Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works

Dear SDC Mountain Works,
Please find my photograph attached.  It’s me dropping a knee at Portillo, Chile.  I actually reside in New York, NY.  However, I’ve got family in Santa Fe and don’t miss an opportunity every time I’m in town to build up my stock in gear at simply the greatest outdoor store in America! Keep up the amazing work.

Best regards,
Lance

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Hershey

If you didn’t know me and saw me on the trail two things would come to mind; how bright and color coordinated I appeared and how much of what I carried was designated for my chocolate lab. Besides being hopelessly color aware and obsessive compulsive about my own gear, the undying and rather dopey affection I have for my dog is clear to anyone. This became even more apparent in the selection process I used when outfitting Hershey for her dog pack.

After the long and harrowing process I have come to one conclusion: the Granite Gear Ruff Rider dog pack wins by a longshot. After testing out all the other packs by having her strut her stuff around the store, the Ruff Rider was the only pack that didn’t impede her stride. This pack is the only one with a yolk that runs the length of the dog’s spine, equally distributing the pack’s weight the entire length of the back and shoulders.  Where the packs sit on either side along the dog’s ribs are adjustable, making this the perfect pack for dogs of all shapes and sizes. The portion of the pack that rests against the dog is lined with 550 gram fleece attached to foam pads that protect the dog from the pack’s sometimes pokey contents. The outer fabric is high tenacity 210 denier cordura, which I might add held up extremely well after Hershey decided to roll around in cow doodoo (more times than one), which ended in me standing in the creek with her, pouring cupfuls of water onto her and her pack, and then finally machine washing it upon our safe and smelly return home. Along with great fit and durability there are also reflective strips visible from all angles, and adjustable chest, yolk, and belly straps.

Now, if I haven’t sold you on the idea of one yet, this next story ought to change your mind…I had a homeless man come into the store the other day to comment about his recent purchase of the Ruff Rider pack for his dog (which seemed to be more loaded up than the man’s pack, if you ask me), and got a very interesting review from him pertaining to the male dog’s anatomy. And I quote: “Yeah, it’s the only god damn dog pack that doesn’t cut off circulation to his dingy when he sits down on his hind quarters.”

So, when you do decide to come into the shop and ask us to fit your dog for the Ruff Rider pack I would like you to have an idea of what to do when your furry child first begins to use it. These tips should be used to alleviate that miserable look on your mutt’s face that reads somewhat like, “your hooolarious mom/dad, turn your head for a moment and this right side will have a hole in it the size of China (where it’s made, sigh).” Start your pooch out with an empty pack on shorter walks. Increase the amount of weight and duration of outings gradually letting her get accustomed to it on her back.  Award her a treat when she first puts it on each time. Soon the pack will signal a hike and your pup will be drooling on it before you have a chance to pull out a treat. (There should be a joke here in reference to Pavlov’s dog, but I just couldn’t make it fit…) Anyways, every dog deserves as much comfort in a pack as you do. Do your furry friend a favor and bring ‘em in!

Alexa Kennedy

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Lightning – A Shocking Development in the Outdoors Ideally all our summer hiking, riding, fishing and climbing would take place under clear blue skies, but that’s not always possible in the Rockies and especially in New Mexico during the monsoon season. It’s bad enough for us that monsoon thunderstorms often bring drenching rain – good rain gear can help with that – but the lightning presents a real threat to people in the outdoors. The Rockies along with Florida are the most lightning prone areas in the US, and New Mexico leads the country in per capita lightning deaths.

One way to avoid being struck by lightning is not to go outdoors at all, but that isn’t really an option for us.However we can try to avoid being in the wrong place at the wrong time by taking a few precautionary steps. It makes sense to forgo outdoor adventures on days when the weather forecast calls for a high chance of lightning storms. Summer thunderstorms in the Rockies are typically an afternoon affair, so starting early enough in the day so that you can be back safely before storms start will help keep you from harm. And of course, changing your plans or turning around as soon as the weather appears threatening is a no-brainer.

Sometimes, for whatever reason, our best-laid plans don’t work out and we find ourselves outside when a thunderstorm is approaching. Since lightning generally is attracted to high points, it’s a good idea to avoid high terrain like ridges and peaks and tall and isolated trees. Head to lower ground when lightning approaches and if you’re in the forest look for dense stands of smaller trees. For that matter, you want to avoid being the high point yourself, so you should move out of open areas like meadows and fields.

Other terrain features that you should avoid include overhangs and shallow caves (as well as partially enclosed buildings) since lightning can jump the gap from top to bottom by passing through you. And long vertical cracks in rock will conduct electricity as well, especially if they’re wet. Lakes and streams clearly present a hazard during lightning storms – get away from those.

A fair-sized ledge or a talus slope where you can squat, crouch or sit between rocks may be your best bet if you’re caught out in the high mountains. Don’t lie down since that presents more of your body area to conduct electricity from a nearby strike. Place your pack or sleeping pad or even your coiled climbing rope under you to insulate you from the ground. Ditch any metal or graphite gear like hiking poles, pack frames, climbing gear and even keys and electronic gear. If you’re a climber, you don’t want to be tied into a wet rope – it can carry current to you.

Having done all this, if your skin starts tingling and your hair is starting to stand on end, you need to move quickly and promptly away from the area. Run – the static charge is a sign that a lightning strike is building up nearby.

• So, to recap: – Check the weather forecast for thunderstorm activity, and either postpone or time your outing to be back before it’s likely to start. Turn back if things get threatening. -
• Avoid high spots, tall and isolated trees, and open meadows and fields. Also avoid overhangs and shallow caves, water, and long vertical cracks in rock. -
• Squat or sit on lower ground, between rocks, or under short trees. Get rid of any metal or graphite, untie from ropes, and use packs, pads and things like that to insulate your from the ground.
• Don’t lie down. – If your skin tingles or your hair stands on end, beat feet immediately.

And finally, consider taking a CPR class, just in case. Have a safe and electricity-free time this summer,

Bob Lee

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