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REVIEW: Zamberlan 298 Tundra GT Hiking Boots

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Payge
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Review: Zamberlan 298 Tundra GT Hiking Boots (Women)CO-14ersQSummitFlag
By Payge McMahon

These boots are tough, durable and comfortable! I tested them out by climbing 7 of Colorado’s 14’ers in two and a half days with over 24,000 feet in elevation gains and losses and 25 miles. The Tundra rocked it!

They are perfect for any long hike carrying medium loads. Whether you are hiking on sand, in the woods or on a mountain, these boots can handle the terrain.

Let’s take a look at the basic specs on the Zamberlan 298 Tundra GT Hiking boots for women and then get into details of how the boots performs.

Snap Shot:

  • Mid-cut
  • Upper: Hydrobloc® nubuck leather; Cordura® nylon panels
  • Waterproof / Breathable: Gore-Tex®
  • Footbed: Zamberlan Z-Comfort Fit Footbed
  • Padding: ZAS (Zamberlan Air System), lightweight and breathable
  • Midsole: lightweight EVA
  • Midsole: Polypropylene stabilizers and nylon shanks enhance rigidity and stability
  • Outsole: Vibram® Zamberlan Revolve rubber
  • Weight per pair: 2 lb 6 oz
  • Color: Brown/Walnut
  • Retail: $225
  • Handcrafted in Italy

Company Overview:

Zamberlan is an Italian footwear production company created in 1929 by Giuseppe Zamberlan. Today, it remains family owned and their products are distributed in over 40 countries.

 Zamberlan 298 Tundra GT Hiking Boots Design Features:

Functionality in the Field:

Like most boots, I ordered my Zamberlan’s an extra half size bigger. Taking into account liners, thick, wool socks and feet swelling from long hikes, this was a good call. My toes never touched the top of the boot even after hiking all day.

My feet felt like butter the minute I stepped into the boots. The removable, moisture wicking, cushiony insoles stayed comfortable hiking up and down Colorado’s 14’ers.

The tongue is padded and pretty thick. I had to really pull hard on the laces to securely tie up the boots. That being said, no little stones or pebbles were able to get in and my lower shins felt great with the added cushioning.

The only challenge I had was every once in awhile one foot would catch a lace’s hook of the other boot. I’d have to do a quick shuffle to keep myself from falling. This tended to happen later in the day when I was tired. So to be fair, this was probably my fault. We all know that when we get fatigued, we get a little sloppy and tend not to be as careful in where we plant our feet.

I’ve never been a fan of boots that completely cover my ankle. They always feel restricting and cumbersome. So the Tundra’s mid-cut boot is perfect and lightweight Hydrobloc nubuck leather uppers works perfect for me.   The cut is flexible allowing for agility. It also provided much needed ankle stability over skree terrain.

I jumped through a lot of streams and often times into snow in my efforts to climb 7, 14,000 feet plus peaks within a couple days. The seam sealed Gore-Tex liners kept all types of moisture out. My feet stayed warm and dry.

As for traction, these boots have it covered! I scrambled over rocks and down sketchy, steep skree terrain. I didn’t lose my footing once! That never happens! Thanks go to the Vibram® Zamberlan Revolve rubber outsoles, polypropylene stabilizers and nylon shanks.

The technology Zamberlan uses keeps the boot just over 2 lbs. That is really good for a sturdy, durable show like the Tundra.

When I tested them out in Colorado, the temperatures ranged from 50F-85F. The breathable, moisture wicking material allowed my feet to stay comfortably dry. At no time did I feel like my feet were too hot or ever cold. I didn’t have the opportunity to test them out in extreme heat or cold weather conditions on this trip. However, I will be bringing them to Nepal this Fall and will update my review when I get back.

So being a girl, most people think we are supposed to care if these boots are ‘cute’ or look ‘stylish.’ I personally don’t care how they look, as long as they are built soundly and are functional. These boots come in a brown/walnut combination. I think they look good. They look tough and can handle whatever hiking trip you have in mind.

Pros: Really comfortable, sturdy, great traction

Cons: Be mindful of the lace’s hooks so they don’t catch

 

Review originally published on Woods Monkey

A Winter Family Adventure in Breckenridge

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Payge
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A Winter Family Adventure in Breckenridge was written by Payge McMahon for National Geographic Adventure (originally published by NGA in 2014)

The best way to get kids outside, and encourage their sense of adventure, is to go with them. No adventure is too small if it awakens something within.

