Presented by: Mike C I. Sleeping Bags A. Two Types 1. Down bags 2. Synthetic bags B. Down bags 1. Higher warmth to weight ratio 2. Smaller pack size 3. Longer lasting 4. Not warm when wet! 5. Generally more expensive than comparable temperature synthetic bag 6. Fill power = 1 oz of down takes up x-number of cubic inches of volume… Example: 800 Fill Down sleeping bag uses an 800 fill quality down meaning it is more lofty and physically lighter weight than a 600 fill bag of the same temperature rating. C. Synthetic bags 1. Available in different insulations… Example: Primaloft, Polarguard, Climashield, Thinsulate etc… 2. Generally less expensive than comparable temperature sleeping bags 3. Better for wet conditions because it insulates when wet! 4. Extreme cold temperature sleeping bags with synthetic insulation are generally quite bulky and heavy compared to down 5. Easier to maintain than down bags, but not as long lasting D. Caring for Sleeping Bags 1. You can clean your down bag yourself! a. Use a special cleaner made for down such as Down Wash made by Nikwax. b. DO NOT DRY CLEAN!!! c. Down has natural oils that allow the down to stay lofted, traditional detergents (and dry-cleaning) will strip these oils and possibly damage the filling! d. If possible, use a front-loading washer, as these tend to be gentler for fabrics, especially for the sewn baffles of the sleeping bag. If you can’t find a front-loading washer, wash it by hand! e. Handle the wet sleeping bag with care. Do not “wring” it out, instead, “push” the excess water out. Try to keep the bag supported as to not put extra stress on the baffle stitches. f. Dry the sleeping bag in the dryer using a low heat and throw in some clean tennis balls to aid in the re-lofting process 2. Cleaning synthetic bags a. Use a mild soap and follow the same guidelines as a down bag. b. A great soap to use would be Tech Wash, made by NikWax because it rinses clean and doesn’t leave residues on fabrics! II. Sleeping Pads A. Why use a sleeping pad? 1. Every sleeping bag acquires it’s temperature rating using a 1 inch sleeping pad. 2. You will sleep warmer and prevent head loss between you and the ground. R-Value is the rating of a material’s resistance to heat flow. Most pads include an R-Value to give the consumer an idea of how warm the pad is compared to others. B. Foam Pads 1. Can’t puncture 2. Not as comfortable as inflatable pads 3. More durable 4. Have a lower R-Value than an inflatable pad C. Inflatable Pads 1. Have a higher R-Value than foam pads 2. Thicker and more comfortable than foam pads 3. Less durable with the risk of puncturing the pad (repair kits are available) III. Tents A. Choosing a tent that’s right for you. 1. How many people do you want to sleep in it? 2. What kind of use do you want out of it? (3-season vs. winter camping) 3. What is your budget? 4. How important is weight and pack size? 5. What features are important to you? (2 doors, large vestibule space, internal pockets, lots of mesh for ventilation, etc…) B. Double wall vs. Single wall tents 1. Double wall a. Have a dedicated tent body and a separate rain fly b. Usually have a good bit of mesh for ventilation c. Good for most conditions d. Not as light as Single wall tents 2. Single wall a. There is no separate rain fly, the tent body is usually waterproof in nature b. Lighter weight than double walled tents c. Minimal ventilation d. Condensation is usually an issue in humid environments C. Types of tents 1. Backpacking tents a. Generally around 5 lbs for a 2-person tent b. These have light weight poles and tent fabrics c. Use a lot of mesh fabric in tent body to save weight (and add ventilation! 2. Ultra Light a. Tarps b. Hammocks c. Fly only pitching with tent footprint d. Bivy sacks are ultra light shelters 3. Car camping tents a. Made of tougher, heavier fabrics b. More spacious and greater interior height c. Have more features such as zippered windows and internal pockets. d. Economical choice 4. Mountaineering tents a. Built to survive extreme winds and snow loads b. Usually single walled c. Used on expeditions D. Tips for tents 1. Be familiar with your tent and set it up before your first trip 2. Don’t store your tent when it’s wet! a. Mildew will form and degrade the tent fabrics b. Allow the tent to dry completely before long-term storage 3. Protect your tent from the sun! a. UV rays are harmful to fabrics (polyester is more resistant than nylon) b. Try to set up your tent out of direct sunlight c. UV degradation happens slowly so don’t worry too much but be aware of it d. Treat the tent fabrics with NikWax UV Proof. It’s like sunscreen and waterproofing in one application for your tent!

