Washington state averages about two avalanche related deaths each year but so far in 2012 one avalanche alone has caused the deadliest winter since 09-08.  This has caused everyone in the snow community to morn but also left us all with the feeling “what if that was me?”. After a great time during the first good powder day at Snoqualmie since the deadly avalanche, I couldn’t help but notice a greater since of comradery between everyone on the mountain specifically, between older generation skiers and younger snowboards.

That day I was riding with two other snowboarders my age, around 30, and we are all good enough to hit anything a resort can throw at us. We were trying to find fun parts of the small Snoqualmie resort in Washington. It was the first good powder day since the deadly avalanche and you could tell there was a general somber mood on the mountain even though the snow was amazing. We were on the East side of the resort that has East, Central and West portions. Trying to get back to Central from East we asked a older skier that looked like he might know the resort. He was friendly and told us we could take the green run “Sissy” back to the Central Resort. So we thank him and he says back…”Sissy is called that for a reason, if you want a challenge through some uncut powder, you could follow me.” It was decided we would follow him to a nearby patch of trees that he promised held a hidden powder field that he was willing to share with us so that he didn’t have to maneuver the dangerous trees alone. It was true and as the run opened up to the promised powder field we actually heard the older gentleman hooting with happiness.  We all met at the bottom and agreed it was a wonderful run. He showed us a couple more spots before he showed us how to get back to Central and left. I have talked to older generation skiers before and it didn’t always go well. Being a snowboarder seems to put me on shaky ground right off the bat with this generation of skiers. This is why i found myself confused as i made my way back to Central after being treated to a guided trip through truly hidden gems on this small resort by an older skier. This is when i realized that i misread the mood on the mountain for being somber but actually the mountain community was expressing a true concern for their fellow skier and, in our case, snowboarder and this caused a much more relaxed vibe on the mountain. I think it’s crazy that a horrible tragedy, where lives are lost, create repercussions that can break down barriers which have been in place for years. Finding something good from something bad really is human nature and is a beautiful thing. Or maybe we just happened to meet a really nice skier

Outdoorsurvivalclothes.com Rating: (defective)

Amazon Customer Rating: 4/5

This is a heavy duty spring loaded multi-tool from the Bear Grylls line of outdoor survival tools and knives from Gerber Gear. This tool boasts “Twelve stainless steel, weather-resistant components” and “Patented Safe.T.Plus System, enhanced safety by locking components into usage position”. This is where we started to run into problems. We started to test this item and things were going well. We enjoy the nice sold set of scissors that this tool comes with and also we noticed a very useable hold for the tool when using the knife and saw features. Also, we liked the carrying case because it had a good hold on the tool and had options for horizontal or vertical attachment to the belt. The problem we noticed is pretty dangerous really. We notice that when you lock the flat head screwdriver tool into place, the multi-tool seems to unlock the tools inside the handle on the side that has locked the screwdriver into place. The components are free to move about 3/4 inches in and out of the handle. See an image of that defect by clicking here. We actually returned this item and the brand new multi-tool did the exact same thing. Without this defect Gerber has a solid multi-tool but as is, it’s dangerous.

Field and Stream has come out with 2012′s best 12 knives from the SHOT Show. We don’t agree with every choice that Field and Stream makes in this list of knives but there are some very nice pieces. Our staff would have liked to see some more from CRKT. One of the minimalist knives in particular. Also, FAST Action from Gerber is great and I know some of the FAST action knives deserve to be in the best knife of 2012 standing. This list was hand chosen by the staff of F&S as the “Best New Knives of 2012″ Take a look and you be the judge. See any missing? Comment.

1. Benchmade Adamas Series Model 375 Fixed Blade.

2. Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Knife, Plain Edge.

3. Spyderco Junior by DiAlex – Ouch the price at over $200 is a little on the high end

4. Buck Haley Heath Collection for Women – Cool if yer a giiiiiirl

5. L.L. Bean Pocket Folders

6. CRKT Free Range Hunters

7. Benchmade Megumi and Shori

8. Gerber Myth Hunting Line – Really is becoming a myth because Gerber has not released any official Gerber images

9. Tec-X Case and Sons – Looks like a nice older design we can appreciate

10. Browning Black Label Knives: ShadowFax and Stone Cold

11. Spyderco Manix 2 XL

12. Spartan Blades’ Spartan-Harsey Hunter – Crazy expensive. Good knife for Bill Gates

Here we are again with some more innovative Gerber items inspired by Bear Grylls. For some reason these 2 new items are not on the Gerbergear.com website but they are on amazon.com. Here is what I can tell you about these new Bear Grylls Gerber items.

