Girl vs. Wild NewsOK.com Blogging Community

Outdoors folk are taking their four-legged friends everywhere with them. Camping, hiking, climbing. You name it.

But before you take your pooch out for a hike there are a few things that need to be covered before leaving home and hitting the trails:

* Make sure Fido’s shot records are up to date. A dog that is not vaccinated is a danger to himself, as well other animals on the trail.

* Dogs will need water and a trail snack. A good rule of thumb is for every trail break you take, the dog will need one, too. Of course you won’t consume the same amount of water or food, but you will both need to stay hydrated and nourished. Dehydration and a general sluggish behavior can sneak up before you know it. You have to remember your dog is burning energy just like you are.

* Be prepared to administer first-aid treatment for your furry friend. Dogs are just as susceptible to trail injuries just as we are. Most injuries occur to dog’s paws. Since a dog’s footpads are in direct contact with the ground when they run, walk, and play, this makes them prone to injury. Cuts, blisters, and burns are very common in active pups and they need to be treated. In most cases cleaning the injured paw and applying antibacterial ointment and a bandage will do the trick. Be sure to keep and eye on it because a simple cut can lead to an infection, and in that case you need to see the vet as soon as possible.

* If striking out on an overnight trip keep in mind your dog needs shelter, too. Sure, letting your dog sleep outside is fine in most cases, but wind and rain can wear a pup out. If you’re not up for sharing your sleeping bag, be sure to pack a blanket or mat to protect them from the ground.

Local climber and proud dog owner Shane Seaton says, “you have to remember to pack enough food for each meal that you will be gone, and remember to pack bowls for food and water, and also pack a leash and something for your dog to sleep on.

“I always packs treats to reward (his dog) Happy when she is doing commands in a new environment, but before you even leave home you have to make sure your dog is trained to follow those commands.”

Happy has become an outstanding trail dog with just nine months of training. Happy is proof that any dog with a little love and care can be a perfect trail dog.

“Happy is happiest when we go climbing together,” Seaton said. “She loves it just as much as I do.”

I have shared the trail with both Shane and Happy, and the trail is always happier with Happy tagging along.

Last Saturday was my very first climbing competition. Guess what I got second place. The turn out was amazing with over 75 registered competitors this was the first climbing competition for Rocktown Climbing Gym and it was a great success. Aaron and Lisa Gibson worked extremely hard to make this amazing event possible, and they definately did that. Thanks goes to all there staff for such a smooth event.

The most amazing part of the day, was also the most humbling. To say kindly, I was schooled by several pint size competitors. Kids as young as 7 yrs old were smoking me up the wall. I stood in awe, and shock as I watched a waist high climber send a 5.11 with ease. It was amazing, and at the same time made me feel a little like the worlds worst climber. Man these kids were good. Girls and boys alike were schooling the grown ups and we were loving it.

Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn Farris

As an outdoors adventure girl I am very earth conscious, always doing my bit to reduce, reuse, and recycle — from recycling the paper and plastic products that come in the mail, to using less energy. In doing so, I try to not buy bottled water, and instead use a hard plastic bottle like some made by Nalgene. But, there are questions about bisphenol-a, or BPA, an ingredient in the most popular type of Nalgene bottle. BPA, found in polycarbonate plastics, mimics the human hormone estrogen. Polycarbonates are used to make a variety of products, including water bottles. BPA could be harmful to our bodies. Canada plans to ban it's use in children's products, such as baby bottles. Should we be concerned? The answer is, maybe. To me, the findings are unclear. In fact, the findings are so unclear that I am going to keep living on the wild side and use my trusty Nalgene until the FDA tells me not to. But, if living risky is not for you, a way to tell if your water bottle contains BPA is by looking on the bottom. If you see a recycling number 7, it most likely contains BPA. Most hard, clear plastics also contain BPA. But don't throw your hands up yet. Several companies make a range of products made of softer, just-as-durable plastics that are BPA free. And if you want to steer away from plastics, the new trend in water bottles is aluminum. Aluminum bottles come in a variety of trendy colors, and are lightweight and packable. You still can have your water in an earth-friendly fashion and feel safe doing so. With that said, I am going to go have a fresh drink of water from my wild, BPA-containing bottle. Girl vs. Wild, Jacquelyn Farris

Believe it or not, Oklahoma has rock climbing. Not just any rock climbing, but rocks that are known for developing climbers that are making names for themselves.

