Podcasts about Mountain Hardwear

Today Colin & Justin hit the following topics to come out of the outdoor adventure community!Several brands put out new product press releases over the past week including Mountain Hardwear, Tifosi, and NEMO. Colin & Justin give their thoughts on each of these but save most of their commentary for the NEMO Dagger OSMO that is bluesign certified and PFAS free.They read responses they received to last weeks question they posed to The Rock Fight listeners about the value athletes offer to outdoor brands in 2025. This week's question? What is your favorite outdoor sock brand and why?For The Parting Shot, a recent crazy outdoor story prompts Colin to wonder why we don't get action movies featuring action sports anymore. And Justin would like you to know what you're ordering before you get to the counter. Check out hundreds of wildly cool products by visiting and shopping at Garage Grown Gear!Thanks for listening! The Rock Fight is a production of Rock Fight, LLC. Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.Please follow and subscribe to The Rock Fight and give us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you get your podcasts.Want to pick a fight with The Rock Fight? Send your feedback, questions, and comments to myrockfight@gmail.com.

https://femaleguidesrequested.com/podcast/ep-39-genevive-walker-stay-true/Show Notes:Genevive's Links:WebsiteInstrgramRace to Survive AlaskaFinding Balance Off the ScaleEpisode Intro:Dear listeners of the Female Guides Requested Podcast, happy Wednesday! This is your host, Ting Ting, from Las Vegas. Today, our guest is Genevive Walker. I first learned her name a few years ago when she stirred up a heated discussion on route names. This discussion quickly led to real actions within the climbing community to change inappropriate route names. I was thrilled that, through a mutual friend, I could invite her to talk about her life stories on the show.Genevive Walker is a professional rock climber, rock climbing guide, and active lifestyle model with a passion for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoor industry. She began climbing in the Shawangunk Mountains in 2012, sparking her love for steep routes, roofs, and anything that requires kneebar trickery. After seven years in the sport, she started her career as a Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) certified by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA). Being part of the first all-female SPI cohort in 2018 opened her eyes to the disparities and inequalities within the climbing industry and ignited her mission to build community and offer representation for BIPOC climbers. Genevive is an athlete for Mountain Hardwear, DMM, Sterling Rope, and Gnarly Nutrition. She was also an athlete on Race to Survive: Alaska along with climber Favia Dubyk.I had so much fun chatting with Genevive. In this episode, you can hear laughter from beginning to end. We talked about how Genevive found climbing and guiding, how her family views her current lifestyle, what kind of guiding excites her the most, and how she manages social media. We also touched on more serious topics such as fear and her battle with disordered eating. Now, please enjoy this delightful conversation with Genevive Walker.Things We Talked about:Before Genevive found climbingHow does Genevive's family views her current lifestyle?Climbing let Genevive find another way to enjoy lifeGenevive started as a trad climber because that was the only thing availableWhen did Genevive have the thought to become a guide?Took the first all Women's SPI course sponsored by the AMGA, Brown Girls Climb, and Flash FoxyKeep expectation low and keep surprise herselfThe guiding lifeLove to work with women and climbers of color and that's the reason she loves guidingGunks, current statusRoute name debate and a movement to change route namesIdentity as a climber, model, and guideExcitement led to more work opportunitiesEating disorderWanting to fit in?The social mediaMentorship with the ProTrackPartnership with Favia DubykFear Talk

Today on THE ROCK FIGHT (an outdoor podcast that aims for the head) outdoor industry insider Eoin Comerford returns to give Colin and Producer Dave his perspective on some of the topics that we've been covering lately.Eoin discusses the loss of identity and authenticity brands deal with after being acquired by larger corporations. Using Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, and Columbia's new creative push examples their conversation explores the importance of maintaining a connection to a brand's roots and the risks associated with prioritizing short-term financial gains over long-term brand health. They also look at why a brand like Vasque failed when they maintained the same ownership over their lifetime. Additionally, Eoin highlights the growing opportunity in the secondhand market, emphasizing its potential to make outdoor gear more accessible to younger consumers while fostering sustainability. Lastly Eoin offers his initial thoughts of what to expect the outdoor industry should expect from a second Trump presidency and why we need to prioritize sustainability, conservation, and inclusivity.Hurricane Helene Relief Links:Fuel GoodsOutdoor Business Alliance Hurricane Relief FundGoFundMe for Bubba O'LearysWestern North Carolina Hurriance Helene Resource GuideEast Tennessee Foundation Relief FundHead to www.rockfight.co and sign up for News From the Front, Rock Fight's weekly newsletter!Please follow and subscribe to THE ROCK FIGHT and give us a 5 star rating and written review wherever you get your podcasts.Listen to and follow Gear & Beer! The newest show on the Rock Fight Podcast Network.Have a question or comment for a future mailbag episode? Send it to myrockfight@gmail.com or send a message on Instagram or Threads.Thanks for listening! THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Today on THE ROCK FIGHT (an outdoor podcast that aims for the head) Colin opens the show reflecting on the latest earnings report from Crocs that details how their $2.5 billion investment, HeyDude, has not been faring too well.Then he and producer Dave explore how HeyDude's limited demographic and marketing could end up making the whole thing a risky investment for Crocs. They then comment on a listener email that identified prAna as another possible outdoor industry zombie brand and ponder why Columbia is doing things differently with them when compared to what Mountain Hardwear is up to.Finally they talk about Vans entry into the technical hiking market with their new shoe that is based on the classic Old Skool.Lastly they wrap things up with their Parting Shots!Chapters:01:49 - Will HeyDude end up being worth the $2.5 Billion it was bought for?21:37 - Prana: The Zombie Brand of the Outdoor Industry30:24 - Vans Enters the Hiking Shoe Market38:15 - The Parting ShotHurricane Helene Relief Links:Fuel GoodsOutdoor Business Alliance Hurricane Relief FundGoFundMe for Bubba O'LearysWestern North Carolina Hurriance Helene Resource GuideEast Tennessee Foundation Relief FundHead to www.rockfight.co and sign up for News From the Front, Rock Fight's weekly newsletter!Please follow and subscribe to THE ROCK FIGHT and give us a 5 star rating and written review wherever you get your podcasts.Listen to and follow Gear & Beer! The newest show on the Rock Fight Podcast Network.Have a question or comment for a future mailbag episode? Send it to myrockfight@gmail.com or send a message on Instagram or Threads.Thanks for listening! THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

As a special episode for Halloween, we are sharing a previous episode of the History of Gear. Jack Gilbert and others founded Mountain Hardwear on Halloween in 1993. Enjoy this conversation with Jack! Jack Gilbert, former Vice President at The North Face and President of Sierra Designs and founder of Mountain Hardwear, joins the podcast to talk the history of gear. Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at Utah State University, a four-year, undergraduate degree training the next generation of product creators for the sports and outdoor industries. Learn more at opdd.usu.edu or follow the program on LinkedIn or Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/usuoutdoorproduct/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/opdd Discover the Outdoor Recreation Archive on Instagram or on USU's website. https://instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive https://libguides.usu.edu/outdoorrecreationarchive Outdoor Recreation Archive Instagram https://www.instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive/?hl=en Episodes hosted, edited, and produced by Chase Anderson in beautiful Cache Valley, Utah. https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasewoodruffanderson/

This BLUE CAST Episode, Tuncay Kilickan talks to Beth Esponnette founder of unspun. Beth Esponnette founded unspun, a company building the future of fashion manufacturing, automated and on-demand. The brand started producing custom-fit jeans from body scans nearly five years ago and has progressed to production for the industry from their proprietary 3D weaving. She's previously worked at Mountain Hardwear, Pearl Izumi, TechShop, Ekso Bionics, and the University of Oregon as an Assistant Professor of Product Design. Vogue Business named Beth a 100 Innovators Sustainability Thought Leader and MIT Tech Review named Beth a 35 Innovator under 35. She has a BS in Fiber Science & Apparel Design from Cornell and an MFA in Design from Stanford University.unspun: Our mission is to reduce global human carbon emissions by 1%. To get there, we've created the tools needed to realize zero-waste production and circular reuse — a future where nothing becomes trash. The world's first 3D weaving tech, transforming yarn into clothes in minutes. Deployed in microfactories, Vega™ eliminates the need for large order quantities while reducing transport emissions and lead times. We partner with brands and manufacturers who are committed to streamlining and decarbonizing fashion supply chains using automated, localized, and low-impact production.  Tuncay Kilickan - Highly respected Industry figure, having cut his teeth at Turkish giant ISKO spanning 19 years. Most recently Tuncay was part of R&D team of ISKO. Tuncay has a number of patents under his name. No doubt most of us have worn fabrics developed by him and his team. Tuncay takes on the Head of Global Business Development - Denim at LENZING. @carvedinblue  @tencel_usa   #tenceldenim #tencel #Circularity  #circulareconomy   BLUE CAST by TENCEL™ / CARVED IN BLUE®   A podcast series created Lenzing's TENCEL™ Denim team. Each month, they will host an in-depth talk with a special guest working in the industry or on the fringes of the denim community. Listen for discussions on sustainability, career trajectories, personal denim memories and more.   Graphics, recording and editing by Mohsin Sajid and Sadia Rafique from ENDRIME® for TENCEL™ / CARVED IN BLUE®.   Find us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @carvedinblue. And get in touch

In this episode, we sit down with Mountain Hardwear athlete and Olympian Kyra Condie. Kyra has so much psyche and energy, and we had a wide ranging conversation, covering her past, present, and future climbing exploits. We start off with her experience winning the Hueco Rock Rodeo in 2017, her advice for competitors this year, and how her spinal fusion pushes her to have a creative mind and find her own beta. She also gave some excellent insight into the way comp climbers think, the key training focuses every climber should have, and how MORE climbers should get on routes and problems that are way too hard for them. Kyra is really open about dealing with fear of falling and fear of the unknown, and we unpack that and more, diving into relatable topics for most climbers. Finally, we cover her Olympic hopes for Paris 2024. Whether it's strategies for competing in Hueco, training tips, or mantras for good mental game, Kyra's wisdom is worth the listen!

