Based on what I saw Saturday on the Clark Fork above town, looks like runoff is almost over.

With everyone excited to get out Just a quick reminder that Good Judgment comes from Experience, Experience comes from bad judgment.  Heads up out there!

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Working at The Trail Head has afforded me the opportunity to branch out into a more diverse menu of outdoor activities. With two kids trying to get that endorphin fueled exercise high tends to take a couple hour ride on the bike. That doesn’t really dovetail into our schedule. Weekend warrior hikes gave me a long grind but still lacked the feelings associated with a great work out.

Last month my 10 year old son came home from school with an entry form for the Riverbank Run and asked if we could do it. I immediately responded that we could do the 1 mile run/walk. “But dad, all the kids in my class are doing the 5k.” He countered. So reluctantly I gave in. I had 2 and a half weeks to get ready for the run. I could have walked the 3.11 miles but I wanted to run the whole thing. I consulted a friend on the best way to jump in and not injure myself. I ran every other day starting out with a half hour run/walk combo increasing run times as I went. The day of the run arrived, never having run in an organized race I didn’t know what to expect. Lining up was similar to the cycling races (minus the ego) my son was more nervous than me. The shot came signaling the beginning and we were off. We ran the whole thing at a good pace for us and had fun weaving through the sea of people. When the finish line came into view we even had a little “kick” left. And guess what? That little exercise high was back, this time with less time invested.

At this point I could hang up the shoes and relax, I’d achieved my goal, I ran my first 5k. But I haven’t hung up the shoes, I’m still out there, and so is my son. Now I find ourselves considering a 10k, what the heck at 41 this seems like a much healthier mid-life crisis!

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If you want to sell your bike or boat, bring it in Saturday between 8AM and noon, set your price, pick your pay-out, and let us do the selling (better than Craigslist don’t you think?) Your pay-out options are; take 80% in cash or 110% in store credit. The cool part of this is if you are looking to change gears (no pun intended) you can sell a boat and take credit at the bike shop, and vice versa, your choice.

If you are looking for some great used gear come by between noon and 4PM. Our staff can give you help figuring out what is best for you.

Also happening downtown this Saturday is the  Clark Fork Coalition’s 10th annual River Cleanup. The annual Clark Fork River Cleanup is one of Missoula’s most popular volunteer events, and they expect the 10th anniversary to be the best year yet. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that attracts a wide diversity of folks to the banks of the river each year to do their part for clean water.

It’s easy for you, your group, or your business to get involved. Email  liz@clarkfork.org to sign up as a volunteer or team, sign up as a sponsor, and take advantage of high-impact photo opportunities at the event to showcase your support for clean water.

Last year, close to 1,000 participants collected nearly 10,000 lbs. of trash, and send nearly 1,000 lbs. of metal, aluminum, plastics, cardboard, tin, and paper to the recycling bin. Help them do even more in 2013 by joining them on Saturday, April 20. The cleanup is not only good for the river– it’s a fun and meaningful experience for you and your family, too.

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About MSI: MSI is a villager owned and operated ecotourism/guide organization located within the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, considered one of the last great wilderness areas within the Himalaya. Owned and operated by 44 local youths certified through the Nehru
Institute of Mountaineering, the organization is at the forefront of the Nanda Devi Campaign which is dedicated to the cultural survival and sustainable livelihoods of the Bhotia villagers.

About N-L I: N-L I is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit international study abroad organization
accredited through the University of Montana’s College of Forestry and Conservation. N-L I has offered the 6-credit course within the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve since 2005 and
during that time has built a special bond with the MSI organization. As a sustainable academic
adventure tourism organization N-L I believes in the possible advantages of helping MSI by donating used alpine travel gear. Once the gear is collected by N-L I it will be distributed to its field course students who will then hand-deliver the gear to the MSI organization.

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SIMPLE:

Let’s start by saying, “THIS IS EASY!” No help from your computer-building uncle will be necessary. There are only two connections and they only connect one way. The cords are obvious and the T1 Battery Pack auto senses power demand, therefore there is no need for buttons or switches.

POWERFUL:

The built-in battery packs will recharge your devices for up to 10 days of partial charges or two full device charges.

MULTITASKING:

The Joey battery can be recharged and simultaneously power any USB-powered device. The T1 can also be charged from any standard US electrical outlet or it can pull power from a computer.

TSA-FRIENDLY:

The built-in Joey battery packs are TSA safe and do not need to be removed for security checkpoints.

PORTABLE:

The lightweight unit only weighs 5.5 ounces including the power cord.

COMPATIBLE:

The Joey Battery Pack is compatible with any USB or Micro USB-powered device.

STYLISH:

We design our bags with a sophisticated and eclectic, yet professional, style that is of-the-moment and seasonless.

RUGGED:

The bags and the battery are designed to be water resistant, lightweight and very durable with portability in mind.

FUNCTIONAL:

A combination of organized workbag/laptop bag and handbag styling. Each pocket and compartment is well thought out for all your junkets great and small.

ECO-FRIENDLY:

Made of materials including 100% cotton canvas, azo free dyes and RPET fabric linings made from recycled plastic bottles.

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At the core of the story is Willi Unsoeld and his daughter Devi Unsoeld, named after the peak. Personality conflicts, health issues, and mother nature figure prominently as well. Roskelley made news more recently when he and his son (a former U of M student) climbed Mt. Everest together.

Wednesday, February 6th John will be speaking at the University Center Theatre at 7 P.M. courtesy of Nature-Link Institute.

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In choosing a metal shovel be aware that aluminum comes in various flavors all of which, like most structural metals, have considerable amounts of ductility and fracture toughness. Some aluminum, such as the 6000 series alloys require heat-treating and sometimes artificial aging to acquire their optimum mechanical properties, when done right this process results in a very high-quality material. Other alloys such as the 7000 series respond well to “work hardening,” a process that restructures the material at the molecular level either before production or during forging, stamping or bending. Work hardening can increase the strength of the aluminum alloy by some 20%, and with little effect on the material’s ductility and fracture toughness.

Leave the $15 shovel in the car for emergencies but come by the Trail Head for a shovel you can trust.

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The club pays for the gas to run the grooming sled, as well as other expenses, and without the cabin raffle they have reached out to local businesses to fill the void. This year the club offers a unique raffle, this raffle features six different prizes and you can allocate your chances however you like. Chances are $5 each and you can put all on one prize or spread them between a few.

The prizes are as follows: 1) A night at the Triple Creek Ranch 2)Bob Ward XC ski package 3) Six restaurant dinners for two 4) Trail Head 7-day raft rental 5) Chico Hot Springs night for two 6) REI 3 season backpacking tent. These are some great prizes for a great price, you can purchase chances here at The Trail Head for $5 each, so come on down and help a great group of folks.

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