Review: Patagonia R1 Hoody

When the temperature moves toward freezing, the first layer I reach for is the Patagonia R1 Hoody. The waffle-patterned construction of the Polartec PowerDry material makes the R1 Hoody warm enough that it can stand alone or fit under a soft shell or windbreaker when the weather is brisk, and the fit has a low enough profile that the R1 Hoody can easily layer with thicker pieces to fend off the bitterest cold.

Noteworthy Pros:

• Extended torso length gives full coverage, even when wearing a climbing harness or a backpack that can cause layers to ride up
• Stretch cuffs and thumb loops allow the sleeves to cover all the way to the knuckles for added warmth
• The zippered "Napoleon-style" chest pocket is big enough to carry essentials without being bulky

Cons:

• The sleeves are a bit long, so the cuffs bunch up when not using the thumb loops

Pushing the Patagonia R1 Hoody to 16,000ft. over Lhasa, Tibet

I love the mix of comfort and functionality Patagonia has found with the R1 Hoody. The low-profile, balaclava-style hood protects the ears from the wind, while fitting nicely under a cycling or climbing helmet. The zipper is longer than most 1/4-zip pullovers, allowing for maximum venting during high-output activities, and when fully zipped the collar covers all the way above the mouth, keeping cold air from getting into the neck and torso, even when cycling.

According to Patagonia - "Streamlined, light and versatile, the R1 Hoody pushes [Patagonia's] primary design principle: Perfection is achieved when there's nothing left to take away." For those adventurers and trekkers who like to travel and play "light and fast," the R1 Hoody can definitely be called perfection.

Minimizing Jet Lag: Tips for World Travel

Every day, millions of world travelers suffer from what the National Sleep Foundation calls "one of the most common sleep disorders" - jet lag.

An uncomfortable-but-temporary condition caused by traveling across 3 or more time zones, jet lag manifests itself in differing degrees in different people. Some of the most common symptoms include: fatigue early in the afternoon, irregular sleep during the night, loss of appetite, difficulty with concentration and critical decision making, and even headaches and irritability.

The Center for Disease Control notes of jet lag that "eastward travel is associated with difficulty falling asleep at the destination bedtime and rising in the morning; westward travel is associated with early evening sleepiness and predawn awakening at the travel destination." The Center for Disease Control also points out, "traveling eastward generally increases the time required for adaptation."

So how to minimize the discomfort so you can maximize the enjoyment of your trip?

Visiting Bangkok's Gilded Temples - Proper Attire and Customs

Bangkok's "Marble Temple"

One of the highlights of Southeast Asia are the numerous Buddhist temples, ranging from the rugged and earthy Angkor Wat (in Cambodia) to the polished architectural wonder of Wat Benchamabophit (in Thailand).

Thailand's population is roughly 95% Buddhist, and as a result, Thailand is dotted with Buddhist temples - Bangkok alone is home to hundreds of temples, or "wats," throughout the city. According to CNN Travel, the 7 Best Bangkok Temples are:

1. Wat Arun - the iconic temple on Thai currency
2. Wat Phra Kaew - located on the grounds of in Bangkok's Grand Palace
3. Wat Pho - adjacent to the Grand Palace and home to Thailand's largest reclining Buddha
4. Wat Benchamabophit - the magnificent "Marble Temple" from Thailand's 5-baht coin
5. Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit - one of Thailand's most religiously significant temples
6. Wat Saket - located on a prominence offering great views of the city
7. Wat Traimit - home to one of the world's largest gold Buddha statues

Wat Phra Kaew in Thailand's Grand Palace

As a world traveler, cultural sensitivity is always paramount, no more so than when visiting revered religious sites. Here are a few important items to keep in mind when visiting Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia:

• Keep your legs and shoulders covered (cover below the knees and past the elbows) - despite the heat, beach attire is inappropriate
• Take off your shoes in and around the temple complex
• Refrain from any public displays of affection
• Do not point/show the bottom of your feet toward monks/nuns
• Do not touch the head of any of the statues or monks/nuns

Add Thailand to your list of world travel destinations - jungle treks in Chiang Mai, scuba diving the islands, and of course, the impressive temple structures in bustling Bangkok.