Columbia Sportswear Company, one of the top international brands in outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment, recently held an earnings call. The company's CEO, Tim Boyle, was candid about the challenges faced in the U.S. market, noting a decline in consumer demand and foot traffic over the past year. Despite these difficulties, a modest net sales increase of 1% was reported, which while not matching projected targets, has prompted a reevaluation of the company's strategies in order to fuel future growth. The company's altered focus now places emphasis on the improvement and innovation of its product line, with a key goal being the creation of collections that will capture the interest of modern consumers. To accomplish this, Columbia Sportswear is investing in the enhancement of its online consumer experience and its direct-to-consumer physical retail stores. Furthermore, the company is implementing strategic initiatives to strengthen the market presence of its key brands, such as SOREL, Mountain Hardwear, and prAna. Even with the issues stemming from declining U.S. consumer demand and foot traffic - largely brought on by warmer winters impacting the sales of cold weather categories - the company's e-commerce strategy seems to be a bright spot. Increased sales were reported during major shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Additionally, there are positive signs of sales growth in other markets, like China, Japan, and Europe. In response to the net sales decrease in the U.S., and to bolster operational efficiency, Columbia Sportswear is implementing a multi-year profit improvement plan. Anticipated to generate substantial annual savings of $125 million to $150 million by 2026, this strategy will encompass cost reductions and realignments across numerous areas, including operations, organizational structure, and non-inventory spending. Reflecting on the company's recent performance, Boyle acknowledged some disappointment but also expressed his own and the team's continued dedication to growth and profitability. In spite of recent growth obstacles, Columbia Sportswear's determination to address these challenges and secure future growth is unwavering. Through tactical improvements of its brand, enhanced consumer experience, trend forecasting, and rigorous cost-saving measures, the company exhibits signs of recovery. The path may be laden with potential challenges ahead, but Columbia Sportswear's proactive approach and ambitious plans suggest it is well-equipped to navigate its future in the sportswear market. COLM Company info: https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/COLM/profile For more PSFK research : www.psfk.com  This email has been published and shared for the purpose of business research and is not intended as investment advice.

Hvilket telt er vår favoritt? Hva skal til for at et telt egner seg på vinteren? Vi toucher også innom levegg.vintertur, Hilleberg, friluftsliv, påsketur, vinterfriluftsliv, Helsport, Black Diamond, Mountain Hardwear, Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jack Gilbert, former Vice President at The North Face and President of Sierra Designs and founder of Mountain Hardwear, joins the podcast to talk the history of gear. Listen to these conversations on the Highlander Podcast. https://opdd.usu.edu/podcast The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at Utah State University, a four-year, undergraduate degree training the next generation of product creators for the sports and outdoor industries. Learn more at opdd.usu.edu or follow the program on LinkedIn or Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/usuoutdoorproduct/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/opdd Discover the Outdoor Recreation Archive on Instagram or on USU's website. https://instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive https://libguides.usu.edu/outdoorrecreationarchive Outdoor Recreation Archive Instagram https://www.instagram.com/outdoorrecarchive/?hl=en Episodes hosted, edited, and produced by Chase Anderson in beautiful Cache Valley, Utah. https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasewoodruffanderson/

Welcome back to THE ROCK FIGHT an outdoor podcast that aims for the head.Last week there were two outdoor rebrands announced. Trail running shoe brand Inov8 dropped the hyphen (it used to be Inov-8) as well as changed their mark and outdoor stalwart Mountain Hardwear updated the consumer experience on their website by leaning into their heritage.Today on the show brand and tradeshow critic Booth MacGyver stops by to talk about these changes and break down the greatest brand blunder of all time: Twitter becoming X.Please subscribe to THE ROCK FIGHT and give us a 5 star review wherever you get your podcasts.Have a question or comment for a future mailbag episode? Send it to myrockfight@gmail.com or send a message on Instagram or Threads.Subscribe to Adventure Journal to get more Justin Housman in your life.Support our partners!Head over to Gear Trade to turn your unused gear and apparel into cash money or to pick up that piece of gear you need for your next adventure! Check out Long Weekend Coffee for the best cup of coffee for your next adventure. Be sure to enter promo code 'rock10' at checkout to receive 10% off of your first order. Long Weekend Coffee...more weekend, please. Thanks for listening! THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Episode 3's guest is Kathryn Luna who builds community and partnerships at the outdoors retailer Mountain Hardwear. She's also on the Board of Directors at GirlVentures, a non-profit that inspires girls to lead through outdoor adventure, inner discovery, and collective action. Host Emily Harwitz talks to Kathryn about her relationship to the outdoors, including: starting young, the safety of exploring in community, and passing that on to others through the work she's doing now. They also chat about coming from mixed cultural backgrounds and what we can learn from nature's ecotones—where two ecosystems meet to mix and blend. Links: GirlVentures: https://www.girlventures.org/  Kathryn Luna's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kllunaa Kathryn Luna's website: https://www.kathrynluna.com/ IGIYG's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illgoifyougopod/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/savetheredwoods/message

Last month, Mountain Hardwear athletes, Garrett Madison, Ted Hesser, and their team summited an unnamed, unclimbed peak in Nepal above the village of Khembalung. So we talked with them about how this mission came about; the details and style of the climb; naming the peak; and more.TOPICS & TIMES:Meeting (3:08)Garrett's Background (4:55)Ted's Background (6:47)The Mission (8:18)How did you learn about this peak? (11:24)Preparing (16:17)Securing Permits (22:31)Assembling a team (23:12)The Ascent (24:38)The Style of the Climb (32:14)The Route (39:12)Gear (42:09)The Summit (47:40)The Descent (51:25)Naming the Peak (53:24)This Winter? (54:12)RELATED LINKS:Become a Blister + Spot MemberBlister Summit RegistrationSEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS:CRAFTED Bikes & Big IdeasOff The CouchGEAR:30Happy Hour Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As an adventure photographer and videographer, Ted Hesser spends most of his professional life behind the lens, shooting some of the world's top mountain athletes for major outdoor brands and publications. His eye for capturing dramatic scenes in the high alpine and willingness to immerse himself in extreme conditions to do so has garnered him success in an otherwise precarious industry. But success isn't always synonymous with happiness. Ted's latest project, a short film called Chains of Habit (released by Mountain Hardwear last month), focuses on his lifelong battle with depression in an effort to destigmatize conversations around mental health. So, we spoke to Ted about the story behind his film; the role trail running plays in keeping him aloft; steps to take if you're struggling; and much more.TOPICS & TIMESTed's background (3:34)When he first picked up a camera (9:02)The realities of #vanlife (13:01)Photography tips for beginners (15:22)Chains of Habit (21:19)Training for the WURL (25:56)How depression hits him (29:19)The double meaning behind Chains of Habit (40:00)Running, psychedelics, & depression (41:56)“Taking mental anguish and putting it into a form of your own choosing” (47:14)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTSCRAFTEDBlister PodcastGEAR:30Bikes & Big Ideas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever hiked in the pitch black night with nothing to guide you but your headlamp and a somewhat reliable GPS?  We've done more than our fair share of night hiking, but Whitney wins for being the most impressive, oppressive, and exhilarating! We scored a single-day permit for Mt. Whitney for July 31st of 2022! Now, what this means is that we were blessed with a 24-hour period in which to hike the tallest peak in the contiguous U.S.A., 14,505 ft of forests, creeks, and granite over ~23.5 miles up and back down with ~6,400 ft of total hiked ascent (according to my Garmin; 20.9 miles, 6,600ft according to AllTrails).  This trip was made extra-special by some dramatic weather that opened up on us with ~5 miles to go in our hike, resulting in washed out trails, washed out selves, and rockfalls booming down the mountain as though Thor was having a temper-tantrum. We loved a lot, learned a lot, and lucked out a LOT on this trip! We hope you enjoy hearing about our experience!Gear List - a lot of this is our tried-and-true standards:Osprey Tempest 20 & 22L daypacks (his & hers) with hip beltPlatypus 2.5L bladder with hose and Camelbak bite-valveGregory 2L bladder/hose/valveel-cheapo trekking poles off Amazon (we will be replacing after this trip, but they've lasted 10+ years)T-shirt-turned bandana from our church (gotta represent!)Amanda:Danner Trail 2650 Gore-Tex boots (LOVE!)L.L.Bean hiking zip-off pants and anorak Mountain Hardwear tank top and Ghost Whisperer packable down coatMammut med-weight jacketEx-Officio undersVS wireless medium-impact sports braSmartWool Liner socks and Merrell wool-blend hiking socks (extras packed for wet feet)Dan:Asolo Agent Gore-Tex (his go-to boots)Mountain Hardwear hiking zip-off pants Mountain Hardwear Gore-Tex raincoat Mountain Hardwear buton-down and med-weight jacketSmartWool liner and hiking socksEx-Officio boxer-briefsFood:Stinger Waffles, Clif Bars, Clif Blox, Quest bars, some gross high-protein cookie Dan got excited about, Kind bars, dried fruit, candied nuts, Stinger Gels, candied ginger (for the win!), Justin's Nut Butter individual packs, bagels

