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Fall is a sneaky little season that I consider an untamed beast. It’s hard to pack and predict the weather. Think about it. Winter is just plain cold. In spring the temperatures are cool. During summer you always know it’s going to be hot. But with Fall, you just don’t know.

This past weekend my good friend Michael and I went to the Fall Gathering at Quartz Mountain, a biannual gathering of Oklahoma rock climbers. This was a weekend for rock climbing and I thought I packed like a pro.

In just a day, I roasted and was desperate for just one more layer to keep from having chattering teeth. From sun-up to sun-down I felt like a lizard basking in the sun, or better yet one of the many rattlesnakes that call Quartz Mountain home. As soon as night fell I was singing a different tune.

I have been hitting the trail for quite sometime now and I was certain I packed the right gear.

After this past weekend I decided it was time to go straight to an expert for some solid outdoors advice. I headed to downtown Edmond’s newest outdoor retailer, Summit Company, and talked serious shop with owner John James, asking where did I go wrong?

James shared some expert advice: “The number one goal in most outdoor activities with regard to clothing is moisture management. Many people may not realize that their bodies are constantly releasing moisture and how you manage that moisture is vital to being comfortable on the short term and safe in the long term. At the core, that represents wearing a very good base layer and usually having a fresh base layer to change into before crawling into your bag.”

I was right in packing the layers I did, but I was wrong in how I used them. I had failed in drying out before I buried into my sleeping bag and therefore created a moisture-ridden bag. With my haste to be warm, I had set myself up to freeze.

Down versus synthetic is the debate of the century and perhaps far more entertaining than the current political affairs, at least for the outdoorsy type that spend their free time talking shop at the local outfitter over arguing the McCain Obama debate.

If you walk into any outdoors store and ask the time told question down versus synthetic you will get varied answers, but each with carry a fast and strong opinion and after an evening intense debating of which fill was the best I decided it was time to weigh the options!

Each contender in this battle royal has pros and cons to tilt or sway your opinion and since I am Girl vs. Wild lets get debating!

First up in the debate is down. Now down is said to be the warmest insulation on the market which does make since. Think about it, God didn’t make ducks or any fowl for the matter out of synthetic. They are all protected by fluffy down feathers and they stay warm in the coldest of temperatures.

Down will also hold its shape or loft better over time, but you must keep in mind the care instructions for down do require a bit more effort. You can not throw a down bag or jacket of any sort into the washing machine at home like you can synthetic. They do require special care at a dry cleaners.

Down wicks moisture away and does allow it to evaporate, however once the down is wet it does take awhile to dry. If you find yourself in moist, wet, or humid conditions down, basically anywhere in Oklahoma down might not be your friend.

Down packs compact as well and in most cases weighs less that it’s synthetic counterpart. When backpacking for me every ounce counts and if I can shed weight in certain areas of my pack I will take every opportunity I get.

For synthetic the facts top of the mark as well so before jumping on the down ban wagon take these into account.

Test have shown synthetic is more water resistant than down and dries relatively quick. Synthetics pride themselves in the Primaloft technology that coats each fiber with a permanent water repellant agent.

Synthetic usually costs less than it’s down equal. I did some research to see how the prices might vary and a 15 degree bags with down fill on Marmot.com starts at $199 and the synthetic 15 degree bags start $89. If price is important to you this might be a deciding factor.

Synthetic is also hypo allergenic. People do have allergies and some are allergic to down making the option of a synthetic best for them.

The facts are out and now it’s time to decide wether its pack weight, ultimate warmth, water repellence, or the bottom line price! Make you vote and get camping!

For more on the down versus synthetic debate head to Newsok.com/multimedia and listen to the featured Outdoors & Environment podcast.

Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn Farris

This past Monday I decide to be adventurous in OKC. It was time to get my hands dirty and see what fellow Oklahomans do for jobs. I decide to take a trip to the Oklahoma City Zoo and job shadow a Galapagos tortoise animal caretaker. Yes you read right a tortoise animal caretaker and a very knowledgeable one at that. I met with Blake Bauer to start the duties of this adventure of the tortoise kind.

