Sierra Designs Down Bootie Contest

The Sierra Designs Down Bootie has developed into one of those truly indispensable pieces of gear for winter adventurers. They’re like a devoted coffee drinker’s favorite mug they never leave home without. In fact, if it weren’t a fashion faux pas, most people would probably wear them around all the time. All social blunders aside, these bad boys rule the cold-weather backcountry for style and comfort.

Ask any number of winter backpackers and climbers what their favorite piece of gear is and they are likely to tell you, 'Sierra Designs Down Booties.' This simple, but indispensable piece of gear has developed a cult following among cold-weather backcountry aficionados.

To celebrate Sierra Designs Booties we will be giving away a pair of their Classic Down Booties every weekday in April. To win, simply upload the best photo* of you with any of your Sierra Designs gear or apparel in action onto Sierra Designs' Facebook Page . Hiking, climbing, paddling, slacklining, camping and lounging photos are all eligible – any activity, trip or adventure where any piece of Sierra Designs gear or apparel became your favorite piece of gear.

At the end of April, Sierra Designs will review all of the winners and choose one contestant to win either a men’s Verde 20 or women’s Déjà Vu 20 sleeping bag. Both bags are part of Sierra designs Green Effect Program with 95% recycled content and feature an eco-friendly Cocona liner – creating a more sustainable sleeping bag without sacrificing any performance.

La Sportiva’s Athletes Converge on Red Rocks Rendezvous

La Sportiva’s team of climbing and mountain running athletes will head out to Las Vegas, Nev. for a weekend of climbing, running and clinics at the fifth annual Red Rocks Rendezvous, March 28-30, 2008. La Sportiva is sponsoring a wide range of clinics from their elite climbing athletes, including Micah Dash, Tommy Caldwell, Beth Rodden, Matt Segal, Paul Stein, Dale Remsburg, and Mark Synnott.

Every climber has been in a situation where they bit off a little bit more than they could chew, and Mark Synnott will be hosting a clinic to help climbers get down to level ground safely from nearly any situation. Mark’s clinic, called The Fine Art of Bailing, will teach attendees about improvised rappel anchors and techniques to avoid leaving too much gear. Yosemite veteran, Micah Dash will be hosting a clinic on crack climbing & off-widths at Red Rock Rendezvous.

La Sportiva’s team of product testers will be at the Rendezvous with their demo fleet of rock shoes and mountain running footwear. This year, La Sportiva will be handing out 100 water bottles a day to anyone who test drives a new pair of La Sportiva rock or mountain running shoes.

Save the Date! Conservation Alliance Speaker for Summer OR Announced

I know what you are thinking, Summer OR already!? Like our good friend Justin Roth pointed out, it feels a little like decorating for Christmas, and comes a little earlier each year. But, with the first day of spring just a day away, it will be here before we know it, and we are ready to stock those "shelves" for the 2008 Summer OR, even earlier than Wal-Mart can put out holiday schwag.

We are just too excited about this year's speaker to keep it a secret. The Conservation Alliance Breakfast at the August 2008 Outdoor Retailer Show will feature guest speaker Bill McKibben.

Bill McKibben is a renowned author, educator, and environmentalist. In 1989, he published The End of Nature, the first book about climate change written for a general audience. His work over the years spans the topics of global warming, alternative energy, and sustainable economies.

Bill McKibben has been prophetic voice for more than 20 years, and there is no better time than the present to have him address The Conservation Alliance Breakfast, and share his thoughts on how we can navigate the challenges we – and our shared environment – face.

The breakfast, which is open to the public, is Saturday, August 9, 7:00-9:00 AM at The Marriott in good ol' Salt Lake City.

Mion Footwear Partners with Rapid Transit to Bring Kayak Videos to the Web

Mion Footwear is partnering with Rapid Transit to provide boaters the world-over with top-notch kayak footage.

A division of Effort, Inc, Rapid Transit is a collaboration of kayaking filmmakers who regularly bring their newest kayaking productions to the web. Mion’s sponsorship enables Rapid Transit to allow users to view these exciting paddling films for free at www.rapidtransitvideo.com.

Mion’s support of RapidTransitVideo.com reinforces the brand's commitment to grassroots filmmakers who showcase amphibious athletes in action on the water around the world.

New Rapid Transit films also will be featured at www.mionfootwear.com.

Visit RapidTransitVideo.com frequently to check for featured videos and updates from each of the site’s producers.

Yamaha's Josh Hill Races to First Monster Energy Supercross Victory Wearing GoPro Motorsports HERO

(image courtesy of vitalmx.com)

Yamaha's Josh Hill raced to his first Monster Energy AMA Supercross victory Saturday night, beating Suzuki's Ryan Dungey in front of 40,982 fans at the Minneapolis Metrodome. Hill raced to victory wearing GoPro's Motorsports HERO on his helmet.

GoPro is sponsoring Yamaha’s Factory Supercross and Motocross Race Team to promote the durability and performance of its new Motorsports HERO camera.

Check out footage from Saturday's race...courtesy of SPEEDtv.com:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1435509413/bctid1459191675

Colorado Companies Donate One Percent of Sales to Snow Research

Four Colorado-based businesses, each a member of the group 1% For the Planet, recently donated their respective one percent of sales to the Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies, a Silverton Colo. research organization with national significance to snow science research. The four businesses include Venture Snowboards in Silverton, Pine Needle Mountaineering in Durango, Stellar Wood and Glass in Marble, and Verde PR in Durango. Pine Needle Mountaineering donated through Patagonia who gave certain retailer stores a portion of its own 1-percent contribution to give to causes.

These four businesses each elected to direct all or a portion of their contributions to the Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies (CSAS), a nonprofit research and education organization dedicated to a better understanding of mountain snow systems and the human-environment interaction. Read the full press release here.

Mion Team Ambassador First to Descend DeSoto Falls

Chris Gragtmans, Mion Team Ambassador, became the first person to attempt and successfully paddle massive DeSoto Falls in Alabama last month. According to the video, Gragtmans had been interested in running the falls for some time, and the latest southeastern storm provided the right conditions to inspire a trip down there. The falls itself consists of two drops in succession; a 20-foot entry into a monster 80-footer. DeSoto is a popular touristic attraction for the area with a viewing area at the lip of the waterfall. One visitor was interviewed for his opinion of the impending drop saying, "I think he needs to be committed somewhere he can't hurt himself". Fortunately Gragtmans landed the drop cleanly and paddled away. Check out the video on Shred Ready's Blog.