This year, the RTC has also partnered with Interbike, the largest bicycle trade event in North America, to bring more bicycle industry participation to the annual event. The 2012 edition of Interbike will be held at the Sands Expo Center, Sept. 17 through 21, and the RTC 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo will take place immediately following the show on Saturday, Sept. 22.

“We look forward to offering riders a unique and exciting ride from the famous Las Vegas Strip to the iconic Hoover Dam in this year’s RTC Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo,” said Jacob Snow, RTC general manager. “We are proud to welcome cyclists from across the country and around the world to Las Vegas every year to ride in Viva Bike Vegas.  This year, we are especially pleased to partner with Interbike and invite its exhibitors and attendees to join us for our fifth annual event.”

All riders will again have the unique opportunity to begin their ride under the bright lights of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip. The RTC 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo will feature three spectacular routes – 118, 72, and 17-mile courses – for cyclists of all skill levels taking riders from the Las Vegas Strip to the vistas of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and the scenic trails near Lake Mead National Park.  Century and 72-mile riders will have the additional opportunity to ride over the Hoover Dam

Rider registration for the RTC 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo is available online at at www.vivabikevegas.com and during this early registration period, all rides cost only $75.

Baffin, Canada’s largest winter boot brand, is pleased to announce that Paul Hubner, CEO, will be putting his brand to the ultimate test this March. Paul and his three sons, Mark, Brent and Ryan, will be outfitted head to toe in Baffin – polar proven footwear and apparel, testing their products against some of the world’s harshest conditions. The group will travel from Qikiqtarjuaq to Pangnirtun from March 12 to the 25, 2012.

In an extreme Research and Development undertaking, Paul trusts that his brand will not only stand up against the extreme cold temperatures and howling winds of Baffin Island but that it will also keep his three sons warm and safe as they cross the Arctic Circle. Mark, 24, Brent, 21, and Ryan, 16, will be spending their March break in a most unconventional way, compared to many young men their age. Matty Mcnair, National Geographicʼs Adventurer of the Year, will be guiding Paul and his sons on their trek.

Paul’s previous expeditions include trekking to the geographic North (2006, 2008) and South (2008) Poles and Baffin Island (2009), as well as Everest Base Camp (2011) in Nepal. Being known for it’s extreme footwear, Baffin has only recently ventured into extreme clothing.  For the first time ever this March, the Hubner’s will be outfitted entirely in Baffin – head to toe. Featuring Baffin’s unique apparel layering system of base, mid, shell and an outer down layer, the Hubner’s will have no trouble keeping warm in temperatures of up to -100ºC.  “Baffin is based around the core philosophies of ‘living the brand’ and being ‘Polar Proven’, it wouldn’t make much sense to not test our new clothing system under the most extreme conditions”, says Paul Hubner.  “Through constant real world testing and technical innovation, we remain focused on being the undisputed leader in outdoor performance footwear and apparel.” Based just outside of Toronto, in Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada. Baffin Inc. is Canada’s largest winter boot brand, with a new line of polar apparel.

For more information, visit www.baffin.com.

KneeBinding's For the Wise!

KneeBindings quite possibly might be one of the most significant story’s in skiing for some time.  Now there is proof that KneeBinding technology is effective at mitigating knee injuries in skiing.

During the four years since KneeBindings were first introduced, skiers using all other brands of ordinary bindings sustained an estimated 280,000 serious ACL injuries, including 210,000 “phantom foot” ACL injuries.

The injury rate has been about one serious ACL injury in every 1900 skier days.  Over those same four years, KneeBinding skiers have accumulated at least 80,000 skier days.  If KneeBinding skiers had the same injury rate as skiers on ordinary bindings, our bindings would have been involved in at least 42 serious knee injuries.

KneeBinding was specifically invented to solve the knee injury problem.  We launched four seasons ago, and began winning awards and accolades right away.  We have steadily improved the product, and won convert after convert.  But there has always been that nagging issue of how to prove it really works.

