Just dial 970-mad-chic
Yup, that's the Head Chicks's new cell number, no kidding!
HELL WEEK AT CHICKS (and we aren’t talking freshman rush)
AKA: Techno tragedy, internet interruptus, computer crisis, digi disaster, cyber spasm and unforgettably f_ _ _ed up!

If you tried to visit the Chicks Climbing web site between Aug 18-23, you might have noted our new identity: Russian brides, old ladies, hot women, single girls or stock picks. During that time, you could pretty much access anything except our women’s climbing program. It appeared as if we disappeared off the face of the earth, "poof," gone. Not only was our web site down – but all emails to kim@chickswithpicks.net or info@chickswithpicks.net became undeliverable.

An unmentionable company (called Skybeam, there I said it) emailed me a notice that on Aug 18th they’d automatically renew the Chicks domain and it would be good until August 2011. However, no one can explain to me why it disappeared into cyber space instead.

Bad timing (understatement) as we are gearing up for Chicks Rock in Devil’s Lake, WI and we are presently running a contest to give away two spots at our weekend Skills Clinic, plus we are offering a "buddy deal" for women who sign up for the Women’s Intensive clinic with a friend. Yes, it’s hard to sign up for a program that doesn’t seem to exist.

Behind the scenes you might imagine me pulling my hair out and going absolutely crazy since incompetence can drive me nuts. But I have to admit, I was unusually calm and I could even find some (just a little) humor in it. I kept reminding myself that “no one died in the process” (even if I did want to personally do it myself) and in a year or two, everyone will forget it happened, even me. It reminded me that our day-to-day dramas become larger than life and all consuming. That is, if we let them. For me, the frustration I felt became a great opportunity to practice letting go of any ideas on how I think life "should" or needs to be. In conclusion, technology is awesome when it works and pure hell when it doesn’t!

I am SO SORRY for the inconvenience! We are now BACK ONLINE. PLEASE DON’T WAIT TO SIGN UP FOR OUR PROGRAMS….we need to know who is planning to show up!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chicks Rock! at the beautiful Devil's Lake Wisconsin
Chicks Rock! – our women’s rock climbing program is offering two GREAT DEALS that are happening right now. To win a free clinic or get a great discount – read on.

CONTEST: we are giving away two clinics for our weekend Coed Skills Clinics Sept 11 and 12 at Devil’s Lake, WI. To win, we want you to get creative! In order to enter the contest you must submit a photo on our Facebook page, of an artistic creation you design or capture with some climbing related piece(s) of gear. To learn more about the contest details, click here.

BUDDY DEAL: Between NOW and Friday, September 3, we are going to offer a special Buddy Deal that will save each Chick $100 who signs up for the Chicks Rock! clinic at Devil’s Lake, WI…with a buddy. Please click here to learn more.

HERE’S WHAT'S HAPPENING IN DEVIL’S LAKE WISCONSIN

• Sept. 11-12 – Chicks Climbing is hosting a co-ed weekend skills clinic at Devil’s Lake State Park 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., led by Kitty Calhoun. The clinics on Saturday and Sunday will cover topics that include intro to trad leading; working a project/redpoint tactics; intro to multi-pitch climbing; and anchors. Beginner to advanced climbers welcome. Chicks Climbing is giving away two free one-day passes to these clinics in an online contest that ends September 3.

• Sept. 12 – Chicks Climbing guide and world-renowned alpinist Kitty Calhoun will be giving a slideshow presentation on big wall climbing titled “Epics on the Big Stone” at 7 p.m. in the Class of 24 Reception Room of the University of Wisconsin Memorial Union. Families are welcome to attend this free event, which will also have raffle prizes.

• Sept. 13-16 – Chicks Climbing will host its Chicks Rock! Women-Only Intensive Rock Climbing clinic at Devil’s Lake State Park. This is a full-package affair that allows women to focus on improving their climbing skills in a fun, safe, and supportive environment. Beginner to advanced climbers welcome. Chicks Climbing is offering a special “buddy deal” price that amounts to a savings of $100 per participant through September 3 for women that sign up for the clinic with a friend.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Camaraderie at Chicks Rock!
PLEASE PLAN AHEAD FOR OUR NEW GIRLY GATHERING:
Sept. 24-26

Brought to you by Sterling Rope

You’ll appreciate our new short format clinic that takes place over a weekend in New River Gorge, West Virginia. Girls-just-wanna-have fun and we love to do it together. This affordable program is new this year and is coming up soon.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Anchor class at Chicks Rock!
RED ROCKS NEVADA: Oct. 1-5