Introducing a child to the world of adventure is one of the most rewarding things one can do.  As someone who has hiked, biked, skied, and climbed all over the world, I can sometimes forget what that “first time” feels like. But, when you introduce new experiences to the next generation, you open up their world, and through their eyes, get to see it all again.

A friend and I took his eight-year-old daughter, Callie, and 12-year-old son, Jeff, on a winter adventure trip across the country to Colorado. They had grown up in the Southeast and had never been around much snow, so what better place to take them than the fun-filled, family adventure town of Breckenridge.

The town of Breckenridge, Colorado, sits at an elevation of 9,600 feet (2926 m) and has more than 200 restaurants, bars, and shops. Originally a gold mining town, named after a U.S. vice president in 1859, it went through its boom and then bust and by 1870 had become mostly a ghost town. That is until 1961 when the first ski resort opened.

Today, Breckenridge has transformed into a favorite ski resort destination and focuses on family adventures.  In and around “Breck” you can go snow tubing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, snow shoeing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, ride a winter roller coaster, visit the children’s museum and hop on a mining tour.

In Denver, we rented a car and drove two hours west on Route 70 to Breckenridge. Callie and Jeff were mesmerized by each passing mountain. Colorado has 54 peaks over 14,000 feet (4,267 meters) in elevation, twice as high as the tallest mountain found east of the Mississippi, 6,684 foot (2,037 meters) Mt. Mitchell in North Carolina, and any they had ever seen.

We arrived at our hotel, The DoubleTree by Hilton Breckenridge and were welcomed by a friendly staff, warm fireplace in the lobby and cookies—a bonus for the kids. Located across the street from Peak 9, The DoubleTree has free shuttle service to and from anywhere in town, complimentary ski valet, ski school pick-up, and conveniently, inside the hotel, Breck Sports – Ski & Snowboard Rentals.  The well-stocked store carries a plethora of brand options—Nordica, Lange, Dynastar, Burton, Salomon, Atomic, Marker, Leki, and Rossignol. The kids, bouncing with excitement, couldn’t wait to gear-up.  Breck Sports manager, Max, was very helpful.  After asking them what their skiing experience level was (none) and getting their weight, height, and foot measurements, he hooked the kids up with skis and boots. Jeff and Callie were now ready for ski school!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOne of the really great things about Breckenridge is their world-class Ski & Ride School for kids, adults and adaptive learning for people with disabilities and/or special needs. We took the complimentary shuttle over to Peak 9 and registered the kids for school. The cheerful instructors were engaging and you could tell they loved what they did. With the kids in school, the experienced ‘adults’ had some free time to play.

Over the long weekend, we crisscrossed all over the mountain from intermediate to black diamond runs. On 3,000 acres, there are five peaks with 187 trails, including new intermediate above the tree-line runs, a 22-foot Superpipe, 11 bowls and plenty of double black diamond and extreme skiing options for the experts. There is also the highest chairlift in North America, the Imperial Express Superchair on Peak 8. It begins at 11,901 feet (3,627 meters) and ends at 12,840 feet (3,914 meters).

Jeff and Callie spent two days in ski school and had a blast. They liked being around other kids and the instructors. They received report cards listing the things they had mastered and next steps. We picked them up in the afternoons and skied with them the rest of the day. They couldn’t wait to show us what they had learned. By the end of the trip, they were both on intermediate runs.

We tried to do as much as we could in our long weekend in Breckenridge. In addition to skiing, we took the kids snow tubing at Frisco Adventure Park and rode the Gold Runner Alpine Coaster through the forest on Peak 8.

At night, we enjoyed many of the local restaurants including the famous Empire Burger and the family sports bar with arcade, Downstairs at Eric’s.  One evening, after dinner, we adults went to the Breckenridge Distillery, the highest distillery in North America, for a behind-the-scenes tour and hands-on bourbon bottling experience.  Most nights though, the kids, still full of energy, played in the hotel’s indoor pool and then joined us for a soak in the outdoor hot tubs.

They can’t wait to go back to Breckenridge for more skiing and adventures. Callie says she wants to try dogsledding next time and work her way onto black diamond trails. At 12, Jeff has now decided Colorado would be a great place to go to college and that would be just fine with his dad.