So here’s the actual number:  ZERO. Zippo! So far, no skier has injured a knee on KneeBindings.  That means our customers have seen a 100 percent reduction in knee injuries – injuries that would have otherwise occurred if they had been using ordinary binding brands.  If someone asks how many potential knee injuries KneeBindings have prevented, it is perfectly appropriate to respond, “All of them.”

Now – we still believe it is inevitable that, sooner or later, someone will injure a knee on KneeBindings.  But these numbers prove, beyond any doubt, that KneeBindings are extraordinarily effective at mitigating the worst, and most frequent injury in skiing today.  If anyone asks you if we can prove it – tell them we sure can.

As you probably know, 70,000 skiers injure an ACL each and every year.  Knee injuries are the #1 in the sport, accounting for one of three reported injuries. More than 20 percent of the injured never ski again!

The downhill skiing industry hasn’t wanted to talk much about this – with good reason!  But KneeBinding has found a way to mitigate the injuries without any pre-release issues.  The KneeBinding patented technology is as effective at mitigating knee injuries as ordinary bindings were at mitigating broken legs when they first appeared more than 40 years ago.

KneeBinding Carbon RT for 2012.

Ok. It’s cool. You probably thought KneeBinding was still a little start-up.  Guess what!

• KneeBinding generates the highest dollar margin of any brand of ski bindings (avg. $181/pr).
• KneeBinding now has approximately 300 retail partners in six countries and 36 States and Provinces.
• Despite inconsistent snow, reorders have been strong, and we are completely sold out for the season.
• The KneeBinding “Carbon” appeared as the second best-seller on REI’s web site for several weeks (out of some 40 different bindings) – until recently, when REI completely sold out of them!
• Many of our retail shops have already sold through.
• KneeBindings are incredibly durable and reliable – there are no warranty issues.
• KneeBinding has won every major award in the industry, from “Gear of the Year” to “Best Alpine Binding” to the recent “Fantasy Draft Skier’s Choice” award from Powder Magazine.
• The skiing industry recognizes KneeBinding’s ability to reduce knee injuries, as well as our excellent performance and retention.
• KneeBindings are technically advanced, and in demand by top skiers. More than 10-percent of KneeBinding sales this season have been to professionals (instructors, patrol, etc.)

News Flash!

Next season, KneeBindings introduce our best-looking KneeBindings ever – with sophisticated, textured styling and color, and with an expanded DIN range of three through 12 for all models.

The Bootmobile is 13-feet high and 20-feet long and sits on top of a F0rd F-250 pickup truck frame.  According to LL Bean’s president and CEO, Chris McCormick, the L.L. Bean Bootmobile will make a U.S. tour, stopping in major cities to inspire people to get outside and try an outdoor activity.  The Bootmobile’s next stop is in New York where it will be parked at Times Square today and appear on several morning news shows.  More LL Bean 100th anniversary events and activities are scheduled throughout the year. You can find more information by visiting, www.LLBean.com.

Days that are free include Martin Luther King weekend, January 14-16th, April 21st-29th during National Park Week, June 9th in celebration of Get Outdoors Day, September 29th during National Public Lands Day, and during Veteran’s Day Weekend November 10th-12th.

“I hope every American can take advantage of the upcoming fee free weekend and visit their parks to experience their history firsthand,” says National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. For more information on parks in your area, visit www.nps.gov

Dan Sanchez

New Sierra Designs DriDown Zissou 15

Sierra Designs launches new down-fill technology in DriDown™ with five sleeping bags at the 2012 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market trade show in Salt Lake City, UT January 18-22.

It’s cutting edge, and a vast improvement over regular down, DriDown™ features a molecular level polymer applied to individual down plumes during the down finishing process.

DriDown™ is a proprietary application method developed by Sierra Designs that ensures a hydrophobic finish.  As a result, DriDown™ stays dry seven times longer in the presence of rain, melting snow, or spills, maintains 98% loft after a night in a high humidity environment, and dries 33% faster when it does get wet for a dryer, warmer, more comfortable night’s sleep.

