Waterproof Breathable

ORWM 12 > Westcomb introduces 2013 FX freeride collection

2012-01-30T12:52:00.001-08:00

At last week's Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, Westcomb (www.westcomb.com) debuted their 2012-13 FX freeride collection, an eye-catching group of snowsport silhouettes featuring leading edge materials and forward-thinking designs.

A true expression of Westcomb’s design team creativity, the FX collection blends unexpected twists and clever features that are unique to the Freeride line.

“The FX Freeride line is really an ‘expression’ collection for us,” said Gabriel Cote. “It began as a creative, no-holds barred design exercise and has grown to become something that’s incredibly fun to work with, every step of the way.”

Delivering its remarkable performance and exterior look, Westcomb’s FX collection is made with 820 NT eVent®, a super durable water- and wind-proof nylon twill fabric that delivers industry leading breathability. The remarkable performance of the eVent® fabric is matched by its visually striking appearance: a textured and distressed denim-like surface.

The FX collection’s forward-thinking internal construction serves as a perfect complement to the stylish exterior, with an appropriately roomy freeride fit that’s equally at home arcing turns through a hardwood glade, or working your way through Whistler village.

”A freeride collection is a natural addition to the Westcomb family. The needs of skiers and riders are a bit different from the year-round outdoor users, but they still crave the things that Westcomb does best – exceptional performance, perfect ingredients, and just the right amount of features,” said Gabe Cote, Westcomb sales director and brand evangelist.

Westcomb’s FX collection begins with the Vapor FX jacket, a progressive alpine shell that’s ideal for both frontcountry and sidecountry adventuring. The edgy, serious design is made to seal out the weather, while providing exceptional range of motion and comfort. The Vapor Jacket for men is available in Mesa, Absinthe and Pavement; for women, it is available in Bark, Amalfi and Pavement (MSRP $550).

Elevating the freeride game is the Flow FX hoody, a deluxe insulated shell. With 820 NT eVent as the shell, the Flow’s insulation is Polartec® Thermal Pro® Hi-Loft -- the most technologically advanced of the Polartec® insulation family -- achieving the utmost versatility and performance under extreme conditions. The Flow Hoody for men is available in Mesa, Absinthe and Pavement; for women, it’s available in Amalfi, Sorbet and Pavement (MSRP $650).

Both jackets include an integrated Recco® avalanche transponder; YKK Aquaguard® zippers for water-resistance and style; helmet compatible hoods; and a removable and adjustable waist gaiter and underarm venting zippers.

The perfect match for both jackets, Westcomb’s Vapor FX Cargo Pant is an easy-wearing big mountain free-ride shell with a serious technical edge. Created on the same waterproof- breathable eVent® foundation used throughout the FX line, the Vapor FX Cargo Pant includes the essential feature of reinforced instep patches, protecting against ski edge slicing with HDM SuperFabric – a flexible armor built from tiny ceramic octagons, laminated to the pant leg. The pants also include essential key items like a one-handed adjustable waist system; belt loops; a high-waist back to shut out the powder; venting zippers and adjustable cuffs. For men, the Vapor FX Cargo Pants are available in Bark, Amalfi and Pavement; for women, they’re available in Bark, Sorbet and Pavement (MSRP $430).

ORWM12> Westcomb’s Cayoosh "Hutterite" down hoody edges toward perfection

2012-01-30T12:39:00.000-08:00

VANCOUVER, BC (January 9, 2012) – Pairing best-in-class design with world-class materials, the new Cayoosh LT Hoody from Westcomb proves without a doubt that all down jackets are not created equal. Some are clearly better.

The Cayoosh begins with a design platform inspired by the most active and most adventurous athletes, then adds exceptional materials including Polartec® WindPro® and a hand-picked Hutterite down that stands eye-to-eye with the world’s best.

The product is 100% made in Westcomb’s Canadian factory, where oversight from the first cut to the final stitch leads to unparalleled quality.

“Lightweight down pieces have become so ubiquitous in the outdoor world, it’d be easy to lump them all together. But when you start de-constructing the designs and the ingredients, you’ll quickly realize that the Cayoosh is in a class of its own,” said Gabe Cote, Westcomb sales director and brand evangelist.

The Cayoosh – like all Westcomb down insulating designs – utilizes European standard 850 fill HutteriteDown™. For Westcomb, the Canadian Hutterite community harvests exceptional down fill from mature Canadian snow geese. The result is a hypo-allergenic pure goose down that exceeds European Class I standards at 96% down content, and is quickly rising as the standard for loft, warmth and durability.

The exterior on the Cayoosh is Pertex® Quantum®, a 20d fabric which delivers the optimal strength-to-weight ratio for performance designs. Quantum® delivers luxurious hand and soft as silk finish as a result of its patented woven process and selection of the finest yarns.

For stretch and breathability in the underarm panels, the Cayoosh utlizies Polartec® WindPro®, which provides four times more wind protection than traditional fleece. Know as “super fleece,” WindPro® provides exceptional durability and comfort in incredibly wide range of conditions.

Additional key features include an athletic, Hutterite down lined hood; velour lined hand warmer pockets that shut out the cold; soft stretch panels for exceptional range of motion and reach; and a center front zipper with a windguard to shut out wind and rain.

The Cayoosh is available in black, bark, aspen or seaport, and weighs 310g / 11oz (MSRP $260).

ORWM12 > Westcomb debuts Switch LT Hoody -- the world's lightest NeoShell® jacket

2012-01-30T12:28:00.000-08:00

VANCOUVER, BC (January 9, 2012) – Maximizing performance in a minimalist shell, Westcomb introduces the Switch LT Hoody -- a powerfully simple alpine design built with the revolutionary waterproofness and vapor permeability of Polartec® NeoShell®.

At 15 ounces (467g), the Switch is the lightest NeoShell® jacket in the marketplace, serving up exceptional wind and water protection in a miraculously breathable, feather-light, and soft platform.

The design builds on Westcomb’s established alpine heritage, blending an active, articulated fit with just the right amount of storage for critical gear and fuel – including a pair of truly unique Napoleon “dry pockets” on the front of the jacket.

“The Switch LT Hoody takes the ‘must-have alpine shell’ concept in a wholly new direction. Instead of adding bells and whistles wherever there’s room to hang another pocket, we’ve keyed our design on the things that are most important to users in the field: proven features and trusted performance fabrics,” said Gabe Cote, Westcomb sales director and brand evangelist.

Westcomb’s Switch is made 340 NRS Polartec® NeoShell®, a fly-weight nylon ripstop known for exceptional breathability and waterproof performance, as well as hand, stretch and durability. On the elbow and the back of the hood, the piece uses 360 NP Polartec® NeoShell®, a durable water- and wind-proof nylon weave with revolutionary breathability and stretch performance.

As with all Westcomb technical pieces, the Switch features 20 stitches per inch (SPI) top-stitchless construction – a measurement which exceeds industry standards by at least double. Westcomb’s higher SPI allows for a lighter, yet stronger fabric seam giving a lifetime of wear and tear while reducing weight.

Key features on the Switch include a single-hand adjustable hood and waist; velcro cuff closures and underarm venting zippers; and an internal media pocket.

The Switch is available in black, alpine red, citron, limestone or avatar blue (MSRP $430).

Heading to Outdoor Retailer? Piggyback Rider's got your back

2012-01-09T09:26:00.000-08:00

Loaner models of child carrier available for those attending trade show

Attendees bringing their kids to this month’s Outdoor Retailer Winter Market trade show in Salt Lake City will be able to cart the little ones around in style, thanks to a generous offer by PiggybackRider®.

Loaner models of the award-winning Piggyback Rider, an innovative and new style of child carrier for toddlers, will be available at Piggyback Rider’s booth (BR539) for daily use throughout the show being held Jan. 19-22 at the Salt Palace Convention Center.

“Anybody who’s ever attended OR knows how daunting it can be to walk the show floor,” said Wayne Lifshitz, co-inventor of the Piggyback Rider®. “For those coming to OR with a toddler, we’re giving them a fun way to share the experience of the show, and maybe make it less daunting for the little ones.”

Lifshitz said a limited number of Piggyback Riders will be available for free use each day of the show. Attendees simply need to stop by the Piggyback Rider booth in the ballroom and sign-out a demo model. The process will be quick and simple, but loaner models must be returned at the end of the day.

The Piggyback Rider® is a mutually enjoyable, effortless way to carry a child (2½+ years) on your back. It functions like a backpack, utilizing a shoulder-mounted foot-bar to distribute the child’s weight at your core, enabling a more natural and upright walking posture. The child stands safely on the wide textured foot-bar, holding integrated shoulder handles and secured to the adult by a safety harness. Built from industry leading climbing components and over-engineered for safety, the Piggyback Rider® is unlike any kid carrier you’ve ever seen.

After only a year on the market, The Piggyback Rider® is quickly turning heads in both the parenting and outdoors markets. It won the “Best New Product” award at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Show in 2010 along with a number of other parenting and family awards.

For more information on the Piggyback Rider®, please visit www.thepiggybackrider.com or stop by booth BR539 at Outdoor Retailer.

Mountain Force Skiwear taps Pale Morning Media

2011-12-20T10:51:00.000-08:00

Mountain Force N.A., the wholly owned distributor of the innovative Swiss skiwear brand, has selected Pale Morning Media as its strategic public relations partner, effective immediately.

“The goal of Mountain Force is to push the limits of manufacturing and design, and to redefine what’s possible – and what’s expected – from high performance skiwear,” said Butch Widen, President of Mountain Force N.A. “Pale Morning Media lives the mountain lifestyle, understands the complexity and nuances of design, and has the specific strategic capabilities we need to grow our brand in North America.”

Ski mountaineer Peter Jud founded Mountain Force in 2006, seeking to create the lightest, most elastic, most comfortable performance skiwear in the world.

In 2010, Mountain Force was purchased by Roman Stepek, the veteran skiwear designer and sourcing expert. Stepek had spent the previous six years with Widen at KJUS skiwear, where most recently he was a board member and Director of Innovation & Supply Chain Management. Under Stepek’s guidance, Mountain Force’s brand has been repositioned and the product line refined to achieve a new standard for Swiss precision, intelligent technology and expert craftsmanship, while remaining true to Mountain Force’s original founding principles.

Men's Streamline

“Mountain Force skiwear is unlike anything you’ve ever seen,” said Drew Simmons, president of Pale Morning Media. “By pairing the spirit of old world craftsmanship with truly groundbreaking manufacturing and design, Mountain Force has created a skiwear line that is a true a work of art, from the first original sketches to the inspiring final product.”

Working directly with spinning and weaving and dye houses, Mountain Force has access to lightweight stretch fabrics and technologies not available to other manufactures. Their FX Fullflex system integrates 4-way stretch throughout every garment including the lining, insulation, and outer fabric -- resulting in superb fit and unrestricted freedom of movement.

Women's Down Under

When paired with details such as innovative collars and pocket grip solutions, angular and asymmetrical zip garages, and easy to use media guide controls for mobile devices, Mountain Force offers the ultimate in premium performance skiwear.

The highlight of the 2011/12 season for men is the Streamline jacket. As the name implies the Streamline has a simple and clean design. It features a 4-way stretch shell, 60 grams of lightweight stretch insulation, ultrasonic welded seams and all the various details found in Mountain Force jackets. (MSRP $1,090).

For women, the 2011/2012 Down Under jacket applies strategic insulation volumes at targeted body points to ensure warmth and freedom of motion. The sleeves feature 60 grams of stretch insulation; the jacket body features 80 grams; and the waist and back utilizes grade-A goose down for exceptional comfort. (MSRP $1,090).

Mountain Force is available at North America’s finest skiwear retailers.

ABOUT PALE MORNING MEDIA: Pale Morning Media is a public relations and creative communications agency specializing in the outdoor world. Dedicated to telling their client’s stories in the best possible light, Pale Morning Media drives sales by increasing the quality and quantity of brand visibility. Pale Morning Media’s client roster includes leading brands and organizations from North America and Europe in the outdoor, wintersport, travel, fishing and lifestyle markets. The agency is based in the Mad River Valley of Vermont, with a satellite office in Portland, Maine. For more information on Pale Morning Media, please email us at hello@palemorning.com; visit us at facebook.com/palemorningmedia; or find us at twitter.com/palemorningPR.

ABOUT MOUNTAIN FORCE: Mountain Force creates performance skiwear that is simple, elegant and anatomically perfect. Designed in Switzerland with proprietary technology and materials, Mountain Force is committed to the art of performance manufacturing. Mountain Force is distributed in the United States and Canada by its wholly owned distributor, Mountain Force N.A., based in Farmington, Maine. Mountain Force is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation (www.fairwear.org), which works to ensure and improve workplace conditions in the garment and textile industry. For more information, please visit www.mountainforce.com.

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We'll show our wader manufacturing plant in the U.S., you show yours

2011-12-03T16:59:00.000-08:00

In fact, Simms Fishing Products will show you two plants here in the US-of-A.

First up, take a look at this video from Field & Stream's Joe Cermele that gives you a tour of the existing plant on Evergreen Drive. (It's in there - past the fishing action)

LINK

And here's a conceptual mock-up at the new, bigger site across town that Simms is moving to in 2012.


Exterior of the new Simms headquarters

Any of other wader manufacturers who'd like to show off their manufacturing plants in the USA, feel free to share.

Oh, that's right....

Sarah Outen, Aquapac’s Outdoor Champion, completes 1st leg of record-breaking excursion

2011-11-16T05:12:00.000-08:00

Aquapac’s 2011 Outdoor Champion Sarah Outen biked into Tokyo earlier this week, completing the first stage of her attempt to travel around the world entirely under her own steam.

The first of a planned five-stages, Outen’s trip began April 1, 2011 when she left London in her kayak. From there, she biked and kayaked 11,000 miles over 227 days. En route, she biked through 12 countries, traversed the Gobi Desert, and made four sea crossings, including paddling her kayak across La Perouse Strait from Russia to Japan.


Sarah on the beach in Russia loading her kayak.

“Sarah is a rare and remarkable adventurer,” said Tim Turnbull, CEO of Aquapac. “Two years ago she became the first woman to row across the Indian Ocean, and now she’s pushing the limits again. By using only her own muscle power to circumnavigate the globe, she’s expanding our understanding of what’s possible.”

The second leg of Outen’s journey is scheduled to begin in the spring when she will launch her record-breaking attempt to become the first woman to row solo, west to east across the North Pacific ocean. She’ll leave Choshi, Japan in May and row to Vancouver – a total of 4,300 nautical miles. On board with her will be a wide array of protective, waterproof cases from Aquapac.

“I have enjoyed working with Aquapac these last few years, and am proud to have been their Outdoor Champion for 2011,” Outen said. “Their gear has served me and my equipment very well so far and I have already put in my order for the Pacific row next year.”

Designed to reward individuals whose accomplishments highlight the blend between conservation and recreation, the annual Aquapac Outdoor Champion program comes with a cash prize of $1,500 and a supply of Aquapac’s 100% waterproof protective cases.

ABOUT OUTEN’S TRIP: The London-to-London expedition is raising funds for Coppafeel!, Jubilee Sailing Trust, MND and Wateraid. Outen has schools from around the world connecting with her on her journey – she is also working with Digital Explorer to provide downloadable curriculum based lesson plans via her website www.sarahouten.com

Make the 'Connection' on Simms' Facebook page

2011-11-07T17:04:00.000-08:00

First, they hit us with Drift.

Then it was Rise.

Now, Montana-based Confluence Films comes out with their latest jaw-dropping fly fishing film called "Connect."

And you can win it.

Just this week, Simms Fishing Products is running a trivia contest on its Facebook Page (LINK RIGHT HERE). We're calling it the Connect 4, 'cause we'll be giving away four copies of Connect each day, but like they like to say over at the lottery office, you have to play to win.

Give it a spin. It's a cool little flick.

Looking for memories in the Los Angeles wildnerness

2011-11-02T12:23:00.000-07:00

Imagine the impact of a commercial gold mining operation in a pristine wilderness area. Now, imagine if that wilderness area was just 13 miles from Los Angeles.

That was the situation facing the Big Horn Mine area .... a 277 acre inholding in the 41,000 acre Sheep Mountain Wilderness that commands spectacular views of the rugged San Gabriel Mountains, and is called home by Nelson's bighorn sheep, the California spotted owl, the mountain yellow-legged frog, and Arroyo Chub.

Future generations have a hard enough time getting outdoors these days, and if one of the cornerstones of the LA hiking scene was not only jerked out from under them, but also became the site of a large scale mineral extraction operation .... well .... fortunately, we don't have to find out.

In 2005, the Big Horn Mine was ranked as the highest priority for acquisition by the Prioritization and Inventory of California’s National Forest Wilderness. But this fall, thanks to the efforts of the Wilderness Land Trust, the Big Horn Mine area has been taken off the table and will be provided protected "wilderness" status.

That's what the WLT does: they find "inholdings" in wilderness areas and they do what it takes to return them to wilderness protection. Currently, they're working on 17 other major projects in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Washington.

To celebrate and promote the successful preservation of the Big Horn Mine area, the Wilderness Land Trust is seeking personal stories and anecdotes from active outdoor recreation businesses and individuals. Things like hiking and camping stories that can bring to life what a remarkable resource the Big Horn Mine area is ... and what a great service the WLT is providing.

LINK: WLT seeks outdoor stories to celebrate Big Horn Mine preservation

Sierra Designs athletes reach Hudson Bay

2011-09-29T13:53:00.000-07:00

After 2,250 miles of paddling over the course of 85 days, Ann Raiho and Natalie Warren are the first women ever to paddle from Minneapolis, MN to Hudson Bay... a substantial feat for anyone.

