Hiking News - October 2009

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SCARPA Unveils 'Planet Friendly' Initiative

Thursday, 29 October 2009

BOULDER, Colo. - Five new models of trail runners and light hikers from SCARPA for Spring 2010 embody the footwear brand's new 'SCARPA Planet Friendly' initiative, a commitment to sourcing and employing recycled content materials and finding other ways - such as midsoles that biodegrade in landfills - to lessen its carbon footprint.

Let's face it: Almost no products are 'green.' Makin g a product still requires energy and the process uses materials. But that doesn't mean that a company can't be forward-looking about sourcing recycled materials and incorporating them into its supply chain, especially when those materials are as high-performing as traditional ones.

In fact, SCARPA has been using recycled content materials in different aspects of its hiking line for years. And this winter, it will unveil the world's first line of ski boots made largely from plastic derived from plants rather than petroleum.

The new 'Planet Friendly' initiative for Spring 2010 not only marks SCARPA's most comprehensive effort at building footwear using recycled and biodegradable technology, it also marks the beginning of an effort to let consumers know what it is doing to try to use less, and what it is doing to make materials purchases count in terms of supporting lower-impact technology. Five new shoes, the Pursuit and Pursuit GTX (trail runners), the Epic (hiking/approach shoe built on a trail runner chassis) and the Moraine and Moraine GTX (light hikers), incorporate the following 'Planet Friendly' materials choices.

• Midsoles use EcoPure, an additive that helps the EVA break down in roughly 20 years under landfill conditions versus more than 1,000 years for normal EVA
• 100 percent recycled webbing and lace
• 100 percent recycled lining; 70 percent recycled strobel
• 40 percent recycled synthetic leather
• 29 percent recycled polyester mesh
• 25 percent recycled rubber outside

Moving forward, the SCARPA Eco ski boot program, telemark and alpine-touring boots made from Pebax Rnew, a version of the Pebax plastic that is made 90 percent from oil derived from the castor plant instead of petroleum-based oil, will also fall under the SCARPA Planet Friendly designation. Pebax Rnew is the same material as Pebax, with the same high-end performance characteristics, except that it requires 29 percent less fossil fuel and puts out 32 percent fewer emissions in the process taking Rnew from raw to useable material.

"Sourcing new technologies that help us lessen our impact is an ongoing process, and the Planet Friendly initiative is about letting our customers know in very specific terms how we're trying to incorporate these emerging technologies into our line, not about 'another green story' or about congratulating ourselves," said SCARPA North America CEO Kim Miller. "SCARPA Planet Friendly is a continuous effort to reduce our impact on the environment. If we do our job right, we'll help drive demand for better and better technologies that help us continue to lessen our footprint."

Source: www.outdoorindustry.org

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park Transitions

Tuesday, 27 October 2009

Phoenix, AZ - The historic lodge at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park has been under structural repair since February 26, 2009 and the entire park was closed until the City of Payson stepped forward on May 22 to fund part-time positions necessary to keep the park open at least on weekends throughout the summer and now until November 15.

Beginning on November 19, 2009, the park will tran sition to a five-day-per-week schedule and will be open Thursdays through Mondays (9-5) and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The lodge will remain closed due to additional internal construction projects.

But there are many reasons to visit this park and the geologic wonder there which is a 183-foot-high bridge made of travertine and a spectacular waterfall that drops down into a 400-foot-long tunnel created by Pine Creek. Hiking, picnicking, weddings, swimming, family reunions and exploring make this park one of visitor's favorite destinations. The moss-covered grottos on the waterfall trail gurgle as the spring water splashes down into rocks below. Javalina are seen often at the park during the day as they graze the grassy fields.

Just a short 1½ hour trip up to Payson from Phoenix brings visitors to a myriad of adventures from visiting Tonto Natural Bridge to driving down the breathtaking edge of the Mogollon Rim or looking for herkimer diamond crystals in the leaves at Diamond Point.

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is located 10 miles north of Payson on Highway 87. The Park Entrance Fee is $4 per person for anyone aged 14 and up. Children aged 7-13 are charged $1 per person. There is no charge for children younger than 7.

For more information about the 30 State Parks, statewide hiking opportunities, off-highway vehicle trails, and other outdoor recreational and cultural opportunities in Arizona, call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free [800] 285-3703) or visit AZStateParks.com. Follow them on twitter.com/AZStateParks.

Mountain Khakis Cuts Ribbon on New Warehouse

Tuesday, 27 October 2009

Jackson Hole, WY and Charlotte, NC - Mountain Khakis®, a premier outdoor-lifestyle apparel brand "Built for the Mountain Life," and the Gaston County Economic Development Commission proudly announce MK's new fulfillment warehouse in Gastonia, North Carolina.

A strategic move to better serve their 1000 US dealers and increase overall production and operations management (POM) efficiency , Mountain Khakis® relocated their warehouse from a third party operation in Texas to their own facility in North Carolina, in close proximity to their Charlotte office.

"This move from Texas to Gastonia will allow our company to improve quality control, better serve our customers, and improve operational efficiencies and savings. The entire process has gone quite well," stated Dan Royle, Mountain Khakis'® COO. "We are very pleased with Gastonia and our new location. I would like to thank Marc Bolick and the Gaston County Economic Development Commission for their hard work and assistance."

