Activity Mapping for Product Development

This was one of the first industrial design tools I used to make sure a product we were developing considered as many variables or problems a customer might have while participating in an activity. I used my own experience with our dog Otis on a camping trip. Mapping an activity from start to finish is both a great way to brainstorm and come up with new features and product solutions. I’m always looking for more tools to create products and line plan strategies. http://www.ziba.com/ http://www.ziba.com/pdfs/press/N1206_DMI_Cascade.pdf

Design Considerations

The attached notes are from the design chapter of the book; "let my people go surfing". http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/search/esearch.jsp?OPTION=ESEARCH&N=0&special=both&Ntt=let+my+people+go+surfing The main topics are a good place to start when considering product development. Use them as a check list for general considerations. But like any “how to” book the experience brings deeper insight. As with any philosophical discussion it is good to know when you’re chasing your tail, when you’re making a choice, and what type of argument you’re making. To this end I have started reading “Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar” http://www.platoandaplatypus.com/index.php It defines paradox “a piece of reasoning using apparently sound logic and apparently true premises that nevertheless results in a contradiction.” I have also read the classic “The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_22_Immutable_Laws_of_Marketing I especially like #14 “For every attribute, there is an opposite, effective attribute.” When creating new products it is good to have a checklist, or at least a few sound questions you ask yourself at each step of the development process. Hope this helps.

Fortune say; "Those who chase tails are good like dogs."

Gritty Pack

I really like this pack for the design concept, and the never seen before details and features. From studying this pack I have learned a lot about pack design and the potential success in the pack market. The fit, some patterning, the main material choice, total volume, and ease of access were off. I know that a lot of work went into the concept. It fell short on meeting expectations, and wasn’t given the chance to evolve. But I still love this pack.

There is a design battle going on out there between weight and comfort. Many designs focus on new innovation or technology to develop light weight comfort vs. other designs focus on minimalism and less weight for ultimate trail comfort. Weight of what will be carried is often a factor as well as activity. Links to some of the most technical design strategies for pack comfort.

http://www.ospreypacks.com/Suspensions/
http://www.arcteryx.com/iframe/pack-fit-guide-full.html
http://www.gregorypacks.com/us/?option=com_gregorypacks&act=technologies&task=technical&cid=8 http://www.mountainhardwear.com/en-EU/Exodus.aspx

Emergency Exit

What motivates people?

Houdini Pack

This is an awesome concept for an ultra light active hydration pack. It includes multiple features never seen before in any other design.

Service

When actions speak louder than words, or paranoia gets the better of you, this conversation is how the mind interprets through the lenses of fear, anger and sarcasm. This is a conversation from my head about my ski binding experience at a local pro ski shop (see image above). At the time I was angry, but it is an example how I see things differently today.

Shop Punk Actions
"Um ........ Jim we don't know you and we don't appreciate that you bought your skis and bindings on the cheap elsewhere and brought them here to have us mount them for you. So we decided not to remove the manufacturer’s production sticker from the skies (after we removed the plastic shrink wrap), before we mounted the bindings for you."

Jim’s Mind
“I thought the sticker was on the outside of the shrink wrap?”

Shop Punk Actions
“Actually…….. Jim we were so upset that you didn’t buy the ski set up at full retail from us; we carefully took the sticker off the plastic shrink wrap and placed them on the skies under the mount point. And, all for just thirty dollars.”

Jim’s Mind
“Understood, thank you for letting me know, I won’t let it happen again…”
[Just, FYI ….. I got the bindings on “pro-deal” and bought the skis at a K2 “friends of the industry sale” on Vashon]

The truth is I prefer small local pro shops, even if the shop punk gives me attitude, it feels more real. They also know a lot and have an opinion, and if you talk past the attitude they will tell you how much they know about the gear and help you come to good conclusions. The trick for me is to see past the attitude and keep the conversation about the product. Ultimately, these types of small shop punks will not only help you with your gear needs, they will help you see yourself. Do not react to the attitude, focus on your need to understand the gear and focus on not taking other peoples issues personally. Lessons Learned [don’t complain about the attitude and mount your own ski bindings]

