G.O.a.T has moved to www.getoutandtravel.net

This is our final post on this Blogspot page, because Get Out and Travel is moving to www.getoutandtravel.net. We will still be providing rich content and pursuing the best experiences in adventure, gear, and world travel. We hope to see you there!

Hardshell or Softshell? Get Arc'teryx's Take In Under A Minute - Video

Softshells are no longer a novelty, but the niche they fill in the technical outerwear arena can still be confusing for a lot of folks. This is especially true for anyone trying to maximize their outdoor gear purchases without sacrificing performance, and getting informed advice is crucial.

In the 60-second video below, Arc'teryx ski mountaineering athlete Greg Hill takes a look at a softshell and a hardshell and gives the quick lowdown on optimal scenarios for each. Hill makes his point nicely and concisely by contrasting two of Arc'teryx's strongest offerings: the Gamma MX Softshell, a great piece for high output activities that we took a look at a few months ago, and the Stingray Hardshell, a bombproof jacket designed to stand up to run after run in even the nastiest mountain weather.

Do you have a specific hardshell or softshell that you swear by? We'd love to hear about it, drop us a comment.

What To Order: China - Iron Skillet Beef

Chinese cuisine is a rich tapestry of distinct regional specialities, national staples, and ethnic mainstays, ranging from delightful to surprising to hard-to-stomach. At first it can all seem overwhelming and, to some I have traveled with, wholly unappealing. However, there are so many options that finding your favorite is only a matter of the right advice and an adventurous spirit.

Chicken feet are a Chinese favorite
that many visitors find hard to stomach

Not surprisingly, each region of the country proudly declares their dishes "the best," but that is a hard-fought title that each visitor should bestow themselves. When traveling in China, my favorite dish luckily transcends regional boundaries and is widely available across the country and known by all Chinese, a dish called '铁板牛肉' (tiě bǎn niúròu) or "iron skillet beef."

Slices of tender beef sirloin are fried together with peppers, onions, and spices and presented on a sizzling iron skillet. Think: a fajita without tortillas.

While each restaurant has their own take on the dish, some choosing to include mushrooms or other vegetables as filler or using their own secret blend of spices, iron skillet beef is pretty standard across the country and is a safe bet for anyone worried of making an "exotic accident" when ordering.

Another plus for travelers hesitant to venture too far into the uncharted waters of Chinese cuisine, 铁板牛肉 (tiě bǎn niúròu) is not served with the usual blistering zest that is common in many regional dishes such as Hunan, Chongqing, Guizhou and Sichuan Cuisines.

Whether your travels take you to the Middle Kingdom or the Chinese restaurant across town, add iron skillet beef to your repertoire - you won't regret it!

Responsible Tourism: The Right Blend of Authenticity and Sensitivity

"Interacting with local people, being part of the real lives of the locals, participating in local traditions and customs... these are some aspects of ecotourism and responsible tourism that many travelers seek, in order to find unique and authentic experiences. But are we being intrusive when we seek more local and more personal experiences? What are responsible ways of conducting tourist activities in local communities, and what's the difference between responsible and irresponsible ways?"

So begins The International Ecotourism Society's recent article on the tension between finding authentic travel experiences and being culturally sensitive.

Being a respectful visitor should always be at the forefront of every world traveler's mind when they travel, but the challenge for many is finding a way to blend responsible travel and authentic experiences. As an outsider, it can be exceptionally difficult to identify whether the context you are stepping into (activities, guide services, political requirements for visitors, etc.) is sensitive to the prevailing social situation or not.

The key for travelers is to locate agencies that have consciously postured themselves as a positive force for change in the local community. One of the best ways we have found to navigate the murky waters of cross-cultural sensitivity is to sign on with a travel company that hires local guides, or even better, a locally owned firm. While "hiring local" is not a guaranteed way to avoid irresponsible practices, it is a good place to start.

Ziplining and other ecotourism activities
can bring a huge boost to local communities

As the Ecotourism Society's article points out, "In order for businesses and destinations to avoid exploitative forms of tourism and to be responsible and respectful, they must not only seek opportunities to engage travelers in an educational manner (for example through learning to cook local food, or participating in lessons to learn traditional craft-making), but also ensure that they are working with – and not for – the local communities."

We saw examples of this in our post on China's Yunnan province, with guiding and travel outfits using their platforms as mediums for conservation and community betterment efforts, not merely vehicles for gaining profits. Organizations such as The International Ecotourism Society and the Center for Responsible Travel can help shine light on which companies have a proven record of responsible travel practices.

Get out and travel responsibly.

Full article: How Can Travelers Find Authentic Experiences That Are Culturally Respectful and Socially Sensitive? (from The International Ecotourism Society)

Altitude Sickness: Lessons Learned At 12,000ft. (Part 1)

A couple of weeks ago, after two months of traveling in Europe and Southeast Asia, I finally returned home to my perch at 12,000ft. in the mountains, just as I have done many times before. And just like every time before, I jumped right back into life, not giving it a second thought.

