NEMO Equipment Blog

Phoenix Riding

noreply@blogger.com (Suzanne) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:22:00 +0000

Just caught a glimpse of long time NEMO friend Scott Strode getting some recognition for the incredible work he does. Congrats Scott!

-Suzanne

Adventure Anywhere, really.

noreply@blogger.com (Bill) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:56:00 +0000

Working at NEMO has some great perks—I'm not going to lie. Having a love for the outdoors and access to a vast array of top-of-the-line gear really enables us to have some serious adventures. This past weekend I was able to try Hexalite 6P (new for 2012). Although we have already identified this new product as an ideal shelter for groups in need of a large communal space, I never really thought about it as an ice fishing shelter. Just as I was packing up for our annual ice fishing trip I perused the weather report for Danforth, Maine and decided that instead of standing in blowing snow and freezing rain for 3 days I should find a tent or shelter to protect us while attempting to catch lunker lake trout and salmon.

This turned out to be a better idea than I could have ever imagined. Although the predicted winds were supposed to be about 5 mph and a balmy 25 degrees, we were in for a big surprise when the wind started gusting between 30-40 mph...non-stop, sunup til sundown. About mid day we decided it was time to strengthen our shelter with a few more ice screws and some extra guy-out cord. This added strength kept the shelter nice and taut.

Bolted.

Capron, old friend from college with his 4.47 lb salmon

Set up with no footprint or floor, we didn't have to worry about taking off boots or making the floor dirty. Hexalite gave us not only a great place to duck out of the wind but also a place to drill a few holes and fish with the jigging rods.

The best fish of the weekend, a 8 lb Lake Trout

We made our temporary home over a mile from land for 3 days, caught some great fish, ate some amazing food (including an entire roasted turkey), devoured piles of fresh scallops and of course, fresh salmon!

beautiful male salmon

It just goes to show, NEMO can really help you have Adventure Anywhere.

-Bill

Sights from SLC

noreply@blogger.com (Connie) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:09:00 +0000

Some pics from the Winter Outdoor Retailer show in SLC last week. The snow came after most of us left, but that didn't stop us from searching for it.

-Connie

Local Wildlife: The Snowy owl

noreply@blogger.com (Bill) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:15:00 +0000

Its been a while since I last posted about the amazing natural world found right around our office. In fact, the last time I posted we were still located in our Nashua office. Our move to Dover, NH opened a new world of animals and birds to be discovered.

With our new location so close to the seacoast I have had a great opportunity to explore all the nooks and crannies of the rugged New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine coast, all of which are just a short drive away.

Although hardly considered "local" I wanted to share some hard earned images of the Snowy Owl.

Many years can pass where local residents may not see even a single owl, while other years such as this one, the owls migrate down in droves in search of food. From what research suggest the owls move solely on the population of voles. When the population recedes, the owls move further south. This article in the New York Times has great information about this migration as well as its possible effects.

Hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed witnessing such an amazing bird! More photos can be found here.
Cheers
Bill

This Year's Snow Drought

noreply@blogger.com (Connie) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:01:00 +0000

As a World Freeskiing Champion and the founder of the Save Our Snow Foundation, and award-winning global cooling consultant, I'm often asked about my viewpoints on climate change in regard snow droughts, like we are experiencing this year.

I found that people couldn't relate to "climate change" and that the term "global warming" left people confused, so I switched to "global weirding." That term more accurately describes what is happening -- while the planet is actually warming, the actual result is extreme weather. Global temperature increases result in really strange local weather -- record low temperatures, record heat waves, more windy weather, record droughts, and yes, even record snowstorms. As the air warms, it can hold more moisture, so in the short term we can have larger snowfalls. In the long term, more of those storms will fall as rain.

Today in Colorado, we are seeing record dust storms that are assisting in extremely early snowmelt -- up to 40 days earlier than historic records. I don't think anyone has to be a rocket scientist to see that the weather is a bit weirder than usual. The extremes are just so much more pronounced. It's January, and I'm going for a bike ride. How strange is that? In Pakistan, I saw glaciers advancing in 2005 due to increased snowfall, and then watched them retreat up to 50 percent by 2007. On one ski expedition it was raining at 17,500 feet -- something I have never seen in my lifetime. In Bolivia, I skied the highest ski area in the world at 18,000-plus feet, that glacier disappeared forever in 2009.