Called Hudson Bay Bound, this adventure represents only the fourth time anyone has completed this arduous trip. A few weeks after finishing, Ann and Natalie found a few minutes to join us for 10 Questions.

    1.    Can you give us an overview of your route? Distance. Time, etc

85 from start to finish (Minneapolis -- June 2nd to York Factory -- August 25th). 70 of those days we were canoeing (including 7 wind bound days on Lake Winnipeg). It took us about 3 weeks for the Minnesota River, 2 weeks for the Red River, 18 days for Lake Winnipeg and 18 days for the last stretch (including 4 layover days).

    2.    What were some of the biggest challenges that you faced along the way.

Our biggest physical challenge was paddling upstream on the Minnesota while the river was in flood condition and the state was experiencing record high temperatures for June. However, our biggest emotional challenge was finishing Lake Winnipeg. We had a made a mistake near Popular River and thought we were much further along than we were. We spent three days thinking we were almost done when we weren't and it was really discouraging to have to keep paddling into what seemed like a never ending lake. When we finally did see the end of the lake (as marked by an opening to the Nelson River), we both cried and then sang until our throats were raw. We knew at that moment we would probably make it to Hudson Bay because Lake Winnipeg was our largest obstacle.

    3.    You were canoeing for a long time through some varied terrain. How did the landscape differ along the route?

When we were in Minnesota, it was hot and moist. The trees towered over us and the willows were releasing tons of cotton into the air. There were all sorts of birds and at times it almost seemed like we were paddling in the jungle. Natalie was often reminded of the everglades near her home in Miami, FL. By the time we got up to North Dakota, there were fewer trees and a lot more development along the Red River. We saw farms and farm houses and more cities and suburban developments. When we went through Winnipeg it was like paddling on the Mississippi through Minneapolis with towering skyscrapers and highways. We went through a channeled marsh to eventually run out onto Lake Winnipeg. The southern basin of Lake Winnipeg is full of white sand beaches while the middle section is largely dominated by granite rock outcroppings and islands much like you'd see in northern Minnesota. In the north basin, the land is "muskeg" or swamp. Often we would only have 10 meters of land to camp on in front of us Lake Winnipeg and behind us a spongy swamp that seemed to go on and on. The last stretch started on the Nelson River. A large winding river with several islands and a boreal feel, large pines and big rocks. The Echimamish is a creek of sorts with muskeg and beaver dams to wade through and pull over. Once the Hayes starts there is a granite canyon with quick and narrow CII rapid sets that flush you out in shallow lakes that are covered in a very tall grass. Oxford Lake and Knee Lake are next and pick up waves just as big as the ones on lake Winnipeg. The rapids after Knee Lake are around every bend as we went through braided islands and picked between three or four channels. The channels join up and the rapid sets get bigger. The trees this whole time are mostly spruce and never really grow that tall or disappear. After Whitemud Falls, the banks of the Hayes are really steep towering 50 feet over head. The river widens out and becomes a shallow float to Hudson Bay.

    4.    Any scary moments?

Yeah. There was a day on Lake Winnipeg where we had a big tale wind from the southeast (5 foot surfing waves). The big lake is known for being shallow and beaching canoes on hidden boulders. I saw some boulders a little too late. We had to go between them. There was about 5 feet of space between them. When the waves crested, they were underwater, but you could see them very clearly because the waves had gotten so big. We were about 15 minutes from the point we were headed toward, but we were pretty far off shore. In other words, swamping would have been really bad. When we went between the boulders they towered above us for one second, then a big wave carried us out. My hands were shaking so bad I almost couldn't rutter to keep us straight on the surfing wave. It turned out to be a pretty fun ride to shore once we made it that far. There were other times running rapids that were kind of worrisome but our time on Lake Winnipeg was the scariest because of the volatile weather.

    5.    What was a typical day like?

We weren't very good at waking up early because we always got into camp so late, so usually we woke up around 8AM. We would eat a granola bar if we were in a hurry or make some elaborate breakfast if we felt like it. We would paddle all day usually without stopping for anything. That part kind of seems strange now, but we didn't really need to stop because usually we could eat in the boat and stand up or whatever. We would go until we felt like camping. A lot of times we would push it until we couldn't really see anymore. I (Ann) would set up camp while Natalie made dinner. We would usually fret about noises at night, so we would journal or play music for a long time until the sun kind of came up and we could sleep easy. When we got the dog, we went to bed earlier.

    6.    Two team members, a canoe and a lot of water.... You were out for a long time together without a lot of distractions. What was your team dynamic like? How did you solve problems? What things did you learn about each other that you hadn’t know previously?

We're like sisters I suppose. We fight about dumb things like where to put the tent and how spicy dinner was and then five minutes later we're joking around. We only got really mad at each other one time and it turned out to be really good for the relationship because we talked openly about our issues. We didn't really have that many problems to solve. If either person felt uncomfortable we stopped.

    7.    SD gear. What did you take and how did it perform?

The Meteor Lite 3 tent we used from Sierra Designs was perfect for every section of this journey. In the Minnesota heat, it allowed us to stay cool at night. On Lake Winnipeg, it held up in any wind and was easy to take down if we had to move our camp quick. On the Hayes River, we were often camping near swamps, and we found that the tent could fit in any small spot. It was so easy to get up quickly when we got into camp late because it only has two poles and not very many steps in the set-up routine. But the best part about our tent is that no matter how much our new puppy scratched at the screen the net never got a hole or even a mark on it. She loved the vestibule and would stand guard or sleep under it's protection at night. Our sleeping bags kept us warm even when fall came creeping up and we could see our breath near the end of the trip.

    8.    What did it feel like when you finished?

Let me tell you about that last day. The night before we got in really late at the confluence of the God's River and the Hayes River. We decided to stay up all night and leave at like 3AM. We made a big fire, but when we sat down we both wanted to go to sleep. It was probably the best sleep we'd gotten the whole trip even though we were worried about polar bears. We missed our alarm and woke up at 445AM. We knew we were traveling at 10 km per hour, so we knew exactly how many hours we had left. I have never felt so antsy. It's like the last day of class or something. Of course it was really beautiful. We lucked out and had perfect weather that day. When we eventually got to York Factory, we realized we hadn't eaten anything all day. So we informed the caretaker of our arrival and started cooking right away. There was a polar bear in the area, so they stood over us with shotguns the whole time. They were very nice and brought us to their place to sleep for the night. In the morning we woke up to gunshots and barking. They were chasing the polar bear off with ATVs. We left in a hurry that afternoon because the weather was going to get bad. We didn't really have time to process that we had actually done it.

    9.    You’re now the first women in history to paddle from Minneapolis, Minn to Hudson Bay, but more than just a record, your trip was about something else? What was your over arching goal and did you meet it?

We wanted to be the first women to paddle the historic fur trade route from Minneapolis to York Factory on Hudson Bay. We hoped that our trip would bring awareness and inspiration to women who do go on and/or want to go on wilderness canoeing adventures. We did make it, so the first part of our goal is fulfilled. Now we will work at spreading our story to inspire other people to get out there.

    10.    What’s next?

We are both traveling this fall to visit our friends around the country. In the spring, I'm going to grad school at CSU for ecology. Natalie is going to find a job hopefully near her family in Washington, D. C. But as for canoeing... I recently had a conversation about doing the entire Back River with someone. The Hood River is another dream. We'll see what happens. We both want our next trip to be more remote.

    Bonus Question:    Anything else?

Our motto was: Never try too hard. I think one of the reasons this trip went so well is because we took our time to meet people and wait out bad weather. Sometimes wilderness adventures are all about the push and that's how people get hurt. There's a time to push and a time to wait it out.

This was an adventure of a lifetime and I hope that there will be many more!!!!

Aquapac CEO gives new meaning to “dot com boom”

2011-09-21T11:49:00.000-07:00

Andy MacAuley, Creative Director at Aquapac International, spent much of yesterday cleaning up in the mess left in Aquapac's London offices after company CEO Tim Turnbull’s head exploded.

Officials say Turnbull’s head apparently burst after the 153,000th incorrect media reference to Aquapac’s website. For the record, the website is www.aquapac.net, not .com, which seems to escape a number of fact checkers in today’s fast-paced media world. Aquapac.com is, of course, owned and operated by Western Marine Insurance Services.

“I’m sort of surprised at how much was in Tim’s head,” said MacAuley between dry heaves during the clean-up process. “I always figured there was little more than Styrofoam packing peanuts and off-color jokes rattling around in there.”

MacAuley spent several ~~minutes~~ seconds lamenting Turnbull’s demise.

“It’s a tad ironic his noggin exploded now because of another incorrect URL reference,” said MacAuley. “We’ve spent a considerable amount of time and effort redesigning the brand new Aquapac.net and just launched it earlier this month. The new website is easier to use and much more customer friendly. For all that we did right on the new site, we couldn’t change the domain name, however.”

Aquapac’s new website (www.aquapac.net) features easy ways to search for Aquapac’s 100 percent waterproof cases either by activity or product range. It also has easy links to Aquapac’s social media pages, where customers can interact directly with Aquapac’s managers.

“With Tim gone, people might now assume we have the necessary funds to purchase the ‘other’ URL,” said MacAuley. “Rather, we have decided to use the insurance windfall for a huge party. I’m sure Tim would have wanted us to spend the money on Cristal and caviar, so I expect we’ll be using aquapac.net for the foreseeable future.”

ABOUT AQUAPAC: Aquapac is a London-based company, with U.S. headquarters in East Norwich, N.Y. It produces 100% waterproof, 100% use-through cases that create a virtual second skin for personal electronics, photography equipment, maps, documents and other essential items. Follow Aquapac on Facebook and on Twitter (@Aquapac).

For more information, please visit www.aquapac.net.

Piggyback Rider nabs 'New Product' award at Outdoor Retailer

2011-09-19T07:55:00.000-07:00

The Piggyback Rider®, the revolutionary new child carrier, is basking in the glow of last month’s Outdoor Retailer Summer Market trade show where it captured the “Best New Product” award.

Weighing less than 3 pounds, and about the size of a rolled towel, the Piggyback Rider® is designed to carry a toddler comfortably. The Piggyback Rider®’s one-of-a-kind design is centered around a shoulder-mounted foot bar that provides a secure platform for a child to safely stand on.

At Outdoor Retailer, held in Salt Lake City from Aug. 2-5, the Piggyback Rider® captured winning votes from retailers who had the task of scoping out a host of new product offerings from companies large and small.

“We’re extremely please to garner such positive attention from retailers,” said Wayne Lifshitz, co-inventor and president of Piggyback Rider®. “With the amount of smart, new products coming into the outdoor space from some of the most respected brands in the industry, being in this conversation is quite an honor for us.”

The Outdoor Retailer award is one of two awards the innovative product has won in recent weeks. The Piggyback Rider® was also recently awarded a Gold Mom’s Choice Award in the “Gear & Accessories” category.

“We’ve come up with a product that allows families to spend more quality time outdoors, taking part in healthy activities,” said Lifshitz. “These awards certainly further cement our belief that the Piggyback Rider® is the next generation of child carriers and our ‘Community of Riders’ is continuing to grow.

ABOUT THE PIGGYBACK RIDER®:
The Piggyback Rider® is a mutually enjoyable, effortless way to carry a child (2½+ years) on your back. It functions like a backpack, utilizing a shoulder-mounted foot-bar to distribute the child’s weight at your core, enabling a more natural and upright walking posture. The child stands firmly on the wide foot-bar, holding integrated grab handles and secured by safety tethers.

The Piggyback Rider® (MSRP $79.99) has unlimited year-round use, while hiking, touring, shopping, walking, watching, exploring, wandering, bonding at amusement parks, carnival, sporting events, malls, markets and everywhere else you may go. The simplicity and ease of carrying a child with the Piggyback Rider® revolutionizes child carriers and bonds parents and children in active transport.

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10 questions with SD athlete Jon Kedrowski

2011-09-14T15:35:00.000-07:00

Sierra Designs-sponsored athlete Jon Kedrowski is attempting to become the first person to camp directly on the summit of all 58 named Colorado 14,000’ peaks. Called the Colorado 14ers High Bivys Project, Jon's adventure began on June 23, 2001 and is scheduled to be finished on September 21 of this year.

Check out the following Q&A for some insight into the highlights, challenges, and the gear Jon uses.

1.       Where did the inspiration come from for sleeping on all Colorado's 14ers?

Growing up in Colorado, I began climbing 14ers in the early 90’s as a young teenager. I used the peaks as a training tool for football and basketball seasons in high school and then again in college. I first finished all the peaks in August of 1999. I continued to climb, and I noticed how every peak seemed to have room on the summit for a tent. In 2002 I spent the night on the top of Mt. Elbert, Colorado’s highest. I also used peaks like Torrey’s, Harvard, Sherman, and Missouri to acclimatize and camp on the summits prior to some of my overseas climbing expeditions in 2005 and 2006. Prior to traveling to Alaska to Solo climb Mt. McKinley (Denali) in 2009, (teammate and meteorologist) Chris Tomer joined me for an overnight bivy on the summit of Mt. Elbert in early May. We froze our butts off, but it prepared me for Alaska. During that trip we had a long discussion about camping on all the summits. You could say that during that trip in 2009, our idea was born.  
 
2.       I'm sure you get this question all the time... why?

In 2005 I did a large scale research project on the Colorado 14ers, in which I have published a paper recently in the International journal Mountain Research and Development. In the first question above, I mentioned how Chris had joined me for the high bivy on Elbert prior to my Alaska climbing trip. Later that summer of 2009, Chris finished climbing all 58 of the 14ers on nearly the same day in August that I did in 1999 a decade earlier. On a few more of our climbing trips we just couldn’t stop talking about the possibility. Since we have both climbed all the peaks, and know a great deal about the physical geography as well as the weather and climate of the peaks, we thought that this challenging project would be a great way to not only contribute to the history of the 14ers, but to see if putting one person on the top of every Colorado 14er was possible. We also knew about the physical and mental challenge that this project would be, and yet we are willing to accept this challenge. On top of it all, part of the why is also a book project, showing the sunrises and sunsets from each peak, and including tidbits on geography, weather, and unique stories that have unfolded during the adventure. In the end I wanted to do something pretty extraordinary, something outrageous, so trying to accomplish this feat all in one summer definitely puts it into that category. 
 

3.       What is your time line for this adventure - which peaks have you completed?

My Goal was to climb and camp on every single named Colorado 14er above 14,000’ in one summer. I started the project on June 23 with Chris on La Plata peak in the Sawatch Range. My plan is to have them all finished prior to the start of fall on September 21. As of Friday August 19th, I am writing this update from Aspen before I head up to Climb Capitol Peak (#38) in the Elk Range tonight. After Capitol I have 20 peaks to go. I have completed the 15 peaks in the San Juan Range, the 6 Peaks of the Ten Mile/Mosquito Range, the 6 Peaks of the Front Range, 5 of the 7 Elk Range Peaks (With Capitol and Snowmass Peaks Scheduled for this weekend with Chris), and 5 of the Sawatch peaks. I even fit a Summit Bivy on the Top of Mount Rainier (14,411’) Washington’s Highest! Basically starting next week August 22, I am leaving to go down and do the 10 Peaks of the Sangre De Cristos AND then use September to finish the remaining 7 or 8 Sawatch range peaks, with primarily the Collegiates of the Southern Sawatch Range and likely will make either Massive or Holy Cross the finale as it is close to Vail where friends and family can come and hike and will be welcomed to try camping on their first 14er in a celebration of sorts! Chris has played an intricate role as a motivator and has often joined me at the end of a long stretch of peaks when he doesn’t have to work… some of the questions below, especially regarding weather will explain the true team concept of this project, which it has been awesome to have Chris and his incredible weather forecasting. 
 
4.       Being at that extreme elevation for an extended period of time seems pretty dangerous. What precautions do you take?

There are so many extreme elevation factors to worry about up on the peaks, especially if I am on a streak where I climb 7 days in a row. For example, earlier in this project I did all 6 of the Front Range peaks in 7 days and had to climb Torreys peak twice on separate days due to bad weather, I was basically at high altitude every day for 7 days straight. Good Training for Acclimatization for Mount Everest next year!
Some of the obvious items to think about include:
1.    Hydration: Any time you are above 10,000’ the body needs water, and lots of it. I have to always consider where the highest available water is located (streams, springs, snowpack, etc.)   Based on prior knowledge of climbing the peaks, Chris and I often have an excellent idea where to get our last water before heading up to a summit for the night.
2.    Sun exposure: Always reminding ourselves to put on sunscreen and to cover up as much skin as possible is key to keeping out of the sun. Also wearing proper eyewear such as glacier goggles with sunshields is important.
3.    Layering for the temperatures: Always having the right amount of layers is critical to managing hydration like in point #1 above. Less layers going up, and sometimes even at 14K you are only hiking or climbing in shorts and a thin shirt, but as soon as you arrive on the summit, the wet shirt goes off and the dry shirt goes on with a hat, down jacket (by Sierra Designs!), and pants are on to keep up body temps and prevent hypothermia and chilling while maintaining fluids.
4.    Fortunately for me (Chris may be able to elaborate on this one) I think because I grew up in Colorado and am accustomed to high altitudes to 14K, I rarely get AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). My experience with AMS here in Colorado has been limited to a mild headache. At the start of this project, sleeping at the top of the peaks was a long night of restlessness. Now that I have over 30 of these peaks under my belt (Chris has come for about 10 of them, so he may feel the same), I usually sleep the entire night now. I carry some Aleve just in case I get a headache. But if you hydrate and eat right up here, there is no way you will get AMS.

