Archive for Vedavoo

The Everest Build… 50 years, New Hope

03/29/2013 On the Rocks, Reel Reasons, Vedavoo, Workshop Fresh No comments
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Vedavoo Ambassador Mike Chambers has spent the past few days in Katmhandu, and leaves in the morning for the Khumbu Valley – and his first steps toward the summit of the world’s tallest peak. He’s climbing Everest for Flying Kites Global – an amazing organization targeting support of orphaned children in Kenya through a Home and Leadership Academy they built. Check out their work – it’s worth believing in!

About six months ago – when his plans were starting to come together for the expedition – he reached out to me to build him a pack for his summit bid. I was ecstatic! By far the most difficult and challenging project I’d taken on to date, and dreams of my work at the top of the world drove me forward through my early trepidation. This was one pack that absolutely could not, and would not fail.

I spent hours designing and refining concepts on paper before I started work – it had to be clean – it had to be simple – and it had to be able to withstand the challenges that the Mountain would throw it’s way. Then, with literally dozens of concepts clouding my vision, I got a message from an old Boy Scout friend that included a link to a page chronicling the first American ascent of Everest in 1963. To say that I was inspired was a vast understatement.

In a few weeks, it will have been 50 years since Jim Whittaker took the last few steps to the summit, and at the time of his climb, only six others had accomplished the feat – Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay included – and the trek to the peak took him almost 10 weeks. There were no airstrips then – so he hiked 187 miles to base camp from Kathmandu to start his effort. Whittaker’s pack – a classic external frame made of bright, gold fabric – became my inspiration.

Given the opportunity to build a pack for Everest – and one that WILL be carried to the summit within days of the golden anniversary, I vowed to pay tribute to the first American, with a pack that would represent him while supporting the bid of another great American climber today.

In the months that followed, I tried various shape studies – cut / trimmed / refined until the ideal layout emerged. I stayed as true as possible to the style and form of Whittaker’s pack – and from that model, I worked on critical improvements and features that would meet today’s requirements for Mike.

The pack I built just flowed – everything had a place and a purpose, and though the effort took almost two weeks of time in the workshop to bring to reality, the final pack more than met my expectations. Like Whittaker’s pack – Mike’s is Gold and Black – and both are products of craftsmen in the United States of America.

Whittaker Raising the Flag at the Summit - his gold pack shows in the lower left.

Whittaker Raising the Flag at the Summit – his gold pack shows in the lower left.

Everest is … well… Everest. Like no other test on the planet. So I’m proud to have had the opportunity to test my work like this; but, being able to also share in the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the first American ascent by sending another American-built pack to the summit is something I will never forget and always cherish.

My heartiest good luck to Mike – we’ll all be rooting for you and sending prayers for your safe ascent and return. Looking forward to sharing in your celebration from the Summit!

Scott

PHOTOS FROM MIKE’S JOURNEY

FOLLOW MIKE’S JOURNEY THROUGH HIS EXPEDITION SITE

VIEW MIKE’S AMBASSADOR PAGE

A swung up Steelhead!

02/20/2013 Vedavoo No comments

Not much better than that!

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Yellow Glass

08/02/2012 Reel Reasons, Vedavoo No comments
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I started fly fishing right after I finished at the University of Wyoming. My family is all about the value unspoken – giving meaningful, forever cherished gifts. My graduation present from Dad was no exception – my first fly rod and reel.

It wasn’t anything fancy… Not a Sage, Scott, or Winston and it wasn’t made of bamboo. But it didn’t have to be. My father’s gift – a vintage 7 wt from Eagle Claw – meant far more to me then and ever since.

Modest and subtle, the utilitarian design made it a thing of beauty. The glass was bright yellow with simple orange thread wraps – clearly placed with greater focus on anchoring line guides than on the visual drama of the rod in action. It was light and quick. For a 7-weight it offered a bright response and a sharp return when the rod was properly loaded during the backcast. I remember watching the yellow pass by my periphery – even after the sun had set – teaching me balance and rhythm that has served me well ever since.

