I began my day in the cargo compartment of a shuttle bus trying to stay dry on the way to the Salt Palace.  In back with me was a gentleman trying to get home to Kalispell Montana.  When he learned about why I was in Salt Lake City he told me a story about a time when he found a North Face tent in the middle of the highway while he was on a road trip on his bike.  He used the tent for many years, until a couple of girls he was camping with broke the zipper. One day he was near The North Face headquarters, and he decided to bring the tent in to be repaired.  He met a woman near the shipping area in the back, and the woman gave him a couple of replacement poles and agreed to fix the zippers.  He was so impressed with her service; he wandered to the front of the building and demanded to see someone about her customer service. He managed to get to the president of the company who was so relieved that he was not talking about negative service, he pulled out a catalog and offered him whatever he wanted.

After getting out of the rain and putting away my coat, a hairy guy in a kilt came cruising by on a longboard.  Welcome to day 3.

GSI

GSI has created an ultra-light reusable backpacking coffee maker that fits in the domed area in the base of an iso-butane canister. Dubbed the “Ultralight Java Drip” this incredibly simple product may be the best solution yet to getting my morning brew on the trail.

Kolon Sport

Kolon Sport is a veteran outdoor company in its home country of Korea, that is making it’s debut in the United States at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market.  Trekking (hiking) is a booming sport in Korea, and Kolon Sports has met the gear demands of the Korean market through a full line of technical clothing and gear, including outerwear, boots and backpacks.  They have a really interesting shell that features a battery powered heater.  The gear looks very well made, and very flashy.

Sea To Summit

Sea to summit is releasing a tapered dry bag that will fit into the bow of a kayak.  A brilliant idea for us kayak fisherman that need the room below the bow hatch for fish.

Light My Fire

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best.  One of my favorite product I found at Outdoor Retailer has been Light My Fire’s “Grandpa’s FireFork” This springy little piece of bent wire clips onto a stick, and allows one to roast hot dogs or marshmallows without picking bark out of your teeth, or carrying a long roasting fork.