National Parks - The United States' Gift

With the founding of Yellowstone National Park in 1872, what had only been a idea up to that point became a reality - government protected parks for public enjoyment and conservation purposes.

Now, there are 58 national parks in the United States and over 6,500 national parks around the globe, including the world's largest - Northeast Greenland National Park.

Glacier at sunset, Northeast Greenland National Park

This Christmas season, enjoy the gift the nations of the world have made available to us: access to their natural splendor. Take the family, plan a trip to see one of these magnificent landscapes.

Loktak Lake - Keibol Lamjao National Park, India

Coverage For Your Travels? Thoughts On Travel Medical Insurance

Recently, Outside magazine's Adventure Advisor tackled the question of "Should I Buy Travel Medical Insurance?"

The Adventure Advisor offers advice on when to get insurance, why you should consider it, and where to shop for appropriate coverage.

In a related post, adventurers who enjoy "riskier activities" can learn more about the ins-and-outs of life insurance coverage that fits their lifestyle - If You Climb... Life Insurance For Climbers

Before The Warrior Dash...

...there was (and is) adventure racing.

Events like the Tough Mudder, Warrior Dash, and Spartan Race have become wildly popular in recent years, but all of these day-long challenges build on a concept that has been around for much longer - adventure racing, also known as "multisport."

One of the many possible obstacles and ways of
navigating it during an adventure race

Described by Ian Adamson as "an unusual sport, part adventure, part race, part human experience," adventure racing was born in New Zealand in the 1980s with the Raid Gauloises (now the Raid World Championship). Even prior to that, there were events like New Zealand's Alpine Ironman and the Karrimor International Mountain Marathon, which many consider the first modern adventure race. Today, adventure races of every length, collection of disciplines, and level of difficulty can be found.

Last Minute Gift Ideas - National Geographic Ultimate Gear Guide

Following on the heels of the Trailspace Top Ten and hopefully just in time to give you the perfect last minute gift idea for that hiking and camping gear aficionado you still haven't found anything for: The National Geographic Ultimate Hiking and Camping Gear Guide.

DeLorme Earthmate
PN-60w GPS unit

National Geographic Adventure's writers give an informative write-up on a comprehensive list of over 20 pieces of gear, often with a range of favorites for each category to help you narrow down the perfect choice for you. 

First Ascent
BC-200 jacket

The reviews include sleeping bags, jackets, footwear, GPS units, cooking equipment, packs, and tents, and one consideration that we certainly appreciate from National Geographic is that they made specific recommendations for women in a number of the categories.

Among the list of suggestions, two that stand out this year are the DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w GPS unit (now equipped with SPOT Satellite Communicator) and relative newcomer First Ascent's BC-200 hard shell jacket, deemed "guide tough."

Gear up for all your 2013 travel adventures!

Biking Ganden Monastery - Tibet

Tibet is one of those places on earth that is a must-visit at some point. A land of obscurity and mystique, with a colorful history and beautiful landscapes, a Tibet trek is absolutely worth the not-insignificant hoops that generally must be jumped through to gain access to the region.

Entering the Ganden Monastery complex

Beyond the oft-visited tourist sites, there are a wealth of unique and superb treks and day-trips that would certainly afford once-in-a-lifetime memories. One such pursuit is a day-long bike ride to Ganden Monastery (sometimes written Gadan), one of Tibet's "great three Gelukpa monasteries."

The monastery is just over 30 miles from Lhasa, making it every bit of a rigorous one-day ride, not to mention the final approach up the mountain, an elevation gain of 2,000ft.

Pass by Tibetan villages and towering mountains as you ride

All that notwithstanding, the ride is beautiful and straightforward. The first 30 miles, from the city to the base of the mountain, are flat and pass through the beautiful central Tibetan countryside, surrounded by mountains on all sides.

Swithbacks carry you high
above the Lhasa River

Once you arrive at the turnoff for the monastery at the base of the mountain, begin climbing the grueling collection of switchbacks, rising ever closer to your goal. As you ascend, your view of the Lhasa River, the valley floor, and the adjacent mountains gets increasingly breathtaking, until you reach Ganden and a commanding view of the surroundings.

