Podcasts about outdoor retailer summer market

Another week another trade show. Today on THE ROCK FIGHT (an outdoor podcast that aims for the head) Colin is fresh off a flight home from SLC and is here with his off the cuff thoughts Outdoor Retailer.You know, Outdoor Retailer. The most popular topic of discussion within the US based outdoor industry! So what happened at OR this week? Was it a return to form? The bottom of the barrel? Well, you'll have to click play to find out.Head 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.Gear & Beer has it's own podcast feed! Follow and rate G&B on Apple or Spotify.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.Thanks for listening! THE ROCK FIGHT is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Jenny and Melissa talk about the best new gear at Denver’s Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, which is now available in retail stores, moving beyond sustainability by reducing toxins in product production, and the rise of the Plastic Impact Alliance.

The boys are back from Denver and are eager to share all of the great new things they saw at the 2019 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. But before they reveal their top picks for the best new gear, they get us all caught up on the latest adventure news, including the start of the Karakroam climbing season, an impressive new speed record on Denali, and an overland expedition that is traveling 10,000 miles from Singapore to London.

Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2019 Engearment interviews FjallravenJune 25, 2019Fjallraven has been making great gear for almost 60 years.  Find out what is new for 2020!Video for this can be found here - Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2019 Interviews 

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 

Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2019 Engearment interviews YakimaJune 25, 2019Lots of new gear coming out from Yakima.  Fishermen and women will be happy with the new rod cases.  Video for this can be found here - Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2019 Interviews 

Find out what Patagonia is working on for 2020!  From recycled clothes to hat bills, and new waders to ultra running.  Corey from Patagonia is always a blast to work with.  Enjoy!Video for this can be found here - Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2019 Interviews 

Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2019 Engearment interviews North FaceJune 25, 2019Find out what The North Face is working on for 2020! New tent designs, new waterproof breathable tech and so much more.  This is a two part interview.   Enjoy!Video for this can be found here - Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2019 Interviews 

BLISTER Editors Sam Shaheen and Luke Koppa discuss their time this week at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, including mind-boggling new technologies like titanium-coated fibres; inventive sustainability stories involving recycled medical supplies; and noteworthy trends — both good and bad. TOPICS & TIMES:Rumpl Puffy Blankets (1:08)Gore-Tex Infinium Fibers (3:08)Topo Designs’ new apparel & packs (6:37)Mystery Ranch Skyline 23 Pack (9:11)Sunski Sunglasses (10:40)Patagonia Storm Racer Shell (12:35)Rab Mythic Ultra sleeping bags (14:34)New Gore-Tex Paclite Plus (17:53)Black Diamond Z4 Cams (20:02)Saola Shoes (23:05)Notable trends (26:16)Products we wanted to steal (29:34)Weirdest / most alarming booths (30:55) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this short episode, we look back on the highlights of Day 2 at OR and preview a few of the can’t miss events on Day 3 at Summer Market. You can view Thursday's full OIA events and education agenda here: outdoorindustry.org/event/oia-outdoor-retailer/ To learn more about the work OIA does year round on behalf of its member companies, click here: outdoorindustry.org/        

In this short episode, we look back on the highlights of Day 1 at OR and preview a few of the can’t miss events on Day 2 at Summer Market. You can view Wednesday's full OIA events and education agenda here: outdoorindustry.org/event/oia-outdoor-retailer/ To learn more about the work OIA does year round on behalf of its member companies, click here: outdoorindustry.org/

You’ve got sustainability questions; we’ve got answers. Wherever you are on your journey to sustainability, we’re here to help. In 2019, we are helping OIA companies to Walk the Walk by hosting a series of sustainability boot camps. They are designed to help small to mid-sized brands that have limited to no dedicated sustainability staff or expertise to accelerate sustainability improvements and meet (or exceed) customer expectations. The camps are intensive full-day sessions combining engaging speakers, educational content, hands-on activities and take-home resources. The goal is for participants to leave the boot camp with more confidence and clarity around what is a complex topic. They will leave with a customized action plan so that they can champion sustainability within their brand, establish their organization’s strategy and program and take the next steps.   The first boot camp was held in Seattle, Washington, in March, and it hit capacity. The second camp is scheduled for June 16 in Denver, the day before Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, providing scheduling efficiency for those people who are already planning to attend the trade show. If Denver in June isn’t convenient, we’ll be offering two additional boot camps later this year, one in New York City on September 19 and one in Costa Mesa, California on December 5. Visit outdoorindustry.org for more information on the upcoming camps.   In this episode of Audio Outdoorist, we’re speaking with two industry professionals who attended the Seattle camp to find out why their company made it a priority, what they learned and what they’ll do next to keep their sustainability strategy forging forward.   Stay tuned for future stories from NEMO, Showers Pass and other boot camp attendees as they navigate their post boot-camp sustainability journeys. You can also read about how other industry brands are taking steps toward greater sustainability in our online series, “Sustainability: The First Step is the Hardest.”   https://outdoorindustry.org/sustainability-first-step-hardest/

