Skurka’s upcoming slideshows & clinics

Tony –

Thanks very much for posting these photos. I think they convey the event pretty well, in terms of both its content and its accessibility.

This comment struck me:
“One of the nice aspects of the event was Andrew frequently inviting the audience to ask questions throughout the presentation. The negative aspect of this event was that there was so much material to cover in a relatively short time. Given Andrew’s vast experience and fielding questions, he really needed twice the time to be able to coverage the main points of his ideas and give examples.”

I absolutely agree with you. 90 minutes (really, 75 after factoring in the intermission and raffle) is just not enough to do this topic justice. Not only do I have to skip over things, but there’s also not experiential component, which is really how people learn best. This is part of my motivation in offering guided trips — during the course of pre-trip discussions and then actual time in the field, participants will acquire a tremendous amount of knowledgeable about backpacking gear, supplies and skills.

This year I’m offering 3-day trips and 7-day trips. The 3-day trips are very learning-intensive, whereas the 7-day trips are more hiking-focused (but equally educational). The first 3-day trip is in Henry Coe State Park, May 18-20, and I’m also offering them in 6 other locations around the country. The 7-day trips are in Wyoming, Yosemite and the Colorado Plateau.

For more information, visit:
http://andrewskurka.com/guided-trips/

The tour is mostly going very well. The presentations are being very well received. Maybe I’ll see some of you at some of my other events this week:

Wednesday-Thursday, March 21-22
Nantahala Outdoor Center, in The Grove Park Inn
Asheville, NC
Wed, 7PM: Circling Alaska & Yukon
Thurs, 7PM: Ultimate Hiking Gear & Skills
Details: Nantahala Outdoor Center

Saturday, March 24
The Summit School, sponsored by Great Outdoor Provision Company
Winston-Salem, NC
7PM: Circling Alaska & Yukon
Details: Great Outdoor Provision Company

Next week I start heading north. I’ll be at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, VA, and then at Campmor in Paramus, NJ.

Anyone thinking about signing up for one of Andrew's clinics – take the plunge! I did back in 2009 and loved every minute. There's nothing like learning in the field from the best.

Here's a link to the story we submitted of our adventure:

Wilderness Trekking II: Long Distance Backpacking

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/wt2_ldbclass_2009.html

(sorry you have to cut/paste…I don't know how to insert a link)

Andrew,

I noticed Southern California is not on your tour. Any chance you will add this destination?

I tried to schedule some events down there but struggled to get a full week of venues. If you care to, call A16 West LA and tell them what a great idea you think it would be for the chain to host a few shows.

How about an online version? I realize you won't be coming to my neck of the woods.

I spoke at Google a few weeks ago and they will be putting it up on their website shortly.

You can find some pictures of the Google event on my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/andrewskurka

Andrew,

Do you drive a BMW 7 series, or a Benz S series?

I think that is a prerequisite for public speakers in southern California, especially Orange County.

:)

I attended the clinic in Louisville Ky and it was a great experience. I also picked up one of his books and love it. Both provided a little different information than the other books and information that I have read. Both are very worth while!

Has anyone pre-ordered online? I got one email back like an invoice with 'order processed' but is there another email coming with the actual ticket? or do we just print that?

Jake

From Andrews website

If you purchase tickets in advance, go to the Roll Call table or window when you arrive.

AHh missed that. Thanks Anna :)

I went to both of Andrew's presentations that he had at Campmor in NJ.

There were ~60 people at the Alaska-Yukon talk and ~30 people at the backpacking clinic. Campmor also had live video streaming (Joe Geib texted me about my front row seats since he has a newborn and couldn't be there in person). Another BPL member was there…nice to meet you Neil (McGee?). Drop me a line sometime and maybe we can meet for a hike. However, most of the audience members were novice or traditional backpackers.

I went to the Alaska-Yukon talk with some friends who are more traditional backpackers, but really enjoyed the talk. They were especially impressed with Andrew's ability to navigate off-trail through "big wilderness" without a GPS. He did admit that he had some trepidation before the trip and at a few points during the hike, but he has obviously become expert at (way)back-country travel. Some great photos and landscape!

As Tony and Andrew mentioned, 90 minutes was not enough time. I do think audience members would have enjoyed more time to chat with Andrew about his gear and experiences. During the clinic there was one very traditional, older hiker, who regretted that he had only taken a few knives, firecrackers, some darts (yeah, I'm pretty sure that was what he said) on a trip to the southwest where he had glimpsed some large slithering animal (snake, cougar, ???), but had not thought to take a gun. Andrew was a little stumped about how to respond honestly but politely on that one, which was VERY entertaining to watch.

The backpacking clinic, which I attended with my 9 yr. old son Chris, gave people some insight to what choices they have for trail and/or camp comfort. Again, not enough time to convince people of the advantages of lightweight backpacking, but certainly food for thought. Since the headliner was busy with the paparazzi (and during the talk Andrew had mentioned I was also a UL backpacker), some folks came up to me to ask about the UL option and BPL…still some potential converts out there. He got the audience involved the shelter demo, and I have to admit that I made a pretty good pole and stake when called upon. I was a little disdappointed that the raffle didn't include the Alpacka raft, but the Aquaseal was appreciated.

