The North Face recently unveiled its Fall 2012 collection of equipment, apparel and footwear at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City, calling attention to the science behind new products that solve the problems, like cold and wet, that athletes have been facing for generations.

FlashDry, a technology innovation proprietary and exclusive to The North Face, made its industry debut as a major focus for the company products moving forward. FlashDry utilizes a particle technology that has been used in garments for the Fall 2012 collection in everything from waterproof, breathable laminates to knits in jackets, baselayers, hats and gloves throughout the line. The porous particles of FlashDry work with your body to regulate temperature by accelerating moisture removal and dramatically improving dry time. Individually, articles with FlashDry outperform anything available on the market, but when worn together in a layering system with a baselayer, mid-layer and jacket, the dry time is even faster than when wearing alone.

The North Face developed FlashDry as part of the Physiologic process, an ongoing loop of communication between The North Face athletes who test product and the designers and researchers who are developing the product. Physiologic helps to ensure there is constant innovation within gear, apparel and footwear, while remaining true to the physiological needs of the athletes and consumers who are using the product to push their personal limits in the outdoors.

Check out our first hand demo below.

“Moisture is a problem for every consumer and every athlete, particularly in the cold, rainy fall and winter months,” said Vice President of Product for The North Face Philip Hamilton. “We developed FlashDry to solve that problem and to help eliminate dangerous distractions whether you’re running, climbing or riding this winter.”

The North Face runner Kami Semick’s dramatic experience at the 2010 Courmayeur Champex Chamonix, a sister race of the famed 166K Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc, directly inspired FlashDry and the creation of the Fall 2012 Running Collection. Taking place high in the French Alps, variable weather at the event’s start quickly turned severe as winter-like rain and snow battered the runners on high passes. In an effort to only carry lightweight apparel and gear, Semick lacked the proper protection for such extreme conditions and was nearly hypothermic when she crossed the finish line after 57 grueling miles.

“We’re able to combine FlashDry with our highest-performing fabrics and advanced construction techniques to deliver a system of comprehensive protection from the most difficult conditions in any season,” said Hamilton.

The North Face introduced close to 100 new pieces into Fall ’12 collection featuring FlashDry technology across all activity categories.

This is an example of what we are looking for. Again, you can make it your own, don’t feel limited, but here’s one way of telling us about your trip:

I have gotten a little used to the road lately. That is not to say that trips aren’t as exciting anymore… because that is far from the truth. But endless hours on cars, airports, buses and trains on my way to awesome places have become continual in my life. Still, one of the best trips I have ever been on was a few years back when I got the bug of traveling.

It was 2008 and it was the first time in over 10 years that my family and I were able to do a road trip from inland to the Caribbean coast of Colombia. For a long time it was very dangerous to travel the roads that led to the coast, in fact, most roads outside of cities were dangerous. So although I had been to Cartagena and Santa Marta in the Caribbean as a child, being able to do that road trip once again felt like a new-found adventure.

We left from Cali, Colombia, to Medellin in the mountains and then continued to head north until we hit the beautiful Caribbean coast. It took us a while to get there at a very relaxed pace, with frequent stops and a handful of minor setbacks, which are the norm in the roads of Colombia, such as landslides or flipped-over semi-trailer trucks; you know, the normal life of Latin America.

Our trip was a little over two weeks long and we were in a car for something like 40 hours total–not continuously; that wasn’t the fun part. Neither it was to watch my siblings fight over the window seat, or fight over just about anything, really. But everything else was absolutely awesome. Being on the road with my family once again was just the beginning of a great adventure. Even after all the places I’ve been to since then, nothing beats the feeling of my own country…my own culture. I can still remember the flavor of the typical food, I can still feel the bright equatorial sun on my skin, I can still smell the ocean.

I’ve always loved the smell of sunscreen because it reminds me of vacation time. In 2008 that feeling was reinforced and the scent was not only sunscreen but it mixed with sea salt, coconut rice and fried fish.