Knoxville officials are hoping to bring the city’s 41-plus miles of greenways within reach of a wider audience by way of affordable bicycle rentals at Volunteer Landing.

The city has granted a contract to River Sports Outfitters to operate the program, which will offer two-hour rentals for $10 per person, or $30 to ride for an entire day.

The idea was born from several requests made to the city’s Parks and Recreation Department during the Healthy Living Expo earlier this year.  Ed Macalister, who opened River Sports on Sutherland Avenue some 26 years ago with the mission of getting people outdoors, cited rising obesity rates across the state, said he shares the mayor’s goal of making Knoxville a much more active city.

“It was really the public’s idea,” said Kathleen Gibi, Parks and Rec spokeswoman. “The more we thought about it … we really couldn’t think of any cons. Hopefully, this will take off.”

The River Sports rentals will be housed in the rarely-used concession stands already in place at Volunteer Landing.  In addition to the wheels, they’ll throw in “adventure maps” for free, highlighting a host of local landmarks and amenities within reach of the paved trails, including the Alex Haley statue in Morningside Park, the Sunsphere, and the Indian burial mound in Sequoyah Hills, as well as sites a little further off the path such as Meade’s Quarry and Ijams Nature Center in South Knoxville.

For the full article go to KnoxNews.com

After Work Mountain Bike from Jed Zilla on Vimeo

In the book, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, author Robert D. Putnam documents and laments the fact that Americans are getting together less in social and civic settings.

Well, here in western Montana we’re happily bucking that trend!

My “dirty” example is the After Work Mountain Bike Series that I put on each summer.

Each week, a hearty band of cross country and downhill mountain bikers converge to see who has “mid-season form” and who has been spending more time enjoying Missoula’s many rivers instead of pushing the pedals.

Cross country folks get together and race on Wednesday nights on a four-mile, 850 vertical feet loop. The entire spectrum of talent shows up from Sam Schultz of Subaru/Gary Fisher (smoked the course with sub 20 minute laps) and Zephanie Blasi of Kenda/Titus who are both pro racers racing all over the world to junior racers who are doing their first mountain bike race with their parents

Jed trying to figure out downhill timing.

Downhillers get their shot on Thursday nights on a 1,500 vertical foot run that has hip jumps, gap jumps and technical single track. All types show up to go up against the clock and one another. Last week saw full face helmets and 8 inch travel rigs to hardtails with front suspension that was state of the art back in 1998.

During these weekly get togethers, folks in the Missoula area mountain bike community visit and talk about their times in the events, biking in general and life updates. A local brewer, Kettlehouse, provides “barley pops” for the adults which helps lubricate the conversations after each event is done.

The set up for these events takes a lot of work. Trevor the head hand at the ranch has been to BC and spent a week with the folks from Gravity Logic who map out and make trails for mountain biking all over the world. Trevor is always polling the racers after the event to see what worked and what needs to be tweaked. Trevor and I spend a lot of quality time together on the trail rolling out tape and putting up directional arrows along each course. Thanks, Trevor!

Rider named Sam going fast.

The casual nature of this three week event helps introduce folks into racing letting them learn that not everyone needs to wear lycra to race and have fun. By going faster than you usually ride, your trail riding skill set improves.

So at the end of each event, mountain bikers leave the ranch with a smile on their face, some dirt on their clothes and knowledge that there are other folks in the community who have the same passion as them.