“Our inspiration for DriDown™ came from the need for higher performance down insulation,” said Sue Timbo, Sierra Designs marketing director.  “Due to its warmth to weight ratio, down is indisputably the best performing insulation available.  Its only downside is a loss of thermal efficiency as it becomes wet.  DriDown™ tolerates moisture far better than untreated down, improving the performance of down sleeping bags so everyone from pro athletes to family campers will sleep dryer, warmer, and more comfortably.”

Staying dry longer, lofting better, and drying faster, DriDown™ sleeping bags represent the evolution of down insulation technology, outperforming regular down sleeping bags in any given environment from arid deserts to humid costal locals to icy polar environments.  Sierra Designs is introducing five new sleeping bag styles, covering a wide range of backcountry conditions.

Sierra Designs’ DriDown™ sleeping bags include the Zissou 0 HI (3 lb, 1 oz; $299), Zissou 15 (2 lb, 11 oz; $259), Zissou 30 LITE (2 lb, 1 oz; $199), Eleanor 20 HI women’s (3 lb, 0 oz; $299) and Eleanor 30 LITE women’s (2 lb, 9 oz; $259).  All five bags feature 600 fill DriDown™, polyester ripstop shells, and polyester liners for an outstanding blend of performance, warmth, compressibility, and light weight.

DriDown™ sleeping bag retail availability is scheduled for June 1 exclusively through REI stores, Sierra Designs’

DriDown apparel debuts in August 2012. Women's Tov shown here.

first-to-market partner.  Look for Sierra Designs DriDown™ sleeping bags at other specialty outdoor retailers mid-July with DriDown™ apparel debuting in August 2012.

Sierra Designs DriDown™ FAQ sheet:

1.   What is DriDown™ by Sierra Designs and how does it work?

-          DriDown™ is natural down treated with a molecular level polymer applied using Sierra Designs’ proprietary method, creating a hydrophobic finish on individual down plumes.  This polymer enhances the down’s durability and structure.  DriDown™ stays dry longer, lofts better, and dries faster than regular down.

-          When wet, regular down plumes collapse, reducing loft and insulating efficiency.  DriDown™’s water tolerance far exceeds that of regular down, staying dry 7-times longer* in the presence of natural body moisture, humidity, rain and snow, offering superior loft and thermal efficiency for a warmer, more comfortable night’s sleep.

2.   Is DriDown™ waterproof?  Does is use a waterproof/breathable membrane?

-          The goal was not to create waterproof down, but rather down that would tolerate the presence of moisture, allowing it to outperform regular down in every weather condition.

-          Waterproof/breathable membranes are great for keeping moisture out, but they also keep a lot of body moisture in, reducing loft and warmth.  DriDown™ sleeping bags allow internal moisture to escape far more effectively, enhancing loft and warmth retention to outperform down bags with membranes.

-          DriDown™’s polymer coating helps keep external moisture from soaking into the insulation, staying dry 7-times longer than regular down.

3.   What are the advantages of DriDown™?

-          As regular down gets wet, it loses loft and therefore loses its ability to insulate.  DriDown™ helps eliminate this problem.  DriDown™ is the evolution of down insulation.

o   DriDown™ stays dry 7-times longer than regular down.*

o   DriDown™ retains 98% loft which can equate to a 15° temperature advantage.

o   DriDown™ dries 33% faster than regular down.

4.   Where did the inspiration come from?

-          DriDown™ was inspired by Sierra Designs’ commitment to innovation.  For its weight, down is indisputably the best performing insulation available… lighter, warmer, more compressible, and more durable than synthetic insulations.  Its only downside is a loss of thermal efficiency as it becomes wet.   Constantly looking for ways to improve the outdoor experience, Sierra Designs created DriDown™ to advance the benefits of regular down, enhancing its performance in a wider range of conditions and allowing anyone from pro athletes to family campers to stay warmer, dryer, and sleep more comfortably.

