The 12,000 Calorie Diet: Michael Phelps’ Key To Success

by Jason A. Hendricks

Michael Phelps recently attained the honor of becoming the single-most winningest single athlete in Olympic history.   Over the course of two Olympic games, 2004 and 2008, Michael has captured an astonishing 11 gold medals and two bronzes.  He still has three events to go in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where Michael is hoping his current string of success will allow him to break the mark for most Olympic gold medals in one Olympics–8.  He currently has 5, setting 5 world records in the process.

11 Gold medals might seem impressive.  If he accomplishes his goal of 8 gold medals in 2008, that will bring his total to 14—plus two bronzes.  Michael Phelps is 23.  In the year 2012, when the Olympics barge in to London, Michael Phelps will be 27.  He has already stated he will be competing in 2012.  Beyond that, he could actually work in one or two more Olympics before calling it a career.  Amazing?  I think most people are finally starting to grasp what is taking place before their eyes–It is truly an amazing time in Olympic history and Michael’s feats may be there for a very…very long time.

What fuels Michael Phelps?  Passion.  Drive.  Determination.  12,000 calories a day.  What?

The New York Post has put up an article with a typical Michael Phelps menu for one day:

Phelps lends a new spin to the phrase “Breakfast of Champions” by starting off his day by eating three fried-egg sandwiches loaded with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, fried onions and mayonnaise.

He follows that up with two cups of coffee, a five-egg omelet, a bowl of grits, three slices of French toast topped with powdered sugar and three chocolate-chip pancakes.

At lunch, Phelps gobbles up a pound of enriched pasta and two large ham and cheese sandwiches slathered with mayo on white bread - capping off the meal by chugging about 1,000 calories worth of energy drinks.

For dinner, Phelps really loads up on the carbs - what he needs to give him plenty of energy for his five-hours-a-day, six-days-a-week regimen - with a pound of pasta and an entire pizza.

He washes all that down with another 1,000 calories worth of energy drinks.

I’m puking just thinking about that.  How can one man cram that much gunk down his throat and still perform like a superstar?  When you swim 50 miles a week, as well as work out in the weight room a couple of hours a day, you can kind of see where the calories go.  I might be able to hang with Michael Phelps through breakfast–the problem is, after that I would be done.  He’s just getting started.

I always find these high-caliber athletes’ food regimens to be quite intriguing.  I wonder how Lance Armstrong fueled up for his 7 Tour de France victories.  I also wonder what happens to these guys’ eating habits once they decide to call it a career.  Are their bodies attuned to 12,000 calories a day?  You would have to stay pretty active in the off-season, and in to retirement, to not become a major porker.

He Should Have Made That Right Turn At Albuquerque…

by doodaa

Talk about way off course. South Louisiana is a popular place for tourists, but this guy came a long way just to sample some cajun cooking.

LARGE STORK FOUND IN LOUISIANA FOR FIRST TIME

The tallest flying bird in Central and South America, a Jabiru, has been spotted for the first time in Louisiana near the Sherburne Wildlife Management Area (WMA) South Farm Complex on the morning of July 31 by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) personnel.

LDWF Ornithologist Michael Seymour and LDWF technician Joshua Sylvest found the rare stork while performing a shorebird survey in the area. They observed the bird with wood storks and watched it feed in a flock with great blue herons, little blue herons, roseate spoonbills, snowy egrets, great egrets and ibises. After about 45 minutes of observation and documentation, the bird flew off and has not been relocated.

Seymour and Sylvest were able to take photographs and video of the bird that has been submitted with other documentation to the Louisiana Bird Records Committee. The committee is a panel of professional ornithologists and respected birders who vote to accept or reject the claim based on validity of documentation.

“When Josh and I parked the truck to start our shorebird survey, we immediately saw the Jabiru; it towered over all the other wading birds. We were speechless at what we saw, instead quietly, high-fiving to celebrate the discovery,” Seymour said. “Finding a first state record bird is a dream of all birders, and Josh and I didn’t think twice about creeping through a mud-filled impoundment to get documentary proof. I hope other birders are lucky enough to see this rare bird.”

Adult Jabirus are approximately 5 feet tall with a wingspan over 7 feet and a weight of about 17 pounds. The massive, black beak is up to 1 foot long. Body and flight feathers are mostly white, but the head and upper neck are featherless and black with a bare, red stretchable pouch at the base of the neck.

