Dirtbagging 101: Three Yoga Moves to Try On Your SUP Board

Imagine this: Your day job involves tasting wine made for outdoor lovers. You live in Hood River, Oregon, one of the most picturesque places in the country. In the winter, you teach children how to snowboard, and in the summer, you head up an outdoor SUP-yoga program that teaches people yoga while balancing on a stand-up paddleboard. Bliss, right? It’s the life of Naked Winery’s tasting room manager Emma Rossoff. While she may not have a lot of stress to release, she was one of the first yogis to take her sport to the water (read my chat with her HERE!). Here she shows us three easy ways to find Zen above H2O:

Photos by Jock Bradley.

Pose: Navasana Variation

Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate

What it does: Strengthens the core muscles. Tones the legs, arms and back.

How to do it:

Sit facing the front of the board with outstretched legs. With the paddle in your hand, bend your knees and lift them as you lower your upper body slightly back. When you feel your core engage, you are there. Variations include holding this position, bringing the opposite elbow towards opposite knee and alternating, or performing a sit-up.

More moves after the jump!

Dirtbagging 101: How to Tie Into A Climbing Harness

So you’re learning how to climb—time to learn the basics. To tie yourself into a climbing harness, you’ll need to know how to create a Figure-8 Follow-Through knot, followed by a Fisherman’s Backup knot. They don’t just look pretty—they’re your lifelines should your grip slip, keeping your harness attached to the belay rope. While nothing beats hands-on practice (it makes perfect, after all), visual learners might benefit from brushing up with this photo tutorial. Just make sure to practice tying these knots with the help of an expert before you try them on your own and in the field.

Step 1: First, make sure you’re holding the correct end of the rope. One end will be hanging from a belay device and one will be coming down from a top rope or the top of a climbing wall. Use this end.

Step 2: Measure out about an arm’s length of rope. Pinch the rope here (you’ll need this excess rope to tie your Figure-8 knot and your backup knot).

More instructions after the jump!

Dirtbagging 101: How To Prevent A Car Break In

I speak from experience...sadly. 

Let me preface this piece by saying that I've learned from experience how NOT to get your car broken into while your traveling. It was during a half-mile hike when our rented minivan had its window smashed in. Casualties included two GoPros, a Canon DSLR, a purse with all of its contents, a stuff sack filled with gadgets and a Gap scarf. Not sure why that last item was abducted but whatever.

I was inspired by this article from Surfer Magazine which details—in words direct from a robber's  mouth—how not to get robbed while surfing. It has a lot of practical tips that can be of value to other outdoorsmen because we're so often away from our cars with no way of bringing our valuables with us. I highly suggest reading the article at surfermag.com but here's a quick, adapted takeaway for the rest of us:

1. Don't advertise you're outdoorsy
I can proudly say I'm not a bumper sticker kind of girl, and now I feel validated for that—having a surf, kayak or climbing sticker on your car helps thieves identify you as someone who will be away from their car for longer periods of time.

2. Park in crowded areas
The shade from a tree will keep you car cool, but definitely unprotected. Park in a highly visible spot.

3. Keep gear to a minimum
As I can tell you, that's easier said than done, especially while traveling. But whenever possible, lock up your extra gear in the hotel room (or better yet, leave it at home) instead of in the car.

4. Don't rent a soft top
Convertibles and Jeeps are just so easy to break into (heck anyone with a knife can do it). Make sure all windows and car doors are locked...always.

5. Take the key with you
Don't hide it under your car, tuck it under the wheel or near the engine. If you can reach it, they can, too. If that means tucking it into your bra or bikini top, so be it (but keep in mind the Internet is full of solutions for something like this).

6. Get a better car
That's harsh, but a crappy car is just easier to break into.

What are your tips for keeping your car and valuables safe when you're outdoors?

Dirtbagging 101: Intro to Minimalist Running

Jon running, photo by Shiggy Ichinomiya.

Before I go and cause an uproar between believers and skeptics, let me say this: Minimalist running is not for everyone, but those runners who want to give it a try should do their homework, and I'm just touching on the basics here.

Minimalist running is, as the fashion glossies might say, all the rage right now, blossoming into a $1.7 billion industry in the past few years. So what is it? It involves wearing a running shoe that doesn't restrict on the body's natural biomechanics. Traditional, well-cushioned running shoes have built-in ankle support and an elevated heel, while minimalist shoes provide close to no cushioning and just enough material between your foot and the ground to prevent cuts and the spread of disease. The idea is that while you train in minimalist shoes, your feet will get stronger, you'll return to a more natural gait, and you'll be less prone to running injuries. Minimalist runners believe that the human foot will function at its best without synthetic and restrictive shoes.

