Bent Gate Mountaineering Blog

15% Off Coupon Code for Labor Day - You Deserve it!

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 18:17:00 +0000

Save 15% on your entire order at bentgate.com with coupon code "15labor2011"

Excludes Marker, Volkl, 2011 Ski Gear, Black Diamond, Hilleberg, Western Mountaineering, Arcteryx, Armada, Package Pricing, and select other items. Expires 9-5-2011

2011 Summer Clearance

noreply@blogger.com (jon) — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 23:13:00 +0000

Check out Bentgate.com to see all of the crazy
low prices on Summer Clothing and Footwear.

Bent Gate Mountaineering Alpinist issue #35

noreply@blogger.com (SpaceCommanderDan) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:13:00 +0000

Bent Gate Community Night with Five Ten Athletes Jon Cardwell and Jamie Emerson

noreply@blogger.com (jon) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 22:41:00 +0000

Wednesday June 8th at 7pm

Bent Gate Mountaineering Community Night Featuring Jon Cardwell and Jamie Emerson

"Colorado Alpine Bouldering - Showing of Climbing movie Reach"

Join us at our June Community Night for a climbing slideshow with Jon Cardwell and Jamie Emerson about their recent adventures bouldering in the alpine realm of Colorado as well as a showing of the new climbing movie Reach. Reach follows climbers Dave Graham, Jon Cardwell, Felipe Camargo, Zach Lerner, and Daniel Woods as they find and develop some of the hardest boulder problems in the United States and beyond.

There will be a $5 suggested donation with all proceeds being donated to the Access Fund

Bent Gate Mountaineering
1313 Washington Ave
Golden, CO 80401
303 271 9382
www.bentgate.com

Bent Gate Community Night with Blake Harrington

noreply@blogger.com (SpaceCommanderDan) — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:23:00 +0000

Wednesday May 18th at 7pm

Bent Gate Mountaineering Community Night Featuring Blake Harrington

"Patagonia 2011 - Free ascents and new routes"

Come joine us as Blake and his climbing partner Scott Bennett share their recent adventures both locally and in Patagonia. Speed climbing of Eldo's Naked Edge, RMNP linkups and recent ascents in Patagonia will be amongst the topics discussed. Blake will conduct a multimedia presentation including short films and photos

There will be a $5 suggested donation with all proceeds being donated to the Access Fund

Bent Gate Mountaineering's annual Spring sale is going on now through May 20th.

Bent Gate Mountaineering
1313 Washington Ave
Golden, CO 80401
303 271 9382
www.bentgate.com

Bent Gate Mountaineering Spring Sale - 15-25% All Categories

noreply@blogger.com (SpaceCommanderDan) — Thu, 05 May 2011 18:11:00 +0000

Bent Gate Community Night Featuring La Sporitva Athletes Abbey Smith and Jason Kehl

noreply@blogger.com (SpaceCommanderDan) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:28:00 +0000

Wednesday May 11th at 7pm

Bent Gate Mountaineering Community Night Featuring La Sportiva Athletes Abbey Smith and Jason Kehl

Last fall, Abbey Smith and Jason Kehl, along with Pete Takeda and Mick Follari, journeyed to the Indian Himalayas in search of adventure, a fresh perspective and the most aesthetic boulders in the world's greatest mountain range.

Join Abbey and Jason as they share their stories, stunning photography, and exciting short films

There will be a $5 suggested donation with all proceeds being donated to the Access Fund

Bent Gate Mountaineering
1313 Washington Ave
Golden, CO 80401
303 271 9382
www.bentgate.com

Plum Guide Alpine Touring Bindings - A First Look

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 18:32:00 +0000

First impressions of the Plum Guide Skiing Binding are very positive. It has a durable looking toe piece that contains no plastic, a huge plus in our book. The toe piece's wider platform than current Dynafit models yields better power transfer and durability, especially when mounted on wider skis. The heel has a very similar look. It is a one piece machined aluminum top that includes a volcano. This will strongly help reduce any breakage issues that have been seen with other tech bindings. The lower half of the heel is made out of a material that Plum calls an aerospace polymer. It looks very durable and has a tight feel with no play. A big plus with the Plum Guide is how it adjusts to fit different boot sizes. Instead of having the heel piece move on a screw to adjust the heel placement. It is attached to a solid machined aluminum post that is held in place to the base by two torque screws locking it in place. This creates an adjustable binding that does not have play/un-wanted movement of other adjustable tech bindings.