Troy Sicotte is the President of Mountain Hardwear, a premium apparel and equipment brand designed for mountaineering, camping, and outdoor activities. They are owned by Columbia Sportswear. Troy's career has interesected with music, automotive, and retail industries. He shares stories from touring with his band and how that led him through his journey at companies like Audi and The North Face. Troy also shares the importance of leading with trust. In this episode we cover: -How Troy views trust as a leader  -How working in multiple industries has helped shape his professional experience -How he approaches building great teams like putting together an amazing band -How to strike work/life balance and more.. email questions to omaid@omaid.me

Post North Face Meeting, Patagonia, Hestra, Mountain Hardwear, Spark R&D Thanks for making the Engearment Podcast the #1 Fitness podcast in Nepal! We had a great meeting with The North Face two weeks ago. They put us up in a nice room in Winter Park and fed us great food.  We hung out with TNF athletes and other media companies as we tested out the newest gear for 2022-2023 on the mountain. We have reviews up on that gear on our YouTube channel - check then out here - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxAprJXsIhdEPtai7jP0JNg?view_as=subscriber We also worked on projects for Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear and Kuhl.   There is a fun tour of Hestra HQ and a preview of what is new for next season. Spark R&D sent over next year's Surge to test as well. Thanks for all the support!  

Engearment Podcast Holiday 2021 - Everest, TGR, 686, KUIU, LOWA, and more   Engearment Podcast Holiday 2021 - Everest, TGR, 686, KUIU, LOWA, and more Happy Holidays to all of you! This episode is a recap of the reviews the Team has done, as well as what we are up to. Rafael Pease is on tour with TGR for Mountain Revelations -with Jeremy Jones - https://www.tetongravity.com/films/mountain-revelations Evan Green just shot Banana Belt - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfszkzkJjXs and is heading to Everest next! Reviews from Patagonia, WANDRD, BruMate, KUIU, Costa, LOWA, 686, Spy, Turtle Box, Outdoor Research, Mountain Hardwear, Ibex, Mustang Survival and Nixon

As a New Jersey native, Pete graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and started his career at Fila before joining the team at Nike. At Nike, Pete worked primarily on the ACG brand and Nike Advanced Design team. After Nike, he worked for Spyder, then eventually opened his own design and creative agency where he spent over a decade. He was eventually recruited to work for The North Face where he served as Vice President of Global Creative for over six years. During his time with TNF he worked on some of the streetwear's biggest lifestyle collabs. He left TNF to join the ranks of Mountain Hardwear where he serves as the VP of Product and Creative for the core climbing brand. Pete is also an avid mountain biker when he's not brainstorming the next creative move for MHW. 

Joe Vernachio is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Allbirds. He was previously the President of Mountain Hardwear, one of the leading mountain sport brands in the world. Joe is a seasoned retail industry veteran where he began working at Patagonia in the late 1980s and he spent over a decade at Nike. In this episode we discuss: -Commonalities of the best leaders he's worked for -How he earned his real life MBA working at Nike -How he's tried to balance his ambitious career while being a present father and husband -Why "being a pro" is one of the most important principals he leads with, and more.. ----- email comments or questions to omaid@omaid.me    

On this episode I talk with Kyle Defoor: a Steve McQueen fan, watch aficionado, Navy SEAL sniper, and Blackwater weapons instructor, who is now a shooting instructor with his own company, Defoor Proformance Shooting. We talk about Steve McQueen movies, watches, his upbringing, his path to becoming a SEAL, his weapons as a sniper, his gear, the War on Terror, companies like Arc'teryx and Patagonia (and why he now likes Mountain Hardwear), his time with Blackwater as a shooting instructor, and Defoor Proformace Shooting. This was a great talk and I hope you enjoy it. www.kyledefoor.comdefoor-proformance-shooting.myshopify.comInstagram: @defoorproformanceshooting

Topher Gaylord is an outdoor industry professional and ultrarunner from Marin County, CA. Topher has been a great friend and mentor throughout my career and he's a person who I really admire. In his career, he's helped to lead iconic outdoor and apparel brands like The North Face, Mountain Hardwear, and Under Armour. In this conversation, we talk about the importance of following your passions in life and how to best bring your professional career in line with what you love pursuing.   Subscribe to the WS YouTube Channel _________________________   Pyllars Links: App Download | Instagram | Website | YouTube   Dylan Links: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Strava  

"How do you be real - and can you be real - to everyone at once?" We're joined this week by Matt Burbach, Director of Marketing at Mountain Hardwear. Matt talks about shifting from a "making" role to a "managing" role in his career, how his team has transitioned to remote work, how he shoulders the responsibility of being in charge of a brand's image, and more. Matt and Lisa discuss the hybrid-work future, the importance of having the right people on your team, and how a brand can define community and show up authentically. This is a jam-packed episode with great takeaways for every marketer in the outdoor industry, so listen in!   Follow Matt: LinkedIn @mattburbach mattburbach.com   Follow us on Instagram: @wheeliecreative View past episodes, transcripts, and more info about the show: wheeliecreative.com/podcast Don't forget to subscribe and if you haven't already, please leave us a review to let us know what you think about the show!

Engearment Podcast- Benchmade, Arcteryx, Patagonia, Brett Jones catch up   This episode is a catch-up of the last 2 weeks worth of write-ups and video reviews on Vasque, Sea to Summit, Benchmade, Arcteryx, Mountain Hardwear, Ombrax, Decathlon, Altra, and more.   Also, a big shout out to Brett Jones for his awesome contribution to our last podcast.  Thank you, Brett! The 4 Agreements book - https://amzn.to/3gSj7uS   Taking criticism, not taking it personally, and not assuming!

During EPISODE 14 I talk with Traci Cosmer, who was recently hired on the Outerwear team with Mountain Hardwear! Traci is also a graduate of the Outdoor PM School Certificate program. We have kept in touch, and it's been awesome to watch her journey. This episode focuses on that journey, and what she learned while moving from a sales position to a product role with a top brand. If you are trying to make a similar transition in your career, this is the perfect episode! I am also excited to announce some changes to the Outdoor PM School Program! If you are interested in learning more stick around after the interview for the first After Show where I share some details about the program!

Last week's podcast in 360 from Jones Pass was such a blast, that we did another one on the way up this week!We had meetings with Patagonia, MSR, GoreTex, Mountain Hardwear, Dometic, Thermarest, Gregory, Mystery Ranch and several other companies this week. This is a recap of that.We are testing out the new Gore-Tex Pro shell and some ski clothes from next season for Mountain Hardwear as wellBrad Kearns joins the podcast next week too! He has a new book coming out and we will go over all of that.  As well as Doc Hartle and Pat Flynn coming up. 

During this Episode I talk with Brittany Beratlis, the Senior Product Line Manager at Mountain Hardwear! Brittany found her first outdoor industry role via a placement agency and quickly saw Product Management as the career path she wanted to pursue. She moved into a PLC role at TNF, and later the Global Product Manager over Women's Sportswear. After a short stint with Levi Strauss, she found her current home at Mountain Hardwear as a Senior Product Manager over Sportswear and Logowear. 

In this episode, Laleh Hancock introduces Chrissy Dorn, founder of Chrissy Dorn – Sustainable Brand Development. With over 30 years of brand development through sales, product management and marketing, Chrissy learned from powerful industry mavericks and crazy rebels and from true visionaries with clear values and a strong sustainable & ethical "why". “Be the difference that creates change! What if there were way more possibilities you ever imagined if you asked for them?” About our Guest: Chrissy began her career in 1983 in renowned 5-star hotels, spending eight years working abroad in France and the UK. She speaks several languages (German, English, French, Italian, Spanish). Her many foreign travels enabled her to quickly understand different cultures and the diverse clients she works with. In 1987, Chrissy followed her love for nature and rock-climbing and switched to the outdoor & sports industry, contributing to major expansion for reputable outdoor brands, amongst which Patagonia and Timberland. She later ran her own wholesale agency across the UK and the Benelux, with brands like Wild Roses and Lowa. In her role as EU sales manager for Mountain Hardwear, Chrissy made a particularly strong contribution to the brand's presence across Europe. In the early 2000s, when Puma became the world's most desirable sports lifestyle brand, as one of three International Product Line Managers, Chrissy increased turnover in her categories “Women's Athletic Apparel” and “Men's & Women's Performance Apparel” in double-digit growth rates up to a yearly volume of 60 Million Euro. In 2007, Chrissy founded her independent PR and business development agency. Her portfolio includes innovative leaders and industry mavericks with a strong ethical and sustainable ethos, amongst which Nikwax, Páramo, Rab, Lowe Alpine, Timbuk2, Hydro Flask and Ticket to the Moon. In 2019/20, Chrissy has had the great honor to work with world class guitarist duo Café del Mundo. Her forever existing love for music expanded Chrissy's view on all the many things that the word “sustainability" actually includes: one of which is the enduring joy that authentic music brings to our hearts and the way it connects people sustainably. The commitment to the conservation of our planet, and the question what every single one of us can contribute, has inspired Chrissy to focus her consultancy work on sustainable brand development. What if there was a different way of growing a business? For enquiries or an individual quote, please e-mail: contact@chrissydorn.com FOLLOW US: Facebook Instagram Youtube Pinterest Spotify Telegram Official Website

Mike was raised in a baseball family, with a father that played HS baseball in Fresno, CA with Tom Seaver, Dick Selma, Pat Corrales and later played a short stint in the NY Mets organization. Mike himself worked his way through travel ball and HS to eventually play at the junior college level in Central Valley, CA. After a couple years of the grind, Mike moved back home to Utah to begin the next chapter of his life. The next few years were spent traveling and skiing around North America and Europe, making friends and connections in the outdoor industry. After earning his Masters Degree in Ski Bumming, Mike settled down, got married and started a family of his own.  Shortly after, he and his wife Lisa started Surface Skis, a freeride/freestyle snow ski brand with nothing more than a dream and a few hundred bucks. They worked tirelessly and and grew the brand from a small shop in their garage to having satellite offices in Japan and Germany. The brand gained global recognition as a forward-thinking artistic ski manufacturer that broke the mold of the corporate “suit” ski monster brands that ran the industry.  After over a decade of running the Surface brand, Mike and Lisa exited and sold the business in 2017.  Since then, Mike has worked with leading outdoor brands such as Black Diamond, Mountain Hardwear, Fjallraven, Sundance as well as Stance Socks MLB and the San Francisco Giants.  Mike is based just outside Salt Lake City, Utah where he is a husband and father of three kids.