PODS

I never thought I would have so much stuff or be in a situation where I would need storage. But when I did need it I turned to PODS. PODS rule! http://www.pods.com/ My Pod is 16x8x8 and it is professionally packed full with our junk. They will pick it up and take it away until we need it back. To tell you the truth I could care less about all but a very few items in the pod. The situation is we are renting a fully furnished house. I'm learning the hard way about living "Less is More" and "Fast and Light". I admire those who truly embrace less and live with less. So I have decided to limit my gear collection. I'm picking 5 sport activity categories to be fully equipped; fast& light hiking, mountaineering, back country snow sports, surfing, and mountain biking. (oh, does family car camping count as a sport?) That means the white water kayak and sea kayaks with all the gear associated with it will go. Extra tents, packs and sleeping bags need to go. Climbing and bouldering is a little under the mountaineering category so I'll weed out a few of the extras. I think I can avoid most ice climbing situations these days. The toughest to get rid of will be the clothing extras, when do you stop buying new outdoor clothing? Can I get down to one pair of sunglasses, or one sport watch. Shoes, boots, gloves and helmets? Where can I find one helmet to do everything?

Pinnacle Lake Trail

I hiked up to Pinnacle Lake yesterday. The road is washed out 1.5 miles before the trail head and the trail is a little over grown. The trail is just over 2 miles to the lake. Pinnacle lake sits below Mount Pilchuck. http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/recreation/activities/trails/drd/drd_0703.htm
Press release on Murders at Pinnacle Lake back in 2006.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003122375_webdeadhikers12.html
Here is the blog that speculates about the 2 murders. http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15630
Here is a a blog that has the reaction from other hikers.
http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/lofiversion/index.php?t138128.html
Here is the latest info on a Documentary in the works.
http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_092908WAB_stodden_murder_documentary_TP.c62a554d.html
MSNBC picks up the story from King 5.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26950715/

Other reports of similar confrontation in this area.

http://worldhiker.blogspot.com/2007/07/pinnacle-lake-one-year-later-hard-to.html

Seattle Washington

Landed! It feels great to be home. It has been a spectacular sunny weekend and the air is crisp refreshingly cold temp, I love it. I start back at Cascade Designs on Oct 6th as Senior Soft-Goods Designer. I'm fired up and feeling ready to kick ass. The moving van arrives at our temporary home on Queen Anne Hill tomorrow. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Anne,_Seattle,_Washington With gear in hand it will be good to get back to the Mountains, and just in time for winter.

P90X

Yes, I fell for the infomercial on TV and purchased the P90X workout video set. It was awesome. I must say I follow it about 80% and at day 90 I was in great shape and looked awesome. I'm planning to do it again and aim higher. It has been tough lately with a new born, travel, changing jobs, and moving. I dropped 25 lbs and felt great. It was so helpful to just plug in the DVD to my computer and work out for an hour. To have access to a personal trainer at home. Totally awesome. Thanks Tony. http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/best_sellers/p90x.do

ASTM Officer Training

ASTM Officer Training in Conshohocken Pennsylvania was good. New building that felt like it was built to correct specifications. The staff was organized and the presentations and discussions were very helpful. I’m excited to gather info and get a hand full of standards for Tents, Backpacks and Sleeping bags in the works. I also understand a little bit more about the business of standards and the potential hurdles. But as a volunteer, ASTM makes it very easy to make progress and they are organized and structured to be extremely helpful. I attended several classes on Group Strategic Planning, Officer Duties, Online, Government, and Creating Standards. One key item for running meetings, always remember Roberts Rules. http://www.robertsrules.org/ How to run a fair productive meeting in a group setting.

http://www.astm.org/
“ASTM International, originally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), was formed over a century ago, when a forward-thinking group of engineers and scientists got together to address frequent rail breaks in the burgeoning railroad industry. Their work led to standardization on the steel used in rail construction, ultimately improving railroad safety for the public. As the century progressed and new industrial, governmental and environmental developments created new standardization requirements, ASTM answered the call with consensus standards that have made products and services safer, better and more cost-effective. The proud tradition and forward vision that started in 1898 is still the hallmark of ASTM International.”

