Then when I got older, I just wanted gear.
And I wanted rugged gear. North Face climbing crag packs tough enough to withstand my abuse. Lightweight sleep sacks, small sized for people 5'4, warm down to 5 degrees. Vasque boots, Metolius camming devices. Big thick woolly socks and sets of silky liners for wicking away moisture. Socks for Christmas? Hardly glamorous. But at $8-$12 a pair, sorely appreciated.
I kept receipts and returned the girly stuff each year. REI gift certificates started appearing under the tree. Less to unwrap, for sure.
If you find yourself in a quandary for your outdoorsy loved one, fear not. Grab your checklist and your checkbook, and start shopping for gifts sure to please. I even did some of the work for you by recommending cool presents below, including high tech and low tech gear, stuff for kids, 'luxury' car camping items - even some great books for evenings cozied up beside the fireplace.
Need advice? Got a friend who paddles (or climbs, cycles, backpacks or whatever)and you don't know where to begin shopping? I'm here for you. Post a message or send me an email and I promise to respond. Your friends can't hardly be harder to shop for than me!
SOME FUN ONLINE CATALOGUES TO KICK BACK WITH
src="http://www.youractivepet.com/linkshare/88_31_2.jpg">
Recreational Equipment Inc (REI)
A great online holiday sale for the gear-heads you love can be found at Rei - simply click on the graphic link above!
Here are my picks for some unique gifts sure to delight the most demanding outdoor geek:
Travel Chair Deluxe Highback Armchair with Footrest
$ 24.99 - $ 35.00
Variety Tea-for-Two Chair/Table Combo
$ 49.99
Comp. at $ 70.00
Save 29%
Buck MiniBuck Tool
$ 19.99
Comp. at $ 25.00
Save 20%
Coleman Black Cat Heater
$ 49.99
Comp. at $ 64.95
Save 23%
The above item is so unusual (and often sorely needed, or only dreamt of longingly from inside a chilly tent), I thought I'd include the description:
Stay warm long after the sun goes down--this portable, catalytic heater is easy to use and can be used inside a tent. Flameless, 8" burner head radiates heat; pressure regulated to provide consistent output regardless of air temperatures or elevation.
Easy-start electronic ignition.
Compact and lightweight for space-saving travel.
Generates up to 7-hours of heat on a single fuel 16.4-oz. disposable propane canister, sold separately.
.. Made in USA.
Petzl Tikka Headlamp
$ 34.95
Here's another new and cool item, weighs nothing and casts a bright light that lasts forever without having to change batteries.
Not much larger than the small batteries that power it; Tikka weighs a mere 2-1/2 ounces!
Triple LED bulbs provide even lighting throughout your field of view with no blank spots in the beam; LED bulbs won't burn out
Streamlined design sets the beam at an efficient illumination angle
Adjustable elastic headband holds the light securely in place
Batteries included
GSI Lexan Wine Glass
$ 5.95
This super-durable wine glass is easy to pack along on camp-outs or picnics and looks great! Lexan® polycarbonate is very lightweight and nearly indestructible.
Glass unscrews at the midpoint of the stem so that the base can be snapped into the bowl for easy packing and storage.
Dishwasher safe.
I like these lexan wine glasses for romantic picnic hikes. If you feel creative, you can even set up your sweetie with a day hiker's picnic kit. Get these glasses, a pocketknife with a corkscrew, a pretty dishtowel for a tablecloth, some lightweight camping utensils, and a couple of colorful plastic plates. Toss it all in a red stuff sack with a bottle of wine and you've got a thoughtful, romantic, relatively inexpensive gift.
Or for a kit that has it already wrapped up for you:
Picnic At Ascot Super-Deluxe Backpack - 2-Person
$ 75.00
Tea for two, two for tea--this fully loaded picnic backpack is the consummate complement to a day's hiking, cycling or an afternoon jaunt. Features complete place settings for 2 people--with virtually indestructible plates, acrylic wine glasses and stainless knives, forks and spoons.
Zippered food compartment is fully insulated to keep your hot foods warm or cold foods cool.
Insulated wine bottle pouch detaches from side of pack with brass buckles to allow easy pouring; comes with corkscrew/bottle opener.
Includes wooden cutting board, cheese knife, salt and pepper shakers, napkins, and tablecloth--each held in its place by elastic webbing bands.
Adjustable straps on side and bottom for accessories--take along an additional insulated wine pouch, blanket roll or French bread!
Fully adjustable, ergonomic backpack straps fit a variety of sizes; synthetic leather accented handle for versatile carrying options.