Folks ask me about a critical tipping point - In my opinion, we have already passed a critical point in the concentrations of carbon dioxide on our planet. But, I'm an optimist, I believe we have the ability to change.

I started the Save Our Snow Foundation in 2006, when I realized there was a need to spread the word nationally that solutions to save our snow could be cost-effective and improve quality of life. I had started a local non-profit The Office For Resource Efficiency in 2004, working to calculate and reduce the community's carbon footprint and energy use, with much success, and wanted to take the message worldwide.

Besides Save Our Snow, I run three non-profits, The Office for Resource Efficiency, www.LocalFarmsFirst.com, and Save Our Snow, and two For-Profit companies -- KEEN Rippin Chix Ski, Bike and Surf Camps, my keynote speaking tour "Be Green, Save Green" for businesses and "Alison's Global Cooling Ski Adventure Show." I also travel often for photo shoots and filming as an ambassador for KEEN, Osprey, Patagonia, NEMO and Elemental Herbs.

In the end, I don't care if you believe in climate change. What my personal experience has shown is that it is quite easy to make simple changes in my life that have saved me money and reduced my energy use in half -- getting LED lightbulbs, carpooling, riding my bike or taking public transit, combining work and vacation trips, buying greener products that have lifetime guarantees, and generally consuming less crap. Every day we eat, drink, travel or live we are presented with some choices to make, and I just try to do the very best I can.

My most recent effort is to grow and raise all my own food, which has been an intensely rewarding experience, plus I can ski right off the farm. This Christmas was not kind to us, as the BLM announced over 30,000 acres for oil and gas drilling bordering and surrounding our farm, and containing all our water. All those years fighting to save our snow by using less energy and clean energy now hit home more than ever, and I'm stoked that I got off dirty natural gas over 2 years ago. If anyone wants to help, you can help us Save Our Farm by WRITING THE BLM, or even easier, Can you sign our PETITION to protect our farm from potential drilling? Learn more on MY BLOG.

-Alison Gannett

Wyoming Triumph Episode 9 - The Absaroka Range

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:42:00 +0000

One of our favorite segments from the feature film Wyoming Triumph and one of the last segments we filmed. Lots of wildlife and big airs make this a must watch episode.

For those in UT, we have a show in Park City this Thursday Jan 5th at the Jim Santy Auditorium. This is the first film of the Park City 2012 Film series – please come check it out!

~Chris & Sam

The Nose - Heavy & Slow

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:14:00 +0000

Oct 7th was our fifth anniversary. What better way to celebrate than climbing the Nose on El Cap?

We had been prepping for this climb for the last few days. Buying 12 $0.79 two-liter bottles of soda for water containers, packing the haul bags, and practicing jugging were all part of the prep. After a casual breakfast we walked to the base of the route, only to see 11 other people on the first three pitches of the climb. We sat down and just watched. Everyone was moving very slowly, so we bailed.

Plan B, the next morning we got up at 3:30AM and were at the base of the route at 4:30. Most parties climb the first four pitches, to Sickle Ledge, then haul their bags to that point from the ground. Then the next day jug those lines and continue. Not wanting to get caught up in the mess of the lower pitches we decided to haul our bags from the first pitch up and just keep going. Those lower pitches were tough hauling. It is lower angle and our "pig" weighed about 120lbs; punishing work. After a summer of light and fast climbing we were in for a healthy dose of slow and heavy climbing, or should I say, manual labor. Hauling is just tough work.

We were gunning for Dolt Tower the first day, but did not make it. Thankfully, we had a borrowed portaledge with us, so we were able to set it up at a hanging belay below the Dolt Tower. In the middle of the night we were awaken by two guys flying up the route, hooting and hollering as they climbed. They were on their second lap up El Cap for the day! Moving so fast, so light. We looked at them longingly from our ledge.