First things first this was an extremely fun, yet dirty job! I adorned gigantic knee high rubber boots and was geared for the duties ahead. Feeding was first and with the special fall holidays pumpkins were the treat of choice and let me tell you these tortoises were not afraid to chomp down. With a mix of grapes, bell peppers, squash, and of course pumpkins this was a colorful mix of fruits and veggies. An interesting fact, these tortoises are reptiles and are also ectothermic meaning cold blooded so they don’t need to eat several times day like one might expect. Generally they are feed once a day or every other day to fill their dietary needs.

Since Oklahoma has such a dry climate next on the day’s duties was polishing their shells. A Galapagos tortoise’s shell is very similar to a humans’ skin and with Oklahoma’s dry days and windy weather their shells get dry and need to be moistured just like our human skin does. With cotton gloves on hand we rubbed mineral oil onto their shells to protect them from the dry air. Not only does this moisturize their shells it also makes them shinny for visitors to admire. Shell polishing is done about once a month and I was lucky enough to join in! This part of the job was not dirty, but was a big undertaking since the tortoises don’t exactly hold still for beauty time.

An interesting fact, the five tortoises, two males and three females at the Oklahoma City Zoo have been there since the 40’s and 50’s, and when they arrived at the Zoo they where already of adult age. This makes them in the age range of 80 - 100 years old and these guys show no sign of getting tired soon either!

With the leaves changing and the temperatures feeling like fall this is an ideal time to take a trip to the Zoo. If your looking to be spooked for Halloween the Oklahoma City Zoo is having it’s 25 Annual Haunt The Zoo. Haunt the Zoo runs from October 26th through October 31st 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. nightly rain or shine. Find your creepiest or cutest costume and head to the Zoo for a goulish good time while stuffing your pockets full of candy!

For more on my time at the Oklahoma City Zoo head to NewsOK.tv for the latest Girl vs. Wild video.

Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn Farris

Welcome To Horseshoe Hell

A lot can happen in 24 hours such as an entire day! For rock climbers across the US though the 24 hours owned by last Saturday to Sunday was a full 24 hours of climbing. When I say 24 hours of climbing I mean exactly that. A full 24 hours of solid non-stop rock climbing. The 3rd annual 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell took stage last weekend at the Horseshoe Canyon Ranch near Jasper, Arkansas.

This was the 3rd year for the event with 190 climbers in teams of two at the start. These numbers are up from previous years showing that more and more climbers are coming to the event and not only that they are also training for this athletic feat. Horseshoe Hell is no small task with big names like Sonnie Trotter and Brittany Griffith from team Patagonia competing in the event. 24 hours of climbing is not for those weak in the mind or who might tucker out fast. This is a true competition of endurance of both mind and body.

The start gun went off at 10 a.m. Saturday with climbers dispersing across the ranch in teams of two. Knocking out routes in a fast and steady pace. Climbers stretched as far as the eye could see. Trekking back and forth across the ranch marking routes off their score cards. A real excitement could be felt in the air as teams were making headway.
Towards the strike of midnight a different song was being sung. Exhausted climbers were starting to question themselves asking if they really wanted to push forward. Some second guessing their intentions and begging partners to let them throw in the rope knowing there were still 12 more hours to go.
Teams climbed through the night with routes lit by headlamps and lanterns. Some groups were singing songs and telling jokes to keep each other awake. Various dance parties broke out to excite the sleepy mood. Tired teams would even take quick naps while waiting to tie into their next route.
Into the wee hours of morning climbers moved forward with glazed eyes and exhausted bodies pushing for the goal of making the full 24 hours of Horseshoe Hell. When the finish gun went off at 10 a.m. Sunday 131 climbers finished the competition.
Oklahoma climbers made a great showing in this year’s Horseshoe Hell with 39 climbers participating and three climbers taking wins in the end. Jonathan Stranger got second in the recreational division and Sky Checotah and Rusty Blackmon tied for third in the intermediate category.

Severe fatigue, dehydration, bloody fingers and raw skin was felt by all the climbers, but in the end no matter how beaten their bodies and minds were the 131 climbers that finished can say they beat hell!

