Mountain Media Takes Nasty Spill after Confrontation with Vail Resorts

Mountain Media Takes Nasty Spill After Confrontation with Vail Resorts

When the New York Times writes about a reporter for a small (both figuratively and literally) newspaper in Summit County, Colorado, something is up.

Other headlines about this story include:

Reporter: I was fired for taking on the ski industry

Greene: Advertising flap snowballs for Vail Resorts

Journalist Fired After Critical Report Published

Vail resorts, the evil empire of the Rockies?

What is confusing is everyone seems to be giving Vail Resorts a hard time. Sure there are some ethical issues with Vail’s complaint/defense but let us get real. Sure Vail yanked its advertising from the newspaper because they did not like the article. Big corporations do this every day.

Besides there is only one newspaper in Summit County, if Vail does not advertise in the Summit Daily News the only other option is posting flyers on telephone poles.

The party to this story that should be castigated is the Summit Daily News. They forgot what a newspaper is supposed to do. They forgot they are the fourth estate, the non-governmental entities charged with keeping out freedom by remaining vigilant. Those freedoms specifically include the First Amendment to the US Constitution.

Amendment I

The fundamental basis for all we stand for here in the US is the right to free speech. However, the Summit Daily News put a price on it. The price is the advertising dollars of Vail Resorts.

Big and little corporations are going to flex their muscle every day. Consumers do it every time they go to the Better Business Bureau website and file a complaint. Lawyers do it when they represent a client. That is life in the US.

However, life will change if every time we flex that muscle, some newspaper caves. Well, I am not going to take it anymore. I am canceling my subscription to the Summit Daily News effective immediately because of what they did.

Oh, wait, I do not live in Summit County, and I do not subscribe to that newspaper. No wonder newspapers are dying; it is hard to evolve when you don’t have any backbone.

International Mountain Guides is part of the new Everest Series this year

Air Dates Announced for the 2009 season of climbs

Now in its third season, the Discovery Channel’s Everest: Beyond The Limit is taking a new approach to filming this year and will feature both International Mountain Guides and Himalayan Experience in a five-part series.

The dates and times are below. Be sure to check your local listings for any last minute changes.

Sunday, December 27

8:00pm Episode 1

9:00pm Episode 2

10:00pm Episode 3

Wednesday, December 30

9:00pm Episode 4

10:00pm Episode 5

2009 IMG Everest Dispatches
International Mountain Guides, LLC | PO Box 246 | 31111 State Route 706 East | Ashford | WA | 98304

I am not sure why we have this fascination with “dangerous” sports and lists

There is another top 10 dangerous sports list out. The list was published by Top-10-list.org and supposedly lists the top 10 dangerous sports. See Top 10 Dangerous Sports. The list is pretty much a joke and seems to be based on the most injuries total rather than the most injuries per participant or hour spent in the sport.

The list is:

Check out the website to see their justification for their list. However, I have a few issues. If bullfighting is a sport then we should include prostitution. It is a job, not a sport. Those watching may consider it a sport but those engaging in it are at work.

The North Face is Suing the South Butt

Sometimes you only need a headline…..but I will explain.

A teenager in Missouri started a company called the South Butt as a parody of the clicks in his school that wore TNF clothing. He sold t-shirts and other stuff, (great quality I might say!).

The North Face did not like it,  (I laughed my south butt off! when I read about it) and now they have sued the South Butt.

See: The North Face files lawsuit, claims ‘The South Butt’ parody brand is trademark infringement.

The South Butt can be found at http://www.thesouthbutt.com/. You are on your own to find TNF. Lawsuits cost a lot of money to defend and you never know when you might need another t-shirt.  I also think that I have a lot of relatives that might look good in a South Butt T-shirt, shorts or jackets.  :)

Hurry Christmas is coming and judges may rule also….

UIAA Offering refresher and intensive Ice Climbing Courses for route Setters and Judges

The Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme (UIAA) is offering a serious of courses for ice climbing route setters and judges this winter. One of the courses will be in English. The courses will review the UIAA and the issues in course setting and judging for Lead, Boulder and Speed Climbing. For more information on the courses, see Ice Climbing refresher and intensive courses offered. If you wish specific information on courses or a list of the specific courses and their location go to the course list.

COMPETITOR MAGAZINE REGIONAL EDITOR JOB DESCRIPTION

Competitor Magazine is looking to hire part-time regional editors in several of our 11 magazine markets to include: Texas, Florida, Washington, D.C., Northwest and Northern California. Responsibilities include writing, editing and managing freelancers. The editor will cultivate and maintain local freelance writers and editorial sources, to include bloggers, and local photographers, as well as attend local amateur sports events and races. The ideal candidate should enjoy fitness-oriented sports and expect to participate in athletic events. Applicants should have at least 2 years of journalism experience, preferably with a background in either feature writing or sports writing. They should be able to generate strong story ideas. Competitor is a monthly magazine that covers amateur, participatory sports including running, cycling and triathlon. Knowledge of at least some of these sports is preferred. The free glossy magazine is based in 11 markets across the U.S. and has a circulation of more than 700,000 around the U.S.