One thing climbers love is a little friendly competition, and Rocktown Climbing Gym in downtown Oklahoma City will host the Flashpoint Climbing Competition on Saturday.

Registration is $40 and can be done until Saturday online or onsite starting at 8 a.m.

This competition is one of several USA Climbing sanctioned events held in the Heartland Region. Climbers are coming from across Oklahoma and surrounding states to compete and climb routes ranging in difficulty and in height all the way up to 90 feet tall.

Those competing have the chance to advance to Divisionals, then on to Nationals, with the hope of advancing to the USA Climbing National Team.

The action starts at 9 a.m. with all youth, adult recreational and adult intermediate categories. Session 1 is all top-roped routes with varied difficulty and is set up in the USA Climbing Redpoint format. All routes will be made prior to competition and given a set point value based on the technical difficulty of the climb. Points are accumulated by climbing routes clean — meaning no hangs or falls, and a climber’s top 5 routes completed will be added up to make a final score.

The afternoon session gets under way at 2:30 p.m. with the Advanced category, and will be a modified onsite format competition. Climbers will be allowed to view the routes, but will then be held in isolation and will be called out one at a time to complete a series of four routes. There will be a set amount of time given to complete each route and a rest period between each. Climbers may attempt the route multiple times within the given time period, but the rope will be pulled and must be re-led each attempt. The high point of each route done will be scored and then added for a climber’s total points.

USA Climbing will award medals to the top six climbers in each category, and best of all, a competitors prize raffle will be held at the end of each competition session. I have heard from highly regarded sources that the raffle has some awesome prizes, too.

In addition to the competitors’ prize raffle there will also be a raffle/fund-raiser to benefit the Access Fund.

Anyone, climbers and spectators alike, may purchase raffle tickets for the Access Fund raffle. All proceeds go to the Access Fund.

For more information call Rocktown Climbing Gym at (405) 319-1400 or check it out on the world wide Web at www.rocktowngym.com

Now I know where I will be climbing Saturday. Grab, your harness, shoes, and chalk and head to Rocktown Climbing Gym for a day

Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn Farris

You only get good grades if you do your homework, correct? Yes correct, and the same goes with selecting and buying your adventure gear. It’s like picking a new car or even a spouse. It’s a big deal. This is the gear that you are trusting to save you in tight situations, right? You can’t go to the local five and dime and get a “super deal of a tent” and honestly believe it will stand up like a tent that is sold and trusted by the guys at your local gear store. Sure the gear at local shops might cost a bit more, but you are honestly paying for quality. Every bit of quality should be counted when headed out into the wild. You can’t control the way the wild will act, but you can control how you and your gear will hold up in any senario.

Buying gear can feel taxing at times when the total seems to be adding with each “necessity” added, but you can take relief in knowing that if you get the best you can afford in the beginning you are much less likely to have to replace it anytime soon.

Shopping around and doing your research is the only way to give yourself good peace of mind.

Right now is the perfect time to grab the great deals on apparel weather it’s online or in stores. This is the time when stores are flipping their retail floors over to spring and summer. If you thought all winter how you really would like to have a quality winter jacket you can now find it, but not feel like you will go to the poor house after paying for it. Just tuck it away in the closest for next year. It will be there waiting for you.

Honestly all retail stores have sales you just have to be a bit more patient for the best deals. Online is ideal if you aren’t set on a certain color. Most items found online are last season’s styles. For instance, for 2008 a pair of climbing pants might come in grey and green, and last years colors were blue and brown. Same pants just last season colors making them half off.