There is nothing more rewarding than introducing and sharing the world of adventure with our youth. Create interest and memories that will last a lifetime. Who knows where and what they will do in the future? One of them might ski across the South Pole or become a competitive musher and enter the Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Alaska. The possibilities are endless!

The Benefits of Yoga – Hormones, Memory, Aging, Stress & Pain

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Payge
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Still thinking about doing yoga and need yet, another reason to start?  Read this article I wrote for Sotto Pelle. Maybe it will help you start!

yogaThe Benefits of Yoga – Hormones, Memory, Aging, Stress & Pain

By Payge McMahon

The practice of meditation and yoga, a mind-body therapy, slows down the aging process and can help those suffering from traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic stress, back pain, anxiety and depression.

By linking breath with meditation and movement, yoga connects the physical and mental self. It increases energy, strength, flexibility, agility and balance, while improving mental and cognitive functioning.

Recent Studies

While yoga has been around for thousands of years, recent studies from Harvard, the University of California and the University of Maryland have measured the physiological changes of yoga and mediation through neuro-imaging and genomics technology.

“There is a true biological effect,” says John Weber Denninger, M.D.,PH.D., Director of Research at the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, one of Harvard Medical School’s teaching hospitals. “The kinds of things that happen when you meditate do have effects throughout the body, not just in the brain.”

University of California at Los Angeles and Nobel Prize winner Elizabeth Blackburn found that 12 minutes of daily yoga meditation for eight weeks increased telomerase activity, an anti-aging enzyme, by 43 percent, suggesting an improvement in stress-induced aging.

Benefits – Hormones, Memory & Aging

There are thousands of yoga poses or postures, also known as asanas. Each one has a multitude of benefits. Aside from building strength and flexibility, different poses can also improve the functioning of the endocrine system, which helps the body adapt to hormonal fluctuations, minimize oxidative stress that reduces skin’s elasticity as we age, boost immunity levels, endorphins and blood circulation that can improve mental and cognitive performance.

Getting Started:

Ujjayi (Ocean’s Breath)

Linking breath with mediation and movement is key. The Ujjayi breathing technique invigorates the body while calming the mind. It helps concentration, holding yoga postures and moving from one pose to another.

  1. Eyes can be open or closed
  2. Place the tongue to the roof of your mouth
  3. Through your nose, take a long, smooth inhale
  4. Through your nose, take an equally long, smooth exhale
  5. Repeat

Try These 2 Poses

  • Shavasana (Corpse Pose)

The restorative pose of shavasana or savasana is ideal for relaxation and mediation.

It can be done lying down on your back or stomach, with or without a pillow, arms relaxed and legs stretched out or bent with feet together. Engage the Ujjayi breathing technique.

Corpse Pose 1

  • Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog)

This active, inversion pose is ideal for releasing tension from the spine, building stamina, stretching and strengthening the back, hamstrings, calves, shoulders, arms and hands. It calms the nervous system and can help relieve stress, insomnia, fatigue, headaches and the symptoms of menopause.

  1. Start on your hands and knees, knees are hip-width apart, hands are shoulder width apart, fingers spread and along with palms firmly planted on the ground.
  2. Curling toes under, lifting the hips, pressing hands into the floor, straighten the arms and legs, flatten the back and your body will come into a ‘V’ shaped pose.
  3. Continue pressing yourself back, into your hamstrings, by distributing the weight evenly through your fingers and palms.
  4. Squeeze the thigh muscles and turn triceps inward.
  5. Let the neck be an extension of your spine. Gaze should rest underneath body.
  6. Breathe (Ujjayi)

Downward Facing Dog 2

Payge McMahon is a yoga instructor and journalist. She specializes in training athletes and those recovering from injuries. She combines the best of Vinyasa, Budokon (martial arts influenced) and Iyengar yoga to maximize athletes’ performance and reduce recovery time.

Payge received her yoga teaching certification in 2008, through YogaWorks in Koh

Phangan, Thailand. She has studied in India and Nepal, trained with Shiva Rea, DDP

(Diamond Dallas Page) and Yoga for Athletes author, Sage Rountree. Payge has a B.A. from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from California Lutheran University.

For more information: https://www.turnthepayge.com

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Payge’s TOP 3 – 2015 Adventure Recommendations

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Payge
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If you need some ideas for your Bucket List….here are my Top 3 Recommendations for 2015!

  1. Backpack the Tour du Mont Blanc – Europe (France, Italy and Switzerland)  MBPg

In the summer of 2014, I completed this trek in 9-days, starting and finishing in Courmayeur, Italy.