Now that you are done reading the techie first impressions, the real question is how does it ski. The first thing I noticed is that the toe seemed to have a higher retention than every other tech binding I have used. When you step in to this binding it feels like you have a metal claw gripping the front of your boot. Once in the toe piece you have two simple choices: flip the lever up to lock the toe when traveling uphill, or flip it down to allow the binding to release when skiing downhill. Stepping into the heel of the binding feels very similar to other tech bindings. A big difference that is less obvious but significant is that the pins insert deeper in to your boot causing a greater retention in aggressive skiing conditions allowing you push your skiing a bit more.

My first time skiing the binding I had it mounted on a pair of DPS Lotus 120's on a week long ski trip to the deep snow in BC, Canada. Our trip was all man powered, so going uphill I definitely appreciated the weight of the binding. They made my light setup feel lighter than it had ever been before. The heel has a few different angled holes on the volcano which made it extremely easy to change the riser height of the binding. I would not recommend trying to turn the heel using the hole in the middle of the volcano. This hole is pretty small and I would imagine it would be really easy to snap the tip off of your pole in it.

For the down, I had my bindings adjusted to their max din of 12 and was very happy with how they felt in the heavier PNW powder. I would like to claim that I never fall... but I did take an huge digger off of a pillow and was happy with how one of my skis released.

Overall I could not be happier with the Plum binding. It has the weight of a lighter more uphill focused tech binding while being the burliest and stiffest tech binding I have ever taken downhill. It is a very compelling option in the tech binding world. Up until this point Dynafit competition has all focused on the superlight, neglecting the skiability. Plum did not cut corners on making this binding hold its own on the downhill. - JF

Bent Gate Manager Jon Frederick
hails from Washington State, but now calls the Front Range his home.
When he's not ascending or descending mountains, he can usually be
found at the shop planning his next adventure.

bentgate.com Presents Garmont Freeride Alpine Touring Boots with Paul Parker

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 01:35:00 +0000

Paul Parker gives a video introduction to the 2011/2012 Garmont freeride alpine touring ski boots. These are big, burly boots with new technologies that will set the bar high

Bent Gate Mountaineering Community Night with La Sportiva Athlete Paige Claassen

noreply@blogger.com (SpaceCommanderDan) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 23:09:00 +0000

Wednesday April 13th at 7pm

Bent Gate Mountaineering Community Night Featuring La Sportiva Athlete Paige Claassen

Come join us as Paige Claassen recounts her life as a climber, beginning when she was 9 training in the local Estes Park gym, moving to national and international competitions, and then transitioning to pushing the level of hard female climbing.

There will be a $5 suggested donation with all proceeds being donated to the Access Fund

Bent Gate Mountaineering
1313 Washington Ave
Golden, CO 80401
303 271 9382
www.bentgate.com

Petzl Grigri 2 belay device intro

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 21:12:00 +0000

The new Petzl Grigri 2 belay device is 20% lighter and 25% smaller than the original grigri. It also works with a larger range of ropes: 8.9 - 11mm. The new design has improved control during the descent. Check it out in this bentgate.com product spotlight video

www.bentgate.com/petzl-grigri-2-belay-device.html

G3 Manhattan Skis with Limited Edition Bent Gate Topsheet

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 22:47:00 +0000

Love the G3 Manhattan Skis? Feeling an awful lot like a superhero with all the snow that's been dumping down over the last few weeks? We've got the perfect ski for you.

