What did the SNEWS team learn this week that other outdoor industry insiders might find interesting? Well, read on to find out.

• This story in the Village Daily Sun brought a tear or two to the SNEWS team's eyes. Our soldiers sacrifice so much and a nonprofit called Wounded Warrior Outdoors seeks to help wounded active duty soldiers heal through outdoor adventures. The story describes some of their experiences beautifully. Founder Ron Raboud said the biggest challenge is keeping the cash flow coming into the organization that requires $300,000 a year to run. Want more information? Perhaps you want to inquire about a corporate sponsorship? Send them an email! 

• When high-altitude mountaineer Ed Viesturs made an appearance at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market a few months ago, he left us in awe of his awesomeness. The first American to climb all 14 of the world’s more than 8,000-meter peaks without the use of supplemental oxygen recounts how he was able to do so in this Atlantic article.

• Not every outdoor enthusiast is as lucky as the SNEWS team members, who make a livelihood while having fun outside. But some outdoor enthusiasts who are students in medical fields recently revived a defunct chapter of the Wilderness Medicine Society according to this article in the Galveston Daily News. The Society helps students learn how to handle emergency medical situations that could arise in the wilderness. Perhaps we should make friends with these folks. They could come in handy on a trek.

• Those of us who are lucky enough to be mommies (or know awesome mommies) know how hard it can be to lose that baby weight. What better way to do so than by hiking in the majestic Rocky Mountains? The San Francisco Chronicle ran a story about a company called Fit Yummy Mummy that is hosting a four-day fitness camp in Estes Park, Colo., from Aug. 9-12 in partnership with Fitness Adventures U.S.A. The experience comes with nutritious meals, relaxing settings for workouts and beautiful rivers and forests. Check it out!

• After California announced last week it might eliminate some recreation fees on public lands, an article in the Rome, Ga.-based Rome News-Tribune said a new plan to increase revenue has resulted in the GORP – the Georgia Outdoor Recreation Pass, which is $19 a year and $3.50 a day, plus transaction fees. GORP was imposed at the beginning of the year, but officials say it’s worth it because it’s going to go toward maintenance of public lands so outdoor enthusiasts can keep on recreating!

• Gear up Midwest Mountaineering! Looks like an increase in business might be coming your way. According to a story in the Star Tribune, people reluctant to travel far from home because of rising gas prices might keep it local and fill up the local campsites, many of which open on April 29. You know what that means! They’re going to need some new gear!

• Knoxville, Tenn., recently announced plans to capitalize on its outdoor assets, which is good news for you, Blue Ridge Mountain Sports. According to a local news station, the city has launched Outdoor Knoxville website, a hub for people looking for information on what outdoor adventures are possible in the wilderness around the city. Check it out! Maybe go test some of your awesome Outdoor Retailer schwag in Knoxville.

• The story of U.S. and European regulators looking into Gore-Tex’s competitive practices isn’t new to the industry. SNEWS has helped keep trade readers updated on the story as the cases make their way through the Federal Trade Commission and European Union, plus reporting on the latest competing waterproof/breathable technologies hitting the market. The Wall Street Journal and ESPN.com also since picked up the story, but kudos to Outside magazine for brining it all together in one ensemble for consumer readers in its April 2012 issue.

• Wintersports manufacturers might want to put Afghanistan on their long-term radar. The Wall Street Journal reports that some Westerners are heading to the war-torn country, which has plenty of snow-covered mountains, to introduce recreational and competitive skiing and snowboarding. The outreach included a second annual Afghan Ski Challenge, where this year's winner won “a trophy, a $745 Tissot watch and an $650 Gore-Tex jacket.”

• If there’s one thing a few of the SNEWS team members can’t get enough of, it’s running shoes. Numerous press releases have been coming into our inboxes regarding a minimal shoe company called Skora Running in the last few months, piquing our curiosity. So we put ourselves on the list to get some women’s test shoes. But while we wait for our shoes (and you wait for our review), here is a Q&A from Gumption Gear with Skora Running Founder and CEO David Sypniewski.

Have you read anything interesting you'd like to share with us? Maybe we'll include it next week's column with a little shout out to whoever sent it to us. Send a link to the story with the subject line "SNEWS Reads" to be considered.
--Compiled by Ana Trujillo and David Clucas