Recently this video has been making its rounds on the web. The piece is from a motivational speaking conference sponsored by TED -- a motivational speaker agency -- and features Matthew Childs, a former climbing guide.
Matthew Childs is a specialist in digital branding and interactive services. According to his biography, Childs seeks out new trends in competitive markets. As an advertising lead at Razorfish, he draws from extensive experience in the marketing world, having led Nike's global internal communications department. Before that, he was a writer and editor for Outside Magazine and Playboy.
In this video, the speaker relates nine lessons learned in rock climbing to the "real world." Though the video was created for non-climbers, Childs uses enough climbing lingo that it's likely that climbers will get the most out of his insights.
--Jason D. Martin
Friday, June 28, 2019
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 6/27/19
Northwest:
--A climber was killed in a fall in Squamish last week. It appears that the individual fell at least one-hundred feet off the Grand Wall area of the Stawamus Chief. To read more, click here.
--The Columbia Basin Herald is reporting that, "Fire and medical crews worked for hours in high heat to rescue a climber who fell 30 feet from a rock climbing wall at The Feathers near Vantage Monday. The climber was transported by Life Flight for non-life-threatening injuries after being lifted into position by rope crews, according to fire officials." To read more, click here.
--The race is on. Three climbers just rode their bikes from Bellingham Bay, to the Mt. Baker trailhead, climbed the mountain, skied the mountain, and then rode back to the bay in 14 hours and 3 minutes. That is insanely fast. To read more, click here.
--Here is an article about how the National Park Service tries to balance the needs of rock climbers and nesting peregrine falcons...
--Olympic National Park plans to move more mountain goats this summer. The Peninsula Daily News is reporting that, "Operations to move as many as possible of the estimated 700 mountain goats began last year. Using helicopters, tranquilizer darts, nets and refrigerated trucks, crews were able to remove 115 mountain goats from the park in September." To read more, click here.
--Several police officers and family members will climb Mt. Baker next month to honor John Davidson, an Abbotsford-based police officer that was killed in the line of duty. Abbotsford is directly across the border from Mt. Baker, and it was reported that Davidson noted a desire to climb the mountain every time it was out. To read more, click here.
Sierra:
--So the following happened on Father's Day at Mammoth Mountain with pro skier, Bernie Rowsow. Bernie did some nice runs with his infant on his chest in the BabyBjorn...
Desert Southwest:
--A body found in Red Rock Canyon last week is presumed to be that of a missing hiker. To read more, click here.
--The Southern Nevada Climbers Coalition and the BLM installed signs above Moderate Mecca in Red Rock Canyon last week. These signs indicate that there are often climbers climbing below. There have been several close calls with hikers who felt it necessary to throw rocks off the cliff while people were climbing below.
Colorado and Utah:
--The Durango Herald is reporting that, "A climber was rescued Monday evening after falling near the northwest boundary of Taylor Ranch, a subdivision about 5 miles northeast of Durango." To read more, click here.
--There are currently two competing petitions to rename Colorado's Mt. Evans. The Business Den notes that, "Both petitions seek to oust John Evans, governor of the Colorado territory from 1862 to 1865, as the mountain’s namesake because of his connection to the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864, a slaughter of Cheyenne and Arapaho peoples by cavalry overseen by the Evans-appointed Army Col. John Chivington." To read more, click here.
Notes from All Over:
--Beth Rodden recently wrote an opinion piece for the New York Times on being both a mother and a climber. To read the article, click here.
--Trek and Mountain is reporting that Ecuadorian-Swiss speed climber Karl Egloff just crushed the speed record on Denali. "The previous speed record on Denali (6,190m) was established by the Spanish athlete Kilian Jornet with an ascent time of 9 hours, 45 minutes in 2014, followed by a ski descent which took 2 hours for a total time of 11 hour, 45 minutes. Karl set a new world record on Thursday, June 20th, 2019 with an ascent time of 7 hours and 40 minutes, and a descent time of 4 hours, 4 minutes (for a total time of 11 hours, 44 minutes), smashing Jornet’s ascent record, and shaving a minute off the record for the total time." To read more, click here.
