A big CONGRATULATIONS goes out to Patagonia Ambassador Zoe Hart who just passed her Ski Mountaineering Guide’s exam to earn her IFMGA mountain guide credential! This makes Zoe the fourth American woman to earn her IFMGA, or International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations, status. This is the highest level of credential available by a professional mountain guide anywhere in the world and is recognized in over 20 IFMGA member countries.

[Zoe Hart tapes up on St. Exupery, Patagonia, Argentina. Photo: Maxime Turgeon.]

As some of you may know, since 1997 it has been possible for American guides to earn their international certification through the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA). At this point in time there are approximately fifty American IFMGA guides in the country. To accomplish this, one must take a series of courses and pass three exams: Rock Guide, Alpine Guide, and Ski-Mountaineering Guide. Additional courses are required as well, including Wilderness First Responder and an American Level 3 Avalanche certificate. To put this in perspective each course and each exam lasts between 7 and 14 days, and you are required to have a certain number of guiding days between each course and exam! This is a long, arduous, and often expensive process of educational courses culminating in certification exams.

Patagonia is a benefactor partner and has long been a big supporter of the AMGA’s mission.

[Editor's note: Steve House was the seventh American to earn an IFMGA pin, way back in 1999, and was a former director of the AMGA's Alpine Guide program. "Pin" refers to a highly coveted cast-pewter pin IFMGA guides traditionally wear to identify themselves to fellow mountain guides. The only American women to earn IFMGA pins are Kathy Cosley, Margaret Wheeler, Olivia Cussen and, now, Zoe Hart. Way to go Zoe!]

Tags: Ambassador, Grassroots, Patagonia

Product Feedback. Boy do we get a lot of it . . . From fit to function to fashion, from price to purpose to product names, customer feedback is one thing we've grown to rely on. We believe our customers are more passionate and outspoken than the norm. And while that means there's some folks out there who are had to please, our quality just wouldn't be the same if it weren't for their willingness to ask for something better.

Case in Point: the Critical Mass Bag. Long-time customers have seen many versions of this bag, each with its die-hard proponents and detractors. It was born of our own selfish desire to toss the day's gear into a sack, throw it over a shoulder, and be on our self-propelled way.

The feedback we get from you comes from all angles: e-mails, phone calls, blog posts, letters (yes, people still write us by hand), magazine reviews, and surveys. But what do we do with it? Frankly, we get so much input that we could never respond to all of it. Since we can't respond to everyone directly, this post is a modest attempt to show how your feedback shapes our design decisions.

Historically, we gathered customer feedback on large spreadsheets and saved them by month. These files go back well over 5 years. If you wrote or called to complain about the fit of the Stand-Up Shorts back in August of 2002, chances are north of 50% we can find your comments.

Why so far back? In the world of product development, it's not uncommon for two years to pass between concept and completion. And so, a suggestion received tomorrow about, say, the MLC, likely won't show up in that product until 2010. During this time, we're developing the revised product, testing the new design, sourcing new materials, drawing up contracts with production facilities, scheduling factory time, planning distribution, etc. etc. etc.

But how can you tell if your feedback is ever put to use? To answer that, let's go back to that Critical Mass Bag, and some feedback received during the two years leading up to the latest version:

Read the full article at The Cleanest Line, Patagonia's online content.

Tags: Grassroots, Patagonia

There are a handful of great events going on in your area to get you out this weekend. For more information on these events go to the sites listed below or visit your local Grassroots Dealer!

• May 8^th- Subaru River Jam at the National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC- Great Outdoor Provision Co.
  If you’re tired of the same ‘ole Charlotte scene on Thursday nights, Take it Outside and unwind at the US National Whitewater Center! The USNWC offers Food and Beer specials, great local music and the best sunset around! You can’t find a setting like this anywhere else in the world!
• May 8^th- Greenway Bike Rides in Knoxville, TN- River Sports
  Each Thursday, come ride the Greenway with us. For all levels. We leave River Sports at 6:30PM sharp!
• May 10^th- You Can Paddle! Day- Alpine Shop
  If you’re in the market for a new boat or just want to see AND paddle the latest models, you don’t want to miss this. Missouri’s largest paddle demo day of the year features representatives from all major brands.
• May 10^th- Hagerman-Miracle Hot Springs Road Ride- Elephant’s Perch
  Escape down south to warmer weather and great scenery. This recreational ride starts at Miracle Hot Springs and winds it’s way through Idaho farm country for about 30 miles.

Tags: Events, Grassroots

(In Partnership with SNEWS, Grassroots brings you a comprehensive look at the Controversial BPA Debate)

Since SNEWS® first addressed the issue of BPA leeching into water in a Nov. 12, 2003, story, “Sierra magazine story causes stir over Lexan safety” (click here to read), the curiosity and mild concern over possible human health impacts has turned into a feeding frenzy whipped up by government and media reports and devoured by consumers. On Dec. 6, 2007, Canadian retailer MEC announced that it was pulling all polycarbonate bottles from its shelves “until guidance is provided by the government of Canada on the health risks posed by BPA.” (Click here to read the SNEWS® story.)

The irony in all of this is that we are collectively experiencing far more exposure to BPA through the lining of canned goods than from any water bottle we’ve ever used. Every can on every kitchen shelf is likely lined with a coating that contains BPA. Yes, the canned food industry is now scrambling to find alternatives too, but no one is suffering quite the brunt of scorn and media ridicule as Nalgene. The company was an easy and, as we’ve stated, unfair target. But, that’s now moot. By this time next year, we expect that polycarbonate bottles and containers still in the retail pipeline will have been depleted, replaced instead with alternatives, including the new Eastman product Tritan. Of course, who knows if some scientist down the road will not find something bad about Tritan, too. Only time will tell, but let’s hope for the best.

Please read the full article by the SNEWS Staff here

To read other articles and resources provided by Grassroots Manufacturers on BPA please go here.

Tags: BPA, Camelbak, Grassroots, Nalgene, SNEWS