Wherever you go to get off the grid, clear the mind and recharge, I suggest you get to it as soon as possible … it is so fulfilling to reset at this moment as the summer of 2009 arrives. I am just re-entering the grid after several days in my favorite getaway in the Eastern Sierras near the east entrance of Yosemite.
All that kept coming to me as I reflected on the last nine months was how fortunate we are to still be here making it happen at Nau, Horny Toad and the Lizard Lounge. While these are and will be tough times for the foreseeable future, we imagined far worse just a few months back. I feel like we have turned that psychological corner from managing fear of the unknown and managing a baseline level of productivity to really being able to think long term, plan and be fired up for the potential for the future. What a refreshing change and one that could not be more exhilarating at Nau given the chance for a second life.
Continue Reading »
The bug-repelling BugOut™ Gaiters are treated with Insect Shield® to help protect against uncomfortable itchiness and diseases spread by biting insects. Durable and ruggedly built, these gaiters are ideal for hiking and backpacking wherever hungry insects live.
- Insect Shield® clothing repels mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers and no-see-ums for ultimate insect protection
- Odorless, EPA-registered Insect Shield® lasts through approximately 70 washes
- 8 oz. packcloth
- 1-inch wide hook/loop front closure
- Hook/loop shear tabs at top and bottom of front closure prevent separation
- Elastic bottom and top edges
- Double-riveted boot lace hook
- Hypalon® instep strap
Jeremy Goodman, one of Outside Magazine’s ground troop bloggers, field-tested the Gregory Baltoro 70 on one of the ultimate backpacking journeys in the world: the rugged Andes Mountains of South America. For six months, the Baltoro clung comfortably to Jeremy’s back while he lunged, scrambled, and hiked through the rain in muggy Columbia through to the harsh, unpredictable climate of Patagonia.
He thanks the Gregory gods for the Baltoro’s water-and abrasion-resistant rip-stop nylon, 4,271 cubic inches of space, multiple access points, and, of course, the move-with-you-wherever-you-go suspension system.
We knew this pack was tough, but glad to hear someone else thinks so too. To see the full review click HERE.
We got a note from Charles recently, who’d seen the ‘Ask George’ post on how to pack your backpack, and he had a great question: H
ow does carrying a bear-proof food canister affect how you pack a backpack, and what’s the best way to go about carrying one of these blocky canisters?
This is an especially pertinent question, given that some national parks are requiring backcountry travelers to carry bear-proof food canisters, and whether or not you’re required to do so, they’re a great option for keep your food safe and not habituating bears to human food (which can make them aggressive toward people), especially when you’re traveling in areas where there aren’t a lot of trees from which to hang your food (ie. above treeline or in places where tall trees don’t grow).
Here’s what George had to say:
Continue Reading »
Usually, the folks who organize high-altitude mountaineering trips tend to be good leaders. That’s probably because you have to be an effective leader to put together those kinds of incredibly detail-oriented trips, and keep things under control in such extreme situations. So it’s no surprise that a lot of expedition leaders also have motivational speaking careers on the side, talking in business settings about leadership.
Chris Warner, one of only only nine Americans to have summited both K2 and Everest, the author of
High Altitude Leadership, owner of a business that runs climbing trips and operates climbing gyms, and a Gregory-sponsored climber, recently gave a talk at
Google, some little company located in central California, on leading teams in extreme environments.
Although a little long, it’s an interesting view.
Continue Reading »
Turn your dreams into reality by applying for the 2010 Expedition Sponsorship through Mountain Hardwear and have your performance elevated!
The Mountain Hardwear sponsorship program was founded to encourage people to explore the outdoors and to push our products to perform in physically demanding environments.
Download the 2010 Application Here.
Vasque announces the release of a series of animated videos that educate retailers and consumers on the technical design and advancement of their performance driven footwear. Currently the videos are available for viewing on YouTube while awaiting the launch of Vasque's new website.
For your viewing pleasure please visit:
Vasque VST Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxZGOXPBNQs
Vasque: The Master of Fit in The Science of Fit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ibC2k7_NdQ
Vasque - The Master of Fit in The Story of the Last:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id1nzmw9CdU
High performance outdoor footwear manufacturer, Vasque, is extremely pleased to announce the selection of these powerful athletes to the 2009 Vasque Trail Team: Krissy Moehl, Duncan Callahan, Shiloh Mielke, Bryan Dayton, Debbie Livingston, and Dan Dehlin.
These impressive endurance runners were hand-selected for their extraordinary athlete prowess, as well as their relentless dedication to the sport, trail preservation, and their respectable reputation locally, nationally, and even internationally.
read more
Watch the Montrail Masochist GT Review
here.
Don't beat yourself up over inferior trail shoes. Find your stride with Montrail's latest creation. Inspired by "a quarter century of masochism" from the renowned Mountain Masochist Run in Montebello, VA. We didn't design this shoe for some cutesy little downtown 5K. instead, it performs best on dirt, rock, and jumping over stumps... Think you're up to it?
Red Wing, MN – Performance outdoor footwear manufacturer Vasque is proud to announce that its Momenta women’s trail running shoe has earned the 2009 Spring Editor’s Choice Award from Women’s Adventure magazine.
read more
