Trip Report: Kalalau Trail

Posted on by mrsoltys
[caption id="attachment_380" align="aligncenter" width="1024" caption="The view at Kalalau. Our campsite is in the hole in the trees to the left, and the beach is on the right."] [/caption] The kalalau trail was one of the most magnificent trails I've ever hiked. Every turn offered breath-taking views of magnificent cliffs, huge jagged mountains, and 1000 ft waterfalls. The trail is lined...Read More

Trip Report: Honolulu, Hawaii

Posted on by mrsoltys
[caption id="attachment_374" align="aligncenter" width="1024" caption="View of Hanauma bay"][/caption] We didn't have a whole lot planned upon arriving in Honolulu, which, in my opinion, can be a very stress free way to travel if you have like-minded travel companions. William and Randy stayed in a hostel near Waikiki beach and my brother and I stayed in a hotel near the convention...Read More

Trip Report: Hidden Valley Backcountry Skiing

Posted on by mrsoltys
UPDATE: If you're looking for more current trip reports, current avi conditions, other backcountry ski areas, or backcountry ski weather, please check out my new website (which is under construction) at www.PowProject.com [caption id="attachment_343" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Courtney Making some Tele Turns in fresh snow at Hidden Valley"][/caption] This past weekend I had a great time backcountry skiing at Hidden Valley,...Read More

Cycling Tip: Cheap Full Fingered Gloves

Posted on by mrsoltys
If you mountain bike, Gloves are essential. You will fall, and unprotected hands are painful! Full fingered gloves are also essential for road riding when it's chilly out. Unfortunately, cycling stuff always seems expensive (which is why almost everything i own, from clothes to bikes, is second hand). So you can imagine how a frugal guy like me would be...Read More

The quiver grows

Posted on by mrsoltys
My RSS notification on new bikes keeps me in the loop when there are good deals on bikes out there.  However it can be dangerous, as I have a pretty major weak spot for bikes.  Last night I bought yet another bike, bringing my collection up to 5: Konay-nay: The newest addition, I plan on putting gears on this single-speed...Read More

Theoretical Fluid Mechanics: Venturi Meter

Posted on by mrsoltys
A Venturi Meter is a device that allows flow rates through pipes to be calculated by measuring the difference in pressure created by a contraction in a pipe.  When the flow goes through the contraction it must speed up, and so the pressure must drop.  By measuring the two pressures, engineers can directly calculate the velocity of the fluid.  Knowing the pipe...Read More

Trip Report: Mount Rainier

Posted on by mrsoltys
As with most of the things on my bucket list, I don't know why I wanted to climb Mount Rainier, other than the fact that its majestic (if you've ever been to seattle, you know what I'm talking about) and there's the challenge of it: I've done a few 14ers, but Mt. Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the lower 48,...Read More

Trip Report: Valley of Peace, Belize

Posted on by mrsoltys
[caption id="attachment_310" align="alignright" width="300" caption="New Year's Day Lunch with Omar and his Family."][/caption] I've been on a number of service trips with various churches and by myself, ranging from hiking through the Zongolica mountains, Mexico handing out bibles to doing construction on a hospital in rural Ghana. The question is always "what do I bring to this trip?" And the...Read More

Trip Report: Mt Shasta

Posted on by mrsoltys
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="720" caption="View of Shasta from Bunny Flats"][/caption] Mt Shasta was my first 14er ever.  In fact, before I climbed Shasta, I had never even heard of a 14er.  The idea got in my head when my uncle Larry suggested I come out and climb it with him, and the resulting road trip was some of the best...Read More