--Several boulders were painted with graffiti in Denali National Park last week. To read more, click here.
--Spy satellites show how fast the glaciers are melting in the Himalaya due to anthropogenic climate change. To read the article, click here.
--John Oliver recently looked at all the current issues with crowding on Mt. Everest on his show. he didn't hit on all the issues, but he did a good job of working through the main problems. He also repeatedly mispronounces Makalu and mistakenly believes that no one wants to climb the fifth tallest mountain in the world.
--Speaking of Mt. Everest, Gripped is reporting that, "the Chinese and Nepal governments said that 885 to 900 people reached the top of Everest in spring 2019. The previous one-season record was 715 in 2018. This brings the total number of summits on Everest to over 10,000 by 5,800 climbers. The 11 deaths in 2018 bring the death toll to 304." To read more, click here.
--It sounds like the 2024 Olympics in Paris will also include climbing. To read more, click here.
--Diversity in the outdoors and in the outdoor industry are hot-button issues. One activist sees positive signs of change. To read an excellent article about this issue, click here.
--Jackson Hole News and Guide is reporting that, A couple suing for injuries their teenage son suffered during a 2017 “pond skim” accident argue that Snow King Mountain Resort was negligent, but the resort says it’s not liable. Teton County District Court Judge Timothy Day says the dispute will be up to a jury to decide. Day denied Snow King’s motion for summary judgment, which would have ended the suit. The teenage son, still a minor, is referred to as WDD in court documents." To read more, click here.
--A climber was killed in a fall in Squamish last week. It appears that the individual fell at least one-hundred feet off the Grand Wall area of the Stawamus Chief. To read more, click here.
--The Columbia Basin Herald is reporting that, "Fire and medical crews worked for hours in high heat to rescue a climber who fell 30 feet from a rock climbing wall at The Feathers near Vantage Monday. The climber was transported by Life Flight for non-life-threatening injuries after being lifted into position by rope crews, according to fire officials." To read more, click here.
Jake Hartsoch, Lane Seeley and Matt Seeley on the summit of Mount Baker on June 11th.
The trio completed a human power approach and climb of the mountain in just over 14 hours.
--Here is an article about how the National Park Service tries to balance the needs of rock climbers and nesting peregrine falcons...
--Olympic National Park plans to move more mountain goats this summer. The Peninsula Daily News is reporting that, "Operations to move as many as possible of the estimated 700 mountain goats began last year. Using helicopters, tranquilizer darts, nets and refrigerated trucks, crews were able to remove 115 mountain goats from the park in September." To read more, click here.
--Several police officers and family members will climb Mt. Baker next month to honor John Davidson, an Abbotsford-based police officer that was killed in the line of duty. Abbotsford is directly across the border from Mt. Baker, and it was reported that Davidson noted a desire to climb the mountain every time it was out. To read more, click here.
(Click to Enlarge)
--The Bellingham Herald is reporting that, "'This is Us' star Mandy Moore recently climbed Mount Baker, according to a post on the actor-songwriter’s Instagram page made Tuesday, June 18, saying ‘I can’t wait to visit you again, Mount Baker.'" To read more, click here.
--Go Skagit is reporting that, "Members of a local snowmobile club recently helped scientists reach Mount Baker’s Easton Glacier, lugging a University of Washington research team and its equipment over sometimes difficult-to-navigate terrain on the south side of the mountain. The researchers were using Easton Glacier to test a tool being developed for use in remote locations of the Arctic and Antarctic — and potentially outer space." To read more, click here.
--Please respect wildlife...! A bear cub had to be euthanized last week because selfie-seekers wanted a picture with the animal. This type of activity habituates animals to humans and often results in serious issues for both. To read more, click here.
