REI reevaluates its return policy

View fullsize

REI revises return policy.  You can no longer return your 10 year old pair of underwear because you don't like the style.  

Ok, so we all have that old piece of gear which we've worn to death for the better part of five, 10, maybe 15+ years.  Maybe it's an old puffy down vest that served us well as a mid layer on many winter hikes.  Perhaps a stove, charred black on the burner from years of flames and use.  Maybe even a pair of tattered hiking boots with a missing shoe lace from when you had to strangle a bear with your bare hands because it tried to steal one of your kids.  Whatever the gear, It has seen better days and for whatever the reason REI, arguably the largest and most popular outdoor retailer in the world has taken it back.  That's because until recently REI's return policy has been return any merchandise, anytime, no questions asked.  However now the retailer is calling foul on the more than generous policy.    

Really?  You can take in a five year old pair of gaiters because you no longer like the style and some green vested kid behind the counter will give you store credit (which is worth its weight in gold to the avid gear junkie)?  Recently I popped into my local REI during one of their garage sales they do semi-frequently and watched the feeding frenzy.  This sale is member exclusive and offers patrons the chance to buy returned merchandise at deeply discounted prices.  What I saw reinforced why REI has changed its policy.  Boots from circa 1995 that looked like they had hiked around the world several times, jackets and shirts with stains (from your camping trip dinner... not from the factory) and underwear... yes... underwear.  Reading some of the tags with descriptions on why these items were returned was rather amusing.    

"Customer didn't like the color" 

 "Not the right style"

And my favorite...  

"Nothing wrong with the item" 

Now I understand that sometimes you get something home, pull it out of the box, try it on and think... this isn't what I had in mind.  That's when it goes back to the store, NOT FIVE YEARS LATER!  How do you buy a jacket in 2010 and in 2013 decide you don't like the color?  Sure that pair of whitey tightey technical underpants was in style... in 1995... what'd you expect 10 years later and who wants your decade old briefs anyway?  

Talking to one of the employees he said there have been several people upset by REI's decision to be more conservative about the policy change.  I for one think it's disappointing that some people would take advantage of this policy and ruin it for the masses.  This is a store which already strives to treat customers (and its members especially) pretty awesome with deals throughout the year.  Its new more "conservative" return policy is one year.  Compare that time limit to most stores which vary from 30 to 90 days. Why getting sweet gear at competitive prices isn't enough... I don't know.  I for one like to see how long I can keep my gear before it absolutely disintegrates.    

What are your thoughts?  Are you ok with REI's new return policy?   

Living the Dream

Last night, I had a great opportunity to be a guest speaker on BACKPACKER magazine's Gear & Go Tour.  The tour is designed to give locals advice about gear to use for trips in their area and then give them local trail ideas and beta so they can get out their and do the hikes.  Me giving advice... wow... that's a scary thought.  I met a lot of awesome people who are at different stages of their hiking and backpacking lives.  Some were planning their first outing while others had been backpacking longer than I had even been breathing.   

I also met Justin and Patrice La Vigne.  They are the ambassadors for BACKPACKER traveling around the country in a decked out Sprinter van, hiking trails and talking about the gear they used and the experiences they had.  Man that's gotta be a cool job.  Before Justin and Patrice started this tour they ran a backpacker hostel on the Appalachian Trail.  Yeah... also up there on the really cool jobs list in my book.  While talking to them I mentioned

"You all are living the dream" and Patrice repied, "We wake up and pinch ourselves everyday to make sure this is real".  

They are living the dream and they didn't hesitate to make a change in their lives when an opportunity presents itself.  I think we all need to seize on these opportunities, no matter how big or small they might seem.  Talking to another friend of mine yesterday, he was at a crossroads.  Does he keep working at a factory making a steady income punching a clock or does he start writing and take an opportunity as radio DJ to pursue his passion?  

My response was telling him he will never look back and say "man I wish I had kept that job at the factory".  Most likely he'll think "whoa what an epic journey my life is taking".  

We all need to live our dreams and take advantage of doors that may be opening in our lives.  If the doors aren't opening for your passion.  Pull out the crowbar and start prying it open!   

Virtual hiking: let Google take the trip for you!

Google is an amazing thing.  I’m fairly certain they are going to map the entire world.  It’s all part of an elaborate scheme to take over the world... well the virtual world that is.  As someone who follows the trends in social media and search engine marketing there is a lot to be said about Google and their arsenal of web based products.  Gmail, maps, plus, drive, etc really are revolutionizing the way we search and think. 