A walk through the monastery complex and a rudimentary meal in the monastery cafeteria make for a fine respite before heading down the mountain and back to Lhasa.

Dine alongside monks in the monastery cafeteria

See Guides We Trust to help arrange your Tibet trek.

Outside Magazine Survival Guide - Video

Peruse this collection of tips, stories, videos, and skill sessions for some essential outdoor survival know-how from Outside Magazine - The 'Outside' Guide to Survival.


Here is their video on fire starters:


In addition to being fun reads and helpful refreshers, this collection of survival skill tutorials and reports might teach a thing or two that could help you out in a pinch.

Whenever you are traveling off the beaten path, it is important to be prepared for the unexpected. During the winter season, being prepared and in control of your situation is even more important, as conditions can turn quickly and can become a significant safety factor.

Trailspace Top Ten: Gear

One great thing about Trailspace is that the outdoor community has a consolidated forum for singing their praises and offering their warnings about everything outdoors. And, while finding the right gear is intensely personal, it never hurts to hear what rank and file users are saying.

Suunto has never let me down on the trail

Compiling over 24,000 user reviews, Trailspace has come up with the most popular outdoor "kit" across ten different categories in their recently released Trailspace Top Ten: Your Best Outdoor Gear.


Noteworthy (in my opinion) among the results are:

• Marmot Pinnacle 15º 800-fill Down sleeping bag
• Leatherman Wave multitool
• Suunto navigation tools
• Arc'teryx Bora 80 backpack

The Leatherman Wave is great because it is not only full of useful tools, many
are one-hand accessible and the handle was made ergonomic and comfortable

Osprey Ozone 22" Gets Rave Reviews

Osprey's new ultra-light carry-on suitcase has turned a lot of heads and landed two significant awards already: National Geographic Adventure's 2012 Gear of the Year Award and 2012 Men's Journal Gear Lab Seal of Approval.

For those who like to pack light and efficiently, the Osprey Ozone 22" luggage piece is definitely worth checking out.

Read more about Osprey's proud new offering: Osprey's Ultra-Light Ozone 22 Earns Top Honors


While you're at it, watch this video on packing a small carry-on efficiently:

Chengdu Panda Base - Sichuan

One thing China is most well known for is the endearing panda bear. These lethargic but lovable creatures are a "must see" for anyone who visits China, and where better to see them than in their natural habitat?

Taking it easy in Sichuan, China

Indigenous to small section of southwest China's Sichuan province (also known worldwide for its spicy cuisine), pandas like to lounge in muggy bamboo forests, slowly eating chutes and lazing the day away.

Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, is home to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, also known as the Chengdu Panda Base. The Panda Base is dedicated to researching these lovable creatures and educating visitors about them.

Though the facilities at the Chengdu Panda Base are pretty basic in the grand scheme of zoological parks, the opportunity to see these iconic creatures in a facility that is located in their natural environment is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There are also opportunities to volunteer at the Base which provide even more exposure to giant pandas and their jittery cousins, the red panda.

Check with WindhorseTour (see Guides We Trust) to set up your Panda Base tour, and ask about the possibility of holding a baby panda... sometimes they can arrange it.

If You Climb... Life Insurance For Climbers

Whether a weekend warrior or semi-professional adventurer, securing adequate insurance is worth looking into. Everything from basic rescue policies all the way up to life insurance are available, but having a conversation with an underwriter if you ARE an active adventurer (such as a climber) can be intimidating.

The National Geographic Adventure Blog's article "Risky Business: Life Insurance for Climbers" sheds some light on the process and conversations involved in securing a policy.

This useful feature will help prepare you in advance and give some pointers on how to navigate the perplexing waters of insurance coverage, allowing you to get back to doing what you love.

Review: Arc'teryx Gamma MX Softshell

I added the Arc'teryx Gamma MX softshell to my wardrobe a couple of years ago, and I am very glad that I did. Typical for all of Arc'teryx's products that I've had experience with, a lot of thought went into making the Gamma MX perfect for what it was designed for - high output, athletic endeavors.