Dirtbagging 101: Breaking In Your Hiking Boots

Photo by Dirtbag Darling.

Nothing beats the smell of fresh-from-the-store hiking boots, but wearing them to hike in Yosemite straight out of the box? Diaster. You're pretty much asking for blisters, bleeding and a crappy time. Save your feet and your memories by taking a few days or weeks to break in your boots first. Here's how:

1. Make sure they fit right at the store.
Your boots will stretch a bit over time, but not enough to make you size 7.5 boots fit your size 8 feet. Ask a salesperson to help and take your time making sure the boots fit right before you check out.
*Tip: Bring thick wool socks to the store so you can test the boots for cold-weather hikes, too.

2. Wear your outdoors shoes inside.
Lace your boots up tightly when you hop out of bed and wear them while you cook breakfast and get ready for work. They'll feel a little stiff, but take notice of any severe pinching or rubbing—you may need to dig out your receipt and make a return.

3. Go for a short outdoor walk.
Once your boots feel like they fit well, run some errands or take the dog for a walk while wearing them. Wear them for short periods of time often, until they start to form to your feet and the ankle support softens a bit. Heavy-duty leather boots will take longer to break in than their lighter cousins.

4. Don't ignore hot spots.
A little irritation at home can quickly turn into a deal breaker on the trail, especially once you add the weight of a pack. If you notice significant rubbing or pinching, you'll want to exchange your boots, though some problem areas can be fixed at a shoe-repair shop.

5. Be prepared for blisters anyway.
Educate yourself on basic first aid even if you shoes fit well. If you're a serious hiker or backpacker, you'll be in the same boots day after day over long distances. Invest in high-quality shoes, but be ready for injuries. Try preventing blisters with a great product called Blister Shield, which I reviewed over at GrindTv.

Rock Climbing 101: Talk the Talk

Photo by Dirtbag Darling

One of the biggest hurdles a person faces in life is overcoming a fear. Climbing was mine—I felt inept about where to begin. Do I want to "belay on" or "belay off" when I'm ready? Wasn't Gaston the smarmy charmer from Beauty and the Beast—and why is my guide book telling me it's the name of a grip? There are 40 different types of carabiners in front of me—which one do I use?

My first introduction to climbing was back in 1999 during summer camp, but I'll admit at first I was more interested in the Zach Morris look-alike climbing instructor. But once I got harnessed in and tapped out on the top of the indoor rock "mountain," I was hooked. So if you're ready to climb on, first thing's first: Learning the lingo.

Belay
A manner in which two people aid one another while scaling a climbing route. Once person is the anchor, the other is the climber. Anchor-man stays on the ground while the climber scales the wall. Each person wears a harness, and they are connected to a shared rope, with the anchor using a belay device to assist during a fall. That anchor is responsible for catching the climber if she falls, and for aiding her in getting back down to the ground once she's reached the top.

How To Take Better Hiking Photos

Photos of the Dirtbag Darling by B. Scherzberg

This first appeared as a guest post for the Free People blog.

Ever see a National geographic photographer lugging two tripods and case of lenses into the forest? Yeah, I'm not feeling that, especially when my pack feels heavy enough as is. Not all of us have expensive photography equipment or the camera know how to take stunning, magazine-worthy photographs. Still, we all want memorable snaps from our favorite hikes. Here are four easy tips for taking more interesting photographs when you're in the great outdoors:

1. Use your surroundings
It's easy to post next to a huge boulder—but why not climb on top of it? Or pretend you're stuck under it? Add some levity and depth to your photographs by using your surroundings creatively. Rocks, puddles, branches and ice all lend themselves to endless setups. Sounds simple, but people too often forget to have fun with all of the unique features of nature.

Photos of the Dirtbag Darling by S. Callene and B. Scherzberg

2. Move away from your subject
You'll never get an epic landscape shot if your friend won't back the heck up. Try jogging a few feet behind them at the beach and capture their fading footsteps, or climb higher than them so you can capture the steepness of a hike. This helps provide some scale in your photos and will help you create unique perspectives.

For two more fun ideas, visit Blog.FreePeople.com.