Though I’ve tried a mess of rods since that first, I’ve never found another that matched the feel it had while playing out a healthy little Brookie. So it was more than a personal tragedy when the tip broke off by a carelessly lowered garage door.

My son is seven now – and after a few trips out with me, I decided it was time for his first rod. I reached out to Cameron Mortenson over at The Fiberglass Manifesto for some friendly advice – the man knows more about rods than I’ll hope to learn in a lifetime of fishing – and though he had several solid suggestions, one stood out:

“Eagle Claw Featherlight”

I leapt at the suggestion – and picked up a second for my own sense of nostalgia. An excellent starter – it reminds me so much of my own first rod – an I expect it’ll treat him just as well.

Our first adventure out was a great one – several Bluegill, a pretty Pumpkinseed, and a nice Crappie. Many smiles, and a proud Papa.

The next night out – Jade had the opportunity to wear his new TFM shirt (and matching Yeti hat) for what quickly became one for the photo album. I bought and tied on a foam bodied yellow frog popper, and helped him launch it about 10′ off the bank. Within seconds a nice (NICE) Largemouth Bass inhaled the bug. Easily 4 lbs – and ultimately a broken Tippet… but not before a well-bent yellow fiberglass rod in the hands of a beaming little boy.

I believe in yellow glass. :)

Reel Reasons No. 6: Gold at the End of Cherokee’s Rainbow

07/13/2012 Reel Reasons, Vedavoo No comments
Palomino Trout at the Cherokee NC Hatchery

I push back from my sewing machine and look to the wall at my left. Hanging there is a poster I hung back in March upon my return from Cherokee, North Carolina. A friend of mine had been pinging me consistently – providing regular encouragement to put my work aside, and to fly down to The Old North State for some excellent angling for trophy trout. I’d just finished a batch of sling packs… and after a less than enjoyable winter in New England, the decision to take him up on that offer came with little encouragement. Cherokee Fisheries Poser on the wall of the Vedavoo Workshop

I’d been to North Carolina only once before – back in 2001 during a trip I made for the Order of the Arrow; I remembered how beautiful the changing leaves looked, but had little else outside of the Scouting event to remember. Quick in, Quick out. This time around was about freedom – about crossing the Blue Ridge into the Great Smoky Mountains in pursuit of trout on a fly. About building a memory, and experiencing trout fishing – for my first time – below the Mason-Dixon line.

Cherokee, North Carolina is home to over 30 miles of coldwater, spring and runoff fed trout streams. In itself, that statement alone will draw anyone who’s ever been interested in floating a fly in a current. But what makes the fishery really special is the quality of the management that keeps all 30 miles full of strong, healthy Salmonids.

Every year the Cherokee hatchery raises 400,000 trout from eggs, and stocks about 35,000 pounds of fish every month. They have a broad variety of Rainbow strains, Browns, Golden Rainbows, Brookies and the coveted Palominos… like nothing you’ve ever seen! This effort supports a consistent average of 13,000 trout per mile. Compare that to the 800 per mile elsewhere in North Carolina, and it’s no small secret why Cherokee was selected to play host to the US National Fly Fishing championships last year, and why they held the US Junior National’s this season. It’s an amazing place.

But just as quickly – all could have been lost. In July of last year, a flash flood poured down from the mountains and overwhelmed the hatchery with a wall of water, mud, and debris that buried the facility and wiped out vast numbers of the trout they were raising. Robert Blankenship, the hatchery manager, told me how he and his team arrived less than an hour from the time the flood poured through, but how their quick response couldn’t save the fish.

I can’t imagine what was going through his mind – or how hopeless it must have felt to look upon the devastation. But Robert and his team deserve vast credit for restoring damage the could have easily taken years to repair – and doing so in the matter of a few short months.