Jed is known around Missoula as “Jedzilla,” a nickname given him by campers when we was a camp counselor. Jedzilla has guided on the White Cliffs section of the Missouri River and on the Lolo Trail. He has also run fly fishing camps for guides and their clients throughout western Montana. He is a snowboard instructor and former assistant director (The Yes Man) of Snowbowl Ski School. In his free time, Jedzilla enjoys chili dogs and sunsets with Mrs. ‘Zilla and their two sons.

Pretty picture of the crosscountry course.

It's not surprising that, at the 2008 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, the number of exhibitors debuting new booths could be counted on one hand. While it didn't stop exhibitors from upgrading and remerchandising their presentations in very unique ways, it did reduce costs and the waste connected with trade show exhibits.

The following comes from our “neighboring neighborhood” of Parkview. The property in question is right on the border of Mid-City Neighborhood Organization’s boundary. We encourage all concerned residents to take action on this matter.

Neighbors,

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. WE HAVE A REAL CHANCE TO KEEP ANOTHER INAPPROPRIATE BAR FROM OPERATING AT 3841 ORLEANS AVENUE. ON BEHALF OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, I AND OTHER NEIGHBORS HAVE WORKED HARD ON THIS BEHIND THE SCENES. WE NOW NEED YOU TO SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS AND OUR NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE HAD TO LIVE NEAR THESE BARS BY ATTENDING THE HEARING IN BATON ROUGE NEXT WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, AT 10 A.M. PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN TO ATTEND. IF YOU CAN NOT ATTEND, PLEASE SEND A LETTER, AS STATED BELOW.

On June 20, 2008, a company named “Scotto’s Cafe, LLC” posted signs on the door and window of 3841 Orleans Avenue, the former site of Lyric’s Cafe and Tyler’s, announcing that Scotto’s had applied for a high and low alcohol content permit. The city application states that Scotto’s planned to begin operation by July 18, 2008. We originally went to the city with our objections, which at least seemed to slow the city permitting process down. Councilmember Shelley Midura’s office assisted in setting up a meeting with one of the owners of the property and someone who is supposed to “operate” the business. The owner of Scotto’s did not attend. This meeting confirmed that yet another bar was in the making, despite the fact that the application is for a restaurant, not a bar. However, the city officials at the meeting indicated that they might not be able to stop the new business from getting a city permit.

So, we turned to the state. On behalf of PNA, on July 24, 2008, I filed a Petition with the State Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control stating our opposition to the state granting a liquor permit to Scotto’s Cafe. Among other grounds, I allege that the property has been run by a number of “businesses,” but that the property owner is the true operator, and that the people seeking the permits are not really operating the business. This is against state law. I also stated the history of Lyric’s and Tyler’s with illegal live entertainment, illegal parking and noise, and customers loitering, intimidating neighbors, causing property damage and selling drugs, etc.

The state has subpoenaed the owner of the property, the owner of Scotto’s Cafe, LLC, and the intended “operators” to appear and provide evidence that Scotto’s is a valid company that will operate a restaurant at the location. I must also provide evidence that the facts that I allege in the Petition of Opposition are true.

We need your support. If you experienced any of the problems with Lyric’s and Tyler’s, if you have any knowledge of the number of operators that have been involved, if you attended any of the meetings between the owner, previous operators, neighborhood organizations and/or the city, please reply to this email and take the time to attend this hearing. If you did not experience these events, but want to show your support for your neighbors’ struggle on this serious quality of life issue, please reply to this email and attend to show our solidarity. If you can not attend, please send a letter by fax or mail to Commissioner Murphy J. Painter at the below address. The fax number is 225-925-3975.

The public hearing will be held at the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, 8585 Archives Ave., Ste. 220, Baton Rouge, Wednesday, August 27, 10:00 a.m.

Thanks to all who helped get us to this point and to all who will help us going forward.

Susan Guidry
President
Parkview Neighborhood Association

As the days counted down to departure, I couldn't help but laugh. Max's normal organized nature, the mechanical engineer in him, had been affected by the chaotic nature in me, the eccentric literature major, turned mountain guide.

