Osprey Packs, Inc., an independent pack company located in the high desert and mountains of Southwestern Colorado, proudly announces the promotion of Pam Hurley to program pack and pro deal manager.

“Osprey is very excited to make a larger commitment to packs and gear specifically designed for outdoor programs,” said Tom Barney, Osprey’s CEO. “Pam has a terrific background, energy, and commitment to ensure our program packs bring Osprey technology and fit to these important outdoor users.”

In her new role, Hurley will supervise Osprey’s program pack introductions, working closely with the Osprey management team to research program pack opportunities and coordinate the design and production requirements for this new pack series. Additionally, she will lead program sales efforts and execute marketing strategies. In her role as pro deal manager Hurley will be responsible for reviewing and updating the pro deal procedures, and overseeing the daily operations of the pro deal program.

Hurley spent the past two years as a valued member of the Osprey Customer Service Team. Prior to joining Osprey, she worked for a number of outdoor education programs, including Prescott College, Chadwick School, Athenian School, Women’s Wilderness Institute, and Crossroads School. She graduated from Prescott College with a B.A. in Adventure Education.

About Osprey Packs - From its humble beginnings building custom backpacks and sleeping bags in Santa Cruz California, to its current recognition as an industry leader, Osprey has always flown its own course. Their mission is to create innovative high performance gear that reflects a love of adventure and a devotion to the outdoors and the environment. Osprey defines success when it meets the demanding expectation of its most discerning customers. Based in Cortez, Colorado, Osprey has over thirty-two years of pack-making experience. For more information visit Osprey.com.

Since it just snowed at my house, I figure it must be time to start talking about winter backpacks for skiing and snowboarding. And if we’re going to talk winter packs, the conversation has to start with the Dakine Heli Pro.

The Heli-Pro from Dakine was one of the original daypacks designed specifcally for skiers and snowboarders. Over the years it has been refined but it still maintains its core values of skiing and snowboarding. First and foremost, you can carry your skis diagonally or your snowboard either vertically or horizontally. The main compartment has plenty of room for extra layers and some lunch, while the larger outer pocket is a perfect place for your shovel blade. The upper outer pocket is fleeced lined for holding your goggles or other valuables. And the pocket on the hipbelt is also fleece lined and is a perfect spot to stash your digital camera. There are dual compression straps to keep your gear stable and an ice axe loop for your shovel handle, or as you may have guessed, an ice axe.

The Heli-Pro comes in 3 different models: Men’s, Women’s and H2O and 2 sizes: 1000 cubic inches (2 lbs 13 oz) or 1200 cubic inches (3 lbs). The women’s pack uses a contoured harness designed specifically to fit a ladies’s frame. The H20 pack comes with a hydration bladder. Quite frankily, I think CamelBak’s bladders are better than Dakine’s, so I would recommend that you buy the base model for 20 bucks less and order a CamelBak Omega Reservoir to put in it. But whatever Heli-Pro pack you choose, you’ll be smiling from the lifts to the backcountry with it on your back.

Dakine has set a Retail Price of $80 for the Heli-Pro Pack, and $100 for the Heli-Pro H20 Pack

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VF Outdoor, Inc., a division of VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC), today announced that it has named Steve Munn President, JanSport – Americas.

Munn most recently served as Vice President of Sales for the Vans brand. Prior to joining Vans in 2002, he served in a series of senior management positions with Reebok and Pepsi.

As President of JanSport – Americas, Munn will have responsibility for growing the JanSport – Americas business, which includes backpacks, luggage and collegiate apparel.

“We are extremely excited about Steve joining the JanSport team,” said Dave Gatto, President – VF Outdoor Americas. “His extraordinary leadership qualities, passion for building great brands and ability to execute on business objectives make him a perfect fit for his new role.”

Munn has extensive experience in brand building, strategic planning and new business development. Under his leadership at Vans, the brand’s footwear and apparel businesses grew substantially in the U.S., as well as Canada and Latin America. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Stanford University.

“As the global leader in backpacks, JanSport has a great track record of delivering innovative backpacks and lifestyle apparel to consumers around the world,” Munn said. “I am thrilled to join such a talented organization and look forward to the continued success of the JanSport brand.”

About JanSport– Founded in 1967 JanSport®, a division of VF Outdoor Inc. is headquartered in San Leandro, Calif., and is a leading manufacturer and global marketer of backpacks, travel bags and accessories. The Company offers products for school, business, travel and all outdoor adventures. JanSport® products are sold in a variety of retail stores throughout the world. To find additional information, log onto jansport.com.