Plum Guide Alpine Touring Bindings Intro

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 01:46:00 +0000

bentgate.com is psyched to have received the new Plum Guide alpine touring bindings. They are lightweight milled aluminum tech style bindings - enjoy the video product spotlight

Bent Gate Mountaineering Alpinist Magazine Issue #34 ad

noreply@blogger.com (SpaceCommanderDan) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 23:12:00 +0000

Bent Gate Mountaineering Community Night Featuring Chris Davenport - Weds, Dec 8 - 8pm

noreply@blogger.com (SpaceCommanderDan) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:33:00 +0000

Wednesday Dec 8, 8pm

Bent Gate Mountaineering Community Night Featuring Chris Davenport

Come join us as Chris Davenport puts on a slide show and book signing for his new book "50 Classic Ski Descents of North America."

There will be a $5 suggested donation with all proceeds going to the family of Kyle Shelberg, a friend of the shop who was killed in an avalanche on December 5th. There will be a raffle drawing with items donated from Black Diamond and Garmont.

Bent Gate Mountaineering
1313 Washington Ave
Golden, CO 80401
303 271 9382
www.bentgate.com

Flylow Gloves at Bentgate.com - Triple Baked!

noreply@blogger.com (SpaceCommanderDan) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 01:19:00 +0000

Bent Gate Mountaineering Community Night Featuring Andrew Mclean

noreply@blogger.com (SpaceCommanderDan) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:37:00 +0000

Wednesday Oct 13, 8pm

Bent Gate Mountaineering Community Night Featuring Mountain Hardwear Andrew Mclean

In mountaineering terms, the “Alaska Family” is made up of three major peaks – father Denali, mother Sultana and the child, Mt. Hunter. These three peaks form the highest point, the hardest 14’er and the peak with one of the lowest odds of success in North America. Over a span of fourteen years, Andrew McLean and partners dodged crevasses, avalanches and bad weather to eventually climb and ski all three of these historic peaks. This one-hour presentation details the effort and evolution of Ski Mountaineering involved with making tracks off the summits of these three iconic peaks.

There will be a $5 suggested donation with all proceeds going to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center

Bent Gate Mountaineering
1313 Washington Ave
Golden, CO 80401
303 271 9382
www.bentgate.com

Bent Gate Mountaineering Ski Season Kick Off Party Trailer!

noreply@blogger.com (SpaceCommanderDan) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 02:06:00 +0000

Bent Gate Mountaineering Ski Season Kick Off Party - Sept 30

noreply@blogger.com (SpaceCommanderDan) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:34:00 +0000

Order tickets http://sskp.eventbrite.com/

Full details http://www.bentgate.com/sskp.html

Join the Front Range skiing community at Bent Gate Mountaineering's Ski Season Kickoff Party for the world premier of "The Freeheel Life" film tour, a mini ski expo with ski industry reps and backcountry organizations, backcountry informational clinics, silent auctions, and a killer raffle including skis!
...
Funds raised benefit the Avalanche Information Center, Friends of Berthoud Pass, and the American Mountaineering Museum.

Telemark Skier World Premiere Movie:
Telemark Skier Magazine is pleased to announce The world premiere of the newest film from editor and freeheel guru Josh Madsen. The Freeheel Life 2: Hippies, Punx and & Misfits will embark on a fifty-date nationwide tour slated to hit ski towns, universities and metropolitan areas this fall and early winter.

Ski Expo:
Check out good from Black Diamond, BCA, Dynafit, Edelweiss, Flylow, K2, Nikwax, Pieps, Hestra, Scarpa, Mammut, Teko, Volkl ...and more!

Clinics:
Join us for Backcountry Info Sessions on Beacon Techniques, Hut Trip How To and Avy Info Refreshers

Raffle and Auction:
This is your chance to get some great deals on gear while donating to excellent local organizations. Prizes include Clothing, Beacons, Avy gear, Boots, Skis, Bindings ...and more!

Scavenger Hunt:
Discover the American Mountaineering Center and interact with Vendor Booths for your chance to win a $50 Bent Gate Gift Certificate, BGM waterbottles, Ski Tunes ...and more!

