Music, art, comedy and community are the elements that combine to make Solid Sound, a three-day festival celebrated at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in the small town of North Adams in The Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. As proud sponsors of the event, we’re excited for this year’s festivities, set to kick off in just a couple of days!

Solid Sound was envisioned by musical geniuses Wilco, though the Fest features many other artists, including those listed in this year’s lineup. Other activities include exhibits at Mass MoCa, an offsite hike led by Patagonia and yours truly on Saturday, a scavenger hunt and bike raffle, art contest, outdoor installations, yoga and more. Check the Activities portion of the Solid Sound website to learn more about some of the other activities you won’t want to miss. For Osprey-specific events, keep reading.

Together with Osprey Athlete Timmy O’Neill (who’ll be at the Osprey booth all weekend signing free posters), we’ll be holding a Primary Expression Art Contest at the Osprey booth on the following days:

• Friday, June 21st from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Saturday, June 22nd from 3-5 p.m
• Sunday June 23, 2 pm – 4 p.m.

The contest will allow participants to choose their form of expression (they’ll choose between drawing, writing or composing) and will have a time limit within which to create their masterpiece. We’ll post  images of your painting or prose on Instagram and video on Facebook. Expressions with the most Likes each day will win an Osprey Festival Survival Pack!

Be sure to stop by the Hunter Theatre on Friday at 4:30 p.m. or Sunday at 3 p.m. to watch Osprey Athlete Alison Gannett’s MoveShake Story, which will cover her personal story as the woman behind three non-profits who also runs a 75-acre farm in Colorado.

Whatever you do, be sure to enjoy as much of Solid Sound’s activities as possible — and to head over to the Osprey booth at any time! Purchase tickets here. We’ll see you there.

Events, Music Festivals, Osprey Athletes art, community, festival, Massachusetts, MoCa, music, Solid Sound, Wilco

“In an epic snow year, five friends leave their daily lives behind to hike California’s historic John Muir Trail, a 211-mile stretch from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney (the highest peak in the contiguous U.S.). Their goal — complete the journey in 25 days while capturing the amazing sights & sounds they encounter along the way. Inspired by their bond, humor, artistry & dedication, the group continues to grow: to include other artists, musicians & adventure seekers. Before they all reach the summit, hikers and viewers alike affirm the old adage — it’s about the journey, not the destination. Mile… Mile & A Half is the feature-length documentary of that journey…”

Can’t wait to see Mile, Mile & a Half? We’re with you. And you’re in luck; the MMAAH crew is arranging screenings of the film in select locations around the country. Check out the list below and follow the links for ticket purchasing.

June 14th / 6pm / Emeryville, CA / ClifBar HQ
Opus Orange performing an acoustic set
Buy tickets here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/381524

June 15th / 1pm / Sacramento, CA / The Guild Theater
Opus Orange performing an acoustic set
Buy Tickets here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/374729

June 26th / 7pm / Santa Fe, NM / The Screen (JUST ADDED)
Tickets Will Be Available Here: http://thescreensf.com/

June 27th / 7pm / Durango, CO / The Gaslight Theater
Osprey Giveaways
Buy Tickets here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/392378

June 29th/7pm/ Washington D.C./ Greenberg Theater, American University in Washington D.C.
Buy Tickets here: http://american.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=583477

July 18/7:30pm/DeLand, FL/The Athens Theater

Buy Tickets here: https://www.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?t=tix&e=6bef24530cd077ff08ee04aa7ed35621

August 1/6:15pm/Seatlle, WA/The Mountaineers Program Center

Buy Tickets Here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/403822

August 9/6:30pm/West LA/Adventure 16
Buy Tickets Here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/402961

August 23/6:30pm/San Diego/Adventure 16
Buy Tickets Here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/402968

September 6/8:30pm/Cascade Locks/Pacific Crest Trail Days
Event Details Here: http://www.pcta.org/about-us/events/pct-days/

Check The Muir Project Event site for additional event info and details.

