Hanging high at the Kamik booth is a sign that says, “Manufacturing in North America since 1898.” The company even rolled out a new Heritage collection of winter boots, including the Pearson for men and women. Meanwhile, Woolrich, which has been making clothes since man discovered fire (OK, just 180 years), launched a collection of heritage pieces, including a new take on the Buffalo Check plaid wool shirt.

Timberland, which is seeing a spike in sales of traditional boots, created an old-school roll-down leather boot with a Woolrich plaid liner. “People want classic looks that stand up over time,” a Timberland spokesperson said. Since Neil Armstrong took one giant leap, the 41-year-old Moon Boot has been on the market. For the first time, Tecnica is really embracing the poofy icon, launching a slew of modern versions and crazy, glittery styles.

Some companies are subtle in touting their heritage, like Dale of Norway, which placed a small patch that reads “Since 1879” on a classic sweater. Bolder still is EK Ekcessories, which celebrated its 25th Anniversary with an ad in the OR Daily that shouts, “They come and they go, EK’s outdoor accessories are rock solid and here to stay!” EK Owner Ed Kalbach even showed off his first trade show booth from the ‘80s, which is smaller than a phone booth.

So, plaid shirts, Moon Boots and a 130-year-old sweater. Put it all together and what do you get? The good old days…that, and one crazy ass outfit. --Marcus Woolf

Gibbon Slackline athlete performing during a demo at the Rock and Ice climbing area. He's thinking about partying. We know it.

Tracy Howard and Bigfoot (Jason Ketterick) from Leave No Trace. What kind of beer does sasquatch drink? We hear he likes Deschutes but couldn't find any and settled for a Full Suspension Pale Ale instead.

Scoring a 5 out of 5 on the fun scale, the Industry Party featured free tacos, beer, and a hockey tournament that came down to a dramatic finale. Prana vs. Arc'teryx in the Championship.Arc'teryx pulled it off, a full 34 minutes after the kegs were tapped.


Jon Dorn warms up with a foofy drink (a somethin'-tini ... there was Grand Marnier and like nine other suspicious things in it) at the SNEWS/Backpacker Retailer of the Year Award party at the Red Door.

KS Rhoads, shows off his CD at the Keen Party at the Hotel. The Party Report arrived 10 minutes before the bar closed and chatted with Mr. Moulton from Outside magazine--until his handler drug him off to a dinner.
*Photographs by Ben Fullerton -- http://fullertonimages.com

Achieve better dexterity and hand comfort with a glove that promises less bulk and uniquely designed finger articulation. The Arc’Teryx Alpha SV with Gore-Tex Pro Shell (MSRP $275) falls into the high-performance category of hand warmth and protection -- the Lamborghini of gloves perhaps? You will want to take these for a test drive -- booth only for now, of course. Booth 1021.

Brooks-Range Mountaineering All-In-One UTM Grid ReaderCompatible with 8 USGS topo magnifications from 1:24,000 to 1:250,000, this 4.25"x7" map tool goes one better than most you've seen: It also features an inclinometer for reading slope angles. That key safety device makes this $6 card a no-brainer for backcountry adventurers navigating remote areas and snowy peaks year-round. Booth 8050.

“Sleep with me.” That’s the marketing tagline for the new Merrell Guise (for men) and Charade (for women), an insulated jacket that stuffs into a front pocket to form a neck pillow. It’s not only a clever, useful travel piece, but also eco-friendly, filled with PrimaLoft Eco insulation and constructed with 50 percent recycled materials. Booth 32127

Taste this new buffalo-cranberry snack made on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, and you might not eat regular beef jerky ever again. A winner of a BACKPACKER Editors' Choice Award this year, the all-natural 1-ounce Tanka Bar is moist, tender and tangy with a hint of sweetness from the fruit (best flavor: Spicy Pepper Blend). Also available in pouches of bite-sized nuggets. Booth 35168.

Want to save 900 alkaline batteries from entering the landfill? Tap into the power of Petzl’s new Core rechargeable power source for the second generation Tikka and Zipka headlamps. It charges from any USB compatible charging device and its Cortex software allows users to customize burn time and brightness thanks to that USB adaptability. (MSRP $40/battery and cable) Booth 5016.

Q:  When was the last time you spent any playtime outdoors? And how often do you get out during the year?

>> “Yesterday morning, I went skiing in fresh powder at Squaw, and then drove directly here to Salt Lake. Every day I am on my mountain bike in the summer. I also plan two to three destination camping trips each year, and I go on a five- to seven-mile hike once a week with my wife.” --Gary Kiedaisch, chairman, Igloo Products

>> “Tuesday, I was blasting through some of Utah’s finest at Snowbird. I walk my dogs every morning on the trails behind my house, ski most every weekend when there is snow, and bike to work frequently.” – Tom Dugid, director of marketing, Arc’Teryx

>> “I am sorry to say, last October. I went on a favorite local hike and since then, have been spending too much time fighting the legislature to keep them from closing it. Between running my retail stores, local politics, which I am heavily involved in and the economy, there never seems to be enough time.” --Joe Hyer, co-owner, Alpine Experience

>> “I was out last weekend, shooting photos at Mono Lake. I try to get out one weekend a month, either hiking or fishing or biking, and I plan two extended trips each year, one in the winter and the other in the early fall.” --Rick Saez, outdoors product manager, JanSport

>> “Yesterday morning on the dawn patrol in the mountains. I get in a couple hundred days a year outdoors doing something, and when there is snow, I ski every weekend with my kids.” --Steve Sullivan, president, Cloudveil

>> “On Sunday, ice climbing with my wife. I make play a priority; going long boarding with my kids, slack lining, standup paddling…I have three kids. And I made a commitment to bike commuting and in doing that got rid of one car.” --Brad Werntz, president, Pemba Serves

>> “Sunday, I was backcountry skiing in Teton Pass and then drove down here with the window open…does that count? I got in over 100 days outdoors in 2009…it was a great year.” --Carson Stanwood, marketing director, Teko

>> “On Saturday the 9^th of January…spent the day cross-country skiing. Twice a year, I look to do an extended week…load the stuff in the car and just head out to see what I find kind of thing. It can be backpacking, camping, paddling…anything outdoors.” --Carolyn Cooke, president, Isis