The next morning the progress got a little faster, the pig got a little lighter, and we made it to the top of the boot flake. I thought this was the best campsite I'd ever camped at. The moon was full, we could see everything in the Valley, it was amazing.

Day three started out with the King Swing. It was my turn to lead, so Janelle lowered me down about 80 feet to the base of the pendulum. I was nervous. Two other parties were watching, along with everyone in the meadows 1500 feet below. I ran to the left, back to the right, and then sprinted back left, pushing as hard as I could. Slapping for a shallow dish of granite I halted my progress. Had I really made it on my first go? Nope. I was too high. So I swung back, lowered down, and tried again. After several airy swings I stuck it. Success! And I caught it all with my GoPro headcam.

At 1:00PM we got hit by the first sprinkle of rain. Rain was not in the weather forecast. It was forecasted to be clear and sunny for 7 days straight. We trusted that forecast, and therefore did not bring our rain gear, or the fly for the portaledge! Oops. I led another pitch in the spitting rain, and then Janelle took over for the Great Roof pitch. I was pretty damp when she got to the anchor and fixed the rope. I jugged up to Janelle, and we both hung out under the roof, twenty feet to the left of the bolted anchor, hanging in our harnesses and aid ladders.

We passed the time looking at the poor guys below us getting soaked. The rain should pass and we would keep climbing, I mean this is sunny California right? Well it didn't. So we decided to build an anchor in the micro crack above us and sleep under the roof, the only place on El Cap not getting soaked. Two hours later we had a 9-piece anchor made out of fixed nuts and C3 cams. We were dry, and I had a new favorite campsite of all time. I'm 99% sure that no one else has ever done that, an El Cap first!

Day four and five went by without event. We topped out at noon on the fifth day. We had done it. It was a great feeling. Even better than that feeling is the feeling we had eating pizza post-shower, later that day! That makes 35 classics complete.

~Mark

Trending Data: Fun with Camping, Solstice, and Mustaches (in that order)

noreply@blogger.com (Connie) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:44:00 +0000

It's been no surprise that you can endlessly mine the treasure trove that is Google Trends to find some fun relationships.

While doing some other research today, we took some time to check out the search frequency of camping. Not surprising to see the uptick for searches start during the spring and peak during the warm months. Also, notice that searches for camping have steadily increased over the past 7 years—not surprising considering folks who are taking less lavish vacations and getting outside more.

What else can we search for here? Well, today is the winter solstice. And again, notice the spikes exactly twice a year... during summer and winter solstice.

Too easy right? Let's take a look at mustaches now. It's hard not to see mustaches all around, especially in enclaves of hipster-doms where the more old-timey, the better.

True that the popularity of mustaches has skyrocketed in the last four years, but what's the extra other peak late in every year? One word: Movember.

You heard it here first.

-Connie

NEMO Classroom Lesson #905: How to Use Glove Hooks with Webbing

noreply@blogger.com (Connie) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:32:00 +0000

On some of our tents, you'll see these little pieces of hardware called glove hooks. Often we use them to tension the inner tent to the fly, to maximize the interior volume of a tent. We've had a few customers email in, asking about the best way to use them. You'll notice that they're not easy to press on the latch, and it can be frustrating to use them that way. Watch the video below for some tricks to using this piece.

If you're still confused, drop a line and let us know your questions.

-Connie

2012 Sneak Peek: Transform Tarp

noreply@blogger.com (Bridget Mary) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:09:00 +0000

Historically speaking, NEMO hasn't made tarps for the commercial market. They are certainly useful tools to have in both the front and backcountry, but all of the ones out there tend to look the same. When we sat down together to design tarps, we wanted to make them more compelling shelters for all campers out there.

The beauty of tarps is in the openness and sense of freedom the protection gives you. At the same time, this can quickly turn into one of its biggest drawbacks in the wrong weather. We wanted to come up with a quick and elegant way to address this issue, without punishing customers with extra weight.

In the tarp configuration, you have a standard 12'x12' area of coverage. By unzipping one panel, folding back the fabric, and connecting the remaining edges together, you get a protected pyramid shaped shelter with 60" interior height and enough room to sleep 3.