Feeding fingerling rainbows at the Cherokee Hatchery in North CarolinaDiving immediately into the clean-up, they were able to acquire new trout and viable eggs from other Federal and state hatcheries around the country. While pitching feed to a pool of Rainbow fingerlings, Robert casually spoke of how he’d driven all night to Arkansas and back for a batch of trout. One of dozens of trips he made I’m sure. And as he spoke, it struck me that the fish causing the water to boil below my feet were the product of this hard work.

My adventure was largely spent on nearby Soco Creek – a waterway that reminded me a lot of the Popo Agie back home in Wyoming where I’d caught my first trout on a fly. Though I didn’t connect with any trophy fish, I did hook up with a few dozen, beautiful trout – some of excellent weight and size – and (my favorite) lots of little stream-born natives. The color on these fish was unreal! To say that I had a good time would be a vast understatement! I can’t wait for my next opportunity to fish in Cherokee – when I expect to spend nearly all of my time on the Catch & Release only, trophy section of the Oconaluftee River in search of a heavy Palomino!

North Carolina Fisheries & Wildlife Management Hat hanging on the Vedavoo Sewing MachineStarting today, Cherokee will host their Mid-Summer Trout Fishing Tournament. Anglers from all over the US will be in town – spread over the 30 miles of stocked streams and rivers with the hope of connecting with their own trophy trout, and a share of the $10,000 cash purse. I wonder how many of them know just how much work has gone into ensuring that this event – and the seven other tournaments Cherokee hosts – would happen.

My (new Cherokee Fisheries Management) hat is off to Robert and his crew for a job well done. Thank you gentlemen for making my second trip to North Carolina one I’ll never forget!

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Scott Hunter is the Founder of Vedavoo and an avid fly fisherman

Inspiration

06/18/2012 On the Rocks, Reel Reasons, Vedavoo No comments
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This year has been a special one. December through May brought nothing but beautiful weather to South Dakota. We were fortunate enough to climb and hike almost the entire winter, with only a handful of days where we were trapped inside a climbing gym. Spring brought more of the same, but with more intensity. I doubt we’ll ever see seasons like these again – perfect for making new stories with good friends and family – climbing, falling, trekking through snow, and sitting in the rain through thunder storms.

I climb to test my limits –  many of those terrifying bouldering top-outs and long-standing projects are behind me, and new projects are ahead.  One of those, is my return to music.

The past five months I have been writing a lot, learning new songs and playing all around Rapid City and Wyoming. Pulling inspiration from my surroundings, I have been focused on creating something new with my music.  That creative process helped me express feelings and writing helps me to understand myself.

As I’ve have wandered down this road, I have come to appreciate the creative arts, creative minds, creative hands, and the dedication of those who pursue their passions… and learned through my own experience, how those passions re-point creativity back at us.

For me, creativity is about the mixture of chords and lyrics that resonate in our souls to express emotions words alone simply cannot say.  We climb because of the aesthetics and creativity that are involved when faced with a 100 foot challenge. We fish because of our connection to pristine waters, our serene environment, and the adrenaline we feel when our lines go tight. And, as artists, we create because we believe in the joy of seeing something emerge from nothing.

They patiently chip away what does not belong in order to expose what was already there – to find something special that’s been hidden from view. This kind of creativity means having the heart to discover what was there all along – and to stick it out. As artists, we create because it is our passion.

Passion is about the extremely late nights and early mornings to finish the final stitches in a pack that we hope to see on the trail or river someday. Determination chips away the frustrations in order to create patience and success. It is about trekking down the road less traveled because we are driven by our passion. This passion is a flame within our very being. It ignites and burns the shadow of doubt that creeps into our minds and it fuels our hearts to push us through the most difficult of tasks.