Professional Surfer & Musician Makua Rothman Interview.  Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2018 Environmental Award Winners for Best Green Products. Interview with Red Bull Archer’s Paradox athletes, a trail running archery competition held outside of Madison, WI.

Vendors at the yearly Outdoor Retailer Show do an impressive job of attracting customers. But none of the companies had a better presentation than Helinox. It used a 1976 restored VW van. Helinox, which makes efficient compact lawnchairs, cots, umbrellas and other outdoor equipment used a VW restored by John Buschmann in his business called Urabus. The name is Subaru spelled in reverse, and Buschman is adapt using Subaru engines in vintage VWs. A 1976 Volkswagen Bus was used as part of the display for Helinox during Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Denver. Image © James Raia/2018 Buschmann is our guest on Episode 51 of the Weekly Driver Podcast. Buschmann joins us from his shop Englewood, Colorado. He discusses his long interest in Volkswagen and why Subaru engines are an ideal fit for vintage vans. And he tells us about the process of converting and restoring vintage vehicles. Beyond Volkswagen, Buschmann is busy with a variety restorations: A 1969 Dodge A100, 1973 VW Beetle, 1970 Red VW camper, 1976 VW Green Bubble Top and a 1962 Tan VW Vanagon. Urabus currently has for sale: a 1980 Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel, 1977 Green Volkswagen Bus, 1969 Karmann Ghia, 1982 Burnt Orange Vanagon and a PGSG Adventure Bus As described in the company's website, www.urabus.net. The company's motto: “Go Forth. Your Adventure Awaits." In addition to its availability on this website, the Weekly Driver Podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher and Podtail All episodes of our podcasts are also archived on this website, TheWeeklyDriver.com. We welcome your comments and episode suggestions. Please also consider forwarding episode links to family, friends and colleagues. The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com. The Weekly Driver Podcast gets support from automotive/pop cuture podcast Off Track

Cody tastes and sips his way around the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. Resources: AlpineStart Instant Coffee ESPRO P7 (pitcher-sized French press, the ultralight is available exclusively at Starbucks for now) Campfire Meals Know Brainer (drinkable Ketogenic breakfast options) Nature’s Coffee Kettle Mighty Organic jerky and meats (they gave me a jalapeno beef stick and IT WAS AWESOME) … Continue reading NEW Camp Food for 2018 →

For our 100th episode and, indeed, for our 101st, I have two friends with whom I finished the trail. Next week, it will be Pat Coate, or Tee Bird. This week, Ken Hall, or Lighterknot, joins us to tell us how the Class of 2014 affected him. We have a wide-ranging and definitely nostalgic chat about the time we spent together. In the interview, our laughter was incessant and proved how easily we picked up with one another again. Ken was supported on his 2014 journey by his wife, Deb, who was there at Springer to see him off. He is a man of faith, and his prayer at the end is burned into my mind, yet this is the first time I've seen the picture that was taken. That picture is placed at the end of these notes. If you'd like to read more about Ken's journey, here is a link to his blog. https://lighterknot.wordpress.com/ We also had three more interviews from the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Denver recently. I met: James Peet of Simple Shower - https://www.simple-shower.com/. If you click on the link to his website you'll see a really good video that shows you what this simple device is like and what it can do. Ethan Devine of Solarcamp - https://www.solarcamp-usa.com/. The solar charger that Ethan talks about is the Solympic-Hue. Andy Birutis of Alchemi Labs - https://www.alchemilabs.com/ told us about his reflective hats that reflect 80% of the sun's heatwaves. I liked the River Hat. Could my shirt really be any more pink??   Chrissy Funk returned to the show with If I Did It Again. Her sometimes almost-harrowing videos displayed the emotion she has for the AT and she resolved to get back to it someday and told us the changes she would make. We hope that you take the opportunity to support our sponsor, Trailtopia, when you consider your next backpacking trip. Go to https://www.trailtopia.com/ to check out their wide variety of meals.

