Weekend Warrior: Micro Adventure turned Misadventure, The Video

I finally finished the video editing from Becca and I's crazy adventure in the mountains.  See the whole story here or watch the video now!

Weekend Warrior: Micro Adventure turned Misadventure

From the beginning, my friendship with Rebecca was destined to be epic.  We met while working for our school's challenge course and became instant friends.  Since then, we've spent our days hiking, rock climbing, and backpacking throughout the Cascades of Washington.  Some of my best memories of being out here are the adventures I spent with that girl.  She has since moved back to her parent's house and is preparing for her next big adventure: thru-hiking the PCT with her husband, Mark.

So when she told me she was going to be in town for a weekend, we knew we needed to have an adventure.  We agreed on the canyon since it was close, but Friday's Malibu buckets at the Palace made us change our minds (not for the better).  So Redtop Mountain it was.  A fire lookout on top of a mountain, 12 miles on forest service roads, in winter.  What could go wrong?  Well, as you've probably guessed, pretty much everything.

A few miles in, after pushing the Subaru through some sketchy places.  It finally got stuck.  We couldn't move it forward, backward, or any which way.  We spent the better part of an hour attempting to dig out the snow underneath the car, which had decided to float itself on the pile of ice.  It's not like Subaru's have low clearance or anything...  Oh, wait... They do.

We finally gave up after it was clear we were not going to be getting the car unstuck by ourselves.  We didn't want to call for help, because we are mountain women and we can save ourselves.  But we thought Mark might want his car back.  So we called our husbands.  They sounded amused over the phone and it ended up being a comical experience all together.

While we waited for the men to rescue us, Becca and I decided that we should go for a walk.  We needed to warm up a bit and we were there to hike, so might as well do something fun rather than just sit and wait around for the men to come.  So we walked a bit up the road and the vista of the Teanaway Valley unfolded beneath us.  It was so beautiful.  We took our time and enjoyed the view.

When we came back down, we needed to only wait for twenty minutes or so before I saw my husband's Dodge Ram rolling up the hill.  Unfortunately for us... the truck also got stuck in the snow.  We weren't even able to get the truck to where the Subaru was so we could attach the tow strap and pull the car.  How we got the Subaru up that far, I will never know.  Thankfully the boys had the foresight to bring shovels.  We got the truck unstuck first and pushed it down the mountain far enough for it to turn around.  Then we started on the Subaru.  It took us three more hours to get both vehicles down the mountain and out of the snow.  The boys weren't overly pleased, but they did get the rights to tease us relentlessly forever.  But nevertheless, Becca and I had an adventure.  And sometimes the adventure turns into something you never thought would happen or something you never wanted to happen at all.  But in the end, we left with a smile on our faces and a story to tell.

Trail Therapy: Is Snowboarding Dying?

Marc Peruzzi, an author for Outside Magazine, released an article yesterday conveying a depressing message.  The snowboarding sport is dying... and the industry themselves might be the ones pulling the plug.  Peruzzi grew up skiing.  He learned from his parents and grandparents and has passed on the sport to his children.  He dabbled in snowboarding a few times, but the sport never drew him in.  Although he chose skiing over boarding, he never stopped fighting for the rebel sport's continued existence alongside it's purist cousin.

But why is the sport dying off?  For the same reason skateboarding is experiencing the same fate.  Snowboarding was invented in the heart of the Midwest and in Vermont and that legacy has dwindled down to a few elderly rugged men decked out in flannel.  The rest of the sport hangs on the industry's chosen target audience: teenagers.  Enter baggy pants, scraggly hair, large shirts, flat-brimmed hats, and a bad-boy image.  Although not trying to stereotype snowboarders, Peruzzi does have a point.  If you look at a catalog or a video of Burton athletes, you won't find anything that depicts a mainstream sport for the everyday winter adventurer.  Today, the image is being perpetuated by the new found popularity of the sport in the X-Games, Olympics, and icons like Shaun White.  But even those brought into the sport through this outlet have since retired and moved on to real jobs and real clothing.  Look at Shaun White today.  He's not the Flying Tomato anymore.

But again the problem isn't the athletes or the participants.  It's the industry.  Peruzzi says "Industrialized snowboarding hates diversity."  And it's true.  Burton stopped sending product information and media photos to Ski magazines, because it didn't want that kind of publicity.  Jeremy Jones wanted to market backcountry spiltboarding to the older snowboarding crowd to bring them back to a more stress-free, low-impact area of the sport.  What did the big brands do?  Gave him the proverbial middle finger.  That doesn't really say much for the CEOs' integrity of the sport they support.

The sport has some other fundamental drawbacks; like it's more dangerous than skiing and your more likely to get a concussion or break something.  This is one reason young adults are backing away from the sport: and pushing their children to ski rather than board.  The biggest reason people stay with the sport?  It's fun.  I've been snowboarding many times and although I fall more times than I ever had skiing, it's a rush.  If we can perpetuate that idea into the minds of the heads of marketing for the big snowboarding companies, the sport actually might stand a chance.  It might be time for a rejuvenation of this crazy sport.  or it might be time for it to die.

*It is my view that Marc Peruzzi may not have 100% credible knowledge of the snowboarding mindset, since he's not active in the sport and by indicating that skiing is a way of life is limiting the realities that snowboarding, for some, holds the same powerful life desires.  However, he has worked in the industry for many years and has most likely seen first hand the deterioration of the sport and its followers.  While dedicated snowboarders may find his words inaccurate, there may be truth behind them.  Sometimes we have to look past what we don't want to hear, to find the message that needs to be heard.

Outdoor Retailer Show 2014 - Recap from Day Three

Day One = Gear.  Day Two = Youth.  Day Three? Change.  Mining has proven to be a destructive and brutal activity on our wild lands and everyday it's tearing apart the fabric of our country.  Our dependence on coal has caused intense strife in all of our natural areas: forests, wildlife, water.  Conservation Alliance speaker, Wade Davis, urged people to pick up the battle against mining on Day Three of the Outdoor Retailer Show.  He stated that Canada has prided itself on its isolationist attitudes, but that mentality has started to become its downfall.  The Sacred Headwaters in British Columbia are home to some of the last great wild places in North America.  The area contains rich gold and methane gas deposits, which means desirable mining areas.  With $25 billion removed from the land, Davis wonders why no of it has gone back into the community and the land.  Although a anthracite mine has been approved, the CA was received a grant to begin protection actions.

What's Hot From Day Three:

•  Patagonia gets a new CEO.  After seven years, Casey Sheahan is looking for a change: and more time for family.  Rose Marcario will be taking his place as the head of the most progressive outdoor retailer in the world.  Marcario was the CEO of Patagonia Works and launched the $20 Million & Change fund that is dedicated to starting up outdoor companies.  The transition has been smooth and the future of the company looks bright.
• Retailers are supplying Olympians with their spectacular uniforms.  Columbia is outfitting the freestyle ski team. Auclair provides gloves for ski cross and speed skaters.  North Face has input the design for the Freeskiing athletes.  Olympians are honest.  And gear companies love that.
• People have cut back on their camping time.  Why does it matter? (Besides that it's just sad?)  "Understanding the Camping Consumer" spoke directly to the outdoor retailers with ways to reach out and draw people back into the amazing activity that is camping.  It matters because the average age of campers is increasing: from 29 to 33.  And the demographics are mostly white.  It is extremely important to emphasize the marketing strategy towards the younger audience.  And these people are more inclined to shop online than in stores.  And the outdoors needs to be promoted as accessible to all peoples.  Why does it matter?  Because camping is the gateway activity to the outdoors.  It's the beginning to a life of love of the wilderness.  And it's only a stones throw from hiking that trail or rafting that river or climbing that rock face.  The primary reason: not enough time, which retailers can't really do anything about.  The second reason: no one to go with.  Which I can attest is my biggest deterrent.  I love spending time by myself, but enjoying it with someone who is equally as passionate as me.  Perfect.  And that second one can be addressed by retailers.
• Capital Cities headline the OR.  Their top song, "Safe and Sound" rang around the event and they give a little insight into their outdoor passions.  Climbing Mt. Whitney and Mt. Shasta, a love for Arc'teryx and Boras packs, and crazy African safaris are just a few of the details we've learned about this unique band.
• Five Ten announces it will travel back to it's roots.  Retro ad posters featuring Dean Potter advertise "risky, irreverent, fun" as the pull to the sport.  Spring 2015 = "risk hiking."  It's a thing.
• Update!  Outdoor Inspiration Award winners!  Company Award winner - Timbuk2.  Group Award winner - NOLS: Expedition Denali.  Individual Award Winner - Timmy O'Neill.
• ****Consumer Survey seeks to delve into the mind of the buyer in order to plan for the future of retail.  Trends come and go, demographics shift, and the population is constantly changing.  Consumers constantly change their desires, needs, and wants.  The overall message?  Slow down and think.  "We want to get a deeper understanding of the market and take more time ti fully flesh out the different avenues that are starting to emerge.  There isn't one answer." says OIA president and CEO Frank Hugelmeyer.  Rapidly growing urban areas and the impact of new technologies are competing with the attention span of today's newest generations.  One of the key focuses (AND I CAN'T AGREE WITH THIS ENOUGH) is the industry sells the product but doesn't sell the experience!!!!!  It seems that everything goes back to education: even the outdoor industry.  Surveys conducted to exiting customers said they were interested in certain activities but didn't know where to start and lessons were beyond their price range.  Bringing outdoor activities to where the bulk of people live seems like a good start.  A Colorado Springs fishing store started giving free clinics and within two years, they had introduced 800 people to the sport and their sales rose by 30 percent.  Wow.  The CEO's new catch phrase (brilliant btw), "I'm no longer just trying to sell product, I'm trying to sell the sport."  The customer is the future of the business.
• Urban demographics + adventure travel = huge growth.  Adventure travel is a $263 billion industry and isn't utilized by larger retailers.  Exofficio travel head, Luis Vargas stated, "Showcasing elite athletes doing what only elite athletes can do isn't cutting it anymore.  Your brand should be asking how to enable everyone to do great things." Jeff Ladra, JanSport's outdoor product manager said, "Now, adventure can begin at the front door.  The sweet spot is versatile equipment that can cross over from a city day to a mountain day."  The budget is for local travel.  No one can travel to Europe for a week or to Peru for $2000.  But living in Seattle and going snowshoeing at Mt. Rainier?  That's doable.
• Outdoor Afro is making waves.  What if money and time weren't obstacles?  I'd be an adventure nomad the rest of my life.  Outdoor Afro started introducing Africa Americans to the outdoors.  One of the most under-privileged ethnic groups, it's hard to think of doing anything beyond working for your next meal or your kids school tuition.  But with companies like Keen, REI, and Clif Bar, Outdoor Afro is striving to open our industry to a new demographic.
• Portable power is making the new generation's tech dependency a part of the outdoor experience.  Thanks to Brunton it's easier than ever to charge your devices in the backcountry.  As someone who is diving head first into the social media world, this is an important notion.  Brunton scoffs at the idea of the outdoors being an escape from the tech world, saying that it's a way to get out and stay out longer.  As an industry attempting to connect with the younger generation, this is crucial.

Gear Trends from Day Three

• Cold weather running just went merino
• No excuses trail runners
• Versatility in winter boots (great for PNW residents in a dry winter)
• Columbia, Timberland, Patagonia, Woolrich steal the show with there stylish casual footwear
• Yoga wear that can go from office to studio.
• Temple Flower yoga wear
• Nuts over trail bars! Olomomo nuts
• SnowXu collapsible snowshoes!!!
• 
  

Outdoor Retailer Show 2014 - Recap from Day Two

While Day One's focus was all about the upsurge of the outdoor market during the last year, Day Two was a focus on expanding the outdoor industry's approach to engaging youth.  Secretary of the Interior and former REI CEO, Sally Jewell, spoke on building a public-private partnership with companies to ensure the future of our public lands be improving accessibility to our new generations.  Her presentation entitled "The Future of Recreation, Conservation and Youth Engagement," talked about her ambitious plan to create volunteer, work, and educational programs within the national park system geared towards the age group 18-33.

The statement that our generation is tech-savvy is a great understatement.  But the emphasis on bringing diversity into the outdoor industry and the desire to bring relevancy to nature, is Jewell's focus for the new year.  With a third of the employees within the Department of the Interior eligible to retire in the next five years, Jewell is stressing the importance of reaching out to the generation of politicians, spokespersons, and policy makers.  It's the "Civilian Conservation Corps 2.0."

Sally Jewell has high hopes for her plan to reach over ten million children and open up 100,000 jobs by 2017.  She struggled through the budget cuts and the shutdown, calling it "absurd and wasteful" with the government losing $76 million per day in visitor spending.  Her message?  For companies within the outdoor industry to come forth and financially back her plan.  American Eagle pledged $1 million, so only $19 million more to go.  Making outdoor education and opportunity a priority in children's lives is what will make all the difference.

Day Two Highlights:

• Controversy over OIA award for Utah Governor Herbert causes a stir among outdoor advocates.  The governor has only recently been on the defensive for the outdoor industry, even providing money to keep parks open during the shutdown.  But before his change of heart, his politics caused dismay in the industry.  So being awarded for his services to the industry seemed like a tall order.  But the chair of the OIA board, Jennifer Mull, made a good point.  "This is not a lifetime achievement award.  It's an award for what we see as some really positive movement."  The future for Herbert's governorship seems bright, with his push to halting drilling on public lands and the appointment of a director of outdoor recreation.
• The Outdoor Inspiration Awards takes our outdoor hero worship to the ultimate level.  "Who is your outdoor idol?"  Mine is probably Osprey and Nature's Valley.  The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Jeff Lowe, pioneer of climbing.  The finalists are:
• Company:  Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, Timbuk2, and United by Blue
• Group: Himalayan Stove Project, Kids in Training, Inc., and NOLS: Expedition Denali
• Individual: Midy Aponte executive director of the American Latino Heritage Fund, John Long avid climber and explorer author of 96 books, and Timmy O'Neill, world-renowned climber and philanthropist
• Small Band Pioneers:  USA Colab group, composed of 15 companies, including Voile, has made it a priority to produce small business comforts and made at home personality to the Utah area.  Backed by the governor's Office of Economic Development, they are helping winter stay fun and stay home bound.  Made in the USA is cool once again.
• New Product Zone at the ORShow has really stepped up and opened an area to treat buys with all the creature comforts of browsing and purchasing.  See a new piece of gear?  And it to your buyers list.  Browse the options at the super booths!
• With names like Grace Potter, Michael Franti, Spearhead, and Macklemore, who could follow that act for this year's music extravaganza?  Capital Cities, of course!
• The Winter Sales Floor is heating up with gear not traditional to the current season.  Yoga gear, paddleboards, and running shoes are just a few of the highlighted activities this year.  Yes it's winter, but outdoor enthusiasts are accepting the warmer winters and exploring other avenues of activities.  Instead of flocking to the ski resorts because of the economic decline, people have been relying on local haunts to fulfill their adventurous desires.  Hiking and overnight camping has flourished in the off season.  People are also utilizing time differently; the lunch break has become to new weekend.
•  Who are the new consumers?  Outdoor Retail of the Future initiative started in 2013 and is supporting industry companies to expand their marketing strategies.  So with the start of 2014, the OIA "will help identify which segments within the market aligns best with brand and business strategies."

Gear Trends:

•  Puffies!  Dri Down, Turbo Down, PrimaLoft - it's all the rage!
• Shells have become more sport-specific... Hopefully this doesn't mean spending more money.  Versatility used to be a huge factor.
• Fall Fashion trends: knits and leggings, sweaters and skirts.  Time to make the American-women back into the phenomenal woman.  "She's a career woman, a full-time mom, a traveler, an adventeress and a bike commuter."  Making gear fashionable and useful.
• The fashion trends for the gentlemen?  Gentlemanly.  Khakis, sweaters, and army jackets are bringing classy back.  Time to be a "dapper dude."
• Base layers turned day wear.  Hip designs are making this cozy pieces desirable for everyday clothing.
• You can't have enough socks and some companies are taking them to the next level.  Stylish and highly-functional.  Checkout the Icebreaker Ski Sock for a comfortable and ready to play!
• Source Vagabond Hydration systems are challenging themselves to break into the US market.  The Israeli based company prides itself in their glass-like bladders and liners that prevent bacterial growth: two things we look for in our hydration bladders.
• New collection of Woolrich Footwear/Portland Product Werks says it's all about the wool!

Outdoor Retailer Show 2014 - Recap from Day One

The bitter cold had no impact at the All Mountain Demo Day, opening Day One of the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City, UT.  And while some people (the Australians) struggled more than others, the sun was bright among all the smiles.  Outdoor retailers profited significantly the past year and bringing out the best  and newest gear was sure to prove an amazing event.  Matt Dazley, a buyer for REI, attributes the upsurge in outdoor activities to advertisement promotions.  some of this came from the resurgence of reality TV shows like "The Amazing Race" and "Survivor."  And the Winter Olympics = desire to participate in winter sports.  I would have loved to be there when people gathered around Helly Hanson and traded their old base layers for new ones in order to donate them to Splore.

So what were the highlights from Day One?

• Fritz Barthel's thirty year old lightweight ski binding finally comes to the forefront of ski technology.  Today's biggest name?  G3's Synapse 109.  "Backcountry [skiing] is not some strange daredevil thing to do, it's more attractive to more consumers and that's why more brands are getting fired up about it." - Kenji Haroutunian, OR Show director
• Advocacy Leadership Awards recognized Mike Ratchford, Utah governor Gary Herbert, and Jeff Trandahl.
• Backpacker Magazine named its 2014 Editor's Choice Awards!  This prestigious award dates back to 1993 and recognizes the best of the best in the biz!  Here are this years winners: Kelty TrailLogic TN2 Tent, Mountain Hardwear Optic 2.5 Tent, ExOfficio Sol Cool Ultimate Hoodie, Montbell Down Higger 900 #2 Sleeping Bag, Sierra Designs Backcountry Beds, Big Angus Double Z Air Pad, L.L. Bean Day Trekker 25 Pack, GoPro Hero3+ Black Edition Camera, Halfpops Snacks, and the Marmot Essence Jacket.  Backpacker's Gold Award, for products lasting five years at the top of their field, went to Western Mountaineering Alpenlite Sleeping Bag and the Leatherman Juice S2 Multi-tool.
• Buzzword? Carbon.  The verdict is in and lighter is the winner.  At least for these epic new backcountry skies.
• New trends arise in the world of ski boots and it's not what you thought.  In the words of Chris Gerston, co-owner of Backountry Essentials, "We see more play in the dedicated backcountry boot than in the book that [is made to] go both ways."
• It seems that even the ski bindings have gotten an epic makeover.  with more torsional rigidity, rotating toe pieces, and aluminum power plates, these new bindings will handle whatever you throw at them.
• New trekking poles are becoming so versatile that there's not much they can't do.  Grips that adjust bindings and buckles, holes for tent lines, easy pole locks, ect.
• Splitboards!  Finally a push back to splitboarding.  The sport that does it all.  Hike up a snowy mountain?  Sure!  Gaze out to the amazing vistas?  Absolutely!  Shred back down through the incredible powder?  Hell yeah!  What could be better?
• Is there a theat to alpine skiing?  You bet there is.  But it's not climate change (well, it kinda is...)   It's nordic skiing (cross country skiing).  Leading the field as a health-conscious alternative, this sport has taken the winter sport world by storm.  And the ORShow wasn't short on showing us what's new and exciting!
• Snowshoes are making a comeback too, which is weird for me because I've only been doing it for two years and it's all the craze with me and my friends.  New styles this year are lighter, more adjustable, and well-rounded for multi-use.  Need an activity for the kids?  Snowshoeing.  Hard-core runner limited by the snow? Snowshoes!
• Dynafit athlete, Sally Francklyn, talks about the importance of wearing a helmet while skiing.  She can attest to the lifesaving effects of helmets and she eagerly pushes for change within the winter sports community.
• Frameless, edgy, customizable... Just a few words to describe Stage's new Stunt goggles.  Great quality and with hundreds of different combinations, you'll be hard pressed to find someone with the same pair.
• NEW SPORT ALERT!!!!  That's right.  It's Bike Boarding.  What?  Yeah, that's what I said too.  Yep, now instead of walking up a mountain in the snow, you can bike up, attach your boards to the tires and speed down the slope.  Sounds crazy, but I'm pretty sure that's how skiing starting...
• GooOnYa Bars = 100% all organic, 100% delicious!
• Merino gets a makeover!  Super.Natural is the new brand to beat.  Hopefully the price tag matches the innovation.

The Day One Lookbook:  Icebreaker Helix LS Zip Hood, Lowa's Riga GTX HI, YAKTRAX runners, the Vaude ABScond our 36+4 avalanche backpack, Vasque's new Ultra Trail Runner,  Innate Laundry Bag, Stanley Adventure Stainless Steel Shot Glasses, Grivel's Tech Machine Axe, Dynafit Radical Primaloft Hacket, Fox River's socks, Mountain Hardware Barnsie Jacket, Eagle Creek Tandem Warrior bag, Anhu's Sugar Bowl Books, Lifestraw filtration, Freewaters Vegan Flats, Chaco's Holbuck Waterproof Boots, Nite Ize Mobile phone attachment, Timbuk2's Alchemist Messenger bag, Gramicci's winter base layers, Krimson Klover pullover merino sweater, Oliberte's Danano hiking shoe, Sof Sole cure for plantar fasciitis, Falcon Guides 'Women Who Dare,' Danner's throwback style hiking boots, Brooks Glycerin shoes, Buff's new headliner and neck warmer, Gordini's Stash Lite Touch Gloves, Teva's Surge eVent, Carhartt's Lumberport Ripstop pants, Big Angus Late Lunch Vest, Kamik Storming Kid's boot, Cordura's Klettersack 22.4 liter pack, Sherpa Adventure base layer, Salewa Rosenfarten GTX boot, and the Patagonia Activist winter boot.

Day One Editors Picks:  Bergans Norway Trolltind shell, Chaco Woman's Gallant, Kavu Lowlands jacket, Nite Ize Inova STS headlamp,  Mountain Equipment BackBeyond shell, Snow Peak Stacking Shelf Container, Keep Durand Mid Boot, Outdoor Research Lucent Heated Gloves, and Woolrich Beebe Boots.

Trail Therapy: Blind Victory

Most of us couldn't begin to imagine a life without our eyesight.  I know personally I would give up my hearing before sight.  But a choice between the two is only hypothetical and the reality is that if either were to happen to us, it would not be voluntary.

For one man, the lose of his eyesight was a traumatic and painful time.  At the age of 36, Trevor Thomas lost the ability to see.  After treatments and painful surgeries, nature took its course and forced Trevor into a world of darkness.  He began therapy to relearn basic skills, like how to eat, cook, walk, and read. He grew frustrated and yearned for a greater purpose of his new life.

So he started hiking.  And he rarely stops.  In 2008 he thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail.  Then thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail.  Snow forced him off the trail during his thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail: Trevor's attempt at the Triple Crown. He recently finished the Mountain to Sea Trail in North Carolina, a 1000-mile long epic stretching from the Great Smokey Mountains to the Outer Banks.

With the help of some acquaintances and his Labrador, Trevor was able to complete all of these trail miles with flying colors: and interesting stories.  Like reaching the summit of Katahdin with a broken foot and 4 broken ribs.  Or crawling to find water.  All of these experiences since 2005 have only heightened his other senses and given him a sense of accomplishment in his life.  He is unable to recall faces or sights from his past, but when he holds his rock from Baxter Peak, or from that forest in North Carolina, he can tell you the exact moment he picked it up, the smells, sounds, and feelings of those momentous ocassions.

His trail name, Zero/Zero (play on 20/20), is a comical alias regarding his lack of vision. But I believe it means more than that.  Trevor Thomas has found a new light, a new line of 'sight' for his life.  He shares his experiences with his Facebook fans and he's sponsored by many different companies.  But he hikes because it's his passion and he loves sharing that with the world.  Zero days of regrets for what he's done to turn his life into a positive beacon of hope for others who have lost their vision.  Zero days of not loving life to its fullest.  And that, I believe, is a lesson we can all learn.

Trail Therapy: A National Park for Northern Maine?

One of the most coveted designations for a tract of land is that of 'national park.'  A rather difficult process, certain residents and landowners in Maine are pushing for this designation, despite only 59 parks have been given the title since 1872.  Acquiring land for parks is a hassle and takes decades, but Ms. Quimby hit the jackpot when she land she got after selling Burt's Bees, giving over 100,000 acres to the federal government.  The goal?  Katahdin Woods and Waters National Park.

Some of the land was restricted against hunters and snowmobiles, causing opposition towards the creation of a park.  Another reasons was the distrust of the government having control over the land.  Lucas St. Clair, Quimby's son, attempted to drum up support through a grassroots program and opened some of his land to hunters and snowmobiles, adding support back into the campaign.

Proposed park land, the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Park would lie east of Baxter State Park, the home of Mount Katahdin, northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.  And the adjacent area would be a recreation area for hunting and snowmobiling.  Get support from people who focus importance on these areas, is, as St. Clair says is "the permanent protection of land for activities that go to the heart and soul of the region."

But why a national park and not just a monument or national forest?  The local economy is floundering and the "brand" of national park would help save the area.  It's the "gold standard" says St. Clair.  And even the most hardened voices of opposition are softening to the idea.  People still against it are worried about restrictions appearing against the forestry products industry.  Senator King is saying that the economical benefits may outweigh the loss of control over the resource.  The representative from the district housing the proposed area says he too is concerned about the economy, but wants a full plan before he backs one way or another.

The process may take thirty years, but those who support the formation of a park in the North Woods say that it's worth the wait.

Trail Therapy: Plastic or Perish?

It's begun!  States have finally begun enforcing a ban on plastic bags at retail stores.  The first state to convert?  Hawaii!  The law was passed last year and the state has been charging a fee for bag during 2013.  The actual ban begins this Friday, January 17, 2014.  The island of Oahu will be playing continuing the fee for 2014 and their ban will begin in 2015.

This amazing legislation came from the tireless efforts of the island's grassroots movement and it's the perfect place for such drastic measures to begin.  Hawaii is a outdoor mecca and a beach magnet: everywhere a "plastic bag tumbleweed" is sure to ruin the landscape.

What's the next phase? A fee for paper bags.  Hopefully within the next decade these changes will be country-wide!

A Video A Day... Legend or Legacy?

After tuning in to the National Geographic Channel's new show "The Legend of Mick Dodge," it's safe to stay that this man is captivating.  NatGeo has put together a fantastic show merging all the myth and lifestyle with the humor and  amusement of the forest man.  After watching the first two episodes, it's easy to see why the legend surrounding this man has become so interesting.

The intro starts out as most sci-fi shows beginning: tracking the wild, mythical creature.  Bigfoot or barefoot sensei?  Then Dodge pops out of a tree stump he calls home.  He's quick witted and oddly funny.  His breakfast grows on the trees outside his front 'door.'  He brushes his teeth with a pine cone... then cleans his ears.

Mick Dodge has taken his own beliefs and the teachings of wilderness father, John Muir, as his guiding principles.  His philosophies are prophetic; a way back to nature.  He once owned a house and a couple of cars, but three generations of his family called the Olympic Peninsula their home and Dodge feels the pull to continue his family's legacy.  As Dodge says, living in the wilderness makes the "senses come more alive" and he finally gets to "see more of the land."

The first thing Dodge did when entering the forest 25 years ago, as the narrator so simply states, is takes off his shoes.  "My feet became my map; my feet became my compass."  He speaks to the forest as a friend and always a stranger, as if needing permission to travel its expanses.  He feeds off the land, drinking water from moss and mushrooms caps.  Everything he needs he gets through the forest.

In the first episode, Dodge sets out to sprinkle the ashes of his father on the one year anniversary of his death.  Dodge has stored the ashes in a tree until the time came when he would take them into the highlands and throw them out into the valley of the river.  At 4200 feet, the temperature will drop very low, and Dodge sets out to find one of his twenty gear caches to recover his cold weather clothing.  Before the journey, he visits his oldest friend, Carl, who lives in a cabin within the smae forest as Dodge.  Carl is a leather craftsman who creates a special satchel in which Dodge can carry his father's ashes.

With everything set for the journey, Dodge starts his trek up the mountain.  Upon reaching the lookout, he completes the promise he made to his father and sends his ashes into the wind of the Hoh.  With words of wisdom from his father "remember your last name," he understands his family's legacy: to dodge society and perpetual change and live in balance with nature.

The second episode really explored Dodge's lifestyle: mainly his acquisition of supplies.  As summer approaches, Dodge realizes he will need to get to his cache store of weapons (bow and arrows) in order to protect himself from the lurking dangers of bears and cougars.  But upon arriving at his tree stump cache, Dodge is shocked to realize that someone has made off with his bow.  With no monetary means to purchase new equipment, Dodge sets out on the complex journey of bartering in the rainforest.

He has a really good friend and bow maker who will help him out, but for a price.  In order to obtain something his friend will want, Dodge was to trade with his friend, Carl, in order to get something of value.  But what does a leather maker living in the forest want or need?  Dodge heads to a lumber graveyard and finds a tree burl or unnatural growth.  It's large and Dodge must make a travois in order to carry the large burl to Carl's.  But the burl is not enough for the handmade leather buckskin pants that Dodge things would be a perfect trade for a new bow.  So Dodge sets off to find something else to barter with.

We are introduced to a new character; Dodge's apprentice Will.  We don't know much about his yet, but he seems to follow the same barefoot ways as his elderly mentor.  Together the two track down berries, following elk scat and tracks, in order to make the Dodge secret jam juice recipe.  The ingredients?  Berries + lemon leaves + Hoh dirt from your feet = yum.  Carl loves jam juice and the large mason jar of juice plus the burl is enough to win Dodge the pants.  With his new trade in hand, Dodge sets out to find Norm, his bow making friend. Norm, hunter and nature enthusiast, is excited about the pants and eagerly begins making Dodge a new bow.  With new bow in hand, Dodge take s a couple of shots to practice its strength and precision and it's easy to see how he has survived for 25 years in the wild: he's a pretty damn good shot.  Armed for the summer, Dodge heads off into the woods, 'hunting' mushrooms and losing the camera crew with his forest agility.

Overall I believe the show has great potential.  It's interesting, funny, and enlightening.  There are some lingering questions I'm not positive the show will answer; like "How does he live on government/private land?"  Not all of that land is government, some is private, but I'm sure he wouldn't be allowed to just live there without someone's permission.  Maybe this will be addressed, and maybe it won't.  We shall see. Regardless, NatGeo has a winner and we all should stay tuned to see what unique and clever tricks Mick Dodge has up his handmade sleeve next week.  Tun in to see what happens when Dodge needs some protein on Tuesday January14, 2014 at 10PM.

Trail Therapy: Terror on the Mountain

On Tuesday January 7, 2014, the grandson of Vail founder, Tony Siebert died in an avalanche while skiing the East Chute in Vail.  The area is a popular sidecountry skiing destination which frequently has conditions prime for avalanche dangers.  Siebert's three companions survived with only minor injuries.

After 19 inches of snow fell on Vail, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center listed Vail's conditions as "considerable."  With this amount of foreseen avalanche possibility, staying off the mountain would have been a wise course of action.

Two weeks prior, a skier filmed an avalanche on his GoPro on the same route that claimed Siebert.  The skier saw his friend caught in the snow fall and was able to rescue him from danger.  The video is incredible and scary.

Lessons learned:  Nature is terrifying.  We need to respect her forces and not tempt fate.  Every month it seems, someone comes up with something new and death defying to attempt.  But at what cost?  At what point do we say enough is enough?  I, like every other adventurer, love the thrill of the unknown and the experience of an adventure that could potentially kill me.  But I still don't venture into the woods under a hurricane, or swim during a thunderstorm, or climb a mountain with high lightening warnings.  If the condition reports say that something is "considerable" to happen, it's probably smart to listen to them.

The passing of Tony Siebert should serve as a reminder that we need to respect our world and the dangers of exploring it.  His death is a tragedy in the legacy of skiing, but we should not forget the lessons learned from it.

Vail Avalanche 12/22/2013

Trail Therapy: Coolest Thru-Hike of the Year!

By the end of September 2013, Junaid Duwad and Luke DeMuth arrived home after what seemed like a daunting and exhausting trip.  It wasn't a lengthy business trip or a family vacation.  Their venture took them to the highest of highs: to the tops of the Colorado 14'ers.  A '14er' is a peak that rises over 14,000 feet. Weighing in at 58 peaks, Colorado has the most 14ers of any state.  Most people tackle one peak at a time.  A few courageous individuals will attempt to do them all; some in one calendar year.  But these two crazy guys plotted a course connecting all 58 in one epic thru-hike!

A thru-hike is the completion of a long-distance hiking trail in a single attempt, whether that's in one go or in one year.  The most common thru-hikes are the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, or the Continental Divide Trail, better known as the Triple Crown.  A few shorter trails, like the Arizona Trail and the John Muir Trail have risen as shorter 'thru-hikes'.  I wouldn't be surprised if this trek (with some tweaking) might become the next thru-hike epic!

Junaid and Luke's GPS summarized they had completed 1,350 miles by the time they arrived back at their car near Longs Peak.  The completed the journey over 72 days gaining almost 300,000 feet of elevation.  Over the course of their trip, the tackled three 4-peak days and two 3-peak days.  Anything more than climbing one 14,000 foot peak in a day would be amazing for me!

Sponsored by several outdoor gear manufactures like ULA Equipment, Junaid and Luke hulled 30 pounds of gear on their journey.  The complete trail took months of planning; the process took the dedication of connecting miles of trails through public lands, national parks, and occasionally a few service roads.  Their biggest struggle was timing their passage into the Rocky Mountain National Park because of the government shutdown, which, of course, they didn't know would happen.  Luckily, they arrived the day after the park reopened.

Their favorite part of the trail?  The San Juan Range which ran along the Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide Trail.  With only a few close calls with weather on the peaks, they successfully summited without incident.

The true definition of an epic experience, these men have created something that is unique and awe-inspiring. Maybe one day this trail will have an official title, trail markers, and aspiring thru-hikers that plan their summers tackling this incredible beast. But for now, we can just admire these young men and their daring to accomplish something never done before.  And maybe we will ask the question... What will they do next?

Trail Therapy: The Legend of Mick Dodge

The Legend of Mick Dodge

On Tuesday January 7, 2014, National Geographic is airing a new series called "The Legend of Mick Dodge."  The opening description of Dodge, "part warrior, part philosopher and part survivalist," only starts to depict the excitement awaiting viewers from this new reality show.

Mick Dodge grew up exploring the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State and was taught by his grandfather, the ways of the forest.  Dodge grew up with a respect for life in the wild and a passion for experiencing the balance of nature.  Although his time spent in the Marines trained him in man-to-man combat, he uses his skills solely for survival as he lives happily alongside his animal friends.

Mick stated his new life the way we all start our lives; barefoot.  "My feet became my map; my feet became my compass."  Mick's 'back to the beginning' mentality speaks to all of us adventurers.  We all seek a more primal way of life that holds health and tranquility in the balance with nature.  I'm excited to see what this show has to offer.  So tune in at 10PM on January 7th on the National Geographic Channel to find what drives Mick Dodge to live his primitive life.

Trail Therapy: Backpacker Magazine's Best of 2013

For 8 years, I've been a loyal reader of Backpacker Magazine.  I have kept every issue and sometimes reread their stories, reliving some of the most exciting and captivating adventures and lighting the way for my own adventures.  My passion for extreme adventure and exploration stemmed from reading about these trips and experiences.  Like all those years before, 2013 was a year to expand the horizons of exploration into the wilderness.  Here were my favorites from this year:

Best of Backpacker Magazine 2013

January - What Kind of Hiker are You?  The Wildlife Lover?  The Mileage Master?  The Limit Pusher?  The Multisport Maniac?  Family Traveler?  Peakbagger?  I don't think I'm any one of these exactly, but I know I have a desire to be all of these.  The passion that these ideologies portray is the dedication and conviction that we should all hope to have for something in our lives.

May - All Quiet on the Western Front   A survival story unlike any other.  War has produced some of the most extreme psychological effects and it's very difficult to cope with the tragedies of wartime.  For one veteran, a thru-hike of the PCT might hold the key to putting to rest the unsettling experiences in Iraq.  As someone who wants to thru-hike the PCT someday for enlightenment or self discovery, can understand the pull life on the trail can have.  This is a wonderfully deep and emotional journey both for the author and his friend, but for us, the reader.

June - Grand Traverses   Get high and stay high.  Epic trails that get you up on the ridge and keeps you there.  Views that never end.  This amazing collaboration of treks makes you want to get out into the mountains and have an adventure.  These were a few of my favorites: the Roan Highlands section of the Appalachian Trail, the Sawtooth Ridge through the North Cascades, the Great Northern Traverse through backcountry trails of Glacier National Park, California's High Sierra Route, the Teton Crest Trail, and the Great Presidential Traverse through the White Mountains.

June - Nirvana Now!   How would you fair on a four-day backpacking trip interlaced with the practice of yoga on a mountaintop?  I don't know about you, but that sounds incredible!  The author is skeptical and while he may not have been one hundred percent on board, his aching back sure felt good at the end of the trip.  There may not be scientific research or a team of experts backing the claim; but I believe hiking and yoga were twins separated at birth, finally reunited.  And it's about time.   Ever since I started practicing yoga, I'm able to hike farther, hike stronger, and feel more rejuvenated after a trip then ever before.

August - Hidden Montana   Think you've seen the wilds of Glacier and Yellowstone?  Well, time to throw away your guidebooks.  Some of the best trips are off the beaten path.  This article highlights the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, the Mission Mountains, the Sawtooth Range, Snowshoe Peak, and a thru-hike of the Northern Cabinet Mountains.  Sounds like a lifetime worth of adventures in one amazing wilderness expanse.

Trail Therapy: The Circle of Life

Risk is the forefront of extreme adventure sports.  No athlete becomes involved without knowing and fully understanding these risks.  Cave diving, rock climbing, mountaineering, surfing: all sports with extreme risk.  But the risk is sometimes what makes the thrill all the worthwhile.  Since the beginning of the climbing generation, humans have been pushing the limits of our imagination. James Whittaker, Yvon Chouinard, Douglas Tompkins, Edmund Hillary, Reinhold Messner have all become household climbing names for there incredible.  We commend these individuals for their vision and for seeking out new thrills in which to broaden our horizons.

One such thrill is the Slipstream rout up Mount Snow Dome in Jasper National Park, Canada.  Its reputation proceeds it with the dangers of extreme weather conditions, intense vertical climbing, and certainty of death.  Several journals depict the difficulty of this route.
A Long and Slippery Slope
The 2nd Ascent

In April 1989 mountain climber William Holland was on his descent from Slipstream when a cornice let loose under Holland's feet and swallowed him into the mountain's snowy depths.  A seasoned climber and mountaineer, Holland understood the risks associated with such an attempt.  But the pull of the

21 years later, in August of 2010, hikers found the partially buried remains of William Holland, at the base of the glacier, almost a kilometer from the location of his fall. The mountain that had taken this man from his family had given him back.

 

After 21 years, Holland's family finally have the opportunity to cope with the death of a loved one.  Holland's daughter, Laurel Holland, is writing a memoir about her father called Spindrift. Dealing with death is a human inevitability.  But under most cases, death comes with certainty, cause, and reason.  There is no doubt or lingering hope.  In rare cases, like Laurel Holland's, hope is kindled by the lack of proof and years pass with the thought of a better tomorrow.

The Holland family has lived in constant wonder for 21 years and finally the healing process can begin.  Laurel Holland's book is a tale of finding peace and coming to terms with loss.  Read about her memoir to see how tremendous tragedy has turned full circle to convey personal closure and humility.

Spindrift: Memoirs of a Climber's Daughter