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

This Wisconsinite (real word) took home second place in the Specialized Innovate or Die contest for his pedal-powered snowplow. I’m surprised he won at all—or was even allowed to enter—since he’s an engineer for Trek bikes. The good news is that even though he missed out on the $5k grand prize from Specialized, the California-based company sent him a new bike. Just what every Trek engineer needs, a sweet new Specialized Globe 3.

via Bicycle Design