Events, Osprey Culture, Outdoor Activities, adventure, film festivals, video film, hike, John Muir, Mile Mile and a Half, PCT, The Muir Project

The Mountain Games will be returning to Vail, Colorado this weekend from June 6th through June 9th, 2013, when professional and amateur athletes from around the world will come to Vail to participate in the nation’s largest celebration of adventure sports, art and music. The athletes will compete in nine sports events and 25 disciplines for more than $100,000 in prize money.

There will be sporting events ranging from various kayak competitions, rafting, mountain, road and slopestyle biking, world cup bouldering, fly fishing, stand-up paddling, slack lining, trail, mud and long distance running. If that isn’t enough to choose from, there will also be a big air competition for canines, as they compete for the longest measured distance into the pool.

While you’re there, don’t forget to check out Gear Town, where Osprey will be posted up with incredible 20 percent off sales in celebration of the Go Pro Mountain games! The packs will range from technical daypacks, to our revamped hydration line and stylish line of active everyday packs to fit your specific pack needs. If you can’t find what you’re looking for at the Gear Town location then head over to our retailer store, Ptarmigan Sports, located in Edwards to receive the same killer deal on our larger pack line.

Visit the Osprey booth at the Bouldering World Cup to check out all that is new for 2013, score some free daily giveaways and cheer on your favorite athlete with the Osprey crew! Speaking of giveaways, Osprey has teamed up with Ruffwear and will be doing a Day Pack for You and Your K-9 Companion! Come by either the Osprey or Ruffwear booth to enter.

On Saturday, Osprey will also have an in-booth poster signing session with Osprey athlete and Pro Mountain Biker Macky Franklin from 4-5 PM in the Gear Town booth location.

So whether you’re competing, spectating or dancing to the live music, be sure to stop by our booth to check out the various sales and giveaways going on all weekend!

Events, Osprey Athletes, Osprey Culture, Outdoor Activities, Product, Southwest Colorado, adventure, video art, deals, festival, games, GoPro, Macky Franklin, Mountain Games, music, Packs

Come celebrate the AT with Osprey

Osprey will once again be attending Trail Days from May 17-19 in gorgeous Damascus, VA and we’re stoked to see you there!

Throughout the event, Osprey and hikers will be celebrating the art of hiking with live music, a hiker parade and free meals to feed the thru-hikers that may be stopping on their way thru to Mt. Katahdin. Whether you are a thru-hiker yourself or just in town for the weekend, be sure to stop by the Osprey tent for free pack and gear repair all day, every day! We will have our warranty/repairs team on hand to provide your repair needs to get you back on the trail. We will also be a full display featuring all of our newest packs and a smokin’ 20 percent off retail sale through Mt. Roger’s Outfitters to kick-off hiking season! Don’t forget to swing by the booth to learn how you can win a free pack, happening daily throughout the weekend.

Last but not least, dont miss a live perfomance from Old North State at the Osprey’s Tent City Location! Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18 from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Check them out!

Events, Osprey Athletes, Outdoor Activities, Product, adventure, causes, travel Damascus, gear. Mount Katahdin, pack, thru-hike, Trail Days

Osprey is proud to announce that we will be attending the action-packed Dominion Riverrock Festival in Richmond, Virginia during the upcoming weekend of May 17-19. We’re super excited to be a part of the only festival of its kind, one that combines the best of both the outdoor adventure and the music worlds. Throughout the Fest, there will be endless competitions in biking, hiking, running and climbing, as well as performances by top notch artists such as Toots and the Maytals and many more!

Not only will there be on-going comps, music and fun, we’ll be there hosting our own events. One such activity will be the infamous Osprey Packs bola ball toss, which you can play to win a pack! All proceeds will be donated to the Blue Sky Fund, which makes your chance to win a pack that much better. We’ll also be selling packs in alliance with Blue Ridge Mountains Sports at a killer 20 percent off, and our very own Osprey Athlete Ben Clark will be guiding hikes with Virginia Trail Blazers and signing free posters throughout the weekend.

