Ok, we know you guys want trip reports now, but we’re still mixing some gear in ’till we get more snow around here (it’s snowing today), and Lou starts filing again from Europe.
One of my other missions throughout the show besides munching on energy bars, scoring lip balm and trying to avoid drinking 3.2% beer before noon was to find five, just five, intriguing products at the show. No walk in the park. With tens of thousands of square feet more akin to NYC Midtown traffic it took some time.
Dakine Tempest Touchtec iPod glove features a conductive metallic coating on the entire surface of the glove. This allows you to use any finger surface palm down or up on touch screen devices. For general use we like these better than gloves with a single tiny touch tip. Angry Birds anyone?
Developed by a group of British mountaineers it was only appropriate that I got one of them to step inside their Blizzard emergency bag.. Once he emerged he was covered in sweat and dense fog caked his glasses. Just the thing if you need to heat up some fish and chips or need an emergency bag to hold someone over till additional support arrives.
A look inside a Blizzard emergency bag and its layering system for emergency blankets and sleeping bags. It utilizes a 3 layered system featuring a dedicated air layer to aid heating capabilities suspended by nylon.
Vapur bottles feature a 3-ply construction to resist damage from the contents freezing. Antimicrobial lining to keep the funk at bay. Plus it all folds down within the carabiner when empty. They come in .7 liter and full liter sizes. Additionally the second layer has logo branding capabilities.
Lizard shoes based in Torino Italy, incepted in 1992 by Luca Pedrotti, recently introduced the Lizard Kross. An absolutely perfect hut shoe at 240 grams with a Schoeller upper and Primaloft insulation. Terrific combination of grip, warmth and packability.
Vibram Ice Trek sole compound gets softer as the temperature drops with small nail lugs. On closer inspection it appears walnut shells may be combined with the rubber. Nice for walking around outside the hut, grabbing firewood or checking out moonrise.
Swedish axes, handmade pieces of art made by machinery 100's of years old that are guaranteed for life always top on my list. Perhaps we should grace WildSnow Field HQ with one of these?
Nemo tents and shelters are known for their lightweight air tube supported tents. Their latest offering is a pneumatic portable shower for backcountry skiers. The Helio Pressure Shower will surely keep you and your gear squeaky clean. Just pump it up!
Nemo shower in action provides 60 seconds of waterflow.
(Guest blogger Joseph Risi was raised on pasta and meatballs in the “backwoods” of Long Island before seeking higher education in the mountains of Vermont. Always looking for adventure, building treehouses, working too many odd jobs around the world he now lives in the Aspen area of Colorado. He’s been helping Lou out as Production Assistant.)
Joseph Risi was raised on pasta and meatballs in the “backwoods” of Long Island before seeking higher education in the mountains of Vermont. Always looking for adventure, building treehouses, working too many odd jobs around the world he now lives in the Aspen area of Colorado.