Story from the LDWF

doodaa

Matt Maddaloni Free Soloing Young Blood

by Steve Remington

Oh, and because I think Matt is awesome and this clip is super clever, here’s a link to the Reel Water Productions short film about tackling Young Blood (5.13a) without a rope.

And here’s Matt himself talking about free soloing Young Blood. Includes spoilers.

Trip Report: Celebrity Moments at the Squamish Mountain Festival

by Steve Remington

Basically, I spent five days last month prancing around Squamish, B.C., sampling world-class granite and making a donkey of myself to win climbing swag. It took a lot of doing, let me tell you, and all I got was one chalk bag and a t-shirt. This sounds even less fantastic when you hear I was actually shooting for new rope or a harness. I did not win big. But I had big fun.

Now to really distill the essence of the Squamish Mountain Festival, for me, I’ll focus on the moments that mattered. Embarrassing and heartwarming celebrity moments with the people who made this event just as exciting as the local rock.

1. Free beer at Howe Sound Brewing Company. I’m walking out the door. Sonnie Trotter is at the front desk, mid-conversation with some dirtbag who looked vaguely familiar. I grab Sonnie’s calloused monkey hand, pump it twice, and exclaim, “Great presentation last night. Loved it,” then point (point!) at the guy Sonnie was chatting with and toss out, “Can’t wait for yours,” and continued my drunken momentum right out the door. I should’ve shouted “let’s do lunch” because that’s the kinda scmooze I had all over my face. I had no idea who the other guy was. Turns out, he was nobody.

2. Telling Cedar Wright my breasts once “saved my life” on a dangerous route. I think I said “boobs.”

3. Cheersing divorce with Majka Burhardt at the “Tight and Bright” party. There were three of us ladies, actually, and we were all three divorced. Yipee!

4. On stage. Climbing Matt Maddaloni’s hot climber bod as a demonstration for the human climbing competition. (See competitors here.) It was on request because the night before, I threw myself into two ridiculous on-stage competitions and, as mentioned, won a chalk bag. (See above.) Participating in the demonstration, that’s what nabbed the t-shirt. Thanks, Matt, you were a good sport. But I have one question. When I asked if you could support 150 pounds and you shrugged yes with your nonchalant smile, did you know how much weight I was talking about, seeing as Canadians do kilos and all? Or are you just that brave?

5. Missing Dave MacLeod’s presentation due to a flat tire. Not really a celebrity moment, but it involved jacking my car with a car jack and a chock pick, so I thought I’d mention it.

If you’re wondering what all I did to win swag, the best parts involved trying to sing the Canadian national anthem, taking off and putting on my bra in front of the bar crowd, dressing in a silver spandex leotard and picking out my hair for afro-fabulousness. Ta-da!

Hat, Breeze and Tunes

by Steve Remington

Hey y’all. This time I am going to be writing about optics.  There is nothing better to start an argument with than optics. But before we start the arguing; I have a couple of items.  They deal with the trip to sporting goods store and the possible nightmare that awaits.

It was always the practice that quality sporting goods store employed personnel that were trained or at least had experience in the items that they were in care of. Then came big box mentality and a new meaning for customer service. I am sure many of you have agonized, trying to get a simple question answered about a product you were interested in, only to have the clerk tell you they were filling in at the Sporting Goods counter, usually they were in the golf shoe department…aahhhhhhh!

I guess I would not be a good marketing person, because if a person did not know anything about Sporting Goods…they would not be in there. Just last week I was in a large chain Sporting Goods store looking through the rifles, for a steal. I do find them every once in a while. I wanted to see a particular weapon and asked the clerk for assistance. His name tag indicated he was the Hunting Lodge Manager…ok…so could I see the 799 Remington that was advertised? Well, his response was “Ah, is that a rifle or shotgun?” Friends that is your clue to leave immediately and look for a local mom and pop shop to spend your hard earned money at. I cannot fathom a store or chain of stores so ignorant to have a totally unqualified person in charge of selling lethal weapons. How can they answer an inexperienced person’s questions if they do not know the answer themselves? All too often, they simply  fabricate a plausible and believeable answer, even if it is out of left field.

I have observed this a number of times. It reminds me of a used car lot in the late 1960’s. All the clerk needs is the yellow and green plaid sports coat.

