Not Your Oma's Mac & Cheese!

Checkout our top picks from around the web for creative & delicious takes on the traditional Mac & Cheese.  These recipes are perfect for giving a new twist to an easy backcountry cooking favorite. Follow the links to access recipes & to test out these eats on your next adventure!

Chili Mac with Bacon

recipe from: Dirty Gourmet

Penne Mac with a Spicy Kick...and who doesn't love bacon bits!

(photo from: http://www.dirtygourmet.com/chili-mac-with-bacon)

Taco Mac & Cheese

recipe from: Backpacking Chef

Yummy mexican inspired mac with dried beef, peppers & a ton of flavor

(photo from: http://www.backpackingchef.com/macaroni-and-cheese.html)

Molly's Kickin' Mac & Cheese

Recipe from: Backpacker.com

Simple but delicious way to spice up a classic

(Photo by Genny Fullerton, from http://www.backpacker.com/fall-winter-gear-guide-
2010-recipe-mollys-kickin-mac-and-cheese/skills/14873)

UVEX Cycling Helmet Review

Before our latest cycle touring trip, I decided it was time for a new helmet.  My former helmet had long been soaked with sweat, faded from the sun, wasn't comfortable and worst of all- didn't allow good airflow...thus I wasn't too keen on wearing it for nearly a week straight in the heat of high summer! The search began and after going store to store and dealer to dealer, I settled on a German-made UVEX. After trying it out on a few rides around town, I was pretty satisfied, but the real test would come a few weeks later as hubby and I set out on our 1000+km tour from the mountains of Switzerland back along the Danube valley of Austria.

 

I must say I was VERY pleased with the performance of this helmet! Extremely light-weight, super comfy fit and best of all very well ventilated.  All of their helmets feature what they refer to as "Fast Adapting System" webbing with turn dial circumference adjuster and single button strap adjustment. (Checkout the UVEX helmet technology specs here: http://www.uvex-sports.com/de-en/technologies/helmet-technologies/)   This means it's super easy to get a perfect fit and adjustments can easily be made with one hand while riding.  It's also practical because it allows you to adjust for under-helmet garments such as hats & bandanas without too much fuss.

The women's models just weren't to my liking so I ended up purchasing a mid-range, men's model.  UVEX helmets can be pretty pricey, but when choice of available colors are your only complaint- these helmets are certainly worth the investment.

Salewa Firetail Gore-Tex Shoe Review

Salewa's women's specific, Firetail Gore-tex trail shoes are a hybrid mix between alpine approach shoe and techie trail runner.  Having worn these shoes in a multitude of conditions from long-distance bike touring to weekend hiking trips, I can truly say these shoes are worth their price tag.  Some of the great features of the Firetail are the narrow width & women's specific fit, the climbing-shoe like lacing system, and of course their Gore-tex lining.  The Firetails also feature super grippy, yet sturdy Vibram soles which are fantastic for wet weather conditions and rocky trail conditions.  My original pair was worn on an almost daily basis for guiding cycling tours that included tons of walking as well and after nearly 2 years of use they barely show signs of wear.  The soles are a bit worn down near pressure points, but the reinforced toes, shoe body and laces remain in almost new condition which is pretty unbelievable.  

Out of the box, they're quite stiff and did take a bit more breaking in, but that is also due to their sturdy build and tight lacing system. If you are a lady with slightly wider feet or if your feet tend to swell quite a bit while hiking, you may want to check out the men's version as the women's fit may be a bit too narrow for your comfort.  In my opinion, they run just slightly smaller than your average shoe, so you may want to look at going up a 1/2 size when trying them on.  Unlike some tennis shoes or lighter trailer runners, these don't have as much give even after breaking in, so don't plan on them 'stretching' to your foot size.  The size you buy, is the size they'll stay.  As for staying dry, the Gore-tex lining does do exactly what it claims: keeps you dry in wet conditions- from getting stuck in a down pour to tackling a muddy, swampy trail.  The shoe body breathes well in temps under 70 degree F or less, and decently in temps above that.  If you're going to be wearing them in warmer, more humid conditions or have especially sweaty feet these may get a little too warm for your liking.  

Overall Salewa has made a great multipurpose outdoor shoe that will last you quite some time. Ladies looking for a stylish, technical shoe that performs well and fits well should check out the Salewa Firetail Gore-Tex Tech Approach Shoe. 

Top 5 Reasons to Choose Paper- Why GPS Won't Overthrow Traditional Maps

With the increasing availability, ease-of-use, and declining price of handheld GPS devices in the field of outdoor adventure, some people are wondering why they should invest in traditional paper versions of maps at all. While GPS devices certainly have upped the accuracy and convenience of navigation in many regards, don't go tossing those old topos just yet. We're not saying a GPS isn't a great investment or addition to your outdoor gear, but ultimately shouldn't be your single piece navigation equipment while on trail. Here are our top 5 reasons why you should still pocket that paper map...

5. Paper is cheaper & waterproofing is easier  Even compared to the most inexpensive GPS unit, printed maps are almost always less costly. While most outdoor-specific trail maps are printed on waterproof paper these days,  if you find yourself with something flimsier, all you've got to do is throw in in a ziplock bag or seal it with laminate film.  Unless you've invested in a waterproof GPS you'll find yourself forking out some good cash in the search for a compatible waterproof housing unit for your device. 

4. Electronics are heavy.  At least in comparison to any amount of paper that you would likely be carrying. Unless you need 10's or 100's of different topo sections or plan on carrying an entire guidebook on trail, paper maps can be folded to fit just about any pocket and are lighter than even the lightest GPS handheld. 