Every day was a party; not unlike any other day in the Caribbean. It rained maybe once, or perhaps I’ve chosen not to remember any gray days. The sunsets were breath-taking and the water warm. The feeling of relaxation that took over me during this trip was something I wanted to hold on to more than anything in the world.

When I got on a plane to come back to the U.S after making that trip with my family I felt like a different person. I was very sure that what I wanted to do was go places. I wrote in my journal about it and the 5 hour flight went by without me even noticing because I was lost in my day-dream of seeing the world.

Today, 12 countries later and excited for more destinations, what I want is to hear about your special trip.

Send your story to lgomez@tbtalk.com !

We get new gear and products in constantly here at Trailblazer. Here’s our time show off our new favorites!

This week it’s the new The Marmot Crystalline Jacket.

The Marmot Crystalline Jacket for Women is an ultraLight shell with astounding water-shedding properties that packs into its own pocket! Grab this jacket for long backcountry trips, or tuck one into your backpack during the rainy season. Cut and sized specifically for women, the MemBrain Strata fabric breathes comfortably and moves with you, thanks to Marmot’s innovative Angel-Wing Movement.

Available In:

Bright Berry

Lithium

Features:

• Marmot MemBrain Strata Waterproof / Breathable Fabric
• 100% Seam Taped
• Attached Adjustable Hood
• Water Resistant Front Zipper
• Zippered Pockets
• Packs into Pocket
• Reflective Logos
• Adjustable Velcro Cuff
• Elastic Draw Cord Hem
• Angel-Wing Movement – Allows Full Range of Motion in Arms so Jacket Doesn’t Ride Up
• Center back length: 26 1/4 inches
• Weight: 6.2 oz
• Materials: 100% Nylon Ripstop

Bear Mountain is the tallest “mountain” entirely within the state of Connecticut, located in Mt. Riga State Park. However, the tallest point in Connecticut is actually on the shoulder of Mt. Frissell. It is a fairly popular hike in Connecticut, and gives easy access to the Appalachian Trail. While not a strenuous climb by any stretch, it offers great views of New York, Massachussetts, and Connecticut. For the mountaineer who wants to bring the rest of the family on a trip into the woods, this is a good place to start. The grades are gentle to moderate, with only a short (few hundred feet) Class 1 rock scramble on the north side of the mountain.

There is a board detailing hiking and camping information at the trailhead, including a crude map of the area. There are no campfires allowed, and only camping at designated areas. From the parking lot you will follow Under Mountain Trail, and have a couple options in getting to the summit. The ideal route is to take the Paradise Lane Trail, which is the first trail on your right a little over a mile from the trailhead. Continue on this trail, going past Paradise Campground which is approximately 2 miles from the parking lot. Continue on, passing through a bog/swamp, until you reach the Appalachian Trail, which is marked with white blazes. Turn left and follow the blazes, leading up to the north side of the mountain. Here you will make your way up a fairly easy rock scramble, and on to the summit.

The summit has a large pile of rocks, which makes viewing the surrounding valleys much easier. To descend, continue south on the Appalachian Trail, until you reach the Riga junction, in which the Under Mountain Trail comes in on your left. Take the Under Mountain Trail back to the parking lot. Round trip mileage is approximately 6.7 miles.

Climbing in the winter depends on the conditions. It can be bone dry, or a few feet of snow on the ground, depending on the snow season. Traffic in the winter is usually substantially less than in the summer, so if there is a lot of snow, you may wish to consider snowshoes. Crampons really aren’t necessary, but if the trail is well-trodden, it can get icy in sections. As long as you have at least trekking poles, you should fare ok.

Getting There

Take Route 44 to Salisbury, CT. In Salisbury, take Route 41 North. If you are coming from Massachussetts, take Route 41 South The hiker parking lot is on the left side of the road approximately 3 miles up. Coming from MA, it’s on the right. In the summer, the lot can fill up, especially on the weekends….get there early to get a good spot (or a spot in the lot itself). The lot is marked by a blue sign denoting the Undermountain Trailhead.