Catch that last glimpse of warm weather in the desert before winter sets in. We want you to take advantage of everything this desert climbing mecca has to offer! Start with our three-day intensive clinic that will help you gain confidence on the rock and learn more than you could ever imagine. Apply your new skills to the optional multi-pitch day where you get to climb in a 2-to-1 ratio with our Girly Guides. Red Rocks is famous for its long routes on beautiful red desert sandstone. Take advantage of this personal attention from our Girly Guides and climb to new heights! We welcome beginner to advanced rock climbers with 5 different levels you can choose from.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


NEPAL TREK: Oct. 19-Nov. 2
Two spaces left for the Hospitality Tour through the villages of Solu Khumbu, Nepal.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As always, you can find us on Facebook and Twitter. (That is, if the technology gods behave.)



Freelance Adventures, Inc. P.O. Box 486 Ridgway, CO 81432 970.626.4424




This email was sent to brian@goaao.com. To ensure that you continue receiving our emails, please add us to your address book or safe list.

manage your preferences opt out using TrueRemove®.

Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.

This link will get you in to listen to all of Brian's latest posts from Broad Peak and now at K2 basecamp. They are waiting out the weather window, but are hoping to have a summit push time on K2 July 25-30th!

Also, the picture to the left is a school of girls that inspired Brian in his travels to start a project we call "Marked Change". So many children are eagar to learn in that region, but lack a simple pen to do so. Our agency collects pens from individuals and any place we can and sends packages over for distribution by local friends. If you have interest in donating some pens, please contact us today through our website, www.goaao.com!

Gabcast! Calls from Brian on K2 & Broad Peak 2010 #21

Brian was very good about posting updates and i have taken a little longer to catch up, so here are a group of them from the last several days. i am posting some great shots from his 2007 trip to K2 as well! Enjoy!


Gabcast! Calls from Brian on K2 & Broad Peak 2010 #20

Gabcast! Calls from Brian on K2 & Broad Peak 2010 #16

Gabcast! Calls from Brian on K2 & Broad Peak 2010 #14

http://fieldtouring.blogspot.com/2010/07/k2bp-2010-june-7-headed-to-c3.html

Check out the team blog to see more about what they are currently working on. Camp 3 on Broad Peak, here they come!

Gabcast! Calls from Brian on K2 & Broad Peak 2010 #13

Gabcast! Calls from Brian on K2 & Broad Peak 2010 #12

Gabcast! Calls from Brian on K2 & Broad Peak 2010 #11

Gabcast! Calls from Brian on K2 & Broad Peak 2010 #7

Gabcast! Calls from Brian on K2 & Broad Peak 2010 #0

Gabcast! Calls from Brian on K2 & Broad Peak 2010 #0

Check out this great review about running footwear, before and after!