5.       Weather seems like a big factor during a project like this. How are you monitoring weather patterns/storms?

This is where I give all the credit to my partner Chris Tomer. Chris is a professional AMS/NWA certified meteorologist. Chris works for KDVR FOX31 and KWGN CW2 in Denver. A majority of my climbs have been solo, but with the amazing technology we have today, I often have cell phone service on high ridges. I sometimes can pull up radar images off the internet on my phone, but most of the time I call Chris who is standing by either on his laptop or in the Weather Center at FOX and he can confirm the storm systems that I am seeing. On high ridges and summits I have a great view over everything and can track the flow of clouds and storms with my eyes, but Chris has the ability to pull up radar and high definition satellite imagery as well as forecast models and zoom them into my location. There have been numerous times where I have been able to stay on a summit because I know a storm isn’t going to hit me. With Chris’ knowledge and expertise, I have been saved tons of time and energy at on at least 10 peaks.
    Chris also updates me with text messages about current and future conditions. Often times I am heading up a peak to do what we will refer to as “getting into position to summit”. Chris will forecast my weather windows with extremely good accuracy. He is able to pinpoint lightning and also give me a time frame for when I can go up. For example, on my second attempt of Torreys peak, I was heading up at about 4pm. Between 5 and 6pm just above timberline and off the ridges, waves of hail and lightning were rolling thru. Chris forecasted that by 6:30pm everything would clear and that I would have time to get to the summit by 7:30 and set up for sunset photos. He also warned me that another wave of hail, but no lightning was moving through at 8pm. I confirmed what he saw and hunkered down for a short 20 minute storm, but then was able to re-emerge for some spectacular sunset photos by 8:30pm. In a nutshell, our weather forecasting has been absolutely crucial to contributing to the level of success I’ve had on this project.  
 
6.      What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced? Any scary moments? Top five hardest peaks?

Weather by far has been the toughest challenge. To be honest I would have preferred to start this project in late-May to Early June in order to avoid some of the Monsoon. A second challenge is being able to carry enough food to eat (will elaborate on the next question). You are burning so many calories up there and when you are out for a long set of peaks, that it is hard to carry enough food.
    I would say that my scariest moment so far in this project was early on about 8 or 10 peaks in I went into the isolated Needle Mountains in the San Juan Range to camp on the Summits of Eolus, Sunlight and Windom. On my second night in there after spending a quiet night on Eolus, I was caught in a terrible lightning storm on Sunlight. I had to hide in some fractures and cracks below the summit and even found a small cave to get away from the lightning. The storm was pretty intense. The third night of that trip on Windom I was hit again, the lightning wasn’t as bad, but the hail was brutal!

The top five toughest peaks are tough to list because if a peak has been at the end of a 5 or 7 day stretch where I have been more fatigued, then it gets harder. But some of the memorable peaks include:

A.    A three consecutive night stretch of South Maroon, North Maroon, and Pyramid. All three peaks are very challenging, dangerous, and have tiny summits, but I feel fortunate to have camped on all three in a row!
B.    A three consecutive night stretch of Wilson, Mt. Wilson, and El Diente which I had to pack a lot of food, and have a lot of patience, the peaks are almost as hard as the Bells and Pyramid, but I still was fortunate to have good weather, and some excellent forecasting from Chris.
C.    I am heading up to do Capitol Peak tonight, followed by Snowmass in the Elk range, a pair of peaks with lots of mileage and technical challenges.
D.    Little Bear, Blanca and Ellingwood will be next week, and those peaks are tough, especially Little Bear, considered by most to be the most technically demanding 14er.
E.    Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle are in the Sangres and I must finish those, not as hard as the previous peaks listed, but tiny summits and lightning is always a concern. 

7.      What role do you feel gear plays in these adventures? 

Ultralight gear plays a huge role. In addition to the ultralight gear, carrying only what you need up there is crucial. The faster you can move and the more efficient you can move, the less exerted you will be, and the safer you will be because your time on the danger zone will be limited. But not only does ultralight gear help, but the proper gear is important. Numerous times I do what I call “Dash and Crash”. I can eat dinner at the trailhead or from a high camp, bring a few slices of pizza with me and some powerbars and a few other snacks, 2 liters of water, and then take only a tent, ultralight down sleeping bag, pad, and go to a summit in only an hour or two in the evening, just in time to catch the sunset. This afternoon's trip up Capitol will be one of those ‘dash and crashes’.    Then in the morning, after taking sunrise photos, we will pack up quick, eat a Clif bar and a piece of fruit, and then return to my high camp or trailhead to make a hearty breakfast of pancakes and oatmeal, or scrambled eggs in a tortilla.   The most important gear: Ultralight Sleeping bags, pads, tent, down jacket, rain pants, good trail shoes, steripen for water, sunglasses, hat, stocking cap, light gloves, and athletic tape, which can fix anything.

8.      What type of food did you bring. Can you describe a typical day’s rations? 

I gave a brief synopsis of food above, but I often tailor eating with strategy. There have been two strategies: “Dash and Crash” explained above, and then Ultralight Backpacking. For “Dash and Crash” and for the first night of a 3-4 day backpacking series of peaks, I love to take Dominoes deep dish Pizza or Bake a Digorno and pack it up there. This eliminates the need for a stove (until the 2nd day of a multi-day trip), and no stove at all is needed for a one night peak.

Other food we love: PBJ Sandwiches, Peanut Butter Pretzels, Snickers Bars, Clif Bars, Clif Shots, Sugar Snap Peas, Peaches, Apples, Trail Mix, Elk Jerky, Elk Sausage, Oatmeal, Hard-Boiled Eggs, Instant Potatoes, Red Bull for summits, and in addition to energy gels, I love to have a pocket full of Root-beer Barrel hard candies. If I have to cook a dinner I will go with Ramen noodles or Lipton Noodles. We’ve also been known to pack a Subway Sandwich or two up there! Believe it or not both Chris and I can’t stomach those Mountain Haus dehydrated meals, eat too many of those and you will die from salt intake and they will rot your insides out.

9.      You’re using a bunch of Sierra Designs gear. Why SD and what are some of your favorite products?

My story about using Sierra Designs gear is unique. I bought my first Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight CD 2-man tent in 1994. I still have the tent, and used the iconic blue tent for the majority of my first 20 summits for this project. Using and testing additional ultralight tents was a natural fit for this project. Many of the summits are tiny and so I also highly recommend the Light Year 1. It is a tent that weighs less than 3 pounds, and is bone-dry. It can also withstand high winds and is quick and easy to set up.

For a sleeping bag right now I would recommend the Vapor 15, I have mine in extra long. Not only is the bag comfortable and warm, but it is easy to pack and light to carry. With a rating down to 15 degrees, I have been toasty on every summit. Recently, I’ve been testing a prototype Qwix Down 30 degree waterproof down bag. In mid-august even at 14,000 feet, I have been nice and warm in this bag. There is a nice feature on both bags, they only zip down a quarter of the way which saves weight in zipper length and also preserves warmth.

Finally, the lightweight Gnar Hoody by Sierra Designs has also been one of my favorite items. The jacket is half the size and stuffs down very small compared to some of my other down jackets I have owned. It is an essential for cold nights and windy conditions. The pockets are awesome for holding my small cameras and keeping my hands warm in-between summit shots!

The Sierra Designs Microlight Packable Rain Jacket is also a great item to keep the pack nice and light. It can rain as hard as it wants and especially on a cold summit night, putting the rain jacket over the light down jacket works well.

10.   While there are many that have climbed Colorado's 14ers few if any have slept on top of any. What is it like?

Spending the night on the Top of a Colorado 14er is an experience that everyone should try sometime. The sunrises and sunsets are nothing short of spectacular. There are awesome moon-rises, and on a dark and clear night, the stars are so bright! For those folks out there who aspire to try one sometime, carefully consider the weather, and be ready to handle the altitude and all the challenges that come with it. The cool thing with this project is that every sunset and every sunrise has been unique and different. It is very rewarding. Next year I’ll have a co-authored photo book with Chris Tomer, and I am also currently writing a narrative about the entire experience from a solo perspective and will have that book out soon after the photo book. Stay tuned for those great products, and thanks to Sierra Designs for supporting our project!

10 Questions with UD Athlete Tim Waggoner

2011-09-07T11:46:00.000-07:00

Colorado-based long distance runner and Ultimate Direction-sponsored athlete Tim Waggoner shares some insight into his love of running, training techniques, and philosophies on hydration.

1. How did you get involved with long distance running and why do you love it so much?

I ran in grade school up through college and then took a break for about 5 years. I started racing triathlons and accidentally qualified for the Hawaii Ironman in my 3rd triathlon ever. Then I sort of had to start running long. I love being fit and fast. I think if I couldn't run I would enjoy any other endurance sport (or weight lifting) just as much.

2. What is your training philosophy and what is a typical training week like for you?

Build an aerobic base and mileage first. With out that, high intensity training won't yield results. And eat healthfully. I see too many people treating their cars better than their bodies. I plan 3 key workouts a week and then do them when it feels right. If I head out to run easy but end up feeling awesome then I run a hard session instead. And if I go out to run hard or long and I feel horrible then I do an easy recovery run instead. It's simply listening to my body and train according to my energy and mental state. I used to be a high mileage runner but at 40 years old I see far more benefit and gains from high intensity. We overestimate the loss of our endurance and I think we also overestimate the benefits of high mileage once an athlete has put in years of it. At a certain point the gains become minimal. I see too many guys putting up big weeks but there's no real specific work in those weeks and after a while, once they've adapted completely to that mileage then there are no gains. I feel I can get more out of 60 miles than most people can get out of 100.

3. You're covering some pretty long distances under stressful conditions. How do you stay motivated?

I don't! I burn out pretty quickly and need to take time off. Every year I take 4-6 weeks off completely. This allows me to come back with a sharper focus and also stay very healthy. I used to be motivated 24/7 but after 30 years of endurance training it isn't always there now. With 2 sons and a wife I see more benefit now of bagging a run when I'm not motivated and giving my energy to them instead. But with that said, when I am motivated I tend be super motivated and intense which is also why I burn out quickly. I'm pretty up and down.

4. What's your philosophy on hydration?

20-30oz an hour with sodium intake of ~300mg an hour when it's hot. I get all of my calories through fluid when I'm training simply because solids can dehydrate you further and also stress your stomach. Fluids need very little digestion. There's also something to idea that you should drink when your thirsty... your body will almost always tell you what it needs if you listen.

5. How many pairs of shoes do you go through during a typical year?

Maybe 2 pair? I buy my shoes from the thrift store and can usually put about ~1500 miles on the right pair. I also rotate shoes very frequently so if I'm rotating between 3 pairs maybe only 1-2 pair has to go each year. I'm not big in to shoes... if they fit then use them.

6. What are the biggest mental challenges during a long race?

For me personally it's staying positive and competitive. I don't really have an ego anymore when it comes to racing. I also tend to not enjoy racing so staying positive is tough.

7. What role do you feel gear plays in your races?

Certain gear is crucial to me. Sunglasses are one. I'm super careful with my eyes especially at high altitude. A good pair of polarized glasses is a must. Hydration and the ability to carry it are also huge. It doesn't matter how fit you are, if you don't hydrate and eat adequately then your body is going to shut down. At Leadville last year I feel I beat many guys much fitter than me... but my nutrition was nearly perfect.

8. What type of food did you bring? Can you describe a typical day’s rations?

Yesterday I rode for 5 hours and ate only dates and dried plums. I typically try to eat a bar every ~1.5 hours though. I drink most of my calories which is maltodextrin and sucrose or fructose. I definitely don't need a ton of calories in training. At Leadville though I did eat about 750 calories in the first hour and was then able to take in ~300-400 per hour after that.

9. You've been a UD user for quite some time. Why UD and what are some of your favorite products?

There is no better water bottle out there... I've looked. They never leak and kicker valve is genius. I used a bottle waist pack at Leadville and had a handheld with me every step.

10. You've raced all over the world, what are some of your favorite memories?

I raced in Japan a couple of times on an island called Miyakojima which was nothing but white sand beach and lush rain forest. I loved that race. Plus the run was 26.5 miles which I liked. I raced the Duathlon World Championships in Barcis Italy a few years ago and got to spend ~4 days in Venice. Venice was amazing. The race was fine.

11. Anything else?

My wife is an amazing woman.

'A Year of Adventure' sweeps selects first winner

2011-09-06T12:29:00.000-07:00

With an incredible Mountaineering in Ecuador trip scheduled for the coming year, Ryan Schanno is the first winner in the Sierra Designs and Alaska Mountain Guides-sponsored ‘A Year of Adventure Sweepstakes’.

The Mountaineering in Ecuador trip is the first of three trips to be given away by Sierra Designs and Alaska Mountain Guides in the ‘A Year of Adventure’ sweepstakes. Anyone wanting a chance at the trip of a lifetime can still enter to win one of the two remaining trips, including a trek to Everest Base Camp and heli skiing in Alaska.

For a look at the complete press release, click HERE.

Phone from the field - regardless of the weather

2011-08-31T13:24:00.000-07:00

Overnight temps have been dropping down into the 50s here in northern Vermont which, to many, signals autumn's approach.

And for many of us the advent of autumn means hunting seasons are approaching.

A lot of hunters take their phones into the woods, fields and marshes these days. It makes sense.

Sometimes you have to stay in touch with the outside world. Sometimes you have to call a hunting partner and ask for help in dragging out a big one. Sometimes you need your camera to take photos. Sometimes you're on a marsh or a lake in inclement weather and you be better be prepared for an emergency.

And since hunters are often at the mercy of the elements, they risk having their phones ruined by rain, mud and snow whenever they venture afield.

Aquapac's Stormproof case - in orange even!

Aquapac's Stormproof phone cases are handy lightweight waterproof pouches offer phones excellent protection against the elements. I put my iPhone in one and tuck into in my Gore-Tex jacket on most of my hunts. I also keep my phone in one in my bird vest, which is filled with seeds, thorns and briars at the end of each day (and blood and feathers, hopefully). The case protects it from the dust, dirt and grime.

The cases are "use through" which means you can text a hunting partner on the next stand over or check the time without taking your phone out of the case. If you're into it, you could even read your email or call the neighborhood pizza joint on the way home to have a hot pie waiting for you when you climb out of your stand or blind.

Seriously, for $22.50, an Aquapac Stormproof case is one of those hunting accessories any hunter will appreciate this fall.

Check out Aquapac's line HERE.

10 questions with SD athlete Ryan Waters

2011-08-30T10:31:00.000-07:00

On May 21, 2011, Sierra Designs-sponsored athlete Ryan Waters successfully summitted Lhotse, a 8,516 meter peak located high in the Hymalaya on the border between Tibet and Nepal. Next door neighbor to Mount Everest, it is the 4th tallest mountain on Earth. We caught up with Ryan recently to ask him 10 questions about his expedition.

1. What inspired you to undertake such an arduous journey (Lhotse)?

Last year I had a strong feeling that I wanted to go to climb an 8000-meter peak on a personal expedition, which had not happened in a long time. I have had the great opportunity to guide on several, and that is a wonderful experience in many ways. But I wanted to have that time without responsibility for others, time to enjoy the Himalaya by simply being there and moving independently. I had a strong partner and I have very good Sherpa staff that I work with in Nepal so it was quite easy to get a strong small team to take on a climb like Lhotse.

2. Describe your adventure and some of the challenges you faced on Lhotse.

I went over to the Khumbu in early April to lead a trek to Everest base camp and to get started on the route up Lhotse. My climbing partner would be busy on another 8000-meter peak called Cho Oyu, with the plan to join me later on Lhotse for the summit push. So it was up to myself with the help of one of our Sherpas, Lakpa Dorjee, to climb and equip the route with our 4 camps, tents, food, fuel etc. We spent about a month doing this and had a great time. This route is the same as the Everest route up to camp 3. Then they split and have different camp 4 locations to climb the respective mountain. They are connected by the south col. My partner arrived in mid May, just about 5 days from summiting Cho You. We got a good weather window and began the climb up through the camps and reached the summit on the 21st of May.

3. How did you determine your route?

We chose to climb the standard route on Lhotse that climbs the west face of the mountain and up to a super nice 500-meter long steep couloir to the summit.

4. What role does experience play in a climb like this?

Climbing 8000-meter mountains requires lots of experience in the big mountains. Aside from the technical climbing skills, there are a host of logistics, medical, altitude, and local knowledge issues that come up and it is very helpful to have experience in the Himalayas. Of course it is essentially just like climbing lower altitude mountains from a pure "going on expedition" standpoint, just amplified.

5. You were on the mountain for a long time. How did you prepare for this both from a logistics (resupplies, etc) and physical training perspective?

Since we spend over a month easily at the mountain, we have to send up lots of food, fuel, and supplies to live at base camp for several weeks. We have really good food there; our Sherpa cook staff is phenomenal. They do buy fresh veggies and yak meat throughout the trip from the villages down valley. On the mountain we just have to haul up lots of whatever style food we want, the menu gets more and more simple and fast to cook the higher you get in camps.

For training, I like to start ramping up the big mountain specific training about 3 months before leaving. Lots of cardio and strength. I do a lot of cross training specific to climbers at the alpine training center in boulder. Running and mountain biking are great as well.

6. What are the biggest mental challenges?

I think for me know it is the length of time it takes. You have to stay patient and pass a lot of time.

