OTHER LINKS:

▼

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Two Announcements

I've been tremendously busy this month and was unable to post despite the fact that there are quite a few pieces of gear I wanted to mention and even a couple MYOG projects. Nonetheless, below are two announcements I promised the owners I would distribute. I am not affiliated with either and cannot offer any insight to them. To be clear, I don't want to be the sounding board for most announcements other than my own, but both of these had merits and I elected to pass them along.

ANNOUNCEMENT #1

  • Trail Dames Annual Trail Summit Conference
  • June 24-26, 2011
  • Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg VA (USA)
  • Register at http://www.traildames.com/ (PayPal is accepted for the $89 conference costs and rooms can be reserved through university housing which range from $89 to $110)

Trail Dames is a group of colorful women backpackers with a wide range of skills and experience in both backpacking and life. This conference, however, is open to everyone (males/females/married/singles, etc.).

The conference will include a presentation featuring Jan Benshop (aka: Dutch Treat) who is well known in hiking circles for his intelligent lyrics and tuneful, finger-style guitar. There will also be workshop lectures regarding: wildflowers on the trail, trailside cooking, lightweight backpacking, wilderness first aid, and slide shows on hiking the Incan Trail, hiking in New Zealand, and Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. There will also be sunrise Yoga each morning and an Awards Banquet. The only activity where guys will be off limits is a belly dancing class.

ANNOUNCEMENT #2


Are you looking for gear reviews from legitimate users which aren't biased with the sales pitch and cover all kinds of gear? If so, check out http://www.bestbackpackingreviews.com/.

The idea behind the site is to create a community atmosphere where real users of gear can give their honest opinion so people like you and I don't need to waste endless amounts of time and money trying to find gear that suits our needs. Like any other endeavor where a rating system is utilized, the more people who participate the more likely the ratings will be accurate.
at

4 comments:

  1. Aerogarden HomesteadMarch 8, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    The second announcement you posted isn't that enlightening. There are much better review sites out there for gear without looking at Backpacker magazine or BPL (which is a pay site). Sectionhiker does a pretty darn good job on what he reviews. OceanMountainSky has video along with in depth reviews. Backpackgeartest.org does have multiple reviews of the same item.

    I'm a little disappointed with this link as I thought it was going to be worth looking at as most things you post on your site, but I was quite disappointed.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jolly Green GiantMarch 8, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    @ Kathryn - Sorry to disappoint. It may very well turn out to be a bust, but it's only been up for about 2 weeks now so. Like anything new, it wiill take some time to grow a following. If no one visits, then no doubt it will waste the time of many.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ahuthmakerMarch 8, 2011 at 3:58 PM

    Hi JGG!
    I just wanted to say thank you for posting the info on this summer's Trail Dames Summit!! I cannot tell you how much we appreciate it! :) And I love your blog! Would it be ok to link to it from the Trail Dames website? Thanks!!
    Anna aka Mud Butt

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jolly Green GiantMarch 8, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    @ Mud Butt - No sweat. I told Limo I would. Backpacking is a great thing which fosters the right relationships and makes the world a better place. Spreading the word can't hurt. Feel free to post my little blog as you see fit. Best of luck.

    ReplyDelete