Here it is, a new video from SCARPA introducing the new Alpine Cross line. They filmed and put together a video of summer shoe guru Mark Mathews giving some perspective into the thinking behind the Alpine Cross line, as well as details on each shoe, and it’s up on YouTube for the world to see. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqvp2czwVJI
Strip off your daddy’s over engineered sneakers…there’s a new kid in town.
END's Stumptown 12 oz. is awarded 'Best Trail Running Shoe Debut' by Runner's World. The Spring Shoe Trail Guide hits news stands everywhere on March 10, 2009. This is a great honor for a startup performance footwear brand focused on delivering what runners want - lightweight, flexibility, pliable comfort, stability and protection – while avoiding all the unnecessary and often toxic materials that runners don’t want.
This award is 100% non-biased and based purely on trail running performance by the magazine’s independent product testers and nationally renowned footwear science lab. We would like to thank the world's filthiest mud, hairball off-road descents, gopher infested grass, stumps that reach up and grab you (I hate that!), and a global desire for taking running shoes far, far, far beyond the manicured city sidewalk.
Perhaps my second favorite event in the month of February, the Birkie. It’s 54K if hills, rolling terrain, one flat lake just before the end, and a main street finish in a little northern Wisconsin town called Hayward. I have skied the Birkie twice now and the Korte once, all classic, and all fun. The 54K classic trail has a lot of hills in the first half of the race following a north/south trending Moraine located between Cable and Hayward. The second half, from county OO to the finish has more downhill sections and flat sections of the trail, to make up some time if needed.
The day started out great, little wind, a temp hovering around 10 (if I remember correctly) at the starting line and a little new snow the night before. My wax was spot on for the conditions I experienced on the trail for starting in wave 6. I was fast on the downhills, catching up to a lot of people that were beating me on the uphills. I love going fast downhill! This year though, it was a tough race for me. I almost quit around 30K with both quads almost fully cramping up on me…no fun. So, I slowed down a bit and rubbed out my muscles as best as I could. I got some more food and drink in me and in another 6 K my quads finally worked out and I was able to finish what I started in just over 6 hours. My goal was to finish with a time under 6 hours, so that will have to wait until next year. Cant wait for Feb 2010! ~Jon Jugenheimer, AAO rep
Point 6 socks ski the Birkebeiner!
I just finished the 54K classic race on Saturday and I used a brand new pair of Point 6 socks. I wore a pair of Active lights and they worked beyond expectations! My feet were never cold for the entire race (something that has happened before) with a starting temp around 10F. They wicked moisture away from my feet throughout the entire day, and felt great with the full wool contact all the way around my feet . My feet never developed a single blister or a hot spot, and there was plenty of cushioning all around my feet for added comfort. I would have to say, these socks kick butt and I will definitely be using these socks again for events of this caliber!
Congrats to Midwest Mountaineering, a Grassroots partner, who received a Retailer of the Year award at OR from Snews and Backpacker magazine. Please click the link below to read more!
http://grassrootsoutdoors.com/index.php/dealer-profiles/congratulations-to-retailers-of-the-year/2009/
Perhaps my second favorite event in the month of February, the Birkie. It’s 54K if hills, rolling terrain, one flat lake just before the end, and a main street finish in a little northern Wisconsin town called Hayward. I have skied the Birkie twice now and the Korte once, all classic, and all fun. The 54K classic trail has a lot of hills in the first half of the race following a north/south trending Moraine located between Cable and Hayward. The second half, from county OO to the finish has more downhill sections and flat sections of the trail, to make up some time if needed.