August 31, 2008

We had to put Otis to sleep. It put to question my beliefs in the treatment of all beings and the afterlife. He was the best dog I'd ever known, and certainly qualified as one of my best friends. What did I learn? Let your excitement show every time you greet your friends, always take time to exercise everyday, take your vitamins, bark when strangers come knocking at the door, be kind to all children and animals, snuggle & snarf, naps are good, don't flinch at the aggressive dogs, draw the line, just make sure your quicker, pay attention when women are talking, singing or playing an instrument, and always save room for and follow up a meal with a treat.

I also realized a fault of my own and a valuable lesson about people through watching Otis communicate. Too many words can cause people to stop listening. Few words, concise statements or often times no words and people will figure it out on there own. There is less value in being a "know it all" and more in letting or helping people figure it out on their own. Otis would stare at you until you figured out what he wanted. Granted it was usually 1 of his 6 usual needs, it always made me feel smart and in tune with him when I figured it out without a hint or clue. Separating yourself from the communication to get or give the information can sometimes be difficult.

Thank you Otis.

OIA - Eco Working Group

It was a good meeting at the Summer OR show in Salt Lake City for the Eco working group, they gave a comprehensive presentation from a quality representation of outdoor companies and retailers.
http://oia-eco.org/ Password needed (visitor, visitor).
They spoke of their three pronged process approach; Metrics, Action & Buzz (you can't have any without the other or you have just a science project, misdirected zeal or green washing.
http://www.zerowaste.org/
They started by creating a framework to define the metrics and Eco buckets of concern and focus. The areas of focus will be design, materials, toxic, waste, packaging.
http://www.sustainablepackaging.org/

Sleeves vs Clips

The classic question, "What is better, tents with sleeves or tents with clips?" But today the question should include inflated air beams, or tent poles inside the single wall tent, or the straight pole like the pyramid style tents. For me it would depend on what I wanted or expected from the tent design. Sleeves can be stronger & warmer (better for winter), clips can be lighter & more vented (better for summer). What is easier could be debated either way, what is faster depends on design, and the big trend (other than lighter) is what design provides more "livability"? The Moss tents in the image are Moss DST tents, smaller versions of the Moss Stardome 2 tents. Tight bends on the poles can make for a difficult set up with sleeves, but extremely strong in winter conditions.

Southern Praying Mantis

Another chapter of studing Kung Fu is not necessarily ending, but I am certainly turning the page. http://www.spmkungfu.com/ I'm leaving Venture and going back to Seattle. I will continue to practice the SPM form, but might find it difficult to find an instructor of this style in Seattle. I will work towards going to the Texas training in Nov 2009. I will also look to deepen my understanding of Wing Chun. http://www.newkungfu.com/ Perhaps even looking to learn a few classic Wing Chun forms to practice. So what are some key things I learned inside the Level 1 SPM forms this last year?

• Strong base (horse stance, right lead).
• Coiling the spring for the recoil.
• Basket the body, relax the chest, connect the legs.
• Top, bottom, left, right, push, pull at the same time.
• Leverage entire body for power & speed.
• Short range contact, shots, & controlling movements

I will keep practicing, this is only the beginning, thank you Sifu.

Wing and a Tent

A wing and tent can provide the greatest range of comfort from the elements. This is the Moss Hepta Wing and the MSR Hubba.

Shelter from the Storm

This picture was a gift from a retail store employee. They were not expecting snow, but weathered it well in the MSR Missing Link.

Can't Miss It

Just in case you couldn't see the sign?

I Like Snews

SNEWS is the outdoor industry source for the latest info. This is the first time I have seen this new format, and the first time it was delivered to my desk. Use to be Gear Trends. In this issue, I enjoyed every article. Here are my favorite;

True Value – Packs, Tents, and Sleeping Bags – what the customer gets for the money, not just cheaper – Solving price and performance problems through design – Matter of how brand and market philosophies can be solved through design – Osprey Exos – “going light with a pack that has no suspension burns more energy than is gained by saving ounces” [maybe if your caring over 12.5% of your body weight?]