Responsibilities per issue include:

• Writing Editor’s Note (500 words approx)
  
• Writing 4-5 items for Starting Lines section (200-300 words each)
  
• Writing 1-2 items for Better Competitor section (200 words each)
  
• Writing up to 5 Event Watches for Calendar section (100 words each)
  
• Writing I’m a Competitor Q&A (500-600 words)
  
• Writing or managing a freelance writer to write 1 local feature (600-800 words each)
  

Additionally, the Regional Editor is expected to:

• Be the face of the brand in that market
  
• Attend key industry events and races
  
• Establish a freelance network of local writers, photographers, bloggers
  
• Take photos/video when necessary
  
• Contribute to website
  

Please send cover letter, resume and 2-3 clips to rheaton@competitorgroup.com.

Research Fellowship available for Denali and other Alaskan Parks

The National Park Service and the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) are seeking applicants for two research fellowships that are available to individuals wishing to conduct research in Denali National Park and Preserve and other national parks in Alaska. The Discover Denali Research Fellowship is for research in or near Denali, and the Murie Science and Learning Center Fellowship is for research taking place in Denali or other arctic or subarctic Alaska national parks.

The Discover Denali and the MSLC Fellowship Programs are designed to assist undergraduate and graduate students, but may be appropriate for college and university faculty, state and federal agency scientists, and private-sector researchers. Proposals for research that will help managers make decisions about critical resource issues are particularly encouraged. A typical fellowship grant is expected to be around $3,000 – $3,500; however, proposals for up to $5,000 will be considered. If an applicant wants to be considered for both funding sources, only one application is needed.

The deadline for both fellowship applications is February 1, 2010 and a decision is expected to be made soon after March 1, 2010. The fieldwork of fellowship recipients must be arranged before September 1, 2010.

This is the third year that the Murie Science and Learning Center research funds will be available to researcher-applicants whose studies help managers in all of the parks that are partners with the MSLC: Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Denali National Park and Preserve, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Kobuk Valley National Park, Noatak National Preserve, Wrangell – St. Elias National Park and Preserve, and Yukon – Charley Rivers National Preserve. A total of 3-6 fellowships may be funded in 2010.

This is the fifth year that the Discover Denali Research Fellowship has been available for researchers. It is projected that 2-4 projects may be funded in 2010. Any previous fellow may reapply, but is not assured of additional funding.

An information guide about either of the fellowships, which includes specifics on how to apply and other information helpful to the application process, may be downloaded from www.nps.gov/dena/naturescience/discodena.htm. For more information contact Denali’s Research Administrator Lucy Tyrrell at (907) 683-6352 or lucy_tyrrell@nps.gov.

The Discover Denali Fellowship is made possible through proceeds from Discover Denali, an MSLC program developed in partnership between the Denali Education Center and the National Park Service. The Discover Denali program educates Royal Celebrity Tours participants about Denali’s natural and human history. The Denali Education Center seeks to connect people to Denali through research, education, and communication.

The Murie Science and Learning Center Fellowship is made possible through the proceeds of the Center’s many education programs offered by Alaska Geographic in partnership with the National Park Service. The MSLC was established in the spirit of the Natural Resource Challenge, a National Park Service initiative aimed at increasing research and education efforts in our national parks. As part of its mission to connect people with their public lands, Alaska Geographic provides partial staffing and funding for the MSLC operations.

Discover Denali Research Fellowship Program, 2010 Application Instructions and Guidelines

Update on Carolina Perception sea-kayaks stolen they have been found!

I wrote about a university program having two of their kayaks stolen in Carolina Perception sea-kayaks stolen. I am happy to report they have been found, but you will never guess how. See the story from Russ Crispell that he pasted on Facebook!

Winter 2009 Green Guru Gear Factory Sale

Green Guru Gear Factory Sale; Join us for this clearance event!

We’re having a holiday factory sale at our Boulder facility with great deals on a variety of eco-gear and goods. Save big on everything from messenger bags to accessories. We have new products, seconds, samples and prototypes. Come by and see all of our upcycling magic.

Our sale will run this Saturday 11-5 and 9-6pm Monday – Friday till December 22nd. We are east of Foothills Parkway on 47th Street in the SW corner of the green warehouse. Look for the red SALE flags. See you there!

2500 47th Street, Unit 12, Boulder, CO 80301
Phone: 303-258-1611
If you are not able to come by, save online with 15% off by using the discount code “GURUNATION” during checkout.

Four Corners School of Outdoor Education Southwest Ed-Ventures Head Guide 2010

General: Four Corners School of Outdoor Education (FCS) is a twenty-five-year old non-profit based in Monticello, Utah. Our mission is to create lifelong learning experiences about the Colorado Plateau bioregion (Southern Utah, Southwest Colorado, Northwest New Mexico and Northern Arizona) for people of all ages and backgrounds through education, service, adventure, and conservation programs. Our vision is to build a diverse community of people who are committed to conserving the natural and cultural treasures of the Colorado Plateau.

