The American Alpine Institute has awarded eight Guides Choice Awards at this year’s Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. Check out the list below. Also, be sure to follow The Gear Junkie as he does the rounds on-site at the event.
From AAI Climbing Blog (links added by Sierra Journal):
This years award recipients are:

Patagonia for the Guide [...]

Very cool. The North Face is building a huge solar power generation system near its distribution center in Visalia, CA. this is a promising trend and one that many companies and organizations are getting behind.
From the Fresno Bee:

I’ve always been skeptical of health-related fads, frenzies and hysteria. You won’t find me going out of my way to purchase anti-oxidant foods, for example. Just eat fresh food, I say. And you won’t find me quitting my Diet Coke habit  becaus

I tend to be a "stuff it" kind of guy, but I may have to start employing this nifty little trick from the folks at TetonAT:

Every now and again a product comes along that makes you ask yourself, "why didn’t I think of that?" This is one of those moments. I got sick of taking the self-portrait summit shot with outstretched arm that always seems to result in a

Finally got around to watching Steep last night. 5 stars, for sure. You can get it now through Netflix. Just don’t watch it with your girlfriend (if she’s a nervous-nellie like mine).
It’s the story of backcountry, big-mountain and heli sk

I have lately been appalled by the intense lack of customer service across all industries I can think of.
I have also lately come to believe that the outdoor industry is a shining exception. Sierra Designs and Julbo have both come through

Custom liners are old news by now, but if you’ve never been fitted with a pair, do it.
I’ve got big ol’ feet. They’re a wide, high-volume size 12. I have problems fitting into most shoes including dress shoes, running shoes, and even sand