Posts filed under 'Outdoor News'
Sad news from the world of mountaineering. The Adventure Blog is reporting that 8 climbers (Austrian and Swiss) have perished in an avalanche. Mt Blanc is the tallest mountain in the alps at 15,781 feet.
“There is no longer any chance of finding anyone alive,” said Michele Alliot-Marie, France’s interior minister, who traveled to the mountains near the Italian border. The search was called off after the risk of a 2nd avalanche became too much for the search teams. It is said that people who are buried in an avalanche have an 80% rate of survival up to 20 minutes. But when the ticking clock reaches 2 hours that rate of survival drops to 10%.
August 26th, 2008
Last week an 86 pound black bear attacked a boy in Smoky Mountain National Park. The boy was scrambling up an embankment on a dayhike with his brother and father. The bear was at the top and raised up when the boy, Evan, came into view. The bear bit the boy and started slinging him around.
The father and older brother heard the commotion and ran up to the incident. The father, John, freed the son by pulling the bears mouth apart and pushing it away. Evan ran, but was caught again by the bear. The father and older brother then began to throw rocks and sticks at it to keep it at bay. They then escaped.
The boy and father were treated for cuts, bruises and puncture marks. The bear was found a short time later by rangers and killed.
The North American Bear Center lists 61 people killed by black bears in North America since 1900, with 46 of those in Alaska or Canada. That means only 15 fatalities in 100 years in the lower 48.
There have been two fatal attacks in eastern Tennessee: A Tennessee school teacher was killed in 2000 by a female bear and cub during a day hike in the Great Smokies and an Ohio family was attacked in 2006 in bordering Cherokee National Forest, killing a 6-year-old girl and injuring her 2-year-old brother and mother.
The attacks in National Parks are odd since the bears are protected and have a large food source. Is it the traffic in the park? Is it that there are too many bears in such a small habitat that we’ve pushed them too?
August 21st, 2008
Update: Lynn Hill’s son was found. He was taken to the Lost & Found area. One of the people there said, “Hey, you’re Lynn Hill’s son, she’s a famous climber right?” Her son exclaimed, “I’m the famous climber!” Ahh to be five years old again. 
Today I peeped this sweet canoe that could match your kilt nicely I think. And speaking of kilts, it seems that Utilikilt has done well at this show. I’ve seen several dudes wearing these kilts around here. No report on what was under them. And I hope there won’t be.
And interesting fact about the OR show. About 4PM the vendors start breaking out the booze. They lure people to their booths by offering free beer, wine, cheeses, and other assorted gastronomic enticements. Once you are pulled in they do aweful things like make you sign petitions to keep mining and logging from taking all the roadless spaces away… they also do despicable things like give prizes out. I was quite offended and didn’t have anything to do with the whole mess… Okay I got a few beers and a giant plate of cheese. I have to offset that dinner of meatballs two nights ago ya know.
I digress. I also had a nice chat with a guy who plays an Alp Horn pretty well. Not a skill I think many of you
can tout.
Gear highlights from today…
- Everybody and their mamma are getting into trail running shoes. So trail runners shouldn’t have any problem over the next few years. There will be so much competition your head will spin when trying to decide what to wear.
- Merrell has alot of great gear coming out in ‘09. Footwear and apparel alike. Judging from this years crop of clothing, you will be able to hit the trail and hit the club in the same shirt… FINALLY. (don’t even think about it, I already bought clubrunning.com)
- High Sierra as well as Lowe Alpine have some sweet adventure travel luggage coming out in Spring ‘09. We’ll be reviewing some of these products before they are released so you can start making some decisions before you shove off for that European vacation you’ve been wanting to take.
- Crumpler is expanding their line with more funky colors and patterns.
- Horny Toad and Patagonia will still be leading the front on sustainable apparel in ‘09 it appears. They both have some very wearable, very mother-earth lovin clothing launching in Spring.
August 10th, 2008
Well from what I gather, in ‘09 we can expect most of our apparel to be either made of wool from New Zealand or made of coconuts. Our sleeping bags will be able to dance, our shoes will be made of hemp, our sporks will be huge, and our survival kits will come in sardine cans. Just a few visions I saw from the outdoor industry crystal ball today…
The show was good and I got lots of good tips on gear that we will be covering over the next few months. Several ground-breaking products are scheduled to be released by brands you know and trust over the next 6 months. Brands like Camelback, Patagonia, SkirtSports, and Timex. We’ll be reviewing those products here so you can get a better idea of what they’re all about.