Get the Word Out – Is your marketing message making an impact?
Is it Interesting? – absolutely compelling
Is it the right message, audience and timing? – creating energy, thought & emotion
Is it Visual? – stories through use of your hands, iconography, great video and photos
Does it contain a compelling story? – great beginning, an arc, and great ending (for a short attention span)
Is it emotional? – to touch and inspire
Is it simple? – Boil it down, metaphor, simple, compelling, impact, sharpened
Does it come from the heart? – real and truthful, humility, and never arrogance
Did you rehearse it again and again? – know the difficult questions
Does it all add up? – Product and package is product – “Blink”
Are you relaxed? – Confidence

Home

I love the simplicity of the pyramid teepee style tents. This is the Moss Super Fly 4 (only fits 2 people). I enjoy the idea of living in a mobile structure in order to travel further distances. The idea these days is the lighter your load the further you can go and the more you can see.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teepee
http://www.paabo.ca/uirala/Farfarers.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nomad
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemianism

Clean Control

In Asia the custom is to leave your shoes at the door, and use slippers in the house. Makes sense if you think of the lack of cleanliness of the street, versus your home. At the sewing operations in the more rural communities they also practice this tradition. It also makes controlling the sewing machine easier, kind of like a race car driver using thinner shoes for better control. Try taking your shoes off when using the sewing machine. Its easier to control the details.

Riding the $#!+ Train

The honey bucket was hauled to the lunch counter on Mt. Adam on a sled with the rest of the group gear. And the Walrus sun shade was used for privacy. When the trip was over and it was time to descend Ryan and I rode the sled and the contents of the bucket roughly 2,000 ft. I couldn't stop laughing. No more guiding for me. Good example of taking a crappy situation and making fun.
http://www.lnt.org/ Leave no Trace
http://www.chopstork.com/blog/2006/08/27/my-first-backpacking-trip/

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6993

http://www.ehow.com/how_2179463_poop-woods.html

http://www.fp.stlcc.cc.mo.us/jangert/HowToShitInTheWoods.html

http://www.kathleeninthewoods.com/sitwsynopsis.htm

The Bad in Technical Materials

The basic issue is knowing the content of the material itself in regards to harmful chemicals and what possible effects these chemicals have on humans and the planet. What’s harder to know and find out, is the environmental harm being done in the process of making the materials as well as what is done with the waist created by producing it, where it goes, and the consumption of water in the process. What are some solutions? Start with identifying what is obviously bad for the environment and what should be eliminated. Then push for solutions that are less harmful. For example, if DWR's are bad for us, consider potential mechanical process or modifications to fabrics to provide a better solution for waterproof breathable materials. Don't believe for a minute that because everyone else is doing it or that if no one else has done it that it can't be done. This is an excuse that is heard way too often, especially from those who just don't know or haven't ever experienced innovation though need or exploration. Most technologies are already available; they just haven't been put together or haven't been simply asked to be put together. Here are some of the top concerns with current materials being used.

PVC is bad for you!!!! http://www.chej.org/BESAFE/pvc/ PFOA (DWR) could be bad, its in your blood????http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/pfoa/pubs/pfoainfo.htm#concerns Fluorocarbon Chemicals?? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorocarbon We can all dig deeper, and an independent company digging deeper is Blue Sign. http://www.bluesign.com/index.php?id=129&L=0 Talk more blogs. http://www.thecleanestline.com/innovative_design/index.html
Here is one designers resolve; http://www.goodmagazine.com/section/Portraits/designs_on_the_future

"Roll Camera, Action!"

Most leaders in the industry or sport aren't always easy to see, or notice. They are often behind the scenes. Talk is often cheap, actions speak louder than words, and the real leadership happens, behind the camera, in the classroom, the writing of a book, at the council meetings or in the field. These leaders speaking to a higher expectation and awareness for themselves and others. "If you could see what I have seen with your eyes" http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=burnsmike

Who are you?