True beauty is not forced. It takes more patience and time than our fast-paced, wireless internet, smart phone, Facebook-driven society can cognitively grasp. Nature’s perfect beauty was fashioned from the many years of rain, snow, wind, ice, and sun. As much as people have tried to recreate it on a canvas, no one will ever be able to do it as perfectly as the process of time has. As much as we would all love to see immediate results, all we can do is face this road as it is, persevere through the trials, and accept that we are part of a creative process … being carved into who we are supposed to be, and ready for what we are supposed to do.The failures, sleepless nights, cuts, bruises and falls are all part of how we learn to move forward. As we choose our passions and our passions choose us, our experiences help mold us and create who we are as people.

In the brilliant words of E.E. Cummings, “It takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you really are.”

Send your projects, and NEVER forget to take the time to appreciate those who walk with you and always have your back. Create, express, pursue, overcome and always challenge yourself. Continue to fall, fail, cry and heal… just stay determined, remember you’re part of a process, and keep moving forward. Be terrified. Be excited. Be courageous!!! This whole time life has been chipping away the extra shit to expose who I truly am. My passions are creating me. All of our roads are less traveled, and I am a firm believer that wherever we are, good or bad, we are always right where we are supposed to be.

Continue to follow your passions, be patient, stay determined and when the dust settles…keep moving.

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With the support of family (my wife) and friends (you know who you are), overcoming these projects seems to make the blood, sweat and beers worth while. Thank you to all my friends and family for keeping me motivated and always putting up with my antics! Ya’ll are the creative artists that continue to chip away the unneeded shit in my life that makes me a better human being. I am truly in debt to ya’ll and I got nothing but love and mad respect for you. Thank you for being my inspiration. Cheers! Collin

Reel Reasons No. 5: Paying it Forward

04/26/2012 Reel Reasons, Vedavoo No comments
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The life of the entrepreneur makes it rare for me to fish more than one day a week. These days, I’ve always got a pack to sew, a new design to finish, or a pile of email to answer. But last weekend, I got three consecutive days on the river – - – unheard of, but much appreciated – - – and those three days soon became one of the most refreshing and fun I’ve had on the water.

After a miserable effort at my Brown Trout standby on Thursday – including an afternoon hailstorm while I was waist-deep in the river – I opted to go back to basics  on Friday evening. I grabbed my son – unplugging him from Phinneas and Ferb – and made my way out to a local river I’d heard a lot about, but had not aggressively tested.

I started him out with the same thing I learned on – running currents with an ultralight spinner and a trout worm. I caught hundreds of little rainbows and brookies like that when I was his age – and built a library of great memories at home in Wyoming or in the Black Hills of South Dakota where we vacationed. It’s not fly fishing per se, but the principles are still very similar. Drop the worm, keep your other hand on the line to feel for takes, and work the worm into pockets and around rocks to find the fish hiding in holes. We explored for the better part of two hours without any luck – but about half an hour before dark, we settled into a deep little pool and found what we’d sought.

After a few dozen soft strikes, Jade connected with a really nice little Brookie… and soon after, I did as well. It was the perfect end to a great outing. Jade and I both caught our first Eastern Brook Trout in the same hole, on the same day – something I’ll never forget.

The next morning, I got up early – filled with new confidence and energy to take another new fly fisherman out for his own crash course. Chris is a big time bow-hunter, and though he’s had very little meaningful experience with anything other than a bass rod in hand, I knew he wwould appreciate the subtleties of drifting a soft hackle through a run.

I started him in the same hole Jade and I had fished the night before, but several fishermen had the same idea, and I decided to take him instead to a lesser known spot.   It’s my own personal corner of heaven – away from the crowds – and where small little native-born fish covet an opportunity to take a small, well-placed nymph.

When we settled in, I took some time to explain some of the basics… showing him caddis casings and mayfly nymphs on a small rock retrieved from the water. I showed him how to play the fly through the run… and demonstrated how I’ve learned to simulate a rising bug. About 5 minutes of prep… and it wasn’t long before he connected with a hard-fighting little trout. Thereafter, Chris hit another four little natives before we called it a day – but I’m glad I gave him a chance to see how much fun and rewarding fly fishing can be.