I would say the space is better suited for two people with gear, but you can fit 3 in a pinch. The Transform Tarp has a reinforced pole pocket to protect the area where you would insert the single pole. There are volumizing guyouts that help pull the shelter walls away from the living space (and of course help anchor the tent down). The doors can be tied back for increased airflow, or to just make it super simple to get in/out of the tent.

Overall, we tried to balance a few key features with keeping the tarp simple and streamlined. We're interested to see how customers end up using this, and where the Transform Tarp might fall in the quiver of shelters.

Any questions?

-Connie

A Very NEMO Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Bridget Mary) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:05:00 +0000

The first annual NEMO office Christmas tree is up! We got this little guy at our local grower, Warren Farm, where they don't use pesticides in their growing practice. We have been having some good wholesome fun this week making ornaments like you did in Kindergarten -- you know, paper snowflakes, glue 'n glitter, oragami. The Tree got a boost from Mr. and Mrs. Zarrella of Z Name Shop in Ogunquit, ME via their daughter and NEMO employee Katrina, who brought in personalized ornaments for everyone! Happy Holidays from all of us at NEMO!

Winter's Coming, Right?

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:24:00 +0000

While it looks like the Pacific NW has a good base and the Rockies are progressing, we in New England have just about finished up the warmest November on record. Some of our ski resorts with top-notch snow making equipment seem to be producing a good base, but those of us in the lowlands and coastal areas are just plain warm and dry. Forecasts are conflicting, but for now, we're just praying for snow. To bide the time, here's the latest webisode from KGB.

And, while we're on the topic of snow, (or lack thereof), avalanche safety and skills are important, whether you live in the West or the East. So get out there and learn a new skill or sharpen your existing skills this season. I took AIARE Level I through EMS last year and it was great, but there are many places that offer the class.

~Kate

Ah, New England!

noreply@blogger.com (Connie) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:49:00 +0000

Do your best to conjure up your best Boston accent when reading this highway sign that was put up today.

(David L. Ryan / Boston Globe staff)

In other news, the storm waves should clean up nicely for tomorrow for a Thanksgiving morning session for those who want to earn their turkey meals.

Happy Thanksgiving from NEMO!

-Connie

Adventure Anywhere, Really.

noreply@blogger.com (Connie) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:04:00 +0000

You can Occupy in anything (or nothing), but if you're out there, you might as well camp in style.

-Connie

LongTreks Morocco - Episode 5: Losing Our Minds to Zagora

noreply@blogger.com (Connie) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 02:09:00 +0000

One of the biggest lessons that comes out of the Longtreks journeys is that for every up there is a down; for every section of smooth perfect buttery pavement, there are unending sections of just utter crap that isn't even fit to be walked on. How these guys push hundreds of miles on this bone chattering grossness boggles our minds.

If anything, misery breeds... revolutionary new long distance skating techniques (see 4:15ish)

-Connie

Banff Mountain Film Festival, Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Connie) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:47:00 +0000

We just got back from the Banff Film Festival which wrapped up this past weekend. For outdoor enthusiasts out there, it is a pretty magical place to be celebrating outdoor spirit and culture, and to be surrounded by both amazing mountains and adventurers alike.

Mountain towns like Banff give off lots of energy, and it's not just the endless march of puffy jackets and beanies (toques for our Canadian friends out there). There's a happiness and fulfillment when you talk to people that you just don't see in the general population.

This year we sponsored the prize for Best Film in Exploration and Adventure, which was awarded to Kadoma.

Some favorites from the weekend to watch for as the festival rolls through your town:

We were enchanted by Obe and Ashima—sorry, couldn't find a trailer.

My personal favorite, Chasing Water.

Cold pretty much swept the awards and ran the gamut of emotions. A must-see.

Solitaire set a great mood with perfectly selected music.

