People & Organizations
Book Recommendation: The Survivors Club
Many of us enjoy reading a good survivor story. But, have you ever wondered about who survives these situations and why they specifically survived? Beyond the newscast sound bite, what really makes someone a member of the survivors club?
President Intends to Nominate Director of the National Park Service
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar praised President Obama’s announcement that he intends to nominate Jonathan Jarvis to be director of the National Park Service. Jarvis, a 30-year veteran of the Park Service, currently is the regional director of the agency’s Pacific West Region.
Watch the UIAA test climbing equipment
Here’s something interesting we hope none of you ever see in real life: the UIAA (International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation) testing mountaineering equipment to the point of failure.
NPS and Access Fund sign agreement to work together
The National Park Service and the Access Fund have signed a memorandum of understanding that frames a cooperative relationship between the climbing community and the NPS and outlines their common interests, such as conservation and planning.
National Park Service Will Waive Fees on Three Summer Weekends
The National Park Service will offer three fee-free weekends this summer: June 20-21, July 18-19, and August 15-16. There are 391 national parks located across the country in 49 states.
Secretary Salazar Announces 22 New National Recreation Trails
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar recently designated 22 trails in 13 states as newly recognized National Recreation Trails, adding more than 525 miles of trails to the National Trails System.
Gear Maker Profile: Graham Williams of CiloGear
Graham Williams named CiloGear, his alpine pack company, after a mountain range in eastern Turkey, but he really discovered how to haul things uphill in the twisting staircases of New York City.
National Park Service Honors Outstanding Volunteers
More than 175,000 people donated time and talent to the National Park Service last year, and on April 30 exceptional volunteers were honored with the 2008 George B. Hartzog, Jr. Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service.
Salazar Announces $750 Million Investment toward America’s National Parks
From the Statue of Liberty and Independence Hall to Yellowstone and Death Valley, the National Park Service will undertake more than 750 projects at parks across the country to create jobs and restore and protect our nation’s parks.
Gear Maker Profile: Jack Myers and Jack Tier of Jacks ‘R’ Better
Retired U.S. Army officers and hikers Jack Tier and Jack Myer's quest to shave pounds off their backpacking gear led them to selling quilts and accessories for hammock campers.
Gear Maker Profile: Kevin Kinney of Empire Canvas Works
Three decades into the Age of Gore-Tex, some people are still wearing cotton and wool into the woods in the depths of winter. They have a fellow traveler in Kevin Kinney, owner of Empire Canvas Works.
President Designates 2 Million Acres as Wilderness
President Barack Obama today signed into law the 2009 Omnibus Public Land Management Act, which designates more than 2 million acres across nine states as wilderness. The federal wilderness designation provides the highest level of government protection from logging and other forms of commercial use and development.
Gear Maker Profile: Aaron Rosenbloom of Brasslite
Aaron Rosenbloom probably will never get rich selling his little Brasslite alcohol stoves, but that was never the point. “I made them for myself,” says the devoted backpacker.
Gear Maker Profile: Brian Frankle of ULA-Equipment
Brian Frankle builds backpacks so he can take long hikes. On long hikes, he finds ways to build better backpacks.
Gear Maker Profile: Henry Shires and his Tarptents
Henry Shires never planned to get into the tarptent business. The tarptent business got into him. Read the first in a series of gear maker profiles by Tom Mangan.
Subscribe
Share & Save
To Write the Best Backpack Reviews Answer 3 Questions 
Last Week: Review Your Gear to Win a Kelty Tent 
Meet Bill Heiser, Trailspace's Reviewer of the Month 
Review Your Outdoor Gear to Win 3-Person Kelty Tent 
Leave No Trace Helps Kids Reach the P.E.A.K. 