There are two types of travelers/packers. The ones who make lists, pack a week in advance, weigh their bags to the exact weight limit, choose one shirt over the other (not both), have their itineraries printed, and show up to the airport two hours in advance. The other is me! I'm one of the types who pack the night before and is up until 2am doing laundry, packing, repacking, battling with zippers to squeeze in that cute extra shirt, town shoes, and skirt -- just in case. I am chronically over-limit, desperately smiling at the check-in agent hoping not to pay a fortune. It's my bag exploding on the scale; underpants, sports bras flying, until the airline agent is sufficiently embarrassed, or annoyed, and says, "don't worry about it, that's good enough." That's me up at the wrong ticket desk because I didn't bring the flight info, or arrived just in time before the check-in closes.

As I dropped Max off at the airport for a trip to Pakistan, I saw that look on his face, the one of relief. He checked his bags, had his boarding pass, and whatever he had forgotten didn't matter anymore. I knew he would sleep on the plane.

After our final goodbyes, I turned to walk back to the car and pay my parking. The woman paying her parking in front of me saw my teary eyes, and red cheeks. She looked at me kindly and said, "Ahhh, le depart. Mais avec le depart, c'est la retour." I smiled a little.

On the drive back to Chamonix from Geneva, my mind spun ... imagining getting off the airplane in Islamabad, walking through the gates and entering another world -- the colors, the sounds, the smells, the culture. All the images and memories from my ski mountaineering trip last spring came rushing back, and I wished it was me getting on that airplane.

As August 27th rolls around, it marks a monumental goal in my life. It marks the first time in 10 years that I have spent more than three consecutive months in the same place! YIKES. As I drive closer and closer to Chamonix, the mountains begin to rise higher and higher, plastered in a new coat of snow, and in the folds of each ridge is an adventure yet to be had. I think about all that surrounds me here, all the potential, and wonder why I can't be just as present in my own backyard as in Islamabad.

I think of all my experiences over the past year, and part of me is happy not to live out of a duffel bag, and a tent, and to get sick on water or food that I am not used to. Part of me is happy to sleep in a bed every night. I wonder if I'm getting older or just smarter ...

I think of my past year:

May - June: Climbing in Yosemite, California, Regular Route of Half Dome in a day
June - July: Ski mountaineering in Karakorum Pakistan FIRST FEMALE SKI DESCENT, global warming documentary film CHASING GLACIERS
July - Sept: Guiding and climbing in Chamonix
October - November: Writing program in Banff, Alberta, Canada
December - January: Ice climbing Montana; alpine climbing Patagonia, Argentina
January: Ouray Ice Festival
January - February: Nepal Khumbu Climbing School volunteer work
February: First ascent rock climbing in Oman
March: Ski touring Chamonix
April: Ski mountaineering Alaska
May: Ski mountaineering exam Alaska UIAGM Mountain Guide, First female ascent of Deprivation, Mt. Hunter

It makes me tired just thinking of it ...

"Minute papillion," I can hear Max saying to me, "slow down butterfly." So I take a deep breath as I turn the car off in my driveway and relish being home. I brew up a cup of coffee, pack my bag for the day's work tomorrow on the Arête des Cosmiques, and I think of the adventures in my backyard. I think of my project for the now, building my home and playing in my backyard, and it doesn't seem that bad. It is Chamonix after all.

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Patagonia ambassador Zoe Hart is only the fourth American woman to earn her IFMGA, or International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations, status. Look for more from her trip to Oman soon on Patagonia.com. This post originally appeared on gearforgirls, "a blog for girls who like to climb, run, bike, walk and just be in the outdoors."

From time to time, Patagonia posts some great insights from their Customer Service Department.  Please read the sample below, and go to the Patagonia blog, The Cleanest Line to read the full review and other insights from the Patagonia trenches.