I myself have a gear acquiring method I use when outfitting myself with the latest and greatest. I work both ends of the shopping spectrum online and in store. When it comes to an item that needs to be tried on, for instance apparel, shoes, and so on. I suggest going to a local store. Ask the important questions of the products and their recommended wear. If your feeling indecisive as to which product is honestly the best choice ask the sales associate which they use, wear, or have tested. You will find it’s not always the most expensive. I have never gone wrong with this method. The gurus at Backwoods on North May have helped me in countless buying decisions. The guys and gals know their stuff inside and out.

Now when it comes to replacing an item that I have used and loved in the past, or buying from a brand I know fits spot on I go direct to an online store. If I search hard enough I can land a great deal, and most of the time get free shipping. But bottom line, if it’s something I am not for certain on I go straight to a local store and save the headache of return shipping nightmares.

In the end shop around, get good advice, and buy the gear your most comfortable with because your the one using it.

Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn Farris

Sometimes life gets in the way of my adventures. Lately that seems to be a trend that I can’t avoid. The wild use to whisper my name, now it’s just screaming at me to come back and hike in it’s woods, and sleep in it’s dirt under it’s stars.

I find myself flipping through magazines in passing at coffee shops and stores. Thumbing the pages dreaming of the places I need to go and see. My gear is starting to give me bad looks as I pass by like the neglectful outdoors girl I have become.

It’s been two weeks since I have been in the wild, or anywhere near an open field and it’s starting to get to me. I need my fresh air, my adrenaline, my adventure!!!

I need the me that is Girl vs. Wild! Until then, I will just keep planning my next big adventure.

Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn

CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM MY ADVENTURES

This past Saturday I put my brave face on and conquered a fear. A big fear. This past August I destroyed my shoulder, and lucky me had to have it reconstructed. Basically, there was nothing holding it in socket. Yes, sounds fun doesn’t it? It has been six months of rehab, 3 days week and being so cautious. Well my version of cautious, which I am sure for most people is border line danger. But with an overwhelming amount of fear I went climbing at Rocktown in downtown OKC.

My first route scared the life out of me. Each pull and grab I did shaking with fear of pulling my shoulder out and heading back to my home away from home, McBride Bone and Joint. I know I have a problem when the staff and I are on first name basis. Hey, when you visit as often as I have they become family.

But I did it. A friend said I had the look my eye. The lines were talking to me. Begging me to attack and I did. I loved it. I made those lines mine. It was such a great feeling, pain and all. My little paws are scabbed and bloody, but ready for more. I am off the injured list and am eager to climb!

Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn Farris

CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM MY ADVENTURES

The grass is not always greener on the other side. In fact, I would say 9 out 10 times it isn’t. The same goes for this great state.

Oklahoma is A OK. In fact it’s far better that just OK. This past weekend I went on a winter camping trip in the Wichita Wildlife Refuge. I grabbed a few friends and we hit the road.

Driving west on 44 we start chatting and laughing of good times, and dreaming up grand plans for the future. All of a sudden it hits me. I am in Oklahoma, and am having a great time. That’s right, I like it here. I live in this great state and look at all these amazing places I have at my fingertips. I have the best of both worlds!

Monday through Friday I have a great job that allows me to be creative and push my limits. I get to run through the city and take it all in. Local hot spots, live music, and eclectic food. As soon as Friday breaks I am ready for an escape. I pack fast and within an hour I am in the great outdoors. Far from the fast world, traffic and electricity, into experiencing the pleasures of what life is really all about.

Now I know what you’re thinking, because I have heard it a thousand times. If I could only live in Colorado or Utah, life would be perfect. I know from experience what you’re thinking because I lived in Colorado for 3 years. I ran through the mountains and loved every bit of it. But there was something missing for me. Family, success, and drive.

Well, I ask you this. Have you thought about what it is you want from those places?

If it’s mountains, hiking, clean trails, fresh streams and rivers, climbing great rocks, setting new routes, kayaking, or deep valleys. We have it all here. Just open your eyes!!! Oklahoma better than A OK!

Girl vs. Wild,

Jacquelyn Farris

CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM MY ADVENTURES