Bear Grylls Torch by Gerber:

This is a light weight and very basic light that can help get you out of a pinch when you are lost and dark. The elastic band is equipped to hold an extra battery and the torch comes with three settings. Bright, Low and off. I have had many headlamps but none of them this small and with an extra place to pack a battery. This is a great minimalist style headlamp/torch that is great in any survival, hiking, skiing pack or just tossed into the truck, car or drawer. At this price also you cant really beat this torch by Bear Grylls and Gerber!

Bear Grylls Gerber Torch

Bear Grylls Canteen Water Bottle with Cooking Cup

For a while now people have been looking for the classic canteen and metal cup that Bear Grylls uses. Well he has ditched the classic canteen and cup and come out with his own. This Bear Grylls Canteen has some pretty cool features. The aluminum cup is food grade, comes with a carry pouch, the canteen is textured for use in cold/wet weather, the top is leak-proof and the plastic the canteen is made out of has no harmful chemicals. Time to ditch the water bottle and get something a little more substantial.

Bear Grylls Canteen w/ Cup

Bear Grylls Down Jacket:

Bear Grylls Waterproof Mountain Jacket:

Bear Grylls Climaplus Jacket:

Bear Grylls Waterproof Freedom Jacket:

Bear Grylls Windshield Jacket:

Bear Grylls Tracker Top:

Bear Grylls Gerber Survival Tool Pack

Second, we have a nice lil ditty I like to call the Bear Grylls Gerber Pocket Tool. Haha I like to call it that because thats what Gerber calls it. We have a bottle opener, fillips and flat head screwdrivers and a nice locking blade. All the components lock on this badboy so you are gonna always be safe. This is a very light and small tool that you will forget you even have on you until you need it. Great gift too because its less then $10. Get this for yourself or anyone around you that likes to get outside.

Bear Grylls Gerber Pocket Tool

Discovery has posted a guide for some new episodes coming soon. Here is the info:

MEN VS WILD WITH JAKE GYLLENHAAL
July 11, 2011
Bear brings along a companion, actor Jake Gyllenhaal, to test how he measures up to unpredictable and unforgiving Mother Nature.
Video Clip:

Another Video Clip of Bear and Jake on the season premier July 11, 2011:

NEW ZEALAND: SOUTH ISLAND
July 18, 2011
An error of judgment lands Bear Grylls in a complex series of waterfalls, while a saturated forest makes a warm and dry night a struggle to achieve.

ICELAND: FIRE AND ICE
July 25, 2011
A blizzard, a meal of raw trout and worm, flash floods and boiling mud pools all awaited Bear Grylls in Europe’s most sparsely populated county.

Bear Grylls and Jake Gyllenhaal in Iceland on Man Vs. Wild 2011

The Discovery channel is up to it’s old trick again. Season 7 of Man Vs Wild which airs on July 11th starts with Bear Grylls helping Mr. Jake Gyllenhaal make it through the tough Icelandic landscape. This is the third special Man Vs. Wild where Bear Grylls was not alone. If you remember he did do a Man Vs. Wild with Will Ferrell in an episode called Men Vs. Wild. This was a great episode where Will had to scale a 100 foot ice face and eat deer eyeball. Will was pretty funny at one point he misplaced his penis. haha. If you haven’t seen this episode you can see the highlights on the Discovery website. Then there was a Fan Vs. Wild were Bear Grylls pretty much had to babysit 2 guys that acted like little boys. I can’t even remember their names I think one was Joe Rusto or something. That episode was pretty wack. One of the “fans” was scared of water the the other was scared of heights. As expected Bear had to help them work past their fears. Bear was good but I could pass on the fans. And now the newest person to keep Bear company as he survives in the wild is going to be Jake Gyllenhaal. I think this could be good. I don’t know much about Jake. Wasn’t he in spiderman? Anyway keep an eye on the calendar and be sure to start watching new Man Vs. Wild episodes on July 11th season 7 or second half of season 6.

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