7. What role do you feel gear played on this journey?

It is extremely important. You have to trust that your gear is going to work and perform as designed. It can literally be life or death.

8. What type of food did you bring? Can you describe a typical day’s rations?

On the mountain I eat a lot of easy meals. Noodles that cook fast, lots of bars, I use PowerBar products, as they have been one of my sponsors for like 4 years now. Fast cereal such as oatmeal packets to get you going in the tent.

9. You’re taking some SD gear with you. Which items and why did you choose Sierra Designs?

We use sierra designs tents and they are great. I really love the Mountain Meteor design. The 3-person is huge for the weight. I use a variety of sleeping bags, down, and Sierra Designs has made a special -20 degree sleeping bag for me. They are awesome.

On the mountain I use the Gnar down jacket and the Fiend down jacket and pants. Lower down I use the Mantra Fusion jacket as a shell and a host of softshell tops and bottoms.

Sierra Designs has a strong background in technical equipment design, and I have been helping to start designing new product with them. So it is a rewarding partnership.

10. This trip is pretty amazing on a lot of levels. What is one thing you will never forget about climbing Lhotse?

I will not forget getting to the bottom of the fixed lines at the Lhotse Face after summiting and bringing down all the gear with my team. Just as I clipped into the last horizontal line that traverses a vertical ice section, an oxygen bottle flew down the face and zinged past the exact spot I was just standing 5 seconds before. That was a close call, someone dropping a bottle 1000 feet above you and it flying down the face... there is an example of a real hazard on the Everest route we shared up the Lhotse face!

Sea Kayak Rescues DVD from Kokatat Athlete Bryan Smith

2011-08-23T09:27:00.000-07:00

Kokatat team member Bryan Smith teamed up with Body Boat Blade's world class instructors and Kokatat ambassadors Shawna Franklin and Leon Somme to produce an amazing new instructional film. The project brings a higher level of production value to instructional paddling films and provides an updated modern guide to effective rescue technique. The tidal and open coast rescue footage certainly sets the standard compared to previous instructional films. Check out the trailer below.

Sea Kayak Rescues Trailer from Bryan Smith on Vimeo.

The DVD is now available for pre order at www.reelwaterproductions.com.

Sugarbush unveils $299 pass for skiers & riders in their 20s

2011-08-22T03:38:00.000-07:00

For recent graduates and young workers facing some of the toughest economic times in decades, Sugarbush Resort is sending a clear message.

We’re here for you.

For the first time ever, Sugarbush is rolling out a season pass option for skiers and snowboarders in their 20s.

Known as the For20s Pass, the option is available to anyone aged 19-29, providing unlimited skiing at both Lincoln Peak and Mt. Ellen for only $299.

As the only pass of its kind in North America, the special rate on the For20s Pass will be available only from Aug. 22 through Sept. 14, 2011. After Sept. 14, the pass will be available for a regular rate of $399. Pricing does not include sales tax.

“People in their 20s are busy starting careers and in some cases starting families. At Sugarbush, we want to make sure that they’re also keeping skiing and snowboarding part of their lives,” said Win Smith, president of Sugarbush. “I first skied in college when I was 19 and didn’t return to skiing until I was 35. I missed a lot of great skiing during those years.”

With 2600’ of vertical, 111 trails, and more than 20 wooded areas on the trail maps, Sugarbush Resort’s two mountains of Lincoln Peak and Mt. Ellen offer a true alpine experience for all levels of winter adventurers.

In the 2010-2011 season, Sugarbush recorded more than 300 inches of fresh snowfall, and remained open for skiing and riding through the first of May.

Sugarbush’s remarkable terrain variety includes gentle groomers, quiet glades, backcountry adventures in the Slide Brook Wilderness Area, and the extreme tests of Castlerock. Sugarbush also hosts a full-feature terrain park at Mt. Ellen, and a comprehensive learn-to-ski/learn-to-ride program at both mountains.

For the après-ski crowd, Sugarbush offers comfort and convenience in numerous pubs, restaurants and their new base area plaza featuring “The Farmhouse” and “The Schoolhouse” skier services buildings.

Sugarbush was rated by OnTheSnow.com as having their “Favorite Downhill Terrain In the East (2011), by Ski Magazine readers as being #1 in Terrain Variety in the East (2010), and by Outside Magazine as being the “Best Ski Town in the East” (2010). For a complete list of season pass options, or for more information on Sugarbush, please visit http://www.sugarbush.com or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/Sugarbush.VT.

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COLDER: Eric Larsen's Save the Poles Documentary

2011-08-18T11:29:00.000-07:00

In 2009, polar explorer Eric Larsen embarked on an ambitious mission: to reach the South Pole, North Pole, and Summit of Everest in one continuous 356-day period. Larsen's Save the Poles Expedition was born of a desire to share the beauty and the plight of the last great cold places on earth as global warming changes them forever. A documentary of Larsen's expedition is in the works.

Filmed across Antarctica, the Arctic Ocean, and Mount Everest, COLDER details the effort that goes into executing- and surviving- an expedition of this scale. The film's trailer is out, with the full length feature soon to come. Stay tuned for more info on where and when you can see the movie in its entirety.

Q&A with SD Athlete Donny Roth

2011-08-09T14:16:00.000-07:00

Sierra Designs is proud to announce the addition of Donny Roth to their roster of sponsored athletes. A year-round skier and outdoor athlete, Donny calls Boulder, CO home and typically skis 180 days per year. A certified avalanche instructor and writer, Donny can often be found sharing his knowledge and experiences with both aspiring and experienced mountain athletes around the world.

Donny is passionate about human powered adventure, and shares his stories on his website, AlpineAmbitions.com. For some insight into what inspires Donny and his life as a sponsored athlete, guide, and ambassador, we caught up with him in South America to ask the following questions.

1. Why skiing? How did you get involved with this sport and why do you love it so much?
I honestly don’t know “why.” It is definitely not a conscience decision. I started skiing not long after learning to walk, but not really as a sport, it was more like something to do when the playground was covered in snow. That being said, I connected with it immediately. It has been the focus of my dreams, ambitions, and energy for my entire life.

2. What type of terrain do you like to ski best?
I can answer this definitely. Without a doubt I prefer big, steep mountains. I look for particular features like clean lines of snow mixed with some technical challenges. I don’t necessarily want to be terrified for the entire outing, but I like it if the terrain has my attention.

3. You're obviously skiing some pretty gnarly stuff, what precautions do you take on a new (first?) descent?
I always give myself enough time when getting into new terrain. Depending on the scale of the objective, I may spend days skiing and touring in the area before actually getting onto the descent line. I want a good view of the line before hand, so this often means skiing across the valley or on smaller, adjacent peaks. Now, if I am really pushing myself, the greatest potential hazard is probably unforeseen ice. The potential of a slip probably scares me more than anything else. For this reason, I find myself skiing with a harness, rope and equipment to build an anchor on a more regular basis. And no matter what, I can always turn back or find an alternate route. Needing to return to a mountain only heightens the rewards when it’s finally done.

4. What role does experience play in leading trips to these types of places?
Experience is absolutely essential. It is so rare when things go as planned. When the trip diverts from the ideal it is previous experiences that allow one to build a new plan. Beyond this, you begin to recognize patterns, which allow for better guesses about what will happen next. I am often reminded of a story a coach once shared with me about the soccer great, Pelé, who remained at the top of the sport late into his career; not because he was still the fastest or most talented, but because he understood the game better than anyone on the field. He was always positioned properly because he saw the game differently than those with less experience. Athleticism can be awe-inspiring, but it is good decision-making that gets the job done more consistently. This comes from experience.

5. You're in South America for quite some time. How did you prepare for this both from a logistics (resupplies, etc) and physical training perspective?
While I am at home, I begin thinking about logistics months ahead of time. I easily make dozens of lists of various degrees of detail. If I think of something – gear needed, a possible solution to lodging or transportation, etc. – I write it down. I don’t take anything for granted. I consider every possibility that I can imagine.

Physically, I actually have a very regimented training schedule. I spend a lot of time at a gym called The Alpine Training Center. The strength I build in the gym really pays once I am trying to perform with a pretty big pack on my back. Aside from the gym I like to ride my bike because, aerobically speaking, it is similar to a day of ski touring. I follow a schedule, am conscious of what I eat, and try to get enough sleep, although this is probably the hardest part.

Here in South America, I actually rent a cabaña on the coast that I use for a preparation between trips. This allows me to only take what I need for any particular trip to the mountains, and I can do all the random errands that need to be done. Chile averages about 100-miles from coast to cordillera. This makes it incredibly easy to leave the winter environment and get a few days of warmer weather, which is truly healing.

6. What are the biggest mental challenges?
There are a few mental challenges. The most basic is that I am very aware that I am “missing” summer. When I am in the mountains and in the snow everything seems natural, but when I come out for a day or two I am constantly reminded that my friends are riding bikes and barbecuing. Beyond this, I am always changing gears. I will spend two-weeks going full speed as a guide or an athlete. Then I get a few days to rest, but I know I will have to put the pedal to the floor again very soon. Lastly, it’s a very solitary profession. I spend a lot of time alone. I am pretty comfortable with that now, but the depths of our souls can be scary places – spending time along forces us to confront those darker places.

7. What role do you feel gear played on this journey?
The Andes are huge mountains, and the Pacific Ocean can nearly be seen from some of the summits. The weather here can fierce, and the elevation differences means that precipitation can come as torrential downpours or artic-like snow storms. Beyond that, over the course of three months here, I will travel thousands of kilometers using airplanes, buses, taxis, horse-drawn carts, mules, and simply on my back. There is no room for superfluous weight. Absolutely everything must function perfectly, hopefully serve multiple purposes, and be ready to take an absolute beating. I spend countless hours getting the equipment dialed in perfectly.

8. What type of food did you bring? Can you describe a typical day’s rations?
South American markets are not anything like our stores in the U.S. If you want to cook a slow meal at home, then there is always unbelievable meat, produce, and wine available. But as for the type of food necessary for fueling a day of ski touring, the options are lacking. I tend to bring some essentials from home, and then it’s quite a bit of work when I arrive to gather up appropriate food in the local markets.

When I am headed out in the morning, I eat about a cup of instant oatmeal with dried fruit, nuts, and some source of protein mixed in. I always make a cup of coffee. I drink a liter of water, and then refill my bottle to drink during the day. This generally happens quickly because there is always a lot to do in the morning, and I need to get out the door.

While touring I typically burn between 500 and 700 calories per hour. I carry a bag of food that is primarily carbohydrates – sandwiches, Clif Bar products, and some sweet stuff because it goes down easily. I bring a little meat and cheese in a tortilla, but not much. As soon as I am back I try to get a bowl of clear soup, and I eat some walnuts and dates. This greatly improves recovery.

Dinner is the standard fare. If I am camping, it is simple meals like pasta and rice with some fats mixed in. If I am based in a town or a hotel I eat meat and salad and try not to eat too many carbohydrates. All said and done, I will eat between 3000 and 5000 calories per day.

9. You’re taking some SD gear with you. Which items and why did you choose Sierra Designs?
This is my first season in Sierra Designs gear. I am absolutely blown away with the quality of the product and the level of functionality. Clearly, the two pieces that stand out in my mind as items I will have with me everyday are the Vapor Hooded Jacket, and Prima Fusion Jacket. Ski touring is an aerobic activity in a tough environment. The Vapor Hoody has sheltered me from wind and precipitation yet never gotten clammy on the inside. Basically, no matter how hard I am pushing, or what the weather throws in my direction, I have managed to be comfortable. I like the Prima Fusion because the precipitation here can be pretty wet. While stopped to eat, or descending, or just dealing with a technical section, it is nice to have the combination of a waterproof shell and synthetic insulation.

10. This trip is pretty amazing on a lot of levels, what is one thing you will never forget about skiing (wherever you are)?
It’s typically not the skiing I remember first. For example on this recent trip into the Andes with Sweetgrass Productions, we skied so many great lines, but those are not will stand out. The reality is that unless the peak is really special, like a first descent, or a classic couloir in perfect conditions, once I start the descent I am operating on instinct until I hit the bottom. But for this trip I was traveling with people I had never met, and we hit so many obstacles on our way to getting into the cordillera. It is getting to know these people, and the people we met along the way; the way we solved problems; and the opportunities created that stand out as unique moments. These are the things that define any particular trip. Beyond this I remember the environment of the place – maybe it’s animals, or a crazy ice feature, or even a spectacular sunset.

ORSM 11> Woolrich Tailgate Party

2011-07-28T08:06:00.000-07:00

There's nothing quite like a good tailgate party. If you are headed to Outdoor Retailer next week swing by the Woolrich booth (#190001-20001) on Thursday evening August 4th, from 5-6pm, for some great Pennsylvania fare and prizes. Woolrich has teamed up with some of Pennsylvania's finest including Martin Guitars, Emotion Kayaks, Yuengling Beer Company, Hershey's and Utz Snacks to bring some PA to OR. Stop by and you could go home with a new Martin LX1 or an Emotion Kayak.

ORSM11> Kelty Party

2011-07-27T12:01:00.000-07:00

Making the bi-annual pilgrimage to Salt Lake for Outdoor Retailer next week? If so, be sure to drop by the Kelty booth (#28017) between 4 and 6 on Thursday, August 4 (Day 1). Kelty will be selling a limited number of it's limited edition 60th Anniversary Wing packs for 40 bucks to help support the Denver-based Big City Mountaineers. And if you want a pack, I'd recommend showing up early... these packs are bound to go quickly.

Sierra Designs- A Year of Adventure

2011-07-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

There's still time to enter and win one of three amazing outdoor adventures in the Sierra Designs 'A Year of Adventure' sweepstakes.

Prize packages include Mountaineering in Ecuador, Everest Base Camp, and Heli Skiing in Alaska... all guided by the world-class Alaska Mountain Guides. Plenty of SD apparel and gear will also be supplied.

Enter once for a chance to win any of these adventures... but hurry. SD will draw a winner for the Mountaineering in Ecuador trip on August 16.

Click HERE to enter and learn more about all three of these awesome trips.

Join Simms for a "Pro Down" at ICAST 2011

2011-07-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

Perhaps you've heard that Simms Fishing Products is heading to Las Vegas for its first appearance at ICAST - the world's largest sportfishing trade show.

And perhaps you've heard that Simms - long a leader in the fly fishing market - is now making products (and important partnerships) for the world of competitive fishing.

Aaron Martens in Simms gear (Bassmaster.com photo)

On Wednesday and Thursday, Simms, ICAST and the bass pros all come together for a couple of meet-and-greet cocktail hours in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

This is an invitation to join Simms at ICAST and enjoy a cold beer with the Simms Team of professional tournament anglers, including Aaron Martens, Shaw Grigsby, Gary Klein, Kelly Jordon, and Brett Ehrler. They'll be in the booth (#2527) from 5- 6 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. There will be also be some beer and appetizers, too.

These professional anglers have been wearing the new Simms ProDry™ GORE-TEX® gear and intimately involved in the development of the product Simms is launching for 2012.

Please join Simms (Booth #2527 - over by the 'new products area') on Wednesday and Thursday (5-6 p.m.) for a nice, cold beer and the opportunity to meet both the Simms team and the professional anglers that have played such a big role in the development of the next generation of game-changing fishing gear.

ORSM 11> Ultimate Direction

2011-06-21T10:37:00.000-07:00

Ultimate Direction, long-time hydration solution for everyone from ultra marathoners and triathletes to recreational runners and joggers, will debut their first ever line of mountain bike hydration systems for 2012 with the introduction of the Grind 12 and Grind 16 hydration packs.

Well thought out and designed for comfort, these packs will include features any mountain biker will find handy, including:

• A variety of storage options- including a roomy main compartment, tool pocket, and pump sleeves- to keep gear organized and ready for all-day epic rides.

• 96-ounce roll top reservoirs with insulated sleeves for easy cleaning, filling, and outstanding performance in cold and hot weather.

• 360º reflective accents for visibility when rides extend past dark.

• HDPE framesheets for excellent lightweight support.

Booth #23015, displayed with Sierra Designs

ORSM 11> Garmont

2011-06-21T07:26:00.000-07:00

For over 140 years Garmont has had one one primary focus: the development and production of innovative, functional, quality outdoor footwear.

Displayed at OR, Garmont's new collection represents the traditions of it's home in Northern Italy; inspired by style, quality, and craftsmanship. Proudly celebrating this heritage, Garmont is embracing the future of performance.

OR debut's Garmont's line of shoes with Vibram 973 Sticky compound outsoles that increase traction with a weightless feel.

Hit town, trail, and rock face without missing a step in the new Sticky Fast N Vented air-conditioned, waterproof, burly and REALY cool.

BOOTH LINK: 18016

ORSM 11> Ahnu Footwear

2011-06-21T06:38:00.000-07:00

Ahnu Footwear, a San Francisco based brand, is bringing a breath of fresh air to OR straight off the bay. From the trail to cocktails, Ahnu provides shoes for every aspect of the active lifestyle. Ahnu invites you to walk new ground with them at Outdoor Retailer this summer.

With a belief that collaboration inspires innovation the Ahnu team has created a line of shoes that don't make you choose. Performance no longer means drab and in Ahnu's world fabulous doesn't compromise comfort. The all new Orinda brightens morning runs with fun colors and unique design details. For your evening run to happy hour, chic casual styles are built around performance technology to keep feet feeling and looking great.

We are most excited to introduce you to Jackie... blending easy, effortless, functionality into a design with aspirations as large as every women's.