If you’re in the area and looking for a mind-blowing good time with loads of things to do, stop by our booth to check out the packs, get a poster or try your chance at bola ball for a good cause! Connect with the Fest on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and share the #riverrockrva love!

Bike, Events, Music Festivals, Osprey Athletes, Osprey Culture, Outdoor Activities, Retail Promotions, contest, travel ben clark, biking, Climbing, Dominion Riverrock, festival, hiking, music, Osprey Packs, outdoors, running, Virginia

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: We first met Allie Bombach when she came to intern with Osprey several years ago and we’ve watched her explode into one hell of a filmmaker. It’s only fitting then that we share Allie’s words on what will be the 35th Anniversary of the incredible Mountainfilm Festival, coming up this Memorial Day Weekend (May 24-27, 2013). Here’s what Allie, rockstar filmmaker of Red Reel and the MoveShake series has to say about her time at MountainFilm past and how it’s inspired her to become who she is today.

I went to my first Mountainfilm in 2009. It was during a time where I was uncertain where to go with filmmaking. I had just sold most of my belongings and I was preparing to set out on the road to film my first documentary – 23 feet. It was at a time where I was overwhelmed and discouraged if I could even make a film. I needed support, a community, and MountainFilm gave me that and so much more.

I hitched a ride from Santa Fe, slept on a friend’s floor in town, and out of sheer luck of being in the right place at the right time I was given a pass by a kind Mountainfilm staff member. I was elated, and I spent the entire festival not missing a beat. I listened and absorbed every moment that I could.

I was so inspired by the films I saw and even more so by the discussions afterwards. Being able to meet the filmmakers that still are my mentors today was a life changing experience. They helped me believe in myself and encouraged me to push forward with filmmaking.

After that festival, I knew exactly where I wanted to be every Memorial Day weekend to come. I made it my goal to one day have a film in the festival. I thought maybe ten years down the line I could be a part of it, I had no idea it would be the next year.

The week I spend in Telluride for Mountainfilm is the wind in my sails for the rest of the year. Living on the road, I am constantly moving and trying to keep connected to a borderless community through the virtual world of social media. But, nothing compares to being face-to-face with the community that inspires me to live this life. The conversations had at Mountainfilm inspire new projects, create wonderful collaborations, and fuel the drive that it takes to make these films a reality. It’s such a gift, one I look forward to every spring and I’m so thankful for it.

Looking back, I think who I am and what I am striving to create would be entirely different if I hadn’t gone to Mountainfilm. That sounds cheesy – but, it’s the truth.

Happy 35th Mountainfilm! Thank you so much for the inspiration and community you bring into my life.

Events, Osprey Culture, Outdoor Activities, adventure, film festivals, travel, video Allie Bombach, community, films, inspiration, Mountainfilm Festival, MoveShake, Red Reel, telluride

If you are in the Big Apple May 3rd and 4th, don’t miss the chance to attend the Bike Expo New York as there will be more than 60 vendors attending, one of them being yours truly, Osprey Packs! This event is great for road bike aficionados, and we’ll be showcasing and selling our recently redesigned line of hydration packs.

Over 50,000 spectators are expected to attend and admission is free and open to the general public. Hours of the show will be from Friday, May 3rd from 10 a.m. -8 p.m. as well as on Saturday, May 19th 9 a.m.-7 p.m., so come after work and check out the product tonight or head over first thing tomorrow. The event takes place at the Pier 36, 299 South Street, Basketball City, New York, NY.

Want to know a little bit more about what to expect? Here’s the rundown from last year’s awesome Expo:

In keeping with its mission to provide free bicycle education in New York City, Bike New York held several of its signature Learn to Ride classes throughout the event. Garnering more than 43,000 attendees, Bike Expo New York 2012 presented by Eastern Mountain Sports was the most attended inaugural consumer bike expo in the country.  BE NY carried an unmistakable New York flair with street signs, carpeted bike lanes and even a massive Verrazano Bridge suspended from the ceiling.