Gabcast! Calls from Brian on K2 & Broad Peak 2010 #0

Gabcast! Calls from Brian on K2 & Broad Peak 2010 #0

Gabcast! Calls from Brian on K2 & Broad Peak 2010 #0

So, what we are currently experiencing here on our endeavor to climb in the Karakoram is something that I had heard about, but to this point not had the personal experience with. It is the Hurry up and Wait program.
To some degree every expedition experiences this same situation. Usually it is weather dependent and in this case the weather is somewhat a factor or consideration.
Currently we are "suspended" in ISB-Islamabad awaiting the opportunity to get up to Skardu via plane ideally or even by plane, bus, jeep, goat combination would suffice at this point. Not that ISB isn't a cool place to visit, but each day that we sit waiting to get to the next leg of the trip is one more day that we could be missing a great summit day opportunity down the road, and finishing our climbing objective and heading home to our families.
ISB had been VERY hot as of late, and although not as humid as the Midwest that I am used to, it is to some degree a combination of both. So, it is easy to break a sweat just walking up to the local shops to grab lunch or a cold drink. It feels a little bit like home, but since we are packed with very few sets of street clothes. As most of our clothing and hence baggage allowance is skewed towards supporting the climbing part of our endeavor. So, getting too hot and sweaty is not an ideal situation as we are living in these clothes until we get to the hiking portion of the trip-which will hopefully be happening sooner than later.
The last couple days have been good though and I have got to catch up a lot with my friend Shujaat here in ISB. He was one of our in country coordinators and part owner of KMM-Karakurum Mountain Magic on my trip to K2 in 2007. I had made somewhat regular efforts to keep in contact and so we have forged I think a pretty good friendship over time. Getting to actually come back to Pakistan and spend some time with him-especially as he is a MOST gracious host-has been very ideal!
Three nights ago on our first full night in ISB Shujaat took us to Luna Caprese, an upscale Italian style restaurant in the nicer part of ISB near many of the Embassy conclaves. This visit to Luna was a bit of a treat as we usually save that for post expedition enjoyment as it is in fact one of the few places that you can get beer and wine in an otherwise dry country. Plus the food is pretty amazing and although it is not on par with the steaks of IA, is pretty good just the same.
Two nights ago Shujaat invited us to Rawalpindi, where he lives, He took us to the Red Onion restaurant close to his home where we had some really great authentic Pakistani food that I had never had before. To date my favorite and one of my favorites in general has been Chicken Karahi. A spicy chicken dish that when combined with Chapati is delicious. BUT I found a new possibly equal favorite in the Dry Spiced Beef.
It has been so great to have Shujaat to take us around both as he knows most everything about the area. Where to find the best food, SIM cards for the phones that we bought, pillows, etc. The fact that he speaks such good english helps us to convey what we need to in order to get what we are after-BUT it is a bit challenging to ride with him as driving is in fact a new "hobby" for him. Much like any 16 year old that is new to driving a stick I have found myself gritting my teeth a bit as he tries to start off in third gear or continually kills the car when starting from a stop on any incline. The other night on the way to "Pindi"for dinner the traffic was literally bumper to bumper. Thousands and thousands of cars for as far as the eye could see. All of which moving in a whiplash stop and go fashion. Hit the gas and go for 10 ft and then slam on the brakes. We were doing this-or more importantly Shujaat was doing this-for about 20 minutes when we actually bumped the car ahead of us. The driver quickly got out and gestured and said something and came towards the car and Shujaat said something back and the driver looked in and then got back in his Taxi. On contact Rob-my new Aussie friend and current roommate-and I looked at each other and kind of laughed. We wondered how this might do down. As although it was a little bump I was sure that some words would be exchanged. We asked Shujaat after the exchange what was said and it apparently was something like:
Taxi Driver: "What, you couldn't see me from right behind me at this speed?"
Shujaat: "Oh, Shut up! No, I couldn't see you as you have no tail lights!" (Which he did not)
At which point the driver looked in (and Rob and I were convinced) and saw two big Westerners and decided that it was not worth the hassle. I was glad that we could in fact do something positive for Shujaat in preventing him from being taken advantage of by an opportunist cabbie.
Shujaat has not only made the 40 min drive from Rawalpindi with daily regularity in order to take me and other expedition members around town to get what we need, he has taken us out to some of the better authentic Pakistani restaurants and even took a group of us to visit Lake View Park yesterday.
Lake View Park was really neat to see. It is a bit of a family escape type of place on the outskirts of ISB. Only 4 years old it was quite a sight to behold. Freshly laid brick walkways and "streets" that no cars were allowed on, all made with ornate patterns of different colored bricks. At the end of the half mile or so walkway was a scenic man made lake that has the power of hydroelectric power creation as its purpose.
All around the area were family fun opportunities. From putt-putt golf to ATV track racing, BIG slides, and even a 70 ft man made climbing wall that they had just opened and were hosting weekly climbing comps on. Of course the area was surrounded by vendors of candy and cold drinks for your strolling enjoyment. I had wondered if there might be clowns or street performers in the area as it seemed logical that a place like this might lend itself to something of that nature. In fact, there was but one. It was a man with his trained pet monkey, who with a simple word would go from doing back flips to standing at attention and saluting onlookers-(usually he was directed at those onlookers that were closest so as to give them the opportunity to make a donation to the entertainment fund they were collecting).
It was funny though as we were all watching the numerous skills and seemingly complete command and or cooperation that the trainer and monkey had in place and feeling quite comfortable being within a couple feet of the tandem. Right up until a local Pakistani walked to close to the monkey's collections at which point the monkey lashed out and projected a blood curdling scream/screech! Pretty much everyone in attendance jumped back and from that point forward showed a new level of respect for the monkey and his potential reach. Ben was the funniest to watch as I think that he actually left the ground just a little but I certainly don't fault him for that as one of the first rules of traveling in foreign countries is to stay away from animals of all sorts as you never know what they might have and getting bitten or scratched by a monkey no thanks!
After we stopped by Lake View park with Shujaat and our friend Fida-the head cook from my 2007 K2 Expedition-we ventured over to the Western style market as Ben had been instructed to pick up extra coffee for Fabrizio as there is apparently not any available in Skardu of merit. I of course picked up some more Kit Kat bars, as those seem to be the "goods" for me on expeditions as they sound good to eat pretty much all the time! I think that I have plenty now, so when it was made mention that we might go to the market again today I had to pass.
Yesterday we also had the assignment of getting more DVD's for our basecamp enjoyment. Fortunately they are only about 50-100 rupees each. Currently a US Dollar is equal to about 85.31 Pakistani Rupee. So about a dollar a movie for titles that are not even out of the theaters yet. So, I should be caught up on those by summer's end if nothing else.
Our last member arrived in ISB last night at about 4am. A South African member named Mike that was fortunate enough to attend the opening ceremonies of the World Cup (super jealous) just before he got on the plane to come to ISB. So, we are all either here or already in Skardu.
I just received word that some of us are headed to the airport at 5 am tomorrow. At the moment we do not have a seat on the flight and I will be flying stand by to get there. To Gilgit that is, but am happy to at least try as today we spent pretty much the entirety sitting in the hotel sleeping and catching up on movies and learning about the contenders of the World Cup.
Hopefully more news tomorrow from the lovely town of Skardu. B

