Chris McNamara

I just created a new web site for my Lake Tahoe Vacation Rental ...

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:34:12 -0400

I just created a new web site for my Lake Tahoe Vacation Rental Many thanks to David Safanda for the new look!

For the first time in my life, I got to go to Tuolumne on...

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:14:50 -0400

For the first time in my life, I got to go to Tuolumne on opening day! Well, of course Tuolumne is always open. But it is not really accessible for most mortals until the Tioga road is plowed. This year marked the shortest time the Tioga Road had ever been closed: January - early May. How is Tuolumne? Magic.

After five months of boiling water and grillin burgers, the...

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:12:35 -0400

After five months of boiling water and grillin burgers, the camping stove review is done! This was one of the longer reviews I have worked on but also the most fun. Why? Fire! Now I just need to figure out if camping grills are high enough priority… camping beer fridges… other ideas?

I just finished a backpacking chair review. Had a great time...

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:09:30 -0400

I just finished a backpacking chair review. Had a great time spending the last year camping, hiking, chilling at the park while testing these. Next up are the super deluxe camping chairs.

On Sunday I got to take an awesome natural running coarse with...

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:36:08 -0400

On Sunday I got to take an awesome natural running coarse with Born To Run coach Eric Orton. This was through the Zozi Guru program. I’ve had to quit running since bad tendonitus, so hopefully Eric’s tips will get me back in action. Or at least make it so I can walk down hills.

Mountainboard Mt. Tam to Free Food with Boogie - OGL Gear...

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:18:15 -0400

Mountainboard Mt. Tam to Free Food with Boogie - OGL Gear Adventure #1

Full story here http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/a/11072/OGL-Gear-Adventure-1-Hike-Mt-Tam-and-Mo… of how I hiked to the top of Marin County’s Mt Tam and then mountainboarded down to my parents house.

Some of my YouTube Wingsuit BASE Jumping Movies

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:59:00 -0400

Hey Chris, My brothers and i are planning to do the Salathe next summer. If we go at a busy time i am concerned the good bivy spots will be taken so i proposed bringing a porta ledge. My brother thinks this is a bad idea for several reasons...What do you think?

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:38:18 -0400

if you are going in one night, I would not bring a portaledge. if you are doing the route in two nights, a really light portaledge is great. problem is you can’t buy light portaledges right now. you have to find an old A5. what ledge do you have?

Testing wind jackets in the San Juan Islands.

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:17:45 -0400

Testing wind jackets in the San Juan Islands.

I just finished the wind breaker jacket review

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:13:00 -0400

I just finished the wind breaker jacket review:

Over a year in the making… the wind jacket review is done! The winner was the Arcteryx Squamish Hoody. The Top Pick Awards went to the Patagonia Houdini and Marmot DriClime Windshirt. See the entire Wind Breaker Jacket Review

Here is a “making of” vid I (briefly) contributed...

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:53:13 -0500

Here is a “making of” vid I (briefly) contributed to. Awesome work Corey Rich! A very cool look into how adventure sports are shot

We just got Array of the Week for our home solar panels

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:56:29 -0500

We just got Array of the Week for our home solar panels

In this video I talk about my goals for the SuperTopo Forum and...

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:20:00 -0500

In this video I talk about my goals for the SuperTopo Forum and the tricky subject of moderation. Read a short post I read and see comments on the SuperTopo Forum

We just launched the best backpacking backpack review

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:36:38 -0500

The Backpacking Backpack review is live. We tested the best packs head-to-head on backpacking trips as short as a few days and as long as 22 days. Ian Nicholson led the tests and spent all year charging around the North Cascades, Aconcagua, Patagonia and Alaska. Actually, he has spent the last decade doing that. It’s safe to say Ian spends as much time carrying heavy packs as anyone between his full-time guiding job and expeditions. He breaks down what is important and what is fluff in the how to buy a backpacking backpack article. Please check it out and tell a friend!

Best day of Surfing at Ocean Beach?

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:26:00 -0500

Maybe. Definitely huge and fun. Just wish I had been in some of these photos

We got solar panels! The full how to solar panel report here...

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:21:00 -0500

We got solar panels! The full how to solar panel report here http://bit.ly/zRgAA1 .. And if you are interested in solar, please check out my Portable Solar Panel review here

This is my wingsuit BASE jumping segment from The Sharp End by...

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:06:19 -0500

This is my wingsuit BASE jumping segment from The Sharp End by Sender Films.

New handheld GPS device review

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:41:00 -0500

Max Neale just released an awesome handheld GPS device review over at OutdoorGearLab. If you are looking for a handheld gps device for hiking, backpacking or climbing, definitely check it out. Max also wrote a GPS buying advice article which starts by asking if you really even need a gps device. I find I almost never use a GPS device in the backcounty and prefer to stick to old fashioned maps. But, then again, I have not tried the new touchscreen models which look much more intuitive and helpful.

I helped with rigging and “safety” for the...

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:36:33 -0500

I helped with rigging and “safety” for the production of this movie produced by Corey Rich. It is for the launch of the New Nikon D4 Camera and features Alex Honnold and more. Very well done!

Favorite Books Of 2011

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 17:08:00 -0500

Unbroken - I highly recommend the audiobook

Ghost Wave - Story of maybe the biggest wave in the world. You don’t have to be a surfer to appreciate this book because the author ties in great character profiles and non-surfing history.

The Quest - Great overview of the history of US Energy use and where we are headed.

Not A Gas Station - Self published book on how to start your own bio diesel filling station. But even if you are not interested in bio diesel it has a good story and good advice for small businesses

Oil on The Brain - tours the oil world starting from an independent gas station in San Francisco and going to every major exporter. Great story telling and character profiles.

Steve Jobs - great bio

The Big Short - Great profiles of the few people who saw the financial collapse coming and profited. I recommend all Michael Lewis books.

Life - Keith Richards Bio. Best music bio of the year.

A Life Decoded - AutoBio of Craig Ventner. Great story AND a great intro to DNA sequencing.

The Wave by Susan Casey. The biggest waves in the world and the guys who chase them (both surfers and boats).

Hamlet’s Blackberry - How to keep your digital devices from taking over your life.

Revolution in a Bottle - All about a Princeton drop out who starts a unique upcycling company. Ivy league drop outs get it done!

The Homeowners Guidebook to Energy Efficiency

Moneyball - Great book even if you don’t like baseball. Can’t decide if I want to see the movie.