The choice engagement gift. Promotional yet personalized. Thanks for the wine, wait, is it the same bottle as the fat bastard next to it? What are you trying to say? Well so many things can help you tell or remind people of who you are, why not a bottle of wine. Yum. http://www.builtcorp.com/design.htm not http://www.builtny.com/showPage.php?pageID=1598

Cultural Safety

Culture shock is alive and doing well, in our ever growing global population. I have experienced it, studied it, and found humor in it. But I constantly need to remind myself to respect other cultures, even when it is in our own country, state, town, office. In fact each one of us has our own belief system, and without respect or an ability to let go of our expectations, shock can happen. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_shock What is Cultural safety? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_safety

Box of Cubicals

You can't get much more straight forward then "Smoking Kills!" Or the fact that its a box. But if you look at the setting the box is in it might not be so obvious the relationship of office cubicals and wether or not it kills creativity or increases productivity. The first issue is the lighting, it can be deadly. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visible_spectrum & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorescent_lamp Then you might ask yourself what is a cubical for, preventing distraction, organizing productivity or focusing inspiration? Is it a jail cell or thought lab? From an owners point of view you and your thoughts belong to them, but you can't always guaruntee it with a non compete of intellectual property. http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/law_review/index.html I have lived in both worlds, the cubical and the open forum. But the only conclusion I have come to is that it takes more than a floor plan to make a place productive and innovative. It takes culture and the right people or training. My favorite book is the Art of Innovation By Tom Kelly http://www.ideo.com/media/.

Sleeping Bags

We have many reference standards on how to measure sleeping bags for specifications. http://www.outdoorindustry.org/research.industry.php?action=detail&research_id=35
We also have a customer information brochure that needs to be updated, please comment.
http://www.outdoorindustry.org/pdf/ASTMSleepingBagTrifold.pdf
What are the finer details of how to accurately specify a sleeping bag and accurately report the temperature rating? Its all here in the standards.

Condensation

Whats worse, having a tent that leaks or getting wet from condensation? Well I'd rather not have either. Most customers don't know the difference. How is it wet under my tent fly or under the tarp? Moisture in the air is the number one culprit along with the temperature difference between the two sides of the material. The dew point http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dew_point or morning mist can cause the largest moisture build up on the underside of a waterproof fabric. The other is from the ground. Your uncovered vestibule is a great place to consider extending your foot print to stop ground moisture from causing condensation in your tent. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condensation

Wind Tunnel

MSR Wind 2 tent held to approximately 106 MPH. The question remains in my mind the accuracy of the recorded wind speed. I could use a simple explanation of the fluidity equations of the wind tunnel especially when it has to do with testing large objects like tents. I've been told the area of the wind tunnel, minus the displaced volume of the tent equates differently then the wind speed and how it is recorded?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernoulli%27s_equation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsonic_and_transonic_wind_tunnel
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/mass.html

What is the fastest tent in the wind tunnel? The North Face Spectrum 23 at just over 130 MPH.
http://www.thenorthface.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=10384&storeId=201&catalogId=10201&langId=-1&from=subCat&parent_category_rn=11750 The design and engineering came from Korea; http://www.mypole.com/ Quite an accomplishment.

House of Wisdom

Doors, doorways and entrances have always been of interest to me. They can be all telling about where you are going and what it might be like when you get there. I once lived near a large grocery store, that continued to change ownership. It had two entrances and one of them was backwards. Enter left, exit left. I watched people embarrass themselves with the automatic doors that would swing open. I myself even had a near miss. Small details can tell people allot about your business and effect their judgement about your services.
I took this picture at the Jokhang temple in Tibet, now off limits. When the temple was built it was called Tsulag Khang the House of Wisdom, but then it was later changed to Jokhang, House of the Lord. I prefer Wisdom.
What is Buddism? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist
Where did it start?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_temples_in_Japan
Where was the first temple in Tibet?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jokhang
"Save Tibet" What is going on today?http://www.savetibet.org/news/newsitem.php?id=1255