.. Made in USA.
GSI Lexan Java Press with Jacket
$ 19.95
Not a bad idea for field coffee, and a decent gift for snowy mornings at home, too! (for a humorous take on making coffee while camping - including using this French Press - see my article at http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/14102/80582/ )
This unbreakable French-press coffee maker brews 33 fl. oz. of great coffee, and comes with an insulating neoprene jacket to keep it hot. Lightweight yet unbreakable Lexan® polycarbonate body offers durability; neoprene sleeve with Velcro® allows easy on/off (an REI exclusive).
Plunger has a unique o-ring to prevent scratching sides of press.
Easy to use: just add nearly boiling water to medium-ground coffee, brew four minutes, press down plunger and serve!
Dishwasher safe; ideal for camping, boating, cabin or RV use.
REI Stainless-Steel Vacuum Bottle
$ 24.00
And here's something to put your hot coffee in when you head outside...
Keeps favorite beverages hot or cold for hours. Durable stainless steel stands up to daily use
Enjoy coffee or tea at the stadium or campground in an unbreakable stainless steel vacuum bottle. Keeps beverages hot or cold for hours. Just the right size to slip into a briefcase or backpack.. Imported.
GSI Stainless-Steel Flask with Funnel Set
$ 19.00
Carry your little after-dinner apertif in this stylish flask, perfect for camping or river running afficionados.
This stainless-steel flask carries up to 7 fluid ounces of your favorite liquid without leaking. Flip-top retainer keeps the lid attached to the flask.
Finely finished edges and a smooth, streamlined design fits easily in your hip pocket.
Funnel lets you fill flask without spilling.
Both funnel and flask are made of high-quality, corrosion-resistant stainless steel.
.. Imported.
Oregon Scientific Projection Travel Alarm
$ 40.00
Keep precise time no matter where you travel. The most accurate of alarm clocks - this is the fail-safe authority.
Clock receives radio signals from the U. S. Atomic Clock in Boulder, Colorado and automatically adjusts for daylight savings time.
Backlit LCD displays hour, minutes, seconds, date and day; day of the week displayed in choice of English, French or Spanish
Soft red beam projects time onto the ceiling in the dark with a touch of a button or can be set for continuous display.
Daily alarm features an eight-minute snooze with a crescendo alarm increasing in volume and intensity.
U.S. map icon shows user-selected time zone.
Comes with 2 AA batteries and AC power adapter.
Clock must be powered by AC adapter for continuous projection onto ceiling.
Garmin eTrex Vista (GPS)
$ 350.00
Okay, this one's expensive, but what better gift for the tech-minded guy who has everything? (REI also has cheaper ones on the website)
The most feature-packed of all the eTrex GPS receivers--includes altimeter, compass, rocker switch, 24 MB of memory, basemap and improved resolution. Innovative rocker switch allows for quick and accurate panning, selection and enter functions.
Built-in memory allows you to download points of interest, including detailed maps, from Garmin's MapSource™ CD-ROMs (sold separately).
Crisp, high-resolution display features 4-level gray scale and more pixels for improved viewing.
Includes a built-in general basemap for entire North and South America.
Electronic compass provides current bearing; precise altimeter states your current altitude, as well as your rate of accent
Follow your route, marking up to 50 waypoints; find your way back with Garmin's exclusive TracBack™ feature.
Store up to 500 waypoints with graphic icons.
eTrex maintains tight satellite-lock, even through dense forest, by continuously tracking up to 12 satellites
Trip computer calculates current and average speed, sunset and sunrise, trip time and distance.
Watertight construction keeps eTrex functioning in wet conditions; waterproof to IEC 529 lPX7 standards.
PC interface cable included.
WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) enabled receiver delivers sub-3-meter accuracy.
REI Vertical Briefcase
$ 80.00
Better than a courier bag when you've got a lot to organize and work on the run. In our telecommuting age, this bag makes a great gift!
Convert this multi-functional, stylish briefcase to a daypack when it's too much to haul--shoulder straps pop out of back pocket for easy carrying. Front pocket contains the complete business organizer, holding cell phone, sunglasses, business cards, pens, keys and even a pocket for spare change.
Organizer also features a slip pocket sized for a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or an executive-size notepad.
Spacious zippered main compartment holds a removable accordion file divider holding notebooks and letter-size files.
Unique features to this briefcase are a mesh newspaper slot pocket and hook-and-loop straps for securing an umbrella directly under front flap.