FCS achieves its mission/vision through 4 education, service, adventure, and conservation programs that include:

1-Canyon Country Youth Corps (CCYC)-an employment, education, and leadership program for primarily Navajo youth ages 16-23, who complete public lands projects on the Colorado Plateau.

2-Southwest Ed-Ventures (SWED)-adventure education trips for all ages throughout the Colorado Plateau, whose net income supports the other 3 programs of FCS.

3-The Bioregional Outdoor Education Project (BOEP)-a place-based environmental education training program for all K-8 schools and teachers on the Colorado Plateau.

4-The soon-to-be Discovery Institute for Conservation Education-part of the new campus of FCS, the Canyon Country Discovery Center, that provides place-based learning on and about the Colorado Plateau bioregion.

Job-Description: The Southwest Ed-Ventures program seeks a Head Guide for the 2010 season. It is a part-time position, mid-March to mid-November. It may or may not allow you to work for other companies during the season, depending on our schedule of booked trips each year, but SWED trips will need to be your first priority for work. You will work SWED river and land trips, BOEP and CCYC river trips, and as cook where needed. Pay is subject to the FCS guide payscale, as attached. This person will work as head guide on all trips (unless there are overlaps), plus some basecamp office days (10-15) as needed to keep equipment, logistics, and pre-trip paperwork in order. As the number of river and land-based trips vary from year to year, the number of workdays a month will vary. Will report to Janet Ross (Executive Director), unless a SWED Manager is in place. Can live at FCS basecamp at no cost when working. In a typical year you will work fifteen to twenty 3 to 7 days trips.

Overall duties are:

1. Trip leader, whenever you are on a trip (being a good cook is a must)

2. Supervise of trip staff (Janet does the hiring)

3. Create menus, shop for, and pack out all trips with other staff (even if you are not on them) including BOEP/CCYC river trips

4. Repair gear and manage/maintain basecamp

5. With Pam/Kathy send out pre-trip information

6. With Pam/Kathy make sure all logistics are handled for each trip

7. Set up/take down of Safari Camp with other staff, if the trips go

8. For non-field days worked you will be paid your same daily rate

9. Work with Tim on vehicle maintenance and management

Qualifications Needed:

1-Guide 1 or 2 in Utah with WFR and CPR certification

2-Good dutch oven and camp cook for high-end menu

3-Well-organized, multi-tasker, and some computer skills

4-Good people skills (guides and clients and office staff) with high-end clientele

5-Good interpretive skills for Colorado Plateau bioregion

6-Ability to lead river, backpack, hike, basecamp, and service trips

7-Handy with tools for basecamp and gear repairs

Email: Please send your resume and a cover letter detailing your availability to Janet Ross, jross@fourcornersschool.org. She will then send you further information and schedule a phone interview with you. Thanks!

CALL FOR PAPERS: SCHOLE: A JOURNAL OF LEISURE STUDIES AND RECREATION EDUCATION

Schole is the official yearly refereed publication of the Society of Park and Recreation Educators. Schole was established to disseminate knowledge related to park and recreation courses, curricula, and teaching at the college level. Manuscripts may address the wide range of issues concerning graduate and undergraduate education such as:

curriculum planning, curriculum design, future employment requirements, trends and their impacts, student and faculty profiles, course content, fieldwork and internships, leisure and the humanities, teaching methods, accreditation, community education, and tenure and promotion. Manuscripts based on conceptual, philosophical, and empirical inquiry will be considered for publication. Book reviews and classroom activities are also accepted under a separate call.

Guidelines for Contributors:

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION:

Articles submitted for the 2010 volume must be received by January 15, 2010.

Articles should be submitted to:

Corey W. Johnson & Gwynn M. Powell, Co-Editors

Schole: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education Recreation and Leisure Studies Program Department of Counseling and Human Development Services

Update: Lawsuit over drowning at nudist party at pool settled.

It’s being reported that the lawsuit I reported on in the blog It’s always sad when someone dies, but sometimes the facts can be…..interesting. The plaintiffs are going to accept $250,000 to settle this suit.

The facts surrounding the suit are pretty thing and of course you can speculate for years over what happened. (Do you rescue a nude person the same way you rescue one with a bathing suit on?) The same goes with the legal issues, was a released signed? Does Pennsylvania recognize negligence per se which would void the release. Negligence per se is negligence which is based on the violation of a statute or law. So not having a life guard which is required by law may prevent may defenses from being used.

See Drowning Lawsuit Settlement in Pennsylvania.

Update: Dr. who slammed brakes on car in front of cyclists convicted.

To see my original post see
Criminal Trial Starts this week for MD who pulls in front of cyclists and slams on his brakes.

Dr. Dr. Christopher Thompson was convicted of seven felony counts for the act of pulling in front of two cyclists and slamming on his brakes injuring the cyclists. Dr. Thompson was convicted of two felony counts each of assault with a deadly weapon, battery with serious bodily injury, a felony count of reckless driving with specified injury, a felony count of mayhem, and a misdemeanor count of reckless driving. He could face ten years in prison.

