Notes from the Field

There is commentary in the media that points to an acceleration of business and life in general.

Crowd-sourced sharing of content and ideas manifested in socially driven community based applications…oh, goodness, is that comprehensible, let alone true?

While there is plenty of evidence that points to this general ‘hastening’ of business; we find that a blend of staying focused on fundamental blocking and tackling, and maintaining personal relationships is equally important as a counterbalance to these new school dynamics. This strategy has helped us recently launch the Bamboo Bottle Company, which has already seen online traction on Gizmodo, Uncrate, and tweeted about by Biz Stone.

MP tests Quadrants and Drifts in Iceland

MP testing Quadrants and Drifts in Iceland

Another new client, Contour was just named to the Inc. 500, a list of the fastest growing business’ in the country. Black Diamond skis and boots have won over 13 top-tier awards from Powder, Skiing and Backcountry magazines. Gerber’s launch of the Bear Grylls knives collection has spiked web traffic with a mix of online and traditional placements. Media is moving rapidly, and so is Backbone – with Mike McCormack running the Breck Epic mountain bike stage race last week and moving to Carbondale over the weekend, Dax re-locating to Folly Beach, South Carolina,and Nick Brosnan joining our Jackson Hole office.

Welcome Flylow!

Flylow and Backbone start  a new social media partnership today – which is the result of just too many good conversations while sharing turns on most excellent powder days to not happen. Backbone also will be pushing out Chris Davenport and Jim Surette’s excellent film Australis in the coming months.

Chris, Andrea and Stian on a first descent in Antarctica

Media is not shrinking. It is exploding. And even better, it is doing so in a decentralized manner, where ideas and energy trump entrenched formulas. Open your eyes, take a deep breath and head on out there. Chances are you’ll have some fun along the way.

Kästle Pro Team 2008 DVD “Comeback of the Year”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ud_DzOu0qU]

Kästle is back! With a new lineup of skis and some of the world’s best freeskiers, Kästle is here to stay.

The “Comeback of the Year” DVD follows each of the Kästle athletes through their 2008 season with a fine selection of the purest snow, a sweet sound and a load of action. Featuring Hugo Harrisson, Chris Davenport, Sascha Schmid, Giulia Monego, Griffin Post as the flying Postman, Martin McFly Winkler and Willie Volckhausen as a special guest with his 2 dogs. The DVD will be released come Christmas, so check it out!

An Action Packed Weekend for Kästle

kastle-ski-shot

Last Friday, a slew of journalists hit the slopes at Copper Mountain to dust off the cobwebs and test out some of Kästle new 2008 skis. The conditions couldn’t have been better with over five trails open, no lift lines, and clear skis. Journalists were able to test out several skis while taking numerous laps with Kästle athlete, Chris Davenport.

Last Lift Ride of the Day
Also, present was Kästle’s R&D director, Oliver Binder who came especially for the event to answer questions regarding the designs and development of Kästle skis. Overall, the day was a great success; numerous skis were tested, we closed down the mountain and no one experienced their first crash of the season.
Oliver awarding Hamilton Sports

Saturday, the Kästle crew relocated to Aspen to award Bill Miller, owner of
Hamilton Sports with Kästle’s 2008 Retailer of the Year. The award recognizes the top North American Kästle retailer with the strongest Kästle sales in the 2007/08 ski season. Hamilton has been a stand out retail shop since becoming a Kästle dealer in 2007.

Congrats Hamilton Sports!!

Award

Where in the world is Chris Davenport?

New Zealand? Possibly

Argentina? Maybe

How about Chile?

Strike three. None of the above.

Kästle athlete, Chris Davenport has spent the last week climbing and skiing some of Antarctica’s super steep couloirs. Surrounded by breathtaking icebergs, thousands of Gentoo penguins, Weddell seals, and Humpback whales Chris has had quite the adventure.

Click on the links below and read more about Dav’s time in Antarctica

Red Bull Skiing

Chris Davenport’s Website

Worth The Read!

Christian Pondella

“I took this photo of Chris Davenport in Portillo, Chile. We were trying to capture a creative angle while skiing a classic run called the “Super C Couloir.” I mounted my Nikon F5 to my chest with a 16mm fisheye and chased Chris down the run while I triggered the camera with a wire cable in my mouth,” states Christian Pondella.

For those of you who haven’t heard of Christian Pondella, here is the beta. Pondella is an adventure sports photographer who has worked with a wide variety of companies as well as athletes, such as Kästle athlete, Chris Davenport. In a recent interview by Crash Taylor, Pondella gives the reader a glimpse into his life and most recently his adventure to the Alps with Chris Davenport.

Click on the image above to view more of Pondella photographs and his interview with Crash Taylor.

Dav in Drag

Just when you thought you have seen Chris Davenport at his best, he comes dressed to impress for the sixth annual NEPSA Video Awards in Aspen, Thursday night.

To see more of Davenport, make sure you check out Saturday night’s Matchstick Productions, Claim, here in Aspen where one hopes to see Chris in his normal ski attire.

Looking good Dav!