5.   How do you know it works so well?

-          We use ASTM-certified lofting tests, environmental chambers to simulate humid conditions, and tests to determine drying times.  Sierra Designs has also developed proprietary testing to evaluate DriDown™ performance in extreme conditions.  Field testing confirms it outperforms regular down in every situation.

6.   What is the down treated with?

-          DriDown™ uses a molecular level polymer coating applied through a proprietary method during the down finishing process to create a hydrophobic finish on individual down plumes. This polymer finish maintains down integrity and increases durability without adding additional discernable weight.

7.   Has this technology been used before?

-          Sierra Designs has developed a proprietary and exclusive process to adapt this tried and true technology specifically for use in outdoor products.  Staying true to a long history of ingenious solutions to backcountry challenges, DriDown™ by Sierra Designs represents the evolution of down insulation technology, giving the outdoor world the best-performing insulation yet.

* Results based on scientific laboratory bulk water absorption testing developed by Sierra Designs.

Torin Koos to lead and never looked back.

Rossignol athlete, Torin Koos took the top of the podium, winning the men’s freestyle sprint at the 2012 USSA Cross Country Skiing Championships!

Koos stayed in front of the pack throughout the final and claimed the 1.6km sprint national title in the process.

“This is very big for me today. I needed this. The race treated me well and I feel like my season is just getting going. After what I have gone thru, I just hope that I can get back to the level I was at before,” Koos said.

For Koos, this was a repeat of his freestyle title at Black Mountain in Rumford, ME in 2011 and his sixth career U.S. title. But after spending the past six months recovering from a serious shoulder injury, Koos qualified sixth and needed to maintain an aggressive tempo to claim the top spot.

Mountain Khakis Teton Twill shirt is part of the company's new line of Mountain Tops

“Although MK started as a pants brand, tops were in our business strategy from the beginning,” says Noah Robertson, MK Co-Founder and Director of Product Development and Design.   The Mountain Top apparel collection includes a Stage Coach jacket, Stage Coach vest, Old Faithful sweater, Trapper Henley, Teton flannel shirt, Original Mountain denim shirt, and a Teton twill shirt.  For more information, visit www.mountainkhakis.com

Lighten the load on your next backpacking trip, with some of the latest ultralight gear available…at least for now.

By Kevin Keckeisen

One of the fundamental rules of backpacking is to pack as light as possible and ultralight backpackers have taken this rule to heart. For the past couple of years, ultralight backpacking has skyrocketed in popularity. From cutting tooth brushes in half to swapping out a tent for a tarp, ultralight backpackers are constantly looking for new ways to shed weight.

By carrying only essential lightweight and multi-use equipment, backpackers are frequently able to cover longer distances in shorter time spans rather than collapse from exhaustion after carrying around a 60 pound pack for a few hours. The time saved allows one to see more, do more, and most importantly, enjoy the great outdoors without a big burden on your shoulders.

However, many of us still enjoy a few luxuries while on the trail, including the extra space and comfort of a tent or inflatable sleeping pad. Luckily, there are several lightweight equipment products on the market today that use both strong and lightweight material to provide an ultralight product without sacrificing comfort. So for those looking to get started in ultralight backpacking or for veterans looking for the lightest gear, we’ve searched for some of the lightest essential pieces of equipment: a backpack, a tent, a sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, and a stove.

GoLite Jam Pack

Weighing in at only 1 pound and 15 ounces, the GoLite Jam Pack is manufactured from 210-denier Dyneema® double ripstop fabric, which combines polyethylene, nylon, and Tier 1 recycled nylon for impressive ruggedness, lightness, and longevity. The Tier 1 recycled nylon performs on par with virgin, petroleum-produced materials and can be continually recycled and makes up 50 percent of the nylon in the pack. Although lacking a frame, the Jam pack can comfortably carry and distribute a load up to 30 pounds with help from its padded shoulder straps and air-channel back panel.

The GoLite weighs 1 lbs 15 oz and has 3,050 cubic inches of capacity.