See
Justice Served?

PR Disaster should not be turned into bigger disasters

And if you did turn it into a bigger disaster try not to make an even bigger disaster

There has been a ton of issues flying around the world over BPA and finding it in container you use to drink from. It started with plastic water bottles which sent plastic bottles to the land fill and sent metal ones soaring in sales. Everyone picked up metal, stainless steel water bottles. You immediately found them in bicycle water bottle catches, on playgrounds and school teacher desks. Then it was discovered that stainless steel water bottles were lined with BPA.

In the mean time the public and Wall Street saw the metal water bottles sales soaring. People were afraid of BPA and plastic and the stainless manufactures benefitted from the fear of plastic. Then the stainless steel water bottle manufactures admitted that their bottles were lined with BPA also. That was a good and honest move.

Now the stainless water bottle manufactures are trying to redeem themselves and they are blowing it. When the plastic water bottle manufactures got caught, they argued that the BPA did not leech into the water. They lost this fight, they converted and they started selling again.

The stainless steel bottle makers tried to make this argument/defense again, there was no BPA in your water. Stupid move number 1. Don’t learn from the guy who screwed up big time and try the same move.

Stupid Move number 2 is continue to try and dodge the issue. In a post, SIGG and the Problems of Transparency several different arguments are being made to justify the cover up. Such stellar examples include:

• We are not as bad as the other guys
• We are not the first people to lie to you; you should be used to it.
• It did not cost you millions to bail us out
• There are bigger fish to fry

Give me a break!

Look the issue is not who is bad, the issue is I spent money on the bottle sitting in front of me. You knew I was buying it because of my fear of BPA in my water bottles yet you kept quiet. You were silent knowing I was buying your bottle to avoid BPA, and your bottle was lined with BPA.

This is not a government issue, this is a personal issue. This problem did not occur on Wall Street the problem is sitting on my desk in front of me. I’m starring at the problem and I feel ripped off.

At least the plastic guys did not lie to me once the information was out and they never said we are not as bad as the other guy.

If you have a PR problem and you don’t want to turn it into a legal problem you better come clean the first time and stay clean the rest of the time. (See Class Claims Toxin Was in Aluminum Bottles and Caddell & Chapman files class action complaint against SIGG.) Consumers feel duped, crap even I feel duped

Covering up works the same way as hiding under the covers, eventually people will see you under the covers. When you get caught telling the world it’s not you or that your brother or that your brother did something worse than you, your parents did not buy it. Telling consumers there are bigger fish to fry does not matter to a consumer. Let the fish fryers deal with those issues. I want to feel better about being ripped off.

For other articles about this issue see:

Anger uncorked at bottle maker Sigg over BPA

SIGG Fights For Fanfare, Against Lawsuit

BPA in SIGG Water Bottles

Patagonia terminates relationship With SIGG water bottles

For other comments about PR disasters see How not to respond to a product liability claim or How to turn a mess into a legal disaster.

NPS pays out $5M for not having a sign up

Amazing that trees and waterfalls don’t come equipped with warning signs

A Kentucky doctor and her son have reached a $5M settlement with the National Park Service over the deaths of her 8 year old son and spouse. The Spouse and son were crossing a creek in Haleakala National Park above Makahiku Falls. Makahiku Falls is a 184 feet drop. As they were crossing a flash flood occurred washing the two over the falls. Their bodies were never found.

The family opted to hike off the trail past the overlook. In that hike they decided to cross the stream. Normally there is an electronic sign up that warns of flash floods, however on this day the sign was not working.

• If you put up a sign, make sure it works or is visible even if it does not work.
• If you put up a sign, make sure it is there.

The defendant’s attorney claimed that crossing the stream on rocks the plaintiff’s should not have known about flash floods.

Remember this is your money, taxpayer money that paid someone because they did not know about flash floods. Or they thought since the sign was not on, things were safe. Two different ways to look at this case.

Winners of the 2009 National Outdoor Book Awards (NOBA) Announced

PRESS RELEASE

Winners of the 2009 National Outdoor Book Awards (NOBA) Announced

Please Hold Until Thursday, November 12

Color scans (print quality), an AP style MS Word copy of this release , complete reviews, and other supplementary art work (print or web resolutions) may be downloaded from http://www.noba-web.org/bookrel09.htm.  For more information, contact Ron Watters (mailto:wattron@isu.edu)

Quick Summary of Winners. (Some categories have two winners  – more details to follow).

• History/Biography.  Winner.  Wilderness Warrior:  Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America  by Douglas Brinkley  
  
• Outdoor Literature.  Winner.  Halfway to Heaven  by Mark Obmascik 
  
• Outdoor Literature.  Honorable Mention.  Rowboat in a Hurricane by Julie Angus
  
• Design & Artistic Merit Category.  Winner.  Lars Jonsson’s Birds.  Illustrations by Lars Jonsson 
  
• Classic Award.  Winner.  Kayak: The New Frontier  by William Nealy
  
• Classic Award.  Honorable Mention.  Appalachian Odyssey  by Steve Sherman and Julia Older
  
• Nature and the Environment.  Winner.  Our Living Earth  by Yann Arthus-Bertrand
  
• Nature and the Environment.  Honorable Mention.  Sand: Tthe Never Ending Story  by Michael Welland. 
  