From the Trenches Our Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) are our front line of communication with Patagonia fanatics far and wide. The crew here at our Call Center in Reno, NV are at it seven days a week, taking orders, helping with returns, and most importantly, answering the astonishing range of questions our customers fire at us. Like flocks of swirling swallows or shimmering schools of tropical fish, our customers swoop in with mysteriously synchronized concerns and questions on a regular basis, prompting the need for ready answers. Times like these, nothing would be more handy than magically beaming knowledge out into the ether. Our very own Old School is here to do just that. He's stepped back from the front lines to answer some of these popular questions, straight from the trenches.



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One of the most common questions we get here is “How do I take care of my shell?” Normally, we get this question after a customer has worn their jacket in the rain and they find that it is getting soaked on the outside (in outdoor-speak, "wetting-out").



Modern waterproof/breathable shells most often used layered construction, consisting of an outer face fabric (what you see), a waterproof barrier stuck to (aka "laminated") inside of it, and a coating or fabric lining on the inside. On the surface of all this is a chemical treatment called "Durable Water Repellent" or more commonly, DWR.

This is the stuff that makes water bead up and roll right off your shell. Keeping the water beading off your shell is not just cosmetic, it also keeps your shell breathing at its optimum level. We receive a number of returns from folks who claim their jackets are leaking. Most often, the outer fabric of the jacket is wetting-out and perspiration is condensing on the interior of their shell instead of passing through the membrane like it would if the DWR was working properly.

Unfortunately DWR doesn't last forever so it does need care and maintenance to keep it working properly.

There is a common misconception that washing your shell ruins the DWR when, more often than not, the real culprit is not washing it. Whenever someone calls about their jacket wetting out, my first question is always “When was the last time you washed it?” The answer almost always: “Never.”

For a more detailed look at some of the history and technology of Waterproof/Breathable fabrics see previous posts here. Keep reading to learn more about proper shell care and maintenance.

This morning, NPR broadcast an interesting story about "amenity migrants," folks who move to resort areas, searching for the simple life.

Daniel Kraker of NPR reports, "While other small towns are struggling, these communities are booming. They're growing two to three times faster than other rural areas, even faster than many metro areas. And as the baby boomers retire, Johnson says, the migration will accelerate.

"You get the wave of the baby boom, which is bigger than the wave before it, and on top of that, the baby boomers are more likely to purchase these second homes, or amenity homes, or move to these areas," Kenneth Johnson [of the University of New Hampshire's Carsey Institute] said. "And so you get, essentially, a demographic perfect storm."

As the numbers of "amenity migrants" rise, so does the cost of living, creating a bifurcated social structure (low-paid service workers, wealthy tourists). Many locals now find themselves priced out of their own community, unable to buy a home. Tensions can run high between locals and newcomers, as more compete for limited resources.

The NPR story focuses on Flagstaff, Arizona, as an example of a resort region under rapid transformation. Today, "one out of every four homes sold in Flagstaff is bought by a second homeowner." Kraker also notes that in Flagstaff, "The gap between that median home price and the average household income is twice as large as the national average."

Johnson predicts that this migration, from metropolitan areas to select rural "resort" areas, will continue. Certain rural areas, like the Mountain West, the Pacific Northwest, and the Upper Great Lakes region, are actually growing faster than the country's major metropolitan areas.

This trend, Johnson argues, will significantly change the face of rural America, increasing the diversity of America's small towns and rural regions. At the same time, this migration will push rural America further away from agriculture. Today, only 6.5% of the rural population is engaged in some form of agriculture, and as the costs of living (and operating) in urban environments continues to skyrocket, Johnson and his colleagues at the Carsey Institute predict that businesses will consider moving away from metropolitan areas, in an effort to cut costs and improve their competitive advantage.

Continue reading "Are You an "Amenity Migrant"?"

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Hotel Terra and the new BeThree daily newsletter just announced their inaugural Women’s Eco Adventure Getaway.

