SOAR Blog

Credit Matthew McDermott

Outdoor Retailer ended in late January on a high note with both industry attendance and optimism up from winter 2009. In the midst of writing orders and thinking about upcoming selling seasons, though, the industry as initiated dozens of efforts to provide relief for Haiti after its devastating earthquake.

Manufacturers across the Winter Market show floor offered product to an industry Haitian relief effort coordinated by Terramar, Sierra Trading Post & Eric Larsen. The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) also partnered with Americares to get first aid kits, water purification systems, headlamps, tarps and hydration containers willing donated from manufacturers in the outdoor industry to Haitians in desperate need of essential supplies. (See below for more information on getting your product to Haiti via Sierra Trading Post and Americares).

In an industry that highly values authenticity and social responsibility, it’s no surprise that the outdoor industry mobilized so quickly to aid Haiti. It employs individuals with just as much strength and heart as the products it manufactures- prepared to be put to work at a moments notice. These qualities and others make SOAR super proud to be part of the outdoor industry.

In fact, we see these qualities in the outdoor industry year round. We associate with outdoor industry leaders that support advocacy groups and let their passion for their sport drive their compassion. SOAR has had some fun and rewarding opportunities to work on a pro-bono basis with non-profits like Bikes for Kids Utah and Trips for Kids. We get to see how much work goes into each event and initiative. Every donation, vote of confidence, re-tweet and sponsorship makes a difference.

Let’s all continue to heed OIA’s call for the industry to “dig deep” during this and every time of crisis and need.

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Click here to read about the partnerships forming in the outdoor industry to help Haiti.

To donate this urgently needed product/equipment contact Randy Weiss at Americares at (203) 658-9527 or rweiss@americares.org. All donations will be delivered by air and sea directly to the region by Americares.

Outdoor Retailer exhibitors are invited to donate show products to Haiti via Red Cross if it can arrive at Sierra Trading Post by FEBRUARY 8, 2010. All packages should be sent to Sierra Trading Post Robin Jahnke/Haiti 5121 Campstool Road Cheyenne, Wyoming 8200.

The outdoor industry is abuzz on Twitter, contributing comments, queries and suggestions to all participating manufacturers, buyers, retailers, media and advocacy groups in the 2010 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market through the show’s aggregate feed, ORWinter. Since SOAR launched Outdoor Retailer into the Twittersphere for the 2009 Winter Market, the outdoor industry has channeled much of its conversation through the platforms the show has provided. Attendees and exhibitors getting ready to travel to Salt Lake are using #ORWinter in their Tweets about the show to create dialogues and relationships before they even step foot into the Salt Palace. They can also follow ORShowLive to keep up with OR-specific event announcements that will help them make the most of their time at the show.

The ORWinter conversation will continue throughout the show as attendees Tweet about the new products they’re seeing, the people they’re meeting and the industry events they’re enjoying. Outdoor Retailer sponsor Channel Signal will display these conversations, too, on four 50-inch screens strategically placed around the show.

They’ll toggle between the ORWinter Twitter feed and the top five mentioned exhibiting OR brands. Look for them while you’re there. It will be convincing visual evidence of how social media permeates even the outdoor industry and a reflection of how fast the conversation can shift, especially when there are thousands of people participating.

Next to the monitors will be a directory of 200 exhibitors on Twitter.

If you’re interested in attending the show, January 21-24, please register at outdoorretailer.com. See you there!

Yeserday the season’s first snowflakes fell around SOAR’s office near Salt Lake City. We’re ready for the slopes and powder that await us (see image below)! Winter is something to look forward to in the state with the greatest snow on Earth, and here’s why:

• 13 ski resorts, most which are less than 40 miles from Salt Lake City
• Nearly 400 inches average annual snowfall at the resorts
• Nearly 27,000 skiable acres
• More than 1,100 ski runs
• Snowboarding allowed at 11 out of the 13 resorts

Ski (or snowboard) on!

Information gathered using information from SkiUtah’s 2009-2010 Utah Resort Facts

Our "Best Of Utah" Route

I was skeptical moving away from my California paradise to the arid and hot and cold Utah desert. But this red rock, Wasatch state has proven itself in the year that I have lived here. This past weekend Utah re-wowed me as I spent three days taking my parents up and down Eastern Utah for their first visit. You could call it a “best of trip,” starting with mole at Salt Lake’s Red Iguana (killer Mexican food, really). The folks had fun with the Utah altitude hiking up to the Timpanogos Caves, driving through Castle County to Arches National Park, seeing Delicate Arch that graces the Utah license plate, riding the chair lift at Sundance and poking around art galleries in Park City.