Later that evening as I headed to bed for the night, 12 hours or so after getting back, I felt myself physically wither - I started to feel a dull-but-intense headache, my joints and muscles began to ache so that I just could not find a way to lie comfortably, and I oscillated between being too hot and too cold.

Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler were the first to
reach Everest's 29,029ft. summit without the aid of supplemental
oxygen. They took 3 months to acclimatize and summit.

At first I thought I was coming down with the flu, but soon realized that I was coming up against something I had never experienced in all of my time spent at high altitude: altitude sickness, or more correctly, altitude illness.

According the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Handbook, altitude illness "results from insufficient oxygen in the blood (hypoxia) secondary to decreased barometric pressure at altitude."

I know that altitude-related symptoms can affect anyone who does not take time to adequately acclimatize no matter their level of physical conditioning, but since I had never experienced symptoms before and had maintained an active lifestyle during my travels, even traveling as high as 10,000ft. while in Europe, I honestly did not expect it to affect me when I returned.

In light of my recent humbling experience, this post will look at some ways that the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute and the non-profit group The Mountaineers recommend preventing altitude illness, with a follow up post to discuss assessing and treating altitude illness in the field.

"Into the Mind" - An Upcoming Film From The North Face

Later this fall, The North Face and Sherpas Cinema will debut their upcoming film "Into The Mind," which looks to be a simultaneous exposé on the factors that drive us into the mountains in search of adventure and the cultures that call those mountains home.

Resolving to explore as much of the philosophical as the aesthetic, the film's website ventures the questions: "What drives us to overcome challenge? How do we justify risk? What forces are at the core of a mountain addiction?"

The footage in the trailer is truly spectacular, showing a mix of pristine mountain environs, a slew of The North Face's athletes in action, and the mystique of Himalayan life. Per the website, "Unique athlete segments over a multitude of mountain sport genres, depict the connectivity of Earth and window into never seen before moments."

There are a lot of big-name sponsors attached to the film in addition to The North Face, including GoPro, Recco, Black Diamond, Arc'teryx, and Mammut, so there's no doubt that "Into The Mind" will be an experience worth waiting for.

MSR Reactor Stove Grabs Top Award At 2013 ISPO - Video

MSR's award winning Reactor 1.0L Stove System

MSR's Reactor 1.0L Reactor Stove System grabbed top honors in the "stove" category at the 2013 ISPO sporting-goods trade show held in Munich in January of this year. The recently introduced Reactor 1.0L system is specifically geared toward soloists who put a premium on a "fast-and-light" style of hiking and mountaineering.

While the Reactor 1.0L Stove System is new to the market, Mountain Safety Research (MSR) is well known and respected among guides and outdoor adventurers. According to a review by Alpinist magazine, "MSR has long made the stoves favored by guides... MSR's Reactor is by far the best. In my experience, the Reactor reduces my fuel needs by 50 percent." Another review, by Outdoor Gear Lab, calls the Reactor, "the fastest, easiest to use, and most storm-proof camping stove we tested."

The following video is from Outdoor Gear Lab's review of the Reactor Stove:

MSR's Reactor Stove Systems includes the new, IPSO award-winning 1.0L system, a 1.7L system, and a 2.5L system, all of which are highly praised. Benefits that MSR claims of their Reactor Stoves include:

• Unrivaled Boil Time: Outperforms the competition in head-to-head lab tests—boiling .5 liter of water in just 1.5 minutes—with an even greater advantage out in the real world.
• Unmatched Wind Protection: Heat exchanger completely encloses radiant burner head, virtually eliminating the effects of wind to maintain outstanding boil times and save fuel.
• Maximum Efficiency: Patent-pending radiant burner, heat exchanger and internal pressure regulator produce best-in-class, fuel-sipping efficiency in all conditions.

For full reviews of MSR's Reactor Stoves, check the following:

Alpinist - MSR Reactor Stove: Powerfully Efficient

Outdoor Gear Lab - Hands-on Gear Review: MSR Reactor Review

Air Travel Health Tips: Fact vs. Fiction - Video

Getting sick when you travel is a bummer, and nothing stings worse then picking up a bug on your way to your destination. Coincidentally, there are a lot of myths about the role air travel can play in disease transmission.

The key to healthy travel, especially when air travel will be involved, is identifying misinformation and making wise choices. In the video link below, the Chief of Medicine at MIT Medical walks through some basic misconceptions about air travel health and gives a few pointers on how to protect yourself from contracting diseases en route.

Did we choose this video because of the vintage airline footage? Maybe. Did the cheesy role-playing cement our choice? Possibly. Is the amount of emphasis put on portable hand sanitizer pretty comical? Definitely.

All of that notwithstanding, when the Chief of Medicine at MIT talks, we usually listen.

Video Link: Howard M. Heller, MD on "Staying healthy during holiday travel"

On a related note, travel medical insurance might be a good idea if you are flying to an adventure somewhere off the beaten path. Oh, and don't forget your hand sanitizer.