John Cumming’s passion for the outdoors and focus on balance led him to become a successful national resort owner including Snowbird and Woodward Park City.

John Cumming’s passion for the outdoors and focus on balance led him to become a successful national resort owner including Snowbird and Woodward Park City.

This episode combines three interviews, which took place during a 3-day interview sprint with some of our most popular and knowledgeable Channel Mastery guests. David Howell of Howell and Associates, Ryan Riggs of Pattern and Kelly Ramirez of Prismatic, joined me for the first ever Verde Brand Communications and Channel Mastery Holiday Summit.  They are absolute knock-outs for when it comes to specialty business experts and they’re here today to help offer tips and guidance for all of us leading into holiday and finishing 2020 as strongly as possible. Each of these speakers bring a unique perspective on how consumer behavior trends and a surge in ecommerce will be reshaping the holiday season this year. Their information is invaluable as we wrap up the year. Listen here and subscribe to Channel Mastery!   David Howell is Managing Partner and founder at Howell & Associates. For 19 years he and his firm have specialized in traditional Global Brand Protection, Anti-Counterfeiting, and the Newera Open Marketplace and Ecommerce Channel Compliance. Having worked with over 500 manufacturers in recent years, he has a level of uncanny foresight in helping manufacturers solve online issues in just about every facet. When he’s not working long hours for his client’s success, he can be found deep in the Idaho mountains hiking, biking, or on his paddleboard on beautiful Payette Lake. Ryan Riggs is the Vice President of Business Development at Pattern. His career has spanned over 14 years in global commercial sales, and brand and product management. He has worked for KEEN, Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, and Montrail in the outdoor footwear, apparel and equipment sectors. He has successfully led global and regional teams to develop multi-channel product and merchandising strategies that grow revenue and increase profitability for both the brand and partners. Kelly Ramirez is founder and CEO of Prismatic, a growth consultancy that bolts onto brands to improve E-commerce performance and accelerate revenue from digital channels. Kelly founded Prismatic after nearly a decade at Google, where she led global growth initiatives for the top 1% of digital native travel advertisers including Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, Hotels.com. With hyperfocus on the foundational elements that enable a company to succeed in the new e-commerce ecosystem, Prismatic is an advisor, an interpreter, and hands-on practitioner for brands in growth mode.  During the COVID crisis, Kelly and her team have been working in lockstep with clients in the SaaS, Outdoor, and Travel industries to interpret macro impacts,  develop strategic and authentic response strategies, and evolve their approach to scale in the dynamic retail environment.

On this episode of our History of Gear Series, Alan Tabor joins the pod to talk about his place in co-founding Mountain Hardwear, the history of gear in the Bay Area, and his contributions to the Outdoor Recreation Archive at Utah State.Learn more about Al’s work at http://altabor.org/For more conversations with outdoor movers and shakers, subscribe wherever you get podcasts including on Spotify, iTunes, Podbean, or each Sunday at 4 pm (MT) on Aggie Radio, 92.3 FM in beautiful Cache Valley, Utah.Follow Aggie Radio for more great news, content, and other podcasts at aggieradio.com and make sure to follow Highlander on Instagram and Facebook. The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at Utah State University, a four year, undergraduate degree training the next generation of product creators for the sports and outdoor industries.Learn more at https://opdd.usu.edu/

Trent Bush, a Senior Creative from companies like Burton, Mountain Hardwear, Black Diamond, and Spyder, joins our latest History of Gear Series to talk about Frostline Kits and his experience growing up in Boulder while his dad worked for the company.Connect with Trent Bush on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/trentbush/Check out Frostline Kits catalogs in the Outdoor Recreation Archive.http://exhibits.usu.edu/exhibits/show/outdoorcatalogs/allcatalogs/frostlineFor more conversations with outdoor movers and shakers, subscribe wherever you get podcasts including on Spotify, iTunes, Podbean, or each Sunday at 4 pm (MT) on Aggie Radio, 92.3 FM in beautiful Cache Valley, Utah.Visit us at Highlandermag.com.Follow Aggie Radio for more great news, content, and other podcasts at aggieradio.com and make sure to follow Highlander on Instagram and Facebook. The Highlander Podcast is sponsored by the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at Utah State University, a four year, undergraduate degree training the next generation of product creators for the sports and outdoor industries.Learn more at https://opdd.usu.edu/

When Joe Vernachio joined Patagonia as a product line manager in the late eighties, it didn't dawn on him that 30 years later that he would be at the helm of a yet-to-be conceived brand named Mountain Hardwear. His time at Patagonia led him to Nike, where he expanded his product and business expertise and he eventually returned to the outdoor industry in executive roles for Roots Canada, Spyder, and The North Face. A resident of Marin County, when he's not cheering on his son at football games or daughter at volleyball games, he's doing casual stuff any executive does . . . like train to summit Everest. Facebook Twitter Instagram   The Outdoor Biz Podcast   Please give us a rating and review HERE   Show Notes   Tell us about your attempt to climb Mt Everest, did you top out? No, we didn't. We went in the fall, last October. The mountain hadn't really been climbed in about six years in the autumn. The conditions are tougher, it's getting colder, it's getting windier, and the Icefall was in really rough shape. It took us almost a month just to get through the icefall. And then when we did, there was a huge Serac overhead, right in the same spot that took out many of the Sherpas a few years prior. It was just way too risky. So we backed off, but it was awesome to be back in the mountains and on that mountain specifically. The Mountain moves around a little bit more, I think than it does in May. We're just looking at the jet stream and just seeing when it's not on the top of the mountain. So we could time our summit attempt for when we had a good window when it wouldn't be so windy. We'd never really even saw that window. So it just made the most sense to not put anybody at risk more than we needed to. What was amazing was that there was nobody on the mountain. It was just three of us. There were maybe 20 people in base camp versus a thousand people. How were you introduced to the Outdoors? The classic story. My dad was a woodsman, a hunter, and a fisherman and we'd go canoeing as a family. So I was introduced to the outdoors that way. When I was about 13, this guy named George Willig climbed the twin towers in New York City. And I lived just outside of New York City. There were lots of articles in the newspaper about this guy and this thing called rock climbing. And this place that he climbed called the Shawangunks up in New York. Being close enough to it, I made my way up there and got exposed to this thing called rock climbing. I just became fascinated with it and did what I could on my own as a kid. Then I went to the University of Wisconsin, and there was a climbing area out there called Devil's Lake, which is just a nice little top roping area that I was able to hone my skills and, and learn quite a bit about it. How does a guy with degrees in biochemistry and biology get into the outdoor industry? After I got out of school, I just had no idea what I was going to do with any of those degrees. I got a job at Erewhon Mountain Shop in Madison working for Jeff Weidman. He was the store manager and I loved it. I just loved being around the product. I love opening the boxes when they came in and I just couldn't wait to see all the new stuff. I think our Patagonia rep at the time was Rock Horton, who's a long time outdoor industry employee with Black Diamond. I think he just retired just recently. He made some introductions for me. At the time Patagonia and Chouinard equipment were very, very small. Peter Metcalf said come on out and I'll give you a job. I think there were about 12 of us at Chouinard equipment at the time. I worked in the area attached to the original Patagonia store. You've been with an impressive list of brands, which of your roles has been most inspiring? I would say my education in business and how to make great product was Nike, no doubt about it. I was there from ‘89 to 2000. It was just the skyrocket of growth and just the culture and how to make great products while still growing business very rapidly. The culture there was, was fantastic I've always admired Mark Parker. I think he just recently stepped down as president, CEO. But Mark was part of the team back then. It was just an amazing group of talented, people there that I got to work shoulder to shoulder with. I definitely learned the product side of it and the design and the respect for the process of design from Nike. My time at Spyder was really valuable and just understanding the financial side of it. Running a company on a line of credit, going deep in debt, and then coming out of debt, much like a retailer operates was really valuable. And then there really isn't a day that goes by that I don't rely on some of my memories at outdoor industry retailer Erewhon working on a store floor and what that feels like. Having a rep come in and, and engage with you as a store kid and how it really just grabs you and makes you a brand champion. How is Mountain Hardware navigating the current environment? We're all working from home. We're on video conferences all day long. We were able to do a couple of weeks of prep prior to it. We could kind of see it coming. So we did some prep. So it was a nice transition. It wasn't that abrupt. Our motto to ourselves is we're not surviving. We're preparing. We're not just trying to figure out how to survive this thing. We're actually trying to make sure we use this time to hone our outdoor industry product positioning and our brand messaging and our values to make sure we come out of this really strong, really sharp. We just feel strongly that people are actually going to probably have more of a connection to nature and to the outdoors and appreciation for it than they did going into this. I don't see any indication that it's going to go the other way What are you hearing in the last weeks or six weeks as we've gone through this that inspires you? I think that the thing that's most inspiring is just the really good outdoor industry retailers, the really good brands and the really good factories are all linking arms and realizing that we all need each other. And if we are mean to each other and disrespectful to each other through this process, it's not going to work. I think in situations like this, the best come out and people, and that's what we've seen. We've seen mostly cooperation and understanding, and everyone just trying to find stable ground to stand on and I feel like six weeks into it, it's kind of where we are. And today, we're starting to hear about some stores that are starting to open around the country. So we'll take a look at what that looks like and see what this feels like. I don't think we're under any impression that outdoor industry doors are just gonna be wide open and everyone's gonna rush in. Just some movement, I think we'll start to make people feel a little bit better and set us up for probably early next year to start to get a little closer to whatever the new normal is. How do you think it's gonna impact the outdoor industry supply chain? I lived in Asia for seven years, work directly with the factories while I was with Nike. So I've had a number of years in Thailand, Singapore, and Taiwan and know the factory side of things as well. If I learned anything during that time, it's just how resilient and how customer service focused the factories and mills are. We certainly had some disruption when China shut down and now some of the other countries are shutting down. But boy, their ability to recover is miraculous. And, while we've had some disruption in the supply, it's not that impactful. I'd say it's just a little bit worse than a normal season where you always have some problems somewhere in the world that you're dealing with. But nothing we can't recover from. The biggest challenge in this whole event will be inventory and where does it pile up and how does it get dispersed? That's the game. I mean, retailers, they're trying to reduce their pile. Brands are trying to reduce their pile and factories are trying to reduce their pile What about the future of outdoor industry trade shows? I was in the sports and fitness industry when the super show is going on in Atlanta. That was a show was maybe the biggest and everyone thought that would never end. And it did and the industry went on and you worked out other ways to do it. I think there's a much bigger cultural component to it for us in the outdoor industry. So, on a personal level, I would hate to see it go away. On a business level, I think there are ways to do it. They're not as personal and there's not as much comradery around it, but it still gets the business done. I mean, we're going to do it this year. But I really, really hope it comes back and that we can all get together again and, create that culture that really existed. I mean, you just get to see so many more people than you would have otherwise. Suggestions or advice for folks wanting to get into the outdoor adventure business or grow their career? I think my advice to get in the outdoor industry is just to get in with a retailer or a brand that you respect and admire. What I say to young people is to be sure you understand the company's values before you join. Because if you don't align with their values, then you're not going to like a lot of the decisions they make. So that, and a lot of companies won't be able to articulate their values, if they can't articulate them, then that tells you something too. Other things we talked about Favorite Gear under $100: Mountain Hardwear Kor Pre Shell OR Banner: “Be nice to each other” Find Joe on Linkedin Subscribe HERE to The Outdoor Biz Podcast and get every episode delivered right to your inbox.  