The next morning, I was beaming. I’d caught a few fish – but my fellows had done excellent. And it occurred to me… that I’d had the opportunity to be the guide… to take what I’d learned and been taught, and to pay it forward.

This coming Sunday, I’m headed out again – and I’m hoping to guide Jade to his first fly-caught trout. It’s with no small amount of satisfaction that I know his first will come on a yellow fiberglass Eagle Claw … just like the first pole my Dad gave me.

Tight Lines… and when you get a chance, pay it forward.

Scott

On the Rocks No. 5: First View of Nanda Devi

04/05/2012 On the Rocks, Vedavoo No comments
First View of Nanda Devi

Sept. 2nd 9:00am
Arrived by train yesterday. Traveled an extra 4 hours by jeep to the NOLS base in Raniket. Finally we have entered into the mountains everyone’s spirits are high today. We met everyone at the base and made ourselves at home. This morning at breakfast either the spices or a food allergy made my throat lock up for a bit. Stayed calm and didn’t panic it was over shortly. Layed out all of our gear today to see what we will need for the mountains. Many people of this expedition have never heard of the Black Hills. I was very excited to see a poster in the gear room of a NOLS instructor climbing the Needles of the Black Hills – made my day big time. It was nice to shower tonight and by shower I mean a faucet in the wall that you fill a cup and pour water on yourself. The food in India has amazed me – way better than expected. We are supposed to watch out for the Dragons that live in the area. A dog’s leg was practically chewed off the other day by one.

It’s a beautiful night out. Across the valley we are seeing a few 14,000 ft peaks with clouds rolling over them. Wonder what the morning will bring!


Sept. 6 2011 6:10am – “A Taste of Altitude”
Traveled 11 miles yesterday all up hill. Was extremely strenuous hiking. We arrived at the small village of Khati or at least a village to the natives. A village here in India is at least one building and 3 people. Luckily Khati has about 6 buildings all british and old. We ascended a 10,000ft pass to get here. Our first glimpse of the mountains is mind blowing. I have never looked at such jagged towering mountains. Pictures and stories will never ever give these mountains justice. As I write this Nanda Devi is clearing its summit and poking above the clouds. The morning sun is just hitting all the summits. The scale is almost surreal. The nights get pretty cool here and in the morning everything is covered in dew. We are staying another night to rest and do some training. Everyone is just wanting to get into the mountains. Patience I am slowly learning.

First View of Nanda Devi

More to come!

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Mike Madsen is one of Vedavoo’s Ambassadors – stay tuned for another snip of his adventure Journal from his experience at NOLS India.

The National Outdoor Leadership School has courses around the globe focusing on delivering skills and resources for 17 outdoor activities including Backpacking, Backpacking and River Canoeing, Caving, Climbing, Fly-Fishing, Horsepacking, Lightweight Backpacking, Mountaineering, Rafting, River, River Kayaking, Sailing, Sea Kayaking, Skiing, Snowboarding, and Wilderness Medicine.

On the Rocks No. 4: A Glimpse of Utah

04/05/2012 On the Rocks, Vedavoo No comments
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I’d never been to Utah for a climbing trip, so when some friends were talking about going I was interested. I soon learned that the place they were headed (Indian Creek) was pure crack climbing–aka no footholds except for shoving your feet into the crack. I must say, this turned me off a bit so my pursuit of getting work off and making plans slowed. I did some investigating and read some things about Indian Creek though, and decided that it’d probably be good for me to expand my climbing techniques to more than just balancy granite climbing. I was able to get work off, packed up some stuff and went! And I am SO glad I did.