Deserts In The Winter - Adventure Journal's 11 Favorite Things About The Desert

Spring is almost upon us. Or is winter in full swing? Either way, some folks are looking forward to the days of one less layer and a pint on the porch, instead of a mug by the fire. If you're not one of those, keep enjoying the powder. If you are looking forward to warmer days and... shorts, Adventure Journal gives a timely reminder that the desert is still there, waiting for you.

Out west, many of the US National Parks (11, by Adventure Journal's count) have enough sand and scree and sun to make you completely forget that you were wearing tights and gloves on your run last week. So, shrug off your anxious twitch and get some inspiration with AJ's 'The List: The 11 Best Things About The Desert.'

Our favorite from The List? The Rivers (#6). Nothing feels more like summer that sunning on the burning-hot side of a whitewater raft in nothing but a swimsuit and life jacket, and there's no better way to cheat Old Man Winter out of his due than by grabbing a mid-winter raft trip in the American Southwest.

Enjoy the read, pack a bag, and get ready for your out west road trip (don't forget oft overlooked Canyon de Chelly). Or you could always go to Thailand.

Canyoning, Paragliding, and Hiking - Switzerland's Jungfrau Region Has More Than Just Skiing - Video

The 'Jungfrau' Region of the Swiss Alps, so named for the 13,669 ft. (4,166m) peak that looks down on the numerous lesser prominences and valleys spanning its base, is home to some of the best skiing in Europe. Yet, despite being home to what many consider the best skiing in the world - including this year and next year's Ski World Cup in Jungfrau's town of Wengen, the region refuses to be pigeonholed as just a "ski destination."

In addition to skiing, snow tubing, and sledging, the Jungfrau Region offers a perfect environment for numerous other mountain sport activities, including paragliding and BASE jumping, hiking, and canyoning.

The area's craggy landscape and deep valleys seem to posses an almost irresistible lure for folks who like to throw themselves off terra firma and into the secure embrace of a parachute harness. Watch in the video below as a band of BASE jumpers from the UK wax poetic while they tackle both the Eiger and the cliff face overlooking the valley between the villages of Lauterbrunnen and Stechelberg, one of the deepest in the Alpine chain:

The Adventure Community Looks At Health Insurance

In a follow up to our post on the challenge of finding health insurance for those who engage in "high risk" adventure activities such as rock climbing, here we look at a case study involving one of the most high risk activities out there today: BASE jumping.

BASE jumper prepares to launch from Christ
the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro

On November 19, 2012, professional BASE jumper Jill Kuzman had just made her 4th jump from a towering sandstone cliff near Moab, Utah, when she experienced every BASE jumper's worst nightmare - her parachute opened backwards, causing her to plummet to the desert floor. Kuzman broke her leg on impact but was lucky to have the immediate assistance of medics and doctors who were jumping alongside her that day. Her competent companions treated her as they rushed Kuzman to the hospital, minimizing the consequences of a fall that could have turned out much worse. Today, Jill Kuzman is off crutches and moving toward a full recovery.

Unfortunately, like many athletes and adventurers, Jill Kuzman did not have health insurance coverage at the time of the incident and quickly racked up $120,000 in medical bills. Friends pitched in and Kuzman herself reached out on Facebook for donations to help offset her cost, bringing in close to $10,000 toward her bills, but a majority of her expenses still remain.

Not long after Kuzman's incident something of a firestorm, focused on uninsured BASE jumpers and adventure seekers, erupted on BASEjumper.com, with some contributors voicing support, others exasperation that someone would engage in such high risk activities uninsured, when accidents are so likely to occur. In his article The Adventurer's Health Insurance Conundrum on National Geographic's Adventure Blog, James Mills outlines the argument that unfolded on the site and examines some of the points that were brought to light, which adventure-seekers across a number of sports must grapple with.

What To Order: Thailand - Thai Tea

A barista whips up Thai tea on a train
platform in just a few moments

Whether you are navigating the bedlam of downtown Bangkok or enjoying the silence atop Chiang Mai's Doi Inthanon or lounging on one of Thailand's many island beaches, one thing is almost guaranteed - a delicious, iced "Thai tea" is probably only a stone's throw away.

Thai tea is a ceylon tea (though often now made with cheaper black tea leaves and colored with food coloring) that is mixed with evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk before being poured over ice for a cool and refreshing liquid refreshment. Thai tea's burnt orange hue and creamy, slightly smokey, sweet flavor make this iced drink quite distinct, with many devotees and the occasional detractor.

For myself, I will admit that I was not completely sold on my first sip. However, my second sip led to a third and it quickly grew into endearment, such that now I look forward to any chance to grab a "cha-yan" (Thai, lit. "iced tea"). There is also a variation of Thai tea with an added lime flavor called "cha-manao," if you are looking to increase the "tropical quotient" of your drink.