A great short on living simply, 23 Feet:

And gratuitous shots of NEMO tents were abound in Steve Fisher's Halo Effect:

-Connie

COMMITTED: Grand Teton, North Ridge via the Cathedral Traverse

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:10:00 +0000

After our time in the Bugaboos, Canada, we headed south, back to the Motherland. Driving through Montana we were excited to easily interpret the speed limit signs, have working cell phones, and buy “half-priced” gas.

Before long we were in one of my favorite places, the Tetons! Janelle and I have traveled here at least once a year since we meet 6 years ago. The Upper Exum Ridge was one of my first alpine climbing experiences. We honeymooned in Jackson. Janelle became the US National Ski Mountaineering champion at Jackson Hole ski resort. Needless to say, I have many fond memories from being in these mountains.

North Ridge, Grand Teton via Cathedral Traverse from Mark Smiley on Vimeo.

I first heard about the “Grand Traverse” during one of my early visits. This Traverse links all 7 major mountains in the range (with a handful of smaller peaks in-between). I hoped that one day I would be strong enough to tackle such an endeavor, and on August 24th that day came.

Last year we climbed the North Face of the Grand, and the only classic climb remaining was the North Ridge on the Grand. The glacier to get to the route can be broken and nasty this late in the season, so we concluded doing the Traverse would be the best/most fun way to approach the ridge.

Having climbed in fair share in the area, I knew that route-finding was going to be a crux of the experience. There is a lot of terrain to cover during the Traverse, and getting off-route would simply burn precious daylight. We collected quality beta from pataclimb.com, some Exum guide friends, and other friends that had done it before. The best tip was to take only one 70-meter twin rope, which helps with the long rappels. We took our Sterling Ice Thong 7.7mm rope...super thin!

The other major crux is getting your pack as light as possible. We simply wanted to climb fast with a light backpack. So we bribed our friend, Rob, into porter-ing our sleeping bags, pads, and extra food to the Lower Saddle campground on the South side of the Grand Teton. He was cheap, so it worked out well. =)

The plan was to climb the “Cathedral Traverse” (Teewinot, Owen, the Grand) day one, sleep at the Lower Saddle, then finish the Grand Traverse on day two. We left the parking lot at 4:00AM with happy (light) packs, amped and moving fast. There were several forest fires in the area, and the air was thick with smoke, which made breathing a little difficult. Halfway up Teewinot we got above the smoke layer just as the sun was rising. It was amazing. Reaching the top of Teewinot in a few short hours we were rewarded with the most spectacular view of the Grand Teton’s North Face.

From there the terrain is fairly easy 2nd-4th class until the first rappels. At this point another “traverser” caught up with us. He was doing it solo. I offered him our ropes to rappel, instead of using his own. From there we moved together to the top of Owen, crossing mostly broken rock, some quality rock climbing, and a little snow.

Some say the crux of the route finding is getting from the summit of Teewinot to the Gunsight Notch. Last year, Janelle and I climbed the Serendipity Crack on Owen, so we had seen this terrain. That experience helped keep us moving quickly. From the Gunsight Notch up to the Grand Stand is the highest quality climbing on the North Ridge, in my opinion.

Once we got to the North Ridge proper there are two main ways to go. The Italian Cracks or the Chockstone Chimney. The Chockstone Chimney is the route listed in “the book” so we went that way. There was a small section of ice to chop through, but compared to Mt Hunter, it was a cakewalk. The climbing in the chimney was really good too. We decided to pass on taking rock climbing shoes, so pulling the 5.8 crux in my guide tennie approach shoes helped keep it real.

From the top of the chimney the climbing is straightforward. All paths lead to the top. On top, we hung out for a while, soaking in yet another Grand Teton experience. This route was way more enjoyable than the North Face, which doesn’t take much since the North Face is a big pile of crap!

We arrived at the Lower Saddle campsite around 5:00PM. Rob had delivered the goods, and we were eating dinner that he carried up for us shortly thereafter. We wanted to be as nice as possible to him, so we did not have him bring up a tent. Well, that backfired on us. At 6:00AM the next morning we awoke quickly to rain drops hitting our sleeping bags, then hail! We threw all our stuff together and ran for shelter.