Based in Oakland, Helinox (www.helinox.com) was among numerous vendors at the recent Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Denver. The annual trade show showcases a vast array of merchandise, some geared toward various automotive user groups. “We obviously come from the outdoors, but we recognize the way in which people get to the outdoors is often by automobile," said Azul Couzens, vice president of the company that also makes umbrellas and trekking poles. “More people are active in the outdoors with their cars. They're going all-terrain; they're going with their van and they're going with their restored VW van or Land Cruiser.” A 1976 Volkswagen Bus was used as part of the display for Helinox during Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Denver. Image © James Raia/2018 The Chair Zero collapses and fits into a pull-string bag the size of a water bottle. It weighs one pound and can hold a person weighing as much as 275 pounds. “People are looking for equipment knowing that space is at a premium and that's where we come in,” said Azul. “We offer lightweight, collapsible and portable furniture that delivers on comfort when you're away from home. It really comes down to how much comfort you want to carry and how far you have to carry it once you pull it out of your car.” Helinox displayed most of its products at Outdoor Retailer with traditional shelving. But a centerpiece of furniture was positioned around a restored 1976 Volkswagen bus. The vans are a time capsule of efficient outdoor-oriented travel, an ideal match for Helinox. Here are three more automotive-related products from the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market: * Aquabot (www.lunatecgear.com) — It's called a hydration spray bottle. It has three patterns — mist, stream and shower. It's available in several sizes and colors. According to Nick Rhea, president of Lunatec Gear, it's good to use to "cool off, clean off and hydrate." The largest and most elaborate bottle, the Comet, holds one liter (33.8 ounces) and includes a sleeve and a 36-inch long tube. It eliminates having to pick-up the bottle while driving. The Comet is also popular among golfers, backpackers and cyclists. "It just makes drinking more convenient," said Rhea. "We make innovative gear that simplifies your life, and to ease complicated adventures.” * Hi-Tec/Magnum (www.hi-tec.com) — Outdoorsmen, military and law enforcement personnel and truck drivers often make long hauls in bulky shoes with little ankle support. Magnum, the world's top-selling tactical boot, makes a six-inch and eight-high boots. The boots provide strong ankle support, but it results in drivers having difficulty articulating their feet when using gas, brake or clutch pedals. All Magnum boots have a flexible "round-up" heal for pivoting and flexibility overall comfort for daily use while driving a vehicle. The boot is uniform-oriented with a clean, rounded toe for polishing, but with a high-top portion for support. * Knockaround (www.knockaround.com) — The idea is affordability, and it's reflected in the name. The San Diego company makes cheap sunglasses in a near-countless offering on colors and sizes. And the sunglasses include components of prominent brands, like polarization, ideal for driving. “Beat ‘em up, wear ‘em, lose, scratch ‘em, break ‘em and buy another pair for not that much,” said company vice president Ed Rainey. Knock around sunglasses range from $10-$30. The company started about 12 years ago when its founder lost his RayBans on the beach didn't feel like spending $200 to replace them.

First episode with recordings from the floor of the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. We chat with: Sierra Designs about their brand new Nitro Quilt WigWam about 113 years of sock experience NEMO about reinventing the closed-cell foam pad ENO about the revised Guardian bugnet We’ve got a lot more content coming from the Summer Market. … Continue reading I Made it to DENVER →

We're joined by special guest Frank Ledwell of OutdoorX4 magazine this week as record the show live in Denver, Colorado. We're there to attend the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, where the latest and greatest outdoor gear is on display. In this episode, we share our thoughts after two days at the show with a sneak peek at the best new products we've seen so far. 

Live from Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Denver, CO, Deborah Williams brings you the highlights of the day's news, must-attend events, and the hottest products.

Live from Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Denver, CO, Deborah Williams brings you the highlights of the day's news, must-attend events, and the hottest products.

My journey from Dallas to Denver for the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. I camped in Palo Duro State Park, a great halfway point between the two. To follow along with the Summer Market this week, follow me on your drug -erm- “social media platform” of choice: Facebook Instagram Twitter Shout out to Josh and Lauren, … Continue reading Roadtrip and Rattlesnake (Denver Part 1) →

Live from Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Denver, CO, Deborah Williams brings you the highlights of the day's news, must-attend events, and the hottest products.

