation to maximize individual workouts to $70k zero-gravity treadmills, our olympic athletes are in great hands. I want trampolines and foam pits in my garage now.

 Next up was a bit of free time, so I came back to my rddddddddddddddddddddddddd

----

That last word was supposed to be "room." I woke up after a few seconds, posted this on my Facebook page,

"Trying to bang out a quick post about the Columbia Fall '12 event, but I'm falling asleep. I'll get it out tomorrow. zzzzzzz"

and went to sleep. I'll make some coffee and write a real post tonight.

You Never Know: Gerber's Apocalypse Kit

Go ahead and say it: "That only happens in movies." That's when they get you. It's like saying "bloody Mary" in a mirror three times, you're asking for it.

Sure, a zombie apocalypse probably won't happen.  

But it might. 

 And if it does, bladesmith Gerber's got you covered with their Apocalypse line of cutting tools (including three different machetes) to help you chop your way through the horde.

"But what about guns?" 

Pah. Gunshots draw attention, heads are small targets, and blades don't run out of ammo.

I love the fact that there's a gear company out there that takes the hypothetical into consideration and comesup with a kit that has zombie hunter written all over it. Well done, Gerber.

The Apocalypse Kit is no longer available, but you can pick up each piece one at a time at Gerbergear.com.  Prices range from $21 to $69.

Visit Gerber's website to check out the Apocalypse lineup. 

First Look: Vibram Five Fingers Spyridon LS Spotted in the Wild

Vibram's trail runner - the Spyridon LS

Vibram's Five Finger barefoot shoes are becoming more and more specific; they've got shoes for road runners, hikers, crossfitters, watersports, and soon they'll have a pair specifically for trail runners. 

 Their highly-anticipated trail running shoe, the Spyridon LS, is a notably aggressive addition to the Five Fingers line. With its flexible nylon mesh rock plate, burly upper, and mountain bike-looking tread, these guys are built for off-road endeavors.

Image of the outsole from ORSM

Yesterday, I took the Spyridon LS out for a 12-mile test run/hike up Kanaka Peak. The Spyridon's gnarly outsole helped me run on the rough stuff with more confidence, and the upper feels like it's made up of a beefier material than it's genetic predecessor, the KSO TrekSport. So far, so good.

The Spyridon is due out this Spring. I'm testing this pair right now for Wired.com, so keep an eye out there for the full review. 

Treadling lightly(ish) down Kanaka Peak

Black Diamond Releases Dawn Patrol Facebook App

Getting out and hitting powder before work is only half the fun. The other half is getting online and telling all your other cubicle-jockey buddies about it. Today, Black Diamond is releasing its Dawn Patrol Facebook application so you can either get inspired or show everyone how you started your day off right. Check it out here.

Here's a video from the app that'll give you a good idea of what The Dawn Patrol is all about.

Dawn Patrol from Black Diamond Equipment on Vimeo.