Links Mentioned in today’s show: Episode Sponsor: https://polarprofilters.com Use this link AND the code "latitude15" the next time you need to rent gear. I'll get a small percentage and you'll get 15% off. Lensrentals.com affiliate link: https://www.gopjn.com/t/SENJRktJT01DR09OS0lLQ0dLT0tGTg Need to carry your gear in style? Treat yourself to a ThinkTank Photo bag with this link and get a free gift at checkout: http://bit.ly/2IMRhOT The Big Announcement I’ve finally got plans lined up for the release of my newest adventure, that is, Latitude Photography School. Right now you can go to the website, https://latitudephotographyschool.com and all that you’ll see is a sign up form. I’m busy working on my next course offerings and other tutorial items. I’ll also have an associated YouTube channel to go along with this new service. The two courses I’m crafting have to do with beginning photography and an intermediate course on creativity in photography. With each course there will be associated assignments or projects. You’ll be able to post the assignment results in the private facebook group and you’ll get some feedback from myself and other students. I will also have smaller items that are more tutorial based. Topics will cover everything from understanding the camera to being out in the field to doing things right in post-production. It will take some time to produce all these items, but one thing I need to make sure you’re aware of, you’ll be able to purchase access to the courses individually as you want, or you can have a membership option and you can have access to the courses for as long as you’re a member. So head on over to the site if you’re interested and sign up to be notified when the doors are open for business.  I have closed the cart on my online print course as well for the time being but you can still purchase the shoot-n-print workshop in the Palouse in May or June, direct links are in the show notes. Winter Day Hikes I love backpacking, but there’s nothing like a good day hike either. You go out for the day and come back to a hopefully cozy bed to get a good night’s rest. If you’re traveling you may also be eating out in restaurants, or maybe cooking in your room or Airbnb. Either way, your experience is way less rugged than if you’re full-on backpacking. I should insert here that the advice I’m giving is not intended to be thorough nor does it address all situations or skill levels. Please be aware of your own abilities and if you have a doubt about something, don’t do it. I’ll be looking at ways to get properly prepared for such an outing. As you know, I’m heading to Unalaska Island in a couple weeks. I do have a podcast listener coming along so that’s certainly good. And that takes us to item number 1. Hiking buddy It’s always good to have a hiking buddy along if safety is in any way a concern. There’s so many times where I love going out alone and just being there in God’s big beautiful creation with just my cameras. But when I called up to the visitor’s office in Dutch Harbor and I got some information on the weather in mid December I knew it’d be best to have a hiking buddy. Not only to share costs with, but simply for safety. They also require registrations for hikers, so they know someone is out there, which is good, but there’s nothing like having someone with you when you’re out there on a trail, several miles from town and hundreds of miles out in the middle of the ocean.  Notifications Jared Yoder posted a great question in the Master Photography Podcast group about this idea of getting prepared for a day hike. And I’m glad he did. And then David Patton gave some very good advice right away. And one of those items was to be sure you tell someone where you’ll be going and when you plan to return. This is especially important if you head out of cell phone range. If they don’t hear from you they can at east give the local rescue and law enforcement authorities a heads up and maybe they’ll need to go out and search for you. The timeframe might be much longer if no one knows when to expect you back. So do let someone know of your plans. Non-photography tools I always carry a knife with me. It’s not a big knife, but I have one just the same. I have a Gerber that my brother gave me for being the best man at his wedding, I have a CRKT that someone left in a bathroom and after a search of who it might belong to I simply kept it, and then I have another that I purchased in Poland as a souvenir. I also have a leatherman that is invaluable when camping, but sometimes it comes with me hiking as well.  I also always take a good waterbottle with me. It’s always good to have more than you think you’ll need. Especially when it’s cold, you don’t think you’ll need as much, but you do. You can always melt snow, but I say why bother when you can just have enough water for the day. I go for between 20–32 oz. for a few hours hike, but I also have a secondary bottle in the car that I guzzle just before heading out. Water purifier. If you’re going to be out longer I say bring along a water purifier. It can provide good clean water for your whole party and you don’t have to carry as much with you. Of course it only works if you actually have a water source you can get water from. Hand warmers. These little packets of warmth are perfect for keeping your water from freezing and your fingers too. I use them in my fold over mittens when I’m not shooting and when the weather is super cold. Sometimes I also put them in my boots but not usually, they’re more uncomfortable than they are worth. I’ve tried the flatter kind that adhere to your sock and those are OK, but really, good socks will do the trick better than anything. More on that in a bit. Maps etc. It’s always good to have a map to study. I use the Alltrails app on my phone and that’s good, but with the pro account you can also print off maps. I’ve not actually done that yet, but I plan to in the near future. Not with my trip to Alaska, because there’s so few trails listed on the app, but with other areas here in the PNW I’ll be able to do that. Off-line maps are best because what would you do if your battery died on your phone? There’s nothing like studying the map before hand and really having the place sink in as much as possible. Before I went to Europe for three weeks with my father several years ago I bought several maps and just studies them over and over. When there I rarely referenced them but I always knew where I was and where things were in relation to other things. Absorbing maps is a good thing for sure. Clothing - Footwear You need good boots, there’s no other way around it. For winter boots I’ve used Sorel and Kamik brands. Both have been exceptionally good. Shop at reputable places like REI, Cabellas, Dicks Sporting Goods and others that I’m not thinking of at the moment. I’m sure you’ll find some on Amazon as well, but the point I want to drive home is the insulation rating and waterproofing. Winter boots are certainly different than hiking boots in size and overall function. I’ve got the Kamik Nation Plus Pac Boots. They’re a fine boot but they are listed as having a “200 gram Thinsulate liner.” But the Cabellas brand that’s 2x as much has 2,000 gram Thinsulate. Other brands have other insulations as well. The best thing I can recommend is going to the store and trying them on. Talk to the associate and see what works for you. I like mine because I also use SmartWool socks with them. The only time I really felt cold in these boots and socks like that was after a full day in Banff National Park in February. I’d sweated enough that finally, at the end of the day it didn’t matter what I did, I just needed to get out of those boots. Had I brought a fresh pair of socks I’m sure I’d have been fine. When I go to AK, I plan to bring fresh socks with me on the trail so I can swap them out as needed. I also am trying out some Alpaca wool liners. I bought them at the homesteading life conference this summer in Missouri. I bought them from Alpacas of Troy. https://alpacasoftroy.com I’ve only been out on one small hike with them to the proof will be in the pudding when I go to Alaska. Clothing - Pants If it’s not too cold I’ll just wear regular hiking pants. No cotton though please. Has to be a quick drying type of materials. I have some excellent hiking pants from Mountain Hardwear. I bought them on clearance from REI. They’re listed as a 30” waist and let me tell you, I’m NOT a 30” waist, that’s probably why they were on the clearance rack. But they fit perfectly. I just love them. But all too often in winter time those are way to thin. So I have some larger hiking pants that I’ll wear as an outer layer and use either a base layer underneath or I’ll just wear some flannel pants as insulation. If it’s a short jaunt I’ll go with the flannel pants, if it’s a longer time out I want the base layer protection against moisture buildup. The point here is layering is good. I’ve even been known to go with all three layers. However, that does get a bit uncomfortable if I need to sit down or whatnot. But when I kneel in the snow, no problem. I don’t even feel the cold on my knee.  I’ll use snow pants when it’s downright frigid cold, like when I was in Banff last winter and the warmest it got was about 9 degrees F. Starting the day out at -26 or so requires more insulation and the bib overall style of snow pants does the job. Ad read, Episode Sponsor. Clothing - Upper body I’ll go with recommending layering once again. When it’s ultimate cold I’ll go with four layers. A base layer, an insulation layer, an insulation coat such as my Eddie Bauer goose down jacket, and then an outer shell. I like a built in hat on my outer shell. It’s almost funny, when it gets super cold the outer shell tends to get rather crunchy. By going with an oversized coat I can also guarantee that wind won’t get up underneath it and I won’t get frozen out that way either. I’m not sold on any one brand per se, but I do recommend that you go with quality items. Even Wal-Mart may have some quality items from time to time. I could never spend hundreds of dollars on a single piece of gear like a jacket. My down coat cost about $50 and my outer shell was more than that, about $60 or so on sale.  Head wear I’d like to say I never take my hat off, but that’s just not the case. When it comes to winter photography I need to stay warm, but the head is the first thing that gets modified as it’s prime temp control. I have a really warm hat from REI, I totally forget the brand, but it’s so warm and light weight, I can easily forget I have it on except for my head and ears are warm. I like a hat that covers the ears as I hate ear muffs. I also have another hat that is rather warm but it also has an embedded light in the front part. Makes for a great setup when hiking at night. You can also use a head lamp which I always have in my backpack. When I combine the insulation hat with the outer shell jacket it’s almost always going to keep you warm enough. But in times like when I was in Banff, I needed something extra. I needed a Balaclava. This is the type of device a bank robber would wear, but having it covering your head and neck is invaluable in keeping the chills out. When I use this I always have to be careful with my glasses, and I hate how the moisture always gathers around the mouth so I usually extend the hole and force it around my chin which stretches it out a bit. But it’s better than having the moisture condense right there. Gloves I wear three kinds of gloves, depending on the weather and the nature of my hike. I like a thin glove by Columbia that has touch sensitive pads for the touch screen on my camera for generally cold days. If it’s getting colder I’ll cover them with some thick wool mittens that fold over the finger tips. I’ll put a heat pack in the fingers area and I’ll be good when I’m not shooting. If I need to be a bit more active I’ll use standard skiing gloves by Serius. They’re not all that warm, but when you’re moving about the blood circulation keeps the fingers warm and functioning anyway. Only when you stop does it start to get cold. Either way, I’m prepared for anything with these glove options. Other clothing related items. I’m considering getting some ski goggles for my trip to Alaska. The wind is potentially going to get very blustery and having some goggles might be the best option to keep the eyes clear and functioning properly. I am also considering some gaiters. These are items that go around the top of your boot and extend up the leg a bit. The point here is to keep all the snow out of the boot top if at all possible. And a gaiter can really make that happen for you. My snow pants are oversized and essentially do the same job but having dedicated gaiters would still be better. Micro spikes are another item that can work really well. They’re like snow chains for your boots. I have little diamond shaped grippers and getting some that are actual spikes are also on my list. They do a great job of gripping the slippery snow and ice and I recommend them if you’re doing anything even remotely risky. A couple years ago I got down to the base of Palouse Falls in the middle of the biggest freeze we’ve had in a long time. The journey down there is frightful at best and to me, impossible without some grippers on your boots. Though I did see others down there in standard tennis shoes which I though was just unnecessarily foolish. Backpacks For camera gear, backpacks specifically, I’m partial to ThinkTank Photo. Probably because I have an affiliate link with them. But they do make some serious bags. The best options right now for this type of photography is going to be the Backlight Elite 45 or the Backlight 36 or 26. I personally have the 26 model and find it suitable for what I need. However I also have the Urban access 15 which in overall design is superior to the Backlight 26, but only because it has two different compartments, plus the front pouch area. I like how the top of the bag is expandable and you could put a whole mess of stuff in there and you can still have a pretty good camera kit too. If your camera kit is larger (maybe I should say “standard”) then the Backlight 36L and the Elite 45 will be more to your liking. It comes in at about $400 US but it’s so versatile and huge. I just wish they had functionality and design of the Urban Access 15 in a MindShift styling and materials.  LowePro also makes some great bags. For this type of shooting I’d recommend their Whistler line. I also really like their powder line but the photos they show on their site don’t cover how the gear fits in which is too bad. I have not personally tried either of these bags. If you want something that’s styled just a bit differently, check out Langly bags. Their Alpha Globetrotter has two separate sections (something I like in a backpack) and their Multi-pack Globetrotter is massive. Might not be perfect for a winter’s hike, but it’s worth looking into. Of course, there’s Shimoda Designs with their newly released Action X line of bags, built really well and very durable to boot.  And finally Peak Design just updated their everyday backpack as well. So you should probably check that out too. The things I really look for in a bag is flexibility of how the gear is stored, protection, size and materials. There’s many fine bags out there that I didn’t mention only because I think they’re using the “wrong” materials. I want something water proof and durable and flexible. A bag that’s too rigid doesn’t work for me. Other camera thoughts When it’s cold you want multiple batteries. Keeping them warm is also a must. I’ll stash them in my jacket pockets, inside the outer shell if possible, and swap them out as necessary. An item to keep water off can be a good thing, but it can also get in the way. I have a rain jacket and a much larger item (can’t recall the brand right now) for inclement weather, but really, a weather sealed camera is your best bet for sure. When I was at Palouse that winter and I was close to the falls, and the wind shifted, I got about 1/4 in of ice on my camera and lens. It was fine but I just put it away for the rest of the shoot. I didn’t want to risk damage when it was all frozen. By allowing it to simply melt off I was able to not have any issues at all. You’ll probably want some spiked feet on your tripod. Gripping the snow is better than having it slide all over the place. Almost anything will do, just get something that’s not the rubber feet.  Memory card wallets are another good thing to have when out in the cold. I have a very rugged wallet by Polar Pro. I couldn’t help but think it overkill until I thought of the rugged conditions I’ll be in. It’s not waterproof, but it’s super rugged and will protect the cards when not in use. I used to just let them float around in a little pocket in the bag but no longer. I either use the Pixel Pocket Rocket by Think Tank Photo or this option by Polar Pro. I also have a Defender Lens cap which is pretty sweet.  First aid and other emergency kit The size of my kit is generally proportional to the length I’m gone and the distance I’ll be away from civilization. One time when I went to South America I remember thinking I want a kit so good I can do minor surgery with it. That’s probably overkill, but when going out for the day you probably don’t need a suture kit and all sorts of different types of bandages. But maybe you do, just depends on where you’re going. I have various sizes and it’s hard to specifically recommend one over the other, I can only stress that it’s important and you should look through your options and consider your plans and see what makes sense for you. Bear spray is also important if you’re going to a place like Yellowstone or some other place like that. Be sure you read the instructions and have it ready to go. The worst thing is to have it and not have it accessible when you need it. Sunglasses are also important. Can’t forget those. In white out conditions like a snowy scene, there’s nothing like cutting out all that UV light. Your rods and cones will thank you! Shooting tips When I’m all dressed up like this I tend to absolutely rely on the live view shooting mode the camera offers. That keeps the camera on the tripod and I don’t have to breath on it all the time with it mashed up against my face. I like the bigger tripod as well since the legs will likely sink in the snow quite a bit, and it’s just easier to manage the bigger controls. I still try to challenge myself to get low, high, and find unique ways of viewing my subject. But I know if I’m not at least mostly warm and comfortable no matter what my subject is I’ll get cranky and lose interest in photographing it if I’m too cold for too long. Though there have certainly been times where I didn’t feel cold until I was done shooting and it was time to head back to the room, all of a sudden I get the chills and start hustling it back to the car! Closing Remarks Thank you so much for listening. I would love to have your feedback or questions, just simply email me at brent@latitudephotographypodcast.com and I’ll try to answer your question in a future episode. Also, there’s a new benefit for listeners with lensrentals.com. Use my link in the show notes and the code “latitude15” for 15% off your next order. You can use the code without the link but if you use that link a few pennies are tossed my way and I thank you for your support. So, that’s it for today, until next time, happy shooting!