Today on the First 40 Miles, what's new in the world of backpacking gear?  We're back from the Outdoor Retailer Show to share gear that's relevant to backpackers.  Then, we'll share a listener story that may inspire you to rethink your freeze dried chicken a la “whatever”.  And we'll share a backpack hack that will turn your hand held flashlight into a hands-free flashlight.

After a 20-year run, Outdoor Retailer is saying farewell to Utah. The twice-yearly trade show wraps up in Salt Lake City this week. The Outdoor Retailer Summer Market marks the industry's final trade event in Salt Lake City before heading to Denver in 2018. ORs departure has many wondering what's next for Utah's outdoor industry and what does this mean for our state's economy? Today we're joined by Tom Adams, Director of Utah's Office of Outdoor Recreation to talk about the future of Utah's Outdoor Recreation.

Today on the First 40 Miles, a sneak peek inside 2017 outdoor trends and upcoming gear!  Then, on the SUMMIT Gear Review we'll share a Nalgene that is 50% more than the Nalgene you already have.  And the Backpack Hack of the week you'll learn another use for a Nalgene that will get you ready for those chilly autumn nights.  And we'll wrap up the show with a vision of green threads!

It's our semi-annual GEAR GIVEAWAY episode! Twice a year, we attend the Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City to cover new products, technologies, and companies in the outdoors industry. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to make it to the show this year, but we sent Roommate Max to fill in. If this is your first time listening to our gear giveaway episode, here’s how it works. In exchange for being featured on today’s episode, each company has agreed to give away free gear to our listeners. These are all real products that are either currently on the market or will be - they aren’t promotional. To win the free gear, all you have to do is email me at ben@mtnmeister.com. The first person who requests it, gets it. You can only win one prize, and after you win it, you cannot exchange it. Winners must be in the USA. 22 companies, $5,000+ in prizes, 30+ winners! For 20% from our sponsor Big Agnes, use the code "meister" at checkout at bigagnes.com To purchase a MtnMeister t-shirt - https://gumroad.com/l/QiebU

Statistically, women make about 80-percent of purchasing decisions and overwhelmingly own the buying power of most households in America. Yet their involvement in the creation, ideation and implementation of new products, in any field, but specifically the outdoor industry, has been very low. That's what Deane Buck, executive director of Outdoor Industries Coalition of Women (OWIC) is completely committed to changing. The OIWC is a national non-profit organization dedicated to workplace equity, diversity and inclusion by expanding opportunities for women in the outdoor, snow, bike and endurance markets. For much of the organization's 20-year history, that focus has been on encouraging established corporations to evolve. OWIC's latest initiative is called PitchFest, and shows that the OIWC is also supporting and furthering women-founded companies and start ups. PitchFest, in its second year in 2016, provides women with the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to key leaders in the outdoor industry at a key industry gathering, the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, which takes place in early August. But what separates PitchFest from some similar pitch-focused entrepreneurial opportunities is that capital is not the only end-game. As Deanne says, sometimes capital is not the most important thing. Sometimes, feedback and good advice is more valuable than money - let alone building a network in the market of focus. Plus, not every company needs to be venture funded. It seems like a popular track for a start up to be pitching for capital, but that doesn't mean it's the right decision for every business. Entrepreneurs need to be encouraged to move forward and not feel like less entrepreneurs because they didn't get capital funding. As someone who has bootstrapped three start ups, I couldn't agree more. OWIC's PitchFest is an amazing initiative that will facilitate real change in the industries, not only for female-founded companies, but also for entrepreneurs in general. It will also help more women evolve their leadership and have access to more opportunities. I'm very thankful to have Deanne on the show, so please join me in welcoming her to the Intrepid Entrepreneur! Bravery in Business Quote “Not only do we need to get more women into the outdoor industry, but the talent has to be high, and women should make up at least 50% of the workforce.” - Deane Buck (click to tweet) The Cliff Notes There is tremendous opportunity for talented women in the outdoor industry right now Outdoor companies need to spend more time understanding the woman consumer, not just for female products but all products, because statistics show that women make 80% of the buying decisions Feedback and good advice can be a far more important and rare commodity than capital The best part of being in the outdoor industry, as well as any other industry, is the relationships you form It's important to peel back the layers underneath what you think your problem is, so that you can work on those problems, instead of the surface ones. For example, you may think that your problem is not enough buyers, when you wouldn't even be able to fulfill orders if you had more buyers Don't get caught up in the hype of venture capital. It doesn't make you any less of an entrepreneur for not getting venture funding REI's Mary Anderson Legacy Grant has truly catalyzed the reach and impact of the OIWC - I personally want to thank REI's leadership for their authentic connection and support to the important work of the OIWC in our markets. “Maybe you'll never get outside venture funding, but that doesn't make you any less of an entrepreneur.” - Deane Buck (click to tweet)   Habit for Success As an entrepreneur, don't get stuck in the mindset that you need to receive venture capital funding to be legit. While that's a hot topic right now, it's actually not the right decision for a majority of startups.   Resources PitchFest The Outdoor Women's Coalition REI.com   Full Show Notes