The Tour du Mont Blanc is a famous 170km (105 miles) trek around Mt. Blanc, 4,807 m (15,771 ft.), the tallest mountain in Western Europe. It takes the backpacker through three countries – Italy, Switzerland and France, up and down 11 passes and 19,000 meters (62,000 ft.) – the equivalent elevation gains and loses of climbing Mt. Everest. The traditional starting point is at Les Houches in Chamonix Valley, France. Most backpackers go anti-clockwise and take 11 days to complete it.

Depending on budget and resources, backpackers can camp, stay in refuges/rifugios, bed & breakfasts, local hotels, sometimes called gites and dortoir. I sampled all the sleeping options along the way.

Lodging averages 50-60 Euros a person, per night, including breakfast and sometimes dinner. An official campsite, with bathroom and shower facilities, runs 15 Euros a person, per night. Or you can quietly go off trail into the woods and pay nothing, like I did, when camping.

My Osprey Exos backpack weighed almost 30 lbs. (13 kilos) because I carried provisions for camping, including a hammock, Thermarest sleeping pad, +20º F (-7º C) Western Mountaineering sleeping bag, silk liner, poncho (doubles as a tarp), Jet Boil stove and dehydrated food.

If you are not camping, you really only need a silk bed liner, clothes and necessities. Personally, I would still bring your own sleeping bag. Also, food is readily available along the trail. Realistically, snacks and maybe lunch are all you need to carry each day.

Pairing up the Canada Goose Ridgeline Tech Shell and Hybridge Lite was the right way to go for this adventure. Weather varied over the 9-day trek. It went from sunny and 85º F (29º C) to freezing rain and 30º F (-1º C). Sometimes I just needed to wear one jacket, other times, I wore both at the same time for protection against the cold, rain and wind.

If you are going to backpack the TMB, I recommend getting the book, “Tour of Mont Blanc – Complete Two Way Trekking Guide,” by Kev Renolds. It will be your bible. Along with maps and elevation charts, it breaks down the TMB in eleven stages, detailing the terrain, distance, estimated hiking time, route alternatives, sleep and food options.


 Iditarod

  1. Alaska Winter Adventure – Dogsledding, Snowmobiling, Aurora Borealis & Hot Springs – North America (Alaska) 

I spent 9 days in Alaska and had an action packed winter adventure! From attending the start of the Super Bowl of Ice and Snow, aka, The Iditarod, learning to dog sled, snowmobile, sweating in a thermal hot spring, while air temperature hovered around -10F, and seeing the Aurora Borealis, this adventure was just too cool not to share. Everyone should add this trip to his or her bucket list!

First of all, you have to appreciate and understand the 1,049-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race. It is one of the most brutal endurance races in the world. Each musher and his/her sixteen dogs, energetic husky-mixed athletes, race across Alaska, from a frozen lake in Willow to the small town of Nome, over a period of 8-15 days. The teams will traverse frozen forests, snow, barren tundra and endure temperatures that often drop below -40F.

Canada Gooses’ own, tough as nails, Lance Mackey, has won the Iditarod 4 times and will be going for his 5th win in 2015.

I recommend going to Alaska a couple days before the race. Check out the Iditarod Headquarters in Willow, tour the museum, learn about the Iditarod’s history and the ‘Great Race of Mercy,’ stemming from the famous 1925 diphtheria outbreak and Balto the sled dog, who helped transport the life saving serum to the people of Nome. Watch the dogs get their pre-race vet checks. In Anchorage, attend the famous Fur Rondy festival and mushers banquet; mingle with other fans and your favorite mushers.

Before you know it BANG, race day is here. Join thousands of bundled up fans, eating reindeer dogs and caribou steaks, cheer on the sled dog teams.

The next day, it’s your turn! Travel to Talkeetna, and learn how to dog sled at former Yukon Quest champ and Iditarod musher, Vern Halter’s Dream a Dream Premier Iditarod Kennel.  Dogsledding2

Go snowmobiling in Trapper Creek, journey to Fairbanks to see the world ice-sculpting contest and then up to Chena to watch the hypnotizing, (Aurora Borealis) Northern Lights and take a dip in the famous Chena Hot Springs.