Mixed Thai tea ready to
be poured over ice

Thailand, especially the Lanna region of northern Thailand, has a long history with tea, and Thais love their tea, especially a Thai tea on-the-go to contend with the pervasive heat and humidity of this much-desired Southeast Asian tropical travel destination. This ocher-colored beverage is so popular that Thai restaurants in other countries and continents include it on their menu, a distinctive element of many Thai menus around the world.

In Thailand, street stands and small beverage shops are everywhere, whipping up Thai tea in no time. In fact, there are even iced coffee and Thai tea stalls on the Bangkok BTS skytrain platforms. So, get a leg up on the heat and start your Thai travels with a Thai tea!

Skimo: A Novice's Introduction To Ski Mountaineering - Video

The beauty of "adventure sports" is that the options are as broad as the term adventure. Each year it seems, innovative ways to combine sports, push the envelope, and break new ground are being introduced and popularized.

From adventure racing, which has been in a constant state of emerging and refining for the last 20 years, to free solo climbing, which jumped onto the outdoor sporting scene afresh last year with Alex Honnold's speed climb of Yosemite's El Capitan, there seems to be a steady flow of new and exciting possibilities.

A pack of ski mountaineering competitors race uphill

So it is this year with ski mountaineering, a type of competitive ski touring event where participants race both up and down mountains, combining mountaineering with alpine, telemark, and backcountry skiing.

Ski mountaineering, or 'skimo' as it is often called in the US, has maintained long-term popularity in Europe under the name 'randonee racing' and is quickly gaining a following in the United States.

The following video from the 2013 Eddie Bauer Winter Mountain Games Ski Mountaineering Race that was just held in Vail, Colorado, gives a great glimpse into the grueling challenge that skimo competitors are enthusiastically throwing themselves into:

Wild Yunnan - China's Hidden Gem

China is an intriguing mystery to many trekkers and adventurers, with nowhere more compelling than the wilds of western China: pandas in Sichuan province and the wide open Tibetan plateau in Qinghai province, to say nothing of Tibet itself. Owing largely to many travelers' only superficial familiarity with China, too many of the country's most worthwhile sights and experiences are missed - possibly nowhere more than in southwesterly Yunnan province.

Beautiful Lugu Lake in Yunnan's northern mountains

Not only is Yunnan where the Himalayas fade into the sultry jungles of Southeast Asia, it is home to 25 of China's 55 ethnic minorities and some of the greatest outdoor experiences you've never heard of. The pristine natural landscapes blend with the rich variety of minority cultures to offer a wealth of memorable adventure travel opportunities.

Enjoy a Climb Dali route
over Yunnan's Er Lake

Earlier we wrote about hiking the trails in Yunnan's Tiger Leaping Gorge, reportedly the deepest gorge in the world, where a tributary of the upper Yangtze cuts between two 5,000+ meter peaks to create thundering rapids, and Celeste LeCompte has just reported on her experience rafting Yunnan's Nu River with raft guiding outfit Last Descents in her Outside Online article China's Last Wild River. 

Other organizations, such as Climb Dali, Bike Yunnan, and Action Asia's Lijiang 3-Day Ultra Marathon, offer tailored experiences that delve deep into the treasures that lie hidden in Yunnan's far corners. While the outdoor sporting market is certainly still in its fledgling stages in Yunnan, there are a growing number of credentialed guide outfits offering forays into southwest China's best kept secret.

Last Descents leads Tibetan monks on whitewater fun

One additional aspect of choosing one of Yunnan's many adventures that should not go overlooked is the invaluable difference tourism dollars can make in tipping the scales in favor of conserving, rather than developing, China's vast but shrinking natural beauty.

A laudable example, Last Descents' owner Travis Winn uses his raft guiding as a platform to raise awareness among local Chinese policy makers and the many up-and-coming Chinese who are beginning to head for the outdoors of the need for conservation efforts in many of China's lesser-known travel spots which are in danger of being overrun by China's modernization efforts.

No matter what type of adventure you are looking for, chances are Yunnan has it!

World's Best Hikes According to National Geographic

Though it's just a tease for many, National Geographic has put out a list of "epic trails" to hike.

Santa Cruz Trek in Peru's Cordillera Blanca 

National Geographic - World's Best Hikes: Epic Trails

Hey, it can't hurt to dream, and with a little planning, it's not hard for you to take the initiative to turn your dream into an epic hike!

Packing Tip: Osprey Airporter LZ - Save Your Straps!

A backpacker with her closest travel companion - her pack

Backpacks and rucksacks are hands-down the luggage of choice for many of today's budget world travelers, aptly named "backpackers."

More than anything, a backpacker needs his or her backpack to hold up to the beating it will receive being thrown into airplane baggage bays, on bus roofs, and over horse saddles day after day.

It is more than a backpack - it is a seat, a pillow, a coffee table, a closet. It is home.

Osprey, well known for their packs and uber-efficient travel equipment, has a practitioner's grasp of the demands that are placed on their packs by trekkers around the world every day.

