Eddie Bauer Launch and Samantha: Pig in the City

I get to visit SM Aura in rare occasions. Monday's was only the second of these occasions. Ruby from Primer/ROX sent an invite to the launch of their latest brand in the country: Eddie Bauer. While already having a branch open in SM Megamall at the new Fashion Wing, the brand was officially launching just now, at the same time as the opening of their SM Aura branch.

I've known this brand for quite some time now; mostly from outdoor magazines and, of course, from the ukay-ukay finds of Richard. Eddie Bauer has been around for a while, starting off as sport shop (hunting, fishing supplies) in Washington State in the 1920's. It has since grown into one of the leading outdoor apparels in the States, especially after its introduction of the down -filled jacket. In 2009, they launched a new product line, called First Ascent, recalling the tradition of the brand's support of  early and  notable American alpine expeditions.

with Romi, Paeng, and Lulu 

Of Running, Glenda, and Doomsday Prepping

Sungay Road, between Talisay and Tagaytay - Running amid a scene of destruction—in this case, a maze of fallen trees and electric posts—felt surreal. A part of me was thinking, we should probably help out the community in clearing these roadblocks instead of run-walking up this road with weighted packs.

We find ourselves doing this run after saying yes to Romi’s invitation. In preparation for the October Himalayan trip, he suggested we work up our cardio capacity by running uphill carrying a pack with at least a 10-kilogram load. He got Primer/ROX on-board to provide the logistical support; now he needs warm bodies to join him. Luckily, there was a van-load of people from UPM willing to try this out.

Group shot before heading up to Tagaytay

Mt. Maculot (Returning to a past favorite, and testing out a new pack)

It's easy to understand why a lot of outdoors people like Mt. Maculot. It's fairly accessible; relatively cheap; not so difficult to climb; guides are optional; and the view is unbeatable. During my climbing days pre-UPM, this ranks among my most-frequented mountains. But then I (we) came to realize that everyone else also loved to climb the mountain; which is very obvious with the level of erosion along the trail the saddle. What came next was the conscious decision not to climb it anymore; save the mountain at least from the impact from my footprints. January 2004 was my last visit.

In my pack

I remember the time when my old Bomika pack (actually my brother's) seemed to be on the verge of breaking down from the weight of the stuff I put inside it. At once instance, a little over a decade ago in Daguldol--a time when money was scarce, nalgene bottles were the craze, and gears were huge--I was severely over-packed and lugging two tents, several nalgene bottles, cookset and stove(s?), a whole frozen chicken, and a big-ass emergency lamp running on D batteries. Mid-trail I suffered cramps, and needless to say, my ego was bruised, right in front of the girl I was "making porma".

Times have changed. And since joining UPM, I've become a "smarter" packer. Camping equipment have also changed drastically; shaving off volume and weight tremendously. So comparing how much weight I was carrying, I might look like a ninny now compared to my "younger" years.

The typical gear pile before being stuffed into the pack

First round wipeout

The saying "you never forget how to ride a bike" might be true. That didn't help me on the trails.

Last Saturday, at the invitation of Jojo, we headed for the trails of La Mesa Nature Reserve. It was drizzling in the early morning, so I expected it to be a muddy day. 

There were five other takers who showed up, with Ros as the lone thorn among the roses. After registering and paying the entry fees, we pedaled our way towards Tower 1.

(photo: Jojo Gutierrez)

New Gear Tuesday!

Thanks to Yanna, I got my new runners!