Kelty will be an official gear sponsor for Daren Wendell and his Earth Expedition walk around the world to raise awareness, generate funds, and call people to action regarding the international water crisis.

Starting on March 8, 2008 when Daren takes his first step from North Georgia College and University in Dahlonega, GA, the Earth Expedition will span the course of the next seven years and take Daren over 18,000 miles through 14 countries. Kelty will supply Daren with a Soar 5200 backpack, Corrie 2 tent, and Light Year Down 20º sleeping bag to start, with regular equipment upgrades to follow as seasons change and newer gear is released.

“Without a doubt, this is one of the most ambitious undertakings I’ve ever heard of and we’re excited to be a part of it,” said Christian Mason, marketing manager for Kelty. “I’m looking forward to receiving updates from Daren during his trip and his feedback on how our Kelty gear is performing.”

When it came to selecting gear sponsors, Daren knew exactly the sort of equipment he was after.

“I’m a minimalist,” said Daren of Earth Expedition. “I’m looking for high quality, lightweight gear to meet my under 40 lb pack limit. The Kelty Soar, Corrie, and Light Year will certainly help me attain that goal.”

With 5200 cubic inches of storage space, the Soar is the largest pack of Kelty’s Backcountry Light series of packs, tents, and sleeping bags. Weighing in at 4 lbs., 2 oz., the Soar represents the best blend of lightweight and large volume across all of Kelty’s backpack lines.

New for Spring 2008, the Corrie 2 is the lightest two-person tent currently offered in the Kelty line. Tipping the scales at a scant 3 lbs., 10 oz., the three-season Corrie is easy to carry, easy to pitch, and provides ample protection from the elements.

Also new for Spring 2008, Kelty’s Light Year Down 20º sleeping bag will accompany Daren until colder temps demand a warmer bag. Light, comfortable and compact, the mummy-style Light Year Down is a great choice for lightweight, three-season backpacking.

Starting with a hike of the entire Appalachian Trail, Daren will ultimately cover over 18,000 miles during his seven-year trip with time spent walking through a variety of different countries, including Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Russia, and Canada.

Regular updates on Daren’s progress and the Kelty gear he is using can be found at www.kelty.com in the “How Do You Use Kelty” section as well as in Daren’s blog, located at www.theearthexpedition.com.

Check out the Huge Selection of Kelty from Backcountry.com, Where It’s On Sale Now for 10% Off!

CamelBak Products, LLC, announced today that it has converted its entire line of polycarbonate re-usable water bottles to a new material that is 100% free of bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates. CamelBak has teamed with an innovative U.S.-based supplier to produce a bottle made from an entirely new material, Eastman Tritan™ copolyester. This means that now the entire line of CamelBak bottles are BPA-Free, including the CamelBak Better Bottle, Podium Bottle and Performance™ Bottle. The Better Bottle with Classic Cap is now available at retailers like REI, and the Better Bottle with Bite Valve will be shipping to retailers from the company’s distribution center next week.

“Consumers have been asking for a BPA-free alternative with the durability, clarity and vibrant color of polycarbonate bottles,” said Sally McCoy, CamelBak CEO. “We’re very happy to be the first company to give consumers an entire line of BPA-Free bottles.”

In the face of environmental concerns, many people have switched to re-usable bottles, although many of these bottles contain BPA and Phthalates. While there is a great degree of conflicting information about the safety of BPA, the consumer demand was enough for CamelBak to develop an alternative. The company challenged its development team to improve its popular line of water bottles used by athletes, outdoorsmen, military personnel and millions of others.

The result is a CamelBak® Better Bottle™ that is BPA/Phthalate-free, allowing people to make an immediate positive impact on the environment while feeling confident that they’re using the best re-usable bottle in the marketplace.

The CamelBak Better Bottle™
Launched in 2006, the CamelBak Better Bottle represents a new standard of performance and convenience in re-usable water bottles. Available in fourteen colors in sizes of .5 liter, .75 liter and 1 liter, this innovative product is available with the self-sealing CamelBak Big Bite™ Valve, which offers easy, spill-proof sipping for active and on-the-go-consumers. The Better Bottle is also available with a Classic Cap.

The CamelBak Podium™ Bottle
Launched in 2008, the CamelBak Podium Bottle is designed specifically for cycling and features the high flow rate, self-sealing Jet Valve. Rather than opening and closing a traditional valve, the squeezable Podium Bottle allows immediate and no-look sipping or squirting, and the Jet Valve self-seals to ensure a splatter-free ride.

The CamelBak Performance™ Bottle
Launched in 2007, the CamelBak Performance Bottle represents a breakthrough hydration solution for athletes on the go. It features squeezable sides for an adjustable flow rate and the patented Big Bite™ Valve with positive shut-off technology for leak-proof transport. The Big Bite™ Valve also allows athletes to drink without lifting their eyes from the road or trail.