From August 4th to 8th, over 1,600 companies in the outdoors industry showed off their latest and greatest products. MTNmeister was there covering 19 of them, which are featured in this segment. In order to be a part of it, these companies agreed to give MTNmeister listeners the chance to win free gear. In sum, $3,500 in gear is given away on this episode.

The Outdoor Retailer trade show brings together the industry's most innovative gear makers, retailers, and media. From August 5th - 8th in Salt Lake City, over 1,500 companies will be showing off their latest and greatest products, and MTNmeister will be bringing those products to you. Keep an eye out for the next episode of MTNmeister, and listen early to have a chance to win!

THE FREDCAST CYCLING PODCAST Episode 214 ORSM14 Week of August 4, 2014 Don't forget to buy your FredCast kit (thefredcast.com/store)! SPONSORS JENSON USA LYNDA.COM YOU! Thank you for your Donations! FEATURES Interviews from Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2014: • Olloclip • Knog • Magellan • Sports Suds NEWS Product Recalls PODSAFE CYCLING MUSIC Make it Better by Jann Klose Thanks and farewell to IndoorCyclingMusic.com! The FredCast Cycling Podcast is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

THE eFREDCAST CYCLING PODCAST Enhanced Edition Episode 214 ORSM14 Week of August 4, 2014 Don't forget to buy your FredCast kit (thefredcast.com/store)! SPONSORS JENSON USA LYNDA.COM YOU! Thank you for your Donations! FEATURES Interviews from Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2014: • Olloclip • Knog • Magellan • Sports Suds NEWS Product Recalls PODSAFE CYCLING MUSIC Make it Better by Jann Klose Thanks and farewell to IndoorCyclingMusic.com! The FredCast Cycling Podcast is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

A conversation with Aron Ralston In 2003 Aron Ralston was brash young man looking for adventure. But while exploring the slot canyons of the Utah desert he found himself trapped miles from home deep within a underground chasm his right arm crushed and pinned by a massive boulder. There he lay stranded with no hope of rescue for five days. Rolston's story was portrayed in the 2010 film 127 Hours starting James Franko. In order to escape from circumstance that would have meant certain death Ralston was forced to amputate his own arm. But he would go one to inspire millions through his incredible story of survival and perseverance through his bestselling book Between a Rock & a Hard Place. Ralstonwas the keynote speaker at the bi-annual meeting of the Conservation Alliance during 2012 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City Utah. Immediately following his presentation I had the opportunity to ask him a few questions about his ordeal and what inspired him to live to tell his story. JTP: Many people have seen the film and have read the book. The film is called 127 Hours. And the book is called Between a Rock and a Hard Place and it tells your story of a very harrowing experience in the Utah desert. I'll leave it to other people to get an idea as to what it is that, that story meant to them, but perhaps you can give me an idea. In the film, how accurate was James Franko's portrayal of your story? What did they get right? What did they get wrong? Ralston: Well I worked with the film team for seven years as it was to take it all the way from when I wrote my book to turn it into a script and then selecting a director and working with them to choose James as they did to depict me and my experience. And even working with James then to coach him through the actions. He's admittedly not an outdoorsman and to get him familiar with the desert, to get him an understanding of my experience. Not that he was trying to impersonate me so much, but to take an audience through my entrapment, the psychological aspects of the ordeal that I endured and then the liberation, the release, the triumph of it all too. And I thought it was very accurately portrayed, both from the overarching emotional stories, the themes that they highlighted about love and family and also the very physical and factual aspects of it too, all wrapped up in this extraordinary film adaptation of my experience. I think that people who watch it they know what I went through. You feel it really as you watch the film. So I was extremely pleased with what they did. I was that the point where I'm watching it with my sister a couple of times and as she's seeing it for the first time she's like elbowing me and slapping me on the knee saying , "That's so you! They totally nailed it!" Even with my family they saw how genuine it was and to do that and at the same time really make a film that moves people? That's not an easy thing. You usually have to choose one or the other, but they got it both. They got this amazing film, I thought very powerful and inspiring and then also sometimes resonated with my experience that showed that genuine portrayal. Even with my faults, somethings I'm not necessarily proud of, mistakes and foibles as they are. I couldn't have been happier. JTP: Your experience was both physically and emotionally traumatic. Can you give me an idea, can your subscribe for me what was the greatest moment of despair for you? Ralston: I think that the darkest point of the entrapment came after I had eliminated all my options of escape and was really left with still the idea that I could amputate my arm. It's just that I wasn't desperate enough yet and then as I became more desperate on the third day I tried to cut into my arm. I couldn't even cut through the skin. I felt despair and thought I'd bottomed out at that point. But then later on the fourth day I had this kind of epiphany of sorts, that I could take the knife and hold it like a dagger and try to stab m...