Noteworthy Pros:

• Athletic cut eliminates unnecessary bulk and helps trap body heat
• Pockets abound (2 chest, 2 side, and 1 sleeve)
• Shell fabric is a great barrier, especially for cold, damp days

Cons:

• Cuffs are tightly fitted - great for keeping wind out, not so great for taking the jacket on and off, especially with a watch on
• None of the pockets have a port for headphones/earbuds

Arc'teryx Gamma MX doing work at 14,000ft. in Tibet

The Arc'teryx Gamma MX softshell jacket is definitely a "specialist" rather than a "generalist," designed with athletes in mind. The Gamma MX performs incredibly well when put to the test - December bike rides, trail runs in a light rain, or summiting a peak as the leaves change color in Autumn.

The Gamma MX sheds water and blocks wind, while the numerous pockets and full front zipper allow plentiful options for perspiration to escape. When zipped up, the neck offers relief from the wind all the way up to the chin and is comfortable enough that it won't rub your chin raw, either. 

I couldn't agree more with the description on the Arc'teryx website: the Gamma MX is "ideal for dynamic backcountry activities in mixed weather conditions."

Travel Etiquette: Tipping around the World

Planning a trip to new countries comes hand-in-hand with anticipation and excitement. In the fervor of figuring out which excursions to book or what museums to see, which restaurants not to miss and what the weather will be like, one thing that is often overlooked is getting a bearing some of the more basic cultural norms, such as tipping.

In our home country, we know when tipping is appropriate and how much is usually expected, but the first time you reach for your wallet in a foreign country, you may feel a wave of anxiety if you are unprepared.

The following excerpts from Condé Nast Traveller's Tipping Guide [read the article for specific tipping recommendations for more than 25 countries] will get you thinking, but the best way to be prepared is to read in a guide book or respected travel forum about your specific destination to make sure you are on the same page as the locals.

World's Toughest Endurance Challenges

Not all travel is "fun in the sun" - sometimes it hurts. But that doesn't mean that it isn't fun!

A new book coming out, The World's Toughest Endurance Challenges, gives a run-down of some of the most grueling, most rewarding endurance challenges out there, across a number of different disciplines, including:

1. Triathlons and Adventure Races
2. Bike Races
3. Winter Sports
4. Marathons and Ultras
5. Swims and Boating

Let GearJunkie's writeup pique your interest, then sign up for your own endurance challenge (or at least start training!)

Backcountry Safety: Avalanche Awareness

Winter is almost upon us, and that means getting out and enjoying the snow. 

Whether snowmobiling in the Rockies, skiing in the Alps, or enjoying winter hiking and camping somewhere in between, one thing that is important to keep in mind when out in the backcountry is the potential for an avalanche.

The first step to backcountry avalanche safety is to get informed. 

The following websites are great places to start:

• National Ski Patrol: Backcountry Avalanche Safety - What to know before you go, once you're there, and some general rules of the road.
• Avalanche Safety Tutorial - A brief tutorial from the American Avalanche Association.
• Forest Service National Avalanche Center: Avalanche Awareness Website - More in-depth information about avalanche safety for skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers, and snowmobilers.

Once you are informed, make sure to get equipped. Having the right gear in an avalanche can mean the difference between life and death.

Ortovox - Specializing in avalanche safety gear, Ortovox has a long history and continues to be one of the best avalanche-safety outfitters around.

Mammut - One of the oldest outdoor outfitters around, Mammut manufactures essential avalanche safety items.

REI: Choose an Avalanche Transceiver - Use this guide to help choose the right transceiver for you.

Enjoy the wilderness this winter, but make sure to be educated and equipped when you do.

Tiger Leaping Gorge - Yunnan

Yangtze River cutting
through the Gorge

Hidden deep in the northeast corner of China's Yunnan province lies Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the world. The gorge has been cut into the Himalayan foothills as the Yangtze River powers through, creating some breathtaking landscapes.

Luckily for world travelers and outdoor enthusiasts, a system of trails and primitive guest houses have cropped up around the gorge, making it one of the finest hiking destinations in all of China.