There were thunderclouds to the West, approaching fast. Our plan to complete the Grand Traverse we getting washed out. Janelle and I looked at each other, wondering what the other person was thinking. Should we keep going? Should we bail? Just then a big flash of lightening in the distance sealed Plan A’s fate. We reluctantly decided walk down and get breakfast in town.

I hate bailing on my plans in the mountains, especially when the ski clears halfway down to the car! I couldn’t believe it. At 6:00AM it looked like Zeus was having lightning bolt target practice with the Tetons, and then at 7:00AM it was bluebird. I was pissed to make the wrong decision to bail. Regardless, we kept walking downhill, back to the van. At 8:00AM dark clouds rolled back in and unleashed a rainstorm full of lighting. Standing under a big pine tree, out of the rain, I was smiling ear to ear. We had made the right decision. Amusing isn’t it, how the same decision can be good one moment, bad the next, and then good again.

The Cathedral Traverse is by far the most fun I’ve had in the Tetons, and I recommend it to anyone interested.

~Mark

And the Journey Continues....

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:10:00 +0000

We are so proud of NEMO ambassador Erin Nelson as she continues to bike around the world in her goal of becoming the youngest person, as well as the first African American female, to do so.

This latest video is a recap of the past year that she has been on the road. You can also for her here.

Good luck Erin, keep on pedaling!

Heading to Banff

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:27:00 +0000

This week, NEMO is heading to Banff, Alberta, CA for the Banff Mountain Film Fest. It's our first time going to the 'motherland' and experiencing the original Film Fest, the one that started it all. We'll be going for fun, but we're also sponsoring the Award for Best Film on Exploration and Adventure. The festival runs from Oct. 29th - Nov. 6th. If you're there, swing through the Laszlo Funtek Studio exhibition area and say hi to Connie and Suzanne. And if you're not going to Banff, you can catch the winning films from the festival as they tour around the US and Canada - chances are they'll be showing in a town near you in 2012.

And a special shout out to Red Reel Films' 23 Feet and Red Bull/Brain Farms' Art of Flight, have both made it as finalists!

~Kate

Friday is Math Day

noreply@blogger.com (Connie) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:46:00 +0000

We just had a customer email us to ask if the Nemoid Foot Pump (for his Morpho) could be used to inflate Astro as well. The small (packing) pump we made to inflate Astro and other sleeping pads is called the Disco Pad Pump and the customer wanted to know if he could eliminate redundancy in the pumps.

The reason the same pump isn't used in both applications is because, relatively speaking, Morpho airbeams are a low volume/high air pressure (8 psi) product and Astro is a high volume/low air pressure product (0.7 psi). If you use the Nemoid footpump to try to inflate Astro, it would be pretty frustrating and slow because the volume of air that the Nemoid pushes out versus Disco.

It would be like trying to inflate this giant pool toy with this little bike pump.

Since sometimes math is louder than pictures or words, we did some quick calculations here on the volume output of the Nemoid Foot Pump versus the Disco Pad Pump. Roughly speaking, Disco (141 cubic inches) outputs 3.6 times more air than the Nemoid Foot Pump (39 cubic inches). Besides other key differences that involve materials, construction, and weight, the lower volume output alone on the Nemoid Foot Pump would be mean a pretty slow inflation time for the Astro. You can't use a Disco Pump to inflate Morpho airbeams because this simple design won't allow you to generate enough pressure to make the airbeams structural.

-Connie

Creative Stakes

noreply@blogger.com (Connie) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:37:00 +0000

The most commonly forgotten item on the NEMO camping trip was stakes, which is what happens when samples and prototypes are used. We had to get a little creative with our stakes, which was reminiscent of the invention of the spake a couple years back.

-Connie

2012 Sneak Preview: Helio Pressure Shower

noreply@blogger.com (Connie) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 21:51:00 +0000

One of the products we are most excited about in our 2012 lineup is the Helio Pressure Shower. At first glance, this may seem like a step away from our usual product line, but here was our thought process behind the design and development of this product.