At the intermission and at the end of the talk there was always a line of people buying the book and asking a few questions. Andrew was a good sport when I tried to slip in Jardine's "Trail Life" in place of his "The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide" for him to sign. Of course, he thought Jardine's book was too heavy. ;)

I encourage everyone to attend his talks, but Campmor is going to make the webcast available early this week if you can't swing it.

Thanks, Tom, for posting those photos, and for bringing your son. Always nice to put a real body to the names that I see often on BPL. Also loved that you wore the GoLite rain jacket that I’d sold you a few years back. I was happy to get rid of it, and clearly you are happy to have it.

I have a few presentations this coming week:

* Monday, Apr 2, Seekonk High School
* Tuesday, Apr 3, Middletown, RI
* Wednesday, Apr 4, Tyngsboro, MA
* Friday & Saturday, Apr 6-7, Kirkwood, MO

For event details, go to: http://andrewskurka.com/slideshows-clinics/current-schedule

The week of April 9-14 I’m in the upper Mid-West. Will post a reminder in another week.

My dad and I will be there monday. we even got the rain out of the way today.

Saw your order come through last week. Your name will be on a roll call list near the entrance. Should be a fun event, though there are some variables that may affect turnout, including it being voting day and the NCAA BB final.

Yep, I attended both of Andrew's presentations at Campmor in NJ, too. I may be a BPL member, but I do not consider myself a well seasoned UL backpacker (It was only just over a year ago that I came to BPL after 2 long-term backpacking trips through China carrying 40+lbs of gear and research materials…). I have to add the work he's doing to impress a lightweight, intelligent, and practical approach on the general backpacking public is important, and that community (with all their amusing questions and comments noted by Tom) has much to gain from his experience and knowledge, if for no other reason than to make their own experiences and adventures into the backcountry that much more enjoyable and fulfilling.

Andrew's got his Alaska-Yukon presentation down. You can see some of his speaking engagements online, but live and in person there is room to further appreciate the magnitude of his accomplishment. Some highlights for me were his sharing his mother's feelings about his latest expedition, his showing how extremely high (Wahoo!) moments shift on a dime to extremely low moments when taking on an expedition of this level, and his revealing the more existential moment of being in truly Big Wilderness. I don't claim to know Andrew in any way, but my guess is this trip changed him, and there is something fascinating in seeing that change.

I agree the Day 2 gear clinic at Campmor was a bit rushed and maybe a little harried. But I suspect the venue had a lot to do with that. The presentation space shared the same floor as retail space, so distractions were sometimes unavoidably disruptive – not Andrew's fault…or the screaming two-year-old's who just had to melt down in a tent set up immediately behind Andrew's presentation space. Still, a big take away for me was that the gear we use for backpacking are important tools, but the most critically important tool is the one between our ears. Gear does not make the backpacker. You need to have the skills, and this is something I endeavor to work on more in the coming season.

I've gone on too long here, but if you have the chance, go out and support Andrew on his road tour. If you can't make it, spread the word to people you know who may be interested. Do both. His gig is pretty cool, and he's a nice guy even to mortals like the rest of us.

And lest my praise be too 'fanboy' for some of you, I submit what is easily the worst photo I can possibly think of sharing of both myself and Andrew in a post like this. I don't know what that guy behind us is doing, or what the older gentleman who snapped the pic found so difficult about a iPhone, but I submit it for your own amusement:

Sounds like a great presentation, I wish he was doing a visit to San Diego, I want to see the slide show!

Give A16 a call. The CEO John Mead was interested but decided not to go through with it. He might reconsider if some of the stores are getting calls about it — I'm doubtful that ever happens.

Andy, I look forward to your show's in Seattle. I am really interested that it is at the Mountaineers Club (great people and great organization) but I'm interested in how they will except the concepts presented (that alone might be worth the price of admission).
Either way looking forward to it.
Tad

Not really sure what you mean by this.

If you are referring to the potential conflict between the way that I do things versus the way that an older institution like The Mountaineers might do it, I'm not expecting much of a problem — I present at retail stores all the time that sell countless pairs of "waterproof" boots and "lightweight" double-wall tents. Plus, I think they appreciate learning something different, since it's hard to dispute my success with this style.

I'll call the SD A16 on Monday, even though it may be in vain. Could be a good way to end your tour, you could hike home from there since its only 20 miles from the PCT :)

I was at the Saturday presentation in NJ as well. Well done Andrew! I was curious as to what specific foot balm you used that you mentioned during the slide show? Thank you.

Matt –

The balm I’ve been using recently is Bonnie’s Balm.

I bought a wholesale quantity recently and just started selling it on my website, since distribution is not very good. It’s $12 with free shipping; CONUS locations only for now.

http://andrewskurka.com/product/bonnies-balms-climbers-salve-2-oz/

Andrew, sorry if I missed on my point. The Mountaineers was started by individuals (great outdoorsmen, top of their field) much like yourself and I think your message will be well received. Its one of the few places/clubs around the country that has a real, true, and grand history. An excellent location for your kind of presentation- on a scale of some of the grand adventures by those of the original and previous members.

And watching someone have an "ah ha" moment is always a pleasure (worth the price of admission).
Tad