Zen Bivy

Has it all been done before? Say it isn't so? Intense market and product research can pay off in regards to new designs. The essences of the research is to figure out the next move, and possibly provide a product that is better. But, often times you find you are going down a similar path that others before you have already gone. One current trend and example of this is ultralight trekking, trail running, ect. This design includes trekking poles for tarp shelter, clip in mesh body, optional doors, ultralight fabrics. This was Enlightened Gear's (or Zen Bivy) debut at the OR Show in the Summer of 06. Seen here is the MalconTent. The tent also resembles the Hilleberg Muddus Tent. http://www.moontrail.com/hilleberg-muddus.php http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muddus I spoke with Bo Hilleberg about this design and he says its an older Swedish Military tent he designed, probably 20 years ago. Has it all been done before? Can there be something new? You must open your eyes and believe you are on the way to the next big thing, or there is no chance of ever bringing something new to the market.

Weight & Torso Length

What is missing when you fit a pack on the sales floor, or design a pack? Where exactly does the length of your back compare to the measurements of the pack? When does a comfortable fit matter the most? Children are estimated to be vulnerable to back/shoulder problems whenever the weight of the pack exceeds 12.5% of their body weight. I would agree that the average adult would have this issue as well. So, once the weight you carry exceeds 12.5% of your body weight, you should consider a waist belt that allows for the transfer of weight from the shoulders to the hips. And, at this point torso length and pack height become very important. As well as potential variables in wearing the pack; above the hips, on the hip bone, or below the hip bone (1,2,3 inch variances). Here is how a few different pack designers/retailers/manufacturers figure the fit of their pack designs.
http://www.mchalepacks.com/packs/detail/measure.htm Torso length or back length, measured from the 7th cervical (bump on back of neck) to the Pelvis. The point at which you measure the the pelvis is important. The iliac crest can vary 2" depending on where you measure it, and certainly how you wear your pack can effect your fit. Measure to the floor on from both points and subtract the two for best accuracy.
http://mysteryranch.com/packs/sizing.php Yoke and Waist belt sizes. All Packs come with adjustable yoke instead of back length.
http://www.cilogear.com/fitandsizing.html .....Small fits from 14.5 to 17.5 inches Medium fits from 17 to 19 inches Large fits from 19 to 22 inches .... Small / Medium fits from 14 to 17 inches Medium / Large fits from 17 to 21 inches
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/backpacks+adjusting+fit.html Extra Small: Fits torsos up to 15-1/2", Small: Fits torsos 16" to 17-1/2", Medium/Regular: Fits torsos 18" to 19-1/2", Large/Tall: Fits torsos 20" and up
http://www.gregorypacks.com/us/index.php/Gregory/Pack-Fit/packfit.html http://www.gregorypacks.com/us/files/fit_guide.pdf X small 14" - 16", Small 16" - 18", Medium 18"- 20", Large 20" - 22"
http://www.ospreypacks.com/PackTech/SizingandFitting/ X small 16", Small is 16" - 18.5", Medium 18" - 20.5", Large 20" - 22.5", X large 22"
http://www.arcteryx.com/pack-fit-guide.aspx http://www.arcteryx.com/pdf/S08-Sizing-Charts_Packs.pdf Larger Volume Packs are 4 inches per size; Small 16" - 19", Medium 18" to 21" and Large 20" to 23"..... Smaller Volume Packs Regular 16" to 20", Tall 19" to 23"..... Women's Specific, Small is 14" to 17", Medium is 16" to 19" and Large is 18" to 21". Larger ranges per size are most likely due to adjustable harnesses & designs.
http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?rnav=info&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302881817&CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673221183&bmUID=1214824380415
Short (16" to 19") 41-49 cm, Standard (18" to 20") 46-53 cm, Long (20" to 23") 51-59 cm
http://www.thenorthface.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10051&storeId=201&productId=29011&langId=-1

Stake in the Ground

My boss once said "When are we going to see a hovering tent?", I said "hovering is not the problem, its keeping it up once you get there." So we imagined using highly magnetized tent poles that worked off the earths magnetic field. But never took it beyond theory. A whole new meaning to staking & pitching your tent. The image above is two tents thrown into the air, only to "hover" momentarily before returning to the ground. Great fun for pole & structure testing. [Warning; tent throwing is not recommended or warrantied due to potential cause of product failure.]