--Seattle's Ascent Outdoors is back! This long loved shop closed its doors recently. But the company is open again under new ownership! To read more, click here.
Here's a good event if you're going to be in the area!
--There's some info and even a photo on MountainProject of a guy who is a notorious gear thief in Yosemite. To read more, click here.--So the following happened on Father's Day at Mammoth Mountain with pro skier, Bernie Rowsow. Bernie did some nice runs with his infant on his chest in the BabyBjorn...
Desert Southwest:
--A body found in Red Rock Canyon last week is presumed to be that of a missing hiker. To read more, click here.
--The Southern Nevada Climbers Coalition and the BLM installed signs above Moderate Mecca in Red Rock Canyon last week. These signs indicate that there are often climbers climbing below. There have been several close calls with hikers who felt it necessary to throw rocks off the cliff while people were climbing below.
Colorado and Utah:
--The Durango Herald is reporting that, "A climber was rescued Monday evening after falling near the northwest boundary of Taylor Ranch, a subdivision about 5 miles northeast of Durango." To read more, click here.
--There are currently two competing petitions to rename Colorado's Mt. Evans. The Business Den notes that, "Both petitions seek to oust John Evans, governor of the Colorado territory from 1862 to 1865, as the mountain’s namesake because of his connection to the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864, a slaughter of Cheyenne and Arapaho peoples by cavalry overseen by the Evans-appointed Army Col. John Chivington." To read more, click here.
Notes from All Over:
--Beth Rodden recently wrote an opinion piece for the New York Times on being both a mother and a climber. To read the article, click here.
--Trek and Mountain is reporting that Ecuadorian-Swiss speed climber Karl Egloff just crushed the speed record on Denali. "The previous speed record on Denali (6,190m) was established by the Spanish athlete Kilian Jornet with an ascent time of 9 hours, 45 minutes in 2014, followed by a ski descent which took 2 hours for a total time of 11 hour, 45 minutes. Karl set a new world record on Thursday, June 20th, 2019 with an ascent time of 7 hours and 40 minutes, and a descent time of 4 hours, 4 minutes (for a total time of 11 hours, 44 minutes), smashing Jornet’s ascent record, and shaving a minute off the record for the total time." To read more, click here.
--Several boulders were painted with graffiti in Denali National Park last week. To read more, click here.
--Spy satellites show how fast the glaciers are melting in the Himalaya due to anthropogenic climate change. To read the article, click here.
--John Oliver recently looked at all the current issues with crowding on Mt. Everest on his show. he didn't hit on all the issues, but he did a good job of working through the main problems. He also repeatedly mispronounces Makalu and mistakenly believes that no one wants to climb the fifth tallest mountain in the world.
--Speaking of Mt. Everest, Gripped is reporting that, "the Chinese and Nepal governments said that 885 to 900 people reached the top of Everest in spring 2019. The previous one-season record was 715 in 2018. This brings the total number of summits on Everest to over 10,000 by 5,800 climbers. The 11 deaths in 2018 bring the death toll to 304." To read more, click here.
--It sounds like the 2024 Olympics in Paris will also include climbing. To read more, click here.
--Diversity in the outdoors and in the outdoor industry are hot-button issues. One activist sees positive signs of change. To read an excellent article about this issue, click here.
--Jackson Hole News and Guide is reporting that, A couple suing for injuries their teenage son suffered during a 2017 “pond skim” accident argue that Snow King Mountain Resort was negligent, but the resort says it’s not liable. Teton County District Court Judge Timothy Day says the dispute will be up to a jury to decide. Day denied Snow King’s motion for summary judgment, which would have ended the suit. The teenage son, still a minor, is referred to as WDD in court documents." To read more, click here.
