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Patagonia

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It has been almost ten years since I worked at Patagonia, but to this day I continue to take great interest in their business and environmental practices.

Recently, Patagonia’s Reno Service Center became the first private company in the nation to receive incentives for its recent Gold level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

According to the press release, “the company received real property tax abatements from the Nevada Commission on Economic Development of 50 percent over the next 10 years for the expansion of its distribution center.”

It is pretty darn cool that this is happening right here in Reno, Nevada.

This video does a great job of illustrating the measures Patagonia has taken to diminish their environmental impact as much as possible. Thanks David for pointing me to it!

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Nevada Business Journal

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The following is an article I wrote for the Nevada Business Journal:

Blogging for Business
Why should businesses care about blogs?

There has been a lot of talk about blogs lately. Politicians and businesses alike are entering the blogosphere at a surprising rate. Why? Currently, more than 57 million American adults read blogs.

For a long time blogs were simply thought of as conduits for personal expression by individuals who were not in the buying stage. There seemed to be no real application for business. This popular misconception turned out not to be true.

Blogs are in fact websites. They are hosted on a server, built on the same programming languages, and most importantly, indexed by major search engines like Google and Yahoo. The major difference is blogs give businesses a personal voice, and they can be built and launched for far less money than it takes to build a website.

The Power of Search

“Internet penetration has now reached 73% for all American adults,” according to Pew Internet, which is an authoritative source on the evolution of the Internet. This means there are millions of potential customers that are online every day looking for specific products and services that you offer.

Internet users search for products and services by entering specific terms or keywords into search engines. These keywords or terms produce immediate results that introduce users to many different companies vying for their business. But how do they find you?

Search Engine Optimization

Search engines place a significant amount of importance upon fresh, keyword-rich content, and the more relevant content a business puts online the better. Blogging software helps you publish this information easily and frequently.

Search engines also put a lot of value into linking. Companies will find online conversations that are based around what their company has to offer. One blogger links to another blogger because they find value in what they have to say. This continues the conversation until multiple bloggers and websites are linking back to original creator of that content. This helps push your website or blog to the top of the search engine results.

Differentiation & Demonstration of Expertise

Consider for a moment that a potential customer is shopping online for a particular product or service that you have to offer. They type in a specific keyword or phrase, and several competitors appear in the search results. They click through to one of the websites and begin to analyze their offerings in regards to price, benefits and presentation. They return to the search results to compare that initial experience against other competitors. After a few more clickthroughs, the potential customer has not found any distinguishing differences.

But then they find your company’s blog. Your blog demonstrates a personality with a voice and a willingness to share information to further empower their customers to make the right decision about what they want to buy. Instead of representing an impenetrable and impersonal corporation with no direct connection with its customers, you are seen as a personable and interactive company that wants to engage its’ customers.

Bringing Businesses and Customers Together

Blogs not only help with search engine optimization and differentiation from competitors, they also offer a way for companies to understand their customers better. Blogs are a chance to establish ongoing dialogues with customers and receive useful feedback that empowers a business to become better at what it provides.

Blogging is a time commitment, and it is not for everyone. But if you love to write, and you are passionate about what you do, then you will find that blogging is a powerful tool for attracting new business, creating loyal customers, and developing a deeper understanding of what can make your company even more successful.

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Grilling and Chilling

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It’s official. According to Blue Rhino, a company that sells propane tanks, Reno ranks No. 2 among U.S. cities as a great place to grill. It trails only Sacramento in a study based on summertime weather conditions.

In my opinion, Sacramento can’t hold a piping hot briquette to Reno’s wide open spaces, close proximity to Lake Tahoe and skiing, and ever evolving downtown scene complete with a whitewater park right smack dab in the middle.

So with that being said, what other reason do you need to pack up your Weber and move to Reno, Nevada? It’s time to crack a beer and throw some shrimp on the barbie.

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Reno Bike Scene

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They are everywhere!

It’s like something out of Better Off Dead – “I want my two dollars! I want my two dollars!” Except, they are not evil hell-bent newspaper boys that are out to get you. They are people that want to see Reno as more bike-friendly city with more bike racks, bike lanes, and greater awareness surrounding alternative means of transportation.

The Reno Bike Project and the Holland Project (website coming soon) are two organizations that are striving to make Reno a better place for bikers. Especially now that the weather has turned to longer days and warmer weather, you cannot go to downtown Reno without seeing several people either commuting, cruising, or tricking out on some type of bike.

This picture was taken outside of the Imperial Bar & Lounge the other night on Arlington and First. Imagine all the other parking spots they would have needed if they had driven cars.

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Still Snowing

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I don’t know if it is global warming, or simply the fact that the Tahoe region is one of the most climactically diverse areas in the United States. Either way, it is one of the major reasons why I moved here almost ten years ago. I mean, where else can you bike, kayak and ski almost year round?

