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CG’s Holiday Gear Guide

December 2nd, 2015

In search of the perfect Holiday gift for friends and family? Look no further than Caroline Gleich’s Holiday Gear Guide! All the best gear that I’ve tested and hand-picked.

These are products from the brands that sponsor me. Having tested their products for years and years, I chose to endorse these brands because I feel they are the best in the industry! I am so hard on my gear, so here are items that I recommend that will last.

Patagonia

The Patagonia Arbor Backpack and Duffel are a great set for travel and adventure. Plus, the unique print means they won’t get lost in the mix. I’ve taken mine all over the world. The fabric is durable to protect electronics and other contents, but the pack is still lightweight enough to fold up and store when it’s not in use.

The Black Hole Duffel is my go-to for keeping my gear organized, whether it’s ski boots and backcountry gear in the trunk of the car for a day of skiing or expedition mountaineering luggage for an international trip. These bags are water-resistant, durable and useful in many ways.

The Nano-Air jacket is one of Patagonia’s latest technical innovations. The fabric is so light and supple, it feels like you’re wearing almost nothing. They are warm and wearable, and can go from expedition to downtown without a worry.

Goal Zero The Goal Zero Flip 20 Recharger is a must for any smartphone user. It’s great for travelers, a long day at work, or for active outdoorspeople. I always carry one in my purse or in my ski pack so I can recharge my cell phone when the battery inevitably runs out. The Light-A-Life Mini Lantern is a must for campers, in tents or otherwise. I use one with a Flip Recharger while sleeping in my car, and it bring a delightful glow into any space. It’s a great stocking stuffer.

LifeProof

For protecting your electronics. I keep my phone in my LifeProof case 24/7. It’s helped my phone survive falls into the backtub and off the side of 100 ft cliffs. Whether it’s moisture, dirt, snow or children, a LifeProof case on your smartphone protects your investment.

Nordica For the ripping lady in your life, I highly recommend the Nordica Nemesis skis. These skis are my one-quiver wonder when I’m traveling and I have to bring the one ski that can do it all. They rip in powder, they handle the steeps, they are manuevable and perform well at all speeds. I can’t tell you how much I love these skis. Leki For the hiker, backpacker, trail runner or skier or for anyone who ever gets sore knees, I highly recommend Leki’s trekking and ski poles. These poles are incredibly sturdy and they break down to fit into even the smallest trail running pack when you decide not to use them. They make river crossings or steep downhills so much easier! I use them all the time.

Next up…who doesn’t love Clif Bars! They are the perfect gift for your favorite office staff, and a great way to say thank you to teachers, doctors, or other important people in your life. I always have my pantry well stocked with Clif Bars, and they are another item I almost always carry with me when I’m traveling.

Other gift ideas? Why not make a charitable contribution to a non-profit. I recommend:

Protect Our Winters,

the Arbor Day Foundation

or your local Avalanche Center!

Posted in Gear, Holidays, Skiing, Travel

Why I Devoted My Life to Opting Outside

November 29th, 2015

Posted in Uncategorized

Why Trails Are Meaningful to Me

September 8th, 2015

As part of REI’s #everytrailconnects campaign, I was asked to answer the question of why are trails meaningful to me. As a professional skier and mountaineer, this question made me dig deep into my background in the outdoors and connect with my roots. Often, I like to venture where there are no trails, but the trailheads are always the start. To me, trails are a source of inspiration. They reignite my childlike curiousity and help me remember my drive to explore, to see what is around the next corner. Trails force me to be intimately connected with my surroundings, to remember each rock and tree and to notice the subtleties of foliage and sun.

To me, trails mean a sense of belonging. It is on the trailhead where I meet up with my tribe, and on that trail where I can be my true, authentic, wild self.

My favorite childhood memories were made on the trail, backpacking through the Wind River Range, the Sawtooths and the San Juans with my dad and my brothers. Growing up in the Midwest and traveling to the Western US, I was awestruck by the rugged beauty and complexity of the mountains, and it was there that I found my sense of place. Those mountains stood in stark contrast to the flatlands of the Midwest, and it gave me a goal to look towards. I always knew I wanted to go back and climb those mountains. I loved the alpine starts, watching sunrise while walking with my family.

In college, I majored in anthropology. I spent a lot of time learning about human evolution. Sometimes I feel more akin to the ancestral homo sapiens, the pre-modern human who roamed around, hunting and gathering and living off the land. The trail connects us to our ancestral self. Whether we are looking to pick the best huckleberries at our favorite stash, searching for that beautiful, high, alpine lake, or hunting down the best powder on skis, going out on a trail is a practice that is innate to us.

In this way, trails connect us with our humanness and our tribe. They also connect us with our environment. On the trail, we remember we are not superior to nature. Every trail connects us to our place in the natural world. Trails help us find our edge and push us to make brave choices. They give us a framework for exploring our wilderness. Trails mean stewardship and a chance to leave no trace. It’s one arena where humans can have little impact.