BOOTH LINK: 30167

ORSM 11> Kokotat

2011-06-21T05:38:00.000-07:00

For more than 40 years Kokatat has been keeping paddlers warm and comfortable by focusing on keeping water out. At Summer Market Kokatat is setting the standard for comfort and style in paddling apparel.

At the August show, Kokatat will introduce a new paddling baselayer collection. All styles feature a unique paddling specific construction designed to compliment Kokatat’s leading dry suits, tops and pants.

At the heart of this collection of dry and wet baselayer styles is WoolCore, a Polartec® Power Dry® wool/recycled polyester blend fabric that helps regulate body temperature by controlling the rate of evaporative cooling. This product is manufactured entirely in the US (wool, fabric, garment assembly).

Kokatat will also be introducing new colors to its Gore-Tex drysuit program and limited editions of its Expedition and Meridian models.

BOOTH LINK: 33051

ORSM 11> Woolrich

2011-06-20T19:26:00.000-07:00

For over 180 years Woolrich has been developing outdoor apparel for outdoorsmen and outdoor enthusiasts.

At the 2011 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market the Woolrich Outdoor label is introducing the Vintage Outdoor Collection that draws influence from the companies vast archives and includes jackets, shorts, shirts, and pants for men and women.

The men's Declination jacket features 5% more cotton than the traditional 60/40 cotton/nylon fabric that brought so many into the outdoors for the first time, for a softer hand and easy drape.

This pull over anorak has a large kangaroo front pocket paired with two individual zippered hand pockets. The upper left of the jacket features a bellows pocket with a classic Talon zipper and leather diamond patch reminiscent of the lash tabs on early packs.

BOOTH LINK: 19001-20001

ORSM 11> Primus

2011-06-20T13:30:00.000-07:00

Primus, Swedish stove innovator for over 100 years, charges into 2012 with two new stoves for both the die-hard mountaineers and the weekend family car campers. Each of these stoves represent the highest performance and most innovative designs within their respective categories.

For the outdoor enthusiasts who live out of a pack, Primus introduces the 8.5-ounce Primus OmniFuel Ti. Light, highly adjustable, and made with titanium, the OmniFuel Ti will burn just about any liquid fuel while performing under the most demanding conditions including extreme altitudes and arctic temperatures. LINK

If car camping with the family is more your speed, Primus takes the classic two-burner stove to the next level with the FireHole Stove. Comes with handy extras like built-in task lighting, integrated cooking utensils, timer, recessed control knobs and attached fuel line. LINK

BOOTH LINK: 13007

ORSM 11> Brunton

2011-06-20T11:03:00.000-07:00

Bolstered by new ownership and a recent marketing update, Brunton is getting back to business as usual for 2012 with their broadest product introduction in years. With an eye on technological advancement and user-friendliness, Brunton's latest offering will debut at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, starting August 4.

Brunton's new line of Task Lighting products takes a new look at outdoor lighting with a collection of innovative lanterns and headlamps. Many of these lights will be rechargeable with Brunton's USB solar power storage and generation equipment. LINK

For portable electronics requiring a lot of power (think iPad), Brunton introduces the Resync; a portable power storage unit with USB-compatibility and enough juice to power a variety of energy-hungry portable electronics. LINK

Brunton will also add to their extensive line navigational tools with the introduction of the Get-Back GPS. Simple, accurate, and compact, the Get-Back GPS will remember up to three waypoints and will guide you back by the straightest possible route. LINK

The new Icon binoculars and spotting scopes will represent Brunton's finest optics to date, employing some of the highest grade glass and materials available for crystal clear images, outstanding performance in all conditions, and fast, accurate focusing. LINK

BOOTH LINK: 14009

ORSM 11> Sierra Designs

2011-06-20T10:06:00.000-07:00

The creative minds at Sierra Designs have been working overtime, creating new and cutting-edge outdoor equipment for hardcore outdoor enthusiasts, gear lovers, and even urban dwellers. On August 4, Outdoor Retailer attendees will have a chance to learn more about their latest offerings, including the following highlight items. Booth # 23015.

• Mojo 2 and 3-person tents: Ultralight, hybrid single/double wall shelters that set a new standard for lightweight tent performance. LINK

Summit Sack

• Tech Series Backpacks: Technologically advanced suspension systems provide excellent load support and ventilation. Five sizes including the Summit Sack; a small and compressible 1300 cubic inch pack that zips into its own pocket and fits into a larger pack for use on summit day. LINK

• Pyro Maniac 15/30 sleeping bag: The next step in the evolving line of Core Comfort sleeping bags. Add or remove a second set of baffles to accommodate a wider range of temps. Like most SD bags, the Pyro Maniac is EN-tested for a more accurate comfort rating. LINK

• Cloud 15 sleeping bag: At 1-pound, 12-ounces, the Cloud 15 will be the lightest weight 15 degree bag ever made by Sierra Designs... and possible the lightest 15 degree bag ever made. LINK

• Vintage and Urban Apparel: Men's and women's styles perform like technical shells with style and fit for all your urban pursuits. LINK

BOOTH LINK: 23015

ORSM 11> Kelty

2011-06-20T09:41:00.000-07:00

On August 4, Kelty rolls into Salt Lake City with one of their most exciting product line-ups yet. New for 2012 highlight items include the light and affordable Agile Series Packs, an expanded line of Vintage packs and bags, and several new tents including the all canvas Frontier. (Yup, canvas!)

For parents, Kelty will introduce two lines of redesigned child carriers and the first ever toddler-specific Woobie sleeping bag. And for a little added entertainment in your campsite, Kelty's new line of camp lighting now includes the LumaSpot Rhythm, a lantern that lights your campsite while playing tunes from your iPod.

2012 marks Kelty's 60th Anniversary and we're celebrating in style with limited edition Kelty 60th Anniversary Wing packs.

BOOTH LINK: 28017

ORSM 11> Aquapac

2011-06-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

London-based Aquapac comes to ORSM 11 with the aim of showcasing its fresh new Stormproof line of waterproof bags and pouches.

One the market now for less than six months, the Stormproof line is a colorful 14-item collection of affordable waterproof packs and pouches designed for outdoor use. The new Stormproof range includes small pouches that hold and protect phones, MP3 players as well as camera bags, padded laptop cases, drybags and backpacks.

BOOTH LINK: 39142

Sierra Designs athlete Ryan Waters summits Lhotse

2011-06-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

On May 19, 2001, experienced Himalayan mountaineer and Sierra Designs-sponsored athlete Ryan Waters- along with with teammates Lakpa Dorjee Sherpa and Sophie Denis- recently completed a successful summit of the 8516-meter Lhotse, the fourth tallest peak on earth.

Situated next to Mount Everest along the spine of the Himalaya, Lhotse requires the same set of skills needed to summit its more well-known and well-publicized neighbor. Proper planning, experience, and equipment are essential to a successful summit bid.

Sierra Designs supplied this expedition with several essential pieces of gear, including the Grand Mothership, Mountain Meteor, and Convert 3 tents as well as the Gnar jacket, Mantra jacket, Fusion pants, and Fiend down jacket and pants.

For more information on this expedition, please click HERE.

Buy your Brewfest tix early, win THAT night at Clay Brook

2011-06-14T06:37:00.000-07:00

Blending the best of local beers and local music, the Solstice BrewGrass festival arrives at Sugarbush’s Lincoln Peak on June 18, 2011.

For the few hundred music and beer fans that are lucky enough to buy their tickets before they sell out, the first annual event is sure to be an unforgettable afternoon of craft beers and live music.

But for a lucky pair of ticket holders, the day will end on an even higher note … with a free night’s accommodations at the luxurious Clay Brook hotel.

All Solstice BrewGrass Festival tickets purchased prior to June 15 will be eligible for the drawing. To enter, purchase your tickets in advance by calling 800.53.SUGAR, then go to the Solstice BrewGrass Facebook page and click the 'I'm Attending' button (LINK). The winner will receive one night slopeside king room for two at Clay Brook on June 18, 2011, with breakfast included at Timbers.

Rolling from 3 pm to 8 pm, the Solstice BrewGrass Festival is slated to feature Vermont brewing talents from the Bobcat Café, Harpoon, Long Trail, Magic Hat, Northshire, Otter Creek, Rock Art (tentative), Sam Adams, Shed, Shipyard, Smuttynose, Switchback, Trout River, Trapp's, Wolavers, Woodchuck Cider, and Woodstock Inn Brewery.

Setting the musical mood for the afternoon, a foursome of fantastic musicians will play throughout the event, including Three Tall Pines, the Starline Rhythm Boys, Phineas Gage and Seawolves.

2,250 Miles to Hudson Bay

2011-06-01T10:38:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, June 2, marks the start of an ambitious, 2,250-mile paddle trip from Fort Snelling in Minneapolis, MN to York Factory on the Hudson Bay. Two adventurous young women, Natalie Warren and Ann Raiho, will be the first women to paddle this route, following in the footsteps of three other all-male teams. (Read Canoeing with the Cree for an account of the first trip). Sponsored in part by Sierra Designs, their efforts will benefit YMCA Camp Menogyn.

Following is a Q&A with Warren and Raiho. More information on the trip can be found on the team's website, HudsonBayBound.com.

1.       What inspired you to undertake such an arduous journey?

Ann read Canoeing with the Cree once before our Menogyn long trip and again this winter. She was researching online and realized that no women had completed this historic route to Hudson Bay. We were looking for a long trip to do after college and this trip is the perfect niche to fill.

2.       Describe your adventure and some of the challenges you will face.

We start at Fort Snelling in Minneapolis and head upstream on the Minnesota River for the first 330 miles. Then we reach the Red River where we will be very thankful to paddle downstream! We will take the Red River to Lake Winnipeg, paddle up the East side, and take the Hayes River to York Factory on Hudson Bay. Going upstream is going to be a huge challenge for us but we're mentally prepared to work hard and move slowly. The Red River might be muddy and there are several dams that aren't well marked so we will have to be on our toes! The strong winds and waves of Lake Winnipeg could be a dangerous feat, especially since it is so shallow by the shore. We are crossing our fingers for a moderate Southwest wind. The Hayes River will have some sick white water to navigate. We just need to get to York Factory before mid-September when everything shuts down and polar bears get hungry.

3.       How did you determine your route?

The route is outlined in the 1930 novel Canoeing with the Cree. However, in Canoeing with the Cree Eric and Walter took the God's River to York Factory. We will be taking the Hayes River because it is a more direct route.

4.       Do you have any concerns or fears prior to your departure?

We are not too concerned about things initially because we will be in Minnesota for the first month, and we will be able to deal with problems as they occur. We are mostly looking forward to being on trail!

Natalie

5. You’ll be on the water for a long time. How did you prepare for this both from a logistics (resupplies, etc) and physical training perspective?

We've been getting ready since January for this particular trip. However, we've been preparing for a long canoe trip since we were 13 every summer.

6. What do you think will be the biggest mental challenges?

Spending 24/7 with just one other person is going to be a big switch after 4 years in college, but we are really excited to spend time together on trail.

Ann

7.       What role do you feel gear will play on this journey

Gear is really important. Eric Sevareid and Walter Port didn't even have sleeping bags and they describe feeling miserable and cold and some parts on their trip. We have been lucky enough to get really reliable gear (like the awesome Sierra Designs tent!) to keep us warm and happy even on the most miserable of days. We will really be able to feel safe and comfortable in the wilderness thanks to our reliable gear.

8.       What type of food will you be bringing. Can you describe a typical day’s rations?

We will be bringing dried foods donated from a local co-op. There are four loops of food. We will be picking up one in Breckenridge, MN, Winnepeg and Norway House. For loop 1 we are each designated 1.5 lbs of food and it goes up by .1 lbs each loop. The foods aren't astronautic things like dried ice cream or anything super bizarre. A typical day would be: oatmeal for breakfast, small snacks all day like trail mixes, chocolate, salami and peanut butter and spaghetti with TVP for dinner. Dessert every other day! We're cooking on a MSR Dragonfly stove and plan to do some baking!

9.       You’re taking some SD gear with you. Which items and why did you choose Sierra Designs?

Meteor Light tent is a classic design that will be perfect for this trip because it will be easy to set up over 90 times in a row and it assuredly keep us warm and dry. Catalyst 0 sleeping bag is also great for this trip because it's light and warm. It'll keep us warm when we get far north and will be able to be opened up for the warmer parts of our trip.

10.   This trip is pretty amazing on a lot of levels, but your goal is also to inspire and raise money. Can you explain the larger goals of your expedition?

I biggest goal is to inspire women. Going on trail has taught us how to be confident in our abilities and how to relate to our environment. We want to inspire women to go on their own wilderness adventures in hopes that they will reflect on their lives and their powerful role in society. We were lucky to meet a role model of ours, Anne Bancroft, the other day. She has inspired us in so many ways we hope to set a similar example for other women. Menogyn is a great gateway into the outdoors and we believe in its program and the values that they set forth. By donating money to the Emily Sandal scholarship we hope that wilderness trips become more accessible and affordable for young women.

Fishhound - it's like 411 and Google for anglers

2011-05-06T11:15:00.000-07:00

May is here and it's officially time to go fishing.

If you're trying to figure out where and when to go, get some intel via Fishhound, a new Website featuring the most up-to-date fishing reports available.

Finding out where and when to go is simple. Log on, type in a zip code or choose from the "state" listing and you can see what's happening on more than 700 waters (and growing) across the U.S.

Much of the site is free, but there is a "premium" (subscription is $9.95 a month) section that gives you the ability to glean a whole lot more info, even customize it to your favorite waters.

Fishhound's fishing reports are kind of "crowd-sourced" - that is they're generated by shops, guides and lodges. Fishhound has set up a unique revenue generating program designed to pay these folks who are on the water every day for providing the information. The more premium memberships sold, the more comes back to the local shops and guides proving details on where and when to go.

There's lots more in store in the coming months for Fishhound - from bass fishing and additional saltwater reports to conservation outlets and phone apps that provide the information to anglers on the go. There'll be a travel section and instructional videos, too.

Quirky & cool, Treeverse trailer debuts

2011-04-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

Treeverse Trailer from Uncage the Soul Productions on Vimeo.

On March 28, 2011, Brian French and Will Koomjian became the first non-tree dwelling mammals ever to trek 1-kilometer through the forest... without ever touching the ground.

Sponsored in part by Sierra Designs, Brian and Will spent a total of five completely self-supported days climbing their way across a section of old growth Oregon White Oak forest. Using a mix of teamwork, innovative tools, and leave-no-trace techniques, the duo were able to overcome unpredictable Oregon spring weather, fatigue, and seemingly impossible gaps of over 100 feet between trees.

Beautifully filmed, this documentary will premier in its entirety this summer. For more information on the Treeverse project, please click HERE.

Hiring guides in Bozeman this weekend

2011-04-14T06:43:00.000-07:00

NFL star Peyton Manning once got $34.5 million as a signing bonus. Fellow quarterback Tom Brady’s signing bonus was reportedly $16 million.

Fishhound, a new Web site featuring the most comprehensive collection of up-to-date fishing reports collected straight from guides, shops and outfitters, is giving guides who attend Simms Fishing Products’ second-annual Ice-Out guides event in Bozeman, Mont., this week (April 14-16) the opportunity to be a bit like football’s biggest stars.

Fishhound, one of the industry partners of Simms’ guide-only event, will be wooing some of the country’s best fly-fishing guides with a one-time offer to collect signing bonus. Guides must agree to provide two fishing reports per week through a 90-day period to be eligible for the cash. The signing bonus will be $300 – not quite Manning and Brady money, but nothing to sneeze at, either.

“We want to ensure when people log on to Fishhound they get real-time, on-the-water reports from people who know their stuff,” said Rick Patri, Vice President, operations for Fishhound. “These guides at Ice-Out know their stuff. There’s a huge value in having them contribute to our site. We recognize that and we’re going to pay them for that.”

Set to officially launch in the coming week, Fishhound.com’s comprehensive collection of local, real-time fishing reports from professional, on-the-water anglers provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available anywhere.

“We have an amazing web platform like no other,” said Patri, who will be in Bozeman at the Simms event. “But it’s the information taken from local shops and guides that will ultimately set us apart.”

Once Fishhound launches, anglers will be able to log in and obtain important information they need on where and when to go, what flies to use and even get weather and water conditions. And they have the ability to customize it to specific waters and spots they’re interested in.

A Fishhound report gives anglers information on water flows, temperature and water clarity, plus updated trip reports on the size and number of fish caught and what was used to catch them. Additionally, Fishhound visitors can access the site’s database of lures, flies and fish species.

While much of the site’s content is free, premium memberships at Fishhound ($9.99 a month) provide much deeper fishing information including specially designed apps for phones, exhaustive search capability of fishing spots, detailed section reports, hatch and fish migration reports and discounts on selected gear.

For more information on becoming a Fishhound Pro Staff member please visit HERE.

Camping Life editors choose the Sierra Designs Pyro 15

2011-04-12T12:04:00.000-07:00

The Sierra Designs Pyro 15 sleeping bag, the first sleeping bag to employ Sierra Designs’ Core Comfort Technology™ (CCT), has been selected by the editors of Camping Life Magazine as a 2011 Editors’ Choice Award winner.

The down-insulated Pyro 15’s performance is based on two additional sets of insulated baffles placed over the foot box and torso, where the body generates most of its heat. The result is improved warmth retention with less insulation than similarly rated bags, allowing campers to stay warmer and more comfortable while carrying less weight.

