IceTrekkers Deal For PBSS Members

The IceTrekkers Diamond Grips that were available at our workshop are now available to all PBSS members at a big discount.  Cascadia Vehicle Tents (CVT) sells them to the public for $41.95, but PBSS members get them for $28.95. You just need your membership card to get the discount.  With the discount so high, there is a limit of two per member.  It's the best deal you'll find anywhere.

CVT is open M-F.  They are located on the corner of Reed Market and 9th next to Bend Park and Sell. The parking and entrance are in the rear of the building.  Not a PBSS member?  You can have friend who is pick them up for you.  You can also become a member and it's almost like getting your membership for free.  CLICK HERE to become PBSS a member.

Links and Other Helpful Info From the Workshop

IceTrekkers Diamond Grips were made available at wholesale cost via pre-order at the workshop. Cascadia Vehicle Tents (CVT) is our business partner on this.  They have been having difficulty getting them from the manufacturer due to a backlog caused by severe weather across the country. Things are progressing, just slowly.  Meanwhile, CVT has agreed to stock the Icetrekkers this winter and sell them to PBSS members for $28.95 ($13 under retail--pretty much break even for them). All PBSS members will be receiving a membership card/instructions soon so you can get the discount.

Here are some links to info mention in the workshop:

• IceTrekkers Diamond Grips
• How to make Screw Shoes & Screw Boots
• Sure Lace shoe laces by New Balance
• A good place to buy Sure Lace Show laces (there may be better places)
• REI's extensive info on trekking poles with videos
• The new Thermoball technology from NorthFace
• Thermoball video
• ZipTech (Manufacturers site. Great way to make zippers function better, especially in winter.)
• Gerbing Heated Clothing (one of many examples)

Why This Workshop?

On the SMB ballot for 2013, "Winter trail maintenance" was highly ranked.  We had lots of ideas but none of them really sounded like they would be all that effective when we thought about all the slips, falls, and injuries that happened last year.  It took us a while, but we did eventually realize that being safe starts with hiking gear and knowing how to use it.  Lots of people use YakTrax for winter traction.  They work well in most circumstances but they have at least one major drawback--they break easily, especially when there are sharp rocks around.  So we started looking for a better alternative and we eventually found the Diamond Grips by IceTrekkers.  They seemed to be everything that people need while hiking the Butte when there is snow and ice.  You can see it in the customer ratings.  Diamond Grips get close to 5 stars while YakTrax are closer to three stars.

The problem was that Diamond Grips are somewhat expensive.  We needed a way to bring down the price and Cascadia Vehicle Tents (CVT) saved the day.  Everyone will be able to buy them at a price comparable to entry level YakTrax.  Another key difference between the two is the warranty. YakTrax are warranted for just 90 days while Diamond Grips are warranted for a full year.  Hopefully yours don't break but, if they do, the company stands behind them.  I talked with a woman the other day who has been using hers for over three years and they still look like they have a lot of life in them.  I guess we'll find out just how durable they are as many people who use the trails on Pilot Butte start using them.

Cascadia Vehicle Tents Lend's A Hand

Bend's Cascadia Vehicle Tents (CVT) is helping us out by making it possible for people to purchase IceTrekkers Diamond Grips at near wholesale prices.  The normal price is about $42, but PBSS/SMB members will order theirs for about $21 with non-members getting theirs for about $23. Most people consider these traction devices that you wear on your shoes or boots to be the best on the market.  People at the workshop will pre-order using cash or check and will then pick up their Diamond Grips at the CVT Showroom over on 9th and Reed Market Road.  It will also be a chance to check out their unique roof top tents.  As many of you know, Carol and I have traveled to Alaska twice using our CVT tent and we love it.

This is a really cool partnership between PBSS and CVT. Plus, they are giving everyone attending this workshop a 10 percent off one of their tents.  That is easily a savings of more than $100 depending on the tent purchased.

Small World--Bob Speik To Be Workshop Presenter

I've known Bob Speik for many years.  We first met here at Pilot Butte while Carol and I were hosts. Or so I thought!  I was talking with him a few days ago and he mentioned that he used to be an instructor for the Sierra Club's famed Basic Mountaineering Training Course (BMTC) in Southern California. I told him that I took that course in Torrance, CA, over 35 years ago.  You guessed it. Bob was one of the instructors. Small world, huh?

Bob has been active in the mountaineering community in Oregon for many years.  Just about everyone knows about his massive website which he updates regularly.  CLICK HERE to see his Traditional Mountaineering site.  When we were getting ready to do this workshop, I emailed Bob to see if he knew of a great instructor.  I thought he was retired.  He called me about minute later and said he'd do it.  I was thrilled because I really didn't expect to get someone with his resume and background for a basic workshop like this.  The amazing thing is he is thrilled to do it too.  He even went out and contacted many business people he knows trying to get them to help us out.  He also has a special place in his heart for Pilot Butte.  I've known about that for a long time.  Sometimes things just click into place and this is definitely one of those times.