Don't forget the bear bag 🐻

Good morning, Bluubirds ☕️ 

A few years ago, I went on a camping trip with my brother Richard, his girlfriend Jenny, and our good friend Logan. We drove out to Rabbit Ears Pass near Steamboat Springs, CO and spent an amazing day paddle boarding, exploring, and perfecting some DIY Crunchwrap Supremes. As the day came to a close, it was time for sleep - Richard and Jenny enjoyed the comfort of their built-out truck bed, while Logan and I pitched a tent and braved the great outdoors.

It wasn’t long after lights-out that we woke to a discomforting punch to the side of our tent. The swatting continued, and I fully accepted that this large, likely hungry creature was going to eat us. I woke Logan in a frenzy, who sat up to expose a large, open, unfinished bag of Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers underneath his sleeping bag. We were quite literally sitting on a platter. The creature eventually ripped off and ran away with our rain fly, leaving us on high-alert until sunrise.

While there is nothing better than waking up to sunlight through your tent, I’d prefer it not to be in these circumstances. Use us (and the bear paws we woke to that morning) as evidence of what not to do.

Now that we are grown and wise, we’ll share some great resources on how to go about adventuring in the great outdoors. Read on to learn about an incredible family exploring the world in a self-made vehicle, a RUN CLUB announcement, some app updates (!!), and our Bluubird Top 3 Picks for the slopes this season.

Happy adventuring,

Katie 🌻 

We are very excited to feature Dana Greenlaw in this week’s Spotlight. Dana, his wife Heather, and their (very cute) dog Bruce have been adventuring around North America in a vehicle they built themselves for the last 18 months. They are truly an inspiration.

They also give Planet Earth a run for its money with their incredible documentation of their travels - you can watch on their YouTube channel @HD.Adventuring. Their latest episode about their time in British Columbia / The Yukon is a must watch. Expect breathtaking views, baby bears, no-so-baby-bears, and a really wonderful perspective on adventuring:

“Abandoning our plan to hike to the summit reminded us why we’re on this journey. It’s not to check every item off some list. It’s not to say we reached some arbitrary point on a map. It’s to know that we ventured out, exited our comfort zones, and truly experienced this incredible world.”

Dana, Heather, and Bruce’s story is a perfect testament to the beauty and importance of getting outside. Whether you’re running your first 5k or scaling your first mountain, it’s about getting out there, exploring your potential, and taking advantage of the incredible privilege it is to enjoy this world.

Read on to learn more about Dana!

Dana Greenlaw

📍 Based in: Earth, USA. We live out of our truck camper and travel. Currently preparing to drive to South America.

🏃 Enjoys: Cycling, overlanding, skiing, hiking, fishing, hunting, trail running, dirt biking, kayaking

General

Describe yourself in 10 words or less

Filmmaker, Technologist, Adventure Addict.

What is a surprising fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?

I dislike pizza. And despite being 6'4" I never played basketball.

How did you get into outdoor recreation and what motivates you to stay involved?

I've been riding and racing bikes my entire life. It was what first sparked my desire to see and experience the world, off the beaten path. It seems each year I pick up a new outdoor activity. Last year it was spear fishing, and this year I plan for it to be kayak touring.

What is your favorite outdoor activity and why do you love it?

Cycling has been my most lasting outdoor activity- I've done it my entire life. I started out riding to get around- go to school, friends houses, fishing, etc. Then I got into racing, both road and mountain bikes. After a decade of competitive racing, I now mostly ride for fun, but still enjoying pushing myself on full-day efforts and challenging trails.

What is your gear focus right now?

My current obsession is multifunction and packability. My wife and I live in 64 square feet of space, so for the next leg of our PanAmerican journey, we have prioritized things that take up minimal space, and can be used in multiple ways. We just purchased inflatable kayaks to facilitate camping and fishing on the lakes and oceans we encounter on our journey. These boats still take up a lot of space, but compared to a hard-side kayak they are game changers.

Activities

Are you more focused on a particular activity right now? Which activity and why?

Spearfishing is big on my list. We're not bringing bikes on the next leg of our journey, so I am reluctantly getting more into trail running to get enough exercise. Trail running is super accessible, gear-light, and time-effective; now, I just need to actually get out and make it happen!

Is there an activity or destination that you think is underrated and recommend that others try?

Las Cruces, NM. The Organ Mountains are INCREDIBLE. Gorgeous views, incredible sunsets, and lots of public land to hike, bike, and camp.