We hope to see you this year!

Bike, Events, Outdoor Activities, Product, Retail Promotions, Uncategorized Big Apple, Osprey, Osprey Hydration, Osprey Hydraulics, Osprey Packs, road biking, Roadies

Osprey Athlete Beth Rodden poster signing at the booth.

The 10th Anniversary of the Red Rock Rendezvous not only had a great attendance rate by pro climbers and climbing enthusiast alike, but also had the best weather it has seen in the past years. The tormenting desert winds took a hike the weekend of the festival, which left climbers with the perfect conditions for enjoying the festival events and outdoor activities.

The weekend was filled with various clinics from wilderness first aid, multi-pitch climbs, trad leads and even mountain bike clinics by our very own Osprey athletes Jeff Fox and Alison Gannett. Osprey provided demo packs to attendees for a chance to test out our new hydration packs and reservoir as well as our climbing specific packs, the Mutant and Variant.

As the festivities began to wind down and outdoor enthusiasts returned from their adventures, Red Rock Rendezvous continued the party with events like the Dyno Competition, where individuals would miraculously dyno to holds 6-9 feet above, and with guest speakers including Conrad Anker and Malcolm Daly who spoke about some of their landmark climbs from the past years, to bumping beats from various DJs later into the night.

Whether you were a local from Las Vegas, a dirtbag from different parts of the country, or a newbie just checking out the scene for the first time, Red Rock Rendezvous offered experiences for all skill sets and allowed strangers from all walks of life to celebrate climbing and outdoor community.

Events, Osprey Athletes, photos, travel Beth Rodden, Climbing, mountain biking, Mountain Gear, mutant, Osprey Packs, Red Rocks, Varient

The Sea Otter Classic proved to be bigger than ever this year as the 22-year-old event brought together racers, fans and bike companies from around the globe to start the spring season with four days of festivities, races and all things bike. The attendance was staggering this year; it’s grown exponentially since 1991, when only about half a thousand gathered around the course, to nearly 65,000 people attending, all in the name of love for our two-wheeled friend, the bicycle.

This year, there were a variety of races from road races to downhill mountain biking. Sea Otter serves as the first race to kick off the season as top pros in North America and from around the world flock to Sea Otter. However, all of the events are also open to amateurs so if you want to race your bike, you have the chance!

One of the greatest things about Sea Otter is that it is open to the general public, which allows everyone to check out and demo different bike product for the upcoming season from a wide range of vendors. Osprey teamed up with Cambria Bike shop for a four-day sale of Osprey Hydration packs and demos.
Osprey mascot Talon also made an appearance at the event as he cheered on our Osprey athlete Macky Franklin and even had a photo shoot with the Sea Otter himself!

Start planning your trip here for next year as everyone is welcome!

Photo via Alex Strickland

Bike, Brand Team posts, Events, Osprey Athletes, Outdoor Activities, Product, Uncategorized Bike, biking, Laguna Seca, mountain biking, Osprey Athletes, Osprey Hydraulics, Osprey Mascot, road biking, Sea Otter Classic, Sea Otter Classic 2013

Photo: Pete McBride

For more than two decades American Rivers has released its annual list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers. American Rivers released the 2013 list today, and the river at the top—the most endangered river in the nation—is the mighty Colorado.

As Americans we are lucky to have this river in our proverbial backyard. But our demands on the river’s water now far exceed its supply, leaving the river so over-tapped that it no longer flows to the sea. A century of water management policies and practices promoting wasteful water use have put the river at a critical crossroads.

Take action here.

Read more…

Conservation, Events, Osprey Culture, Outdoor Activities, causes, video action, America's Most Endangered Rivers, american rivers, Colorado, colorado river, environment, fresh water, pete mcbride, water, West