In a note unrelated to this random video, the myth that a lot of Japanese people eat whales is ridiculous. They did eat them post WWII as a source of protein, and it was even served in school cafeterias for a long time. Not anymore. About as many Japanese people eat whales as Americans eat whales. (I made that last sentence up, but it sounds true.) Great video, though.

Update: Whale is still widely available in Japan. Also, I should stop making up facts, from time-to-time. Still, I stand by that video.

CamelBak is trying to reinvent the water bottle this summer by updating it with some rad stripes borrowed from the hit 70’s move Logan’s Run. They’re also adding a shut-off valve that makes it leak-proof for transport—not that leaky bottles have been much of an issue during transportation during the last 30 years. The most interesting change in the CamelBak Podium Bottle is its anti-microbial lining. They’ve been doing it in their water reservoirs for ages, but for some reason it seems a lot more creepy and unsafe when its in bottle instead of a space-age bladder.

via Gear Junkie

Pika Packworks EEP is camouflage to baggage handlers and TSA reps. It’s a bike carrying case, but it’s made to look like normal luggage to spare you the oversized baggage fees and those extra TSA checks that are so degrading to your bike. The Pika Packworks Bike Case is made from foam-lined Cordura and costs an amazing $345. It’s a nice setup, but I think I’d prefer to take a week off of riding or pay the $50 bike transport fee.

via Bicycling

This is one of those tents that pops open fully assembled when you take off the cinch strap. The obvious downside for people who have a problem figuring out how to put a tent up is that they’ll still have to figure out how to take it down. I also think it’s highly likely that the Catoma Twist Tent would probably poke me in the eye with a sharp end while I was popping it open. The Catoma Twist Tent only weighs about 3 pounds for a two-person tent, and costs $200. Better hope there aren’t high winds.

Some rad Right Coast surfing with music that makes you wish Cheap Trick would get back together. The fishing scene doesn’t look bad either. A teaser for the surf film Picaresque.

via 70Percent

If there’s one thing this blog lacks, it’s the dispensing of any truly useful advice. That’s what I link to Tom for. The San Francisco hiker tracked down this online guide that shows how to lace your hiking boots for differently shaped feet. Great advice? Yeah, a little boring, perhaps, but that’s why I also link to this Sponge Bob rectal thermometer. The online lacing guide covers heel slip, high arch problems, and toe jam; this is the best we can do here since it’s tough to try on shoes online.

via Two-Heel Drive

If I were being honest, I would say that I was surprised to learn that guns aren’t already allowed in U.S. National Parks, but my liberal political views won’t allow it. Instead I need to feign outrage that people would ever dream of carrying guns in national parks. A bill snaking its way through congress while the politicians focus on keeping drugs out of baseball (cycling’s okay) would allow hikers and parkgoers to carry guns. The argument is that people in the backcountry need protection from violent crimes since they’re off the grid, but the stats say the chance of getting victimized out there are about 1 in 708,333. Makes sense that people would carry guns out there—I can’t tell you how many muggers I’ve seen lurking on glaciers or around blind switchbacks. What bears?

via GetOutdoors

It might not be great for the backcountry, but the Mug! is made for the outdoors crowd. These people need their chemicals and it never hurts to arm yourself against morning people. Mug! is still 8 weeks out from shipping, but you can sign up for the mailing list while waiting for someone to knock off their design by next week.

via Gizmodo

Skiing Magazine’s new parent company is cutting the staff from the top down. The Editor-in-Chief, the Photo Editor, and the Senior Editor are all leaving town. It’s a shame to see great skiing writers leaving town, and it’s even worse to see jobs disappearing among the small pool of jobs that actually pay people livable salaries to write about and take pictures of skiers. Former Skiing Editors: There’s room for all of you on the internet—let me know if you figure out how to make money on it.

via Base Camp Communications