And there are several bests we didn’t have time to do, like float down the Provo River, make our way through slot canyons, eat Navajo Tacos, snow skiing or sleep under the stars.

So, I’m living proof that you can drive nearly 600 miles in one weekend with your parents and finish the trip happy…as long as you have a group of adventurous spirits and an amazing state like Utah to tour.

Me (the one who looks excited), a crew member and my King Mackerel

Though I’m not exactly new to the SOAR Blog, (having been featured and/or mentioned here, here, here and here), I’ve never actually written a post–hence me thinking a small introduction is warranted. I’m the lone Canuck on staff at SOAR communications, actually working for Politis Communications–sister agencies–but working on a few of SOAR’s accounts, from time to time. I grew up immersed in sports and athletics, but mostly enjoyed swimming and playing soccer and rugby, which I played for my high school, and pick up games of basketball till the wee hours of the morning (at least in the summer). That said, I’ve dabbled in everything from winter skiing to water skiing and canoe trips to snowshoeing.

Well, enough about me and onto the purpose of this post. It’s been a few months now, but back in November I went deep sea fishing off the coast of Miami for one of my best friends bachelor party. About 20 of us jumped on one of the Reward Fishing Fleet’s largest boats and set off for four hours of fishing fun. It was my first fishing major fishing adventure in an ocean (Poppa P showed me the ropes of small lake fishing last year!)

About 20 minutes into our voyage the skipper yelled, “they’re biting!” Within minutes beers were exchanged for fishing poles, and lines were dropped into the Atlantic as we trolled across a school of dolphin-fish (also known as mahi mahi, dorado, calitos, maverikos, or lampuki). Within about 45 minutes 90 percent of the guys had caught their first fish. Several had caught a few, including some sharks (catch and release) that were hanging out trying to get some food themselves.

Matt, the bachelor, and his first Mahi Mahi

It was an experience of a lifetime and one I will not soon forget… specially since today I received my way-too-expensive mounted fish (for those wondering and who may not know, they don’t stuff the real fish anymore. Nowadays, they send you a fiberglass replica of the fish to hang on your wall.). Sure, I was also lucky enough to catch a red snapper and a king mackerel before the day was done, but none will look as cool on my wall as the 34 inch mahi mahi I was able to haul in!

If you’ve never been deep sea fishing I highly recommend it. And if you’re looking for a company to take you, out of the hundreds available, I’ll gladly recommend the crew at Reward Fishing Fleet (not a paid client or endorsement–this one is from the heart!). The rates are very reasonable and they’ll work their butts off to see that you and your group have a great time. Happy fishing!

The trophy has arrived!

I’ve spent the past few weeks trying to figure out how to get back at my husband for the way he treated me on Valentine’s Day. While others were eating chocolate and smelling roses around scented candles, we were camping at the snow-covered Jordanelle Reservoir, in the dark, in the midst of a looming snowstorm. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend Valentine’s Day and other way.

Snow Camping at Jordanell Lake

Though I grew up enjoying the California outdoors, only a few times did I venture to sleep in them. So when Philip and I got married, I was eager to benefit from his backpacking and camping experience. My camping naivety made it easy for me to accept his suggestion to spend Valentine’s Day in the snow (most of my Utahan friends shivered at the thought of it).

On Valentine’s Day eve we set up camp in the dark, then enjoyed s’mores roasted over the awesome fire Philip built for us. We heard the falling snow brush against our tent the entire night and woke up to a very still and pristine morning. With hot chocolate in our bellies (thanks for the stove, Chip!), we set off on a snowshoeing adventure around the reservoir. There was no one around for miles, save a couple of ice fishers. You couldn’t beat the scene’s romance factor. Nice work, Philip!

Snowshoeing at Jordanell Lake

With spring (and hopefully warmer weather) approaching, I spend a lot of my free time thinking about all of the local adventures Utah and its surrounding states have to offer- Havasupai, the Narrows at Zion, the Tetons to name a few. I need to get back at Philip for the amazing trip he planned and would greatly appreciate any/all reader suggestions.

P.S. Thanks to Joby for the amazing Gorillapod. We couldn’t have taken these shots without it!

Samson Riders Bicycle Club

Considering the plethora of well-established mountain biking cultures that exist worldwide, it is telling that Trips for Kids (TFK) would establish its first international chapter in Israel. In addition to the typical complexities that challenge childhood, Israel’s youth faces the challenge of developing tolerance for the variety of ethnic, educational, socio-economic and immigrant groups in their communities.

