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The Outsider: How to spend your tax refund |
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Written by Greyson Howard/Tahoe World
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Monday, 31 March 2008 |
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So you actually paid your taxes like a good citizen and the government wants to give you some money to help boost the economy. Sweet! Now the questions becomes: How to spend it? The Outsider has got some suggestions for you below:
Alpacka pack rafts
www.alpackaraft.com
Price: $775-plus depending on size and collapsible paddles.
Backcountry explorer meets James Bond with this cool piece of kit — It’s an inflatable raft that fits in your pack. The Alpacka pack raft come in around five pounds, and was originally designed for backpackers crossing remote rivers.
But that doesn’t mean they are wimpy pool toys — experienced white-water wranglers have run these little wonders down class two and three rapids.
Panasonic SDR-S20 Camcorder
www.panasonic.com
Price: $500
Video hunters — here is your weapon. Whether you attack the backcountry by air (10x zoom), by land (shock-proof when dropped from up to 4 feet, onto land), or by water (waterproof to 5 feet), nothing will stop you from getting the shot. Perfect for finding you or your buddies 15 minutes of fame on the internet.
Nunatak Arc Alpinist
www.nunatakusa.com
Price: $329 and up
Tired of cold or claustrophobic nights sleeping in a mummy bag in the woods? Splurge on a backpacking quilt that’s light (as little as 1 pound, two ounces), warm, with plenty of high quality goose down, and non-confining. Nunatak’s gear is all custom, so pick your size, warmth, fabrics, and anything else you can think of to make your next night in the backcountry a comfortable one. Just don’t expect instant gratification, as custom work takes time.
Suzuki DR200SE
www.suzukicycles.com
Price: $3,949
You’ve got to spend money to save money on gas, but not much with this little thumper. Built like a dirt bike, but with duel-purpose tires and all the lights it takes to be road legal, this beginner bike will get you around town and down those dirt roads you always wanted to explore. Just don’t expect to blast down the freeway with such a small engine — you can’t have everything when getting between 70 and 80 miles to the gallon.
 Northstar mountain bike season pass
www.northstarattahoe.com
Price: $229 ($199 with 2008-09 Double Whammy pass)
For those days when you can’t quite drag yourself to the top of the hill, ride the lifts at Northstar and mountain bike back down. With new runs and improved terrain, downhillers of all levels will have something to choose from, and all without that pesky leg-burning climb beforehand.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 31 March 2008 )
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