Hot Pants are Back.

The textile embargo that has been adversely affecting the outdoor industry and contributing to manufactures "creative" ways of getting thier pants into the US, has ended. The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements determined that ski and snowboard pants do not contribute to market disruption.

The current embargoed trousers will be released beginning Nov. 1.

Frank Hugelmeyer, President of the Outdoor Industry Association applauded the decision and noted the embargo as a "sensible approach on being tough with China" but continued "There is minimal domestic production of ski and snowpants, leaving few alternatives to China for producing these products. This exemption will lessen the significant negative impact the embargo has had on our industry.”

He also warned,“While CITA’s decision solves a big problem for the outdoor industry for 2005, there are more potential quotas on the horizon. The possibilities of jacket quotas and the re-application of quotas on ski and snowpants for 2006 are currently being considered by CITA with comments due on November 10, 2005. Should these quotas be enforced, they could potentially be devastating to the outdoor industry.”

From Sports One Source

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Alpinist Mag gathers best-of-the-best for 2nd Barry Corbet Film Fest

Alpinist Magazine celebrates Barry Corbet’s "...athletic and artistic spirit with a series of films and presentations that evoked the joys of deep snow, wild water and steep stone."

Yvon Chouinard, Gerry Lopez, Doug Coombs to present in Jackson; abridged version of festival to be shown in Portland, Seattle, Boston, and Boulder, CO

Each night will include other films, from classics to world premieres, within the selected disciplines. “The featured films showcase the common threads that unite skiers, surfers and climbers across borders, disciplines and generations,” says Christian Beckwith, Alpinist Editor and founder of the BCFF. “The parties before and after the screenings, the world-class presenters and the magical energy of Jackson in winter all underscore our goal: to throw the best party of the year in Jackson Hole.”

Barry Corbet was a Jackson Hole legend who ticked the first ski descent of Buck Mountain and named the infamous ski run Corbet’s Couloir at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. A former Snow King ski instructor, Exum Mountain Guide, and founder of the Jackson Hole Mountain Guides, he was also an American climbing legend who helped put the first American team on Everest.

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Photographer Carl Skoog Dies

The article is a tough read because of the translation, but there are posts all over forums like TGR.

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Ice climbing discovery in the Sierras

Discovery is part of adventure but for a copule of ice climbers in the Sierra this past weekend what they discovered was a bit out of the norm. While climbing on a glacier on 13,710-foot Mount Mendel they spotted parts of a body protruding from the ice.

The body has not yet been identified but it believed to be from a 1942 Army airplane crew that crashed thier AT-7 navigational training plane in November of that year.

The Full Story

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Line Skis takes a rain check on SIA

Is this a telling sign of what is to come in the ski biz? Unlikely, but it doesn't surprise me much that Line Skis founder Jason Levinthal would lead the way on a decision to not attend SIA this coming January. Instead, they will rely upon online marketing and progressive grass roots efforts to spread the gospel about their product. In a communication to shop owners Jason was quoted as saying

Our product line is clean, sensible and easy to communicate with you on a personal level at your regional show, demo and at your shop.
We’ll save the Vegas drinking and hand shaking for your local bar and ski lift. We look forward to seeing you there.

Amen brother.

The Full Story

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BackcountryBlog.com

Brant Moles has hooked up with PC Powder Cats and Heli ski as a guide and also doing Steep and Deep clinics. Brant had told me he had some things in the works and I guess this is it. Brant is an awesome guy with a great attitude and we wish him success in whatever he chooses to do. With the historical conservative approach to terrain that PC Powder Cats has taken in the past it makes me wonder on what terrain will these clinics occur?

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Arrival

June 23 was the last time I skied fresh powder and although I didn't make it out during this first storm of the year there were a number of locations in the west that have welcomed the arrival of winter.

Some of the faithful locals here in Utah got up to Alta for an early season session on what is normally skiers turf. Nice work Nate!

Other reports coming out of
Loveland Pass, Colorado and Silverton Mountain have left me drooling. Montana got pounded last week and there was even snow in Santa Fe. The white tops of the Wasatch have got me pulling out the boards.

But has winter really arrived? I mean, when exactly can it be said that winter is here? For the poor souls in the Pacific Northwest last year they waited all "winter" for the chance to say "it has arrived". Are we jumping the gun a bit with all the winter is here talk?

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Good Riddance!

Black Diamond annouced today a recall on the much anticipated T2X Telemark Boot - what next? Being no strangers to recall, BD is taking no chances and pulling all boots. The problem is that the upper cuff material is too brittle and prone to cracking. BD will be retro-fitting all boots with a new, less brittle one over the course of the next month. Stock of the T2X should return to shelves the first week of November.
We can't wait for this exciting boot to come back to us and we are betting BD can't wait to be rid of Scarpa come Jan 1! Sheesh!

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Keep dreaming - preparation and gear

The first installment is in from the boys over at PowderRoad.com I predict that each new segment they release will be more anticiapted than each episode of Dallas was in the 80's.

If you didn't see the trailer, invest 2 minutes and 6 seconds and then follow along.

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Backcountry skiers rejoice - pass cam

Situation: You're living in Wilson, WY and your buddy from Victor, ID calls and wants to meet you at "the Pass" (Teton Pass - one of the west's best backcountry skiing access points) for an afternoon tour. You ponder the invitation, wondering how many people are up there already. It's been snowing all morning and you're torn between bringing the trusted Black Diamond Havocs or pulling out the super phatty Black Diamond Verdicts. What to do, what to do?

There's no reason to envy your lift riding brethren any longer with their multiple angle resort cams. Pass cam will tell all. Now get out there and schralp the gnar!

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The mother of all ski webcams

In my search for webcams that deliver the 411 on Utah's ski conditions, I've found this one. What a gem. Almost makes me wonder if the level of suffering for the guy in New York is more now that he can look at how much it is dumping at Alta or Snowbird of if he suffered more or less sitting there in his office wondering what conditions were like out west.

Now if I can just get an Everest Base Camp cam...

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