Osprey Packs, Inc., an independent pack company located in the high desert and mountains of Southwestern Colorado, introduced a new collection of youth backpacks this spring, the Sprint Series, and they are now available in retail stores in North America and worldwide.

The Sprint Series brings Osprey’s legacy of deluxe custom fit to kid backpacks, and was designed with the understanding that a child’s body dimensions, proportions, and biomechanical properties are markedly different than those of an adult. These packs provide the best carry of any youth packs on the market by combining ergonomically correct fit, technical features tailor-made for youth, and Osprey’s signature design, quality, customization and durability.

“We’ve already seen great demand for these packs from our customers. These are high quality packs with sharp pricing. They have a large range of adjustment, so they essentially grow with the child, providing years of value,” said Gareth Martins, director of Marketing for Osprey. “The Sprint Series brings custom fit and comfort to young hikers – an essential for making the outdoor experience enjoyable. We hope these packs will help parents share their love and reverence for the outdoors with their children.”

Osprey understands the importance of distinguishing the dimensional, proportional and biomechanical difference between children and adults, and engaged Spine Colorado as an independent contractor to design and test the Sprint Series packs. Based in Durango, Colo., Spine Colorado currently acts as a regional center of excellence for back and neck problems, and receives the most complex cases of back and neck pain from across the state of Colorado.

The Sprint Series is comprised of three pack sizes best suited for children between the ages of eight and 16. Each pack offers five inches of torso adjustability. Some key features of the Ace 48 (2900 cubic inches), the Jib 35 (2100 cubic inches) and the Imp 23 (1400 cubic inches) include: an aluminum frame with rigid foam framesheet, Osprey’s AirScape ventilated foam backpanel, perforated EVA harness with mesh outer, size adjustable foam hipbelt with spacer mesh outer, a built-in rain cover and hydration compatibility.

The Ace 48, Jib 35 and Imp 23 are available in the colors Blue Yonder and Cherry Shake and retail for $149, $129 and $99 respectively.

Big City Mountaineers, the nation’s leading volunteer organization devoted to mentoring urban teens during wilderness trips, launches the 2008 Change a Life Campaign designed to motivate fundraising among volunteers.

Volunteers for the summer BCM programs pay a $100 fee to help cover administrative costs. Through the Change a Life Campaign, volunteers have an opportunity to earn back their fee as well as raising more funds for the BCM program. To add incentive for extra fundraising, volunteers and donors can earn and win prizes from sponsors.

Volunteer Incentives:
• Raise $50: Receive a BCM keychain
• Raise $100: Receive a BCM performance t-shirt and be entered to win 1 of 5 Timbuk2 Messenger bags
• Raise $200: Receive $100 volunteer fee back and your choice of either 1) an original signed print by outdoor adventurer Andy Skurka or 2) an autographed copy of “The Hippie Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder” by Skip Yowell.
• Raise $300: Receive a framed National Geographic map of your course area and a Camelbak water bottle
• Raise $400: Receive and a Primus stove and be entered to win a free alpine Summit for Someone climb spot for 2009
• Top Fundraiser wins a Mountain Hardwear Phantom bag and Mountain Hardwear UL Kiva. A $600 value
• Second through sixth place will receive a gift card for a free pair of KEEN footwear

Donor Incentives:
• Donors contributing $50 or more will be entered to win a Jansport luggage set. Value at $500+

Thanks to Keen, Primus, Jansport, Andy Skurka, National Geographic, Timbuktu, Camelbak and Howard Schwartz for making this campaign possible.

About Big City Mountaineers
Big City Mountaineers, Inc. is a 501c(3) tax exempt corporation based in Denver, Colo., with the mission of providing urban teenage youth in need of positive adult mentoring with challenging and safe wilderness experiences led by qualified adult volunteer guides. BCM is the largest non-profit in the country devoted to working exclusively with at-risk teens using the outdoors as a transformational element in their lives. Learn more at www.bigcitymountaineers.org.

From May 11 through May 17, Moosejaw will be giving away Two (2) Mountain Hardwear Lightwedge 2 Tents per day. There is no purchase neccessary. This Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents residing in the 50 United States and D.C. For your chance to win, simply visit Moosejaw.com and enter the contest up to 5 times per day.

Anniversary Sale is REI’s BIGGEST sale of the year and starts May 2nd. They’re offering huge discounts on top-brand outdoor gear and clothing. Here’s a sample of what you’ll find at the sale:

• REI Members SAVE 20% on one full-price item
  Use Coupon Code “ANNV20″ (Some Restrictions Apply)
• Save up to 30% storewide
• 20% off All Yakima Racks, Car-Top boxes and Accessories
• 15% off All Full-Price bikes
• 15% off All Full-Price Boats
• 20% off All BOB Strollers

Simply click the banner below to be taken to the REI.com sale. The sale ends May 11th so get your discounts while you can.