My First

On my first guiding trip my client asked me to carry her skies mid-ascent. She pleaded "the route is too steep for hiking with skies", but she didn't mind the angle once we got to the top. She put her skies on and was down the same slope with no hesitation. I think my hat said sucker on it. My first pack was a "hand me down". I called it my Mountainsmith sofa pack. The thought was probably the more padding the better. http://www.mountainsmith.com/ It lasted a long time. Eventually the smell of my sweat in the open cell foam and the PU coating made it hard to take. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foam

The Night Shift

When used with a Wing http://www.msrgear.com/tents/parawing.asp, I found a 4 season tent body to be an excellent combination for extremely hot weather and/or rainy conditons. The design of the inner body works well without the fly to provide privacy and protection from night mist or condensation. The Wing, instead of the fly, allows for more air flow, view, and protected rain or shade area around the outside of the tent.

One night in China. http://www.camptec.com/eservice.htm

Fast & Light

My last fast & light trip was a while ago. 5 days between Stevens to Snoqualmie on the PCT. We moved a comfortable 20 miles a day. Not too fast. Our packs weighed about 24 pounds each, including water and food. I'm hoping for a packed weight of about 15 lbs next time. Our tarp was fairly big and the design eventually evolved into the MSR Twin Peaks, becoming much smaller and lighter. The proto could have slept 3 or more, but its nice to have the space when it rains, or to keep the condensation down. You can now find a design like this earlier size at Golite http://www.golite.com/Product/ProductByCategory.aspx?mc=6&s=1. Or of course there was always the the original Mega Mid from Black Diamond http://www.bdel.com/gear/tents_overview.php

Assortment

I stole this photo opportunity at a trade show in Germany because I loved the simplicity of the line presentation. 11 packs, covering different sizes and style and in the same color. The designer I work with would say, "way too linear". I would argue that this line makes a clear simple statement and cuts like a knife through the competition in regards to brand recognition and product focus. Although, as a potential customer I would love to walk this display and read about each product. Solomon http://www.salomonsports.com/us/#

Livability

What is the essence of a products purpose. It might be obvious, it might not. But giving it a name can give it both meaning for the customer and give direction to the designer. Pick one term or word and draw a direct connection between the meaning and the touch points of the product. I was first introduced to the concept of livability in tents in 2002, working for MSR. http://www.msrgear.com/tents/fastandlight.asp So where do you start? Target activity, customer study, market research and product briefs can be great ingredient for what goes into the design and help you determine what will actually go into the tent. Literally starting with what the product will be used for; how many people, sleeping, weather protection, storage, cooking. How do we as users interact with every aspect of the product. Livability to me was a pure functional relationship with the product. Again, literally if the product touches at my impatience in the least, it has failed livability. In essence I can not live with this product, let alone live in it. But don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for "Glamping". http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2007-03-06-glamorous-camping_N.htm Nothing wrong with true luxury camping in the outdoors. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tent

10 Years American Boxer

Otis is the best dog I've ever had. Boxers are classified as working dogs, but I haven't seen a pay check yet. http://www.akc.org/breeds/boxer/index.cfm He's intimidating, and can make the paranoid delivery person very nervous. But you can't beat the greeting he gives every time we walk through the front door. His whole body tells you how happy he is to see you. His tail was clipped when he was young (old custom, not requested) so he has a nubin that wiggles and spins with every happy thought. He runs like a sports car, quick short burst, and tears up the beach like its a short race track. At 5 years he had a kidney removed for cancer. Last month he made a trip to the emergency room http://www.vmsg.com/. He had a heart rate of 280 and was having seizures. They were good at calming him down, but he needed to go to a cardiologist in LA the next morning to get fully diagnosed. http://www.advancedveterinarycarecenter.com/ So, Otis has cardio myopathy, arrhythmia, and a large tumor on the aorta, as well as insulin-noma. Sotalol will regulate the heart from spiking and more frequent meals of protein. He now eats better then most people. But no walks and no more trips to the beach.