After the show I went over to the industry party and had this magnificent dinner of meatballs, egg rolls, broccoli, guacamole, and micro brews (5). Actually it was pretty damned tasty. Not sure how my poo will look tomorrow though. Stay tuned for the awesome details…
After the drum circle and the awarding of money to the non-profits we got to hear Rusted Root play. I haven’t heard such rhythmic, nonsensical, wonderful music since the mid-90s. It was truly a cool experience to get to hear SenMeOmmaWayy again. The stuff I heard in smoke filled rooms and said “yeah man” to when I was but a mere lad. And weird… but they haven’t aged in the last 15 years.. DickClarkism I guess.
All in all it was fun and, again, i met alot of good people. Tomorrow should be another fun day of making connections, checking new gear, and walking my ass off. Anyone have any glide?
August 8th, 2008
Demo Day is the day at the Outdoor Retailer show where the attendees get to play… and sweat. I think I sweat a gallon today. I heard the showing of vendors was probably half of what it has been in the past. Probably due to high fuel costs. Nobody wants to ship 200 canoes across the country, then ship them back 4 days later with these gas prices.
Anywho, I did see some interesting products today and met some cool people. One thing about this trade show that differs from others I’ve been too is the relaxed atmosphere. People were paddling kayaks down by the lake and drinking beer and eating turkey burgers up by the booths. All the while Reggae was playing in the background, and business was still getting done. It felt sort of like the Bonnaroo of trade shows.
Above is the paddle sports demo area. As you can see, loads of boats… and paddlers. There were some other booths at demo day, but most of the action was in the paddle sports area.
Here I am testing a new Bell Solo Canoe in what I like to call the Paddler Soup. The light literally shown through the walls of its kevlar mesh hull. It could turn on a dime which was great, and was light enough for one person to pack with ease. In the background you can see some “Stand-Up Paddle Boards.” I’m not sure how well these are catching on, but testers were having alot of fun with them.
This Airis inflatable kayak has a built in dry bag. No need to pack one. And it fits in a bag the size of a
backpack. Perfect for the apartment dweller or someone who wants to fit their kayak in their trunk without sawing it in quarters.
And I’m dubbing these two guys the Kayakillacs. They are from Epic Kayaks and really do seem to be the
Cadillac of kayaks. Their shell is much harder, they have nice cushy grab loops, roomy dry wells, and plush interior.
I saw plenty of other cool stuff today too, like some new innovations in backpacks Ergon is making, some cool quick dry technology, and some other stuff we’ll gear test for you guys down the road.
August 7th, 2008
As you may know I am at the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City.
This is the big outdoor industry trade show where all the outdoor companies will be shmoozing and showing off their latest and greatest products. AKA, the stuff you will want in your stocking this December.
I walked around a bit today and watched some of the madness that is a trade show set-up. I used to work for a company and worked the trade show circuit a bit. Let me tell you it is organized chaos. Sweaty people running to and fro with boxes of kayak paddles and trekking poles. Tow motors driving frantically with loads of who knows what outdoor-gear-joy packed away inside. Giant inflatables hovering above your head in anticipation of the next days activities, climbing walls sprouting up
out of cargo crates, CEOs of small outdoor companies sweating with the crew to get the booth looking just right.
Tomorrow I’ll be at Demo Day. This is where all the big gear gets demo’d. I’ll be watching people paddle kayaks, set up tents, roll out sleeping bags, and test harnesses. I’ll report back on the action there as well… stay tuned.
August 6th, 2008
A hiker on Sauk Mountain in Washington was shot and killed by a bear hunter this past weekend. This is a rare occurance but is still a real threat for backpackers who head in to the wilderness during hunting season. Another layer of tragedy to this story was that the hunter who shot the hiker was only 14-years-old. No charges have been filed yet, but I think the victims neighbor said it best; “You look into a scope you know what you are firing at — and really and truly that’s all I got to say.” We all share our public lands, hunters and hikers alike. Hunter safety courses are immensely important. Educating our young hunters is paramount to ensuring we don’t have any itchy trigger fingers out there. Young hunters must know what is in their sites every time they pull the trigger. They must be 110% sure.
The CDC did a study for 6 years in the early 90s. Out of 125 people shot by hunters that were mistaken for game, only 6 were wearing hunter orange. If you are hiking in hunting season, at least get yourself a brightly colored shirt or pack. Or wear a bright orange bandanna or hat.
Sierra Blogging Post provided some great tips we can all keep in mind when playing in the backcountry during hunting season…
1. WEAR ORANGE. Wear a blaze orange vest, cap, shirt, shorts, whatever. Wearing bright orange, the color hunters wear to avoid being shot, is the best way to make your presence known. This universal hunter safety color will dramatically reduce your chances of being mistaken for game. (Don’t forget to dress your dog in orange, too.)