Here is what is on the buzz right now:

* Outside's SS10 Buyer's Guide has featured FOUR Osprey packs! Included is the GEAR OF THE YEAR Sojourn25

* Outside has once again named Osprey one of the Best Places to Work in their May issue

* The Raptor 10 has a great feature in the June issue of Mountain Bike magazine

* Backpacker.com has a slide show up of the Manta 25

Check these stories and more at:
http://mediaspot.ospreypacks.com/

Osprey has sponsored our very own Sarah Harper-Burke in her endeavor to climb Mt. Shasta as a fundraiser for our friends and partners at the Breast Cancer Fund.

PLEASE HELP SARAH ATTAIN HER FUNDRAISING GOAL!!

http://tiny.cc/ljmjp


In June 2010, I will be part of a team of breast cancer survivors and others touched by this disease to climb a mountain for breast cancer prevention. Together we will attempt 14,179-foot Mt. Shasta in Northern California for Climb Against the Odds 2010, the 11th major mountain expedition hosted by the Breast Cancer Fund.

Our team hopes to raise more than $400,000, every dollar of which will support the Breast Cancer Fund’s groundbreaking work to identify and eliminate the environmental causes of the disease, including toxic chemicals found in our everyday environment. Climb Against the Odds directly supports the policy initiatives, corporate accountability campaigns and other innovative programs that aim to stop this disease before it starts.
Every little bit helps!!!! Donate as little as $10 to help me get to my goal.

Check out all the latest press on Sole insoles! The train just keeps rollin'

http://backbonemedia.net/page.php?pname=clients/archive/press-coverage&clientId=34

Check out this great story from InsideOutdoor magazine about the recent technology Sole insoles is working on:
An Out-of-stock solution: the outdoor industry's RFID experiment-
http://www.insideoutdoor.com/documents/IO_Spring10/IO_Spring10/index.html?pageNumber=26

http://scarpainthemidwest.blogspot.com/

Check out this great review on Josh Spear's blog for the new Osprey Hydraulic hydration packs!

http://joshspear.com/item/osprey-hydraulics/

Welcome to Part 2 of the 2009 SNEWS® Outdoor Retailer Survey summary, where outdoor specialty retailers get to speak their minds and offer industry observations and commentary on what is great, good, not so good and desperately needs improvement in the industry. As we announced last week in Part 1, the full survey results -- complete with expanded and detailed analysis of each category’s results -- will be presented in sections to our All Access SNEWS subscribers over the next few weeks. This week we're focusing on best-selling outdoor hardgoods, as well as underwear and sock brands, in the camping and backpacking categories. If you missed last week, click here to read Part 1 of our annual survey, the "2009 Annual SNEWS® Specialty Outdoor Retail Survey: The best and worst."

Although SNEWS sends the survey to hundreds of outdoor specialty retailers all over the country, this survey is by no means scientific in its approach. We do believe the results are quite representative of the outdoor specialty retail market as a whole, and those surveyed are consistent from year-to-year, so comparing answers from past surveys presents a useful picture of trends, market conditions and retailer moods -- one of the most useful features of this survey. It is very important to remember as you read the results for top-selling brands below that retailers are not predisposed to selecting a brand. They are each presented with a question and a blank. It is also important to note that just because a brand is not listed in this survey it doesn't mean it is not selling well. It just means that it was not a top seller in the stores which responded – either by perception or reality.