How do you get more people into the outdoors? Part of what makes adventures so unique and fulfilling is that everyone has a different idea of what gets them excited to go outdoors. Not everyone is as enchanted with the dirtbag image of the thru-hiker as we would (like to) imagine. And designing gear that helps break down some of these barriers to "entry" to the outdoors ultimately helps foster a greater appreciation of nature.

All that said, we've integrated our existing Nemoid Foot Pump technology into Helio, as a way of pressurizing water flow in the shower. This eliminates the need to hang your water source at a prescribed height (and the need to find the perfect tree or something strong enough to hang your shower). The water reservoir can sit at your feet—or anywhere really—while you use the nozzle to wash up, clean your camp dishes, rinse off sandy feet, hose off gnarly canyoneering water, warm up after a winter surf session...

The minimum weight for Helio is about 23 ounces, and the 11 liter reservoir is enough for 5-7 minutes of steady water pressure. Occasionally pumping the Foot Pump throughout usage helps to maintain water pressure.

There's still a few small revisions that are being finalized, but we are all excited to introduce this product. And I am looking forward to filling this bad boy up with hot water to warm up my fingers and toes after winter surf sessions in a couple months.

-Connie

The Art of Flight

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:39:00 +0000

As we discussed the other day, 'it's winter somewhere'. And while that somewhere was filmed last season, it's coming to a theater near you and us. For us, our new move to Dover, NH has put us closer to the ski movie circuit and this Wednesday, Art of Flight will be premiering at the Portsmouth Music Hall, very close to Dover. And, as an added bonus, NEMO fave Travis Rice, along with friends Pat Moore and Scotty Lago, will be making an appearance at Burning Boards snowboard shop earlier in the day.

For a schedule of where this movie is playing near you, visit here.

Further, Jeremy Jones' and TGR's follow up to Deeper, is also currently being filmed and expected to hit theaters next fall. For a look into what they've captured so far, check out the trailer.

~Tuning my skis, Kate

Back to Bugaboo

noreply@blogger.com (Kate) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:05:00 +0000

[Disclaimer: I have had several major epics in my climbing career that have taught me many valuable lessons. My epic-ing frequency has drastically decreased due to completing several AMGA guide certification programs, and climbing with a female. I empathize with the people I write about below.]

Bugaboo: (mining term) The promise of a motherload that never pans out.

Bugaboo Provincial Park is an alpine climber’s playground. The campground is beautiful, the rock high quality, and the company entertaining. This was our second time to the Bugs. This sophomore experience was quite a bit different than the previous year. For one, it was about 20 degrees colder. Second, we only “had” to complete the Bugaboo Spire on our list, which is significantly easier than the Becky-Chouinard on South Howser Tower, so the stress level was low.

Bugaboo Spire's East Ridge from Mark Smiley on Vimeo.

That low stress led us to get a late start the day we went for the Bugaboo Spire. We left camp around 8:30AM, crossed a small glacier and scrambled up to the base of the route. At first glance I knew we were in for it. Four people standing at the bottom of the first pitch of the route. Then I looked up and saw three more climbers on pitches one and two. This was going to be a long day.

The guidebook clearly states, “More people get ‘benighted’ on this [East Ridge of Bugaboo Spire] than all other routes in the area combined.” This is due to the involved traverse from the North to South summit, and then the lengthy descent.

I have climbed plenty of routes with many other parties. So long as everyone moves quickly it is a non-issue, and actually makes the climbing fun because you always have someone to talk to at the belays. Problems arise when you have a faster party behind/under a slower party. That creates a traffic jam. These traffic jams can be resolved easily. Once the slower party realizes their pace compared to the faster party, they allow the faster party to pass at a belay ledge. It is also the ethical responsibility of the faster party to not be annoying or rude to the slower party.

The two parties on route (2 Ottawans and 3 Texans) were much slower. They started from the Hut at 4:00AM. We started 4.5 hours later and caught them on the first pitch. There were two more parties of two (Salt Lakers and the Squamishers). All told there were 11 climbers.

