Just back from the great state of Oregon. Beautiful place. Nice people. It's just another stop in the Save the Poles expedition extravaganza - slide shows and presentations at several REI's in Oregon. Next week Boston. Special thanks go to Sierra Designs for their support of the REI tour.

In Bend, I got in an extended discussion on the virtues of PLB's (personal locator beacons) and one manufacture versus another. Before I enter the fray let me digress a bit. First of all, I am a big believer in responsible recreation - having the right gear and knowing how to use it, making sure someone knows where you are going, practicing minimum impact skills, etc. - these are all important aspects of being making sure you are safe.

PLB's should not be a replacement for good judgment, planning and preparation. That said, There are a couple of manufacturers of PLB's out there. "Why don't you take a SPOT tracker," one attendee asked. For starters, SPOT doesn't work in the polar regions. For me, I take ACR's MicroFix PLB over SPOT for other reasons as well; but put simply - ACR's beacons work anywhere and anytime.

Save the Poles expedition preparations are in full swing. I stopped by Sierra Designs to pick up sleeping bags for the South Pole, North Pole and Everest legs. They combined bags nearly fill the entire volume of my small car. I'm especially excited about the North Pole sleeping system which consists of a -20 degree F down inner bag and a +30 outer synthetic bag all stored in a SD bivy bag too boot. It's sweet!

I had a nice conversation with the Optic Nerve today. They agreed to supply the Save the Poles team with goggles and glasses. We are also working on future partnership opportunities. Also, if you haven't had a chance to check them out, they make a new bio-based frame as well. Cool shades made from sustainable materials. Nice.

In other gear related news, I met with Scarpa, and after lots of prodding (and a little luck) they agreed to make a special ski boot for me to use. The boot will look much like their Phantom 8000 high altitude mountaineering boot but modified with a Vibram Telemark sole. South Pole here I come.

Special Kudos go to North Pole team member Darcy St. Laurent who has been feverishly arranging logistics for the start of the North Pole leg of STP. He has also been researching pulks (sleds). Turns out (which we both knew) that they are really really expensive. If you know anyone who wants to donate $11,000 for two arctic ocean ready pulks, please let me know.

I'm looking forward to a burgeoning partnership with the Center for Biological Diversity and using the Save the Poles Expedition as a platform to promote climate change legislation. More on that later, however.

Right now, its late and my list is still long. South Pole soon! I'm getting excited, and nervous, and stressed, and giddy and every other emotion imaginable.

Pictured: A newly created 'polar explorer' during a Portland area Save the Poles presentation sporting SD's Polar Anorak and Polar Down. Goggles by Optic Nerve. Red nose beak by my mom :)