When To Hike

Most people climb in the spring, summer, and fall….however, winter climbs can be enjoyable. For novice hikers just starting out in mountaineering, a hike in a good winter storm would be good practice, as it’s pretty much impossible to get lost.

Source: Summit Post

The Hiking Boots Blog featued a great post about a personal account of winter camping with advice and solid know how this week. Take a look below and see if you can find it within yourself to give it a shot. If so, come chat with one of us in store and see about the gear choices we have for your night under the stars. – Tony

Scott N., trail name The North Face and ecommerce specialist at Cat5 Commerce, shares his winter hiking experience.

As we’ve done for the past six years now, my cousin and I ventured out to a new camping ground in the middle of January. And this year was much better than last.

Last year, we dealt with rain and a tornado in January. Not fun. This year, we had about 6 inches of snow under our tent. Yes, that *is* better than stormy weather.

We left after work on Friday, Jan. 21 and had a nice fire roaring by 10 p.m. It was one of the coldest nights of the year. Seriously. The local news said it was supposed to get down to negative numbers with the wind chill. So, why were we out there? To test our will power, of course. Luckily, I had all my new North Face gear.

Here’s a checklist of my winter hiking gear:

• The North Face Dhaulagiri II GTX
• The North Face Elkhorn Sleeping Bag
• The North Face Meadowland 6 Tent
• The North Face Galaxy Triclimate Jacket
• Marmot Palisades Pants
• Gordini 2-in-1 Gore-Tex Gloves
• Rockport Trillium CT Boots
• Military-issued Polypropylene Pants
• Military-issued Neck Gator
• Military-issued Polartec Beanie

The first night, I used a zero-degree and a 30-degree sleeping bag together. I woke up the next morning sweating, so I decided to put the 30-degree sleeping bag away and just used the zero-degree sleeping bag for the second night. As we slowly woke up and removed ourselves from the sleeping bags, we discussed what we would do for the rest of the day.

We decided to hike and camp at Klondike State Park. You’ll definitely want to follow some of the signs they post along the hiking trails, like “Don’t Step on the Ice.” I’m glad I packed my Gore-Tex pants, waterproof and insulated TNF boots and my TNF Triclimate coat. It was definitely necessary for the 8-plus inches of snow we trudged through. Although the hike wasn’t very long or treacherous, there was something definitely amiss with the wildlife. We kept wondering if deer and other animals had a little too much to drink the night prior. We saw several track marks that swerved back and forth and made random complete U-turns.

After the hike, we had a lot of boxes and firewood to go through. We made a bonfire, cooked on my 20-inch skillet and had a great lunch and dinner. That night, after deciding to use only the zero-degree sleeping bag, I jumped in it expecting to have to wait a few minutes for it to warm up. Not this one. As soon as I zipped up, it trapped my body heat in and was instantly warm. I had a great night’s sleep that night. The next morning was fun. We were juggling starting a fire, making breakfast and packing everything up to leave all while it started snowing heavily again.

By the time we had everything ready to go, another 2 to 3 inches had accumulated. Luckily we packed up everything in time. If you’re going to camp in the middle of winter, make sure you bring plenty of food, materials to build a fire and keep it going, and plenty of warm layers.

Merrell extended its multi-year deal with Michael Epstein Sports Productions (MESP) as title sponsor of the Merrell Down & Dirty National Mud and Obstacle Series presented by Subaru. Since the series’ premiere in 2010, thousands of athletes have taken on the military-inspired courses across the country. The 2012 tour responds to the growing demand and popularity of mud runs by increasing to ten markets across the country.

This year’s events will kick off in Los Angeles on April 15th followed by Miami (May 6), Chicago (May 20), Dallas (June 3), Denver (June 24), Philadelphia (July 15), Detroit (August 26), New York (September 30), Atlanta (October 14), and Sacramento (October 28).