Aside from the climbing, Indian Creek is an absolutely gorgeous place. The red cliffs looming on each side of us as we drove through the multiple canyons reminded me of how small I really am and how big this world is, let alone the Creator of it all.

We were able to spend 10 days at the Creek, climbing most days but taking time for some rest days as well. It did take me a bit to switch from balancy, granite slab climbing to frictiony, sandstone crack climbing but after the first couple of days I was really starting to get the hang of it. I probably didn’t lead routes as often as I should have, but toproping was a blast too! I did hop on a few 5.9s that I led, at about the halfway point of my climb I realized that I really need to work on my mental game!! I make myself so nervous and psych myself out.

During a lead climb I usually have to stop at least once, take a big deep breath, assure myself that I’m capable and remind myself that I always have someone other than my belayer watching out for me. Some very noteworthy routes that I got on would include: Our Piece of Real Estate, Railroad Tracks, Desert Moon, Wild Cat, The Wave…and those are only a few! Not only was the scenery awesome and the climbing incredible–the group that I went with was tons of fun too! The hours that we spent around the campfire were just as special to me as were our climbing/exploring hours. Catching up with old friends is always a treat, as is sharing stories and learning about new friends that we met while we were there. I included some photos with this post–mostly scenery since I quickly learned that the boys I went with aren’t too big on taking pictures! Utah was a wonderful adventure–there’s so many more things that I wanted to do and routes I wanted to climb; I suppose I’ll just have to go back some day. Bummer. :)

- Brianna Stengel is a Vedavoo Ambassadors – stay tuned for new posts from her climbs and travels.

Reel Reasons No. 4: TARPON TOWN

03/19/2012 Reel Reasons, Vedavoo No comments
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Mexico will always have a special place in my heart. It’s where I fell in love with Saltwater fishing. It’s where I realized that there are wild places in this world that are worth just skipping town and leaving everything behind. There’s something special about the small towns that bring in a fresh catch each day. The tiny grocery stores that serve little more than a cold coke and a bag of chips. They’ve managed to survive the overwhelming technology consumption by society, and still remain attached to their roots. I’ve had a dream since I was about 15 to go off and live in Mexico and storm the Cenotes each morning in search of untouched waters. I could live on the beach and travel with a pair of clothes, a fly-rod, and a camera.

The first trip I took to Mexico was when I was 14. My dad and I traveled to the small fishing village of Punta Allen along the southern end of the Yucatan. We stayed in a rustic, glorified shack and ate fish and fresh fruit each morning, but the highlight was being able to fish Ascension Bay. We left each morning in the lagoons of Boca Paile, and made the run south into the large, expansive bay. The rich turtle grass, the dense mangroves, and the sticky, hot inferno of the backcountry was enough to make me think I was in another time zone. I’ve always been fascinated by the historic Caribbean cultures of rum runners, drug smugglers, and fisherman. Instead of seeing Yankee Stadium in the 30′s or something of that nature, I wish I could experience these wild places for what they were 50 years ago. I’d like to snorkel with Castro in Avalon Bay and maybe go bonefishing on Norman’s Cay with Carlos Lehder. I enjoy learning about these wild pastimes and anytime I can get a glimpse of that I jump at the chance.

Atop the legendary peninsula steeped in Mayan Lore, lies the convergence of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. This famed intersection brings a bounty of nutrient rich waters, which attract baitfish and predators alike. All together, the waters surrounding Isla Holbox make up the most diverse Tarpon fishery on the planet. The ocean side flats and drop-offs bring large schools of Tarpon each spring to feed on the abundance of Sardines. These fish range in size from 60-200 lbs. and can be seen rolling on calm mornings. The interior lagoons host Tarpon from 5-80 lbs. and these fish can be rolling, cruising, or layed up beneath the mangrove trees.  There’s Snook too, and Jacks, and Barracudas resembling large missiles.

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Dakota Richardson is a Vedavoo ambassador, avid fly angler, published author, and student at NYU.

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