Summer of 2017!
We were dirty and exhausted, and one more mile from pulling over to road camp when we chanced upon the perfect camping spot in Idaho!
Mountain biking in the City of Rocks, Idaho...who knew?!?!
Carefully navigating the Angel's Landing climb in Zion National Park
The winter of 2016-17 was pretty phenomenal for all of us west of the Mississippi, but to be honest, by the time mid-June rolled around I was ready to put my skis away and start playing with my summer toys!
It was mid-July before most of our Mount Hood mountain biking trails were clear enough to ride. With all of the snow melt and June rain, the rivers hadn't dropped to fishable levels either. Nevertheless, we were able to take the kayaks or road bikes out most evenings.
We made up for it in July, August, and September with trips to Idaho, Alaska, Utah, Nevada, and California. As well as several hiking and mountain biking adventures here in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
In between the trips, we managed to do some nice upgrades to our shop and production facilities. These upgrades have allowed us to increase not only production, but quality and efficiency as well.
Here are my top 10 thoughts about our summer adventures:
1. Zion National Park is beautiful and The Narrows and Angel's Landing are a must! The farther you go when hiking The Narrows the fewer people there are and the more peaceful it becomes.
2. Hiking/climbing Angels Landing is probably the scariest thing I have ever done while not roped up! It's like a bouldering problem 1500 feet in the air!
3. Mountain bike tires don't like cactus thorns. Go figure?!?
4. Santa Cruz has some of the best single track mtb riding I've ever ridden. (the surfing looked pretty good too!)
5. San Diego does not have great mtb trails (unless you’re fond of 100 degree weather and desert scenery)! But, they make up for it with beautiful beaches, chill people, and fantastic craft brews.
6. Alaska is still as gorgeous, majestic, awe inspiring, and wild as when I lived there. Oh, and big! I forgot how big everything is!
7. Bungee jumping is always a puckering high that lasts for days!
8. I managed to make it all the way through the summer without any major mtb injuries! I must be slowing down in my old age...
9. Total solar eclipses are really cool! Skiing down a snow covered mountain and watching the path of totality speed through the valley below was an amazing (hopefully not) once in a lifetime event!
10. I miss snow and can't wait to get back on my skis!
We'll be hitting the road hard this winter showing off our new profits and innovations. We are trying attend as many APP, NSP, and CSP events as possible. I hope to see you there!
Toby Willey
Edge Rescue LLC
Toby teaching Cheyenne how to chill...espeicially while on vacation!