Girl vs. Wild,
Jacquelyn Farris

Oklahoma actually has mountains! I still find this very hard to swallow even though I am a native to this state. I spent my college years in Colorado taking in the vertical and all that height can offer a person. Oklahoma seems very flat to me except when I am holding on to a inch sliver of sandstone on a rock face making my way up. Its those moments I go ahead and except the fact that this state has mountains. In fact we have 8 rock formations or ranges that are classified as mountains according to Oklatravel.net.

The Quartz Mountains located in Lone Wolf, OK in the southwestern part of the state is a historical spot. This region saw many different regimes in the 1800’s and in 1869 General Custer even marched his troops through this area.

The Wichita Mountains located in Lawton, OK are the oldest mountain range in North America and apart of the Wichita Wildlife Refuge’s 59,020 protected acres.

The Arbuckle Mountains located in Davis, OK at one time were over 20,000 feet tall and over 200 million years old are one of the oldest mountains in America.

The Glass Mountains are located in Fairview, OK in the Northwestern part of the state. These mountains received their name because of the sparkling selenite crystal that cover it’s surface.

The next four mountain areas are located in the southwestern part of the state. The Jack Fork and Sans Bois Mountains in Wilburton, and the Winding Stair in Hodgen and the Kiamichi Mountains in Antlers. These mountains create the lush and remote world of southern Oklahoma.

Fall is officially here. It might still feel like summer days out, but sooner or later we will start seeing crisp mornings and cool nights. The leaves will start changing and the days will get shorter. The hustle and bustle is upon with school back in session and the holidays just around the corner. I have noticed people are loosing the time loved by summer days to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.

Recently I was pondering how we all need a city escape. That is what has led me to rediscover one of my favorite places to go on an Oklahoma adventure, and it’s right here in Oklahoma City. Martin Nature Park located at 5000 West Memorial Road is the perfect place for a day adventure when you feel too busy to get away.

Living in the city we sometimes forget that we are surrounded by many different plants and animals that call this place home too. Now I am not referring to the pesky possum that tosses your trash can in the night or the squirrel that plays chinese fire drill with your car when you’re always rushed to get somewhere. I am talking about birds, butterflies, owls, coyotes, deer, or even bobcats. Martin Nature Park is home to many of these wild animals and on a typical day it is not uncommon to share the trail with some of them.

With 3.5 miles of hiking trails winding through through Oklahoma woods and grasslands this an ideal place for an outdoors escape. The Park also features one graveled trail that is wheelchair accessible making sure to meet the needs of all nature fans. These natural trails consist of gravel and packed soil with short stretches of moderate slopes and occasional steps.

Martin Nature park even has Sunday Nature Hikes where guests can learn about the nature of the season. In my opinion Fall is the most amazing season with the colors changing and animals preparing for winter. This would be a perfect time to load the family in the car and have a beautiful Sunday hike at Martin Nature Park.

Martin Nature Park offers guided park tours and nature hikes every Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Guided tours are just $2 per person and reservations are recommended, call 755-0676.

Special programming is also offered such as the upcoming 2nd Annual Fall Into Art Day on November 1st. Local artists will share nature inspired works of art and also share their techniques. There will be live music and snack all will enjoying the backdrop of the leaves changing colors.

Martin Nature Park is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The park is closed on holidays and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

Every time you visit Martin Nature Park it’s a new experience. Animals and their tracks can always be found on the trail. Wether is be the middle of winter with fresh deer or bobcat tracks or the heat of summer and the woods are filled with singing birds. Martin Nature Park is the perfect place for a nature escape!

Happy Trails from Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn Farris

It has been raining cats and dogs, and even elephants for days now. The ground is soaked and swamp like. This weather is not friendly to a fun outdoor adventure. Mother nature has decided that you are staying inside for a weekend of great outdoor adventure flicks! Grab the popcorn, candy, soda and hit the couch with the remote in hand. It’s time for the Girl vs. Wild’s top six outdoor adventure movies.

