Trailspace Blog July 2008
What's Yvon's Favorite Spot?
Where's Yvon Chouinard's favorite outdoor spot? More importantly, what inspires you?
Earlier this year The Conservation Alliance, mountaineer Conrad Anker, and Timex Expedition launched Return to the Outdoors, an effort to motivate everyone to spend more time outdoors and to raise awareness of the Conservation Alliance’s mission to help protect outdoor spaces (35 million acres so far).
In the campaign's latest short film, Patagonia founder Chouinard fly-fishes and climbs at a secret lake in Argentina:
Earlier films feature Anker climbing and skiing and Steph Davis base jumping.
Inspired to share your own outdoor story? Tell it in 500 words or less, or with video clips or a slideshow, and you'll have the chance to win gear from Timex Expedition, The North Face, Camelbak, and Ahnu, or an all-expenses-paid outdoor adventure vacation for two.
For more information: www.returntotheoutdoors.com
Dream Up Better Gear: Win $20,000 to Make it Real
Ever had a great idea for a piece of outdoor gear? Wonder why no one else has made it yet? Then enter “Concept to Company,” the first competition in the nation focused on spurring innovation in the outdoor recreation products industry.
Organized by Grow Utah Ventures and sponsored by the City of Ogden, the contest has two tracks. One is for Utah-based entrepreneurs and small businesses, and the other is for out-of-state entrepreneurs and small businesses (you'll have to move to Ogden if you win). Judged by a panel of industry experts, the Grand Prize Winners (both in-state and out-of-state) will receive $20,000 comprised of cash and services of an equivalent value. Two in-state runner-up entries will also receive $10,000 in cash and services each.
Read the FAQ’s and contest rules. Then submit your entry form by August 30, 2008 (midnight). A group of finalists will be chosen and invited to present their innovations to a panel of judges.
Imagine making your own piece of climbing, hiking, backpacking, or skiing gear a reality.
For more info: www.launchutah.com/concepttocompany.php
Outdoor Retailer Coverage: Whadayawant?
In three short weeks I'll be heading to Salt Lake City to attend and write about the Outdoor Retailer show, the twice-a-year extravaganza where outdoor gear manufacturers show off their latest and greatest products. With more than 1,000 companies exhibiting at this summer's show there will be more to take in than ever before. And unfortunately, we won't be able to write about, or even see, all of them.
So here's my question to you, the Trailspace community: what sorts of stories would you most like to see us report from Outdoor Retailer? Are there particular types of gear that we should be especially on the lookout for? Brands that you'd like to learn more about? Rumors or ongoing trends on which we should follow up? What do you want to read about when you check the Trailspace blog August 8-11?
Consider this your invitation to sit on our virtual editorial board and help shape our coverage of the outdoor industry's main event. I can't promise that I'll be able to follow up on every story idea, but with your input we can make this year's show coverage the best yet.
(If you haven't been following along, our coverage from past shows can be found here.)
American Hiking Society Recipe Contest still Open
The American Hiking Society is searching for the best frontcountry and backcountry recipes for its new Volunteer Vacations cookbook. Submit your recipe with a photo and a short story about the Volunteer Vacation or outdoor excursion where you made your masterpiece (no more than 300 words please).
Volunteers
across the country will test recipe submissions throughout the summer
and fall, and winners will be included in the American Hiking Society
cookbook, printed in 2009. The top camp cook will receive an Outback Oven from Backpacker’s Pantry.
Deadline for submissions is July 31, 2008. E-mail entries to Volunteer@AmericanHiking.org.
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