Welcome to Planet Earth - March 16, 2008

I would have never known how much I didn't know until after I had made the journey. But, I would have done it anyway had I known. I think we'll have a Dula next time. No man can know enough to make a medial difference in the delivery room, unless they were a doctor themselves. When you need to hand over the responsibility in the delivery room to the professionals and you sense the lack of attention to your wife, a Dula is the only true medial representative you might be able to trust to speak up for your needs. I felt the measurement of the dilation was most likely inaccurate, she was told to push too soon, and the medical group in the room was not all on the same page. In the end all went well in the delivery and I'm convinced we had the best hospital, doctors, and birth preparation classes Ventura had to offer. http://www.vchca.org/mc/ Once we were through the actual birth, we needed to be concerned with the pediatrics recommended immunization schedule. http://www.cispimmunize.org/IZSchedule_Childhood.pdf Too many shot given at the same time, has been the growing fear expressed in the media. Our doctor has allow us to use an alternative schedule so we are spreading out the many shots required. We are using a Doctor Sears schedule http://www.askdrsears.com/ I fear our own self destructive behaviors involving the environment. Especially the chemicals we find increasingly more common in our own bodies and the effects they have on our children's ability to be healthy.

Process of Learning

I recently asked a coworker if he was a fan of Bruce Lee, in reference to a post card he had at his desk. He replied “isn’t everyone”? Ask a loaded question, get a general answer. I’d rather be considered a student then a fan, but then what is the difference? I think fans generally tend to keep their distance, and admire from a far. The students of life tends to participate, develop and learn.
Bruce spent his early years studying all types of martial arts and eventually designed his own style, or training methods. Bruce speaks often about how he learned and got to the point at which he developed his own training methods. He saw cultivation of skills as a process starting with; instinct alone without knowing (1. ignorance). Then you would train and learn and develop the knowledge of fighting (2. cultivated ignorance). And later as maturity sets in we act on an unconscious level (3. artlessness). This was written in one of Bruce’s books “The Tao of Gung Fu”. My instructor of Wing Chung Kung Fu spoke of the 4 stages of learning: 1. unknown incompetence, 2. known incompetence, 3. unknown competence, 4. known competence. Sijo John Beall http://www.newkungfu.com/

Southern Praying Mantis

I just spent most of 2007 considering the martial arts options around Ventura in order to find another discipline that could build or deepen my understanding of Kung Fu. One day in September I was doing a repair on my Moss Tent when a large bug flew by my head; it turned out to be a Praying Mantis. Since we are living in Southern California I figured I could consider it a Southern Praying Mantis? It inspired me to look for Southern Praying Mantis Martial Arts Training http://www.ckfa.com/ near my house. It’s now been two weeks of training with my new Sifu (instructor). This style is more rooted in forms than my previous training. We practice moves in a routine that looks very similar to the way a Praying Mantis might fight another insect. Many similarities to the roots where Wing Chun originated, both styles come from a foundation of Chinese Kung Fu. Designed for close range and fast handed moves. Video of Southern Praying Matis Federation Founder Henry Poo Yee http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4I5IvLK0Xk&NR=1 , Bruce Lee and the one inch pounch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx9iPFMriz0 , and Wing Chun Chi Sao http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaP1X-lEtgc .

Two Tree Hill

Ventura is a medium sized beach town about 1.5 hours west of LA and 40 minutes south of Santa Barbara. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventura,_California The town is sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean to the South and the Ventura Hills to the North. Only a few trees exist above the homes and we live at the bottom of what is called Two Tree Hill. Here is a link to a brief the history of the two Eucalyptus trees. http://www.venturatoday.net/fivetrees.html. The hills are privately owned, and word has it he would love to sell to developers. I’m pretty sure the town would rather protect it, and turn it into a park. Here is a link to the dedicated non-profit organization trying to save the hillside above Ventura, http://www.venturahillsides.org/board.shtml . My opinion, this town needs investors to build a hand full of high end condos and shops around Seaward and Main St. Increase the density, help local business and reduce the urban sprawl mentality.