It’s a girl-only thing and all it asks is for your first name, last name, email address and postal code. Then voilà, you’re entered to win three nights and three days in Jackson Hole, WY for you and three of your friends:

* Round trip air for winner plus three friends.
* Carbon offsets for your plane travel.
* Two rooms for Three nights at Jackson Hole’s new eco boutique Hotel Terra- on Travel + Leisure’s “It List.”
* Three days of skiing or snowboarding and riding the NEW TRAM .
* Organic spa treatments at the Chill Spa in Hotel Terra.
* A Hybrid Chevy Tahoe for your group to drive while in Jackson Hole.

The only downside, they say, is that the trip will come to an end. “But at least you’ll bask in heaven with three of your coolest girlfriends (all the while, not harming Mama Earth one weentsie little bit),” The ladies at Be Three say.

This is the same site with this Jackson Hole ad:

You can enter the contest as a Jackson resident, as well. Your carbon offset will be implicit in your presence in the valley already. Think about taking the START bus out to the Village before picking up the hybrid.

Sign-up for the Getaway sweepstakes closes on Sept. 30.

A Timbuk2 fan recently posted on Get Satisfaction that he was seeing Timbuk2 bags everywhere in Switzerland. Given the outrageous beauty of the Swiss and their landscapes, we asked him to show us what that looked like. He followed up with this killer photo of his T2 bag at the Matterhorn. The only thing that could possibly make this photo better is if it included Heidi or Federer.

By Randy Whorton Rock/Creek Race Team/Grassroots Gear Team

 ”Salomon has built the perfect trial shoe for those of us that live for rugged trails”

I have a very neutral foot plant and arch and therefore have mostly taken a rather “don’t care” attitude towards running shoes. It is save to say that I am only a trail runner. There is one thing that I do like a lot about the typical road shoe is the extra cushion that you get. Obviously motion control is critical for a good trail shoe and cushioned shoes are typically poor at motion control… until now.

The Salomon XT Wings have built a shoe with both components better than any other. I started the Vermont 100 in these shoes with the plan to change out of them at 60, the other shoes stayed in the bag. Still steady and so in them at the end tells me that they have made the perfect trail shoe for those of us that live for the rugged trails but also enjoy some extra cushion when we land.

Age: 47
Occupation: Environmental business owner/operator

What I like most about running:
I have likely run enough miles to take me around the globe several times, and I still cannot clearly define what I like most in running.

A few more updates just in from Wilmington artist & customer James Davis. Follow his adventures at myxolydian.com

Thursday, August 14
No rain today!! Good day. We went about 12 miles today. We are still exhausted from the past week; so we are shorten up our miles per day. A radio announcer from Prince Edward Isle in Canada (Mitch Comier) called Serene to tape an interview from the trail. He also interviewed me. That was fun!!

Friday, August 15
Another sunny day!! We hiked 11.8 miles today. We are still keeping our miles down so we can get healthy. Only 450 miles to Katahdin!!! We must get healthy so we are taking it slow the rest of the month of August. We figured we will be in Maine on September 1. And we have realized we cannot make it to Katahdin by September 14 & 19 for our birthdays. We will probably make it by the last week of September

Saturday, August 16
Up from the loft of the barn early today. Sure enjoyed the beauty of the end of Vermont. Got to Hanover early afternoon. What a great college town this is. I am definitely coming back here. Got a free piece of pizza at Roma Bitsies and it was really good. Went to the outfitters and got a new pair of boots. A stick went through my boot today and I literally had no shoe left. That pair went over 700 miles. I think the rest of my equipment will last for the remaining 442 miles. There is a hostel here that Serene and I will stay tonight.

When Lauren contacted me about writing for The Mountain Culture Blog, I’m going to be honest here, I was a little nervous. What do I know about the culture of mountain communities? My pedigree in the world of “action/adventure sports” is in the fringe wing of a tiny sport; raise your hand if you know what C-1 slalom is.