“Do we have deer rifles? Of course we do! We have some of the best deer rifles in the county. This is a Winchester…(he looks down)…I’m sorry, Remington. It’s the long hours, I swear sometimes I don’t even know my own name. That’s why I wear a name tag…hahahaha…This rifle is in 338 Winchester Magnum, perfect for whitetail deer and it’s on sale! Why yes, your 12 year-old will be to handle this little beauty. I sold one of these to a lady at my church just last week and she loves it!”

No sir, I will be happy to pay a few dollars more to get the service I expect when hunting items are concerned. No one wants to spend less on anything than I do. But there are times that spending less actually costs more. If you know exactly what you are looking for and how to properly use it, then the big box store can, sometimes, save you money. What many people do not realize is that quite a bit of the “sale” merchandise can very well be last year’s stock from some other store or warehouse. Buying left-over merchandise only makes sense if the priced cut is dramatic. I am not objectionable to buying certain outdated items, as long as that item is not scents, attractants or other items that lose there potency with time, which is why many scent manufacturers tell you to discard the scents at the end of your hunting season. Come next season, they have lost their punch. You have to ask the clerk if they are fresh for this year. If you are lucky, some manufacturers, that they carry, date their products.

I am about 5 Maine miles off my topic for this column. A Maine mile can be anywhere from a mile to 15 miles, depending on who gave you the directions! “It’s abow ta mile, ayuh”

Now folks are thinking about new optics for hunting season, instead of last January when those optics were collecting dust on the store shelves. That’s okay, optics are necessary for many folks, me among them. Where the arguing comes in is over which optics are “best”. Good grief, how I despise that word. Best for who? The only person who can say what optics are best for you is…you. Do not listen to some guy on a hunting channel that says his scope is the “best”…he is paid to say that. Do not listen to some friend who tells you what you should buy. And especially do not listen to the kid from the golf shoe department telling you which one is the “best” buy.

I am asked that very question all the time. My answer is always the same. I can only give you an idea of the optics, in your price range, that I find are good quality and will do the job. I would do that if I worked for the big box store. Tell me a range for your optic budget and I will suggest some for you to physically look through. See which one suits you best, as far as clarity and brightness. That’s what it boils down to folks. Forget the ads and hype. Yes Zeiss scopes, generally, are superior in optic quality to a low end scope from anyone. Does that mean you should run out and buy a Zeiss…not at all. Optics, more than many items, are priced according to the quality of the process that produced the lenses (the optic in optics). But if you have $50, $150, $350, whatever your budget says you can spend, to buy a scope or binoculars, it is imperative to find items in that range, pick them up and look through them. Then you can make an intelligent decision. “These will work,” I am attempting to put together some optics in the various price ranges and let you know what I feel about them. All this will be is a guide. How they look to me may not be how they look to you. Here is a quick case and point: Back in the late 80’s, a gunshop owner friend of mine convinced me to order a Leupold 3-9X40 Vari-x II for $349. He said it is the “best” scope going. Ok, I ordered it and he mounted it for me. I sighted in on an overcast day, but I felt the scope was a little dark and had a brownish tinge to it. I mentioned this to my friend who told me it was a design feature, great in snowy conditions. I have not purchased anything there since and the Leupold went down the road. Those scopes and the models that followed enjoy a large fan base. But, my eyesight does not match up with them.

A couple of years ago, I needed a cheap scope for my son’s muzzleloader. He could only hunt a couple of days (he is in the Army and was in Afghanistan at the time). I went on EBay and won a BSA Catseye 3.5-10X44 and installed it on Tyler’s smokepole. I was shocked! It is extremely bright, extremely clear, adjusts perfectly and was $35!! The scope works so well, Tyler wants it left on his gun. Sure, I might have gotten lucky. But I would have still felt better if it were not as good than I felt with a $350 scope I could not use!