Here’s what Camping Life had to say about the Pyro 15:

“Sierra Design’s new Pyro sleeping bag features a trend in sleeping bag design that we appreciated for its efficient use of insulation. The company calls it Core Comfort body mapping, but we’ll call it putting warmth where you need it the most. The Pyro offers extra 600-fill down directly over your torso to maximize heat retention in this critical area. Other top-notch sleeping bag features such as a draft tube and draft collar for keeping cold air out and warm air in, an ergonomic foot box and hood for greater comfort, and a pillow pocket for convenience make this a darn good 15-degree sleeping bag for the price. With such a wide variety of camping products available to today’s family camper, Camping Life strives to provide detailed, valuable information so their readers can make informed buying decisions.”

Sierra Designs and Alaska Mountain Guides launch ‘A Year of Adventure’

2011-04-08T08:03:00.000-07:00

Exotic locations, breath-taking scenery, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences await three lucky winners in the co-sponsored Sierra Designs and Alaska Mountain Guides ‘A Year of Adventure’ sweepstakes.

Launching today, April 8, 2011, the ‘A Year of Adventure’ consumer sweepstakes offers contestants an incredible opportunity to learn mountaineering skills in Ecuador, win a trek to Everest Base Camp, or access untracked powder via helicopter in the Alaska backcountry. Premier guide service Alaska Mountain Guides (AMG) will lead the trips and Sierra Designs will supply apparel and equipment.

Check out the following trip descriptions for more information...

Learn mountaineering skills while experiencing the cultural and environmental diversity of Ecuador with the Mountaineering in Ecuador sweepstakes. This sweeps goes live on April 8 with a winner drawn after the sweepstakes closes at midnight on August 15. Equipment prize pack will include SD Mountain Meteor 3 tent, Arrow Rock 15 sleeping bags, Revival 65 packs, and Mantra Fusion Jackets.

Spend three weeks in Nepal with the Alaska Mountain Guides, trekking through the Himalayan Mountains to spend a night above 17,000 feet at the foot of the world’s tallest peak. The Everest Base Camp sweepstakes launches on August 16 and closes on December 17 with a prizewinner randomly selected and notified the next day. Sierra Designs prize pack will include SD Convert 3 tent, Revival 50 packs, Mantra Fusion jackets, and Fusion Pants.

Win our third and final sweepstakes and you’ll float through untracked powder on seldom-skied peaks in the Alaskan backcountry. The Heli Skiing in Alaska sweeps will start on December 18. Contestants will be able to enter until midnight on April 17, 2012 with a winner drawn the following day. The Heli Skiing prize pack will include Sierra Designs Ministry 40 packs, Gnar down jackets, Mantra Fusion jackets, and Fusion pants.

For more information on the sweepstakes and how to enter, please visit http://www.sierradesigns.com/ayearofadventure.aspx. Enter once for a chance to win any of these three trips. Each prizewinner will have up to one year to schedule their trip.

If it snows 300 inches, they will come ....

2011-04-06T07:42:00.000-07:00

The word from the mountain this morning was 6-8" of fresh at the summit, with 100% of trails still open.

Winter is clearly far from over ... as the local folks at Sugarbush have announced they will remain open through Easter Sunday, at least.

So to raise a glass to the epic 300-inch season that was, Sugarbush is kicking off some savage spring deals, including deep discounts on the rest of the season as well as crazy low rates on rooms at Clay Brook (have you seen that outdoor heated pool?)

Here's a list of this spring's deals at Sugarbush:

* Free skiing or riding for the rest of the 2011 spring, for those who buy a 2011-2012 season pass (All Mountain 7, Mount Ellen Plus, Fancy Pass, or College Pass).
* $48 per person, per night, spring vacation lodging packages at the luxurious Clay Brook slopeside hotel.
* $199 Spring Passes that are good for the remainder of the 2010-2011 season.

LINK: Sugarbush

Win over $15,000 worth of outdoor gear!

2011-04-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

SylvanSport’s FindTheGO contest begins Monday April 4th
with over $15,000 in free hidden gear!

Eight of the world’s best outdoor companies join in sponsoring the 2011 FindTheGO event: Yakima, SPOT, Kelty, Niner Bikes, Emotion Kayaks, Grand Trunk, Black Diamond and KEEN Footwear.

SylvanSport, along with 8 partner companies including Kelty have hidden a cache of spectacular outdoor gear somewhere in North America. Find it first, and it’s yours! A 2011 SylvanSport GO, the brilliant centerpiece of outdoor gear perfection, along with an array of fantastic prizes from the sponsor partners makes up the Grand Prize.

On Monday, April 4th the first clue will go live on www.findthego.com. This fun and unique 8 week event was tremendously successful last year, and this years’ contest promises to be bigger, better and most importantly… even more fun.

Each week, for 8 weeks, a video clue and geo-coordinates to guide participants to the ultimate hiding place, will premier on the dedicated website: www.findthego.com. Participants follow the clues and coordinates from any internet connected device as they zero in on the final location somewhere in the US or Canada. The final clue gives the exact location and from there, it’s anybody’s race!

Joining SylvanSport in sponsoring this unique event are Yakima, SPOT, Kelty, Niner Bikes, Emotion Kayaks, Grand Trunk, Black Diamond, and KEEN Footwear. The GO and the Grand Prize gear package are valued at over $15,000. The event also features great prizes for the 2nd and 3rd place finishers, and online giveaways throughout. See all of the prize details at www.findthego.com.

Last year’s winner was Matt Briskie from Raleigh, NC. “I was very pleased at how winnable this contest was. I played along, figured out the location, drove up to Niagara Falls and won it! It was that easy.”

For more information, visit www.findtheGO.com or www.sylvansport.com.

What to pack for the North Pole, South Pole, and Everest

2011-03-28T07:22:00.000-07:00

Larsen on the summit of Everest

As anyone who overnights in the backcountry knows, proper gear selection can be the difference between a fun weekend away and a truly miserable experience. In more extreme situations, it can even spell the difference between surviving and, well, not.

So when Sierra Designs-sponsored athlete Eric Larsen successfully completed his human-powered Save the Poles expedition to the North Pole, South Pole and summit of Everest, outdoor journalist and gear expert Steven Regenold wanted to know more about the equipment that helped Eric accomplish this remarkable feat. For an interesting read and a rundown of the gear that Eric chose, please visit the GearJunkie.com HERE.

Spoiler Alert: Eric took a lot of Sierra Designs gear with him, including the Polar Tunnel tent and custom-made down suit.

All aboard! Woolrich Launches “Woolrich Adventures” Sweepstakes

2011-03-23T11:18:00.000-07:00

Woolrich and Travel Alberta are giving away a railroad adventure for two through the Canadian Rockies as part of the Woolrich Adventures Sweepstakes. Now through August 1st, adventurers can sign up online for a chance to win this once-in-a-lifetime journey at www.woolrichadventures.com.

Here's a little peak of at what the trip includes and some of the scenery along the way. This trip has you covered, regardless of the level for your taste of adventure.

2-days on the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer:

2-nights at the legendary Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise:

1-night at the majestic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel:

Fantastic destination, amazing itinerary, luxurious accommodations- what are you waiting for. Enter to win HERE.

Green Mountains and Whitewater

2011-03-14T13:58:00.000-07:00

Three years ago, some motivated Vermont paddlers (motivated paddlers... two words seldom used in conjunction) decided to share their love of paddling and friendly competition with a grassroots whitewater festival hosted here in the Green Mountain State. Racking up steady growth each year since, the Bristol, VT-based New Haven River Festival breaks into the big time this spring with the addition of official event sponsor, kayak manufacturer, and cash prize donor Bliss-Stick.

With a whitewater movie night scheduled for April 1, official competition on April 2, and a beginners skills clinic on April 3, the New Haven River Festival offers something for everyone from first time paddlers to professional boaters.

This year's cosponsors will include Kelty, Sierra Designs, Brunton Outdoor, and Primus Camping. For more information on the New Haven River Festival, click HERE.

Kelty Salida 2 wins 2011 Backpacker Editors' Choice Award

2011-03-09T13:19:00.000-08:00

Offering stellar performance at an affordable price, the Kelty Salida 2 tent has been honored with a Backpacker Magazine 2011 Editors' Choice award.

After extensive field testing in Utah's Capitol Reef National Park and Colorado's Indian Peaks Wilderness, testers liked the Salida's ultralight weight, roomy interior, and weather-worthyness. Combine all these features with a $159 price tag, and you get a ton of tent for the money.

Featuring a two-pole dome design, the Salida 2 is a single door, single vestibule shelter offering comfortable overnight accommodations on the trail or at the local campground. A full-coverage fly adds weather protection while mesh wall panels keep the tent well ventilated.

Women’s Ski Discovery Camp at Sugarbush elevates female skiers to the next level

2011-03-02T08:20:00.000-08:00

SUGARBUSH, VT. – With a goal toward molding females into more confident skiers, Sugarbush Resort’s Women’s Discovery Camp is a two-day clinic offering phenomenal instructors, effective new techniques, and fun, supportive camaraderie to dramatically improve alpine skills.

Sugarbush’s second Women’s Ski Discovery Camp of the winter will be held Mar. 14-15, and there is still room available in the energized clinic that uses the expert instruction of women's skiing guru Lisa Densmore.

Densmore, a former member of the U.S. Ski Team, leads a series of on and off-hill activities and is assisted by Sugarbush instructors MA Raymond and Pate Weston. Designed for novice to intermediate skiers, the program includes breakfast and lunch on both days, video analysis, demo equipment and a farewell party with door prizes.

“The resort’s motto is ‘Be Better Here’ and this program is specifically designed to make women skiers better,” said “Mary “Bear” Simmons, Director of Women's Programs for Sugarbush Resort. “We’re very fortunate to have somebody of Lisa’s skills and background here. She has this incredible ability to teach and challenge women skiers in a fun and enthusiastic manner.”

Cost for the Women’s Ski Discovery Camp is $385. Discount lift tickets and lodging are available. To enroll in the Women’s Discovery Camp call (888) 651-4827 or email skiandrideschool@sugarbush.com

Tony Stafford poised to crush marathon world record

2011-02-25T08:27:00.000-08:00

As if running a marathon weren't challenging enough. Kelty-sponsored athlete Tony Stafford will not only attempt to complete the 26.2-mile Bataan Death March while wearing a 40-pound, custom-fitted Kelty Peregrine backpack... he plans on doing it in record time.

The current world record stands at 4hr 42min 44sec and was set 20 years ago during the 1991 London Marathon. Stafford is on track to set the new record below four hours.

Through his attempt, Stafford hopes to draw attention to and raise funds for Outdoor Mindset, a Boulder, Colo.-based non-profit working to unite and inspire those facing neurological challenges. Additionally, Stafford’s Kelty pack will be loaded with 40-pounds of non-perishable food to be donated to the Community Action Agency Food Bank, New Mexico’s largest. Both worthy causes.

This year’s event is scheduled for March 27 and takes place at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The 26.2 mile course will wind its way though the desert where hilly terrain and loose sand will add to the challenge.

To learn more about the Bataan Memorial Death March, please visit www.bataanmarch.com. To support Stafford and his fund raising effort for Outdoor Mindset, please visit www.crowdrise.com/bataandeathmarchmarathon/.

Aquapac shows off its new Web site

2011-02-03T11:40:00.000-08:00

Our friends over at Aquapac have had a busy start to 2011, what with new products coming in and the launch of a brand-spanking-new Web site that makes it easier for customers to see and order their favorite waterproof cases.

Head over there if you get a chance and check it out. They've also added an Aquapac blog and videos detailing how to use their 100 percent waterproof products.

Sugarbush Resort's creative learn to ski-and-ride program blasts open the door for newcomers

2011-01-20T07:26:00.000-08:00

SUGARBUSH, VT. – During January’s National Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, award-winning Sugarbush Resort is highlighting an introductory program designed to jumpstart teens and adults into a lifetime of snowsport enjoyment.

Sugarbush’s “First Timer to Life Timer” program immerses newcomers into skiing or riding with equipment, lift tickets, lessons and a free season’s pass to some of North America’s best terrain.

After being correctly geared up, First Timers to Life Timers are led through a series of three lessons led by coaches certified by The Professional Ski Instructors of America. At the conclusion of the lessons, participants are awarded a Sugarbush All-Mountain Season Pass for the remainder of the 2010-2011 season.

“This program expertly addresses two needs,” said Sugarbush president Win Smith. “The industry is well aware of the need to grow participation levels in our sports, and we know people crave the ability to give skiing or riding a try in a comfortable, fun atmosphere. And there’s a huge bonus attached, too – the free season’s pass.”

The First Timer to Life Timer ($230) is open to skiers and riders ages 13 and over who have no prior experience with a snowsport. Sugarbush is on pace to put more than 200 first timers through the program this season.

“Your staff was just as excited as I was to be there and even more so to see another person who was brand new wanting to learn the sport,” wrote first-timer Elijah Smith who tried snowboarding at Sugarbush in December. “Thanks to the All Mountain Season Pass that I received from the package, I will definitely be back soon so I can work on linking my turns.”

Sugarbush will continue to enroll participants in the First Timer to Life Timer program throughout the season, even after National Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month concludes.

“We have some of the best skiing and riding still ahead of us,” Smith said. “Somebody who takes part in the program will have great conditions from here on out to improve upon their skills.”

To enroll in the “First Timer to Life Timer” program call (888) 651-4827 or email skiandrideschool@sugarbush.com

Want to be a ripper, or just ski with one? Garmont hosts 'Ski with Dav' day at ORWM demo

2011-01-17T12:45:00.001-08:00

Join Garmont's professional adventure advisor, Chris Davenport, for an afternoon ski session during the ORWM on-snow demo this Wednesday, January 19, 2011.

Starting at noon, the special ski session offers a true one-of-a-kind experience: chasing Dav down the slope while getting some one-on-one insight from him on Garmont's new boot the Deliruim, the "mac daddy" of Freeride!

Apres the ski, the 'Ski with Dav' crew will kick back at Garmont's outdoor lounge with seating, snacks and thirst quenching beverages. RSVPs earn bonus points for manners.

A two-time World Champion skier, Davenport is widely regarded as one of the premier ski mountaineers in the world today. A former alpine downhill racer with an extensive freeskiing resume, Davenport’s mountaineering resume includes high profile ascents and descents in Antarctica, the Himalaya, Denali National Park, and his home state of Colorado – where he skied all 54 of the state’s 14,000-foot peaks in less then one year.

It's Cool to be Cold

2011-01-13T10:05:00.000-08:00

Headed to Outdoor Retailer next week? If so, join Sierra Designs, Terramar, Atlas Snowshoes, Princeton Tec, and Optic Nerve at the Brewvies Cinema Pub Saturday night for a presentation and slide show celebrating the successful completion of Eric Larsen's world record Save the Poles Expedition to the North Pole, South Pole, and summit of Everest all in one year. Oh, and don't forget the free beer, free food, and great swag from five outstanding outdoor brands.

Brewvies Cinema Pub; 677 S 200W
Saturday, January 22nd 7-9 p.m.
First 50 people get a free swag bag

Trip for two to Everest Basecamp anyone?

2011-01-12T13:48:00.000-08:00

If you're heading to Salt Lake City next week to attend the Outdoor Retailer Trade Show, you may want to schedule a little time on Friday afternoon to stop by the Sierra Designs booth. We're celebrating Eric Larsen's successful Save the Poles expedition to the North Pole, South Pole and summit of Everest, making Eric the first person ever to reach all three locations in one continuous 365-day period.

And if the usual free beer, booze, and swag isn't enough to entice you, we're also giving away a trip to Everest Basecamp with Eric. Our friends at Alaska Mountain Guides have generously offered two spots on an upcoming trek to basecamp, the launch point for Eric's successful summit. You must be present to win, or we'll give your trip to someone else.

We'll see you on Friday, January 21 from 4 to 6 in booth # 28017.

SD wins Editors' Choice Award from Backcountry Magazine

2011-01-12T08:29:00.000-08:00

Sierra Designs is proud to announce the women’s Lunatic softshell pants have been recognized with a 2011 Editors’ Choice Award from Backcountry Magazine, the premier source for everything backcountry ski- and ride-related.

With performance attributes and serious value any skier can appreciate, the Lunatic Pants kept women testers warm, comfortable, and mobile in the backcountry. These pants also won points for a baggier, more stylish design than most of the competition.

Here's a LINK to the complete story.

Win tickets to Shumlin's Inaugural Ball

2011-01-05T08:29:00.001-08:00

Sugarbush Resort wants Vermonters to take part in Friday’s Inaugural Ball for Vermont’s new governor Peter Shumlin, and will be giving away six pairs of tickets through a Facebook promotion.

Home of Friday’s ball, Sugarbush Resort will randomly award the tickets to people who indicate they’d like to win simply by posting on the Vermont National Guard Charitable Foundation’s Facebook page. Friday’s ball, which represents the first time a Vermont Governor has held inaugural ball at a ski area, is a fundraiser for the VNG’s Charitable Foundation.

Winners will be chosen Thursday afternoon, and tickets will be available at the Will Call window at Sugarbush. The Friday event will be held from 7:30-11:30 p.m.

Sugarbush and some surrounding lodging options have special packages for the inaugural event. See the packages below or for other lodging options go here.

Sugarbush is also offering discounted lift tickets on Saturday.

Information and updates for the inaugural activities can be found here.

Garmont athlete Griffin Post 2010 winning lines

2011-01-04T06:46:00.000-08:00

Griffin Post 2010 US Extreme Freeskiing Championships Winning Lines.

As we look forward to 2011 let us not forget the best from 2010!

