Great to see Ogden’s Jeff Lowe named Honorary President of Lowe Alpine! Keep an eye out for the behind the scenes story of Lowe in the film, Metanoia. Today’s Newswire also includes: The Ogden Bicycle Collective, The Utah Avalanche Center, Snowbird, Shaun Palmer, Forest Fire Potential, Mining Bans, Free National Parks, and much more…
Lowe Alpine Names Jeff Lowe Honorary Brand President: Kendal, United Kingdom (January 3, 2012) – Lowe Alpine Ltd., maker of innovative backpacks and outdoor accessories is pleased to announce that Jeff Lowe, iconic alpinist and industry pioneer, will once again join the brand, this time in an non-executive role as Honorary President. The move marks a strategic step for Lowe Alpine which seeks to reclaim its role as an industry leader in innovation and quality… More at SNEWS
Ogden Bicycle Collective, Making a Difference: Josh Jones carefully walked Will Chadwell through the mysteries of fine-tuning a bicycle’s wheel spokes, saying “you turn it this way to tighten,” and you want to tighten them just an itty bit at a time, and go around. Not just idle chatter or a minor repair. Chadwell, a military veteran who is rebuilding his life and studying computers, depends on his bicycle for basic transportation. He needs it to work, but this particular bike cost only $10, so it also needs work… More at Standard Examiner
New Utah Avalanche Center Video and Images Highlighting “Considerable” Conditions: Attention: The whole hill collapsed where I dug my pit. Also Matt Primomo told me that yesterday he collapsed the same slope exactly in the same spot as I did today… Video at UAC
Snowbird Offers First-Timer “Learners Permit”: Snowbird, UT – Snowbird’s Mountain School is creating an incentive for first-time skiers and snowboarders to hit the slopes of Utah with a Learner’s Permit, a pass that allows beginners to learn to ski or snowboard with six discount lessons and five discount lift tickets… More at First Tracks
Shaun Palmer’s “Miserable Champion” Headlines the X-Dance Action Sports Film Festival Jan 12-15 at the Depot: The world premiere of action sports documentary Shaun Palmer “The Miserable Champion” will headline the X-Dance Action Sports Film Festival Saturday, September 14, 2012 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The film, created by Chainsaw Productions, chronicles the life of Shaun Palmer, who has at one point or another been considered a top athlete in snowboarding, mountain biking, skiing, and motocross… More at Transworld Business
Dry Utah Weather Primes Forests for Summer Fires: A lurking drought this winter could leave Utah’s forests primed for fires or new waves of beetle-driven die-offs next summer. It’s too early to count out the annual snowpack — witness this past weekend’s storm — but a record dry December followed by a kindling-dry January forecast has state firefighters starting to talk… More at Salt Lake Tribune
Feds Ban New Mining Claims Near Grand Canyon: WASHINGTON (AP) — The Interior Department is moving forward with a plan to ban new mining claims on 1 million acres near the Grand Canyon, even as congressional Republicans try to block efforts to limit mining operations in an area known for high-grade uranium ore… More at Standard Examiner
National Parks FREE this Weekend: Start your new year with a free visit to a national park! All 397 national parks across the country will offer free admission from January 14 through 16 to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day… More at National Park Service
Silverton Mountain Offers $50 Heli Drops: Silverton, CO – Silverton Mountain is offering helicopter skiing or snowboarding this weekend for only $50. If you haven’t ever experienced heli skiing, this weekend is your chance as Silverton Mountain is hooking up the locals with prices from the 1980’s… More at First Tracks
National Guard Helps Dig Out Cordova, AK: ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Dozens of National Guard troops have arrived in Cordova to help the Alaska fishing town dig out from massive snows that have collapsed roofs, trapped some people in homes and triggered avalanches. The city is used to snow, but not like this season’s blanketing. The Guard reported more than 18 feet of snow has fallen in the past weeks, although the National Weather Service did not immediately have a measurement… More at Standard Examiner
Dai Koyomada, First Ascent of Shanbara (V15): Recently coming to light is news that Dai Koyomada sent the sit-start to his V14 boulder Agartha in Toyota, Japan. He linked the problem on December 20th, 2011, and named the full line Shanbara (V15)… More at DPM Climbing
Wagnar Custom Skis Lifts American Jobs: Telluride, CO – Wagner Custom Skis, the Telluride, Colorado-based leader in custom ski fitting science, proudly rolled out their 3000th pair of American built skis this fall, marking another milestone in the custom ski builder’s rise to prominence. Six years into the market, Wagner brings yet another focused technology to the masses with the introduction of Carbon Torsion Box construction, created in a recycled gas station that is fueled with solar and wind power… More at SNEWS
Adventure Racing Series Launches YouTube Channel: The East Coast Adventure Racing Series, more commonly referred to as “ECARS”, is (as the name may suggest) a series of Adventure Races held on the Eastern Coast of the United States. The ECARS coalition consists of eight race production companies working together to grow the sport of Adventure Racing in a positive direction… More at SNEWS
Eagle Nest Outfitters Launches College Brand Ambassador: Asheville, NC – Eagles Nest Outfitters (ENO), creators of nomadic outdoor and travel gear, is pleased to announce the launch of its Brand Ambassador Program that will hit campus and retail shops early next year… More at SNEWS
Subaru Named Official SnowSports Industries America Vehicle: This week, SnowSports Industries America (SIA) announced a new sponsorship agreement with Subaru of America, Inc. Through the sponsorship, Subaru will be the Official Vehicle of SnowSports Industries America (SIA), the 2012 SIA Snow Show and On-Snow Demo/Ski-Ride Fest… More at Transworld Business
Nike Snowboarding Launches Limited Edition Snowboarding Boots: Nike Snowboarding is preparing to drop its new limited edition boots, the Nike Zoom Kaiju QS, and has released the following video teaser featuring Nicolas Müller. Have a first look at the creative genius behind the video right here: Transworld Business
The Sierra Club Attempts Blockage of Lake Tahoe Resort: A federal lawsuit was filed Thursday to block a controversial plan that would turn the Homewood Mountain Resort at Lake Tahoe into a posh winter and summer mecca complete with penthouse condos and a swimming pool. The Sierra Club and Friends of the West Shore sued the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Placer County for approving what they called “an ill-conceived, inadequately studied, and environmentally-disruptive development.” More at San Fransisco Chronicle
Bear Spray Empties Anchorage Church: A carbon monoxide scare triggered the evacuation of 200 congregation members from the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Fairview during a Sunday morning service. Members reported a strange smell, and that their throats were irritated but during an investigation the Anchorage Fire Department discovered it wasn’t a gas leak. Instead, someone had sprayed bear spray… More at KTUU
The World IS Ending in 2012, Girl Scouts Refuse to Sell Cookies: AKRON, Ohio — Fourteen members of a Girl Scout troop in Aurora, Ohio, have their own recipes for making money, and they don’t involve selling cookies. Unhappy that local leadership has moved to sell four of their seven camps, they have decided not to sell the cookies that help pay for their program… More at Standard Examiner