That is what prompted me to put together a “guide”. That and listening to a clerk at the big box store tell a customer he should buy the Nikon 4-12, that was on special (it was over-priced to begin with and now they were scrambling to sell it). He looked the customer in the eyes and said “You are new to hunting, then yes sir, THIS is the perfect scope. Sight it in at a 100 yards and, look here, see where it is marked 4, 5, 6, right up to 12? Well, there you go. You see a deer up to 400 yards just hold right on him. Further than that, just match how far you think he is with the number on this ring, right up to 1200 yards.” You cannot make up something like that. 1968 Used Car Salesman, alright. “Yes sir, this little beauty will do everything you want a car to do, and at the best price in town, my word on it. I will even throw in a hat, breeze and tunes at no charge. Whadda ya say?”  In case you were not around then, hat, breeze and tunes translates vinyl top, air conditioning and radio.

When you head outdoors, take a youngster with you. Remember, enjoy the outdoors, just do it cheaply. God Bless.

http://www.camospace.com/nmcowboy

Best or Good – Part 2

by Steve Remington

Hey y’all. Last time I spoke about “good” hunting rifles that hunters on a budget should consider. I appreciate the response I received. It seems there is no shortage of folks who cannot spend $900 – 1200 on a hunting rifle. The problem has been getting reliable comparisons and information on weapons in the working person’s spendable range. I did hear from a couple folks that thought I was off base and that quality firearms are not expensive because they hold their value, are built better, last longer blah, blah, blah. Of course they are built better…but the point is that if you cannot afford to buy one without taking food off your families’ table, you are not going to buy one of the those high dollar pieces.

Don’t misunderstand me. If you can afford a custom rifle, fine, go for it. This article is not about you. My CamoSpace friend, Bob Hart, builds some sweet custom rifles that shoot incredibly well. But you are not going to get one for $400-500. The situation is that a working class family has a need to purchase a rifle for Dad or a son or daughter just starting out. I gave some excellent alternatives for them last time. Today, I am going even further down the firearm evolution scale and talk about what can be bought to hunt deer with for LESS than $200. I swear I just heard someone say they would not be caught dead with a deer rifle that costs less than $200. For the record there are some excellent deer/pronghorn/elk class rifles available in that range. I see them every day. I am talking about good, well made bolt action rifles. The guns I am referring to saw their reputations built over two world wars, in dreadful conditions and in many corners of the world.

Ahhh, he’s talking about those dadgum military rifles….

YES, by George, I am. When you have made a science out of hunting and fishing on a budget (for nearly fifty years), you leave no stone unturned. All it takes is a little research. One of those military actions is the most copied action ever made, the Model 98 Mauser. Keep in mind, saying 98 Mauser is like saying Chevrolet. It doesn’t really narrow down what we are referring to, but is a starting point. Variations and a few predecessors of the 98 are available today for less than $200, if you shop around. The calibers will vary from 7X57, 8X57, 7.65 Argentine, 6.5 X55 Swedish, 7.5 Swiss, 308 Winchester and 30-06. Any of these calibers are commercially available and very lethal. If you pick up one of these weapons in full military dress, you will probably remove some of the excess wood to lighten the rifle. The sights that come on these weapons are adjustable out to over 1000 yards and are very accurate and serviceable. A couple of my favorites are the Model 95 Chilean Mauser (produced by Lowe in Berlin) in a 7X57 carbine and the K31 Swiss in 7.5 mm. The Swiss has the original straight pull bolt, now used commercially by Mauser and Blaser (pronounced like Mauser). It is fast, fool proof and utilized on an extremely accurate firearm. The caliber is fine for deer and deer-sized game out to 300 yards, for the average hunter. The little 7X57 carbine is a joy to carry and 300 yards is a piece of cake. Eleanor O’Connor, wife of legendary outdoor writer Jack O’Connor, used a 7×57 to take virtually all major game animals around the world, including an elephant. This is not to say that a 7X57 is that powerful, on the contrary. It is a testament that its excellent power can be used to its maximum because of its mild recoil and barrel jump. You may remember that Jack, the consummate champion of the 270, equaled his wife’s feat (except for the elephant) with his Winchester 270.