Mountain Khakis® recently announced its rank among America's "Fastest-Growing Private Companies" as position #404 on the 2009 Inc. 500 register. Founded in 2004, Mountain Khakis® was measured among the nation’s top-performing entrepreneurs, having experienced 638% growth as compared to the 3-year Industry average of 16.42%, and the Inc. 500 Industry median of 162.8%. Within the Consumer Products & Services Category, Mountain Khakis® ranks #34.

As well as being a leader in the nation, Mountain Khakis® is a leader in its industry. Their top-selling Original Mountain Pant or "OMP" is joined among the best-selling ranks by their Teton Twill Pant and Alpine Utility Pant or "AUP."

Mountain Khakis® has hired a warehouse manager, and plans to hire an additional three to four persons over the next two years. All hiring will be conducted by the company at the 2633 Plastics Drive facility.

Forsite Development Inc. owns the "Norcap Building," in which the Mountain Khakis® warehouse is located, and developed the flex/office space for use by multiple tenants. Forsite Development Inc. provided Mountain Khakis® with improvements to the warehouse and office space.

Source: www.outdoorindustry.org

AMC Picks Best Family Foliage Hikes in Northeast

Monday, 26 October 2009

The Appalachian Mountain Club's (AMC) experts this fall are blogging about the best family foliage hikes and peak fall colors to help leaf peepers with outdoor adventure planning across the Northeastern U.S. The AMC's new "Great Kids, Great Outdoors" blog during September is featuring a series of recommendations for family-friendly foliage hikes, starting with New Hampshire's White Mountains and progressing south through New England and New York. Additionally, firsthand naturalist observations in the AMC's "Nature Notes" blog will track seasonal changes in New Hampshire's White Mountains, including weekly foliage photos in September and October.

Stay current with the AMC's latest fall posts at www.outdoors.org/publications/blogs.cfm.

Kid-friendly fall hikes and walks around the Northeast

AMC "Great Kids, Great Outdoors" blogger Kristen Laine offers advice for taking kids outdoors in every season. To gear up for fall, Kristen is highlighting some of the AMC's top picks for classic kid-friendly hikes to waterfalls, ponds, and accessible summits with colorful views in the White Mountains, Berkshires, Connecticut, Catskills and Hudson River Valley, and near Boston. The series kicked off at the beginning of September with an introduction to fall hiking in New England and safety tips about preparing for cooler weather and shorter days. Recommended outings for each region will include brief overviews for a range of walks and hikes, from shorter and easier to "high-reward-to-effort" adventures, plus overnight trips to places such as the AMC's Lonesome Lake Hut.

Detailed descriptions and maps for each hike are available in the AMC's Best Day Hikes guides. For more planning tips and information on AMC family programs, visit www.outdoors.org/recreation/family.

Fall leaf peeping with AMC naturalists

"Nature Notes" offers AMC naturalist perspectives on White Mountain ecology, from the alpine zone to the valley. Come fall, this includes the turning yellow, orange, and red foliage of birch, beech, and maple trees and ripening wild berries such as Mountain Cranberry. Weekly foliage updates from the AMC's Pinkham Notch Visitor Center will also capture vantage points overlooking the notch and Mt. Washington, as well as backcountry views across the AMC's White Mountain hut system. To set the stage, September's initial posts have offered a brief "foliage 101" on the science behind fall’s color show and talked about the migration of local wildlife.

Additional resources:

The AMC's Best Day Hikes guides for the White Mountains, Berkshires, Connecticut, Catskills & Hudson Valley, and near Boston are available from the AMC at www.outdoors.org/amcstore or by calling 800-262-4455, and also through bookstores and outdoor retailers.

Visit the AMC's Fall Planning Guide at www.outdoors.org/fallguide.

Source: www.outdoors.org

Close Calls on High Walls

Friday, 23 October 2009

Close Calls on High Walls captures the stories of park wardens with passion and humour. Both beautifully written and insightful, Schintz's book stays true to the stories it tells, combining wit with honesty in a compelling story of one man's life in the Canadian wilds.

Not only is Close Calls a moving memoir of a former park warden, but it is also an adventure story with tales ranging from close encounters with grizzly bears and the angry waters of Lake Superior to backcountry escapades with wild horses to dramatic rescues on remote peaks. In addition, it entertains with accounts of the breaking up of pot parties and the evils of demon rum.

This authentic history of Canada's national parks journeys through the he art of Canada's national park system, from Newfoundland to B.C.'s Queen Charlotte Islands.

Featured National Parks:
Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland
Pukaskwa National Park on Lake Superior
Kejimkujik National Park in Nova Scotia
Cabot Trail in Cape Breton
The Fortress of Louisbourg in Cape Breton
Banff and Jasper National Parks in Alberta
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on the west coast of Vancouver Island
Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve in northern coastal B.C.
( Queen Charlotte Islands )

Mike Schintz grew up along the Highwood River in southern Alberta. His career as a warden with the Canadian Parks Service took him from one end of the country to the other, from Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, New Brunswick and Ontario to Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Vancouver Island and the Queen Charlotte Islands .

For more details on this book, please visit www.heritagehouse.ca.

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