OK, enough blather. On with the results:
What are the top-selling accessory brands this year?
Well, either folks did not understand the question this year, or the concept of an accessory brand has taken on an entirely new meaning. This year, we had over 100 separate accessory brand responses, making it nearly impossible to determine a trend or overall leader. There were a few brands that received at least blocks of voting recognition. Cascade Designs and Sea to Summit garnered the most overall votes, each nabbing 7 percent of the total votes. Peregrine chased in behind with 4 percent, and Coghlan’s tucked in right behind with 2.5 percent. Folks, The North Face, Marmot and Mountain Hardwear are not accessory brands -- or are they? Seems it depends on your perception. Either way, congrats to Cascade, Sea to Summit, Coghlan’s and Peregrine for continuing to own a category that few retailers seemingly understand.

What are the top-selling pack brands this year?
Osprey – 28.5%
The North Face – 18.5%
Mountainsmith – 4%*
CamelBak – 4%*
Kelty – 4%*
Gregory – 3.5%
Arc’Teryx – 2.5%
Deuter – 2%*
Granite Gear – 2%*
Vaude – 2%*
*Tied companies are listed randomly and all are considered statistically equal in terms of ranking. All answers have been rounded up to the nearest 0.5 percent, and since we don’t name every single company name or category with a percent, the percentages may not total 100 percent.

YAKTRAX and Little Hotties have outfitted sponsored athletes, journalists and staff with products to help keep them safe and warm on the snow and ice at the Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia.

...
To read the complete article, copy and paste the following link:
http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/17331.html

Use the following link to see the Gear Junkie newsletter and a review of the new Sole cork sandals for spring!

http://gearjunkie.com/enews-archive?p=december_18_2009.html

Saturday, October 31st, starting at 5pm, Boulders Climbing Gym in Madison is hosting our annual fall Fund "Razor" competition/party. Sponsored by NU Climbing Holds, Focus Snow & Skate, and Screen Door Studios.

We have expanded the climbing time from two to three hours, 5-8pm, and we have expanded the finals from two problems to four. PLUS, in addition to the informal "Who can climb the most?" we have added a more formal climbing comp in which there will be boulder problems for points. May the best man and woman WIN!
As always it will also be a party! Food and drinks provided!
Funds raised will go to climbing access! Last year we gave $1000 to help replace anchors in Southern Illinois. This year we are splitting up the funds and giving to bolt replacement at Barn Bluff in Red Wing, Minnesota, Governor Dodge State Park in Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Outdoor Access.

Cost is $25, $20 for Boulders members, and there is a $5 discount if you bring a dish of food to pass! If you want to just come observe that's free but there is a mandatory donation of at least $5 if you are going to partake in the food.

If you're into the Facebook thing see here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=163428734923to RSVP.

To keep updated to all the latest and greatest Osprey hits in the media, check out the Osprey Media Blog, a one-stop archive of the PR placements.
Some Highlights:

June: Elevation Outdoors <http://ospreymedia.blogspot.com/2009/06/elevations-outdoors-online-names-exos.html>
June: Backpacker Magazinehttp://ospreymedia.blogspot.com/2009/06/osprey-exos-58-recommended-by.html
July: Men's Journal http://ospreymedia.blogspot.com/2009/07/osprey-product-pictured-in-mens-journal.html
July: Outdoor USA http://ospreymedia.blogspot.com/2009/07/aether-70-and-stratos-36-in-outdoor-usa.html
July: Summer OR Dailyhttp://ospreymedia.blogspot.com/2009/08/osprey-launched-hydraulics-line.html
August: Climber Magazinehttp://ospreymedia.blogspot.com/2009/08/osprey-mutant-reviewed-in-britains.html
September: Mountain Gazettehttp://ospreymedia.blogspot.com/2009/09/mountain-gazette-says-kestrel-is-solid.html
October: Skiing Magazinehttp://ospreymedia.blogspot.com/2009/09/osprey-kode-38-nails-spot-in-skiing.html

http://fabriziozangrilli.blogspot.com/2009/09/aao-dealer-employee-incentive-week.html

Check out some info on our recent Sales Promotion Trip! More details will be coming to you shortly regarding how to participate in this current promotion. You can email Vanessa at vanessa@goaao.com to get more information now if you are anxious!

SCARPA said five new models of trail runners and light hikers from its Spring 2010 collection embody the footwear brand’s new 'SCARPA Planet Friendly' initiative, a commitment to sourcing and employing recycled content materials and finding other ways – such as midsoles that biodegrade in landfills – to lessen its carbon footprint.