A conversation with Aron Ralston In 2003 Aron Ralston was brash young man looking for adventure. But while exploring the slot canyons of the Utah desert he found himself trapped miles from home deep within a underground chasm his right arm crushed and pinned by a massive boulder. There he lay stranded with no hope of rescue for five days. Rolston's story was portrayed in the 2010 film 127 Hours starting James Franko. In order to escape from circumstance that would have meant certain death Ralston was forced to amputate his own arm. But he would go one to inspire millions through his incredible story of survival and perseverance through his bestselling book Between a Rock & a Hard Place. Ralstonwas the keynote speaker at the bi-annual meeting of the Conservation Alliance during 2012 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City Utah. Immediately following his presentation I had the opportunity to ask him a few questions about his ordeal and what inspired him to live to tell his story. JTP: Many people have seen the film and have read the book. The film is called 127 Hours. And the book is called Between a Rock and a Hard Place and it tells your story of a very harrowing experience in the Utah desert. I'll leave it to other people to get an idea as to what it is that, that story meant to them, but perhaps you can give me an idea. In the film, how accurate was James Franko's portrayal of your story? What did they get right? What did they get wrong? Ralston: Well I worked with the film team for seven years as it was to take it all the way from when I wrote my book to turn it into a script and then selecting a director and working with them to choose James as they did to depict me and my experience. And even working with James then to coach him through the actions. He's admittedly not an outdoorsman and to get him familiar with the desert, to get him an understanding of my experience. Not that he was trying to impersonate me so much, but to take an audience through my entrapment, the psychological aspects of the ordeal that I endured and then the liberation, the release, the triumph of it all too. And I thought it was very accurately portrayed, both from the overarching emotional stories, the themes that they highlighted about love and family and also the very physical and factual aspects of it too, all wrapped up in this extraordinary film adaptation of my experience. I think that people who watch it they know what I went through. You feel it really as you watch the film. So I was extremely pleased with what they did. I was that the point where I'm watching it with my sister a couple of times and as she's seeing it for the first time she's like elbowing me and slapping me on the knee saying , "That's so you! They totally nailed it!" Even with my family they saw how genuine it was and to do that and at the same time really make a film that moves people? That's not an easy thing. You usually have to choose one or the other, but they got it both. They got this amazing film, I thought very powerful and inspiring and then also sometimes resonated with my experience that showed that genuine portrayal. Even with my faults, somethings I'm not necessarily proud of, mistakes and foibles as they are. I couldn't have been happier. JTP: Your experience was both physically and emotionally traumatic. Can you give me an idea, can your subscribe for me what was the greatest moment of despair for you? Ralston: I think that the darkest point of the entrapment came after I had eliminated all my options of escape and was really left with still the idea that I could amputate my arm. It's just that I wasn't desperate enough yet and then as I became more desperate on the third day I tried to cut into my arm. I couldn't even cut through the skin. I felt despair and thought I'd bottomed out at that point. But then later on the fourth day I had this kind of epiphany of sorts, that I could take the knife and hold it like a dagger and try to stab m...