SHOW NOTES Backcountry Gear Challenge: fit 10 days worth of gear into 55 pounds Top-of-the-list item: Tag/Hunting license! • Sleep systems: Sleeping bag, pad, & tent • Backpacks: Types and recommendations • Raingear: Jackets & pants, pack covers, drybags for camera & electronics • Clothing & footwear: From skin to shell. Underwear, base layer, pants, shirts, the annoyance of layering, puffy coats & pants, neck gaiters and warm hats, appropriate boots, Crocs and manliness, crampons, and more.  • Cooking systems: backpacking stoves, fire starters, water filters, water containers, and the critical Life Straw • Optics: Rangefinding binoculars, Badlands bino harnesses, spotting scopes,  • Communication: inReach Mini, Midland handheld radios, lithium batteries, solar chargers, battery reservoirs, smartphone headphones, headlamps, and compasses.  • Camera: Smart phone vs. compact lightweight DSLR, plus Phone Skope • Tripod favorites: Outdoorsman Medium and Spartan Precision Sentinel • Rifle, Ammo, & Accessories: sling, Galco ammo carrier, Spartan bipod, Otis cleaning cable, electrical tape (yellow!), ballistic chart, wind checker, and handgun if applicable • Knives & Accessories: Leatherman Tool, fixed-blade hunting knife by Browning, Arno Bernard, or Siembida Custom Knives; Outdoor Edge or Havalon, compact EZE-Lapp diamond stone, Outdoor Edge folding saw, Gransfors Bruks Hunter's Axe, Kuiu or Caribou Gear game bags, contractor-grade garbage bags • Health & Hygiene: compact deodorant, hand soap, toothbrush & paste, floss, Airborne tablets, Zip Fizz, MTN OPS, Ibuprophen, Mucinex D, NyQuil, Blister kit, sunscreen, chapstick, vaseline, sunglasses, wipes, bug spray, bug net, knee braces, TETRA ear pro, notebook • Food: Mountain House and other freeze-dried brands, snacks, gum, hard candy, energy supplements, Montreal Stake Seasoning, coffee or tea RESOURCES: Mountain Hardwear sleeping bags Stone Glacier sleeping bags Kuiu sleeping bags Wiebad Mini Tac Pad (pillow) Thermarest sleeping pads Klymit sleeping pads Big Agnes sleeping pads ExPed sleeping mats Big Agnes tents Mountain Hardwear tents Spartan Precision Carbonlite Tent Kifaru tents Barney's Sports Chalet "freighter pack" Sitka Mountain Hauler 6200 pack Mystery Ranch packs Sitka Gear Stormfront raingear Kuiu rain gear https://kryptek.com/catalog/category/rain-gear/ Grundens rain gear Helly Hanson rain gear JetBoil backpacking stoves Katadyn water filters LifeStraw portable water filters Swarovski EL Range Leica Geovid rangefinding binos Zeiss Victory RF rangefinding binos Badlands bino cases Swarovski ATS 65 spotting scope Leupold 12-40 x 60mm Gold Ring spotting scope Garmin inReach Mini Midland handheld radios Leica V-Lux camera Phone Skope Outdoorsman's Medium Tripod Outdoorsman's Tripod Pan Head Spartan Precision Sentinel Tripod Spartan Precision Javelin Bipod Galco Gunleather "Stalker" ammo carrier Otis cleaning kits with flexible cable Leatherman tools Arno Bernard Dagga Boy drop point knife Siembida Custom Knives Instagram page Outdoor Edge Razorlite exchangeable blade knife Havalon exchangeable blade knife Outdoor Edge folding saw Gransfors Bruks Hunter's Axe  Kuiu game bags Caribou Gear game bags Mountain OPS energy suppliments TETRA hearing enhancement/protection Rite in the Rain notebooks Mountain House freeze-dried meals  