The new 'Planet Friendly' initiative for Spring 2010 not only marks SCARPA’s most comprehensive effort at building footwear using recycled and biodegradable technology, it also marks the beginning of an effort to let consumers know what it is doing to try to use less, and what it is doing to make materials purchases count in terms of supporting lower-impact technology. Five new shoes, the Pursuit and Pursuit GTX (trail runners), the Epic (hiking/approach shoe built on a trail runner chassis) and the Moraine and Moraine GTX (light hikers), incorporate the following ‘Planet Friendly’ materials choices.

• Midsoles use EcoPure, an additive that helps the EVA break down in roughly 20 years under landfill conditions versus more than 1,000 years for normal EVA
• 100 percent recycled webbing and lace
• 100 percent recycled lining; 70 percent recycled strobel
• 40 percent recycled synthetic leather
• 29 percent recycled polyester mesh
• 25 percent recycled rubber outside

Moving forward, the SCARPA Eco ski boot program, telemark and alpine-touring boots made from Pebax Rnew, a version of the Pebax plastic that is made 90 percent from oil derived from the castor plant instead of petroleum-based oil, will also fall under the SCARPA Planet Friendly designation. Pebax Rnew is the same material as Pebax, with the same high-end performance characteristics, except that it requires 29 percent less fossil fuel and puts out 32 percent fewer emissions in the process taking Rnew from raw to useable material.

"Sourcing new technologies that help us lessen our impact is an ongoing process, and the Planet Friendly initiative is about letting our customers know in very specific terms how we’re trying to incorporate these emerging technologies into our line, not about 'another green story' or about congratulating ourselves," said SCARPA North America CEO Kim Miller. "SCARPA Planet Friendly is a continuous effort to reduce our impact on the environment. If we do our job right, we’ll help drive demand for better and better technologies that help us continue to lessen our footprint."

It’s been a bit since we’ve updated you on SCARPA media coverage. If you’ve got the Flickr site fed through your RSS reader, you’ll have noticed that with the addition of a staff position here at Base Camp Communications, we’ve been getting these up on the site more quickly as soon as they come in the door, rather than in batches as in the past.

So, if you’ve not got the site RSS fed, now’s a great time to do it.

That said, there’s lots of new coverage available for download, viewing and sharing at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/basecampcomm/sets/72157594538267268/detail/

A couple highlights:

• Lots of good ski boot coverage the last month of two in the likes of Skiing, Backcountry, Powder and Freeskier, including Editor’s Choice Awards for the Skookum, Domina, TX Comp and TX from Backcountry Magazine. Of 12 ‘Editor’s Choice’ awards handed out, SCARPA won four, two each in AT and tele – more than any other brand.
• Trail Runner gave the Raptor a great review in its Fall 2009 shoe guide, and Vermont Sports called out the Raptor in a fall trail-running-themed piece.

Chicagoland outdoor retailer Uncle Dan's Great Outdoor Store has been named retailer of the year by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association.

The award was presented to Uncle Dan's CEO Brent Weiss, Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at a luncheon at the Palmer House Hotel.

"Brent understands the true nature of retailing," the association's president, David Vite, said. "His stores focus not only on serving the customers, but serving the community. He knows if he takes care of his customers on every level they will keep coming back.

Uncle Dan's was founded in 1972 and has four stores in Chicagoland. Locations are Highland Park, Evanston and in Chicago's Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville neighborhoods.

You really need to try these sandals! Another rave review from an online trail running site:

http://trailrunningsoul.com/trs/2009/08/26/gear-review-sole-platinum-sandals-sport-flips/

Still not carrying Sole Sport Flips? Need more proof of their ingenious design and amazing benefits? Check out the review from Outside online below!!

http://outside-blog.away.com/blog/2009/08/throngs-of-thongs.html

A few highlights:

• Backpacker gave the Axis a great review in the August issue (just out) in a story about light hikers that offer performance for less than $100.
• Running Times gave the Raptor a solid review, as did a review that ran in several of the National Sports Network/Gen A Media regional publications (Windy Sports, Competitor Colorado, formerly Rocky Mountain Sports, Competitor SoCal, and Competitor Northwest).
• The Force was reviewed in Rock and Ice (stellar review) and Men’s Journal.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/basecampcomm/sets/72157594538267268/detail/

Sole Sport Flips received an honorable mention in I.D. Magazine's 2009 Annual Design Review in the 'Consumer Products' category.

I.D Magazine selected the Sport Flips for this award based on the product's comfort, fit and orthopedic support.

Since 1954, the I.D. Magazine's Annual Design Review has recognized the best in design, from the iconic to the obscure. Throughout the years, this annual showcase has chronicled the evolution of design and highlighted its impact on today's material and visual culture. Contest winners are chosen by a panel of distinguished design professionals and the I.D. Magazine editorial team, and demonstrate a clear survey of the state of design.