The Osprey Airporter LZ was birthed out of Osprey's practical understanding of the backpacker's way of travel - a simple, durable, light and packable duffle bag who's one and only job is to protect zippers and straps from the careless hands of baggage handlers, security checkpoint personnel, bellhops, and bus drivers.

The old Airporter was one-size-fits-all.
Now, you can choose one to fit your pack.

The Osprey Airporter LZ's constuction is simple: a cavernous duffle with a single, top-loading zipper and a sling strap.

Now, this long-time favorite of trekkers and backpackers has gotten injection of Osprey's genius. The updated Airporter now comes:

• In three sizes to more suitably accommodate packs of different volumes;
• With improved handles;
• With a more comfortable shoulder strap. 

As much as I love my old-model Airporter which has served me and my pack faithfully for years, all three of these improvements are much appreciated. A great buy for US$30-$40, this is a no-brainer - you should definitely have the Osprey Airporter LZ in your luggage stash.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park To Charge For Backcountry Camping

A measure to introduce a fee for backcountry camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which was adopted last year, goes into effect 2 days from now, on February 13th. The National Park Service has said that fees collected will allow for more staff and longer hours in the Backcountry Office, in order to provide more trip planning assistance for potential visitors.

The system for obtaining permits is still being finalized and the latest information can be found at the Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry Camping website, but the word so far is that it will be $4 per person per night to camp in the backcountry and that an online reservation system is in the works.

Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance, so be sure familiarize yourself with the new system in advance and nab your reservations before someone beats you to it!

Do This, Not That: Movie Theaters in Thailand

If you happen to grab a matinée movie showing in Thailand (or any showing, for that matter) while traveling through Southeast Asia, there is a Thai custom that is a regular part of every Thai movie-viewing experience that you should certainly be aware of.

The king of Thailand
as a younger man

At some point before the movie starts, you will be expected to honor the king of Thailand by standing. The process is simple - during the previews, a song called the "Thai royal anthem" will start playing and everyone in the theater will rise.

While the song plays, a video usually plays on screen, showing pictures or video of the king over the course of his life and highlighting some of his accomplishments, as well as accomplishments of the Thai people. At the end of the anthem, everyone may return to their seats.

Revering the sovereign is important in every country with a monarchy, and Thailand is no exception. Penalties for slandering and insulting the royal family are stiff in Thailand and should not be taken lightly by visitors, as you can see from the following news account:

BBC News: Thai comedian and 'red-shirt' leader jailed for royal insult

However, if you follow the lead of those around you, everything should go smoothly. And then you can sit back and enjoy the show.

"New" Mountain Sports Manufacturer - Salewa

A few weeks ago, I was walking down the main thoroughfare in Grindelwald in the Swiss Alps and ducking into a few outdoor shops along the way to see what they had for 2013. One shop that I was surprised to see was the Salewa store, a brand which I had previously seen on a few occasions in China but was skeptical about. Given the chance to talk to a knowledgeable rep, I took the opportunity to ask a few questions.

From my first few encounters with Salewa in Chinese department stores, I assumed that it was an overpriced "outdoor equipage" brand with no real pedigree, a fairly common practice in China. However, the agent in Grindlewald introduced me to Salewa's long German history and innovative products.

Founded in 1935 in Munich, Germany, Salewa's reputation in Europe is well established. With the launch of their American headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, in 2007, Salewa has brought their mountain sport experience to North America. Preceding their recent establishment of a North American headquarters, Salewa has had a strong relationship with the likes of REI, Black Diamond, EMS, Yvon Chouinard (Patagonia), and Doug Tompkins (The North Face) since the 60's and 70's, giving them all the credibility they need.

Of the Salewa products that I saw in Switzerland, the most noteworthy was their footwear.

Salewa MTN Trainer with "Salewa Y"
ankle and heel support technology

The representative was very helpful in explaining Salewa's "3D System Evo" lacing and heel support system, which is supposed to give a blister-free experience every time, and "3F System" for added flexibility.

Salewa offers lines of smart looking shoes and boots equipped with Gore-Tex and Vibram technology for:

• Mountaineering
• Winter Trekking
• Alpine Approach
• Tech Approach
• Hike Approach

As our writers continue to familiarize themselves with Salewa, we will continue to let you know what we learn about this "new" name. Leave us a comment and let us know what you've thought about your experience with Salewa and their products.

Waterproof Down: What's The Word? - Video

Since the announcement in late-2011 of a forthcoming water repellant down insulation (no company thus far has actually made a claim of "waterproof"), there has been quite a buzz in the outdoor sports world. So what do you need to know about water repellant down?

Down has long been the choice for
mountaineering and cold-weather adventures,
but moisture is a constant threat

Due to down's susceptibility to moisture (in the forms of perspiration, snow melt, and precipitation) and subsequently diminished loft and insulating ability, until now the best solution has been to pair a down insulating piece with a waterproof shell layer (a hardshell jacket or bivvy sack, for instance) or to use synthetic insulation, instead. However, with the announcement of a hydrophobic down, all of that may no longer be necessary.