• Natural History Literature.  Winner.  Every Living Thing  by Rob Dunn
  
• Children’s Category.  Winner.  Whistling Wings  by Laura Goering.  Illustrated by Laura Jacques. 
  
• Children’s Category.  Honorable Mention.  Operation Redwood  by S. Terrell French
  
• Instructional Category.  Girl on the Rocks:  A Woman’s Guide to Climbing  by Katie Brown. 
  
• Outdoor Adventure Guidebooks.  Winner.  Guide to the Green and Yampa Rivers  by Duwain Whitis and Barbara Vinson
  
• Outdoor Adventure Guidebooks.  Honorable Mention.  The Guide to Baja Sea Kayaking  by Dave Eckardt
  
• Nature Guidebook.  Winner.  Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America  by Roger Tory Peterson
  
• Nature Guidebooks.  Honorable Mention  Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West  by Dennis Paulson
  

General Press Release:

2009 NATIONAL OUTDOOR BOOK AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Pocatello, Idaho – A new groundbreaking biography on Theodore Roosevelt is the winner of the history-biography category in this year’s National Outdoor Book Awards (NOBA).

Entitled “Wilderness Warrior,” the book is by historian Douglas Brinkley. 

“No doubt about this one.” said Ron Watters, Chairman of the National Outdoor Books Awards.  “It’s a winner.  Not only is Brinkley’s book well written and impeccably researched, it sheds new information on Roosevelt’s work to protect our nation’s outdoor heritage.”

“Wilderness Warrior” is one of several winners in the 2009 National Outdoor Book Awards.

The winners of this annual award program represent some of the finest outdoor writing and artwork being published today.  The awards program is sponsored by the National Outdoor Book Awards Foundation, Idaho State University and the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education.

Awards are given in ten individual categories.

“The list of this year’s winners is as varied as it is impressive,” said Watters who is a professor emeritus at Idaho State University.  “Brinkley’s serious and rigorous historical work is balanced by a light and humorous book on climbing Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks.”

The Colorado book is called
“Halfway to Heaven” and received top honors in the Literature Category.  It is about author Mark Obmascik’s dream to climb Colorado’s highest peaks. 

While most people take years to reach all 54 summits, Obmascik decides to climb all of them in one summer.  Obmascik, however, has a problem.  He is overweight and utterly out of shape. 

Nonetheless, he heads out on a rollicking, non-stop adventure with an all-star cast of eccentrics and fanatics. 

The most adventurous story among this year’s NOBA winners is “Rowboat in a Hurricane” by Canadian author Julie Angus.  In this riveting, true life adventure, Angus and her fiancée set out on a 6,000 mile journey to row across the Atlantic. 

It is the same year as Hurricane Katrina and the Atlantic is seething with tropical storms.  Their path takes them directly into the storms’ midst.  “This one will keep you on the edge of your seat,” said Watters.  “It’s truly a book that you won’t be able to put down.”

Bird watchers will find much to savor among this year winners. 

A stunning collection of bird paintings by the master artist and ornithologist Lars Jonsson won the Design and Artistic Merit Category.  “Lars Jonsson’s Birds”
includes
sketches, watercolors, oil paintings, lithograph, and commentary by the artist.

A new edition of Roger Tory Peterson’s classic field guide, the
“Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America” won the Nature Guidebook Category.  The book conveniently combines his eastern and western guidebooks into one volume.

And finally little bird lovers, particularly those between the ages of five and nine, will enjoy the winner of the Children’s Category “Whistling Wings.”  It’s a sweet bedtime story about Marcel, a young tundra swan who is flying south for the winter.

Complete reviews of these and the other 2009 winners may be found at the National Outdoor Book Award Web site at:  www.noba-web.org.

Here is a list of winners. 

• History/Biography.  Winner.  “Wilderness Warrior:  Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America.”  By Douglas Brinkley.  Harper, New York.  ISBN 9780060565282 
  
• Outdoor Literature Category.  Winner.  “Halfway to Heaven.”  By Mark Obmascik.  Free Press / Simon & Schuster, New York.  ISBN  9781416566991 
  
• Outdoor Literature Category.  Honorable Mention.  “Rowboat in a Hurricane: My Amazing Journey Across a Changing Ocean.”  By Julie Angus.  Greystone Books, Vancouver.  ISBN 9781553653370 
  
• Design & Artistic Merit Category.  Winner.  “Lars Jonsson’s Birds.”  Illustrations by Lars Jonsson.  Princeton University Press, Princeton.  ISBN 9780691141510
  
• Classic Award.  Winner.  “Kayak: The New Frontier.”  By William Nealy.  Menasha Ridge Press, Birmingham.  ISBN 9780897325899 
  
• Classic Award.  Honorable Mention.  “Appalachian Odyssey: Walking the Trail from Georgia to Maine.”  By Steve Sherman and Julia Older.  Author’s Guild, New York.  ISBN 9781440115301
  