So about this point you’re thinking “What on Google Earth does this have to do with hiking... or backpacking or traveling?”  That would be an excellent question.  As we run to the search engine that knows everything including where we are, where we are going and probably even where Jimmy Hoffa’s body is buried, it leads me to wonder if actually backpacking or traveling is even necessary?  About a year ago, the search giant announced plans to start adding street view to various trails and national parks.  We can  now walk down the streets of London (England & Kentucky) and hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, at the simple swipe of a screen or click of a mousepad and all without ever leaving the comfort of my extremely comfortable chair... although it doesn’t recline nor does it have a built in mini-fridge.  So are we a Google society?  Have we come to terms with the idea that who really needs to travel when I can see it in 360 degree views on my computer screen?

I’m of the mind set that some places are better left wild... the WILDerness is probably one of those places.  We’re a too plugged in society and we need areas that are still of the grid, away from all the dinging cell phones and sirens and distractions of living amongst the well... living.  People need to get off their backsides and get outside... and maybe walk off the Big Mac (without cheese) that we ate for lunch.  The Goog does a lot of ridiculously cool things that make my life a lot easier.  Virtually hiking trails probably doesn’t need to be one of them.    

If you feel different, please share.    

It's 22 degrees and you want to sleep outside?

It was pretty much the same from everyone I told about my plans this past Friday, a confused look accompanied by “Why?”.  I asked my wife if she wanted to go.  “You go have fun... I’ll stay here” was her response.  I was planning to head out for a little overnight hike in the woods.  Nothing huge, just an eight mile loop in a nearby national forest.  That wasn’t the part everyone was getting hung up on, it was the idea I had about camping... in the woods... in winter... when it was just 22 degrees outside.  No I'm not homeless.  

View fullsize

If you’re an avid backpacker chances are you know where I’m coming from?  We have to face the fact that a lot of our friends don’t understand how we can take enjoyment from walking around for days, in the wilderness, with all our necessities on our back and in some cases, without taking a shower.  It just doesn’t seem natural or... maybe it’s a little too natural.  When Meg and I came back from our Grand Canyon trip last year we got the same reaction over and over again.  “You didn’t shower for five days?  I don’t understand how you can do that.”  Well it’s easy, you just don’t take a shower when you get up in the morning.  Instead you walk 10 to 12 miles with your house, bed and kitchen on your back to another secluded location where you camp.  Sound fun?  Yeah, it does to me too.  

We derive excitement and adventure from the places we go, the isolation we find and from the elements.  One of the things I enjoy most about a backpacking trip is a little rain or chilly temperatures.  It adds to the sense of adventure and survival.  When you’re backpacking, isn’t it true that we say hello to most everyone we pass?  Why is that?  Because they’re one of us... they understand what we’re doing and why we’re out there doing it.  And they find it refreshing to stop and talk to someone who shares their same interest.    

I hiked my loop and yes, it was cold that night.  Would I do it again... absolutely.  Will I get lots of confused looks and questions... probably.  It’s all just par for the course.

Is backpacking a sport?

So we all know there are a lot of weird sports included in the Olympics that never see the light of prime-time television.  I mean c’mon, do we really need a sport that involves horses dancing to choreographed music or speed walking... really?  A sport is defined, by Sir Webster, as physical activity engaged in for pleasure.  That leaves the door wide open for a lot of things we just won’t go into on here.  

That definition leads me to this question: Can backpacking or hiking be considered a sport?  Is Andrew Skurka our Michael Phelps or Bear Grylls our Tom Brady?  Equipment is getting lighter and the price tag heavier and the outdoor market is flooded with brand names.  Just as the Nike swoosh means something to a basketball player so does the Patagonia mountain range at sunset to many hikers who sport the latest in down insulation or quick drying pants.  

But what about competition?  Isn’t sport about competition?  I would say that is an element.  The thrill of competing against someone else to see who is superior is very much an element of any good sporting match.  Whether you’re fighting to the death or fighting the elements competition and the excitement when the adrenaline starts pumping plays a big role.  

I know I asked more questions than I answered.  I would say yes, backpacking and hiking can be considered sport.  You are competing with yourself... challenging yourself and pushing yourself to, in some cases, your limit.  We’ll likely never see Bob Costas giving us the highlights on who won the gold for backpacking but that’s okay.  It will hopefully continue to be a sport that one competes at on their own stage... a stage deep in the backcountry of some of the wildest places on our planet.  

What are your thoughts?  Sport or not a sport?