Get a FREE pair of Arcteryx Delta Gloves with the purchase of any Arcteryx product over $99 at Moosejaw. Simply add the Arcteryx Delta Gloves and any Arcteryx backpack or other Arc’Teryx product of $99 or more to your cart and the Arcteryx Delta Gloves will automatically change to $0. That’s a $25 value and a sweet pair of gloves.

Designed for the adventure oriented enthusiast who is unwilling to compromise weight or comfort, the Talon Series from Osprey offers a unique melding of torso adjustability in an active, lightweight pack. There are 4 different sized backpacks in the Talon line. We particularly like the versatile Osprey Talon 33, however you won’t go wrong with any of the Talons.

The Talon 33 will meet the needs of everyone from the expert light and fast backpacker to the hardcore do-it-in-a-day alpinists. To keep you cool on the go, Osprey equipped the Talon 33 with a mesh perforated harness, mesh perforated hipbelt and the AirScape backpanel. The easy top loading and a floating top pocket combined with the hipbelt pockets, ice axe attachment, rope carry, tow loop and stretch woven front and side pockets keep you organized while the hydration sleeve fits even the largest bladders to keep you hydrated while on the go. The talon 33 comes in 2 sizes: S/M: 1900 cubic inches weighing 1 lb 12 oz and M/L: 2000 cubic inches weighing 1 lb 14 oz. Whether you hike slot canyons, spend the night in the forest, or ice climb, the Osprey Talon 33 will get the job done while keeping you fast, light and cool.

Osprey Packs has set a Retail Price of $130 for the Talon 33 Backpack

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Just when you thought the summer sales were over, the guys at Campsaver come to the rescue with their post labor day summer clearance sale. Get up to 50% off backpacks from Marmot, CamelBak, Granite Gear and more. Click the banner below to be taken to the sale.

Osprey Packs has unveiled a new campaign designed to showcase customers’ outdoor experiences.

The contest, called Pack Your Passion. Go., begins August 2007 and runs through March 2008. Winning submissions will be used in Osprey’s 2008 ad campaign and receive a $100 cash prize, and an Osprey organic cotton t-shirt and cap. Successful entries should include the Osprey pack owner/enthusiast, the setting or environment they enjoy using their pack in, as well as a visual or written description of key pack contents.

“Osprey pack owners are among the most dedicated outdoor enthusiasts out there,” said Osprey Marketing Director, Gareth Martins. “We anticipate some really spectacular shots in majestic settings both remote and well traveled. And, of course, we can’t rule out a little of the strange and humorous.”

Osprey invites all customers to submit high-res images of themselves with their packs in their favorite environment, be it desert or alpine, urban or rural. In addition to the images, Osprey hopes to learn what makes their customers tick, and what essential, and defining, gear will always be found in their Osprey pack.

For complete information on the contest with submission guidelines, please visit www.ospreypacks.com/OspreyLifestyle/PhotoContest

The North Face Crestone 60 is a versatile backpack for weekend adventures or light mountaineering. It comes in either a men’s or women’s fit and features the easy to adjust X-Frame II suspension. Packing and distributing the weight in the Crestone is a snap as there are several smaller compartments within the main one to help keep you organized. Other features include front and top quick pack access, a removable top hood that doubles as a lumbar pack, a separate sleeping bag compartment for easy packing and canted side water bottle holders for easy access on the trail. The North Face also equipped the Crestone with a cranial cavity to allow for full head mobility.

The Women’s Crestone 60 comes in 2 sizes with the following specs:
Small: 3050 expandable to 3650 cu in weighing 5 lbs 10 oz
Medium: 3350 expandable to 3950 cu in weighing 6 lbs.

The Men’s Crestone 60 comes in 2 sizes with the following specs:
Medium: 3650 expandable to 4300 cu in weighing 6 lbs 3 oz
Large: 3950 expandable to 4300 cu in weighing 6 lbs 9 oz.

The North Face has set a Retail Price of $200 for the Crestone 60 Backpack

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School’s started but you don’t have that new backpack yet? Order it from Moosejaw and get it in 2 days with coupon code 222. Moosejaw has the latest packs as well as clearance items from Burton, The North Face, Gregory, Lowe Alpine and many more.