Lijiang Old Town

From the town of Lijiang (whose historic "old town" is also worth a visit), a bus can be taken to the trailhead in the town of Qiaotou (桥头 in Chinese) for ¥30 (~ US$5). Hiking the length of the trail, which is approximately 15 miles long, should take between one-and-a-half and three days, depending on your pace.

The beginning of the well-marked trail winds through rural Naxi villages and terraced farmland. As the trail continues, some of the sights worth seeing include 28 Bends, a grueling introduction to the trail, a vertical climb composed of 28 switchbacks ("bends"), waterfalls (including one that flows across the trail), the local guesthouses, the site of the "Leaping Tiger Legend," and the occasional rockslide.

Sunset at Half-Way Guesthouse

Helpful information about preparing for and hiking the trail can be found here: Wikitravel - Tiger Leaping Gorge

I would recommend pushing to the Half-Way Guesthouse if possible. The restaurant and rooms are adequate and the view from the porch is quite possibly the best on the trail. Catching the sunset on Haba Snow Mountain (17,074 ft.) is a great way to end a day's hike.


Most of the available trail maps are hand drawn and approximate at best, but the trail is well marked and there are plenty of locals along the trail to help point you in the right direction. Below is one of the more helpful trekking maps:

2013 Ouray Ice Festival - Ice Climbing Clinics

As a follow up to our recent post about Josh Wharton's lessons learned while ice climbing in the Canadian Rockies, we wanted to highlight the 2013 Ouray Ice Festival.

One of the best ways to get into a new sport, especially one as intimidating and potentially dangerous as ice climbing, is to attend a clinic run by experienced professionals.

Organized by San Juan Mountain Guides, the Ouray Ice Festival is a great place to get into the sport, with clinics that are very well priced ($49 for half-day) and guides who are billed as "The Local Experts."


Located near the picturesque mountain town of Telluride, the 5-day festival offers a perfect opportunity right after New Years to get away to the Colorado mountains for some skiing, Telluride nightlife, and a day or two (or a full 5) of ice climbing.

Add ice climbing to your New Year's resolutions and make your way to Ouray!

ExOfficio Travel Clothing

Founded in 1987 on the premise of creating fashionable and functional travel clothing, ExOfficio continues to innovate fabrics and garments across a number of different activities that are perfect for the active traveler.

Specializing in insect repellent, sun protective, and durable travel clothing, ExOfficio divides their clothing offerings across the following categories:

• Backpacking
• Camping
• Fishing
• Safari
• Adventure
• Hiking
• Travel
• Outdoor

I have definitely fallen in love with ExOfficio's Give-N-Go underwear, a line of undershirts and underwear that are wicking, quick-drying, and odor repellent. 

If you're going for a nomad trek but want to keep your pack light, Give-N-Go underwear is perfect - it can be washed in a sink or a shower, hung on a pack strap, and dries in hours. Give-N-Go are also great for high output activities such as hiking and biking, wicking sweat while remaining incredibly comfortable.

Get out and travel comfortable!

The Adventurists

If you're looking for a fun adventure, have a bit of time on your hands, and don't mind stepping out past "safe," you need to meet the Adventurists.

Their motto is "Fighting to Make the World Less Boring," and they seem to be doing just that. Using zany adventures to raise money for charities, the Adventurists have come up with (and continue to come up with) a number of wacky-but-incredibly-fun-looking events, including:

• Mongol Rally - 10,000 mile race in compact cars, from England to Mongolia.
• Mototaxi Junket - 3-wheeled madness across Peru.
• The Ice Run - A race across Siberia. In the heart of winter.
• Rickshaw Run - Across India in their ubiquitous form of transportation: the rickshaw.

A line of rickshaws in the midst of the Run

Find your adventure and travel for a good cause.

Alpine Lessons in the Canadian Rockies - Video

Enjoy the incredible scenery as Patagonia ambassador Josh Wharton ice climbs in the Canadian Rockies, plus hear some of the lessons Josh learned while tackling the Emperor Face on Mount Robson and the Wild Thing on Mount Chephren.