• Nature and the Environment Category.  Winner.  “Our Living Earth.”  By Yann Arthus-Bertrand.  Abrams/Books for Young Readers, New York.  ISBN 9780810971325 
  
• Nature and the Environment Category.  Honorable Mention.  “Sand: Tthe Never Ending Story.”  By Michael Welland.  University of California Press.  Berkeley.  ISBN 9780520254374
  
• Natural History Literature.  Winner.  “Every Living Thing:  Man’s Obsessive Quest to Catalog Life, from Nanobacteria to New Monkeys.”  By Rob Dunn.  Smithsonian Books.  New York.  ISBN 9780061430305 
  
• Children’s Category.  Winner.  “Whistling Wings.”  By Laura Goering.  Illustrated by Laura Jacques.  Sylvan Dell Publishing, Mt Pleasant, SC.  ISBN 9781934359303 
  
• Children’s Category.  Honorable Mention.  “Operation Redwood.”  By S. Terrell French. Abrams/Amulet Books, New York.  ISBN 9780810983540 
  
• Instructional Category.  “Girl on the Rocks:  A Woman’s Guide to Climbing with Strength, Grace and Courage.”  By Katie Brown.  Photos by Ben Moon.  Globe Pequot Press/Falcon Guides, Guilford, CN.  ISBN 9780762745180 
  
• Outdoor Adventure Guidebooks.  Winner.  “Guide to the Green and Yampa Rivers in Dinosaur National Monument.”  By Duwain Whitis and Barbara Vinson.  RiverMaps, Buda, TX.  ISBN 9870981935913
  
• Outdoor Adventure Guidebooks.  Honorable Mention.  “The Guide to Baja Sea Kayaking.”  By Dave Eckardt.  Paddle Publishing, Eagle, CO.  ISBN 97809645839914 
  
• Nature Guidebook.  Winner.  “Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America.”  By Roger Tory Peterson.  Houghton Mifflin Company.  Boston.  ISBN 9780618966141 
  
• Nature Guidebooks.  Honorable Mention.  “Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West.”  By Dennis Paulson.  Princeton University Press.  Princeton.  ISBN 9780691122816
  

Scans & reviews are found here:  http://www.noba-web.org/books09.htm

More information on the awards program is found on the National Outdoor Book Award website at:  www.noba-web.org.

Ron Watters, Chairman

National Outdoor Book Awards (http://www.noba-web.org)

Phone: 208-232-6857  Email: wattron@isu.edu

CAMP USA: HOLIDAY DEAL-A-DAY

SIGN UP FOR THE HOLIDAY DEAL-A-DAY

Sign up for the Holiday Deal-A-Day to receive a daily email for an item on sale each weekday from Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving) through December 18 (the Friday before Christmas). You will also be able to find these deals at www.camp-usa.com.  

To register, please update your information using the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this email. A link will be sent with instructions for making quick and easy updates.

Risk Management Division: Applications Being Accepted For Summer Internship Program

NPS Morning Report November 6, 2009

The Division of Risk Management and the Student Conservation Association (SCA) have established a summer internship program that provides opportunities for students to support park injury prevention efforts and provides parks with a cost-effective way to enhance their visitor safety programs.  Consistent with the Administration’s effort to engage youth with our national parks, this program offers outstanding personal and professional opportunities to young people, while providing opportunities for parks to enhance their public safety programs.

The Risk Management Division and SCA will assist parks in identifying particular needs and finding interns with the skills to meet those needs. Interns will then be placed in parks for three to six months to assist with specific park projects to enhance injury prevention and control efforts.  Parks must provide housing, transportation costs, a subsistence allowance, and on-site supervision for each intern.  The Risk Management Division will cover the cost of a comprehensive, highly specialized, six-day training for all interns and will provide on-going technical support.

“This program exceeded my expectations and I think that is largely due to the caliber of the individual intern,” said Maureen Finnerty, a ranger at Devils Postpile NM who supervised an intern in the Risk Management pilot internship program last summer. “The self motivation and the knowledge that he brought to the park was tremendous.  He has gone above and beyond what we have asked of him, and pointed out additional needs that we did not even think about initially.”

Parks with an interest in strengthening their injury prevention programs are encouraged to apply.

Application forms and further information about this program are available on the Public Risk Management website.  Parks interested in participating should contact Gabrielle Fisher, Public Risk Management program specialist, at 202-513-7160, or gabrielle_fisher@nps.gov.  Applications to participate in this program will be accepted through Thursday, December 31st.
[Submitted by Gabrielle Fisher]

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: 2010 NRPA LEISURE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

Minneapolis, MN

October 26-28, 2010

Heather Gibson and Kathleen Andereck, LRS Co-Chairs

Mary Ann Devine, LRS Poster Coordinator

The NRPA Leisure Research Symposium provides an international forum for scholarly exchange and discussion about leisure. The Symposium includes both theoretical and applied research that transcends disciplinary boundaries. Papers may address leisure behavior, structural and cultural aspects of leisure and leisure studies, or applied research directed at the recreation professions.

