July 2011 archive

It’s Volcano Season!

More than many years in recent memory, this year there is an incredible season of the volcano going on. With record snowfall during the Ten-11 season there is still snow worth hiking for as the dog days of summer settle in. Nowhere is that more true than on the slopes of the Cascade Volcanoes, from …

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Mt. Shasta – the Masta’

Perhaps the most common reprimand that I hear comes from Shasta county locals fearing we’ll make Mt. Shasta more popular than it is. The thought that a little rag like this could have that much influence is flattering but absurd. Instead, I have a theory that the flaming cross on my front lawn carries deeper …

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Mammut buys SnowPulse

Mammut Sports Group has bought SnowPulse. It appears the partnership first seen in the USA last January at the Outdoor Retailer Show as a Mammut branded airbag pack with SnowPulse technology has become a full fledged acquisition. From their press release: Snowpulse represents a valuable addition to its portfolio, giving Mammut access to leading technology …

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The Sierra High Route – Panoramic Magic

Part of the reason it took me so long to get around to doing the Sierra High Route was a simple misunderstanding of what the trip was about. Mostly I did it because I knew it was a classic for a reason, but frankly, I couldn’t wrap my head around what it was. Indeed, to …

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Ortovox sold to Deuter parent

Deuter’s parent company, Schwan-Stabilo, has purchased Ortovox. Finally, after more than ten years of looking for a buyer, Ortovox founder, Gerald Kampel can retire. According to Marcus Peterson, the US sales manager, “Gerald went with Schwan-Stabelo for their track record of leaving companies alone.” Schwan-Stabilo is a half-billion dollar holding company with business holdings in …

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Review: Wonder Warmers heat pack

Finally, a technology I chanced upon over 20 years ago has made it to the consumer market. It is a reusable heat pack called Wonder Warmers. The Pros Wonder Warmers is a chemical in a pouch that creates heat when the liquid becomes a solid. It uses a metal disk that you click to trigger …

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Profile: Steve Barnett – Telemark Prophet

We’re in the middle of talking skis and tele and tours and gear and the state of the art back in the day compared to now when Steve unequivocally declares, shifting his voice for emphasis, “I’m not kidding, that’s probably the best backcountry ski ever!”    Steve Barnett should know. He’s been telemark skiing since …

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