2. Avoid wearing white during hunting season. A flash of white in the woods can be (and has been) mistaken for the white of a deer’s tail.
3. Avoid wearing dark colors, like black and brown. Humans dressed in brown or black can be mistaken for large game.
4. Stick to established trails. Hunters should be aware of trails popular with hikers and be extra cautious in those areas. (Obviously, as with this case, that doesn’t always mean they will be.)
5. Consider hiking in places unpopular with hunters. Check with your local wildlife official, Fish and Game department, or local sporting goods store to see where the hunters are/are not.
6. Make noise while you hike and don’t hike alone. Alert hunters to your presence by talking, whistling, singing, or carrying bear bells.
7. As always, make sure someone knows where you’re going and when you plan to be back.
August 5th, 2008
The one thing all of us that visit this blog, and Outdoorzy have in common is an appreciation for the outdoors. A love of being outside and taking part in an active lifestyle. We can all agree on that. But I believe one other thing that is a very close 2nd at binding us all is our love of the gear that gets us out there.
So this week I will be attending the Outdoor Retailer conference in Salt Lake City, UT. For the uninitiated this is the big trade show that the outdoor industry holds each year. All the new gear is debuted, new companies launch, the gear that was new this year is upgraded, and people shmooze.
My goal this week is to gain entry to this show, visit every booth (probably thousands), blog multiple times a
day, and keep all of you up-to-date on what is coming out for 2009. Just imagine, this year, you can be that one friend that is always like “..oh, did you say the Moutain Hardwear Goat Jacket? Yeah I know that one, has the fleece liner and the built in martini bar in the inside pocket.” Yes you! You’ll be the coolest Outdoorzy friend on your block. You can show your friends you’re the real deal, not Matthew McConaughey outdoorsy. No need to drive an old Land Rover Discovery, or leave your canoe on your roof rack all week. You’ll have the 4-1-1 and can talk the talk.
Anywho, in celebration of this event we want to give you some Gear. The first 3 people to enter 8 gear reviews before Friday night will win one of three prize packs. The prize packs are like outdoorsy grab bags. They are each going to be a high quality daypack full of little gear items. Who knows what you’ll 
get… clothing, guidebooks, headlamps, solar chargers, mp3 players, t-shirts, shoes, water filter??? Gear freebies I pick up to review at this trade show will go into the 3 daypacks. You’ll be the first one to get your hands on some of these items.
So get hoppin! And your gear review doesn’t count if you half-ass it. Don’t review your new climbing harness and say “It was great, it kept me alive” We want more detail than that people….. work for it!
You may have also seen this contest on Contest Hound
August 4th, 2008
Seriously… Somehow I missed this when it happened a few weeks back.
Okay, here is the short and sweet…
Black Bear wanders into residential beach neighborhood. Fish & Wildlife comes to tranquilize the bear and relocate it to a remote wilderness area. After being shot, bear runs into the gulf of mexico. Bear swims out and shows signs of distress. Adam Warwick swims out to sea and rescues the 375 lb bear!
Adam, a Fish & Wildlife biologist, said “It was just the spur of the moment,” he said. “I’d never be able to live with myself if he drowned.”
All I can say is…. your a better swimmer than me dude.
Read all the details at Tallahassee.com
July 23rd, 2008
Yes folks, I’ve found it! I’d tell you, but I’m sworn to secrecy.
If you’d like to find it for yourself though just head up a trail on the nearest mountain. At lease that’s what a recent study suggests. Reuters did an article on this and here is what they had to say…
“Far from being a sport that just provides thrills for testosterone-fuelled risk-takers, mountaineering actually helps gives people perspective in their lives, according to Lee Davidson, senior lecturer at the University of Victoria’s museum and heritage studies program.
“It’s a way to look for meaning in life, it gives people a sense of focus, makes them see what’s really of value,” Davidson, a climber herself, told Reuters.”
I’d have to agree with the article. There is a serenity and peace that can be found in remote wilderness areas, in the mountains, that is difficult to achieve in a world of concrete and steel. Sitting and watching a sunset crawl below the snowy peaks with only one sound in your ear, wind, can be deep. When mountaineering or backpacking comes up in conversation, people think I’m some crazy Xtreme person for taking part. They simply don’t understand that it’s more about slowing down, clearing your mind, and pushing your body to reach a place that most people will never see. The view from a mountain is sort of like putting a chair in the corner of your bedroom and standing on it. Looking around you see everything from a different angle. You gain new knowledge and appreciation for everything.
Get out.
via Sierra Blogging Post
July 22nd, 2008
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