Another favorite in this category is the 7.65 Argentine. Most often it is found in the Model 1891. Well made, very accurate but like the Mosin-Nagant K-31 Swiss, the 1891 has a fixed box magazine that extends down to near the base of the trigger guard. It doesn’t affect function; it merely uglies the weapon up a bit. If you can locate a decent Model 1909 Argentine, it offers a truncated magazine (how about that fancy word – truncated - just means flush to the rifle stock). This is a boon if you want to put an after market stock on and dress it up a bit. These rifles are mostly German built, but there were some external contracts given to produce the rifle. The Argentine and Peruvian versions are considered by most military enthusiasts to be the preferred Argentines. If you can grab a good Model 1891 that has not been altered, you can have it sent direct to your house (California and New York residents check your state laws). It does not come under the 1968 Gun Control act as it was made prior to 1898 and is not considered made for modern ammo. The caliber fits the bill on deer and with some handloading and tweaking can be serviceable on elk out to 300-350 yards. The variable with the 7.65 and the other military calibers is if a bullet is produced that is designed for thicker skinned animals like the elk. At this writing I could make an elk rifle out of any of the above calibers.

Next on the list is the 303 British. It is most often found in the Lee Enfield SMLE version. The caliber is a bit below 308 in power; however Hornady offers a light magnum 303 British that puts it solidly in the factory 308 range. This is a good deer load but the 139 grain bullet is lacking muscle for elk, etc. Factory loaded 174 grain loads out to 200 yards (basically muzzle loader range) will dispatch an elk. The weapons are very well made and are still available inexpensively. Again, it may come with a beat up military wood stock, but you can dress that stock up easily. A difference from the Mausers, I believe that the Enfield’s cock-on-close cannot be altered to the cock-on-open. But I do not find that a problem.

My ultimate favorite in the military class is usually the cheapest to purchase and most unknown. However, lately it has become very collectable, in certain versions. The caliber is 7.62X54R, or as I call it….the 308 Russian. The rifle is the Mosin-Nagant bolt rifle co-developed by a Belgian and a Russian. These are extremely well made and very dependable. Every one that I have fired has been very accurate. The round falls between 308 and 30-06 in power. The most common models are the model 91/30 and model 44.

The 91/30 is a full length rifle with a 29 inch barrel. The model 44 is the Russian version, with folding bayonet affixed to the muzzle. Either can be bought for under $100 and require very little to be huntable. However, the bayonet on the 44 is troublesome, at best, to neatly remove. The model 38 Finnish does not have the bayonet and makes for less work. All the variants of the 44 are carbines with 16 inch barrels.

They will flat shoot at 300 yards with the military ramp iron sights that come on them. I did this with five consequtive rounds from a Model 44 at the city range in Las Cruces, NM. I simply slid the well-marked sight ramp up to the number “3” (300 yards), laid the front sight blade in the slotted rear sight and carefully squeezed. All five rounds hit the silhouette target (a ram) behind the shoulder. These guns are starting to be discovered, however. In a few years the Russians will get their due on building quality weapons in the WWII era, as they have for the ones they now produce.

One thing that all of these weapons have in common and can be a stumbling block is the triggers. They all employ a two-stage works-regardless-of-how-much-mud-is-in-it trigger. These triggers can be annoyingly stiff with a long trigger pull. The problem is very easily correct on most of them by a 6/48 screw. If you get one or have one and needs help on the trigger, contact me and I will be glad to help. There are after market triggers available, but you know how much I hate to spend money.

Should you want to use a scope, all of these weapons have scope mounts readily available, although the rifle will have to be drilled and tapped. Virtually anyone can afford one of these pieces. They may not be pretty, but they sure beat not hunting. I would have no reservations taking any of these models hunting for any game animals in North America, except perhaps the biggest bears. Lets face it, if your pick up looks like it escaped from the junk yard and people hand you money when you stand beside it at Winn Dixie…you really don’t mind that your deer rifle won’t win any beauty contests. All you know is that it cost very little and killed the buck in the back of that prize pickup. That’s being a Frugal sportsman. An, hey, if you already have one or seven of these rifles, let me know about yours.

When you head outdoors this summer - take a youngster with you and pass it forward. Remember, enjoy the outdoors…just do it cheaply. God Bless

Best or Good – Part 1

by Steve Remington

Hey y’all. A number of folks have posed the question to me: What is the best cheap gun? I have been around long enough not to step into that one. Once a writer invokes the word “best” he is proclaiming superior knowledge on that subject. The readers, many times, will disagree with the expert in whole or in part. I will, instead, address what are some “good” cheap weapons.