Food and Beverage:
Big Sky Brewery in Montana is our beer sponsor for this event, they have hooked it up big time. D'Deli and Little Mountain Mama's will be onhand serving amazing sandwiches and tasty homemade mexican treats. Food tickets sold seperately.

Check out our new ad in Backcountry Magazine Gear Guide

noreply@blogger.com (SpaceCommanderDan) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:36:00 +0000

Bent Gate Mountaineering with Blake Herrington

noreply@blogger.com (SpaceCommanderDan) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:45:00 +0000

Wednesday Sept 8, 8pm

Bent Gate Mountaineering Community Night Featuring Blake Herrington - Outdoor Research Athlete

Over the last two years, Blake and partners have completed 5 new routes on 4 peaks in the Coast Range of Alaska and British Columbia. The Coast Range is home to some of the most rugged and unexplored terrain in North America, and features and endless array of world-class peaks, routes, and potential. Join Blake for ...a selection of movies, photos, and stories about splitter granite, exploding airdrops, and first ascents.

There will be a $5 suggested donation with all proceeds going to the Access Fund.

Bent Gate Mountaineering
1313 Washington Ave
Golden, CO 80401
303 271 9382
www.bentgate.com

Winter 2010 Icelantic Skis are now at Bent Gate Mountaineering!

noreply@blogger.com (SpaceCommanderDan) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 22:47:00 +0000

Icelantic's new Winter 10/11 Skis have arrived at the Bent Gate Mountaineering! Once again Icelantic has outdone themselves, in both unique new skis and the coolest graphics to date. Every season the local Icelantic crew sets a new bar.

The new Keeper (150mm, Waist: 119mm, Tail: 136mm) and Women's Oracle (Tip: 138mm, Waist: 100mm, Tail: 120mm) are a blast. All of our staff who skied them early last season were hooked. We will have all of these skis in our demo fleet this season, so come try them out.

Bent Gate Supports Soldiers to the Summit

noreply@blogger.com (SpaceCommanderDan) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:08:00 +0000

Erik Weihenmayer and the Soldiers to the Summits team held a planning meeting today at the Bent Gate shop in Golden Colorado. During the meeting President George W. Bush called the team and talked with each member to wish them luck. It was extremely inspiring to meet the veterans who are embarking on this great adventure. Bent Gate is proud to be supporting the program.

Bent Gate Community Night with Matt Wilder - Aug 11, 8pm

noreply@blogger.com (SpaceCommanderDan) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:10:00 +0000

Bent Gate Mountaineering Community Night Featuring Matt Wilder - La Sportiva, Mountain Hardwear and Metolius athlete

August 11, 8pm

"Bouldering above gear: a synthesis of distant disciplines"

by Matt Wilder
...
"Through this multimedia show I'll try to figure out why I tend to find myself far above gear with hard moves between me and safety --- a question I ask myself often. I'll begin by tracking my history as a climber following my split identity as a boulderer and a trad climber with some classic photos from my early days. The bulk of the show will highlight classic climbs and boulder problems I've established, repeated, or failed on in the past. I'll show an unseen video compilation of some of my better falls and video footage of several 5.13 and 5.14 trad climbs. The show will culminate with a personal narrative of my experience establishing two new 5.14R trad routes in the Front Range, Viceroy and Cheating Reality, accompanied by video footage and photo sequences. If time permits, I'll also talk about some of my bigwall free climbing forays in Yosemite and the magnetism which has recently been pulling my thoughts back to El Cap. "

There will be a $5 suggested donation with all proceeds going to the Access Fund. At the end Matt will be raffling swag from his sponsors: La Sportiva, Mountain Hardwear, and Metolius

Bent Gate Mountaineering
1313 Washington Ave
Golden, CO 80401
303 271 9382
www.bentgate.com

BCA Float 30 Avalanche Airbag Deployment

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:51:00 +0000

Bruce Edgerly from BCA brought down one of the new 2010/2011 Float 30 avalanche airbag packs last week...