GJ Week In Review: Toughest 400, Colored Pencil Bike, Elk vs. Helicopter

A recap of top stories for the week of Feb. 11–17, 2018.

1) Jacket Brand ‘Live Out There’ Review: Bold Statements Tested

Upstart brand Live Out There this winter made its debut with a line of performance-oriented (but budget-friendly) jackets for the outdoors. We reviewed three models to see how they stack up in the cold.

2) Eargasm: Skating on Thin Ice Produces Otherworldly Sound

Turn your volume up for one of the most satisfying noises. This is what skating on a couple inches of glassy ice sounds like.

3) Monday Bargains: 3 Steals to Start Your Week

Looking for great outdoor gear at an amazing price? Check out these discounts and sales from Cotopaxi, Goal Zero, and Arc’teryx.

4) Did a Norwegian Skier Just Give the Best Olympic Performance Ever?

I didn’t care about cross-country skiing yesterday, and I probably won’t tomorrow. But today we should all bow at the altar of the sport’s most amazing comeback king: Simen Hegstad Kruger.

5) Climbing Goals: $70,000 Grant Opens for Non-Sponsored Climbers Only

The Live Your Dreams Grant encourages climbers of all ages, experience levels, and disciplines to think big and perform the climb of their dreams.

6) Hot Springs Conundrum: Wild CO Pool Now Requires Permit

The free-for-all at Conundrum Hot Springs, one of Colorado’s most popular hiking destinations, is over. The U.S. Forest Service released details of the new permit system for camping this week.

7) 3 of the Biggest Cliff Hucks in Corbet’s Couloir

At Kings and Queens of Corbet’s, skiers go huge into one of the most iconic couloirs in North America.

8) ‘Rogue’ Packraft Rolls to Size of Paper Towel

The Kokopelli Rogue, launching today on Kickstarter, has a Kevlar-reinforced floor and weighs under 5 pounds in its ‘Lite’ configuration.

9) Trail Slipper: Teva Ember Moc Review

Part sneaker, part puffy, Teva’s Ember Moc may soon be part of many campers’ gear collections. We reviewed it outside, inside, and around town.

10) Zen Zone: Brain-Sensing Eyewear Aims To Focus The Mind

Sporting success ultimately comes down to mental strength and the ability to remain focused in a high-pressure environment. Smith Lowdown sunglasses claim to help.

11) How to Run 100 Miles: A Total Amateur’s Guide

Pain, suffering, persistence, and glory – everything it takes to run a 100-mile race as told by Brendan Leonard of Semi-Rad.

12) Mountain Hub App Makes Adventure Safer, Easier, and More Fun

A free app, Mountain Hub helps you discover, plan, track, and share backcountry adventures. Mountain Hub represents a community of active users who share routes, conditions, avi activity, and other trip information in real time.

13) Elk Leaps Into Tail Rotor, Takes Down Helicopter

Two people suffered minor injuries, and one elk died, in a freak accident that was part of a planned activity by Utah’s DWR.

14) 4-Legged Hero: Tribute To Henry, Vail’s First Avi Rescue Dog

Meet Henry, Vail Ski Resort’s first avalanche rescue dog. He’s cute, affectionate, and a hero in case of emergency.

15) Teaser: Kilian Jornet Documents Back-To-Back Everest Ascents

In May 2017, Kilian Jornet raced up Mt. Everest twice in one week without supplemental oxygen. His upcoming documentary, “Path to Everest,” gives a firsthand look into this incredible expedition.

16) Screaming Deals: Gear Savings of the Week

Our weekly column finds the best deals from across the web to save you money on outdoors gear. Check out the deals from Primus, The North Face, K2, Duluth Trading Co., and more.

17) USA-Made Kershaw Knockout Cuts Above Its Weight Class

The Kershaw Knockout is an assisted-opening, USA-made pocket knife that weighs less than expected for its size. A knife junkie put the Kershaw Knockout to the test for this review.

18) Hate Flying? Travel Jacket Has 25 Hidden Features for Comfort

Inflate a pillow, unfurl a blanket, blow up a foot rest, and flip down an eye mask –  the BauBax 2.0 Jacket packs loads of built-in extras for anyone who hates to fly.

19) REWARD: One-Of-A-Kind Bikes Stolen From Specialized Designer

Erik Nohlin, creative leader with Specialized bikes, put out an APB with $1,000 reward for these super-custom bicycles that were stolen from his garage.

20) Stay Healthy Abroad: Travel Immunization Guide

Got the travel bug? When traveling abroad, it’s important to get vaccinated to protect the body from new threats. Get your vaccinations up to date before you go and avoid contracting malaria, hepatitis A and B, diarrhea, and rabies.

21) Watch Midnight Grooming: The Story Behind the Corduroy

Have you ever dreamed of riding with the groomers in a snow cat at your favorite ski area? Well, hop aboard.

22) Race UP North America’s Only Ski Flying Hill This Summer

The Red Bull 400 might be the world’s toughest 400-meter race. And now it’s coming to the biggest ski jump in the western hemisphere!

23) Emerging Gear: Outdoor Products This Week

From next-gen tech to ingenious innovation, our weekly peek at emerging products examines the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design.

24) Report: Outdoors Economy Is Bigger Than Oil

The Bureau of Economic Analysis valued U.S. outdoor recreation at $373.7 billion, contributing 2 percent of the U.S. GDP.

25) Weekend Film: Cycling ‘The Frozen Road’ Across the Canadian Arctic, Alone

One man drops everything to fat-bike the world, completely alone. He encounters the threat of wolves, well below freezing temperatures, and solitude in this film.

26) Winter Traction: Which Kahtoola Spike Is Right for You?

Traction on snow and ice is a challenge. Two lightweight footwear products from Kahtoola are made to give grip.

27) Build This Snow-Sliding Toy With Your Kids

The Infento Snow Kit lets parents and kids build nine different snow-gliding toys together from a single kit.

28) $3,500 e-Bike Has No Pedals, Made With Colored Pencils

Flower power is back, baby! And it’s got a 500-watt motor. The Big Buddy Bike presents the “world’s first adult electric balance bike.” And it is groovy.