california Archives

Climbing the Matterhorn

Paulina DaoJuly 28, 20165880 views

I was too slow. I was too fat. Maybe my pack was too heavy. I shouldn’t have gone to the gym yesterday. Did I really need to bring my DSLR and tripod? Why couldn’t I keep up? What if he didn’t want to ever go on climbing adventures with me again? My trekking pole got stuck in a crevice. I yanked it out and subsequently knocked the handle into my eye. That was the final straw that broke the frustrated camel’s back. I tried to stop it, but one sniffle led to another. Then I was suddenly bawling on the last half mile section to our campsite for the night.

Climbing Cathedral Peak

Paulina DaoJuly 18, 20162730 views

It’ll be easy, I said. It’s only a few pitches of 5.6, I said. We’ll be in and out with tons of time to frolick and lounge, I said. That’s how I talked my friend, Joe, into spontaneously driving to Tuolumne Meadows with Josh and I to climb Cathedral Peak with us one June weekend.

Outdoor Research Petra Pants

Paulina DaoJuly 12, 20161620 views

Outdoor Research has been killing it lately in the outdoor lifestyle department. From the Umbra Hoody to the Bryn Dress, all the pieces look good going out and going outside. The Outdoor Research Petra Pants are no exception.

How to Spend a Weekend in Carmel

Paulina DaoJune 28, 20161602 views

Living in San Francisco, I’m super lucky to have many beautiful destinations within a few hours’ driving distance. Mendocino, Napa, Carmel, Big Sur… For me, that means that most of these places are usually long day trips. I’m lucky to have finally spent a weekend on the Central Coast. Read on to see how to spend an idyllic weekend in Carmel.

Black Diamond Creek Pants

Paulina DaoJune 23, 20161705 views

I’m really good at destroying my pants while climbing. Cracks aren’t terribly forgiving. You can find me awkwardly humping the rock to top out more often than not. 99% of the time I find myself scooting on my butt on an approach or descent. Add in my slob factor and it’s basically a recipe for disaster when it comes to ever looking socially acceptable after climbing. The Black Diamond Creek Pants were the answer to my prayers.