DownTek, one of the companies supplying this new down fill, claims that their product is "water repellant, anti-microbial, and anti-bacterial." Using a nano polymer treatment to coat goose and duck down fills so that they retain their warmth-to-weight ratio even when wet, DownTek was recently awarded GearJunkie's "Best In Show" at the 2012 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, indicating that there may be more to these claims that just "fluff."

What To Order: India - Palak Paneer

Don't let the color deter you...

At first sight, palak paneer may not garner much interest from anyone new to Indian cuisine. The strong green color may even cause hesitation in a would-be enthusiast, much as guacamole's greenish hue might deter someone who has (sadly) never tasted its avocado goodness. Yet, for those willing to push past appearances, palak paneer is all flavor.

Palak paneer is a simple-but-tasty vegetarian dish originating in India's Punjab region. Made of pureed spinach (which accounts for the rich green color) and an Indian curd cheese called paneer, palak paneer is a thin curry dipping sauce usually eaten with naan or rice that can help curb the burning in your mouth after a plate full of spicy Indian curry.

Indian naan spread with palak paneer

The pureed spinach is mixed with mild curry spices and the non-aged farmer's cheese, and the result is savory goodness.

Palak paneer's watery consistency and rich spinach, curry, and paneer flavors make it a great dipping sauce and a nice addition to any Indian meal.

Interchangeable Vibram Soles: Korkers New OmniTrax - Video

Footwear manufacturer Korkers (who we had never heard of before) debuted quite an innovative product at this year's Outdoor Retailers Winter Market 2013. In partnership with Vibram, Korkers has created a feature specifically with anglers and winter sport enthusiasts - an adaptable traction sole system called OmniTrax.

Korkers' idea is to provide a footwear platform that can accept a number of interchangeable soles, allowing a single pair of boots to operate optimally in a number of different environments. Watch the following video that Trailspace shot with the Vibram USA representative at ORWM2013 for a demonstration:

Whitewater and (Much) More: U.S. National Whitewater Center - Video

Climbing wall at the USNWC

Located on the Catawba River, just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, the U.S. National Whitewater Center is an à la carte outdoor sports heaven. Let me explain.

The 400-acre, non profit "outdoor recreation and athletic training facility" offers over 2 dozen activities to anyone who wants to participate, ranging from stand-up paddle boarding to rock climbing, a survival school, trail races and triathlons, and seemingly everything in between.

In addition to a multitude of outdoor activities, the USNWC offers a dog-friendly environment where you can hang out and catch a meal, watch whitewater rafters and kayakers on the world's largest recirculating artificial whitewater river, and even attend a music festival or two.

Mammut's New Protective Airbag for Avalanche Safety

Mammut's PAS adds neck, chest, and head
protection to avalanche suffocation protection

Introduced at the Outdoor Retailer Trade Show that just finished a few days ago in Salt Lake City, the Snowpulse PAS (Protective Airbag System) improves on Swiss manufacturer Mammut's existing RAS (Removable Airbag System) airbag by adding trauma-specific protection.

According to varying reports, mechanical trauma (running into things or being pushed into hard objects) accounts for between 15 and 32 percent of avalanche deaths, something the PAS seeks to address.

As a follow up to our dispatch on avalanche safety (an important consideration for anyone engaged in snow sports in the backcountry), we wanted to direct readers to Outside Online's write-up about the new Snowpulse PAS - Mammut Introduces New Protective Airbag Packs at Outdoor Retailer

Read the Outside article to learn more about the specific benefits the Mammut PAS offers and to see a side-by-side comparison of the PAS and RAS airbags.

Hosteling Bangkok - The Best of Cheap AND Chic

Bangkok used to be well-known as Asia's home for cheap accommodations, affordable drinks, and budget thrills for backpackers and world travelers, but the Asian financial boom of the '90s and Bangkok's financial renaissance have cause prices to move in one direction - up.

CheQinn hostel brings bright color and modern style together

Now, finding cheap room and board can be a challenge for travelers on a shoestring budget, and often "cheap" comes at the expense of cleanliness and comfort (and sometimes even safety).

However, the BBC has set out to remedy that by scouting a handful of Bangkok hostels that are economical without sacrificing the standards of today's "flashpackers."

BBC Slideshow - Bangkok's hippest hostels

If you're looking for cheap digs while you tour Bangkok's ornate temples, instead of reserving a room in Thailand's tallest building, check out one of these modish hostels:

• @Hua Lamphong - No frills but right in the thick of it, @HL is just down the street from Silom Plaza
• CheQinn - Ideal location near world-renowned Bumrungrad Hospital, east of Siam Square
• HQ Hostel - Located halfway between the river and Lumphini park in the Patpong district
• Lub d Siam Square - Right at the flashy Siam Square shopping complex, this is the heart of Bangkok
• Lub d Silom - Another option near HQ Hostel in Patpong district
• Suneta Hostel Khaosan - We weren't able to find an official website for them, so your guess for contacting them is as good as ours
• Take A Nap - Great location near Lumphini Park and the Saladaeng BTS station

What To Order: Switzerland - Rösti

Home to the Matterhorn and precision watchmaking, Switzerland is one of Europe's finest travel destinations.