Nikki Smith likes to say that she is a climber, photographer, and writer who just happens to be transgender. Professor Brené Brown inadvertently changed Nikki's course when she wrote about midlife, "it's time to show up and be seen." It was the inspiration Nikki needed to step into herself, and it's since served as a reminder of what she wants to do for others. We say "step into" because Nikki has always been Nikki, and she's carried a curious, creative, empathetic spirit with her throughout her life. This conversation with Nikki Smith was made in partnership with Mountain Hardwear. If you're in the San Francisco area, climb with Nikki and the Mountain Hardwear team at Touchstone Climbing Gym Saturday, June 29th 7-10pm. Woman featured in this episode: Nikki Smith Hosted by Gale Straub Sponsored by Mountain Hardwear Join us in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group In this episode, you'll hear All the different parts of Nikki's identity that make up who she is Her creative roots in photography, climbing, writing, and cooking Why so much of Nikki's work is grounded in connection to others What drew her to climbing and why it became an unhealthy coping mechanism Why 'realization' vs 'transition' is the word Nikki would choose in coming out as trans How a quote from Brené Brown inspired Nikki to "show up and be seen" How her story isn't entirely her own, and why she'll keep sharing it as long as it's beneficial for others Nikki's latest creative goals Resources Nikki's professional Instagram: @pullphoto Nikki's photography portfolio & writing Nikki's Guidebooks Brené Brown Suicide Prevention Lifeline Resources for Transgender People in Crisis Flash Foxy Women's Climbing Festival Touchstone Climbing Gym Pride Activities She Explores episode landing page Sponsor Websites and Resources Mountain Hardwear Register for Pride Touchstone Climbing Night on Saturday June 29th Non-profits and Organizations Mentioned at the End of the Episode: Out There Adventures LGBTQ Outdoor Summit Unlikely Hikers The Venture Out Project Queer Nature Queer Mountaineers (Podcast) Music is by Kai Engel, Lee Rosevere, and Josh Woodward using a creative commons attributions license. Learn more at She-Explores.com

Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2019 Engearment interviews Mountain HardwearJune 25, 2019We had a blast hanging out with the Mountain Hardwear crew.  New insulation pieces, Goretex Paclite 2.5 gear, and new tents! Video for this can be found here - Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2019 Interviews 

This Earth Day, we’re looking on the bright side. We’re asking, how can a sense of environmental optimism keep us facing forward? What strength do we gain when we’re comfortable starting fresh - whether it’s a climbing route, in our personal lives, or in our approach to sustainability? . We climb and camp in Moab, Utah with photographer, climber, and Mountain Hardwear ambassador Kylie Fly, who knows thinking outside the box is beneficial to all aspects of life. Woman featured in this episode: Kylie Fly Hosted by Gale Straub Sponsored by Mountain Hardwear Why Kylie gravitates towards optimism in all areas of her life How she got into climbing and the advice she has for others who want to get started Why she loves climbing Times in climbing (and life!) where she's approached a route and started from scratch How Mountain Hardwear has started from scratch with their whole gear line for spring, including tents without fire retardant chemicals Why environmental optimism can help us through challenging times The small steps Kylie takes to recreate and live sustainably How brands are using more sustainable (and recycled) materials What we can do when spending time outside to minimize our impact The She Explores book & Tour Resources Kylie Fly: Instagram & Portfolio Leave No Trace Mountain Hardwear Tents & Sleeping Bags She Explores Book & Tour Sponsor Websites and Codes Mountain Hardwear Products mentioned: Lamina ECO AF Sleeping Bag & Line of Flame Retardant-free tents Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us. Music is by Liam McNally, Josh Woodward, Lee Rosevere and Kai Engel using a Creative Commons Attribution license

Great Conversation with Sablle Scheppmann from Mountain Hardwear. Sablle tells us about how she got into the outdoors camping as a kid, her Collegiate Running career and offers a great piece of advice for all of that spend a lot of time on airplanes. Facebook Twitter Instagram   The Outdoor Biz Podcast   Please give us a rating and review HERE Show Notes First Exposure to the Outdoors I am born and raised in San Diego and growing up we didn't have a lot of money. We moved apartment to apartment, so vacations were a little out of the question. I was fortunate enough to learn about the outdoors for my dad and my grandparents. My Dad was an eagle scout and my grandma was always really involved with Eagle Scouts. And we would always take camping trips cause it was the easiest vacation we could take. We'd always go up, actually through bishop, and over the years we've camped at Green Lake and up towards Mammoth. And being from San Diego, my grandparents also took us out to Idlewild and Joshua tree. So a lot of camping. Things we talked about Mountain Hardwear Skip Yowell Future Leadership Academy Transrockies Run Kyle Robidoux Blind Beer Runner Kyle Robidoux: @blindbeerrunner & here is an article on his run this summer https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a26007630/visually-impaired-runner-western-states-100/ They are always in need of guides! Anyone can reach out to Sablle or go to http://www.unitedinstride.com Sighted Guide Outdoor Activities Running, Backpacking, Snowboarding, Camping Advice, tips I feel like I kinda got to where I am in the position I am today because of leaning on people. I'm a total people person. Just never be afraid to put yourself out there. If anybody's interested in getting into the business and you know, reach out to. Never hesitate to look compaines up on linkedin. Find people at that company and just reach out and ask them to go to coffee or ask questions like, how did you get to where you are? How did you get in that role? I find that when you put yourself out there, you can get a lot of benefits from that. And it's scary, but it's, it, it's, it's really important. Favorite Books Daring Greatly by Brene Brown Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown Podcast- How I built this Favorite Piece of Gear under $100 Sea to Summit collapsible cups and plates Connect with Sablle LinkedIn sscheppmann@mountainhardwear.com Please rate and review us  HERE  Thank you!

Stuart Redsun, former CMO of Columbia Sportswear Company, has worked with a lot of cool brands in his career, to include Nike, Gateway, Motorola, Sony, Under Armour and the portfolio of brands at Columbia Sportswear Company (Columbia, Sorel, Mountain Hardwear and prAna). Join us in this fascinating conversation about Brand Truth, what it is, how to find it and how to apply it to bring not only consumer loyalty, but employee loyalty. Also hear Stu’s top advice for what to do in your first CMO role, how to gain credibility and leave your own mark.

