We here at PEMBA are always interested in how people find their way into the outdoors. Some people get exposure from birth, and others seek it out. We’re about an even mix of the two here on the team. It makes us wonder: How do others find their way? We asked, and got a really compelling answer from our friend Amy Christensen from expandoutdoors.com. Check this out, and then answer for us: Does her story resonate with you, your friends, or your customers? Just wondering…
Wait Up!
“Can you wait for just a moment,” I asked? His eyes rolled back (again) in undisguised exasperation. “You just took ten pictures of those same flowers five minutes ago. At this pace we’re never going to get to the top.” I sighed. He was right, but I couldn’t understand the hurry. Why couldn’t he just enjoy being outside? Wasn’t that enough?
The more hikes we went on together, the less patient he became. “I thought you said you loved the outdoors,” he’d point out when I was trudging along behind him, gasping for breath. I wasn’t all that fit back then, but I hadn’t lied. I did love the outdoors. I just didn’t know how to be out in them.
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After the OR Summer Market in Salt Lake City, my family and I slipped away into the mountains of Wyoming. I grew up spending half the year in the Wind River Range outside of Pinedale. It was here where I learned how to climb rocks, ride, pack, and shoe horses, backpack, run rivers, and live outdoors in all conditions, often without much of anything.
This spot in particular where we went, I’ve spent over one hundred days of my life camping there, and it’s called…
(Well, heck: It’s off the trail, and not marked on any map. I know what it’s called, anyway. Just ask and maybe I’ll tell you, but prolly not.)
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Huge feature article “A Fast New World” recaps the 2010 Western States 100; Montrail athlete, 2010 champion and WS100 course record holder Geoff Roes is in the spotlight.
Montrail athlete Matt Hart quoted in the “Ups and Downs in Colorado’s San Juans” article
The Sabino Trail GTX makes the 13 shoe review lauded for its “comfort and fit during long runs on technical and hilly terrain.” They call out the Sabino to be more ‘run-able’ than its predecessor, the Hardrock 08. Tester-monial: “The excellent tread enabled me to motor up steep parts of the Colorado Trail and bomb down without feeling intimidated or worrying about slipping.”
Sabino Trail GTX Men’s | Women’s
Perfect for family adventures the PETZL TIKKINA² retails for $19.95
Here’s a great customer letter recently received at PETZL Headquarters
Just a quick note to let you know of a situation where Petzl saved the day. My family and I were going through Lewis and Clark Caverns in Montana last week with about 28 other people. They had electric lights that went down through the cave and allowed the visitors to see the amazing cave formations. At the halfway point in the cave, and unknown to us, a huge thunderstorm swept through and took out the power so we were all thrown into darkness. The park ranger who was leading us had one, wimpy Mag-lite and it became obvious that we were going to be stuck for sometime.
People started to panic but then we pulled out our Petzl headlamps. With the four of our headlamps, my kids (8 and 12), my wife, and I were able to lead the group out. The ranger was very thankful (and a bit embarrassed) and we received a standing ovation. One thankful person even gave us a pound of coffee in the parking lot!
Anyway, we wanted to share our story with you.
Love your products!
Ed
Some days, it’s hard to be us. Take yesterday, for instance. While Steve and I were here at PEMBAbase working, our wives were out enjoying a beautiful late-summer day on some new boulders at Devil’s Lake.
At least Vera and Katie sent us some pictures.
Like that makes us feel better.
Well, we hope you enjoy these shots of Vera, Katie, and our friend Anne Hughes. We’re still a little bitter about the whole thing…