Normally in that situation you would just pick a different route, but the forecast was not amazing, and this was what we came to do. This is one of the major downsides to having a tick list. We sat down and started shooting the bull with the Salt Lakers. Meanwhile, the Texans were struggling. They were climbing in a group of three, catapillar style (where you climb one person at a time). The Texans offered to have the Salt Lakers pass them, which was really thoughtful. I wondered if we could pass them too. The route allowed for that as there are many cracks that are not too difficult. What to do, what to do.

That’s about the time the Squamishers showed up, guns blastin. (I’ll call them S1 and S2). S1, “Oh maaan, what are you guys doing moving so slow, you’re going to spend the night up here moving like that.” I was shocked. I did not know what to say. And so it went.

The Squamishers tried immediately to pass by climbing some other crack stating, “Well, it can’t be harder than 5.12…” Oh man, this guy was a character. In the meantime, the Texans third person was now climbing and the Salt Lakers were right on their heels, as requested. Janelle jumped in right behind them. She built and anchor below the Texans and brought me up. The Squamishers started right behind me. It was the start of an impressive climber train wreck.

I decided to stay below the Texans and traverse to the left of them. If we moved fast enough we could pass them in two short pitches. I moved to their left. Built a quick anchor, brought Janelle across, and started climbing again. This move allowed us to be around them with no problems. That is, until the Squamishers came up, pulling their rope straight through everyone’s business.

It is difficult to explain here exactly what he had done to create such a mess. Just know that if anyone had slipped, it would have caused several other people to be pulled off as well. It was almost like the opening scene of Vertical Limit, only not as dramatic.

I’ve never told anyone that what they are doing is dangerous, and they need to stop, but S1’s actions had crossed the line in my head and I piped up, “Dude, you need to stop right where you, down climb 15 feet and build an anchor so you don’t kill someone.” From below the Texans shouted “AMEN!” as they were trying to sort out the rope tangle. S1 ignored me, mumbling something about moving faster. I could not believe it. The Salt Lakers were moving quickly, and as soon as possible we moved up to the next belay ledge.

This is where the route enters a 5.6 chimney or a 5.9 hand and finger crack. The Ottawans were struggling with the 5.6 due to the amount of snow choked in the chimney from the storm that passed through a couple days prior. The Salt Lakers headed up the 5.9. We began chatting with the Ottawans, who were eager to have someone else do the snow excavating. I looked down, saw the S1 coming up to the belay ledge, and quickly volunteered for the job.

Pulling snow off hand and footholds is not very much fun, but still way more fun than talking to the jerks. On this terrain we were able to move quickly enough to get ahead of the Salt Lakers as well. From that point on the climbing went smoothly.

The climbing is really diverse and beautiful. The traverse between the two summits is somewhat involved, but amazing in its own right. I would not want to do it in a lightning storm, but who would. By the time we were heading down, the clouds were growing dark, so we put it in high gear. This allowed us to get back to our tent only minutes before the cold rain started to fall.

The Texans, Ottawans, and Squamishers were all still out there. We wished them well, cooked dinner and went to sleep to the sound of rain hitting the tent. I was so glad to be in my shoes and not theirs. At 11:00 PM I got out of the tent to answer natures’ call and saw two little headlamps still descending from the route, typical for the Bugaboo Spire.

The following day the Texans got back to the Hut at 2:00PM. They had had an adventure. “It’s all part of the Bugaboo experience” they kept saying. Awesome. Even though they had bivyed in the freezing rain, ran out of water, they still had fire in their eyes.

That’s one thing I love about loving the mountains; they can fully slap you around, make you run for mommy with your tail between your legs, then the next week their allure makes you want more the next day…or maybe the next week.

~Mark

Nice Retort

noreply@blogger.com (Suzanne) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:19:00 +0000

Congrats to Giant for creating and putting out this ad so quickly in response to the obscene new ad campaign by GM. Here is a quick comparison of the ads:

Its literally scary how out of touch GM is to the current state of the world...and perhaps the reason that landed them in massive dept in the first place. As Connie pointed out, "Thinking that a customer would be embarrassed to be seen on a bike is so 1974."

Rumor has it GM has already started pulling the ads, but it always surprises me that things like this presumably gets through so many levels before being published.

-Suzanne

P.S. Karma is a ...