Outdoor Retailer

Just back from Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake. lots of innovative new products and an exciting amount of green products (although I wish I could say more products were enviro, but hey, every year gets better). Patagonia's underwear recycling program is now in full swing - so you can recycle your old capilene into new capilene when it wears out. And now the new capiline is treated with Gladiodor - made from Crab shells not toxic heavy metals, so that your underwear can go weeks without getting really smelly. I'm really loving the new wool underwear program, as it feels so good next to the skin, naturally repels odor amazingly well, and looks really great skiing or traveling. Fox River and I have teamed up for a new more sustainable sock collection - fun designs made with Ingeo yarns made from corn fiber. Jenni Dow and I did all the designs and also talked them into joining One Percent for the Planet.

Patagonia and the Conservation Alliance teamed up with the Alaska Coalition for a benefit to save the Arctic. I was able to help them launch a big party and the new program, Athletes for the Arctic. Our goal was to fill our 1000 postcards to state representatives, and I believe we got very close.

I'm also working with my sponsors on a BE GREEN, SAVE GREEN - GLOBAL COOLING TOUR, for this winter. I'm crossing my fingers that funding will come through. I am planning on a tour across the west to local retailers and dealers - skiing with staff and educating them how to green their stores.

I have to get back to finishing my taxes, ugh. happy monday. alison