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Guide Like Liz Scholarship Winner: Rebecca Ross
Rebecca Ross is one of our 2019 Guide Like Liz Scholarship winners. She is a determined, kind and strong woman. Those qualities just skim the surface. After completing her master’s degree in public health and epidemiology from Oregon Health and Science University in December 2016, Rebecca realized she needed a break. She needed to get out of the books and off the computer.
“I just didn’t feel healthy. I worked hard in grad school but I was ready to do something else,” Rebecca said.
In 2017, she signed up for the Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP) through the Mazamas based in Portland, OR. It was a two-month-long course.
“I didn’t really know what I wanted to get out of it when I signed up. Before the course, I was absolutely terrified of heights and told myself this would be a great way to conquer that fear and I should just do it. I was also thinking this could be my nature therapy after all that school work.”
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| Sitting on the summit of South Sister with views of the Cascades. Rebecca Ross collection. |
She was hooked on the simpler life she found in the outdoors. The people and the community she met along the way were captivating. She discovered mental and physical strengths within herself she didn’t know she had.
“I wanted to know more about it all. I wanted to have more confidence. I gain confidence by practicing and doing, so I sought out other courses to help compliment my new skills. I became AIARE 1 certified, completed an intermediate Alpinism 2 course with AAI, and climbed a number of PNW peaks.”
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| All smiles for leading her first multi-pitch trad route at Smith Rock. Rebecca Ross collection. |
“Pico de Orizaba was my most memorable climb. It was my first international climb I’ve ever led; we also had an amazing weather window, a wonderful team, a successful summit bid, and an incredible cultural experience.” (For Rebecca’s account on the climb, check out her article Leading the Way Up Pico de Orizaba.)
Now Rebecca is looking to combine her passion for mountaineering and her background in public health. With the Guide Like Liz scholarship, she is going to take our Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership Part 2 (AMTL 2) course. She is excited about adding to her skill set and having the opportunity to step into a leadership role.
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| Sunrise during the summit bid on Mt. Hood via Sunshine Route. Rebecca Ross collection. |
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| Camping on the south side of Mt. Hood prior to the summit push via Sunshine Route. Rebecca Ross collection. |
I asked Rebecca if she could give another woman or young aspiring female climber/mountaineer a piece of advice either that you were given or you wish you were given, what would it be?
“It would be to just be patient with yourself. It’s so easy to see extreme athletes doing amazing things and to then beat ourselves up over the fact that we are not to their level or should be doing more or exploring more. Just go at your own pace and if you are not initially good at something just work on it, you’ll get there--enjoy the journey.”
What about a motto or quote you live by?
“Yes, I have two. The first I live by is to just “breathe”. Whether I’m climbing the crux, traversing an exposed area, or traveling over crevasses, I remind myself to just breathe. It’s absolutely insane at how much of a difference it makes and has really gotten me through difficult times when all I wanted to do was freeze up.
My second phrase is to “pay attention to red flags”. I’m not sure who told me this, but ever since I heard it, it has stuck with me. I remember climbing this mountain and I just didn’t feel great about it, there were so many small incidences that kept stacking up. I started to really pay attention to them and decided to stay back. My team continued on, but eventually turned back, nothing happened or at least we didn’t continue far enough to find out. I really live by that saying because it helps me to see things objectively and to remove self-doubt and tunnel vision if I just pay attention to my surroundings.”
We are excited to support your goals and aspirations, Rebecca! Congratulations on being an American Alpine Institute Guide Like Liz Scholarship winner and we look forward to having you on one of the Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership Part 2 courses!
Rebecca is also a wonderful writer and her article Mountaineering Changed My Perspective on Beauty is definitely worth a read.
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| Standing on the summit of Glacier Peak. Rebecca Ross collection. |
Monday, June 24, 2019
Guide Like Liz Scholarship Winner: Ellie Price
Ellie Price started climbing about 4 years ago after her cousin persistently invited her to climb at Vertical World in Seattle.
“I was so intimidated. It’s funny to think back about it now. Taking the belay test was so scary to me,” Ellie laughed as she remembered how she was introduced to climbing.
“My cousin was (and is) into mountaineering. During the winter, she would go to the climbing gym all the time. She would invite me, but I wasn’t really interested. For Christmas, she gave me a day of climbing at Vertical World. So I had to go.
"I took the belay test, climbed and was hooked! I bought a membership that day and have been climbing since. Climbing has changed my life so much. It’s crazy to think about actually.”
She’s definitely covered a lot of ground in the past four years and there’s no slowing her down...
Ellie has a Bachelors of Science undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in
Congratulations, Ellie! Thank you for choosing the American Alpine Institute to continue your education in the mountains. We look forward to having you on one of your AIARE Avalanche Level 1 courses this coming winter.
Ellie currently lives in Bellingham, WA and actively volunteers with the Vamos Outdoors Project.
“I was so intimidated. It’s funny to think back about it now. Taking the belay test was so scary to me,” Ellie laughed as she remembered how she was introduced to climbing.
“My cousin was (and is) into mountaineering. During the winter, she would go to the climbing gym all the time. She would invite me, but I wasn’t really interested. For Christmas, she gave me a day of climbing at Vertical World. So I had to go.
"I took the belay test, climbed and was hooked! I bought a membership that day and have been climbing since. Climbing has changed my life so much. It’s crazy to think about actually.”
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| North Early Winter Spire in Washington Pass. "I just really love to bring nut butter up in tubes and its a staple of mine while climbing." Ellie Price Collection
In the past four years that climbing has been in Ellie’s life, she has climbed throughout the southwest at Red Rock, Joshua Tree, Yosemite, Cochise Stronghold, The Needles, Eastern Sierras, Zion, Indian Creek, Lovers Leap, and San Rafael Swell. She has also climbed in the Pacific Northwest at Smith Rock, Squamish and she has been alpine climbing in the North Cascades.
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| NE Ridge of Black Peak. "This was my first real alpine climb and I LOVED the experience. My husband and I did climb over three days and had lots of sunny time lounging around the lake until we started up the route and the clouds rolled in giving us a super cool perspective up there." Ellie Price Collection |
Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences and a Master’s of Science graduate degree from Oregon State University in Informal Science Education. She also just completed a ten-month long AmeriCorps service coordinating an environmental education program for underserved high school students.
With her environmental science background, her educational experience and her passion for climbing, Ellie has aspirations for a career as a guide.
“[After my Master’s], my ultimate desire was to bring students from underserved communities outside and introduce them to science. Now I want to take that one step further and enable people from communities not typically represented in the outdoors (women, people of color, people from the LGBTQ+ community) to get outside and climb mountains! I want everyone to experience the personal growth I have experienced in the backcountry.”
That personal growth has come from experiences like Ellie’s first time above 10,000 feet on Mount Adams.
“The altitude really got to me about a thousand feet below the summit, but I remember finding my grit and pushing through in a way I had not yet experienced in the outdoors. I felt that I had pushed myself in a new and different way and was proud of how I had handled it. I find that I continue to have those moments of self-growth over and over in the mountains and that is a big part of the reason why I continue to return to them.”
With her Guide Like Liz Scholarship, Ellie plans to take the AIARE Avalanche Level 1 to gain the tools, knowledge, and decision-making skills needed to minimize her exposure to risk in avalanche terrain.
With her environmental science background, her educational experience and her passion for climbing, Ellie has aspirations for a career as a guide.
“[After my Master’s], my ultimate desire was to bring students from underserved communities outside and introduce them to science. Now I want to take that one step further and enable people from communities not typically represented in the outdoors (women, people of color, people from the LGBTQ+ community) to get outside and climb mountains! I want everyone to experience the personal growth I have experienced in the backcountry.”
That personal growth has come from experiences like Ellie’s first time above 10,000 feet on Mount Adams.
“The altitude really got to me about a thousand feet below the summit, but I remember finding my grit and pushing through in a way I had not yet experienced in the outdoors. I felt that I had pushed myself in a new and different way and was proud of how I had handled it. I find that I continue to have those moments of self-growth over and over in the mountains and that is a big part of the reason why I continue to return to them.”
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| Mount Adams. "I am recovering after coming down from the summit and laying on top of the false summit. Some may have said I was being dramatic :)." Ellie Price Collection |
And as Ellie continues to return to the mountains and continues to grow not only in her own mental and physical strength, she also continues to add to her skill set. She started backcountry skiing last fall and she loves it!
With her Guide Like Liz Scholarship, Ellie plans to take the AIARE Avalanche Level 1 to gain the tools, knowledge, and decision-making skills needed to minimize her exposure to risk in avalanche terrain.
“Summitting mountains on skis has become my favorite way to climb them and I am so excited to continue to improve at both skinning and skiing. I feel that I am ready to take the avalanche training courses after spending some time learning from my friends and partner and getting to know the techniques and terrain a bit. I take safety in the outdoors very seriously and want to make decisions based off of my own experience and knowledge and not just on what I am told by others. I want to take control of my backcountry skiing experiences and be more involved in the planning and execution parts of ski trips. I know that this course will help empower me and keep me safe when skiing.”
Ellie’s excitement about learning safety in the outdoors as well as educating and getting underserved communities outside and climbing mountains is contagious and we are thrilled to be a part of this journey.
“Don’t be afraid to cry! I cry on many, if not most, mountains that I climb and I think that is just ok. It does not mean I am giving up, it is just a way for me to process and move forward and no one should feel shame for that.”
And what about a motto or quote you live by?
“I have a very silly, but also serious, to me, motto: I’m Dutch and I’m tough. My nana, whom I am very close to, is Dutch and would always say this to my sister and me when we were having difficulties. I find that over and over in the outdoors I reach for this phrase and am often chanting it to myself when I am scared, overwhelmed, or just tired out.”
Ellie’s last remark in her Guide Like Liz Scholarship application was just too good not to share:
"I will use this scholarship to educate myself and encourage others to also pursue their dreams and passions in the outdoors. I want to be a change-maker in this sport and our society."
Ellie’s excitement about learning safety in the outdoors as well as educating and getting underserved communities outside and climbing mountains is contagious and we are thrilled to be a part of this journey.
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| El Dorado. "Our camp below El Dorado on a 5-day ski mountaineering trip last spring." Ellie Price Collection |
When I asked if she could give another woman or young aspiring female climber/mountaineer a piece of advice either that she was given or she wishes she was given, what would it be, she responded:
“Don’t be afraid to cry! I cry on many, if not most, mountains that I climb and I think that is just ok. It does not mean I am giving up, it is just a way for me to process and move forward and no one should feel shame for that.”
And what about a motto or quote you live by?
“I have a very silly, but also serious, to me, motto: I’m Dutch and I’m tough. My nana, whom I am very close to, is Dutch and would always say this to my sister and me when we were having difficulties. I find that over and over in the outdoors I reach for this phrase and am often chanting it to myself when I am scared, overwhelmed, or just tired out.”
Ellie’s last remark in her Guide Like Liz Scholarship application was just too good not to share:
"I will use this scholarship to educate myself and encourage others to also pursue their dreams and passions in the outdoors. I want to be a change-maker in this sport and our society."
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| Vantage Point. "This was my second time ever climbing outside and the trip I definitely caught the 'bug'. Incidentally, it was the day I met my now-husband and he is the one belying me." Ellie Price Collection |
Ellie currently lives in Bellingham, WA and actively volunteers with the Vamos Outdoors Project.
--Sara Umstead, AAI School Certifying Officer
Friday, June 21, 2019
Controlling Your Climbing Pump through Breathing
Mani the Monkey is a climber and youtube climbing coach. His youtube channel is filled with awesome ideas and techniques to help you build your rock climbing skills.
In the following video, Mani narrates an ascent of a 5.13 route that he recently completed. His narration is specifically oriented to the way he is breathing and the way he is managing his pump. To illustrate this, he made a "pumpometer" on the left-hand side of the page. This shows how pumped his forearms are and how he uses rests and breathing to decrease the pump.
Check it out!
--Jason D. Martin
In the following video, Mani narrates an ascent of a 5.13 route that he recently completed. His narration is specifically oriented to the way he is breathing and the way he is managing his pump. To illustrate this, he made a "pumpometer" on the left-hand side of the page. This shows how pumped his forearms are and how he uses rests and breathing to decrease the pump.
Check it out!
--Jason D. Martin
Monday, June 17, 2019
American Alpine Institute Guides Choice - 2019
The American Alpine Institute is pleased to announce the Guides Choice award winners for 2019! The Guides Choice has been a highly valued award for over 20 years, and represents the pinnacle of industry leading outdoor gear. A core group of AAI guides tests products from dozens of companies in over 16 countries and multiple continents.
The following products were recognized as Guides Choice award winners this week during the Outdoor Retailer show in Denver, Colorado.
“This pack is a game changer. Take it on an expedition or
compress it up and use it as a summit pack. This pack does it all and keeps on
ticking.” – Charlie Lane, Retail Shop Manager
Weighing a mere 40 ounces (2.5 lbs), you wouldn’t think the pack
could hold 70L of gear comfortably, but it’s pliable aluminum stays mold to
your back making it the best carrying, ultralight pack out there. But that’s
just the beginning. Updated from its first design, the Porter 4400 now boasts
taped seams and Dyneema Composite Fabric (formally Cuben Fiber), which are
stronger and more weatherproof than ever - which is essential in the Pacific
Northwest where we guide a majority of our trips.
This pack can tackle any objective thanks to well-placed
daisy chains and compression straps that make customizing it a breeze.
All you need to carry an ice axe is an accessory cord loop and a Voile strap.
While other packs have more bells and whistles, the Porter 4400 strikes the
perfect balance between accessibility and minimalism. This is truly a Guide’s
Choice award winner, and a piece of gear that no outdoors person should be
without.
It’s worth noting that this pack also comes in three other
sizes: 5400 (85L), 3400 (55L), and 2400 (40L).
Garmin has come out with one of the lightest and most
compact satellite communication devices to date. You have all the benefits of
global satellite coverage, two-way messaging via email or text to a phone or
another inReach device, interactive SOS and weather updates in about half the
weight and half the bulk of the Explorer+. The
Mini comes in 4oz lighter than the Explorer+, but also 2.6”
shorter and .66” narrower. For comparison sake, the Spot X device comes in at 6.8oz (vs 3.5oz for the Mini). The SOS is
monitored worldwide and 24/7. While it does not display maps on the device, it does integrate beautifully with the Earthmate app on your cell phone for easy navigation.
This has become the preferred choice of our Guides who live and preach the fast and light lifestyle. In tracking mode, the Mini delivers a solid 90 hours at 10 minute intervals and up to 24 days at 30 minute intervals! On top of connecting your phone to your inReach Mini, you can also connect compatible wrist watches. This allows you to receive and send messages, as well as initiate an SOS from your watch - which can can be crucial if your device is not accessible.
This has become the preferred choice of our Guides who live and preach the fast and light lifestyle. In tracking mode, the Mini delivers a solid 90 hours at 10 minute intervals and up to 24 days at 30 minute intervals! On top of connecting your phone to your inReach Mini, you can also connect compatible wrist watches. This allows you to receive and send messages, as well as initiate an SOS from your watch - which can can be crucial if your device is not accessible.
There’s no excuse NOT to have one.
The Safety Academy was originally born in 2008 as an
initiative by Ortovox, in conjunction with a number of renown international
mountaineering schools. The goal was to educate practical orientated knowledge [regarding
safety] in the fields of ski touring, freeriding, high alpine, and rock climbing.
The Snow Lab portion of the Safety Academy accounts for the largest avalanche training
initiative worldwide. Working with its mountain school partners, The Safety
Academy sees well over 2,500 participants every year. The Snow Lab is a multimedia
training initiative that uses videos and interactive content to teach valuable
snow safety content at no cost to the user. The Safety Academy also created the
SAM (Safety Academy Mountain 3D) which is an excellent tool for teaching
avalanche courses and is used extensively by our guide service. In 2018,
Ortovox launched The Safety Academy Lab Rock in cooperation with the German
Mountain and Ski Guide Association (VDBS), numerous professional mountain
guides, athletes, as well as experts from Petzl - Expanding their high-quality
educational platform to the world of rock climbing. The Safety Academy offers
over 40 video tutorials, comprehensive educational modules and four chapters
for more safety in alpine climbing. Ortovox has even expanded into Alpine First
Aid, which simply punctuates their immense collection of alpine training.
The Safety Academy is a Guide’s Choice award winner because it
is a unique educational tool that has elevated the way we teach our avalanche
courses. This level of accessible outdoor education by Ortovox strives to make
everyone safer in the mountains, and that deserves to be recognized.
Tendon: 6mm Accessory Cord
Accessory cord can seem like an afterthought - something you just pickup last minute or grab a cheap roll of to tie low risk knots and hitches. It can also feel stiff and limiting to use on friction hitches with specific diameter ratios. So when Tendon came out with a 6mm accessory cord that was both supple AND strong, we took notice. As a guide service, The American Alpine Institute runs more than 300 courses a year, a majority of which require prusiks made from accessory cord. The 6mm size has long been the sweet spot for prusik use on our mountaineering/climbing ropes, due to the fact that it both slides well and grips (keep features of all friction hitches). What Tendon did however, was make an accessory cord that is 12-28% stronger than it's competitors, while eliminating the stiffness that make racking/tying the cord difficult. These industry leading innovations result in a cord that is more versatile, so that you can shed weight and increase confidence. There are many cordalettes on the market today, but we believe the 6mm accessory cord by Tendon is the best.
Specifications:
Diameter (mm): 6
Weight (g/m): 23.2
Min. Strength (kN): 10
CE 1019 and EN 564 certified
Again, congratulations to all of this years winners for truly elevating what is possible in the outdoor industry! As a Guide Service, we are constantly on the lookout for products and innovations that change the way we look at mountains. Thank you to all the companies who have submitted products to our testing program. Have a great summer!
Accessory cord can seem like an afterthought - something you just pickup last minute or grab a cheap roll of to tie low risk knots and hitches. It can also feel stiff and limiting to use on friction hitches with specific diameter ratios. So when Tendon came out with a 6mm accessory cord that was both supple AND strong, we took notice. As a guide service, The American Alpine Institute runs more than 300 courses a year, a majority of which require prusiks made from accessory cord. The 6mm size has long been the sweet spot for prusik use on our mountaineering/climbing ropes, due to the fact that it both slides well and grips (keep features of all friction hitches). What Tendon did however, was make an accessory cord that is 12-28% stronger than it's competitors, while eliminating the stiffness that make racking/tying the cord difficult. These industry leading innovations result in a cord that is more versatile, so that you can shed weight and increase confidence. There are many cordalettes on the market today, but we believe the 6mm accessory cord by Tendon is the best.
Specifications:
Diameter (mm): 6
Weight (g/m): 23.2
Min. Strength (kN): 10
CE 1019 and EN 564 certified
Again, congratulations to all of this years winners for truly elevating what is possible in the outdoor industry! As a Guide Service, we are constantly on the lookout for products and innovations that change the way we look at mountains. Thank you to all the companies who have submitted products to our testing program. Have a great summer!