My very first job in the outdoor industry was working at the Salt Lake City REI, first as a cashier and a greeter, then as an action sports specialist. I loved meeting people who were excited to venture into the outdoors and I’m excited about REI’s ongoing commitment to giving back, to protect and improve the places we love to play. This year, REI will give back $5.9 million dollars to nonprofits who are committed to caring for outdoor places, and this fall, $500,000 will go to trail networks in the places where REI members live and play. Check out rei.com/trails to learn more.

And remember, adventure is not a destination, it’s a state of mind. Whether you live in the city, the mountains or the sea, there are always opportunities to have an adventure and interact with the natural world. Be brave, play hard, have fun and be safe.

Blog post created in partnership with REI.

Posted in Uncategorized

A Glimpse Into My Training

May 20th, 2015

Over the past year or two, I’ve written a lot about my “training”” on Instagram. There are a few types of training I do, some based on technical skills, but I spend most of my time focusing on a fitness training plan. When I first started coaching myself, I had no idea what I was doing. I thought, more was better, and kept adding on the mileage and vertical. My days were long and punishing. I pushed myself to the limit, again and again and again. I was on the verge of falling apart.

Then I stumbled across “Training for the New Alpinism” by Steve House and Scott Johnston. I would see Steve at different events and ask him questions. “Steve,” I’d say, “How do I know if I’m over-training?” “I’m training for a lot of climbs and I just want to get faster and stronger overall.” Steve was really nice and answered my questions, but eventually, he said he thought his coach Scott could take on another athlete for private coaching. I contacted Scott, and we started working together.

Shortly after I started working with Scott, I came across Chris Morgan and his amazing video work after a mutual friend suggested we collaborate. We had a short planning meeting, and I told him I wanted to show this side of my athletic career. At first, it felt like we had a lot of shots to get, but we managed to pull this off in just two easy days of shooting! Chris has a great eye, he was able to keep track of all the shots we needed and he put them together in a creative way. I love working on these types of collaborations! Huge thanks to Chris for putting this together! Check out his site and Instagram account for more inspiring photos and videos.

I learned that effective training isn’t about adding on more mileage and vertical, it’s about building power and muscular endurance in focused sessions that are shorter than I ever imagined. I started loading up my backpack for weighted uphill hikes, doing 3,000’-7,000’ vertical at a time with 20-30% of my body weight. I got a gym membership and hit the weight room. I sprinted up hills. I trail ran for recovery. I started saying no to a lot of adventures, because I knew they would exhaust me and keep me from my training. Every week was a little different, and Scott and I communicated often to check in and make sure we were on track. It’s a fine line between pushing yourself to the limit but still being able to absorb the effects of the training and breaking yourself down. One session that’s too hard, one night that’s too late, or too many obligations and you risk illness or injury. I learned to be very self-aware, to check in with my body and my mind, and make judgment calls to do what was best for my bigger goals.

Do I feel stronger? After a few months, I started feeling stronger. I noticed big ski touring days didn’t phase me as much as they used to.

But now, I’m excited to go put it all to the test. I’ve been dreaming about skiing in Peru for years. Ever since I first saw a photo of the Cordillera Blanca, I knew I wanted to explore those high mountains on skis. Because the lines of my dreams don’t have chairlifts or helicopters to take me to the top. My legs are my chairlift, and I want them to be as sturdy as possible. In less than a week, I depart for #PeruSki15. Follow along on our adventure!

Huge thanks to Scott Johnston for all the coaching and advice and to Steve House for connecting us and writing the book.

Posted in Uncategorized

We Heart Trees

September 13th, 2014

August 16, 2014

My friend, Hannah Whitney, invited me to plant trees at Solitude with TreeUtah. Many years ago, I volunteered with TreeUtah and did a tree planting at Alta Ski Area. I was excited to have an opportunity to get out with them again.

Part of what makes the Wasatch so great for skiing (besides the abundance and quality of snow) is the spacing of trees. Some of the most alpine-feeling areas of the Wasatch are treeless due to avalanches. However, what people don’t realize when they look at the Wasatch, especially in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, is that most of the ancient trees were removed for limber, to build homes in the Salt Lake Valley and underground mines.

Riding chairlifts in the summer, always an interesting experience. You don’t realize how much snow we get, until you have to jump to get off on a platform!

Volunteers gathering at the top of the lift, ready to divide and conquer.

The lovely Hannah Whitney from Tree Utah giving us a demonstration.

Me, stoked and ready to plant!

Teamwork makes the planting easier, and more fun! I invited my lovely friend Megan Suszynski to come with me, and we had a blast.

Dave Richards aka “Grom” of Alta Ski Patrol, ready to dig!

One of the limber pines we planted…

Hannah Whitney of Tree Utah going what she does best. I met her through the big mountain ski scene, and I’ve been stoked to see her transition to environmental activism, through her work at Patagonia, Tree Utah and SheJumps.