Pack Up and Kayak

What could possibly be better than hiking or kayaking? Hiking and kayaking.

While the premise might sound ridiculous unless done in distinct stages, Folbot Inc. is doing its best to make combining the two as effortless as possible. The company's unique line of folding kayaks are all designed to fit into a bag and be easily transportable, making them ideal for travel.

Folbot kayak frame

Now, the idea of heading out on a "hiking and fishing trip" could just as easily be a "hiking and kayaking trip." Folbot's range of kayaks can accommodate a number of different body types and activities, ranging from recreational outings to expeditions, and all of them fold up and fit into a bag for easy transport.

Gearjunkie.com has a great write-up of Folbot's Cooper kayak, a 16'6" long day-touring kayak that only weights 39 pounds and can fold into a backpack: Full-Size Kayak folds up, Fits in Backpack

With that kind of mobility, a half-day hike coupled with a half-day paddle is certainly not out of the question!

Polartec's New "Alpha" Synthetic Insulation

Polartec, in response to requests from US Army Special Operations Forces (SOF), has created a new, highly breathable synthetic insulation fabric called "Alpha." The need for a synthetic insulation that would maintain the benefits insulated garments provide, without the so-called "vapor barrier" created by the tightly woven exterior fabrics used to encase high loft insulators, led to the emergence Alpha. 

The value of breathable fabrics during rigorous activity is that they allow for a cooling airflow to balance increased body heat and sweat output that occurs during activity, while maintaining wind and moisture protection. According to the company, "Polartec Alpha provides active warmth that allows air exchange for breathability and comfort in more dynamic situations."

A number of well-known outfitters have already adopted Alpha, including Eddie Bauer, Marmot, Montane, Rab, and The North Face.

Read more: Polartec Introduces Polartec Alpha and Redefines Synthetic Insulation

Planning for International Customs in Your Itinerary

Often when traveling, we enter our target country through a city other than our final destination. One thing we can easily forget is to leave time in our travel itinerary to retrieve our bags, pass through Customs and Immigration, and then recheck our bags before continuing on to our journey's end.

Especially if you are booking your own travel, a good rule of thumb is to allow 4 hours minimum between when your international flight lands and when your connecting domestic flight departs.

Packing Tip: Leave the Passport Lanyard at Home

In this day in age, with all the regulations and heightened security that go hand in hand with travel, keeping track of your passport, bank cards, hotel reservations, cash, and itinerary is usually at the forefront of everyone's mind.

However, one negative side effect of our preoccupation with keeping track of all these important documents is that we immediately mark ourselves as tourists, a sure-fire way to be hassled by vendors and given a "special tourist price" in many locales.

To better blend in with the scenery and give some other sucker a chance to be "taken for a ride," consider some of the following tips:

1. Leave the passport lanyard and waist bag/fanny pack at home. Instead, carry a handbag, shoulder bag, or small backpack (~5 to 20L volume).
2. Try to avoid wearing your camera on a lanyard around your neck, it screams, "I don't have any idea what's going on, but if something camera-worthy should appear, I'll be ready."
3. Business casual, rather than "vacation chic" will help you blend in more. You may be visiting a place where blending in is almost an impossibility, but at least your choice of clothing can give the appearance of someone who is there for a reason, rather than someone who is there to be taken advantage of.
4. Move with purpose in busy places such as train depots and airport parking lots. Even if you don't have plan of what to do, sitting around discussing it within earshot of eager vendors will make you an easy target for a scam or unreasonably high prices. It is very likely in most places around the world that locals offering services at such gathering places will be multi-lingual and will understand your whole conversation, taking away your bargaining edge.

Camelbak and Black Diamond Equipment both make a line of small backpacks with convenient pockets, which allow for safe stowage of important documents, as well as room for a few other small items.

All of Mountain Khakis' men's pants come equipped with a hidden 2nd pocket on the right hand side, which lies close to the hip and is perfect for passports and a money clip. For gentlemen who prefer more active travel or who are headed somewhere tropical, the Mountain Khaki Granite Creek pants have a zippered 2nd right hip pocket for added security and a zippered pocket on the left thigh as well, and have proven very convenient and reliable for me when I travel.