As such, my interactions with more mainstream participants of sports like Mountain Biking, Skiing and Climbing, were somewhat few and far between. Not that I didn’t do these things, just not often enough to get a handle on them. However, I retired from Slalom in 2005, moved to Montana and began my career as a Weekend Warrior (a.k.a. “Gumby”) in all the sports I had neglected as a slalom racer.

I think that the distance with which I initially viewed the outdoor community allowed a more honest view of my subject. I had a stellar opportunity to judge with disdain and the high-minded purity that one can only attain by the feelings of superiority I had developed in Slalom, emotions which merely masked my insecurities in my new role as “novice.”

One of the first things I noticed, and the first subject upon which I would like to blog, is the ubiquitous Mountain Town Dog.

Remember, I said that I tainted my views with judgment, thus the real topic of this blog isn’t the Dogs, but the true brilliance of being a Mountain Town Cat owner.

I will freely admit that I once wanted a dog: a big shaggy drooling monster that would follow me on runs, hang out at the crag, tear up the skin track and be 100 percent devoted to me and only me. We all know the dog. The Aussie Shepherd/Collie/Cow-dog hyper thing, the pure bred (and insane) hunting breeds, and the big husky Newfoundland miniature horse bear-like dogs. Yes, they are nice and they are devoted but they are like toddlers that never grow up. A smelly, needy two-year-old that will never become self reliant.

Choosing the right dog is of paramount importance, you must get a dog that is the four-legged extension of your own self image. But, when it comes to cats, they choose you. My cats walked in the back door one afternoon and never left. Notice I said plural cats. I have two. I’m that proud. No one who sees my cats can play pop psychologist on me based on their breed, unless it’s something like, “wow, that guy sure is a Gumby, his cat has no tail.”

Ego aside, I can sum up the real reason I will never own a dog with two words: “Party” and “Bowl.” If a dog is a two-year-old that will never grow up, my cats are teenagers that I can leave with a $20 and instructions to order a pizza a day while I’m gone. Just like a teenager, my cats’ love isn’t unconditional; they are selective with their affection and lash out when the mood strikes them. This makes their love all the more special when I am deemed worthy of petting them. Plus, on a cold morning I don’t really mind getting sandwiched by the little buggers.

The Mountain Town Culture puts the dog on a pedestal, or at least in clear view in the back of a truck or Subaru. Dogs are the constant companions of every iconic Mountain Town Hero seen on the river, at the bar, on the slopes and at the bottom of the crag faithfully waiting for the master who is stuck on yet another day trip because he or she couldn’t find anybody to feed, exercise and cuddle the dog for the weekend. All the while the gumby warrior is out of town while his cats enjoy an empty house and a big fat party bowl of food.

After years of being a Whitewater Slalom geek, Chris Ennis is slowly reentering the outdoor community with weekly doses of gumby-like behavior as a chump climber and skier. For those of you who commit a little too fully, Ennis strongly recommends returning to the life of a weekend warrior. Incompetence is shockingly pleasant. The Missoula, MT-based weekend warrior is biding his time while he waits for his girlfriend/partner/sugar mama (”after 10 years, can we come up with a decent title?”) to finish grad school so that he can return, kicking and screaming, to Academia.

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2008 is a wrap, and with that, the editors from SNEWS® and our extended family at Backpacker can state there was far more energy in and around the show than expected. Manufacturers repeatedly told us that traffic in the aisles and in the booths on the main floor was as good as, if not better than, previous shows.

In early July, REI’s marketing and merchandising teams held web conference calls with its vendors to announce a new co-operative marketing program to replace the old one. The 36-minute call supported by PowerPoint slides detailed the basic modifications to the current co-op program. REI’s vice president of marketing, Todd Vogel, told SNEWS® the changes were needed to keep the program productive, consistent, and transparent for all its vendors. It wasn’t long after the initial meetings between REI and its vendors that the SNEWS phones and emails began to buzz with incredulous responses to the program. In short order, we were being inundated with links to the web presentation (we really only needed one, but thank you), copies of the PowerPoint, copies of vendor contracts, the Q&A form REI provided vendors, as well as other support materials given to vendors.