3. Precision & accuracy are not the same. Thomas Harrison, veteran cartgrapher & map publisher states, "We have all seen times when a digital GPS device has told us that we were precisely at a street that did not exist.  A device can be precise without being accurate."   

2. 24/7 availability & durability.  GPS devices function on battery power.  Whether rechargeable or a few AAA's, most handhelds can only last about 15 hours per charge/replacement.  What happens when you find yourself over that battery limit with no accessible plug-ins or extra batteries or you accidentally drop & break your GPS? Lost, that's what.

1. Paper maps make you a better navigator.  Navigating with paper map & compass does take skill & practice, but the long-term benefits are worth it. Individuals with these skills have a significantly increased spatial perception. Professor of spatial geography, Dr. Toru Ishikawa from the University of Tokyo found that "people on foot using a GPS device make more errors & take longer to reach their destinations than people using an old fashioned map" (www.psmag.com).

While there are obvious advantages and disadvantages to both paper and GPS, it is best to have multiple methods of navigation.  When your GPS fails, you have your paper map & compass backup and when your paper topo doesn't show the fork in the trail, you can use your GPS to navigate the shortest or best route to your destination via coordinates.   Whatever your preferred method, use your head, know your route, and be prepared with a backup navigation plan. Want to learn more about GPS and map reading and improve your navigation skills? Checkout this great free pdf guidebook from National Geographic.

Pretty in Pink- 1000 Mile Review of Fyxation's Session 700 Tires

Anyone who has done any length of cycle touring knows that your tires take a beating.  Whether your're fully loaded, riding in shitty weather conditions, or attempting to carefully maneuver that patch of gravel and uneven asphalt, you need a tire that can handle it all.  When we first began touring we wanted efficient tires that rolled smooth and allowed us to pedal fast (yes, we know we not road racers).  But one quickly learns that the thin-walled, slick tires best suited to fast road biking aren't going to cut it for the demands of tour cycling. After replacing countless tubes, wearing through outer tires, and many other headaches, my bike was upgraded to a snazzy set of urban riding tires from Fyxation...the Session 700's in BRIGHT PINK to be exact.

These beauties have proven their worth to the moon and back.  Over 1000 miles they look barely used although they light pink color does tend to stay and look dirty.  I would suggest a dark color if you're all about aesthetics.  But, what I am most impressed about since their debut, I have not had to replace a SINGLE tube!  While at first I was a bit skeptical of the so-called 'patented Kevlar™ puncture protection', these tires are sturdy and have unbelievably great traction. One of the disadvantages of this thick puncture-protection rubber is that these tires are stiff and more difficult to get on and off of your wheel frames than ordinary road slicks. But with a little extra patience and perhaps a friend with a helping hand, changing into these tires doesn't need to be a hassle. With not having to worry about constant tube replacement, touring is much more enjoyable and you shouldn't need to be taking these tires on and off for quite some time once they're installed.  From newly laid asphalt, to wet compacted limestone trails to gravel paths, these tires handle just about every trail/road surface.  That said, they are still narrow road tires and obviously not recommended for mountainous terrain!

Diamondbacks' Airen 1...From Road Racing to Weekend Touring

As far as entry level road bikes go, the Diamondback Airen 1 is definitely a contender that will take you well into your road cycling career.  A precisely built piece of art, this fairly light 7005 alloy frame, carbon fork, and Shimano-outfitted bike is just what women want. Diamondbacks' 'Divine Design' geometry is specially created with the female cyclist in mind. However if you are long-legged, with a shorter torso- you may want to also test out the men's line series of bikes, as the compact frame sizes in Diamondback's line may just be a little too 'compact' for your comfort. Kinetics, aesthetics, and well-thought design all go into this lovely little speed machine.  Having been riding the 2012 model for just over 2 years, I have put her through quite a beating.  Pedaling her for everything from weekend road rides to upgrading her with wider wheels and racks for short and efficient tours, my Airen 1 has proven to be one strong and versatile road warrior.

Extremely affordable, reliable components, and sturdy frame allow for versatile touring use that most high-line road bikes aren't cut out for. After several miles of riding, the shifting system and brakes do tend to need more frequent adjustment than higher-end road bikes, but that goes with the price tag of this model.  The Airen 1 model is complete with plenty of rear rack and water bottle braze-ons, and plenty of room to attach touring essentials. With that said, this being a racing frame- it is not recommended to heavily load the rack as you'll run the risk of additional tire punctures and uneven wear on your frame and wheels. While a compact geometry frame, the chain-stay is just long enough to provide heel clearance for your small to medium rear pannier bags. For those ladies wanting a quick and light, short distance touring bike (at an entry-level price) the Diamondbacks' line of Airen bikes is definitely worth a look.

Welcome to Berg Frau!

Welcome to Berg Frau- a site dedicated to adventurous women who love, live, and learn from the outdoors.  This blog was founded to inspire women and families to get outside, to provide honest and insightful information about outdoor gear, to provide resources for planning your very own adventures, and as a place for like-minded ladies to read, learn, engage, and encourage each other.  Berg Frau founder Amy has many years of experience in the professional outdoor industry as well as a Master's degree in Recreation & Adventure Education which adds to the depth and honest insight behind each of her posts.  In addition, guest bloggers provide expert advice and commentary which helps to diversify as well as increase the quality of information and reviews available here on our site.  We're glad you're here!  Check back often for new posts, follow us on bloglovin' and pinterest, and share with friends!