The first thing the prospective buyer should do is answer some basic questions: What is your budget? Who is the gun for? Are they experienced in the handling of firearms? What amount of felt recoil will they be able to tolerate? What type of game will be hunted with it? What type of sights will be necessary? There are other questions, but these are the main ones that need to be addressed. If you find a great deal on a 338 Winchester Magnum and your 14 year-old needs a deer rifle, the deal is not necessarily good because the caliber is over kill and most 14 year-olds cannot withstand the recoil of this round. A deal is not always purely about money. Many hunters get caught by this, which explains why a lot of firearms are for sale in the classifieds. There is any number of mismatch pieces available. Those are guns with too much scope or insufficient scope mounted on them, rifles with magazines missing (a magazine can run over $50 real quickly), a weapon with a “slight’ crack in the stock (unless you are competent to properly repair the crack avoid this weapon unless the price is incredibly low), the bore is dark but just needs cleaning (I would only buy it after I saw it clean) or other qualifying statements you see in an add.

So what do I feel are some “good” cheap rifles? Well, now we need to know a budget. In the $200 to $450 range, you will find many acceptable pieces. In that range I would look for a Savage or a Ruger first. The Savage has an undeniable reputation of being ugly but shooting exceptionally well. It’s sort of like finding an unattractive person to date, but they cook, clean wild game and own a 4X4. Rugers are better looking but do not command the price of a used Winchester or Remington. Is that deserved? Not to me, personally, but to many it is. Next would be a top brand weapon that was mistreated, i.e., scratches, exterior rust, adjustment caps missing off the scope. These obvious indicators drive down perceived value. On the other hand, if you are handy and can clean the weapon up or resurface the stock, then you can get a real deal

It comes with a scope…man, what a piece of bait that statement is. There are a lot of very poor quality scopes on the market that do not add any value to the weapon. Dealers call them throw-aways. Their best purpose is to hold a window up. If the gun has a low end scope (if you are unsure…ask someone), bargain as if there were no scope on the gun. If it is a decent scope, ask the seller if they will warranty the scope. I always do that. If they are unwilling to warranty the scope then it is not worth what they thought it was. I hear someone saying “I’m not going to ask anyone that. They’ll think I am an idiot.” Guess what, you walk away with a gun you paid too much for and you know what the seller thinks? “Idiot” So as long as I am going to be an idiot, I might as well be an idiot with extra money in my pocket.

Buying in person is always best. That way you can check the mechanical workings of the weapon making sure that the bolt functions properly, the safety engages, the clip is there and functions properly and the scope is clear and undamaged. If you purchase online, as I often do, or are purchasing through an out-of-state ad, you must have window of opportunity to examine the gun, usually three days. If the buyer is unwilling to extend the privilege of inspecting the weapon subject to returning it, stay away from that purchase. Without a written examination clause in the purchase, you would have no legal grounds to recoup your money, should the weapon, indeed, be faulty beyond reasonable repair.

Next time I will be talking about some “good” weapons that can be purchased in the $150 or less range. I love being cheap…I mean frugal.

Hey and check out this site: http://www.camospace.com/nmcowboy It’s a myspace for hunters!

Remember, when you go outdoors this summer, take a youngster with you and pass it forward. God Bless

Refreshed And Ready To Try Something New…

by doodaa

I am back from vacation, feeling refreshed, although a little under the weather thanks to a cold I picked up from daughter. Nothing like a summertime head cold.

So there I was, thinking about the upcoming seasons, and an idea just jumped into my head - recurve. I am about to learn the in’s and out’s of recurve shooting. There’s just not much of it on television these days, with so many people shooting compound bows. So I thought it would be a perfect addition to our Team Hammerdog Outdoors segments. I can chronicle my progress from start to finish, and show folks the pros and cons of recurve shooting. I’m sure there are many people out there who are interested in shooting a recurve or longbow, and I might inspire a few to give it a try. So if any of you shoot a recurve, please post up any tips and advice that I should be aware of.

doodaa

Move Over Darling, There’s Room In That Tree Stand For Two

by Jennifer Jordan

         I would really love some input on this subject. I have found a variety of outlooks

  and opinions about this subject, even some hardcore emotion. Is hunting and fishing only fun for the guys? I think not. And, do women who hunt and fish have to be unfeminine to fit in? I hope not. Do we ask guys to wear pink and to lose the NASCAR shirt when they come with us to a “chick flick” or to pick out towels? Okay, am I stereo typing what women do besides spending time in the outdoors?