I imagine this is true even in Beit Shemesh, Israel, where Trips for Kids Israel- Samson Riders Bicycle Club (TFK Israel-SRBC) has been established. This community in the heart of the Judean Plains merits a group like TFK Israel-SRBC that encourages young people to understand and unite with their peers of all backgrounds. Before Samson Riders Bicycle Club became the foundational group for TFK Israel, it had already been successful in bringing Jewish and Arab youth together to ride, learn about each other, break down barriers, discover new interests and respect the land. The club’s new relationship with TFK will make it possible to expand this program, Riding for Co-Existence, to give more underprivileged youth in Israel a chance to experience mountain biking and involve youth from other local ethnic communities in the bike ride planning and implementation.

Come late November, riders with TFK Israel-SRBC will take their first tour of the monasteries, water springs and olive groves as an official chapter of the Marin County, Calif.-based non-profit organization. For many of them, it will be their first time exploring their historic surroundings. For some, it may be their first time riding side by side with a peer who claims a different culture than their own.

You can learn more about Trips for Kids at www.tripsforkids.org.

I couldn’t help but notice a great article in Friday’s NYTimes.com highlighting Wild Rivers Expeditions, a Bluff Utah river tours company and one of its fabulous tour guides. According the article, freelance writer Kate Siber and a friend signed up for a three day float trip as a way to see the historic region of Monument Valley and linked article above was the result.

Beyond her witty writing evidenced by phrases describing her guide

Nathan Sosa, a Bluff native and self-described hydrologic navigation specialist, stood on the bow of an 18-foot-long baby-blue raft and described the protocols of the river and the boat. He wore a nylon American-flag jacket, button-down shirt and tie, flimsy prom-queen tiara and rubber boots — you know, traditional outdoorsman wear.

and the landscape

Rolling past a host of almost alien-looking geological formations, cliff-top Anasazi dwellings and pristine wildlife habitat, the river is something of a greatest hits album of southern Utah’s attractions.

this article reminded me of one of the areas of outdoor recreation I have not participated in for a few years-rafting.

However, I will be redeeming myself this summer with a raft trip through Flaming Gorge and hopefully, a few product demos at the upcoming Summer OR Show. Yeah for summer!

We all have our interests in life. A few around the office include cycling, baseball, volleyball, golf and fishing, and we’ve talked a lot about doing these activities together to experience something a little different and to get to know each other a bit better.

Well, last week we took an opportunity to participate in an activity together by taking the afternoon to play mini-golf and hit a bucket of golf balls at a local facility called, appropriately, Mulligans.

Here are some captions of the event:

The Team at Mulligans

FORE!

Can’t Quite Get Away

Scoping out the lay of the land

One too many practice swings…enough already!

For the Win!

Past the Windmill…through the tunnel…off the rock…up the volcano…in the hole!

Needless to say, we had a great time together. While we did keep score, everyone, it turned out, won. We built team unity and relieved a bit of stress…for those of us who could get away.

We’re planning to do these types of events every couple of months. Who knows what the next one will be, but I’m sure it will be a great time to be had by all, as this one was.

Recently my buddy (wilsontribe) and I headed out geocaching once again — the eternal quest to not get lost looking for hidden objects.

Although we did only hit two caches, I did snag my first geocoin (see picture). Geocoins are cool and come in all different designs. This particular one, the redhanded geocoin, has a couple goals: travel to all 50 states, all countries and continents and then return to the US.

After looking at the travel log of this coin I see that it has traveled a total of 77 miles between Utah County and Salt Lake County. So, for my part, I will be taking this coin back east with me in a few weeks to plant it in a cache beyond the Utah state line.

Our second cache was a virtual cache. This is usually a non-traditional cache that has some sort of historical significance or is designed to educate. This one was a memorial to a fallen Utah Highway Patrol Agent. Interesting, but I have to admit, not as fun as finding a little box hidden with trinkets or goodies in it.

Although my second geocaching trip didn’t prove quite as fruitful on the cache side I did learn some valuable lessons about going geocaching and how to make the most of the outing.

So, as a beginner, here’re my 6 tips to get ready for a simple geocaching trip:

• Decide ahead of time the area you want to geocache in.
• Download the cache waypoints and then upload them into your GPS.
• Review the map and choose a couple waypoints as starting points.
• Review or print off the hints for starting waypoints.
• Charge your GPS receiver.
• Be sure to take water and snacks, if needed.

Doing these beforehand could save you an hour or two before you get going, or, in other words, you could find a handful of caches or just two!