 

This past weekend, our retail member Outdoors, Inc. sustained fire damage to their 1710 Union Avenue Location in  Memphis, Tennessee.  The neighboring building to the Union Ave. location (one of three in Memphis) caught fire and has damaged parts of the building.  Outdoors, Inc. is working hard to restore the building and the store to full working order.  Please continue to shop local with Outdoors, Inc in all of their Memphis & Jackson locations while they get the store cleaned up.

Outdoors, Inc. would like to thank the Memphis Firefighters for quick response and containing the fire.  Unfortunately, four firefighters were injured fighting the blaze.  Our thoughts and concerns go out to the four firefighters and their families.

To read more about the fire and for updates please visit the store website  www.outdoorsinc.com or read the full report here  .

For $130, those who love shaking their money makers to good vibrations can see the Black Crowes, Wilco, Ben Harper and tons more at the inaugural Jackson Hole Music Festival this weekend at The Village.

If you only want to listen to heavy metal drumming for one day, it costs $72.50. Buy your tickets here.

The Festival Network chose Jackson Hole as its concert venue because of the company’s “commitment to holding premiere music festivals in the most beautiful settings the world has to offer.” The company promises an experience you’ll remember forever.

“Jackson Hole truly embodies the ideal type of location that we want to define our festivals,” said Tom Shepard, CEO of Festival Network. “We can’t imagine a better place than under the Tetons to host such an amazing festival.”

Saturday’s Lineup:
Henry Butler 11:00-12:00
Kaki King 12:30-1:30
Medeski, Martin & Wood 2:00-3:15
Brian Wilson 4:00-5:30
Wilco 6:00-7:45

Sunday’s Lineup:
The Avett Brothers 11:00-12:00
Son Volt 12:30-1:45
Robert Randolph & The Family Band 2:15-3:30
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals 4:00-5:45
The Black Crowes 6:15-8:00
If you need a remedy for fatigue from all the action under Jackson Hole Stars, you can buy food, beer and gear there. Alcohol sales start at noon.

Timbuk2 donated a bunch of messenger bags to Students for International Change (SIC), a non-profit org based in Arusha, Tanzania that focuses on HIV/AIDS education and testing. Their staff commutes long distances by bike and foot to reach the communities they educate and test. Their work is critically important and Timbuk2 is really stoked to support them. Perhaps the day will come when we’ll see a What’s In Your Bag photo that features HIV testing supplies and teaching materials . . .

*Arusha, Tanzania is nowhere near Timbuktu, Mali - it’s 2,989 miles away - but it’s a hell of a lot closer than San Francisco.

Grassroots Members all support a wide range of events ranging from trail races, triathlons, climbing competitions and wildlife photo competitions. Each Week we highlight competitions going on across the country. Always check our calendar for the most up- to-date events near you on our Grassroots Events Page.

This weekend in Ketchum, Idaho Grassroots Member The Elephant’s Perch is hosting the SAWTOOTH CENTURY BIKE TOUR AND RACE.

The Sawtooth Century is a 50 or 100 mile fully supported bicycle tour featuring the world-class riding terrain, dramatic visual imagery and signature style of Sun Valley and the Sawtooth Mountains. Riders will set off from the start/finish area 6 miles north of Ketchum and crest Galena Summit en route to the turnaround at Alturas Lake.

Numerous aid stations will provide high quality food/beverage and technical support. Come set a personal PR for 100 miles or make a long day of it savoring the food and views. For More information on the event go to the following Websites: www.bcrd.org or www.sportsbaseonline.com

Also ongoing from now until September 15th Great Outdoor Provision Co. is supporting NC Wildlife Photo Competition.

Beautiful images of the natural wonders of North Carolina have inspired generations of people to be better stewards of our precious natural resources. The Wildlife in North Carolina Photo Competition aims to encourage people to participate in nature photography, thereby fostering greater appreciation of North Carolina’s wildlife and wild places. »Enter Online thru Sept 15