Rather than using a lid to slash weight, the top-loading design uses a cinch cord and roll-top closure with an adjustable strap to compress and secure your load. The top compression ComPACKtor™ system reduces pack volume and an internal stretch-woven hydration sleeve can hold a reservoir of up to 3 liters (101 ounces), which can be accessed by either left or right water tubes for mobile drinking water access. Quick-release buckled side compression straps allow you to cinch down the pack body; straps can attach to the other side to carry large items such as a snowboard. The pack also features a newly expanded zippered pocket on the front of the pack which offers quick and easy access to frequently used essentials and bulky items. The pack also features two side stretch pockets, ideal for trekking poles and water bottles, two ice axe loops and handles straps which allow you to lash winter gear onto the exterior, and a sternum strap buckle which doubles as an emergency whistle.

Terra Nova Laser Ultra 1 tent

Awarded by the Guinness World Record for the lightest double wall shelter in the world at a whopping 1.28 pounds (581 grams) packed weight with pegs, the Laser Ultra 1 canopy and floor is made from Terra Nova’s signature superlight and strong waterproof Cuben Fiber ULTRA fabric, with a thin nylon fabric interior. The tent was designed for short duration ultralight trips and fits one person comfortably or two people at a tight squeeze. For ventilation, there are two end vents, the door and the ends, which can be rolled up for improved air flow.

For those who don't like to sleep under a lightweight tarp or a confining bivy, the Terra-Nova Laser Ultra-1 makes a good lightweight alternative.

Terra Nova Laser 300 sleeping bag

Continuing their commitment to ultralight gear, Terra Nova graces this list yet again with the Laser 300, which weighs an astounding 11.6 ounces (329 grams). Comfort rated at 50 Fahrenheit (+10 Celsius), the sleeping bag is insulated with 900 Fill power goose down and is perfect for shorter backpacking trips or trekking in hot climates.

Stuffed with 900-Fill Goose Down, the Terra Nova Laser 300 sleeping bag weights only 11.6 ounces.

Books-Range Alpini sleeping pad

With the 17.1 ounce (484.7 grams) Books-Range Alpini inflatable sleeping pad, you do not need to sacrifice comfort for weight in the backcountry. It uses die cut foam to shed weight without disposing of precious insulation needed to keep you warm in your sleeping bag. At a size of 38-1/4 inches long and 19-3/4 inches wide, the sleeping pad only extends from your head to your waist, leaving backpackers with the option to place their pack under their legs and feet to provide good insulation.

With a durable plastic valve, the pad inflates quickly and easily and can be deflated relatively quickly after being rolled and packed into a small stuff sack that’s about 2 inches in diameter by 9 inches in length. Also, on the top of the pad Brooks-Range printed a variety of SOS signals using your body, a whistle, a flashlight, ground signals and surprisingly, Morse code, for a possible unfortunate day when you and your buddy experience an emergency while on the trail.

MSR WhisperLite Internationale Stove

The MSR WhisperLite Internationale stove can be described as lightweight, durable and diverse. Weighing at a refreshing 11.5 ounces (the stove and pump only), the MSR WhisperLite can run on white gas, kerosene, jet fuel and unleaded automobile fuel, making it a perfect stove for traveling internationally. Its self-purging pump is tough, easy to adjust and will not leak when removed from the stove after cooking.

An old favorite is still one of the lightest and best backcountry stoves. This very portable and compact stove runs on white gas and weighs only 11.5 ounces, not including the fuel and bottle.

The lighting and priming time of the stove is shortened by its priming-wick so you can eat sooner, which is very important after a long day’s hike. Tired of unclogging your stove after a hearty meal? Fear no more as the WhisperLite stove jet features a unique shaker, self-cleaning needle which allows the stove to unclog itself as you hike. The WhisperLite also includes a reflector, a storage sack and a windscreen which is designed to accommodate cookware up to 10 inches in diameter. The MSR WhisperLite stove requires an MSR fuel bottle for operation, which is sold separately unfortunately.