•Into the Wild: Directed by Sean Penn and based on author Jon Krakauer’s true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who gives up all his worldly possessions and his life as he knew it to trek into the deep Alaska back country to live in the wild and become Alexander Supertramp. This film is my all-time favorite film and has the honor of Girl vs. Wild’s top pick. (R)

•Out Cold: Epic adventure comes to mind when I think of Out Cold. I have spent many a night watching this one, dreaming of my days as a snowboard town thrill-seeker. I spent several years working at Wolf Creek Ski area, all for the treasured employee mountain pass. Out Cold is a hilarious film that captures exactly what it is like to be a mountain town snowboarder, while also telling the tale of the town’s beloved Bull Mountain being in jeopardy when corporate tycoon Lee Majors attempts to move in. (PG-13)

•A River Runs Through It: A fly fishing classic that tells a nostalgic story of a father and his sons as they grow up fishing the Montana waters. As the brothers near adulthood, they choose different paths as they struggle to live up to their father’s high standards, but both always come back to the waters they loved with their father. (PG)

•Aspen Extreme: This is a classic ski adventure. Two snow-struck friends from Detroit chase the ski-bum dream of being Aspen ski instructors. The guys soon realize the Aspen ski scene is cutthroat, and through several challenging turns the friends are tested with money, temptation, and fame nearly tearing their friendship apart. (PG-13)

•Alive: This true story is the account of 35 rugby players whose team plane crashes in the Andes mountains on a barren glacier. Stranded with no food, no water, and no rescue coming, the 35 athletes must decide how far they will go to survive. (R)

•Vertical Limit: Siblings Annie and Peter grew up climbing with their father until a split-second decision ends their father’s life and tears the siblings apart. Years later they are reunited at the K2 base camp and must face the life and death decision to survive the dangers of K2. (PG-13)

What has happened to the compass? Where has the most simple, yet needed, survival tool gone? This last week a friend of mine said they didn’t know how to use a compass. At first I was surprised, but soon realized I was a part of a dying breed. The compass has fallen down the nostalgic dark hole that the Red Ryder B.B. Gun and Cracker Jack went into a decade back. People my age just do not know how to use a compass, and I would go as far to say that youth in the generations after mine would not even be able to recognize one.

I can’t even count the amount of times I have asked for simple directions and been told turn at the big sign, or ‘it’s a bit down from the McDonald’s.’ People have honestly lost all knowledge of north to south and east to west.

We have completely lost our sense of direction. It’s not that we have become stupid. I believe the compass has just been pushed to the wayside by new technologies like mapquest, fancy GPS-enabled phones, hand-held mapping systems, and navigation systems. With all of theses electronics, why would people need to know how to use a compass or even a map?

My first adventure memories are with my dad on the open road in the big brown Suburban, riding copilot. I would sit perched in my booster seat with the map unfolded in my lap, navigating my dad the directions.

Now, it should be known that I have a genetic predisposition to having the latest and greatest gadget or new technology. I do own and use a variety of direction-guiding tools. Whether it be my Garmin handheld mapping system, my internet-ready and GPS enabled blackberry that I can’t leave home without, or my wristwatch the size of the landing pad at Cape Canaveral that tells me air temperature, altitude, and coordinates with directions, and even predicts the weather. I am just as guilty as the next person when it comes to phasing out the simple manual compass.

But I ask you this, what will you do when your watch goes on the fritz, your cell phone can’t get service, and your fancy GPS loses the tower to link its location? You are going to be lost!

We need to rally around the trusty compass. It could be the newest comeback kid. We need to take a few steps back and start taking gear advice from the old greats like Lewis and Clark and rock-climbing pioneer Royal Robbins. I guarantee these adventurers definitely didn’t rely on the latest GPS tracker. We can’t always count on technology, but we can count on ourselves! Get a compass, use it, like it, love it!!!

Girl vs. Wild, Jacquelyn Farris

New outdoor adventures, especially those that allow me to meet new people, are always a thrill. For years I have been eyeing the sport of kayaking, but for some reason I had not yet tried it due to a feeling of timidity which is very uncommon for me. I am usually a girl that attacks all adventures head on. Kayaking seemed like one of those sports that required vast amounts of skill! The whole concept of staying afloat in a tiny box like flotation device while trying to paddle with rhythm, and oh yes not flip over and drown. All those variables didn’t add up well in my head. In fact I had the cat in water scenario playing in my mind.

