Tag Archives: Outdoor products

Imus Geographics: superior map makers.

Detailed portion of Imus Geographics Sierre Nevada map

This image alone will keep you around a while.

The Sierra Nevada range is a vast, glacier-carved Shangri-La of outdoor recreation. Choosing a single place to visit amongst all that wilderness isn’t easy, especially when assigned to plan a weekend road trip from Las Vegas.

I like to think it is for trips exactly like this that Imus Geographics created its Sierra Nevada map. However, its pine needle precision and exceptionally coherent illustration suggest that these maps are probably best for framing. If John Muir needed a map, he would use this one.

Imus Geographics is a small, Eugene, OR-based company that makes maps. And man, do they make maps. The detail, quality and illustrated nuances of their work open up an area like no Rand McNally can. There is care in every topo line. For anyone who questions why I don’t carry a GPS (or even own one) I can confidently point to the work of Dave Imus, an artist/cartographer whose effort could never be replicated on a 3.5” screen.

The only drawback is that so much time and information goes in to creating an Imus map that he only has a few currently available. That doesn’t really matter, because by the time you’ve exhausted one, a new one will be ready.

I almost feel guilty allowing this thing to get a bit torn and flattened from use. Yet, the potential adventures it holds between its creases are just too great to leave compressed on a shelf. Since I bought it a few weeks ago, I have used it like many would a novel. I open it on a table and finger my way across one fantastic destination after the next, routing future weekends through the granite and Sequoia. I estimate distances and trace trails. “That’s where my tent should be. This road could get me there … ”

Maps just leave so much more open to the imagination than a satellite guided device packed with a timed, measured agenda. And what kind of adventure can you have without imagination?

Sometimes, you just can’t say goodbye to your best outdoor gear

REI_HalfDome

The REI Half Dome, and Jetboil PCS, during a 2005 Grand Canyon trip

It’s hard keeping up with every new piece of gear that hits the outdoor market. The incessant reviews, although we love them, aim to make us forget everything currently stuffed in our Action Packers and jump headlamp first into the next great “fast and light” series of shells, packs and shelters. It never ends. But alas, to love the outdoors is to love gear.

On the heels of the Summer 2011 Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake, I thought it worthwhile to consider what in my garage do I currently have no interest in upgrading? What piece of gear has yet to fail to me or give me a reason to post on Craigslist? I have quite a few. Here’s five.

1. CRKT M-16 knife. Still sharp, still super light and damn dependable. Owned for at least five years. I know there’s some encrusted trout scales on there at least that old.

2. REI Half Dome 2 tent. It’s been recently upgraded with more vertical walls I guess. But hell, I’m trying to hang picture in it. After six years, the only tear came courtesy of Delta Airlines. It’s patched. Stick that in your turbine and smoke it Delta.

3. Gregory Z-55 pack. I have a 105 liter and a 30 liter. By packing right, I don’t need either of the extreme end packs. Owned since they launched the line. It’s also been updated but I have no need to follow suit.

4. Jetboil PCS. Also purchased upon product launch. I’m not sure where Jetboil is heading with their line-up today but frankly, I don’t care. The original is still the best thing going in canister stoves. Not one repair; not to the ignition mechanisms, not to the stove base. Damn thing won’t quit.

5. Patagonia Guide Jacket. I have no idea what iteration Chouinard and team are on to now with this line but again, I don’t care. I have had it for years and it is still my go-to personal shelter for all kinds of weather and temperature. The range of conditions on this thing is broad enough for me to bring this on every trip in every season. It’s a mid-layer when snowboarding and a first-grab on cool summer nights. It fits under anything and above plenty. It’s simply the best jacket I’ve ever owned.

So what about you? Any longtime favorites you just can’t get pry out of the weekend line-up?

Big box or local outfitter?

REI

LEED, anyone?

REI, EMS and Patagonia retail centers sure do have a lot offer. REI’s co-op membership even offers a sweet refund every year of a small percentage of your annual buy. Pretty solid.

But do the larger outdoor retailers leave service behind? How about knowledge of local destinations, trail access or climbing routes?

I think your level of service can vary, really. I’ve visited some small local shops only to feel like some sort of interloper. Now, I should note that sort of reception is more common in the surfing culture, especially when it comes to local breaks (there will forever be debate in the surfing world about the role of localism) but there can be an equally negative vibe in gear shops near highly coveted climbing locales.

For the most part, I’ve almost always had good service in an REI, for example, but have occasionally been challenged by a customer service rep or two about returning an item. Hey, it’s in your policy.

Anyway, what’s your take?