According to the design review, the SOLE Sport Flips are, "perfectly comfortable, you can run in them, they don't smell. They're just totally rad--the best flip-flops ever."

Read more at
http://www.yoursole.com/content/blog/2009/jun/26/sport-flips-id-magazine-design-award/

Little Hotties and Yaktrax, both owned by Implus Footcare, have signed on as sponsors of the U.S. Ski Team and U.S. Snowboarding. Little Hotties will provide the athletes, volunteers, media and support staff with products as the exclusive supplier of hand and foot warmer products. Yaktrax will serve as the exclusive ice traction supplier, providing traction and stability on snow and ice to all athletes and support staff.

"Winter athletes and spectators are forced to compete in extremely cold and icy conditions," said Todd Vore, President of Implus Footcare. "Little Hotties and Yaktrax are necessary winter accessories that return the focus to the sport and not the cold environment. We are proud to do our part in helping them bring home the gold!"

"Little Hotties and Yaktrax are a welcome addition to the Team", said Ted Morris, vice president of sales and marketing for the Team. "We are excited to partner with Little Hotties and Yaktrax as we launch into the Olympic season and beyond."

Blue Mounds Gathering and Clean-Up/Adopt a Crag - June 5th through the 7th

The MCA has reserved the group camp site. Pot luck dinner sat night; there will be deep fried turkey! $15 for the camping, any extra after costs goes to the MCA. Clean-up in sunday morning; put on by the MCA and sponsored by the Access Fund and So Ill Holds.


Barn Bluff, Redwing Clean-Up/Adopt a Crag - June 28th 10am to 2pm.

Co-Hosted by MCA & VE Climb Team. Sponsored by Access Fund. Clean-up from 10am to 1pm. Food and Raffle until 2pm and then climbing! One of the tasks is to rid the park of poison ivy!

New Curly’s Clips are up! Check out these instructional videos on Marmot products, as told by our very own Curly Cervone, a very entertaining fellow! Three from our “down series” are now live: Marmot Down, Down vs Synthetic Insulation, and EN Testing are all up and running. You can see all three of them in context here:

http://marmot.com/spring_2009/equipment/sleeping_bags/ultralight/helium_reg/info/video

This is just one product where all three appear. These are all over the site where appropriate – we’re making good use of them. To see a list of products they appear with and view them individually, check out these links:

Marmot Down: http://marmot.com/node/4158
Down vs Synthetic: http://marmot.com/node/4159
EN Testing: http://marmot.com/node/4160

Osprey has once again been chosen as one of Outside Magazines 2009 Best Companies! Check out the article in the magazine or online today! Congrats Osprey!!

I am pleased to announce that the Osprey Exos 46 has garnered The Gear of the Year Award from Outside Magazine for 2009! This is great news for all of Osprey and for the Exos 46-shout it from the mountain tops!

If you haven't had a chance to check out this ultra light adventure race inspired pack, sign on to www.ospreypacks.com today and check them out!

Scarpa is everywhere this spring! Climbing, Rock and Ice and Urban Climber recently all published their annual gear guides, and the Nangpa-La won an Editor’s Choice Award from Women’s Adventure, in the current spring issue. As always, you’ll find downloadable files of the coverage here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/basecampcomm/sets/72157594538267268/detail/

Greetings All!

I wanted to let you know that we have confirmed the annual Taylors Falls Clean Up for Sunday, May 31st from 10am-2pm. As you know this event is sponsored by Midwest Mountaineering and the Minnesota Climbing Association/Access Fund. A raffle is done each year for those who attend and help dedicate their time to keeping our climbing areas clean. In years past most, if not all of you have donated some delicous prize(s)! We hope you will be willing and able to do so again this year. And of course, we both welcome and greatly appreciate your attendance when possible.

I am sure Glenn will also contact you regarding the TF clean up, among many other great events planned this spring/summer/fall on behalf of the MCA. I just wanted to get it out there sooner than later, since it is one of the earlier events. Also, before the MWM Expo in case there were questions (you can find me that weekend behind the climbing counter) OR if it would save money on shipping by bringing things to the event.

Anything shipped (for the Taylors Falls expo) can be addressed to:
Carolyn Hansen c/o Midwest Mountaineering
309 Cedar Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55454

phone (my cell): 612-715-3574

Thank you for all the past and hopefully future support of the climbing community in MN!

Best Regards,
Carolyn Hansen

Marmot has developed a new video series called Curly's Clips.......................starring our very own Curly Cervone (and filmed by our very own Andy Meyer). The goal of these videos is to lend an informative & approachable feel to Marmot to go along with the authentic feel of the product review videos we're seeing from our athletes.

Our initial series of Curly's Clips can be found on the tent video pages for virtually every tent in the line (we've got a few more to film).

Check out these for a sampler...............make sure to have your speakers on:


http://marmot.com/spring_2009/equipment/tents/ultralight/aura_2p/info/video

http://marmot.com/spring_2009/equipment/tents/family/halo_6p/info/video

Future videos series to look out for:

> Curly's Clips: Marmot Insulation (Down & Synthetic)

> Curly's Clips: Care and Feeding of Marmot Products

Hello from Kendra Stritch of the MCA-
There's a lot going on in April! I hope to see you all multiple times!

We have a couple clean ups of ice climbing crags

Lilydale Brickyards Sat April 11th - I'm organizing this one! This is in conjunction with the City of St Paul. We are meeting at the Harriet island pavillion at 8:30 am. The City will have Peace coffee! and breakfast there and they are giving away a Patagonia bag as well. If you can't quite get out of bed so early our group will be meeting at the Brickyards parking lot at 9am to clean up the ice climbing area. We'll meet back at the parking area at 11am to regroup and hand out some SWAG. This is part of the Access Fund's Adopt-A-Crag series.

Sandstone Robinson Park Sat April 25th - This is being organized by the sandstone park board and a great turn-out by climbers is a great way to show the park board and the city that we appreciate the location.

Another AWESOME FUNDRAISING COMP - Boulders Climbing Gym cordially invites you and your friends to:
"Comp of the Year!"

This is a "Fund Razor"!! for new anchors in the Southern Illinois region.
The info is listed below and is on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=56760039662&ref=mf
Please RSVP on FaceBook!!
Spectators are welcome and free but if they want to partake in the food the suggested donation is $10.

Boulders Climbing Competition will be Saturday, April 18th.
-Registration 5-6pm.
-Climbing 6-8pm.
-Finals 8:30pm.
-Dinner and dancing until 11pm.
Format is: "Who can climb the most?"
Finals participants will be determined by hardest boulder problem climbed.

This comp has been voted #1 by Vince and Rhoads EVERY SINGLE YEAR!!!
Cost will be $25 or $20 if you bring food to pass for the potluck dinner.
AWESOME raffle prizes will be awarded!
Boulders will also have a fresh batch of the "world famous" custom clay holds made by Vince Evans and Seth Carlson.

Proceeds will benefit anchor replacement in Southern Illinois!!!!!

Note: Boulders Climbing Comps are for fun loving climbers only!

MCA Presentation at the Midwest Expo - April 24th @ the Midwest Expo is the 1st one. The MCA is holding 2 presentations this spring. The first is Minnesota Sport Climbing 101. Join Shawn Tracy of the Minnesota Climbers' Association for a tour of Minnesota's sport climbing locales. Get a visual introduction to several different climbing areas and discuss local ethics, common practices and self preservation. The second will be about Low Impact/Leave No Trace Climbing. Come to the expo on the 24th and see the MCA's presentation, Dean's awesome presentation on his trip to Denali, and the Access Fund's climber's forum.

Check out the MCA website for clean-up and gathering dates and info. www.mnclimbing.org

End Stumptown 12oz
Manufacturer: End
Price: $85
Reviewed in: Apr 2009 Shoe Guide
Runner's World Awards: Best Debut

Shoe Type: Trail
See Specifications


Runner's World Awards: Best Debut
The new Stumptown is an environmentally friendly shoe with a nimble ride and minimal protection. The outsole and midsole are constructed from recycled content (25 and 10 percent, respectively), and the laces are completely recycled plastic. The shoe's collar and tongue lining use bamboo to offset 25 percent of the plastic content and to help control odor. The result is a lightweight trainer with a soft heel and an exceptionally firm forefoot, according to our lab tests. Since this is one of the most flexible shoes in this guide, we recommend it for fast-paced training or racing across level terrain.

"It's a comfortable shoe, but I couldn't get the laces snug enough to wrap my foot well." - Chris Vincent, 45, East Lansing

Check out this article posted on Sports One Source on Friday- GO CAMPING!!

In response to a survey by the SGMA, the five "hottest" sports for sales growth in 2009 will be fitness walking, lacrosse, running, aerobic training, and camping. In its 2009 State of the Industry Report, the SGMA also said that many sporting goods executives surveyed "see the industry coming out of this recession viable and stronger, due in large part to Americans' sustained interest in sports, fitness and recreation activities."...