Two bellows pockets on front pocket keep track of small items, while an end pocket holds a water bottle or cell phone.
Zippered pocket in the front flap secures your airline ticket and a slip pocket on front of case allows quick access to a magazine.
Dual zippered slot pocket on back of brief allows it to be slid over handle of wheeled luggage with hook-and-loop straps to secure it to handle.
Tote it with the carry handle or use the removable, adjustable shoulder strap with gripper-coated padding for non-slip carrying.
Reflective trim on front flap for low-light visibility.
Rei Outlet
http://rei-outlet.com/
Their outlet site offers even better deals, closeouts and such. Click onto their "Gifts Under $20" and "Gifts $20-50" for eclectic outdoorsy ideas. Some screaming deals on sleeping bags are off and running, but you better snap them up before they're gone.
Campmor
http://www.campmor.com/
The king of closeouts...always a great source for cheap prices and great gear. Here are some of their Christmas specials.
Polarguard Berber Fleece Lined Warm & Cozy Booties
Reg. Price: $29.99
Now: $23.97
Ultimate Direction Shadow Hydration System
Reg. Price: $40.00
Now: $24.97
Campmor Fleece-Lined Nylon Shell Snowsuit (For Infants and Toddlers)
Price: $59.99
Timex Field Watch
Midsize
Reg. Price: $40.00
While They Last!
Now: $12.97
Expedition
Reg. Price: $40.00
While They Last!
Now: $14.97
Tubbs Recreational Discovery Snowshoes with Bonus CD
21 Inch
Price: $99.99
27 Inch
Price: $119.99
Sierra Trading Post
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/
Coleman
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/home.asp
Falcon Press, AKA Globe Pequot Press
http://www.globe-pequot.com/indexrec.cfm/
For the outdoor book lover! Here's a few titles to get you started.
HIKING ARIZONA, 2nd Edition
Pages: 336
Author: Aitchison, Stewart; Grubbs, Bruce
Lace up your boots and sample 120 of the finest trails in Arizona. Hike the Boucher-Hermit Trails through one of the most scenic areas of the Grand Canyon. Follow the Y Bar Basin-Barnhardt Canyon Loop around Mazatzal Peak in the rugged Mazatzal Mountains. Take in the beauty of an alpine forest of fir and aspen as you climb to the highest point in the Chiricahua Mountains. Hiking Arizona will introduce you to these natural wonders and more. Use this guide for: up-to-date trail information; accurate directions to popular as well as less-traveled trails; difficulty ratings for each hike; easy-to-read maps and photos of trails; recommended hikes by category. Whether you are a day-tripper or long-distance hiker, old hand or novice, you'll find trails suited to every ability and interest throughout Arizona. (6 x 9, 336 pages, b&w photos, maps, charts)
CLIMBING ADVENTURES - A Climber's Passion
Pages: 214
Author: Bridwell, Jim; Peall, Keith
This one's a personal favorite. John Long's personable writing style makes climbing accessible to even the vicarious adventurer!
Mountain humor oftentimes comes from people who suffer and have a helluva hard time and still come back alive. James Dennis Bridwell is a renowned world class climber with a colorful, worldly personality and a limitless hunger for adventure. He participated in Climb for the World 1991 on behalf of the United Nations as the U.S. representative on the Inter Continental Eiger Climb. Keith Peall is co-author and assisted Bridwell in story selection, organization, colorization and rewrite. 'He¦s been everywhere. And somehow he is still alive. But then, Jim Bridwell is the man. The rest of us are only climbers,' John Long says. Price: $16.50
12 Short Hikes (Coastal Areas) SF Bay Area
Coastal Areas
Pages: 32
Author: Salcedo, Nancy
12 Short Hikes Aspen
Pages: 32
Author: Salcedo, Tracy
The 12 Short Hikes Series is written for families, newcomers to the area, and anybody looking for easy access to an outdoor experience. Each book describes in clear graphic form 12 easy and scenic hikes of less than two hours.
They have this series available for really any area that tickles your fancy...
Give the gift of a SuiteU Course (for example, here's one that I teach):
 Featured Course: Houseplants for Beginners |
____________________________________________________________
What? You're still here?
If you haven't found what you need yet, check out my list of links next, at http://www.suite101.com/links.cfm/14102
I've put together an extensive list of outdoor websites that carry gear or magazines (hey - mag subscriptions make a great gift too!) specific to different sports like Climbing, Cycling, Running, Boating and Traveling.
Good luck shopping this year! Stay away from the mall! Happy Holidays...
