SNEWS best outdoor reads from around the web

What did the SNEWS team read this week that other outdoor industry insiders might find interesting? Well, read on to find out.

• We have never been more proud of REI than when we read this story in The Advocate about the outdoor retailer’s support of marriage equality. CEO and President Sally Jewell recently announced their support on the company’s blog.

• While on the trail on Stage 3 of the Gore-Tex TransRockies Run, we finally met Kevin Fonger in person and had a nice chat for a little bit about the run and the industry happenings. We enjoyed reading Fonger’s TransRockies Run Wrap-Up post on his blog, Active Gear Review. He talks about how the six-day trail race has become a bucket list item for many runners out there and that if you’re one of them, you should take advantage of the discount on registration that expires on Aug. 26. 

• We hate to bludgeon you over the head with the Gore-Tex TransRockies Run, but Vanessa Rodriguez of Vanessa Runs posted this list of 10 things that surprised her at the Gore-Tex TransRockies Run. Rodriguez, and her boyfriend Robert Shackelford, aka “Shacky”, ran the race and discovered that many things such as it doesn’t get easier, you just get used to it and you should choose your partner wisely for the event, which can get sticky fast if you’re having issues with your teammate. 

• So by doing this Gore-Tex TransRockies Run, we must have gotten a reputation around the Active Interest Media Boulder offices as a crew just invited us to run the 160, seven-day, six-stage Grand 2 Grand Ultra in the Grand Canyon. We really haven’t made up our minds yet, but in doing some research about it, we came across this Trail Runner Magazine article on how to train for the self-supported race, in which you have to carry your own gear and food.

• OK, enough about the TransRockies Run, check out this Mercury News story about an upcoming benefit in the Bay area where people are charged to hike anywhere from 9 to 14 miles a day and the funds go toward the East Bay trails. The event takes place Aug. 29 through Sept. 2, and might be a nice thing to promote in your stores. Chances are participants are going ot need a few new things.

• It’s always sad when a psychopath is on the loose. Last week we read about a child rapist on the loose and targeting campgrounds in southern France, and this week we were relieved to read the 32-year-old pervert turned himself into police.

• Is it just us or are people getting more adventurous these days? From running across the Rockies to adventure races, people seem to want to try new and exciting things. That means people walking into your stores are ripe for convincing to try a new sport, such as mountain biking, and if you need some help with piquing their interest, check out this Express-Times story about how one guy got into it and what makes it so awesome. Heck, maybe we’ll even give it a go. 

• Speaking of adventure racing, more and more people are getting into that as well, and that is good news for you because adventure racers need gear – everything from apparel to hydration products. Check out this Indy Star article about how fitness buffs are getting into the ever-popular events sprouting up all over the country. 

• This Seattle Times article doesn’t lie – one of the best parts about backpacking and camping is the good eating you can do. Nothing tastes quite as good as it does after a long day of hiking or running in the wilderness. The article outlines different snacks to pack to make it even easier, and tastier, for you and your family to snack on the trail.

• Schools and camps and parents all over the country are seeking to eradicate Nature Deficit Disorder, a term coined by Richard Louv in his book called “Last Child in the Woods” about how more kids are spending less time outdoors. Read about one school in New Hampshire whose reps said the main classroom is outside where children can study the things they are learning about in real time, and another about a camp in Virginia that seeks to get children hooked on the outdoors. That’s good news for our industry as this practically ensures future customers.

Have you read anything interesting you’d like to share with us? Maybe we’ll include it next week’s column with a little shout out to you. Send a link to the story with the subject line “SNEWS Reads” to be considered.

–Compiled by Ana Trujillo