[at-l] BackpackingLight.com

[johno at monmouth.com (John O)]

Dear BackpackingLight.com Newsletter Subscribers:
 >
 >I just wanted to take a few moments to communicate to you what's in
 >development at BackpackingLight.com. From viewing the Web site, you are
 >already aware of a few new projects.
 >
 >==============
 >Exclusive Gear
 >==============
 >
 >We are working deals and negotiating designs with top-notch cottage
 >manufacturers to bring some awesome gear to the marketplace, to be
found
 >only at BackpackingLight.COM. You've already seen one of these items
 >described - the Arc Alpinist X - on our Website:
 >
 >http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/00097.html
 >
 >We are also finalizing a few other designs, including an innovative
hybrid
 >soft/hardshell jacket designed to replace a windshirt and a rain jacket
 >for wetter climates, and an ultralight bivy sack for tarp campers.
 >Subscribers will receive detailed info on these products in a members
 >newsletter to be sent out on Friday (more on that below).
 >
 >==============
 >Online Catalog
 >==============
 >
 >Currently we are managing subscription and publication payments through
 >our PayPal account, which of course, is a pain and has a high overhead
for
 >order processing, as many of you know. We are in the process of moving
to
 >an automated e-commerce system (VeriSign-based) so we can accept the
major
 >credit cards (MC/Visa/Amex/Disc)online or by phone. This system should
be
 >in place by Labor Day. Until then, we appreciate your patience.
 >
 >=====================
 >Used Gear Marketplace
 >=====================
 >
 >Our online gear sale was, once again, a huge success, and we received a
 >lot of inquiries from you about creating an online used gear
marketplace
 >where your stuff was marketed and sold on consignment to a highly
targeted
 >online community of lightweight backpackers. We want to get some
comments
 >back from you. Specifically, would you be interested in selling gear on
 >consignment through us?
 >
 >==================
 >Editorial Calendar
 >==================
 >
 >Alan and I are finalizing the editorial calendar for the next twelve
 >months. We've got some very cool things coming down the pipe, in terms
of
 >both product reviews as well as technique and feature articles. Stay
 >tuned. We'll try to have it online in a week or so.
 >
 >=============================================
 >Gear List Contest - Free Stuff to the Winners
 >=============================================
 >
 >We're having a gear list contest. We'll be evaluating winners based on
 >their ability to put together a gear list that addresses the following
 >criteria: (1) multiple uses from single pieces of gear, (2) a tightly
 >integrated clothing, shelter, and sleep system, and (3) appropriate for
 >anywhere in the lower 48 U.S. during July or August. Submit your gear
list
 >via publisher@backpackinglight.com. Break your list into the following
 >categories: Shelter, Sleep system, Pack, Clothing, Footwear, Cooking
Gear,
 >Water Storage and Treatment, and Miscellaneous items. Each item should
 >include its weight to the nearest ounce, at least. Include no more than
 >one page or so of annotation that discusses the rationale behind your
gear
 >selection. We will submit the lists to a panel 'o judges that includes
 >other members of the lightweight backpacking community and announce the
 >judges' top picks in a month or so. Winners will receive a free
 >BackpackingLight.COM subscription and free copies of Lightw!
 >eight Backpacking 101 and Clothing and Sleep Systems for Mountain
Hiking,
 >and have their entries published at the website. Deadline for
submissions:
 >July 18.
 >
 >================================
 >Friday's Members Only Newsletter
 >================================
 >
 >We will be sending out a member's only newsletter to our subscribers on
 >Friday that includes more detailed information about the new products
that
 >are in development, their pricing, expected availability, member
discount
 >information, how to get on the priority list, etc.
 >
 >Ryan will also be commenting in the newsletter on emerging research in
the
 >area of backcountry water quality and treatment, with some equipment
 >recommendations specifically for lightweight hikers.
 >
 >Finally, we'll be offering a 50% off subscriber's special on the print
 >versions of Lightweight Backpacking 101 and Clothing and Sleep Systems
for
 >Mountain Hiking. You'll be able to access the discount from a private
URL
 >from the email.
 >
 >=========
 >Overheard
 >=========
 >
 >We received a great quote today that was posted on the Internet (the
 >Ultralight forum at Backpacker.com), regarding one of "our"
 >recommendations to use a GoLite Bark (microfiber) shell as our sole
 >raingear for the Pacific Northwest. Here's the exact quote:
 >
 >"...Some of their advice was ludicrous as well like packing a Bark
 >(micro-fibre) jacket as your primary shell in the PNW, get real. Those
 >guys are nuts."
 >
 >Here's another classic example of something taken out of context. Jim
 >Nelson, our co-author for Clothing and Sleep Systems for Mountain
Hiking,
 >is a huge fan of the Bark, and it is his primary jacket for hiking and
 >climbing - in the Cascade range of the Pacific Northwest. He qualifies
his
 >use because a poncho-tarp is usually taken as his overhead shelter and
 >raingear for serious rain. Does Jim need to "get" real? Is he as "nuts"
as
 >this forum poster makes him out to be? Jim is the owner of Pro Mountain
 >Sports in Seattle, one of the few shops in the nation to embrance the
 >lightweight ethic as a norm. Jim is also a level-headed and highly
 >competent mountain guide, has made several difficult first ascents, and
is
 >the author of some of the best Cascade range guidebooks to be found
 >anywhere. In other words, he's got the experience - and successes -
that
 >allows us to put some faith in his ideas.
 >
 >You can read this quote and more on our new Buzz page:
 >
 >http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/buzz.html
 >
 >=========
 >Thank You
 >=========
 >
 >Finally, I want to extend a heartfelt thanks for sticking with us
through
 >some difficult times last year. In January 2002 my wife gave birth to a
 >stillborn daughter and the experienced wreaked havoc on our emotional
 >stability for many months. I received - literally - more than 400 email
 >messages from BackpackingLight.com readers with kind words, support,
 >encouragement, and more. Thank you. Stephanie and I are doing well and
 >appreciate the amazing words you gave to us.
 >
 >We are now back on track and ready to roll.
 >
 >I wish everyone a great summer and hope you enjoy your time in the
 >Cascades, Sierras, San Juans, Rockies, Winds, Tetons, Yellowstone,
Whites,
 >Appalachians, 'Dacks, the Bayou, or wherever else your lightweight
hiking
 >adventures take you!
 >
 >Godspeed,
 >Ryan Jordan