Gear

What is one piece of gear you can't live without and why?

I LOVE my Garmin Instinct 2X Solar. It lasts a month+ with its solar charging, and has a FLASHLIGHT built in - it's like having a headlamp with you at all times. We essentially have been camping everyday for the past 18 months, so I use it constantly.

Is there a gear recommendation you're searching for but having trouble finding?

Apparently I have a weirdly-shaped face, and have gone through about 5 snorkel masks in the past couple years. They all let too much water in. I wish I could talk to someone who has a similar face as me who found a mask they like.

Have you had a gear item surprise you in a negative or positive way? 

I had an Arc’teryx Beta Jacket that I bought in high school. I was not surprised to like it, but I was surprised that it has survived 15+ years of abuse!

Have you ever had a gear mishap that changed how you prepare for adventures?

I've gotten severe hypothermia more times than I wish to admit. Now, I bring multiple extra layers on any adventure where there is the possibility of rain, cold, or being out longer than planned.

Pay it Forward

Is there a unique or underrated outdoor gear business, brand, or product that you think deserves a shoutout? 

My wife is a Skida junkie. I now have a handful of their products, and love the quality that they build. I also appreciate the values they share.

Finally, I'd love to shout out the outdoor adventure videos we create on YouTube - check us out at @HD.Adventuring.

Coming Soon… 🏃‍♀️ 🤩 💥 

We’re creating something big and we want you to come along for the run. Whether you’re an aspiring jogger, an avid marathoner, or a running-buddy-seeker, this update is for you.

Bluubird is launching Early Bird Run Club next month in ATL! 🍑 

We’re finalizing some exciting details and can’t wait to continue to grow our awesome community. Follow us on Instagram for details!

Product Updates 👀 

For the last few months, our team has been sharing our Data Collector - a tool we created to learn about your activities and gear so we can provide you with personalized recommendations.

We are in the process of building a better, easier way to track your activities, review your gear, and access personalized gear recommendations. Stay tuned for updates!

Want to be a beta tester? Email [email protected] to get involved!

Bluubird Picks of the Week: Winter Sports 🏂️ 

A pack to store your Snickers bar and snag some action footage, a backpack to hold everything from avalanche gear to your apres-ski outfit, plus a tiny-tot ski jacket for all seasons!

For the Action Videographer (or Chairlift Emailer)

• Why It’s Great: If you have the “Will I Fall Off This Chairlift?” panic wearing a backpack on the slopes, this product might be for you. With enough room to store your essentials and a front-facing phone compartment to easily capture action footage or quickly check your texts, we love the versatility of this pack.

• Best Features: Front-facing phone compartment for hands-free footage, touch-responsive screen cover for easy device access, waterproof zippers, and an airmesh front panel.

• Users Like: Convenient and comfortable design, durability in a variety of weather conditions, versatility for a variety of activities.

• Users Dislike: Hydration pack capacity might be limited for some.

For the Carrier of All Things

• Why It’s Great: Yes, I can carry your wallet. Designed for backcountry skiing, this pack has a specific compartment for avalanche tools. Features water-resistant zippers and robust materials to endure snow, ice, and rain.

• Best Features: Easy access to compartments, a slim profile for chairlift use, and compatibility with both ski and hike gear. Supports both classic (A-frame) and diagonal ski-carrying methods.

• Users Like: Durability, comfortable fit, and easy access to compartments, especially the back access.

• Users Dislike: Waist strap can overlap with a climbing harness if you’ll be using one on the mountain.

For the Little Shredder

• Why It’s Great: Snow? Rain? A chilly day at the park? For one investment, you get three jackets for your little shredder. Our favorite part? Through Patagonia’s Worn Wear program, you can trade in the jacket when it’s time for a new size.

• Best Features: This jacket features a waterproof, breathable shell and a warm, snap-out high-pile fleece jacket that can be worn together or separately for versatility in various weather conditions. It includes a removable three-panel hood, adjustable cuffs, and hand-warmer pockets (a big plus for us!) for added warmth and protection.

• Users Like: Versatile design, features for warmth and protection, and the ability to trade in the jacket when it’s been outgrown.

• Users Dislike: Some users mention that the jacket runs slightly large, which could be advantageous for layering but might require a try-on.

What are your go-to gear recommendations? Shoot us a note at [email protected] and we’d love to share them!

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See you next week 🤟