"Into the Mind" - An Upcoming Film From The North Face

Later this fall, The North Face and Sherpas Cinema will debut their upcoming film "Into The Mind," which looks to be a simultaneous exposé on the factors that drive us into the mountains in search of adventure and the cultures that call those mountains home.

Resolving to explore as much of the philosophical as the aesthetic, the film's website ventures the questions: "What drives us to overcome challenge? How do we justify risk? What forces are at the core of a mountain addiction?"

The footage in the trailer is truly spectacular, showing a mix of pristine mountain environs, a slew of The North Face's athletes in action, and the mystique of Himalayan life. Per the website, "Unique athlete segments over a multitude of mountain sport genres, depict the connectivity of Earth and window into never seen before moments."

There are a lot of big-name sponsors attached to the film in addition to The North Face, including GoPro, Recco, Black Diamond, Arc'teryx, and Mammut, so there's no doubt that "Into The Mind" will be an experience worth waiting for.

MSR Reactor Stove Grabs Top Award At 2013 ISPO - Video

MSR's award winning Reactor 1.0L Stove System

MSR's Reactor 1.0L Reactor Stove System grabbed top honors in the "stove" category at the 2013 ISPO sporting-goods trade show held in Munich in January of this year. The recently introduced Reactor 1.0L system is specifically geared toward soloists who put a premium on a "fast-and-light" style of hiking and mountaineering.

While the Reactor 1.0L Stove System is new to the market, Mountain Safety Research (MSR) is well known and respected among guides and outdoor adventurers. According to a review by Alpinist magazine, "MSR has long made the stoves favored by guides... MSR's Reactor is by far the best. In my experience, the Reactor reduces my fuel needs by 50 percent." Another review, by Outdoor Gear Lab, calls the Reactor, "the fastest, easiest to use, and most storm-proof camping stove we tested."

The following video is from Outdoor Gear Lab's review of the Reactor Stove:

MSR's Reactor Stove Systems includes the new, IPSO award-winning 1.0L system, a 1.7L system, and a 2.5L system, all of which are highly praised. Benefits that MSR claims of their Reactor Stoves include:

• Unrivaled Boil Time: Outperforms the competition in head-to-head lab tests—boiling .5 liter of water in just 1.5 minutes—with an even greater advantage out in the real world.
• Unmatched Wind Protection: Heat exchanger completely encloses radiant burner head, virtually eliminating the effects of wind to maintain outstanding boil times and save fuel.
• Maximum Efficiency: Patent-pending radiant burner, heat exchanger and internal pressure regulator produce best-in-class, fuel-sipping efficiency in all conditions.

For full reviews of MSR's Reactor Stoves, check the following:

Alpinist - MSR Reactor Stove: Powerfully Efficient

Outdoor Gear Lab - Hands-on Gear Review: MSR Reactor Review

Great Smoky Mountains National Park To Charge For Backcountry Camping

A measure to introduce a fee for backcountry camping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which was adopted last year, goes into effect 2 days from now, on February 13th. The National Park Service has said that fees collected will allow for more staff and longer hours in the Backcountry Office, in order to provide more trip planning assistance for potential visitors.

The system for obtaining permits is still being finalized and the latest information can be found at the Great Smoky Mountains Backcountry Camping website, but the word so far is that it will be $4 per person per night to camp in the backcountry and that an online reservation system is in the works.

Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance, so be sure familiarize yourself with the new system in advance and nab your reservations before someone beats you to it!

Black Diamond to Join Technical Clothing Market

One of Black Diamond's new technical apparel offerings

Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd, respected manufacturer of climbing, ski, and mountain sport equipment, has just announced that they will soon be re-introducing technical apparel to their offerings.

Always putting excellence into their products, Black Diamond's upcoming return to apparel has been two years in development after a 10 year absence from producing technical clothing. Loyal Black Diamond fans and outdoorsmen/women alike are sure to keep their eyes peeled for BD's first line to hit shelves later this fall.

Outside Online broke the news just over a week ago and did a full interview with Tim Bantle, head of Black Diamond's clothing team.

Read the full interview here - Exclusive: Black Diamond Announces New Technical Apparel, then let us know what you think: what strengths will Black Diamond bring to the tech clothing arena?

Polartec's New "Alpha" Synthetic Insulation

Polartec, in response to requests from US Army Special Operations Forces (SOF), has created a new, highly breathable synthetic insulation fabric called "Alpha." The need for a synthetic insulation that would maintain the benefits insulated garments provide, without the so-called "vapor barrier" created by the tightly woven exterior fabrics used to encase high loft insulators, led to the emergence Alpha. 

The value of breathable fabrics during rigorous activity is that they allow for a cooling airflow to balance increased body heat and sweat output that occurs during activity, while maintaining wind and moisture protection. According to the company, "Polartec Alpha provides active warmth that allows air exchange for breathability and comfort in more dynamic situations."

A number of well-known outfitters have already adopted Alpha, including Eddie Bauer, Marmot, Montane, Rab, and The North Face.

Read more: Polartec Introduces Polartec Alpha and Redefines Synthetic Insulation

Arc'teryx's New "Face Fabric"

Arc'teryx has just announced the release of a new exterior fabric material, developed in partnership with Gore & Associates, called "N80p-X."

While the name might sound a bit pretentious, if not overly technical, a partnership between W.L. Gore and Arc'teryx is certain to have resulted in a top quality product. One of the touted benefits of this new "face fabric" is a stronger complimentary relationship between Arc'teryx's exterior fabric and Gore's waterproof membrane. Some of N80p-X's other proposed benefits include:

• Increased durability and abrasion resistance,
• Enduring smooth face and water shedding ability,
• Longer breathability and reduced heat loss that normally result from wear and tear.

To read more from Arc'teryx about their new fabric: N80P-X Exterior Fabric - The Science of High Performance