GJ Week In Review: Beard Challenge, ‘Shinesty’ Skiwear, Outessa Summit

A recap of top stories for week of Feb. 26 – Mar. 4, 2017.

1) Women: Join REI At Outessa This Summer

REI launches its second annual lineup of ladies-only active retreats, pushing the trend to empower more women in the outdoors.

2) Woman Just Climbed The Hardest Route Yet

Margo Hayes became the first woman to climb 5.15a this weekend with a send of ‘La Rambla’ in Catalonia, Spain.

3) In The Spotlight: Fjällräven Brand Profile

Fjällräven. It’s the cool brand with the funky name. This is what you need to know.

4) Gear Bargains: Three Steals To Start Your Week

Each week we search high and low for bargains to save you money on your outdoors gear. Check out these web deals from The North Face, Garmin, and Big Agnes.

5) Grow Beard, Plant Trees

Make way, Movember, facial hair is tackling climate change, deforestation, and conservation.

6) ‘PolarFleece’ Of The ’80s Is Back

Miss the ’80s? PolarFleece is back, and it’s about to go way retro.

7) Quest For ‘Most Breathable’ Waterproof Jacket

A little-used air permeable jacket membrane balances waterproof with breathable in a new way, venting via billions of microscopic pores when you sweat.

8) Evident Climate Change In Small Town Alaska

Alaskan guide Rick Brown has had a front-row seat to the changing wilderness for the last 20-plus years.

9) Live Off-Grid With The Portable ‘Ecocapsule’

Hunker down in a futuristic little pod with full amenities, powered by the wind, the sun, and the rain.

10) Six Super Fun Skis For Winter 2017-18

If you like to smile, you’ll love these skis. We put six top planks for 2017-2018 to the test.

11) Inspired By Rhinos: KÜHL ‘Radikl’ Pants

Rhinocerous armor inspired KÜHL’s latest pant design, so the brand is helping support efforts to save the critically endangered animals.

12) First Look: Hultafors Knife Brings Utility, Value

The 140-year-old Swedish brand now imports knives to the U.S. and brings a lot of performance for little money.

13) Screaming Deals: Gear Savings Of The Week

Outdoor gear deals that are too good to pass up. Click at your own risk! Deals from: LuminAID, REI, 5.10, KUHL, Mountain Hardwear, and more.

14) A Quick Guide To Knife Sharpening

A knife is only as good as its edge: The sharper the better. Make it sharp and keep it sharp with these tips.

15) Meet Vistabule: The Small Camper With Huge Windows

From gazing at the stars to glancing in your rearview mirror, Vistabule’s window designs provide wide open views.

16) Make Skiing Fun Again: Shinesty Outfits Keep Slopes Weird

Shinesty wants to see every skier in neon onesies and banana hammocks. Seriously.

17) Tested: Patagonia’s First Sleeping Bags

For the first time, Patagonia will sell a sleeping bag line. It offers modern materials and new features, though with homage to a decades-old design.

18) These Hammocks Help Lift Women Out Of Poverty

Yellow Leaf Hammocks is creating a growing class of female breadwinners in the developing world to enact far-reaching change.

19) First Look: 2017 Strafe Outerwear

Air permeable fabrics and thoughtful design distinguish Strafe’s 2017-18 Pyramid Jacket and Capitol Pant as serious backcountry ski garments.

20) Emerging Gear: Outdoor Products This Week

From beer-cooler backpacks to wool sneakers, our weekly peek at emerging products examines the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design.

21) You Can Compete In Team SUP World Championships

Have you ever stand-up paddle-boarded? No? Perfect, you qualify for the first ever four-person team championships.

22) Thirsty Thursday: This Beer Tastes Better At Altitude

This beer is specially brewed to taste better at 35,000 feet in the air.

23) Climber Jeff Lowe Awarded Piolet d’Or Lifetime Achievement

The 2017 Piolet d’Or Lifetime Achievement Award goes to American alpinist Jeff Lowe.

24) Found: World’s Cutest GoPro Photo

Western Australia’s most lovable marsupial just overloaded our cuddle-meter in what is sure to become an internet hit.

25) Dodge Ram Overland Overhaul: AEV ‘Prospector’ XL

American Expedition Vehicles rebuilds the iconic Ram 2500 truck with no frills upgrades for off road use.

26) First Look: Stove Cooks Pizza With Your Campfire

Now you can have kitchen-quality pizza in the outdoors. But it will cost you dearly.

27) Three Top New Ski Touring Boots For 2017-18

Ready to earn your turns? These three new backcountry touring boots hit the market in 2017 and have us drooling.

28) Zinke Trumps Lead, Overturns Obama-Era Ammo Ban

On his first day in office, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke did away with President Obama’s lead ammunition ban.

29) Ouch! The Crashes Behind Extreme Skiing Videos

Ever watch the X Games and think, “wow, those guys make it look so easy?” Well, it’s not, and this video proves it.