Looking for Yeti?

Posted on January 27, 2012 by

Well, it’s that time of year again. Time to dust off your snowshoes, if you haven’t already, and go work up a sweat in the snow. It’s time for the Yeti snowshoe series!

As title sponsor for the 2012 series, Mountain Equipment Co-op is once again lending its support to this great winter event and we encourage you to check it out. The series is designed for all ages and provides both a Sport (~5km) and an Eduro (~10km) course so you can choose what level of challenge you are looking for. So get out there and join the excitment! Even if you don’t actually take part, go out and cheer on the participants and see what it’s all about, ‘cuz everyone has loads of fun.  

This is the Yeti’s 11th season, and they are excited to be moving forward with a brand new partner – 5 Peaks Adventures. While 5 Peaks might be new to the Yeti series, they’re definitely not new to the world of trail running or organizing events. So welcome aboard 5 Peaks – it’s going to be a great series. Once again, the venues are stunning; the prizes are awesome; the food, coffee, and other goodies at the finish line are delicious; and the experience and fun times are exhilarating. What’s not to like? 

As per last year, the first event will be held at Mount Washington, this Saturday, January 28. But what’s new for this year is that the second event is heading east – it’s being held high atop the Niagara escarpment at the Scenic Caves Nordic Centre in Blue Mountain, Ontario. Then the final event comes back to BC and the fabulous Whistler Olympic Park at Callaghan Valley.

So what are you waiting for? Get out your snowshoes and go look for a Yeti (hint: they like the snow, not the couch). Registration is available online, by mail, or on race day for those who leave things to the last minute. Have fun!

Posted in Activities, Community, Events, Partnerships, Snowsports, Tips and Tricks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dare to be Deep in the Southern Strait of Georgia

Posted on January 24, 2012 by

Dare to be Deep

MEC and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) joined forces back in 2004 with a common goal of protecting our beautiful country’s wild spaces. Not only has this partnership allowed us to fund dozens of conservation initiatives instigated by CPAWS, but it also gave birth to The Big Wild. It was therefore normal for MEC to support Dare to be Deep, CPAWS’ latest campaign.

“With less than 1% of our oceans protected, Canada lags far behind other countries in marine conservation. CPAWS has identified 12 important marine areas that have long been proposed for protection. And we’re just getting started. Our goal is that Canada will become a world leader in marine conservation.”

Sabine Jessen, CPAWS National Marine Program Manager

Long-term, the campaign’s goal is to ensure Canada establishes networks of marine protected areas in all of our oceans and great freshwater lakes. To get there, CPAWS first wants to create 12 new marine protected areas by December 2012. Many of the 12 locations have long been proposed as protected areas and they are critical to conserve for the future of our planet. They are extraordinary places that nurture fish stocks and shelter endangered species, like right and blue whales, tufted puffins and leatherback turtles. They are also amazing destinations for nature lovers to awe at the wonders above and below the ocean’s surface. Unfortunately, because our oceans are threatened by overfishing, trawling, fish farming, oil and gas exploration and development, ocean noise, and climate change, it is essential for us to establish protected areas to ensure biodiversity. Continue reading →

Posted in MEC News, Partnerships, Supporting Charities, Sustainability | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Goodbye to the Old Bags: Rolling with New Panniers

Posted on January 23, 2012 by

Except for when the roads become ice rinks for a few weeks in January/February, I cycle commute year-round. Here on the Wet Coast, we get far more rain than snow. (Vancouver just doesn’t do winter as the rest of Canada understands it.) For more years than I can remember, my stuff travelled dry in Aqua‑Not panniers.

These bags were the originals, old enough to have been made by the venerable Serratus factory.

Kind of like their owner, they’re now a bit wrinkled, scarred, and balding in places. So this season, I finally replaced them with the current generation of Aqua-Nots.

Ever had the experience of wearing out a product you loved, buying the current version, and finding it’s been “improved” into ruin? I’m totally not having that experience. My new Aqua-Nots are as tough and waterproof as my old ones. The accessory pockets on the back have been upgraded to waterproof fabric, complete with weather tight zippers. Removable inserts in the rack clips let them fit any size rack bars, unlike the old ones where you had to swap out the entire clip system.

I’m looking forward to putting a lot of miles on the new panniers. And my original Aqua-Nots? They’re going into sweet semi-retirement, to be pulled out in summer as front panniers for bike camping trips. There’s life in the old bags yet.

Posted in Cycling, From Our Staff, Gear, Gear Testing | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Lovely Carlyle Norman 1982 – 2012

Posted on January 18, 2012 by
When the dark face of the mountain casts its cold shadow, we huddle together and reflect warm thoughts… Thoughts of her contagious laughter, precious smile, calming energy, and courage.

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Carlyle Norman, our friend and one of Canada’s best female alpinists. On January 15, 2012, while climbing the route ‘Last Gringo Standing’ on St. Exupéry in Patagonia, she was hit by rockfall and knocked unconscious. Her climbing partner, Cian Brinker, stayed with her on the ledge for two hours, before making the difficult decision to descend alone and seek help. Carlyle and Cian were winners of the 2012 John Lauchlan Memorial Award, and their primary objective in Patagonia was to complete a new route on Aguja Bifida.

Full details of the tragedy can be read in this News Release issued by the John Lauchlan Memorial Award Committee.

Carlyle was a Canmore based climber, yoga instructor, and writer. Her warm spirit and sincerity inspired people both in the mountains and in the soul, and at 29 years young, Carlyle’s passing has left a big hole in the hearts of all that knew her.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to her friends and family for their loss.

Send on, dear friend, send on.

Carlyle’s Career Highlights

Route                           Location                       Grade                  Date

Babel, East Face           Canadian Rockies         V 5.11                  July/11

Twisted                         Canadian Rockies         5.9, WI 5              Jan/11

Polar Circus                  Canadian Rockies         WI 5                     March/11

Mt Combatant              Waddington Range       ED2 M5, 5.9        Aug/09

Sweet By and By (FA)   Bugaboos                      IV, 5.11+              July/09

The Crucifix                  Yosemite                       V, 5.12-                May/08

Moonlight Buttress      Zion                               V, A1, 5.12-         May/08

Posted in Climbing, Community, Expedition Support | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

Not for the Faint of Heart

Posted on January 18, 2012 by

This video was posted on our French blogue the other day and it made me neauseous just to watch it. I can’t even imagine riding on this nerve-wracking cliff edge trail in Austria – but then I’ve never been keen on these types of high edges. What’s the freakiest trail you’ve experienced?

Posted in Activities, Cycling, Media, Tips and Tricks | Tagged , , | 10 Comments