This past week I decided it was time to put my Girl vs. Wild brave face on and paddle deep into the waters of kayaking. With fear in tow I met with Dave Lindo of OKC Kayak at Lake Hefner to try out my undiscovered kayaking prowess. OKC Kayak is located at 2nd and Western in downtown Oklahoma City.

Lindo is a man that knows kayaking. In fact he got his start kayaking A few years back when he went on his first kayaking trip. He loved it so much that when he got home and he purchased two Prijon Sea Kayaks. Dave says,

“I stacked the two kayaks on top of each other one night, and they multiplied like bunnies,” Lindo said.

Now Lindo runs Dave is running a top of the line kayak outfitter and guide service here in OKlahoma City and takes ing groups kayaking locally, across the United States and elsewhere.

First things first, Dave Lindo reassured me that I was not going to drown drowned in Lake Hefner kayaking. I reminded myself I was with a pro and had nothing to worry about. With that in mind I zipped up my life vest and we started covering the basics. Paddle technique, weight to kayak ratios, and the general concept of just having fun! Basics were set and I was ready to get my paddle wet. With growing excitement and anticipation I hopped in the kayak and was off.

Instantly kayaking gave me a freeing feeling that I had never experienced before. There is nothing like being in the water paddling. It’s absolutely euphoric. As soon as I got in the water I was a totally different person. All the cautions I had about kayaking disappeared and with all my fears of feeling like a wet cat gone instead I felt like a fast little duck!

Dave Lindo and the staff at OKC Kayak offer classes, trips, and rentals to fit your kayak adventure needs. From Quickstart Kayak Lessons to the Eskimo Rolling class OKC Kayak can have you paddle savvy in no time. Rentals are available too with single or double kayaks and rates are set hourly or for the day. This is perfect if you’re already paddling like a pro, but don’t have your own. Simply rent a top of the line kayak with no worries. I am most excited about the various trips and group activities OKC Kayak offers. Such as the Social Paddle held on Tuesday evenings or hey how about signing up for the Illinois River Daytrip, or better yet paddle big and join the SE Alaska trip!

No matter you kayaking skills be it novice or a pro OKC Kayak will have your paddle wet in no time.

Labor Day is here, and tomorrow is the big day. This is one of very few days a year that embodies the idea of relaxation and fun.

Oklahoma is home to some of the U.S.A’s most famous roadside attractions. Small towns from the panhandle to the southeast corner of this great state claim some of the most amazing yet surprising and obscure roadside jewels.

Here is a Girl vs. Wild approved list of the top five places to have an off-the-beaten-path roadside adventure during the last days of summer.

•The Blue Whale is the product of love and located in Catoosa. The former Tulsa Zoo director built his wife, an alligator farm operator, the Blue Whale swimming hole as an anniversary gift for their family. This has been a classic roadside attraction since opening to the public in the mid 1970s. There are also picnic tables on the shore, so pack a lunch and make a day of it.

•Paul Bunyan Muffler Man lives on in Aline. Now, I am not sure about Blue, his trusty ox, but Paul is standing tall in Aline, OK, in Bud’s Auto Salvage on Route 8. This yard is also home to a noteworthy collection of 50s and 60s cars. So hit the road and say hello to that tall man for me.

•Circus Town USA! Yes you heard me right — a circus town and also a circus cemetery. Hugo, in the southeastern corner of the state, is home to wintering circus operations. It’s not uncommon to see circus wagons and trailers parked next to a family home. This little town also is where circus performers and their animals alike are laid to rest. Yes, you heard me right again — man and elephants have a final resting spot in this Hugo cemetery. Pack the circus peanuts and head for an elephant of an adventure.

•The Action Figure Museum located in Pauls Valley is the home to all things action. There are more than 10,000 items in their collection. Whether G.I Joe is your American hero or Marvel is your middle name, your childhood toys are on display. When you walk through these doors, no matter your age, you will be a kid at heart.

•Pops Soda Ranch and Shake Shop on Route 66 in Arcadia is the newest Oklahoma roadside attraction. With nearly 500 different sodas on any given day and more than 45 different root beers to choose from, there is sure to be a flavor of fizz for you. Pops also serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Before you leave, don’t forget to fill up your car with gas and hit the convience store for those goodies you need before hitting the road.

Jacquelyn Farris, Girl vs. Wild