Monthly Archives: January 2011

My Reading List: Warding Off Cabin Fever

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Chris Casciano

A new stack of guide books for local trails just landed on my doorstep. Winter in the northeast is great for winter fun – hiking, snowshoeing, downhill or cross country skiing, or just sledding with the kids. When the end of winter comes quicker then expected we can look fondly back on days like we had last week. Then there are days like yesterday–full of slush, cold rain, and–where you don’t want to go out unless you absolutely must. Though I hope those days are short I’ve picked up a bunch of new or updated guide books to flip though and dream up new adventures come spring as well as … Continue reading →

Posted in Guides | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Photos From Cold Afternoon In South Mountain

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Chris Casciano

I had a little time at the end of last week for a mid afternoon walk around the snowy and icy banks of the Rahway River in South Mountain Reservation. I brought my camera along to capture some of the beautiful scenery and long Winter shadows. Warning: South Mountain Reservation Closed For Deer Hunt South Mountain Reservation will be closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays from now until January 27 to allow Essex County to run its deer management (hunting) program. This program will then move to Hilltop Reservation and Eagle Rock Reservation for the month of February. More information on the hunt from NJ.com. If you enjoyed these photographs you … Continue reading →

Posted in Trip Report | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hike Tracking: RunKeeper Pro Free For January

Posted on January 8, 2011 by Chris Casciano

It’s New Year’s Resolution time, and if your resolution is to do more hiking, trail running, cycling, or cross country skiing and need a bit of a kick in the pants, or just want to find an easy way to keep track of your progress the iPhone and Android mobile phone application RunKeeper Pro is free for the month of January (normally $9.99). I use RunKeeper to track my cycling, to keep track of my hiking mileage while on the trails, and even to generate GPX files for geotagging my photographs. Many of the previous hike reports, including that from the 33 mile Lenape Trail Hike, reference maps generated by … Continue reading →

Posted in Gear Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Winter 2011 Gear: Gloves

Posted on January 7, 2011 by Chris Casciano

Last winter I did a review of the Mountain Hardwear WINDSTOPPER Half Flex Balaclava. Well it’s wintertime again, snowing as I write this post, and even with a few 50ºF days in a row there has been snow on the ground here in New Jersey since the post-Christmas blizzard. So it’s time again to look at the gear I’m using to keep myself warm. Today it’s the gloves on my hands. Outdoor Research BackStop Gloves Lightweight WindStopper Gloves I needed a pair of everyday winter gloves for those middling days where I’m hanging outside, hiking, or just standing around taking photos, where basic liner gloves won’t cut it but I … Continue reading →

Posted in Gear Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment