"We are right in the Thick of it Finally" is the insiders look at the fifth of 14 episodes of raw footage used in the upcoming Ski The Himalayas film. Ben Clark, Josh Butson and Jon Miller are continuing the approach to 23,390′ Baruntse,above treeline the team encounters classic views of the high Himalayas. Emotions and excitement run high for the first of over 30 days of high altitude alpine exploration.
Ski The Himalayas Episode 005 from Ben Clark on Vimeo.
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It's a typical late summer's afternoon in the hills above Christchurch ( that's the South Island of New Zealand) - the sky is blue, a brisk nor' easterly whisks in off the sea, the waves and distant mountains sparkle. I'm doing my typical later summer afternoon thing- cragging with friends at one of the dozens of sport climbing locations above the city.
I've just led the warm up climb (a short overhanging test-piece with good holds). I'm chatting with my belayer Nick as I thread the ring anchor for a lower-off. Eric is a few meters away on another climb belayed by Tony. Dave is somewhere round the bottom and there are other climbing pairs dotted up and down the crag. Someone is drinking from a thermos of coffee- I can smell it. People in white are playing cricket on the playing field below- their calls carry on the wind. This is groundhog afternoon- we've all been here before hundreds and hundreds of times.
"OK take me!" I call to Nick and lean back for the rope to take my weight. I hold it at my waist. It runs quickly- too quickly- through my hands! I'm falling and I hit the ground with a ker-thump! And lie there stunned... Then I realise "God! Ow! My back hurts."
Somewhere above me I hear voices saying "F*k! Oh f*k!" Then Eric says stay still, don't move. I open my eyes and see my left hand lying six inches away, the skin on the inside of the fingers completely rope-shredded. Eric asks me to move my hands and feet and head and I find I can. I think desperately "Please don't get a helicopter," and ask Eric to wrap something round my hand (it's Tony's tee-shirt) so I don't have to look at it. I stand up slowly. My back is excruciating but I grit it out because I really REALLY don't want that helicopter. I can see the others rolling their eyes at each other and breathing sighs of relief as I maintain the vertical and start to totter towards the road...
*Every two months Toyota has a new Believe Scholarship up for grabs. Scholarship recipients are provided with a maximum of $3,000 per scholarship to give them a head start with getting a project (idea, endeavour) off the ground. Visitor Votes Decide...voting closes 5th April 2010. Vote here.
First off, congratulations are in order for Brian Baker (Powboy) - winner of our February Video Contest! Brian claimed first prize with another gem from his PowWowCreations lab... Powda Face... complete with his own cheesy but hilarious powder themed music mixes. He took this one to a whole new level.
February Video Contest Winner, Brian Baker, Powda Face
March Doglotion Facebook Contest
This month's Doglotion contest is the easiest of them all! Become a Fan of Doglotion.com on Facebook if you're not already, and then you're in the running.
How to Enter
Six times this month we're going to randomly ask freeskiing trivia on Doglotion.com's Facebook Page. If you're the first person to answer it correctly, you go into the draw for this month's prize. So ya, you do the math, one in six chance of winning the bounty. Contest starts... now!
Prize
This month's swag from our contest sponsors includes:
Mountain Hardwear Alpine Sport Pack, Ropeline pack to carry all this booty, and your ski gear!
Dincus shirt
Swag items from Whistler Blackcomb ]]>
Photos of the tents were donated by Mountain Hardwear to the relief efforts in Haiti. ShelterBox agreed to ship them into the country and distribute them along with our normal ten person relief tents. They were picked up in California and Kentucky, and flown into Santa Domingo where they traveled overland to Haiti. As you can see, they are very much appreciated by the recipients, especially with the impending rains coming.
SRT Chris Donald talking to a recipeint of a tent
Josue Moneus who, along with his wife Mary and their four children live in this Mountain Hardwear tent in Camp Jericho on the outskirts of Carrefour. Josue told us how "during the rain it was the only shelter his family had access too."
A small girl and her sister in Jericho.
Another tent in Camp Jerusalem
Our team on the ground wanted me to relay the gratitude expressed by the families who were living in these tents. Your willingness to donate these tents has definately made a difference and improved the lives of these families.
Thank you for everything,
Mark Dyer, Shelterboxusa.org
"The glove torture test is this: First, use for hours of snow shoveling and "work" such as loading/unloading snowmobile. If they pass that, get them out for at least ten days of backcountry skiing. Lastly, stick them under the faucet for a while and see how dry they stay."
Read the article here wildsnow.com
Your faithful blogster testing MH Medusa Gloves, somewhere in Colorado, about 15° Fahrenheit.
Alpine Climbing Glove - Medusa Glove
What music did you listen to on your ride to work today and what will you be listening to on your escape to the outdoors this weekend? Mountain Hardwear Web Coordinator, Amelia McAndrew is a featured Swifter on Swift.fm. Listen to her profile, http://swift.fm/ameliamcandrew
* Add some of your favorite tunes to Swift.fm and Mountain Hardwear will create a page with links to the the fans profile playlists.
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Ben Clark's Ski The Himalayas podcast series hits #1 on the iTunes New and Noteworthy homepage. "The series was released three days ago and to have this overwhelming response, to be the most downloaded new show in the outdoor category on iTunes blows my mind," said Clark. "It is a true joy living this life and being able to share the adventure through video."
Ski The Himalayas, a video series produced by Mountain Hardwear athlete Ben Clark, chronicles an attempted 2009 ascent of the Baruntse (23,390 ft.) by a new route in search of skiing. The series utilizes raw footage from the 2009 expedition with a casual voiceover narrated from the participants as they reflect upon their Nepali adventures. Follow their candid review of the 2009 expedition footage and their May 2010 return to ski the Baruntse from the summit.
Ben Clark locks down his heel at basecamp.
*Clark's other successful podcast series include The Rest of Everest, winner of Best of iTunes award and nominee for an iTunes People's Choice award.
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The AAC has selected five expeditions to receive its 2010 Lyman Spitzer Cutting Edge Awards. A total of $12,000 will be divided among the five small American teams, which will attempt lightweight, state-of-the-art climbs from Alaska to China.
This fall, Freddie Wilkinson of Madison, NH, will attempt an alpine-style ascent of the south face of Nuptse (7,800m) with his longtime climbing partners Ben Gilmore from Jackson, WY, and Kevin Mahoney from Madison, NH. The team will attempt either a new route on the left side of Nuptse's enormous south wall or an alpine-style second ascent of the route Moonlight Sonata on the southeast spur.
]]>Mountain Hardwear is excited to welcome Topher Gaylord. Gaylord, 40, brings 20 years of executive experience and personal passion in the outdoor industry. View his work experience here.
Instead of diving into Topher's impressive resume, Mountain Hardwear would like to call out his passion for the outdoors. When Topher Gaylord was announced as President in a Mountain Hardwear company meeting, the employees were not only excited to hear a familiar name but also to welcome someone who can understand our goal to please the outdoor athlete in all of us. During the meeting employees spoke about meeting Topher at Montrail ultra races while Kirk Richardson, the interim president informed us that not only is he an endurance runner but he is an amazing kite surfer and skier. View Topher's Blog to read more about his outdoor adventures.
Topher & Kim Gaylord in the The Tour du Mont Blanc | Photo by Patitucciphoto
Mountain Hardwear is excited to have an athlete lead us towards products that will meet our demands and yours! "I am energized by the opportunity to lead Mountain Hardwear," said Gaylord. "As a dedicated ultra runner and outdoor athlete, I have always admired Mountain Hardwear and Montrail products and appreciate the authenticity and integrity with which each brand has pursued its passion to serve the high-performance needs of outdoor athletes and consumers. I believe both brands offer rich possibilities for growth as we capitalize on their global potential."
*Big thanks to Kirk Richardson for stepping in, who has served as interim president at MHW since November.
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Mountain Hardwear Employee, Sean McDevitt in his Habitat 5.
24 Hours in the Old Pueblo from Vladimir Chaloupka on Vimeo.
24 Hours in the Old Pueblo
16 laps in 23 hours 38 minutes, 265 miles in the beautiful Sonoran Desert of Tucson, AZ
By Sean McDevitt, Mountain Hardwear Tent Designer
For the 5th year in a row, I found myself making an annual pilgrimage to the high desert of Tucson Arizona. The memory of ripping flowing single track and the drive to do better leads me back every year. This year I am fortunate to share a pit with fellow Northern California Racer Sean Allan. Our Pit is run by Global Biorhythm's race promoter Jim Northey and Sean's Wife Mary.
Sean McDevitt taking a look behing him during one of his loops.
Having recently taken up the additional habit of running ultra marathons, I found myself looking forward to the lemans style running start. The first lap at Old Pueblo, and most 24 hours races, is a bit nervous and fast as racers pass each other back and forth, sorting out the skill and fitness level. I finished my first lap in 1.12.18 , my fastest lap to date. I didn't think I was hammering, just trying to make my way through the overly optimistic. I soon took it down a notch as per my pitt's suggestion and settled into a rhythm and banged out a few laps. It was at this point I knew this was going to hurt, my cardio was great but my running habit wasn't going to help me on this course. Some 24 solo races just seem like such a struggle, this was one.
I was eating a Clif coated Mojo bar every lap; much unlike my pit mate Sean Alan, who was on a nearly liquid only diet. Sean is a beast of a racer, who on his best days, beats living legends like Tinker Juarez, on his worst days DNFs because of blood sugar issues. I heard he spent all winter doing 10 hour rides, trying to beat the diabetes out of himself.
About 5.30 pm, lights were put on and racers braced for a long night of soul searching. Around 6pm my front tire washed on a high speed entry to a right hander into single track. Bloodied, I rode within myself until about 2.30 am when something apparently snapped in me and I decided to ante-up. I don't remember having a plan, but I hammered out my 2 fastest night laps ever at OP, back to back, 1:34 and 1:35 plus about 10 minutes for pits. Having eaten an entire box of fig Newman's, might have something to do with it.
As dawn came around, I expected to feel better, but instead I felt horrible. I struggled my way through, trying to figure out what hurt more, my ass, or my bicep tendonitis/wrists from standing up. I am seasoned pro racer, with nine 24 solos under my belt, but this was excruciating. Maybe it was the faster pace, the shorter pits or the running, but this really hurt. I dug deeper and found a way to make it through.
I remember thinking I wasn't climbing as well as usual and compensating by railing the descents. I remember hitting things so hard descending; it changed songs on my iPod shuffle. I felt like I was flying; I might have just been high on endorphins...
So my Pit-mate Sean Allan, had willed himself through blood sugar issues into a solid second place while only being able to see out one eye by the closing laps. Through my mid-night mania, I had moved up into 5th place; my first podium in the open/pro category in a 24 solo. I was surprised, happily for both Sean Allan and myself. I think we did Nor Cal proud on Valentine's Day 2010.
Skip, Sean McDevitt, Sean Allan, Mary Allan
Sean McDevitt
Designer
Bike Racer
Chicago Trail Series (CTS), presented by Montrail and Mountain Hardwear, has announced their 2010 race schedule, including two brand new events.
The CTS is the Chicagoland's premier trail running series and is made up of short distance trail races on single track trails through forest preserve lands. Ranging in distance from 5k to 12k this series has something for everyone.
2010 Schedule:
May 1 - Trail Blazer 5k - Libertyville, IL - NEW
June 5, 2010 - Trail Challenge 8k - Palatine, IL
July 10, 2010 - Renegade Trail Run 10k - Palatine, IL
August 7, 2010 - Xtreme Trail 12k - Palatine, IL
September 4, 2010 - Old School Trail 4 Mile - Libertyville, IL - NEW
Visit the website for more information.
>> Mountain Hardwear Cool Weather Running Gear: Transition Series | Running Gloves, Shorts, Hats & Fluid Pack
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>> Montrail Trail Running Shoes
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Something about chicks on ice...View more here.
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Scrambler - A minimalist pack, the Scrambler is the perfect daypack to stash inside your approach bag. Though it was designed with a very technical user in mind, this remarkably durable super-light summit pack offers versatility far beyond the Alpine realm.
Women's Barisian Jacket:
• Motivity Soft Shell fabric's 2-layer construction creates an exceptionally breathable, yet wind-resistant, fabric
• Attached, helmet-compatible hood with single-handed drawcord for quick fit adjustments
• Chest-high hand pockets accommodate a harness or pack
• Laminated front zip flap seals out the wind and snow
• Laminated Velcro® cuff tabs seal in warmth
• One-handed hem drawcord seals in warmth
Janet Bergman Answers the Question: What layering system works best for you?
Winter climbing top layers: Baselayer, Compressor nonhooded, soft or hard shell, B'Lady Jacket sized big on top of it all.
Alpine climbing top layers: Same except usually the Hooded Compressor sized big for the outer belay parka layer.
Bottom winter/alpine: Some combination of Baselayer, Women's Power Stretch Tights, Makalu Pant/Sajama Pant Fall 2010 line (Women's Petra) Hard Shell, Compressor Pant
Read more on Janet Bergman's Athlete Page
Tough Stuff is a new category in the issue.The editors picked 30 products that have endured over the last two decades of hardcore field testing. They called out Mountain Hardwear's Transition, the toughest, most versatile windshirt around. Click here to view Backpacker Magazine clipping. The following are a few pages where Mountain Hardwear products are mentioned. Flip through the issue to find several more Mountain Hardwear products written about.
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[best all-around] Skyledge 2.1
This three-season workhorse just got even better; It dropped three-quarters of a pound for 2010. It's the perfect choice for hikers who want serious weight savings, durability, and unflappable storm protection. The floor is a bomber 70-denier nylon, and in Idaho's City of Rocks the wind-shedding design stood strong through violent thunderstorms. Testers also praised the new corner attachments, which secure the poles, fly, and stake-down loop - all in one piece, which improves convenience and shaves weight. The 50-inch width (tapering to 40 inches at the foot) just fits two sleeping pads, but the near-vertical walls provide ample headroom; the 85-inch-long floor is adequate for all but the tallest campers. Two doors and vestibules are generously sized, and the brow pole creates a drip-free door, since it holds the fly away from the opening. Large swaths of mesh enhance ventilation and "made this tent a joy, even during steamy Adirondack nights in black-fly season," reports one tester. Bonus: six pockets, a generous number for such a light tent. Nitpicks: The drab fly color gives the interior a gloomy tint (but blends into scenery), and testers wished the brow pole ends attached more securely to the fly to keep them from inconveniently slipping out of place during setup. 3 lbs. 7 oz.
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| | Boy's Epic & Girl's Epic
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| Drifter 3 |
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| | Fluid 32 |
| ExtraLamina 0° |
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| | Torsion Glove & Women's Torsion Glove, Seta Strapless Running Gaiter and Quasar Running Cap |
| Wiki 65 / Women's Nalu 60 |
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Don't forget to return every day to click and show your support!
"Yep, our first 10 out of 10 gear review. Kinda like the Nadia Comaneci of the ski glove world, but, um, different. Simply put, the Mountain Hardwear Bazuka Gloves are the best gloves I've ever had, by a long shot. They're also most likely the first gloves I'll keep for more than a season without using duct tape."
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