I am not especially proud of this video, but I don’t know what else to do with it except post it up as a reminder of the last powder day of the season. What it does show is that there can be fun skiing in Lake Tahoe even in late April. It has been one of the weakest winters in quite some time, but at least it was kind enough to provide one more excuse to slap on the fat skis and make some powder turns.

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My Mom: She’s a Cool Kat

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My mom, Kat Hastie just recently returned from a 3 week trip to Africa where she explored more than a half-dozen national parks, as well as a side excursion to Zanzibar. She captured countless photographs, but I cherry picked just a few to show here.

I am most proud of her because she did it by herself. My stepfather was not particularly interested in going to Africa, but she did not let that stop her and went anyway. I know she is glad that she did.

She is racking up the miles. Recent trips also include, China, France, and Argentina. I wonder where she will go next? Maybe I can coerce her into coming to visit me in Reno with plans of shooting clays, attending the rodeo, and hiking around Lake Tahoe. That is exactly what we did the last time she was here, and she absolutely humiliated me on the trap shooting range. Any other guys out there who’s mother is a better shot than you?

While she certainly seems to have some photographic skills, her primary creative outlet is painting. You can check out some of her artwork if you are so inclined by visiting her website at http://kathastie.com/

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Reno-Tahoe YPN Launch Party

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Here is some video I put together of the Reno-Tahoe Young Professional Network (YPN) Launch Party, which was held at 210 North in downtown Reno, Nevada on Thursday, April 5th.

There were more than 500 people in attendance, and the event featured flame throwers, dancers, and a fashion show.

It was a lot of fun, and I met numerous new people that I hope to get to know better.

There is undoubtedly a fantastic renaissance going on in Reno.

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Mount Tallac, Lake Tahoe

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It is indeed a strange ski season here in Lake Tahoe. We have received less than average snowfall this year, and in many locations around the Sierra Mountains it looks as if it should be late May or even June. Nevertheless, this past weekend I ventured over to the West Shore of Lake Tahoe with a childhood friend of mine to enjoy what is left.

Simons Young and I grew up in Charleston, South Carolina together, and he now works and lives in San Francisco. He came up to Reno-Tahoe to join me in some spring ski exploits before the snow effectively and completely turns to its liquid state.

Tallac is a classic backcountry ski trip and quite a journey from its lake-level elevation of 6,300 feet to its top at 10,000 feet. The physical exertion is well worth the effort, and the end result produces both beautiful views of Lake Tahoe, and some exciting skiing down some excellent terrain.

I’ll leave it to the video to give you the rest of the details.

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Giant Gap, North Fork of the American

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Countless travelers zooming up and down Highway I-80 between Colfax and Truckee, California would never know of the beauty that lies just beyond their vision. Just over the eastern crest resides Giant Gap, a canyon of immense depth and beauty.

Because of the continuous nature of the river, and the fact that it is quite difficult to get out of your kayak, I was able to capture limited footage of the run. Nevertheless, I hope you at least get a taste of this California classic.

Giant Gap is an upper stretch of the North Fork of the American, which is formulated by the snow melt of the High Sierras surrounding the Lake Tahoe Basin. Primarily fueled by the Granite Chief Wilderness area, Giant Gap offers crystal clear water, an abundance of rapids, and spectacular scenery.

The Gap itself is framed by vertical cliffs that would be almost impossible to climb out of if attempted; therefore, it is wise to be prepared. You should expect to run several class IV-V rapids over the course of 14.5 miles. 

To access the river you must carry or drag your boat 1.5 miles down the Euchre Bar Trail. Once headed downstream, it is not long before you are encountering rapids that continue for several miles before relenting.

The ones of most note are Nutcracker, Locomotive, and Dominator.

Nutcracker is to be approached in the center of the river right channel with a slight left-hand angle. Drive hard through the first hole and expect to immediately punch another head on. 

Locomotive is to be run on far river right, but should not be attempted at all at flows higher than 1200cfs. There is a difficult portage on the right that requires some 5.5 climbing and boat beleeing. At higher water you can get out of the river on a small rocky nook on the right, and then belee someone downstream as they walk through the water to the easiest point of ascent.

Dominatrix into Dominator can be run river left or right, but should be scouted no matter what. You will know you are approaching the rapid when the geology of the river begins to change to a lighter colored rock.

In between each of these Class V rapids are numerous class III-IV rapids that are also worthy of respect and careful negotiation.

For more information check out California Creeks, and for river levels visit Dreamflows.

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Chamberlains, North Fork of the American

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After winter, it is always a bit awkward dusting off the paddling gear and heading for the river. Arms feel like small rubberbands, and reflexes are still in hibernation. But after instinct and experience begin to recall their responsibilities, your body slowly remembers what it loves about paddling on a river.

It was quite nice to descend down from the snow covered Sierras to the beginnings of spring in Colfax. Chamberlains is a perfect class III-IV warm up to kick start the paddling season and remember what it is all about.

Here is a little off-the-couch production that depicts the first days of river recollection, hanging out with some Cali folks.