The Gear Fix Duo has been busy as the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2012 wraps up. Mike and Tim briefly highlight some of the new gear that was on display at this summer's OR show and give their impressions on the show. Also discussed on this week's episode is Great Britain's domination of the cycling world and a little follow up with Black Diamond CEO Peter Metcalf. 

An interview with climber and writer Majka Burhardt Many Americans -maybe even most of us- begin our mornings with a steaming cup of coffee. That wonderfully dark warm beverage helps to kick start your day and put a little bounce in your step. But if you're like me, you probably haven't put a whole lot of thought into where it comes from or how it's grown. That's why writer and climber Majka Burhardt traveled more than 8,000 miles to discover the story. “I went to Ethiopia originally as a journalist to try to find a rare coffee,” she said. “That coffee receives about $150 a pound on the U.S. market and we tried to find the genetic roots of it in Ethiopia. We didn't find the coffee. But I wound up staying there and climbing and writing a book called Vertical Ethiopia about doing first ascents — and really, a book about how to use rock climbing to tell a different story about Ethiopia that was not only about drought, poverty, and famine.” Majka and I first met as we discussed her early journeys through eastern Africa. Her book Vertical Ethiopia details her adventures while climbing some of the very first routes on the cliffs of Gheralta in a region called Tigray. And during her travels while climbing she discovered that in addition to its rich and complex flavors, coffee also offers a deep look to the history of Ethiopia and its people. "Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee. It's the home of 10,000 varietals of coffee,” Majka said. “So for me to come back and tell the stories behind coffee, that was just the ultimate expression of what is Ethiopia. In some ways you can tell the story of Ethiopia through coffee.” I had the pleasure of traveling through Africa with Majka as she was finishing up the last few chapters of her latest book. And as we reconnected during the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City Utah we had a chance to talk about what she learned and to share her new book Coffee Story Ethiopia. Music this week by Cheryl B. Englehardt The Joy Trip Project is made possible with the support of our sponsor Patagonia Check out their latest new media and conservation initiatives at their blog thecleanestline.com

An interview with climber and writer Majka Burhardt Many Americans -maybe even most of us- begin our mornings with a steaming cup of coffee. That wonderfully dark warm beverage helps to kick start your day and put a little bounce in your step. But if you're like me, you probably haven't put a whole lot of thought into where it comes from or how it's grown. That's why writer and climber Majka Burhardt traveled more than 8,000 miles to discover the story. “I went to Ethiopia originally as a journalist to try to find a rare coffee,” she said. “That coffee receives about $150 a pound on the U.S. market and we tried to find the genetic roots of it in Ethiopia. We didn't find the coffee. But I wound up staying there and climbing and writing a book called Vertical Ethiopia about doing first ascents — and really, a book about how to use rock climbing to tell a different story about Ethiopia that was not only about drought, poverty, and famine.” Majka and I first met as we discussed her early journeys through eastern Africa. Her book Vertical Ethiopia details her adventures while climbing some of the very first routes on the cliffs of Gheralta in a region called Tigray. And during her travels while climbing she discovered that in addition to its rich and complex flavors, coffee also offers a deep look to the history of Ethiopia and its people. "Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee. It's the home of 10,000 varietals of coffee,” Majka said. “So for me to come back and tell the stories behind coffee, that was just the ultimate expression of what is Ethiopia. In some ways you can tell the story of Ethiopia through coffee.” I had the pleasure of traveling through Africa with Majka as she was finishing up the last few chapters of her latest book. And as we reconnected during the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City Utah we had a chance to talk about what she learned and to share her new book Coffee Story Ethiopia. Music this week by Cheryl B. Englehardt The Joy Trip Project is made possible with the support of our sponsor Patagonia Check out their latest new media and conservation initiatives at their blog thecleanestline.com