Racers will compete on either 5K or 10K courses that include military-style obstacles, mud crawls, and new strength challenges for the 2012 season.

Even the littlest enthusiasts can partake in the fun with an Adventure Kids one-mile mud run or a shorter adventure dash, all ending in the massive mud pit to crawl to victory. In addition to the off-road adventure, the series has raised over $100,000 for Operation Gratitude, a non-profit organization that sends personalized care packages to military personnel deployed overseas. For more information and to register visit www.downanddirtymudrun.com.

The inaugural year of the series brought mud to the masses in 4 cities. The 2012 tour responds to a growing demand and will bring the muddy adventure to 10 markets. Many of last year’s events sold out and doubled in participation since the inaugural year in 2010.

For more information on the Merrell Down & Dirty National Mud and Obstacle Series presented by Subaru and to register to get down & dirty in a city near you, visit www.downanddirtymudrun.com 

Alpine Mentors is fostering a new generation of climbers, stewards, and citizens.

You know the old proverb: Give someone a mountain and they’ll have a mountain. Teach someone to mountain and they’ll…live forever! That’s how it goes, right?

Steve House’s Alpine Mentors program is the more eloquent and inspiring version of that idea: Connect experienced climbers with inexperienced climbers as an opportunity to teach and learn. Introduce young people to a challenging outdoor experience that they may not otherwise access. In this way, Alpine Mentors brings the next generation of passionate alpinists into the fold.

Climbing can be an intimidating community to enter without proper introduction: safety precautions to follow, gear to learn, instincts to build. (Also, carabiner jokes to hear). This kind of opportunity for young climbers offers immediate access to those resources, person to person.

The human connection mentoring provides is not just about passing on skills. This act of bringing others to the outdoor experience is a powerful tool.

We all have some nugget of wanderlust that brings us outside and continues to draw us there, whether it is to explore or exercise or smell the air. Or maybe find a good view for lunch. Usually that seed was planted by someone leading you into an early outdoor experience—it could have been a family member, friend, community leader. Someone literally (or figuratively) held your hand and guided you onto your first mountain, or into your first lake, or pointed out your first trail marker.

Mentoring also provides a chance to share philosophies and challenge first-time users to develop their own sense of the land. Alpine Mentors sounds like it will make good climbers, but also smart people who will care for their mountains, and themselves.

There are many opportunities to share your gifts with those around you. If you are an experienced alpinist, apply to be an Alpine Mentor. If you are an experienced anything, bring people with you the next time you go outside.

Source: Merrell

We get new gear and products in constantly here at Trailblazer, and though we can’t share every single item, we can share some we’re most excited about.

This week it’s the new Marmot Mica Jacket. 

The Marmot Mica Jacket for Men is made for traveling light in tough conditions. The Mica is 100% seam taped, waterproof, and highly breathable, thanks to MemBrain Strata fabric. It also features an attached adjustable hood and Velcro cuffs, a water resistant front zipper, and it packs neatly into its own pocket.

Price: $149.99

Available In:

Cobalt Blue

Gargoyle

Features:

• Marmot MemBrain Strata Waterproof / Breathable Fabric
• 100% Seam Taped
• Attached Adjustable Hood
• Water Resistant Front Zipper
• Zippered Pockets
• Packs into Pocket
• Reflective Logos
• Adjustable Velcro Cuff
• Elastic Draw Cord Hem
• Angel-Wing Movement – Allows Full Range of Motion in Arms so Jacket Doesn’t Ride Up
• Center back length: 28 inches
• Weight: 7 oz
• Materials: 100% Nylon Ripstop

1004 Main Street | Branford CT | 203.488.0802 | branford@tbtalk.com

296 Elm Street | New Haven CT | 203.865.6244 | newhaven@tbtalk.com