Iconic Matterhorn in
the Swiss Alps

Officially the Swiss Confederation, Switzerland offers something for every traveler - Europe's best skiing and winter sports, haute cuisine, fine arts, an abundance of tours, river cruises, and adventure sports, fine wines and chocolate, cosmopolitan shopping venues with the most exclusive name brands, and the list goes on.

All of that notwithstanding, finding an authentic "Swiss" dining experience in Switzerland may be harder than expected. A result of its original formation as a confederation, Switzerland has 4 official languages (German, French, Italian, and Romansch) and strong regional identities that espouse sister countries' culture and cuisine as much as they do the Swiss national identity.

However, one dish that is authentically Swiss and can be found in every region of the country is "rösti." Made of pan-fried shredded potatoes, rösti is often available with a meat as an main dish or as an á la carte addition to an entrée.

Originally a breakfast dish eaten by farmers in the Bern region, rösti is now considered by many Swiss to be a national dish.

Finding rösti on a menu will likely come as a welcome sight for travelers shell-shocked by the high food prices in one of Europe's priciest countries, and rösti will also be a refreshing choice for many travelers because of its similarity to dishes in their home countries: 'hash browns' in US, '干煸土豆丝' (gan bian tudou si) in China, 'boxty' in Ireland, and 'aloo tikki' in India, to name a few.

Swiss rösti, still hot in the skillet

Black Diamond to Join Technical Clothing Market

One of Black Diamond's new technical apparel offerings

Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd, respected manufacturer of climbing, ski, and mountain sport equipment, has just announced that they will soon be re-introducing technical apparel to their offerings.

Always putting excellence into their products, Black Diamond's upcoming return to apparel has been two years in development after a 10 year absence from producing technical clothing. Loyal Black Diamond fans and outdoorsmen/women alike are sure to keep their eyes peeled for BD's first line to hit shelves later this fall.

Outside Online broke the news just over a week ago and did a full interview with Tim Bantle, head of Black Diamond's clothing team.

Read the full interview here - Exclusive: Black Diamond Announces New Technical Apparel, then let us know what you think: what strengths will Black Diamond bring to the tech clothing arena?

Washing Your Gore-Tex or Softshell: Tips from Arc'teryx - Video

Want to increase the performance and longevity of your technical outwear? Arc'teryx's warrant rep says to wash your garments more, not less.

Getting rid of sweat and dirt (which inhibit maximum performance by the Gore-Tex membrane) and rejuvenating the water-repellant coating can restore your piece to peak effectiveness, and the process is simple.

Take a look:

[Note: make sure to double rinse the garment(s) to assure that all detergent residue is washed off]

Tibet Travel: The Qinghai-Tibet Railway

In 2006, China made possible a new way for trekkers and adventurers to get to the "Roof of the World" - a high-elevation railway that connects the Chinese province of Qinghai with Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.

Covering over 1,200 miles across the Tibetan Plateau, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway passes some of the most beautiful scenery in Asia.

From the windows of the train, it is possible to take in some of Tibet's most pristine vistas and natural wildlife as the train rolls across the highlands. In the summer, it is possible to see herds of yaks or, if you're lucky, Tibetan antelopes roaming. In the winter, there is a good chance you will roll through at least one blizzard along the way, the route rising as high as 16,640 ft. (5,068m) as it crosses the Tanggu Pass. A winter view from the window makes it easy to see why Tibet is called "the Land of Snows."

Mountain Hardwear's Q.Shield - A New Take on Waterproof - Video

New within the past year, Mountain Hardwear has introduced a process called Q.Shield to work in tandem with the OutDry waterproofing technology they are already using on some pieces to create a completely new standard of water-repellancy.

For the past 2 years, Mountain Hardwear has been using a laminating process known as OutDry from Italian innovator OutDry Technologies in their line of winter sport gloves. OutDry supposedly improves on Gore-Tex's popular waterproofing process by bonding a "waterproof-breathable membrane directly to the shell fabric," rather than to the inside of the shell fabric.

The new Q.Shield process complements OutDry, which by Mountain Hardwear's own admission "can't prevent exterior fabrics from wetting out," by fusing ion-mask extreme water repellency directly into the shell fabric, rather than coating the fabric like a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) does. Mountain Hardwear marketing goes so far as to state that Q.Shield does not effect feel or breathability and "will perform for the life of the glove," a marked improvement over DWR if true.