For those of us who spend a great deal of time outdoors it's hard to believe that there are many of those who don't. Especially when it comes to our national parks there is an entire segment of the United States population, natural born citizens who seldom if ever visit. This is particularly true among people of color. African-Americans, Hispanics and other ethnic minorities spend far less time in nature than their white counterparts. And in a shifting demographic where minorities will soon become the majority there's rising concern throughout the conservation movement that one day in the not so distant future most U.S. citizens will have no personal relationship with or affinity for the natural world. This concern is expressed most eloquently by National Park Ranger Shelton Johnson. The only permanent African-American ranger at Yosemite National Park his mission is to share with audiences, black and white, lessons of stewardship that illustrate the bond with nature that is every U.S. citizen's birth rite. An interpretive ranger that tells the story of the Buffalo Soldiers, African-American cavalrymen who projected Yosemite at the turn of last century, Johnson puts into context the importance of wilderness not merely as a point of national pride but an intrinsic value of what it mean to be human. At the biannual meeting of the Conservation Alliance at the 2011 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City Utah, Shelton Johnson was the keynote speaker. Best known for his prominent role in the Ken Burns documentary "The National Parks, America's Best Idea," he was also instrumental in bringing Yosemite Valley to the attention of leading black talk show host Oprah Winfrey. In a nationally televised visit to the park in 2010 Winfrey used her media clout to invite millions of minorities across the country to explore the great outdoors. In this unabridged audio recording Johnson is welcomed to the podium by Conservation Alliance executive director John Sterling. For 40 minutes Ranger Johnson inspired a rapt crowd with a message to encourage all people, regardless of race, to embrace the wonders of nature and to claim their inheritance of our national treasures  Music this week by the band Hot Buttered Rum The Joy Trip Project is brought with the support of our sponsor Patagonia.   Coverage of the 2011 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market was supported by Knupp, Watson & Wallman

For those of us who spend a great deal of time outdoors it's hard to believe that there are many of those who don't. Especially when it comes to our national parks there is an entire segment of the United States population, natural born citizens who seldom if ever visit. This is particularly true among people of color. African-Americans, Hispanics and other ethnic minorities spend far less time in nature than their white counterparts. And in a shifting demographic where minorities will soon become the majority there's rising concern throughout the conservation movement that one day in the not so distant future most U.S. citizens will have no personal relationship with or affinity for the natural world. This concern is expressed most eloquently by National Park Ranger Shelton Johnson. The only permanent African-American ranger at Yosemite National Park his mission is to share with audiences, black and white, lessons of stewardship that illustrate the bond with nature that is every U.S. citizen's birth rite. An interpretive ranger that tells the story of the Buffalo Soldiers, African-American cavalrymen who projected Yosemite at the turn of last century, Johnson puts into context the importance of wilderness not merely as a point of national pride but an intrinsic value of what it mean to be human. At the biannual meeting of the Conservation Alliance at the 2011 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City Utah, Shelton Johnson was the keynote speaker. Best known for his prominent role in the Ken Burns documentary "The National Parks, America's Best Idea," he was also instrumental in bringing Yosemite Valley to the attention of leading black talk show host Oprah Winfrey. In a nationally televised visit to the park in 2010 Winfrey used her media clout to invite millions of minorities across the country to explore the great outdoors. In this unabridged audio recording Johnson is welcomed to the podium by Conservation Alliance executive director John Sterling. For 40 minutes Ranger Johnson inspired a rapt crowd with a message to encourage all people, regardless of race, to embrace the wonders of nature and to claim their inheritance of our national treasures  Music this week by the band Hot Buttered Rum The Joy Trip Project is brought with the support of our sponsor Patagonia.   Coverage of the 2011 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market was supported by Knupp, Watson & Wallman

THE FREDCAST CYCLING PODCAST EPISODE 132 July 26, 2009 This episode of The FredCast features interviews gathered at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2009, including Timex, AquaPac, CyFi, US Global Sat, Crumpler, HydraPak, Energizer and CamelBak. This week's show is sponsored by Audible and listeners like you! THIS WEEK'S FEATURES • Interviews from the 2009 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market with: ◦ Timex ◦ AquaPac ◦ CyFi ◦ US Global Sat ◦ Crumpler ◦ HydraPak ◦ Energizer ◦ CamelBak PODSAFE CYCLING MUSIC: Happy by Jimmie Bratcher The FredCast Cycling Podcast is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

THE FREDCAST CYCLING PODCAST ENHANCED EDITION EPISODE 132 July 26, 2009 This episode of The FredCast features interviews gathered at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2009, including Timex, AquaPac, CyFi, US Global Sat, Crumpler, HydraPak, Energizer and CamelBak. This week's show is sponsored by Audible and listeners like you! THIS WEEK'S FEATURES • Interviews from the 2009 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market with: ◦ Timex ◦ AquaPac ◦ CyFi ◦ US Global Sat ◦ Crumpler ◦ HydraPak ◦ Energizer ◦ CamelBak PODSAFE CYCLING MUSIC: Happy by Jimmie Bratcher The FredCast Cycling Podcast is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.