Heidiskis- Tunes up for the Season

2010-12-17T11:07:00.000-08:00

Heidiskis takes an inside look at ski tuning... literally. Check out what it's like to get a tune from your skis' perspective.

Simms has Santa's back this holiday season

2010-12-07T12:47:00.000-08:00

It’s a little known fact: Santa Claus loves to fish. And when Santa fishes – whether it’s for trout or tarpon, stripers or carp – Old St. Nick outfits himself in gear from Simms Fishing Products.

As he begins to check his Christmas wish lists twice, Santa pays particular attention to letters from avid anglers. While he occasionally gets a request for a new bamboo rod or a bonefish trip to the flats surrounding Christmas Island, he’s seeing a developing trend: This holiday season anglers are looking for quality fishing gear like that available from Simms.

Topping a number of lists Santa sees are waders, and while Santa’s elves do a good job at toys in the North Pole, they can’t touch the quality and craftsmanship that Simms puts into its GORE-TEX® waders, every pair made at the company’s Bozeman, Mont., headquarters. From the top-of-the-line G4Z, to the versatile G3 Guide Pant, Simms has a wader to satisfy any angler.

Other popular items on anglers’ wish lists include:
* Headwaters ™ Windstopper® Jacket: A new lightweight, completely windproof jacket, this sweetheart of a jacket is perfect for trout anglers heading into the backcountry or for those running around in shallow water looking for redfish. Retailing for $179.95, it’s a multipurpose jacket that will be used year after year.
* Rivershed ™ Sweater: This good-looking sweater is made from Polartec® ThermalPro® fabric. It’ll give midwinter steelheaders or early season anglers a perfect layer, plus it looks sharp around town. $139.95
* Artist series Simms Flask and cigar humidor: Part of Simms’ new “Lodge Line” both the flask ($29.95) and humidor ($79.95) feature the trout-inspired artwork of Montana’s Derek DeYoung.
* Headwaters™ Tech Pack: The most versatile pack from Simms, this small pack can be used in conjunction with the chest pack or on it’s one, giving mobile anglers ample storage for fly boxes, spare reels and a rain jacket. $139.95
* Windstopper ® Flap Cap: For $24.95, this acrylic knit hat is e perfect for cold-weather fishing or early mornings and late evenings on the salt. Everybody needs a good hat, and these will do the trick when the wind is blowing.

Simms products are available at specialty and large format retailers nationwide, and can be viewed and purchased on-line. Santa reminds anglers that while talking about fishing, fabrication, truth-fudging or intentional circumlocution is entirely permissible and will not relegate anybody to the “naughty” list.

Aquapac raises curtain on new logo as part of rebranding effort

2010-11-17T10:19:00.000-08:00

Aquapac, manufacturers of 100% waterproof cases, shows off its new logo today – one small part in a more comprehensive rebranding initiative being undertaken by the London-based company.
The logo, an aqua blue “A” pierced on the left by a white water droplet, is accompanied by the new tag line “Immerse Yourself ™.”

Tim Turnbull, CEO of Aquapac, said the logo and slogan help position the brand as an active, vibrant company that makes products designed specifically for passionate outdoor enthusiasts who dovetail their work and play with their pursuits.

While the logo is unveiled now, it portends bigger things coming from the company. Early in 2011, Aquapac will roll out a revamped product range that includes the all-new Stormproof Line of protective cases for cameras and electronics.

“We’re about to enter a new, electric era of Aquapac,” said Turnbull. “Not to overhype this, but the new logo is part of this new positive energy we have surrounding us as we move forward.”

The new logo will be featured prominently on Aquapac packaging and on products from drybags and backpacks to protective cases for iPhones, iPads, iPods, Flip Video cameras and digital point-and-shoot cameras. All Aquapac cases are PVC-free.

Look for the new product line on U.S. store shelves by Jan. 1, including retailers like L.L Bean, REI, Eastern Mountain Sports and hundreds of brick-and-mortar outdoor, sport, surf and electronic shops.

Life After Summiting Everest

2010-11-12T11:15:00.000-08:00

Fresh back from the South Pole, North Pole, and the summit of Mount Everest, the Sierra Designs-sponsored athlete Eric Larsen is having some trouble adjusting to life back here in the states. Or maybe it's just that his Sierra Designs Fiend down jacket and pants are just too comfortable to take off. Either way, we're glad he's home safely.

And in case you didn't know, Eric is the first person ever to reach both poles and the highest peak on earth in one continuous 365-day period, all as part of his Save the Poles expedition to raise awareness about global warming. Not too shabby.

For more info on Eric and Save the Poles, please click HERE.

Woolrich- Climbing books for the Everyday Adventurer

2010-11-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

For the kids:

For the adults:

Both inspirational- However the little mouse doesn't achieve his goal in a Woolrich jacket.

Woolrich has teamed up with Daniel Dorr on the upcoming tour of his book, Kissing Kilimanjaro: Leaving it all on top of Africa. The book chronicles Dorr’s journey to the top of Kilimanjaro and the lessons learned along the way.

Learn more about the partnership with Woolrich and the book tour- LINK
Learn more about the Daniel and the book- LINK

For more on Too-Tiny the mouse's accent- LINK

Heidskis: Getting noticed on the ski hill

2010-10-29T10:58:00.000-07:00

Felt a bit like Spring yesterday, it was 60 degrees here in Maine. Hard to believe they were "skiing" here last week. Nothing like the hiss of snowmaking guns in your ears and manmade goodness sticking to your goggles to rip deaf and blind down a 20 foot wide trail.

I like leaving those days for our snowboarding friends and die hards. But they do get me inspired for the season.

This week I pulled out the skis, and removed the wax they hibernated in all summer so I'm ready when the real snows arrive.

Looking at my HEIDISKIS All Mountain skis reminded me of last season when without fail every time I hit the slopes I was asked about them. People on the chair, in the lift line, and in the parking lot kept commenting on their cool wood veneer and interesting dragon design.

One thing is for certain, they are a far better conversation starter than this outfit:

LINK: HEIDISKIS All Mountain

Sierra Designs tents arrive in Africa

2010-10-27T09:07:00.000-07:00

Thanks to ConserVentures, a U.S.-based non-profit organization that promotes exploration and conservation in Africa and Central America, Sierra Designs was able to supply five Lightning XT 2 and Lightning XT 3 tents to Kenya's South Rift Game Scouts. Comprised mainly of young Maasai men, the Scouts will use these tents while patrolling Southern Kenya on bicycles, motorcycles, and foot, protecting the region's elephant and rhino populations from poachers.

While on a recent 3,500-mile expedition through Tanzania and Kenya to establish new routes for 2011 conservation safaris, ConserVentures hand-delivered these tents along with other useful equipment including binoculars, GPS units, and solar chargers to the South Rift Game Scouts. A full day of instruction educated the Scouts on proper use of this equipment.

Poaching continues to be a big problem in Kenya where 19 rhinos (2.2% of the total population) and 216 elephants were killed in 2009. In a place where jobs are scarce, trade in rhino horns and elephant ivory is a growing business and poachers stand to profit greatly. Anti-poaching programs like the South Rift Game Scouts help keep poaching numbers down, but require assistance as they are typically underfunded. For more information on ConserVentures and how you can get involved, please visit www.ConserVentures.com. For more photos of the South Rift Game Scouts and their new gear, please click HERE.

Just what's needed?

2010-10-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

It the world of public relations, there are few bigger coups than landing your client on Oprah. Either her daytime show or O, her magazine.

Oprah generates mucho grande exposure, and if your client has a product, book or service in need of just a little love to catch on, the "Oprah Effect" has proven to be lightning in a bottle.

So it'll be interesting to see next week (we're hearing Wednesday) when Oprah exposes her viewers to the wonderful world of fly fishing. It seems that Oprah and one of her friends took to the Merced River in Yosemite National Park recently, and if ever an outdoor activity is in need of a little love and attention, fly fishing is it.

According to the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation special report issued earlier this year, only 5.6 million Americans participate in fly fishing, and that number has been declining over the past few years.

But, as the RBFF report notes, fly fishing has significant growth opportunities across a number of demographics, particularly females (25.2 percent of participants), minority groups (21.5 percent of participants), and youth (16.1 percent of participants). And Oprah - both her show and her magazine - appeals greatly to those demographics.

From a PR standpoint, fly fishing should embrace Oprah's efforts. The sport/activity/pastime is in dire need of a powerful, public advocate.

We could only help but wonder what would happen if somebody like Oprah had been in fly fishing's corner when recent decisions in Utah and Colorado came down the pike restricting river access? What if somebody like Oprah could help spread the word about aquatic invasives? What if Oprah becomes an advocate for dam removal on the Lower Salmon?

In short, what can the Oprah effect do for fly fishing? We might just find out.

Give the gift of accessories

2010-10-26T09:32:00.000-07:00

I'd be willing to bet there is someone on your holiday shopping list who not only owns a cell phone, MP3 player, and other assorted hand-held electronics but who seems to spend more time connected to them than there are hours in the day. If you know the sort of person I'm talking about, you may want to consider the Brunton Restore power storage unit as a gift for the upcoming holiday season. Able to recharge most small electronics, the Restore allows you to keep these items ready to use when you're far away from a plug. Storing enough juice to charge the average cell phone twice, the Restore also comes with dual solar panels to keep the charge strong even on extended trips away from the grid. The Restore is available at Brunton.com for $125.

LINK: Brunton Restore

Woolrich Adventure- Byrd was the word in 1939

2010-10-13T14:11:00.000-07:00

1939 Admiral Byrd headed for Antarctica. Along with the sweet Snow Cruiser (above), he and his team were decked out in Woolrich. During the expedition the team stayed warm in their Woolrich, but the Snow Cruiser didn't fair to well. It's journey from Ohio to Boston was much longer than its time on the the southern ice where it barely made it off the boat and sunk wheels deep in the snow.

The picture below was taken yesterday in McMurdo Bay, Antarctica. The gentleman next to the bust of Admiral Byrd in the buffalo check shirt is Dale Andersen Ph.D., of the Carl Sagan Center for the Study of Life in the Universe. He's spending the next three months in Antarctica diving in remote lakes to better understand how microbial life is able to exist in extreme environments on Earth.

You can read more about Woolrich's support of Andersen here- LINK
Check out Andersen on an icy Antarctic lake entry- VIDEO
And an icy exit- VIDEO

Andersen must be the first guy in at every polar bear dip.

Kelty Supernova for your special someone

2010-10-05T12:39:00.000-07:00

Here's a holiday gift idea that both you and your special someone can enjoy. The Kelty Supernova 3-in-1 is a 30º sleeping bag with plenty of room for two. Guys, just think of all the "thoughtful gift" points you'll score with a gift that will bring you two closer together. And ladies, what guy wouldn't like the idea of getting closer on your next camping trip?

The Supernova is a true 3-in-1 sleeping bag. A removable 600-fill down top doubles as a single rectangular sleeping bag and a CloudLoft synthetic-fill bottom works overtime as a comforter. Just fully unzip the Supernova to unleash the full potential of this bag. Other features include double hoods with pillow pockets, a Binto storage bin, and dual chest pockets for midnight snacks.

LINK: Kelty Supernova 30º 3-in-1

Blind Hiker Trevor Thomas completes Pacific Crest Tail Thru-Hike Supported By Ahnu

2010-09-30T07:35:00.000-07:00

Each year some 300 people attempt to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) end-to-end, roughly half cross the Canadian border completing the 2,800 mile trek. This year, Ahnu sponsored athlete Trevor Thomas was one of the successful, the kicker... he's blind.

With Ahnu at their feet and the wind at their backs (occasionally), Thomas and a small group of backcountry enthusiast - known as Team Farsight - completed their PCT thru-hike on Sunday, Sept. 25 2010. The 6-month, 2,800-mile expedition is the first on record to be accomplished by a sightless person.

The four person team relied on Ahnu footwear to safely and comfortably guide their steps as they passed through some of the most demanding terrain on the planet.

Give style and comfort with the Campfire Hoody

2010-09-23T14:42:00.000-07:00

Men's Campfire

Apparently, the countdown to the holidays is already underway, which means it's a great time to start thinking about what get for the outdoorsy folks on your shopping list.

However, finding the 'right' thing can be difficult. It's hard to know exactly what to buy since most seasoned outdoor enthusiasts already have most of the things they need. Rain shell? Bought one this fall. Tent? New last summer. Sleeping bag? I already own about six.

Women's Campfire

Now here's an item that is stylish, functional, and bound to be a hit. The Sierra Designs Campfire Hoody is made with SD's Vapor softshell material, creating a lightweight zip up jacket that easily sheds wind, light rain and snow. Side pockets keep hands warm while adjustable cuffs and hem keep cold air out. It's comfortable and looks great anywhere from the trail head to the pub. Best of all, it's available in men's and women's versions and at $89, it won't break the bank.

LINK: Sierra Designs Campfire Hoody

Sierra Designs in the Sierra Nevada

2010-09-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

SD's Lightning HT 2 and North Peak

North Peak

Trade shows are great. No, really. They give outdoor companies an opportunity to introduce the widest range of new products to the broadest audience in the shortest amount of time. You can talk all day (and we do) about how warm a sleeping bag is, how light a tent is, and how well a pack fits. But to be honest, that's just talk. To truly know how well any given piece of equipment will perform you need to get outside and use it. And this is exactly what we did with some of the latest gear from Sierra Designs.

Last week, we gathered up several members of the outdoor media- along with a few SD product managers- and took them on a gear testing trip in California's Sierra Nevada. Accessing the mountains through Tioga Pass, we spent two days hiking in Yosemite and backpacking in the Twenty Lakes Region on the eastern edge of the park. All of our guests were provided with Sierra Designs sleeping bags (Vapor 15, Nitro 15), tents (LT Strike 2, Lightning HT 2), apparel (Jive jacket, Gnar down jacket), and the new for 2011 SD backpacks (men's Revival and women's Jubilee). The packs carried well, the sleeping bags and jackets were comfortable and warm, and the tents were light and roomy... just like we'd promised on the trade show floor.

Tuolumne Meadows

Highlights of the trip included a day-1 hike up Yosemite's Lembert Dome, a sizable chunk of granite worn smooth by glaciers featuring panoramic views of Tuolumne Meadows and Cathedral Peak. Later that day, we hiked into the Twenty Lakes Region where we spent the night under an incredibly starry sky. In the morning, we hiked past glacial lakes and across loose scree for a day-2 summit of North Peak (elev. 12,242). We were rewarded with incredible views of Yosemite and Half Dome, the inspiration behind the SD logo.

Half Dome

Some local knowledge if you're planning a trip to Yosemite through Tioga Pass. Definitely stop into the Tioga Gas Mart for a bite to eat at the Whoa Nellie Deli. Trust me on this one... it's probably the best food ever served in a gas station. And if you need a guide, I can't say enough about SP Parker and the Sierra Mountain Center. SP was instrumental in getting us where we needed to go and serving up the backcountry goods.

For more photos from our trip, please click HERE.

Oh, what to wear to the holiday party- Woolrich Reclamation shirt

2010-09-23T07:24:00.001-07:00

The holiday party season will soon be upon us. Which leads to the fashion conundrum of season- what to wear?

This year I'm going with something a little understated that is in tune with the current heritage trend and the season with the Woolrich Reclamation shirt.

The Reclamation features a traditional Woolrich plaid done in a super comfy, pre-washed, 8.5 oz cotton flannel. The green version features stylish red fish-eye buttons giving it some nice holiday pop, but is is subtle enough for the holiday off-season.

The green too much for you? The red is a great alternative.

The Woolrich Reclamation ($49.99) also makes a great gift for the surfer dudes, outdoorsies, and country gentlemen on your gift list.

LINK: Woolrich Reclamation shirt

Sierra Designs Supports Resourses for Rangers

2010-09-21T12:47:00.000-07:00

Sierra Designs is donating five Lightning XT 2 and Lightning XT 3 tents to help support Africa’s South Rift Game Scouts, a program that employs young, indigenous Maasai men to protect endangered wildlife and forests from poachers as well as illegal logging and charcoal operations.

With assistance from the international conservation organization ConserVentures and the African Conservation Centre in Nairobi, these tents will provide much needed shelter for the South Rift Game Scouts who patrol vast expanses of Southern Kenya on bicycles, motorcycles, and foot.

For more information on this program and how you can get involved, click HERE.

Aquapac brings two waterproof bags to new "Designed for Flip" program

2010-09-20T05:07:00.000-07:00

You swim, surf, SUP, fish, paddle, enjoy drinks and sunset on the beach and, nowadays, take video while you're doing it.

Well, Aquapac and Flip video cameras just made it easier to make those videos. Aquapac®, makers of the outdoor industry’s leading waterproof cases, announces the release of two 100-percent waterproof cases designed specifically for Flip Video™ shoot-and-share camcorders as part of the new Designed for Flip Video™ accessory program.

Aquapac’s submersible cases allow users to record with or view their Flip video camera in, around, and even under water up to 15 feet deep. Safely inside the Aquapacs, Flip cameras float when dropped in the water and are superiorly protected from rain, sand, mud and snow.

If you have a Flip camera, you need one of these.

More details HERE.

Seeking a one-boot winter wardrobe? Step up to Garmont's Momentum Snow GTX

2010-09-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

Every year, I struggle to find an everyday pair of winter boots. Sure, I've got some fantastic three-season boots in the closet, but after a few hours in the snow and slush my toes are fully popsicled. And, of course, I've also got some super warm Nanook of the North kicks, but they're really only good for standing still next to the igloo with Balto and the rest of the dog team.