Hydro Flask VP of Sales Mike Wallenfels tells us about his first jobs in the outdoor biz, how Mountain Hardwear got started and some of the other interesting startup projects he is involved with. Facebook Twitter   Instagram The Outdoor Biz Podcast   Please give us a rating and review HERE   Show Notes First Exposure to the Outdoors I tried Boy Scouts it didn't really work I got the Cub Scouts and they didn't do enough stuff as quick as I wanted it to happen so my dad did a great job exposing my brother and I to backpacking early on so backpacking the Adirondacks. Hs first Outdoor job was at Stanley Andrews Sports in San Diego Things we talked about Hydro Flask Adventure 16 Patagonia Eagle Creek Sierra Designs The North Face Marmot Outdoor Retailer Mountain Hardwear Columbia Sportswear Timbuk2 OIA Outdoor Pursuits Consulting Big City Mountaineers Grass Roots Alliance Cairn Cascade Angels Advice, tips Get in the door and work your way up Dont burn bridges Other Outdoor Activities Road and Mtn Bike, Backpacking, Skiing, Rafting, Paddleboarding, Fly Fishing Favorite Books Men to match my Mountains by Irving Stone Good to Great by Jim Collins Best Gear Purchase under $100 Lucie Lights Apps, Tools, Podcasts Office 365 Evernote Basecamp Connect with Mike Linkedin Facebook Outdoor Pursuits Consulting

Columbia Sportswear's President and CEO Tim Boyle stops by to discuss the company's proud history serving global outdoor consumers for over 70 years and the innovations and designs driving success through all of its brands - Columbia, Sorel, Mountain Hardwear, and Prana.  Tim and the boys trek through a number of topics including innovation, trade, changing retail, the outdoor consumer, and the company's recent Star Wars collaboration. Jasmine explores emerging outdoor trends, such as  Outdry Extreme Shoes, in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

Hydro Flask VP of Sales Mike Wallenfels tells us about his first jobs in the outdoor biz, how Mountain Hardwear got started and some of the other interesting startup projects he is involved with.   Facebook Twitter   Instagram Website   Please rate and review HERE

#AskNorth40 - Episode 35 We got a question from Connie, from Tonasket, WA, asking, "What are the proper items to put in a backpack for a long hike?" So Matt and Jake set out to hike the Rocky Mountain Front outside of Great Falls. Then we got some advise from Patrick, at Mountain Hardwear, about what he recommends. Subscribe to the #AskNorth40 show email here: http://bit.ly/28QyShT BLOG - http://bit.ly/1P3eyvb SHOP - http://bit.ly/1P3eqf6 SUBSCRIBE - https://goo.gl/4EMwE9 FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/north40outfitters/?fref=ts INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/north40outfitters/ SNAPCHAT - north40life

Mike is a legendary leader in the outdoor active lifestyle markets. In this podcast, he talks about what it was like for him to leave a multi-decade career with leadership roles at Sierra Designs, Mountain Hardwear, and Timbuk2 to start his own business, Outdoor Pursuits Consulting. This move was very intentional; meaning, he didn't just hang out a shingle to bridge himself from one post to the next within the safety (and confines) of corporate. He took this next step specifically to bring his passions back into 20-20 focus, to cross-train his experience in new markets and to spend more time outdoors in Northern California's beaches and mountains.   Ready to be inspired? Listen to Mike Wallenfels today on The Intrepid Entrepreneur podcast. And if you like this episode, share it with a friend who needs inspiration and give it a thumbs-up rating in iTunes! Thanks everyone!

Chad Waite is an affiliate network rep for Avantlink but he's also the affiliate manager for LeftLane Sports. Greg stumbled upon a screencast produced by Chad teaching affiliates how to better utilize the Avantlink network and Joe agreed he would be a great addition to the podcast for this week. The unique promotions from LeftLane Sports include multiple flash sales on name brand sporting goods products each week. These are unbelievable deals that are exclusive, so affiliates have been extremely successful. LeftLane Sports Affiliate Program Benefits: Large Commission: Earn up to 10% on every sale you send us! 60 day Cookie Duration: Gives you two months to earn your commission Site Conversion Rate: 5x Industry Average Powerful Brands: Top name brands like Columbia, Salomon, Kelty, Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia, KEEN, Marmot, Helly-Hansen and more Largest Selection: We run more sales per day than any other private Outdoor and Fitness site. We also feature continual Footwear, Apparel, and Gear "Shops" with immediately shippable merchandise. This mean your leads have more chances to convert. Fastest Shipping: Almost all orders ship within 1 business day at no extra cost Guaranteed Pricing: Every product we sell is guaranteed to be the lowest price on the internet Instant Access: Your customers have instant access to our sales (no prior sign-up required) Affiliate Manager: Dedicated 24/7 Affiliate manager To learn more about our program and how you can begin cashing in, please contact: affiliates@leftlanesports.com Do you think your program has the “Juice”? Contact us to set up an interview.

An all inclusive adventure for the disabled only I'm packing my bags and taking this show on the road. And you're wondering, so what's new? James you travel all the time. That's right. I do. The Joy Trip Project is all about venturing out into the wide world and finding those stories about people who are doing what they can to make a difference, to make the world a better place. But this time, it's just a bit different. This time, I'm going to Africa. You'll find out why exactly I'm going intercontinental in an upcoming edition. So stay tuned. But yesterday, and I mean while I'm sorting my socks and underwear I get a text message from my friend adventure filmmaker and a true Joy Tripper Dominic Gill. You've met him on the show before. Dom's from the United Kingdom, the UK. He's riding his bike across the country from LA to New York on a trip he calls The Dom & Ernie Project. And on my iPhone it says: James we just crossed into Wisconsin. We'll be in Madison tonight. Believe it or not, I dropped everything. Cleared my schedule and made plans, because Dom and I just had to visit. And for you my loyal listeners I just had to bring you his story. Because Dom's not just riding across the country, that's been done to death. Just like before in the last story he's riding a tandem bicycle and all along the way he's picking up people, random strangers to come along on the ride. Before when he road 20,000 miles from Alaska to Argentina he'd pick up just about anyone. But this time he's only bringing along people with a disability. "We had Ryan with traumatic brain injury. Then we had Carlos who is visually impaired. The after that we had two brothers, Warren and Chad Woodbury who had muscular dystrophy," Dominic said. "And then 59-year-old Kelly Lane who has Parkinson's disease, he jumped on. And then he switched out with Rachel who has Cerebral Palsy and she's just cycled 250-miles from Minneapolis where she lives to here." These are people with profound disabilities, people who under normal circumstances would never have the opportunity to take part in such an amazing adventure. And yet thanks to the Dom & Ernie Project Dominic and his crew Alonzo and Nadia, these disabled cyclists are getting out and experiencing the world. They're traveling hundreds of miles in a way they may have never dreamed of before. Listen to the first Dominic Gill interview on the Joy Trip Project: Take A Seat Music by Chad Farran and The Ahn Trio The Joy Trip Project is bought to you thanks to  sponsors  Patagonia, Osprey, Clik Elite and Mountain Hardwear. Their generous support makes this latest series of stories possible. Support us by supporting them

An all inclusive adventure for the disabled only I'm packing my bags and taking this show on the road. And you're wondering, so what's new? James you travel all the time. That's right. I do. The Joy Trip Project is all about venturing out into the wide world and finding those stories about people who are doing what they can to make a difference, to make the world a better place. But this time, it's just a bit different. This time, I'm going to Africa. You'll find out why exactly I'm going intercontinental in an upcoming edition. So stay tuned. But yesterday, and I mean while I'm sorting my socks and underwear I get a text message from my friend adventure filmmaker and a true Joy Tripper Dominic Gill. You've met him on the show before. Dom's from the United Kingdom, the UK. He's riding his bike across the country from LA to New York on a trip he calls The Dom & Ernie Project. And on my iPhone it says: James we just crossed into Wisconsin. We'll be in Madison tonight. Believe it or not, I dropped everything. Cleared my schedule and made plans, because Dom and I just had to visit. And for you my loyal listeners I just had to bring you his story. Because Dom's not just riding across the country, that's been done to death. Just like before in the last story he's riding a tandem bicycle and all along the way he's picking up people, random strangers to come along on the ride. Before when he road 20,000 miles from Alaska to Argentina he'd pick up just about anyone. But this time he's only bringing along people with a disability. "We had Ryan with traumatic brain injury. Then we had Carlos who is visually impaired. The after that we had two brothers, Warren and Chad Woodbury who had muscular dystrophy," Dominic said. "And then 59-year-old Kelly Lane who has Parkinson's disease, he jumped on. And then he switched out with Rachel who has Cerebral Palsy and she's just cycled 250-miles from Minneapolis where she lives to here." These are people with profound disabilities, people who under normal circumstances would never have the opportunity to take part in such an amazing adventure. And yet thanks to the Dom & Ernie Project Dominic and his crew Alonzo and Nadia, these disabled cyclists are getting out and experiencing the world. They're traveling hundreds of miles in a way they may have never dreamed of before. Listen to the first Dominic Gill interview on the Joy Trip Project: Take A Seat Music by Chad Farran and The Ahn Trio The Joy Trip Project is bought to you thanks to  sponsors  Patagonia, Osprey, Clik Elite and Mountain Hardwear. Their generous support makes this latest series of stories possible. Support us by supporting them