Author Archives: Penn

With Thanksgiving here and the Backbone crew going to visit family, bike, ski and head to Camp Woodward, I wanted to post some “stuff”.

First, wanted to give thanks to all the great brands we work with. Seriously, it is fun, humbling and inspiring to be affiliated with such great people. Busy lately, Nate is flying back from Paris and a Polartec launch today. I have been at various Sales Meetings this month and head out for more on Monday.

Ian Anderson go carting in Newport Beach

Just this morning is a great example of the madness. Brad (name changed to protect the not so innocent) emailed asking for bottles of the world’s greatest hot sauce. For those unfamiliar, this hot sauce is unbranded, unlabeled and locally made here in Carbondale. Google Tortilleria La Roca in Carbondale and get the map. Brad offered to break trail and give us first tracks in Little Cottonwood if we deliver the goods. Roch (name also changed) emailed asking for Honey Stinger Chews – to keep his ski testers juiced at Snowbird Tuesday.

Lastly, this curmudgeonly dude from Washington, we’ll call him Roger sent this.

Like I said fun, humbling and inspiring.

Here are two things worth a quick watch. The first is a relevant commentary on climate change and how it may impact our future.

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The second is a great take on what potential Google Wave may hold as a communication tool. Anyone care to guess how long ago email was invented?

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I escaped to the Dolomites with my wife for some climbing and via feratta madness the last few weeks. We also got to tour the La Sportiva factory with GM Lanfranco Brugnoli.

Where's our line? Punta Fiammes outside Cortina

Cinque Torri Hut

Let’s see, started in Cortina and the Cinque Torri hut for climbing. Gardena and Sella Pass for sport climbing and VFs. Multiple rifugios, local grappa, homemade pasta… what’s not to like?

Snowy Via Ferrata above San Martino di Castrozzo

Kir topping out before the clouds rolled in

At Sportiva we witnessed the process that makes their shoes and boots so legendary. Super efficient, yet detail oriented with every shoe being touched by hands over 100 times from start to finish. Rad. For my entire trip in Italy I took Gandalfs, Miuras and Wildcats (and a pair of cheap flip flops).

Sportiva assembly lineage

Craftmanship

You know you want them...

Ciao!