New @ CC -- YouTube Video Reviews!

Want to learn more about the gear we offer, see it in action, and get reviews done by the beautiful people of CCOutdoorStore.com?

If the answer is yes, then head on over to the newest addition of the CCOutdoorStore.com experience -- our YouTube page.



Perhaps you've seen links to our videos on our Facebook page ("Like" us!!). We will be releasing new editions whenever we can and are very welcome to requests!

If you would like to do so, comment a request below, or comment right on our YouTube videos!!

Also, feel free to submit your own reviews to us! We love to see customers utilizing our/their fabulous gear :-)

Thanks and don't forget to subscribe to us on YouTube for reviews of all sorts.

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-FnDYrG-egWi0E9a-DX5ew

Happy Trails

Race to the Top of Vermont -- August 25th -- Stowe, Vt

Triangulated between three of the four highest mountains in Vermont, CCOutdoorStore.com is truly in the heart of the Green Mountains. The tallest of Vermont's peaks, Mount Mansfield, towers over our community at a height of 4393' (1339 meters). In just over a month's time, a race will be held to determine the gutsiest lady and gentleman in the area, the 6th annual Race to the Top of Vermont.

On August 25th, 800 contestants will push their will-powered drive trains up the historic Toll Road. With an elevation gain of 2564' in just 4.3 miles, this is one of the most challenging races in the northeast.

Contestants may hike, run, walk or bike. This is a family event, and there's even a 1k and 3k Mini Hill Climb for children ages 4-14. Following the races will be awards, prize giveaways, raffles, live music and a barbeque.

IF I were to subject myself to such an extreme physical and mental test as the RTTTOVT, the only pair of shoes I would consider wearing would be the Treksta Evolution GTX Trail Runner, with its lightweight but supportive build and NestFIT technology. Check them out here.

For all information, including registration details, visit www.RTTTOVT.com

GMC Project Update: Winooski Footbridge Along the Long Trail

Vermont's footpath through the wilderness, a.k.a. The Long Trail, is one of the state's most magnificent treasures. The LT, which runs 275 miles from Massachusetts to Canada through the highest Green Mountains in the state, happens to go right by our store. Between the trail and us, however, flows the Winooski River. It was the Green Mountain Club's initiative to protect and bolster the beauty of the trail by constructing a footbridge across the Winooski River, doing away with the old three miles of roadway and autobridge.

Check out the GMC's video update of the project which includes an interview with major project benefactor Daan Zwick -- a GMC caretaker from 1938-1941!

When the project is completed (shooting for June 2014), it is going to foster a much more natural transition between Camel's Hump and Mount Mansfield. The GMC would greatly appreciate supportive donations to the project, which can be made online: here.

If Summer 2014 is void of plans, why not schedule a visit to Vermont? Do some hiking and camping, take the factory tour at Ben & Jerry's, try the globally acclaimed Heady Topper by Alchemist Brewing, ride the Alpine Slide at Spruce Mountain; there's so much to do here in the heart of the Green Mountains.

But of course, while you're here, come see us at CC!

Rab, Integral Designs and Grand Trunk: The Lightest Sleep Systems Out There

Most people can agree that less weight in a backpack correlates with a more enjoyable hiking experience. Whether your 16 or 60, a clunky backpack takes its toll after miles on the trail. If you're looking to cut weight from your pack, check out the lightest sleep systems available: hammocks, bivys and tarps.

For soloists, a bivy can provide ample shelter. Waterproof and breatheable, Rab and Integral Designs' bivys are designed to protect campers from the elements while cutting extraneous pounds and ounces.

Shelters can also be made from Rab and Integral Designs' superlight tarps. String, stake and stay dry from dew, with nothing between oneself and Mother Earth but an extremely durable and protective engineered fabric.



Or for the sleep system that a multitude of my buddies employ, string a Grand Trunk Nano 7 Ultralight Hammock with a Rab Siltarp2 for a fly and dream the night away. I joke when my friends "cocoon" themselves in their as they fall asleep that I'll see them when they're butterflies. One of my buddies also just purchased a Therm-A-Rest NeoAir All Season Sleeping Pad, which he puts right in the hammock, and calls the system his floating bedroom.

So if you've got a backpack that feels less pleasing on your back, consider cutting weight by means of substitution, and enter the world of ultralight, with Rab and Integral Designs Tarps and Bivys, and Grand Trunk Hammocks.

Nemo Helio in Vermont Sports Magazine

At CCOutdoorStore.com, we're big fans of Vermont Sports Magazine. They always write about fun and exciting activities that happen around the area, include interesting interviews, and publish my favorite section -- "Gear and Beer."  This month the Nemo Helio Pressure Shower was writer Josh Gleiner's gear pick.  Check out his review here.



The Nemo Helio is one of the most versatile products we have in the store. A couple uses Josh didn't touch upon: washing Bowser (as seen above), doing the dishes, and extinguishing a campfire -- just to name a few; the list really goes on and on.



Nowadays it's tough to buy an outdoor product with only one purpose. That makes it easy to see that the Nemo Helio is a multi-purpose item, surely to get plenty of usage.

Stop by and check out Nemo's innovative Tents and Sleeping Bags and Sleeping Pads, and, while you're here, pick up a copy of Vermont Sports Magazine!

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

The April showers I was okay with. May and June's I tried to brush off, but now we're in July, and it seems to rain everyday. Yes, we are in a state of lustrous Green Mountain beauty, but the saturated ground is slowing to absorb excess water; trails are muddy; roads are being damaged ubiquitously. How much more can we take?

Vermont Department of Transportation and the 511 Travel Info Hotline have put together a live map that details road closures of which they're aware. It can be accessed here.

http://vtransmaps.vermont.gov/VTrans511/511live.htm

If you hear thunder on the trail, immediately head away from mountain peaks and for shelter. On Hunger Mountain last week, I was hiking with a friend -- ignoring the thunder -- and then lightning struck right next to us. We were lucky to not have been struck, and we learned a valuable lesson -- show much respect to the forces of nature.

I heard that a few days ago two and three quarters inches of rain fell in a period of just two hours. That's ridiculous.

Maybe the best thing to come out of all of this rain: 

some really pretty rainbows.   

:-)

Anyways, be safe, plan ahead and see you at CC.