Pacsafe has a full line of travel-related bags and accessories which are incredibly well thought out. Particularly noteworthy are their women's hand bags and purses, which feature slash-proof straps and integrated RFID blocking technology, among other security features, while giving consideration to aesthetics rather than strictly utilitarian design.


Victorinox carries a line of travel products to help organize your documents easily, and none is better designed than the aptly-named Travel Organizer. This slim folder has enough pockets to carry all of your necessary travel, hotel, and banking information, yet can slip easily into a handbag or backpack.


Set yourself up for success by traveling wisely.

Insulated Mid-Layer

Mountain Hardwear Compressor

Now that the cold of winter is approaching, it is time to start pulling out your cold weather gear.

As you look over your arsenal of jackets, sweaters, and fleeces arrayed to fend off the chill, here is one thought to consider: over the past few years, an insulated mid-layer has been one of the most versatile and useful pieces in my collection.

Like down, synthetic insulation provides warm primarily by virtue of its loft, or in other terms, they're warm because they're puffy. However, an insulated mid-layer has a few distinct advantages over down:

• First, synthetic insulation continues to insulate and trap heat even when wet. This is particularly useful when you are in the outdoors because you can leave your waterproof layer at home unless you absolutely need it, without fear of a cold drizzle or extended snowfall dampening your spirits and your down jacket.

• Second, insulated mid-layers can usually pack down very small, often into one of their own pockets or a stuff sack, which makes them very convenient to throw in your rucksack or suitcase. The warmth-to-packability is much higher than that of fleece.

Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket packed into its own pocket

• Third, insulated mid-layers can easily slip on over fleece or even wool, allowing you to layer with a level of efficiency that is difficult with only fleece layers. 

• Fourth, an insulated mid-layer can also fit well under a more robust outer layer, such as a down jacket, soft shell, or traditional hard shell jacket, allowing for significant added warmth in conjunction with the benefits of the chosen outer layer.

REI Women's Revelcloud Jacket

Arc'teryx Atom LT Pullover

• Fifth, synthetic insulation is not as high loft (puffy) as most down pieces, which makes it less conspicuous and therefore more appealing to many for wearing in casual situations.

For the avid outdoors-folk, this timely article from Gearjunkie.com gives even more credence to the merits of synthetic insulation - Outerwear for Warmth, Survival on extreme Wilderness Trips

So bulk up your winter wardrobe with an insulated mid-layer and get out and travel!

Safety and Situational Awareness - Video

Travel can take us to exciting, new places - places we're compelled to explore, places we can't wait to experience. Ninety-nine times out of 100, the trip turns out just as we hoped it would, from beginning to end. We come away refreshed, invigorated, and enthusiastic about the next time we'll be able to steal away for another excursion.

However, it only takes the slightest unforeseen event to quickly remind you that you are in an unfamiliar environment, which, if unprepared, can lead to panic. 

All three of the following resources provide valuable insight to help you make your travels as safe as possible, no matter what might arise:

Planning Your Escape Route - This is a good article to consider when planning hiking trips and outdoor expeditions.

A Practical Guide to Situational Awareness - A bit more in-depth and probably overkill for most travelers, this Stratfor article gives a comprehensive overview of situational awareness, which is particularly valuable for international travelers.

See China By Rail

For the budget or adventure-minded traveler, seeing China by train is a great choice. China's rail system is extensive and almost any destination can be achieved, at a fraction of the price of airfare.

Both of the following websites offer expedient search capabilities for all of the train routes in China:

CNVOL - Search by cities or by train number; also, a convenient drop-down menu aids in locating train ticketing offices in 32 of China's most commonly traveled cities.

Travel China Guide - This travel agency website also provides reliable searching by city or train number, as well as a ticket availability search.

In addition:

12306 - This is China Railway Ministry's online ticketing site, but it is only in Chinese at this point. If you choose to reserve tickets through this site, tickets must still be picked up at a ticketing office and a valid passport be provided.


Finally, once you do procure your tickets, you may still have trouble reading them. See the image below for a helpful guide to what your ticket actually says: