RANT, RAVE or SHARE TO BOB?
Close but no cigar
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We at first cherish the fluffy snow, but soon enough it becomes abundantly clear that this is going to be a tough day. When the terrain gets steeper it is more like swimming uphill than snow shoeing. One step up, slide right back down, one more step up, slide back down. We push on, now berating ourselves for the late start and not anticipating the snow conditions
Read MoreForcing Spring/La Sportiva Task Hybrid Jacket Review
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Spring has sprung, in some parts of the world. Here in Mazama, it's dumping snow as I write this, but we've had some warmer afternoons that have inspired me to find some dirt to run on. I've been doing much more skiing this year than running, which has been fun, but I do miss the simplicity of running. When March hits, I get spring fever; or maybe I like doing a sport I'm better at...
Read MoreHow to survive a seemingly never-ending northwest winter→
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For all the people out there who live for the snow sports, I’m sure this winter has felt like a gift from god after a few years of short ski seasons, but for the climbers who are anxiously awaiting the spring temps and dry rock, this winter (which started early and is somehow still going) is starting to feel almost unbearable…
Read MoreAll the beta you’ll ever need for a climbing trip to Chamonix→
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Because it is one of the birth places of modern day climbing and alpinism, there is a wealth of information about climbing in Chamonix. As a newcomer to the area, just figuring out which guidebooks you need can be daunting. The following page details everything I have learned that may be helpful for the person. Feel free to drop in comments about other things that might be useful.
Read MoreOn the mountain towards recovery→
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It is only three months since the surgery, three months since I lost an entire lobe of my lungs, and boy can I feel it! Each breath is labored, my lungs desperately sucking in the air wishing for more. I curse under my breath, annoyed at the new inability of my body. Anyone who has had to go through recovery knows the feeling of your body not quite being able to do what it used to. The frustration is infuriating. I had lung surgery to remove a rare type of cancer in my right lung, and I spent five days in the hospital with Larry. Larry was the name I gave the chest tube that was draining fluids from my chest into a box. I hate Larry.
Read MoreARC’TERYX FOLLOWS PATAGONIA’S LEAD, PULLS OUT OF OUTDOOR RETAILER→
/Here's a good story by Jonathan Desbris. A strong message is starting to be sent to the state of Utah by Outdoor Recreation Industry regarding the state's decision to rescind public lands. Jonathan explains why the message is being sent. The question is what other outdoor recreation companies will follow Patagonia & Arc'teryx's lead before the next Outdoor Retailer trade show, which will be in SLC on July 26-29 2017? More to come.
Arc'teryx is the second company this week that has formally announced its withdrawal from the Outdoor Retailer conference in Salt Lake City. It plans on donating the money it would have allocated to the conference to the Conservation Alliance’s new Public Lands Defense Fund.
This marks the second major company to publically denounce Utah's decision, due to the state's effort to rescind the Bears Ears National Monument and other public lands. What makes this significant is Arc'teryx, like Patagonia is no small company in the outdoor industry. Arc'teryx also has ties to the United States Marines Corp., who chose their Tango design for their new backpack, the ILBE.
With the gauntlet clearly thrown by the outdoor industry, it will be interesting to see who follows the lead of Arc'teryx and Patagonia, as well as the response from the Utah government.
Loup Loup Ski Ski Mo Mo Race→
/Whew! We had a blast at our first ever Randonee race at the Loup Loup Skibowl. When we came up with the idea to have a race at the Loup, we hoped to have a low-key event with fun vendors and participants, and we got exactly that. The folks at the Loup were really helpful and seemed as invested in a successful event as we were, offering their help leading up to and on race day, and also giving us some good ideas for the future. Our friends at Pinnacle Sales NW, Goat's Beard Mountain Supplies, and Black Diamond, all were there to share their enthusiasm, offer demos, and provide support and prizes. Finally, all the racers were friendly and got after it. A few guys warmed up with the three-lap race, then went on to do five more, giving us some good ideas for next year...
Thanks to everyone for making it better than we could have hoped. We'll see you next year! Results are here.
Brewski @ Stoup
/Give outdoor minded people a place to relax & meet and you have a tasty recipe. This past weekend's BrewSki was an exercise is capitalism no question, but it was more. When I navigated through the crowds I heard story exchanges & new connections being made all over the place. I realized that I/we/us should promote more backdrops where Ballard outdoor folk can connect. Seems like there is a thirst for it.I'll do my part to offer a beer & setting to satisfy that thirst.
First Post
/Welcome. We feel it's important to start conversations on how the Northwest outdoors are treating people. More importantly how we are being treated by fellow enthusiasts. How are leaders and organizations are treating and stewarding our very important playgrounds and resources.