          More and more women are joining in the fun and rush of hunting and fishing. Does that mean we have to be beer guzzling, farting, belching, scratching women? Well, scratch the beer guzzling because I can kick a few back with the best of them and I love it

          Are the guys afraid that a woman will not be able to drag that monster buck out of the woods? Or is it that I won’t be able to hike up to 10,000 feet and carry my rifle too.   Are women actually capable of killing Bambi, not me. I am after that mac daddy big buck in a rutt. What I have found is that I am able to control my emotions and adrenaline a lot more than my husband is able to while we are out on a hunt. I am cool, calculated, and ready to take a buck out. I have found that I do not shake, sweat, or cry. Sorry guys, I have seen a few of you cry after missing the big one.

         What my intentions consist of are to bring more women out into the outdoors and just let them squeeze a round off or pick up their husband’s bow and nail the target. It is addicting and fun too. It is also a great feeling to do it as well as the guys are able to. It is time for more women to come out and play. Women need to find out why sneeking out to hunt and hanging out with the guys is so important. It can also be important for a relationship to share the same interests and passions for something. The outdoors can be a great way to strengthen a relationship and if nothing else have some fun in competing with the opposite sex.

            I think that women can be feminine, fun, and soft as well as a huntress and cold blooded killer in the woods. Why not look good while doing it? Guys, who would you rather have as a hunting partner? A classy woman or your beer bellied, snoring in the tree stand friend? I can think of a few ways to have a lot of fun in the woods.

Climber Profile: Eric Kramak on Climbing with an Injury

by Steve Remington

Say you’ve engineered the perfect climbing season. Your job, domestic status and location - everything organized to maximize your quality time at the crag. It’s maybe your third or fourth trip out when something goes wrong. Your protection zippers. You take a bad lead fall. Or, like Eric Kramak, you bail from a fifteen foot bouldering attempt.

This is Eric:

This is Eric’s cast:

While I get a huge kick outta pro climber news, I’ve been wanting to profile unsponsored and/or amateur climbers for weeks now. These are the guys and gals I see up close (almost) every day. They were my first inspiration and continue to challenge me in new ways. When I don’t think a big, twisted move on a roof is possible, they lean back like they’re in a Laz-E-Boy and stick it on the first attempt. You know, the climbers who are always a grade or two above you, warming up on the project you’ve been working for weeks. They’re also the climbers who are at your level. They sit and stare at the wall with you, sharing real or imagined beta.

I’ve seen Eric, uninjured, climbing at Stone Gardens for months now. Never really had the occasion to talk. But when I saw him hopping up a 5.10 in a cast, I knew he had to be my first victim.

So I took him out for a beer to hear his story.

Turns out it kinda fit with a theme I’ve had stuck in my head since reading and writing about the Alpinist interview with Alex Hannold. Hannold is a free soloist, sometimes, with an interesting take on risk. Personally, I named this blog after the weird human motivation to push limits, whether you’re exercising a vice or a virtue. If you’re living intensely, with everything you have, then even bad is good and you’re prepared for any price. Losing a job, losing friends, breaking a foot. And then new opportunities open up.

Eric injured himself by attempting to free solo a trad route he’d sent sans fall, in the dark, the night before. Luckily, he landed on his feet (not his head) and had friends to carry him out and drive him to the hospital.

Since then, he’s been through at least two casts and I hear there may be more bad news on the way. But Eric is a trooper. (Literally, he was in the armed forces.) Since he arranged his life around climbing this year, climbing is what he’s going to do. Having to take special care and precaution due to his foot, he’s learning to read climbs more accurately from the ground and also while he’s mid-route. He says the injury has actually made him a better climber.

That’s what I find most interesting.

The way each of us can or can’t move our bodies teaches us about the rock. Example: I know it’s hard for me to open palm a sloper with my right hand while my weight is situated directly below or slightly right of the hold. (Old wrist injury - tall bike jousting in a drunken haze.) Hurts like hell, so you best believe I keep my eyes open for moves like that. I could pick em out from 50 feet. (Exaggeration.) And since I don’t avoid them (just prepare mentally) this makes me a smarter climber.

Anyhoos, I’d like to congratulate Eric for his badass climber ways. And all the injured folk doggedly hobbling around the crags. You’re an inspiration. *Sniff* Hope you’re learning, and I hope for the swiftest healing!

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