It is gonna be cold! Well below freezing. My Canada Goose Expedition Parka was perfect, but when it came to dogsledding and snowmobiling in artic winds, I opt for the Snow Mantra. In the hot springs, while decked out in your favorite Speedo or bikini, your head is going to get cold, put on a Canada Goose Aviator Hat and keep warm. It is fashionable and functional!

If the above logistics stress you out, go with a small group, adventure tour like Planet Earth Adventures LLC. Owner and guide, Albert Marquez is the best! For more information go to www.discoverak.com or contact Albert Marquez directly: [email protected] / (907) 717-9666

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  1. Ice, Ice, Goose! – Iceland

Iceland is an arctic adventure for those who like to hike, dive, dip and ride. Sculpted by volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, mountains, lakes, thermal hot springs, black sand beaches and pastures, some say, “If you can’t go to the moon, just go to Iceland.”

Hiking – To get a taste of the country, take 3-4 day and backpack the 48-mile, Laugavegurinn/ Fimmvörðuháls trek. Hike over mountains, lava fields and waterfalls. If the trail isn’t enough, climb one of Iceland’s many volcanoes, like the Hekla and Laki.

SCUBA – Experience the Silfra Fissure, the only place in the world, you can dive directly into the crack between two continental plates. Throw on a dry suit, BCD, tank and jump into Iceland’s Thingvellir Lake to reach out and touch both the North American and Eurasian continents. If you get thirsty, just drink from the lake. Filtered through porous underground lava, the ice, blue waters are clean and taste great!  
Iceland-Scuba

Horseback Riding – When you arrive in Reykjavik, connect with Islenski Henstruinn and ride an Icelandic horse. Traced back to the Vikings, these horses are smaller, more like the size of a pony and are known for their unique ‘tolt’ gait. Developed over generations, to navigate lava terrain, the gait is smooth and speedy, not bumpy or jarring. Icelandic law prohibits any other horses from entering the country and if a horse leaves Iceland, for a competition or any other reason, it can never come back.

Blue Lagoon – There are many geothermal spas in Iceland, but the most famous one is the Blue Lagoon, located in the Grindavik Lava Field on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The 37–39 °C (98–102 °F) waters are rich in skin healing minerals, including silica and sulphur. You can drop in for the day or stay at the adjacent hotel and pamper yourself with one of their many spa treatments.

Iceland is cold, even in the summer. The arctic winds are unforgiving and the rain chills you to the bone. The Hybridge Lite vest was perfect for horseback riding. Most days though, I wore the Camp Hoody and when the cold rains came, I added on the Timber Shell.Watch Full Movie Online Streaming Online and Download

Adventure Packing: Top 5 ‘Must Haves’ by Payge McMahon

By
Payge
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“Every girl should have a passport.” ~ Mom

True words from a wise woman  You never know what exciting adventures tomorrow has in store.  So be ready!

Top 5 Adventure Must Haves by Payge McMahon for Wigwam Mills

Every adventure is different. Depending on where you are going, what activity, for how long, time of year, expected weather etc., what you pack varies. All things being equal, below are my Top 5 recommendations!

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1.  Sarong (colorful) – Multi-purpose, it can be used as a blanket, towel, head covering, dress, skirt, shawl, scarf, sling, bandage, pillow case, tarp for shade, ground cover, distress signal, trail marker etc.

2.  Nalgene/Brita Liter Bottle with filter (BPA free) – Always stay hydrated and keep water on you.

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3.  Knife with Ferro Rod – On outdoor adventures, it is important to have a cutting tool and ability to make fire. Yes, of course, bring a Bic lighter, but if it gets damaged, a ferro rod attached to a knife sheath, is the next best thing. I am a fan of L.T. Wright Handcrafted Knives.

4.  Cell Phone – Not going to lie, having a smart phone is wonderful for its multipurpose functionality: Camera, Internet, GPS, Calendar, Music/ Audiobooks and applications. The different types of travel applications are amazing. From transportation, accommodations, translation apps to learning another language through Rosetta Stone or Fabulo, there are many helpful tools one can download.

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5.  Socks – Your feet will take you everywhere.   If you don’t take care of them, you may not go anywhere…and if you do, you could find yourself in blister hell or in a frozen toes nightmare. Plus, in a pinch, socks can multipurpose. They can double as a filter for water, gloves, a pouch to carry things, potholders and of course, when entertaining little ones, they can become puppets. Wigwam Favorites: Backpacking – Rebel Fusion Quarter and Running – Ironman Thunderpro Low Cut.

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