For me, the ideal pair of winter boots must be super warm, super waterproof, and as light and nimble as scientifically possible. Like the new Garmont Momentum Snow GTX, an incredibly well thought out pair of high-performance winter boots for men and women, delivering everything you'd want .... and more:

* Crazy good fit: This boot has an anatomically shaped fit for warmth and performance-level comfort, but it's got bonus room in the toe-box for winter socks. Smart!
* Crazy light: One boot weighs 551 grams ... less than a bottle of Michelob Ultra with a couple sips taken out of it.
* Waterproof: A full circumference rubber "rand" keeps the slush of deep puddles at bay, while a full Gore-Tex membrane keeps the entire foot dry and breathable.
* Snowproof: A high cuff and gusseted tongue keeps occasional snow out, while a built-in D-ring is there for easy gaiter attachment ... which could fend off the deepest of snowdrifts.
* -25F Warmth: Thinsulate 400-gram insulation keeps you cozy to temperatures as low as -25ºF.
* Traction: Like the best snow tires, the G-Grip outsole is made of two different rubbers, including soft, textured lugs that stay nimble even when the thermometer bottoms out.

LINK: Garmont Momentum Snow GTX, men
LINK: Garmont Momentum Snow GTX, women

127 Hours- the Aron Ralston movie

2010-08-26T09:50:00.000-07:00

The man, the myth, the legend is now the man, the book, the movie. With Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting, 128 Days Later) directing a film about one of the most remarkable survival stories of our time, I have a feeling 127 Hours will be well worth the price of admission. Keep an eye out for the release on November 5.

In the meantime, enter the 127 Defining Moments promotion for a chance to claim your 15 minutes of fame and some great prizes from sponsor Sierra Designs.

Aquapac's Stormproof line

2010-08-25T13:09:00.000-07:00

We obtained a new Flip camera here at PMM, and busted it out at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market show earlier this month in Salt Lake City.

Here's Andy from Aquapac giving us a rundown of the sweet new Stormproof line from Aquapac.

Simms, carp, PBR

2010-08-09T13:00:00.001-07:00

What else could you want?

Simms launching GORE-TEX® fishing footwear line in 2011

2010-08-01T17:18:00.000-07:00

You take the Steamship Authority to the Vineyard to fish for stripers. Maybe you'll even chase tuna.

You frequent the town dock to let the kids dangle bobbers for bluegills.

You have better touch with MotorGuide than a mousepad.

You've been on that flight from Anchorage to Quinhagak on your way to Alaska West.

You've had to back down on a marlin.

Simms Fishing Products has something new for your feet. A brand new line of GORE-TEX® footwear.

Check it out.

Kaboom.

Woolrich Adventures Party and Giveaway at Outdoor Retailer

2010-07-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

Woolrich is celebrating it's rail heritage and the introduction of its Woolrich Adventures Sweepstakes by giving away a spectacular railroad adventure for two through the Canadian Rockies at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market.

The grand prize adventure for two includes airfare to Vancouver, B.C.; multi-day railway berths on Via Rail to Jasper, Alberta; accommodations at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge; and return airfare from Edmonton, Alberta.

The trip will be awarded at the Woolrich Adventures Party on Wednesday, August 4 from 5-6 pm in the Woolrich booth (#19001-20001). All OR attendees are invited to attend. Must be present to win.

See you there!

Kelty Vintage benefits Conservation Alliance

2010-07-29T08:46:00.000-07:00

Headed to Outdoor Retailer this summer? If so, you may want to drop by the Kelty booth (#28017) on Day 2 (Wednesday 8/4) between 4:00 and 6:00 for the Kelty Vintage Pack Bash. Kelty is celebrating the launch of their new line of Vintage packs and bags with a benefit for the Conservation Alliance. For a $20 donation, you'll receive a one of a kind, individually numbered Mockingbird backpack. And if that weren't enough, Kelty will also supply free beer, music, custom pint glasses, and other assorted swag. So stop in, have some fun, and support a worthy cause.

Sierra Designs trip to Ecuador sweepstakes

2010-07-28T13:36:00.000-07:00

Attention Outdoor Retailer attendees... Sierra Designs is celebrating the launch of a brand new line of technical backpacks with a party on Tuesday, August 3 from 4-6 in booth #26036. This event will be much more than just your average show happy hour. Thanks to guide service partner Alaska Mountain Guides, SD will be giving away climbing trip for two to Ecuador. That's right. Stop by anytime on Day 1 of the show to enter, then come back after 4:00 for free beer, swag, music and a chance to win the trip of a lifetime. You must be present to win, but not to worry... SD will make sure you're well entertained while you wait.

Garmont signs with Pale Morning Media

2010-07-21T12:32:00.000-07:00

Garmont North America, designers of high-performance ski boots and technical outdoor footwear, has selected Pale Morning Media as their public relations agency of record, effective August 1, 2010.

Known for numerous sport-specific innovations and a performance fit supported by Anatomically Directed Design, Garmont’s exceptional product line includes award-winning alpine, alpine touring and telemark ski boots; and outdoor footwear for mountaineering, backpacking, hiking and trail sports.

“As the appetite for Garmont innovations continues to grow, so does the demand for information about our unique brand,” said Gord Bailey, president of Garmont. “Pale Morning Media’s diverse experience in public relations, creative communications and social media will help us spread the word about our newest endeavors, and to engage our customers wherever they want to find us.”

Based in Vermont’s Mad River Valley, Pale Morning Media (www.palemorningmedia.com) is a public relations, brand strategy and creative communications agency with a dedicated focus on the outdoor world. Founded in 2001, their client roster includes leading technical and lifestyle brands from throughout North America and Europe in the outdoor, travel and leisure markets.

“True innovators like Garmont are a rare breed in the outdoor marketplace,” said Drew Simmons, president of Pale Morning Media. “Their continual efforts to raise the bar of product design are matched only by the spirit of today’s greatest outdoor adventurers.”

For Spring 2011, Garmont will unveil the Amica Collection, their first technical footwear assortment designed by and for women, as well as the Zenith Collection; a progressive lineup of performance trail shoes for men. To be debuted at the upcoming Outdoor Retailer Summer Market show, both collections are built on gender specific lasts with proprietary outsole, midsole and fit innovations.

For Fall 2010, Garmont’s ski collection is led by the high performance Masterlite and Literider alpine touring boots, a pair of dynamic lightweight designs that uniquely target the growing space between touring and racing. Developed by Garmont engineers over the last two years, the Masterlite and Literider feature a unique spiderweb “Webframe” shell which shaves hundreds of grams per boot while still maintaining the critical elements needed for solid structure and high performance.

Garmont is also introducing a trio of women-specific telemark boots – the Athena, Minerva and Priestess NTN – elevating the level of fit and innovation for female skiers through anatomical shaping, increased flexibility and decisive lateral stiffness.

Sharing the spotlight for fall 2010 is the Momentum GTX, a lightweight technical winter boot for winter hiking and snowshoeing. Built in both men’s and women-specific profiles, the Momentum GTX features 400-gram Thinsulate™ insulation and a unique Garmont G-Grip dual density outsole that provides reliable traction even in extreme conditions.

For more information on Garmont and their diverse collection of performance designs, please visit www.garmontusa.com.

You carried your kid in what?

2010-07-16T13:56:00.000-07:00

A photo from the days before Kelty launched their FC and TC series child carriers. Could this guy have patented his design and made millions? Maybe. And while it seems to work just fine (kiddo looks happy enough, right?), I'd have to guess the safety features on this child carrier are a bit below today's standards. Either way, big thumbs up for the creative design and materials sourcing.

Getting 411 in the 406: The Bozeman Angler joins Fishhound

2010-07-07T12:38:00.000-07:00

An argument ~~could~~ has been made that Bozeman, Montana is pretty much the epicenter of trout fishing in the US.

And if you're heading there later this year here's some good news: One of the signature fly shops in Bozeman, The Bozeman Angler, has joined forces with Fishhound, the new on-line network that quickly and easily pinpoints the best waters and fishing spots on any water, any day.

Fishhound will deliver on the water fishing reports. For The Bozeman Angler, that means updates, inside info, hatches and flow levels from hotspots on the Yellowstone, Gallatin, Madison, Missouri and Jefferson rivers.

All in all, it's a pretty cool relationship. And you can read more details here.

Primus ExpressSpider stove launches for 2010

2010-07-07T07:38:00.000-07:00

It's small. It's light. It boils water... fast. It's the 2010 Primus ExpressSpider stove and it's available now.

Why is the ExpressSpider cool and why you should care? It's the lightest hose-fed canister gas stove on the market. It's minimalist design allows it to fold up small enough to practically disappear into any pack. A preheating coil ups performance in colder weather an at higher altitudes. And if that's not enough, a broad, stable base handles both large and small pots, accommodating up to four campers.

Light, small, stable, fast and functional. What more could you ask for?

ExpressSpider Specs:
Weight- 7-ounces
Output- 7150 BTUs per hour
Boil Time- 1 Liter in 4.5 minutes
Fuel- Canister gas
Dimensions (folded)- 4.7 x 3.3 x 2.2"
MSRP- $60

At the pool or on the beach, Aquapac waterproofs your iPad

2010-07-05T09:46:00.000-07:00

You've had the iPad long enough now to be comfortable with it. You've got your favorite aps where you want them, your log-ins memorized and your reasonably adept with keyboard.

Your iPad is all that - except it's not waterproof.

Enter Aquapac, makers of 100 percent waterproof cases for personal electronics. Aquapac's iPad case is ideal for protecting your iPad from water, sand, dust and dirt making it safe to take your iPad to the beach or pool, or even bringing it along on a boating or camping trip.

One of the best parts of the case is that it's "use through" meaning while it's safely within the case you can jump on Facebook, check the weather or read an on-line newspaper.

For $45, it's inexpensive insurance for an electronic device that's quickly become part of your every day life.

Kelty "Lends a Hand" to Eagle Mount special-needs camp

2010-06-30T07:30:00.000-07:00

The folks at Kelty are doing their good dead for the day by donating outdoor gear to the Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation charitable organization. With help from “Today’s” Al Roker and his “Lend a Hand” project, Kelty is sending 60 Mistral sleeping bags to the Bozeman, Mont.-based institution to help children and adults with disabilities experience the simple pleasure of spending a night out under the stars.

For more information on the project, how you can get involved, and a link to the "Today" show segment, click HERE.

Lustworthy luges from Mountain Boy Sledworks

2010-06-28T11:59:00.000-07:00

Based out of Silverton, Colorado, Mountain Boy Sledworks makes heirloom quality sleds and tobaggans out of sustainable hardwoods and wonderfully high quality materials, and the sleds truly and totally perform in deep snow or hardpack. They're a zero waste operation, using every piece of the wood, and the end result is ... blissfully ... a gift that'll last far longer than the end of Christmas Day. Check out the Bambino for the toddlers (LINK, VIDEO), the Slalom sled for high performance wood-ness (LINK, VIDEO), the Ultimate Flyer for deep snow ripping (LINK, VIDEO), and of course the Mountain Boggan for a Team America kind of holiday sporting (LINK, VIDEO).

And, in a fantastically whimsical twist, they also make rum.

Fishhound & Pale Morning Media partner up on 2010 launch

2010-06-08T11:04:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder how to get the best fishing intel on a river, stream, lake or pond?

Ever get tired of reading out-of-date and stale fishing reports?

Fishhound is about to change all that, and we here at Pale Morning Media are teaming up with them as they launch this summer.

In brief, Fishhound quickly and easily pinpoints the best waters and fishing spots on any water, on any day. To create their “one-stop shop” of customized information, Fishhound blends leading digital technologies with the first-hand knowledge of a national “Fishing Intelligence Network” populated by the finest shops, lodges and guides. Their website, Fishhound.com, will go live for anglers on July 1, 2010.

But it gets even better than that: Fishhound has devised a way that pays small shops to provide updates fishing info. Everybody wins in this model.

More details can be found here.

Save the Poles video from the North Pole

2010-05-25T08:52:00.000-07:00

If you've ever thought it would be cool to trek to the North Pole, this video from the Sierra Designs-sponsored Save the Poles expedition might have you considering pina coladas somewhere warm and tropical instead. Hats off to Eric Larsen and his team. This trip looks rugged.

Next stop, Everest.

Chad Zandy of Team Farsight gives his feet and shoes a rest

2010-05-24T13:05:00.000-07:00

Team Farsight member Chad (Fire Marshal) Zandy kicks back after a long day on the trail. Zandy is part of a three person team, led by blind hiker Trevor Thomas, making their way south to north on a Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike. On the trail since April 17th the team has continued through blistering heat, high winds and a blizzard or two. As Team Farsight's official footwear sponsor Ahnu Footwear continues to support the team through extreme conditions, I guess they deserve to kick back as well... no?

Simms hits the road for advertising

2010-05-21T06:11:00.000-07:00

Favorite TV ad of 2010? That Lost/Bud Light one? The milk-a-holic?

Tough question, huh?

How about your favorite RV ad? Uh, RV?

Yes, RV. You read that right.

Tampa-based Dave Chouinard, the southeast sale rep for Simms Fishing Products, had his 40-foot 2000 Newmar Mountain Aire RV wrapped in a custom Simms vehicle wrap. He's driving through Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas, checking in with retailers and showing up at consumer fishing shows. And turning heads.

"Wow," said Chouinard, "I know why they say wraps like this are very successful. As we are driving everyone is looking and pointing!"

A veteran of sales, Chouinard said the wrapped RV is bringing a new vibe to life on the road.

"Typically, you go to trade shows or events and there's a lot of positive energy, but once you're out on the road you're by yourself," Chouinard said. "The minute I rolled out with this, I started getting honks and waves, and thumbs-up and visits with people at gas stations. Suddenly, at 65 mph, every fly fisherman in the world is excited."

The Mountain Aire and Chouinard just came from Troutfest 2010 in the Great Smoky Mountains and are rolling toward the South Holston Fly Fishing Fest June 25-26 in Tennessee.

Sierra Designs-sponsored Save the Poles reaches North Pole

2010-05-12T12:58:00.000-07:00

After 50 days of skiing, hiking, and swimming across 500 miles of shifting Arctic ice and open water, the Sierra Designs-sponsored Save the Poles team arrived at the North Pole, completing the second of three expeditions designed to rally support for the fight against global warming.

With journeys to the North and South Poles completed and an ascent of Mount Everest scheduled for later this summer, the Save the Poles team is one step away from reaching three environments most susceptible to climate change. A self-imposed 365-day timeframe will make this accomplishment an historic first.

Kelty Palisade wins Camping Life Editors Choice award

2010-05-12T11:12:00.000-07:00

The new Kelty Palisade tent, one of several tents to join Kelty’s Basecamp line of family camping gear for 2010, has been selected by the editors of Camping Life Magazine as a 2010 Editors’ Choice Award winner.

Here’s what Camping Life had to say about the Palisade:

“Our favorite thing about the Palisade is that the screened vestibule offers pull-down shades for privacy when you want it or protection from wind and rain when you need it. And look at all that mesh--breezy! Even when the tent is covered from ground-to-peak by its fly, the ventilation is still superb. It’s also incredibly easy to pitch this free-standing dome tent.”

Makalu and the reality of high altitude mountaineering

2010-05-11T07:45:00.000-07:00

An update on the Sierra Designs-sponsored Shared Summits Makalu Expedition. The following is from the Shared Summits blog:

"When we left you before, the team was trapped at the Col Camp as the snow fell on Makalu's southeast ridge. Chris and Marty sat for almost a day and a half at their 6700 meter bungalow. Unfortunately, the mountain took its toll on the climbers. Chris' health diminished as fever, chills and hypoxia of an unknown cause took over. His symptoms progressed, slowly surrendering him to the elements of the altitude and the cold.

Calls to various doctors narrowed the diagnosis to several potential causes, the worst being a pulmonary embolism that threatened cardiac arrest if Chris moved too much. The other possible conditions were pneumonia or an upper respiratory infection, all very serious at such a high altitude. The team had two options; to descend their own crevasse ridden glacier route, which was heavily avalanche prone, or take the long traverse across the South East Ridge towards the British Base Camp. Chris and Marty survived one more cold night on the mountain and slowly made their way down the South East Ridge with the help of the British team. They left camp at 11:30am and arrived at BC at 8:00pm. The helicopter coordinated by Global Rescue arrived early this morning (6am, May 7) and took Chris to Kathmandu for treatment."

We're happy to report Chris's condition is improving and we'll keep you posted as more updates arrive.

Anglers to see felt ban in Vermont

2010-05-11T06:59:00.000-07:00

It's probably just a little more than one great spey cast from the office door of Pale Morning Media to the Mad River - a smallish stream that flows into the Winooski River.

Didymo, also known as "rock snot" was found in the Mad just a short time ago, which brought home whole idea of Inspect, Clean & Dry for anglers and their gear.

That message is going to get a whole lot louder throughout Vermont in the coming months, partly because the Vermont Legislature has given OK to a bill that bans felt-soled boots and waders starting April 1, 2011.

Vermont joins Alaska as the first states to ban felt in an efforts to help anglers fight the spread of aquatic nuisance species. Expect more states to follow.

Already, manufacturers like Simms Fishing Products, have made great alternatives to felt-soled boots available while recognizing fully that felt-bottomed boots are just part of the solution.

The SD Kenosha jacket will make you look "fabulous"

2010-05-10T09:48:00.000-07:00

Or at the very least, it will keep you warm and dry during the spring running season.

Available now, the Sierra Designs Kenosha Jacket retails for $99.