The Journal is dedicated to the sports and people that make Black Diamond what it is.
Entries for February 2010
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QC Lab: Gear from Ukraine
I received an email a while ago from a gentleman who had some old gear laying around. He said it was from Ukraine, most with no manufacturers markings, ratings, etc—it had been sitting around for quite a while and he was never about to use it so asked if...
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BD Band crushes at Outdoor Industry All-Star Jam
The Black Diamond Band completely and utterly dominated the Outdoor Industry All-Star Jam at Salt Lake Cirty's Club Elevate on Saturday, January 23 in front of a sold-out crowd of 600-plus. The BD Band is comprised of: Kolin Powick – Rhythm...
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BD athlete Neil Gresham reports on the sport climbing paradise of Kalymnos, Greece
The climbing world seems bigger than ever to me these days and I find myself increasingly overwhelmed by a never-ending tick-list of tempting new destinations. So why in view of this, do I always seem to end up on the paradise Greek island Kalymnos every...
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VIDEO: BD athlete Raphael Slawinski rock and ice action
Black Diamond athlete Raphael Slawinski is an all-around climbing master and this video clip, produced by Robert Rogoz, showcases that skillset beautifully. In this clip Raph climbs wild ice lines, burly mixed caves, multi-pitch rock routes and limestone...
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BD athlete Cedar Wright video profile from Mallorca, Spain
Want to get to know Black Diamond athlete Cedar Wright, but don't feel good about stalking him on Facebook? Watch this insightful video clip (put together by ace lensman Tim Kemple) from Cedar's recent deep-water soloing trip to Mallorca to learn how...
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VIDEO: BD athlete Cedar Wright making a 5.13 multi-pitch first ascent at Indian Creek, Utah
Black Diamond athlete Cedar Wright teamed up with fellow Boulderite Nick Martino last November to make the first ascent of a wild-looking 5.13 multi-pitch route at Indian Creek, Utah. Below is Cedar's comments about the route as well as a great video he...
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BD athlete Fred Nicole video profile
Black Diamond athlete Fred Nicole is arguably the most influential boulderer of all time, ushering the sport into a new era of difficulty and leaving his mark with mega-classic problems on the boulders of the world from Rocklands to Cresciano to Hueco...
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The Big LePowSki event—sign up now!
The Big LePowSki has been Black Diamond's biggest ski event of the year and this time it's even bigger with event locations in four areas: Brighton, Utah— February 26-27 Davos, Switzerland— March 5-7 La Grave, France—February...
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VIDEO: BD athlete Pietro Dal Pra establishes new multi-pitch route in Sardinia
Black Diamond athlete Pietro Dal Pra has left his mark on numerous walls throughout the Alps, pushing standards to new heights always with an eye toward style and quality. Now he has ventured to the island of Sardinia and established a dramatic multi-pitch...
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BD athlete Chris Webb Parsons reports from the boulders of Bishop, California—Dispatch #2
Black Diamond athlete Chris Webb Parsons continues his comeback from shoulder surgery with more quality ascents on the boulders around Bishop, California. Below is an email and photos that Chris (who is the only person to repeat the famed 60-move Wheel...
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Winger For The Weekend #31
Our Marketing Coordinator at Black Diamond Europe, Tanja Kulkies , sent us this Winger and we have to say this one left us confused. Was this for real? Was this a joke? A quick web search turns out that, yes, this is real and that there's at least two...
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BD athlete Jumbo Yokoyama reports on ascent of Mount Hunter's Wall of Shadows
Black Diamond athlete Katsutaka “Jumbo” Yokoyama is part of the renowned Japanese alpinist crew dubbed the Giri-Giri Boys. Currently on a long-term roadtrip through North America, Jumbo sent us this report about his ascent of Mount Hunter’s Wall Of...
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BD athlete Eva Walkner finishes 2nd and Reine Barkered 9th at first stop of Freeride World Tour in Chamonix, France
Black Diamond athletes Eva Walkner took second place at the first stop of the Freeride World Tour in Chamonix, France. Fellow BD rider Reine Barkered (who finished 2009 ranked 2nd overall on the FWT) managed a respectable 9th place against some of the...
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QC Lab: How strong is the Spinner Leash?
I don't usually write-up BD product specific tests and results, but I've just been getting so many of a similar type question on the Spinner Leash lately, that I felt I needed to. And to be honest, these questions are kinda freaking me out. "I just...
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VIDEO: BD athlete Sam Elias finishes second at Ouray Ice Festival
Black Diamond athlete Sam Elias finished second to fellow BD athlete Josh Wharton at the 15th annual Ouray Ice Festival this past January 2010 . Both climbers finished the route (the only two competitors to do so), but Wharton won based upon time. As...
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BD athlete Mike Libecki recaps his Year Of The Ox expeditions
Black Diamond athlete Mike Libecki lives for adventure climbing in distant, untrammeled lands. This past year he managed two such climbing expeditions and sent us the following recap and photos of his travels and climbs. Year of the Ox...
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New Launch and Enduro Series packs designed with Active Frame Technology
Unrestricted motion, customizable fit and sleek streamlined features set Black Diamond's 11 new Launch and Enduro Series packs apart from the rest. With hipbelts and shoulder straps that are designed to move with you , these innovative, award-winning...
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The BigLePowSki is coming! The Big LePowSki is coming! Sign up NOW before it's too late!
TIme is running out to sign up for The Big LePowSki! Sign up now or miss out on what is sure to be an epic event! The Big LePowSki has been Black Diamond's biggest ski event of the year and this time it's even bigger with event locations in four...
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BD employee Thomas Laakso reports from his ski travels in Europe
Black Diamond’s Ski Category Director, Thomas Laakso , is living, working and skiing with the BD Europe crew for the next couple months (lucky!) and sent us the following update. To no one’s surprise, it looks like Thomas is have an awesome time and...
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BD athlete Andrew Pollard wins Stevens Pass Cowboy Up Challenge
Black Diamond athlete Andrew Pollard took top honors recently at the first stop of the IFSA North American Junior Freeskiing Tour. Congratulations Andrew! Check out his recap of how it all went down. This year Stevens Pass, Washington held the 3rd...
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Winger for the Weekend #32
Our graphic designer Laurel Hunter submitted this gem of a collage about one of Hollywood's most ridiculous and enduring myths - as well as a peeve of almost every photographer/photo editor/graphic designer in the world. ...
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Winger for the Weekend #33
This winger comes to us, out of the archives, from BD's Technical Illustrator Mike Tea. These guys have clearly discovered the climber's version of "earning your turns." Check out the spine walk at 0:35...
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BD athlete Johnny Collinson becomes the youngest person to climb the Seven Summits
Johnny Collinson became the youngest person to climb all Seven Summits in January 2010 at the age of 17, completing his global tour in a mind-blowing 367 days—barely over one year. A strong competitor on the Junior Freeskiing Tour, Collinson skied every...
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QC Lab: Connecting Two Slings Together
So sometimes I like looking into and investigating different climbing gear or situations because I’m curious, sometimes people ask me or...
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Winger for the Weekend #34
Salt Lake City has one of the more robust bike messenger/hipster scenes in the country. It's not quite on par with Seattle or San Francisco, but BD's hometown is definitely a hot spot for "faded black jean shorts, a shirt that's so obscure, a band you...
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Epic powder and sunshine at the first stop of The Big LePowSki tour in La Grave, France
The BigLePowSki Tour kicked off last weekend, with the first stop in La Grave, France. Our event manager Ricky sent us this report. On Friday, the strong winds and heavy snowfall closed the tram and things weren't looking promising for the event....
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