Papers are presented either as formal paper presentations, as posters or as part of a panel session. All abstracts receive the same rigorous, double blind review without consideration of presentation format. Abstracts for all types of presentations are included in an electronic published book of abstracts.

Abstracts reporting empirical studies should contain subheadings identifying an introduction, methods, results, and discussion; only completed studies should be submitted. Abstracts reporting conceptual and theoretical discussions should also have an effective set of subheadings. Abstracts cannot exceed three pages, single-spaced (see attached instructions). Because of this extreme limitation, it is imperative that abstracts are written carefully and provide a coherent overview of the paper that will be presented.

CONDITIONS FOR SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS

8.    Abstracts are to be submitted electronically no later than January 25, 2010. Abstracts submitted after this deadline will be returned without review. Please upload your abstract and fill out all of the required information using this link: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/193109/fi1rf ABSTRACT PREPARATION DETAILS

(e)    panel session presentation Note: Reviewers are not aware of the stated presentation preference. This information in conjunction with time and space limitations is used by the Symposium Co-Chairs when establishing the final conference schedule.

5.    Learning Objectives A. Provide three observable and measurable learning outcomes. Limit to one sentence (20 words or less) per outcome.

• Focus on learner’s behavior that is to be changed
  
• Serve as guidelines for content, instruction, and evaluation
  
• Identify specifically what should be learned
  

Convey to learners exactly what is to be accomplished 2.    When writing Learning Outcomes, use verbs that are observable and measurable. 6.    Contact information A.    Principal author’s name, institutional affiliation, mailing address, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address. It is assumed that, unless otherwise specified, this person will make the presentation if the abstract is accepted. B.    Full contact details for all co-authors. This includes full name, institutional affiliation, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address. C.    The principal author’s contact information over the summer (June 1 to Aug. 31), if different from above. 7.    Correspondence regarding abstract. A. Authors will be notified of abstract review results via email by mid May 2010 at the latest. LRS Co Chairs: Heather Gibson hgibson@hhp.ufl.edu <mailto:hgibson@hhp.ufl.edu> Kathleen Andereck
kandereck@asu.edu

Carolina Perception sea-kayaks stolen

The University of Buffalo had two Carolina Perception sea-kayaks stolen. They are 14.5 footers, yellow. One of them has EMS Rental stamped on it. If by some miracle you spot them:

Contact Russ Crispell

crispell@buffalo.edu

Is there any Giardia? Recent review of history suggests No!

But without Giardia how do we sell water filters?

Erik Schlimmer in an article titled Giardia Myth-Buster: How Hearsay and Anecdotal Evidence has Created a False Industry Standard written for the Wilderness Education Association
Journal of the Wilderness Education Association
says Giardia is more hype and marketing than reality.

I thought this was interesting, even thought the research does not meet hard scientific standards, for two reasons. I still work as a whitewater raft guide and consequently swallow a lot of river water unfiltered. Not intentionally, but it happens. I’ve talked to other river guides about this and we all agree we don’t get sick. Now there is an exception in the Grand Canyon for norovirus, however the statistics show that guides don’t get norovirus either.

I was recently told by a friend, a physician, that he had attended a conference where one speaker said there was no giardia in the US and it all stemmed from one misdiagnosis many years ago.

Finally several studies have shown that nobody filters water correctly. In fact most studies show that either the way the equipment is stored or handled there is almost 100% cross contamination. One study showed that most people would be better off leaving the filter at home, washing their hands more and doing a better job of preparing and cleaning up after cooking.

But you say we see signs all the time that require us or tell us to filter our water. Most NPS and USFS information requires it and filtering is mandatory for commercial outfitters. But as the article states, liability and/or marketing are driving those signs and warnings more than hard science.

Why do I love this article? Because it is another story about us running around in the wilderness spouting what we think we know when we obviously don’t know.

I urge you to read this article. It is well written, humorous and tackles 99% of the giardia myths. More importantly it shows what we need to do to understand what is going on in our world. We need to quit guessing at what will make us safe and keep us out of court and look at what really works and does not work. Exam what we do based on science rather than guessing or beer. (Seriously I’ve seen enough risk management ideas that I swear were conceived over more beer than intelligence!)

Thanks Erik!

Civic Tourism III Conference – To Be Held August 11 – 14, 2010 – in Fort Collins, Colorado

(Based on the Civic Tourism Conferences held in Prescott AZ in March 2006, and the Blackstone River Valley, Rhode Island, 2008)

Civic Tourism’s mission is to “reframe” tourism’s purpose from an economic goal to a tool that can help the public enhance what they love about their place. It provides a forum for citizens to decide if, how, and for what purpose the ingredients of place (cultural, built, &

natural) can be integrated to create a dynamic, distinctive, and prosperous community. Ideally, Civic Tourism involves all stakeholders to build strong partnerships between corporations, family-owned businesses, natural and cultural heritage resource sites and events, parks and recreation, and tourism attractions-everyone should have a voice and a place at the table. And at the Civic Tourism III conference, everyone will.