OutDry vs. Gore-Tex-style water repellency

Mountain Hardwear's OutDry-equipped gloves have already gotten some support over the last two years when tested head-to-head with Gore-Tex-equipped gloves, and if Q.Shield performs as MH's marketing indicates that it does, damp gloves on the ski slopes may quickly become a thing of the past.

However, as someone who has been reapplying DWR to my kit for years, Q.Shield's almost magical claims of near-waterproofness and lifetime effectiveness will take some serious substantiation to prevail on ingrained skepticism to such claims.

Frankfurt in Five: One-Day Travel Guide to Europe's Financial Center

Traveling Europe is an incredible experience, but there are so many countries with so much to offer that choosing an itinerary can be overwhelming - even just narrowing down a manageable list of countries, let alone cities, can be a monumental task! Germany has always been an important fixture in the European landscape, as much today as in the days of Charlemagne, and Germany should certainly be on any first-time visitor to Europe's short list.

Frankfurt's skyline - new and old meet

Here is the bare bones, brass tacks list of how to get the most out of a one-day visit to Frankfurt, Germany's financial and transportation hub on the Main River.

The Städel, overlooking the Main River

1. Museum District - Start your morning off by visiting some of Frankfurt's more than 30 museums, at least 20 of them located in close proximity to each other along the banks of the Main River, in an area known as the 'Museumsufer' (Museums Riverbank). Some of the museums include:

• Städelsches Kunstinstitut und Städtische Galerie, more commonly known as the Städel, one of Europe's most important art museums
• Museum of World Cultures
• Jewish Museum Frankfurt
• Bible House Experience Museum
• Historical Museum Frankfurt

Full list of Frankfurt's museums

New Pack Manufacturer Mile High Mountaineering Gets High Praise

Outside Magazine has been putting upstart pack manufacturer Mile High Mountaineering's flagship Salute 34-liter hiking and climbing pack through its paces on multiple different climbing pitches across Europe. After rigorous testing in Spain, France, and Germany, Outside's thoughts? "A perfect pack for climbers."

Among the original touches Outside's testers noted:

• "its unique S-shaped zipper, which winds around the top compartment and down the packs’ body"
• "the plastic-reinforced hang loop—designed much like a gear loop on a climbing harness"
• "the comfortable but compact suspension system that uses a lightweight M-shaped piece of flexible aluminum to create a simple frame for the pack"

Jumping onto the outdoor gear landscape in 2009, Colorado-based Mile High Mountaineering has stuck with what they know, producing a small-but-innovative line of activity-specific packs. Instead of expanding quickly, MHM has focused on packing their packs with perks to make their users fall in love with them. As the Outside article shows, it's clearly working!

Outside Online's full article: Mile High Mountaineering Salute: A Perfect Pack for Climbers

Baiyoke - Bangkok's Tallest Building

Baiyoke over Bangkok

Out of the heart of downtown Bangkok juts the Baiyoke Tower II, an axle hub that the city's daily commotion seemingly revolves around. At 997 ft., the 85-story Baiyoke (pronounced "buy-yo-kuh") is the tallest building in Thailand and the fourth tallest all-hotel structure in the world. The Baiyoke Tower II is home to the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, a number of eateries, and an observation deck with a commanding view of the city.

Joy Is Up in Bangkok

Easily identified from many places in downtown Bangkok, Baiyoke can also be recognized by the multi-story advertisements that often grace the sides of the building.

At ground level, you would hardly know you standing below Thailand's tallest building - the streets and alleys around the hotel and even the lobby area itself feel much more like a bazaar or Thai street market than a luxury hotel.

However, once you push past the congestion and into the elevator, you begin to feel the elegance that is the heart of the Baiyoke.

Restaurants and cafes abound in the Baiyoke, including the Roof Top Bar (83rd floor), Stella Place Chinese Restaurant (79), Crystal Grill International Buffet (82), Bangkok Sky (76/78), Tee Off Cafe (next to the open-air golf range - 18), and the Bangkok Balcony (81). Sitting on top of it all is Baiyoke's Observation Point - an observation deck on the 77th floor and the open-air revolving view point on floor 84. Open daily from 10:30 to 23:30, the view is spectacular, especially after dark.

Bangkok's nightlife from Baiyoke's observation point

Bangkok's tallest building is a unique contrast to the traditional sites and numerous temples that draw many to the city. Cool off after a hot day of Bangkok travel at Baiyoke with a drink and a view!

Hiking Boots - What Is The Right Footwear For Your Trail?

The right hiking boots are the means
to many memorable miles

Trekking, hiking, tramping, walkabout - whatever you call it, a hike is a great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors. When it comes to hiking, not too much is needed - an idea of where you're going (a map and compass are probably a good idea), proper hydration, protection from the elements, and of course, adequate footwear.

50 years ago, the "choice" was pretty basic - full leather hiking boots with aggressive lugs on the sole. There wasn't really anything else on the market. However, since that time not only have the number of options burgeoned, so have the number of categories of hiking footwear - so how do you navigate the increasingly congested waters of outdoor footwear?