Full agenda available at: http://www.interpnet.com/civic/schedule.shtml

Civic Tourism III Conference

CALL FOR PAPERS

The Civic Tourism Conference is aimed at fostering dialogue among important stakeholders and practitioners of Civic Tourism Development.

This includes academics, government officials and other public sector employees at the national, state and local level, tourism industry leaders in the private sector and non-government organizations. Toward this goal we are inviting the participants of the conference to present relevant academic papers as a 20 minute presentation.

Academic areas of interest are:

1.    Sustainable tourism development and civic tourism

2.    Economics of civic tourism

3.    Program and project management in civic tourism

4.    Marketing and media in tourism

5.    Sociology of civic tourism

6.    Heritage development and civic tourism

7.    The Experience Industry and civic tourism

8.    Civic tourism in practice

9.    Educational opportunities afforded via civic tourism

10.    Geotourism and civic tourism

Submission of Abstracts

Abstracts of 200 to 350 words should be sent through the “Call for Papers” link listed above and below. All abstracts must be received by January 15, 2010. The peer review committee will review all abstracts by February 15, 2010, and authors of accepted abstracts will be notified thereafter. At least one author of each paper must attend the conference to present it. Please forward to interested academic institutions you may associate with.

In Fort Collins, where renewal is a way of life, you’ll find award-winning schools, a globally focused university, thriving arts scene, eclectic shops and restaurants, hundreds of miles of walking and biking paths, and a plethora of outdoor activities. The Civic Tourism III conference gives you the opportunity to experience Fort Collins, northern Colorado, and Wyoming like never before.

http://www.interpnet.com/civic/schedule.shtml

Diane B. Gaede, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Recreation and Tourism University of Northern Colorado Gunter Hall 1250 Greeley, CO 80639

(970) 351-2688

Safety Program Coordinator: The School for Field Studies

Job Description: Safety Program Coordinator: The School for Field Studies

The School for Field Studies is a third party provider of education abroad experiences for undergraduate college students. We conduct education and research focusing on issues of sustainable development at our Centers and programs in Australia, Bhutan, Costa Rica, Kenya, Mexico, Tanzania and Turks & Caicos.

This position is for someone who is looking for a new career in international risk management. Role requires extensive travel and flexibility and a willingness to engage deeply in learning.

Duties to include:

• Oversight of all student medical and psychological screening
• Creation of an SFS Student Screening Manual
• Serving as primary liaison to all Student Affairs Managers
• Oversight of Center Safety Audit schedule
• Share in Safety Review Process
• Participate in 24/7 on call duties
• Updating of all Emergency Response Plan contact info
• Oversight of Incident Report system
• Oversight of Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance
• Serving in any of a variety of roles in an emergency
• Gradual involvement in development and delivery of Risk Management Education
• Researching risk management topics and developing curriculum

Requirements

• BA/BS in relevant field
• Significant international experience
• Risk management experience (humanitarian NGOs/Adventure education, etc)
• Technology competent

Preferred Attributes

• MA/MS in relevant field
• Spanish language
• Sea Kayaking instructor certification
• SCUBA experience
• Wilderness Emergency Medicine background

Compensation

• Baseline salary – mid to high 30’s

• Competitive benefits

To Apply

Send resume and cover letter to Bill Frederick – bfrederick@fieldstudies.org

Position to be filled by January 1

Free Review of Your Release or Acknowledgment of Risk forms

1. Take the Survey and answer the questions and provide the necessary contract information.
   
2. Send me a PDF or a Word document of your release or acknowledgement of risk form to me.
   

Let Everyone You Know, Know about this.

Pass this information along on Facebook, Twitter and Email your friends and associates.

Rules:

1. I’m only licensed in the state of Colorado
   
2. This will be a review. I will identify the issues I’ve found in your release or acknowledgement of release form only.
   
3. You must complete all questions on the quiz and provide complete and correct information.
   
4. It can only be a PDF or a Word (doc, docx).
   
5. The release is for use by human powered outdoor recreation programs or adventure travel programs.
   
6. I reserve the right to cancel at any time or reject a program or release
   
7. It may take several weeks to review your document; there is no time limit on my end.
   
8. I reserve the right to change the rules, modify the rules, cancel the idea, or do anything else I want.
   
9. There is no value in doing this.
   
10. I’m not responsible for what you do with the information.
    

The information collected will not be used, distributed or given to anyone else. The contact information will be kept separate and not identified with the survey answers.

By taking the survey you are giving me permission to contact you by email.

I was quoted in Outside Magazine, November 2009 Page 80

I was quoted in the November 2009 issue of Outside Magazine on page 80. I was interviewed over the issues in the new hampshire laws on charging for search and rescue costs.

I came off “sounding” pretty good!



For more information on the issue with new hampshire charging for SAR see: USA Today Updates Issues with New Hampshire Law Billing For SAR’s, Update: Give me a break! Teen charged $25K for a rescue he did not need, and Give me a break! Teen charged $25K for a rescue he did not need.