Salt Lake City, Utah is home to mountains, knee-deep powder, winding valleys... Mormons and much more. It is also home to the largest gear and equipment expo in North America, the Outdoor Retailer. Twice each year, any manufacturer who is associated with the outdoor industry sets up shop for a brief fun-filled week. My visit west was covered by my great sponsor Wisconsin Pharmacal - maker Atwater Carey first aid kits and Potable Aqua.

I have to hand it to the Pharmacal folks. They know how to enjoy the Outdoor Retailer show. With a keg of Miller Lite and a folk singer, they invited passerby's into their booth for a sampling of... you guessed it - a large round of cheddar.

As the name implies, they are located in the great cheese-filled state of Wisconsin. (Ironically, they are located only 15 minutes from the house where I grew up.) While a big part of any sponsorship is obtaining gear and equipment for my upcoming Save the Poles expedition, another key aspect is building relationships with organizations and promoting a particular mission.

For me, my partnership with Wisconsin Pharmacal helps me promote responsible recreation. Taking, and knowing how to use, a first aid kit is an integral part of traveling in the wilderness. (By the way, this may be a good time to a good time to check your outdoor equipment and make sure you have a fully stocked, functioning first aid kit.) If you don't, click on link on my sponsor page.

Other events from Outdoor Retailer include: getting photographed with Phil and Kristine of Sierra Designs while snooping in other manufacturers tents, hanging out with Lora Ledermen from Scream Agency, biking with ACR's Paul Hardin, an interview in a tent with Park City TV, Bill Bussler ('nuf said), the O-2 mister, meeting long-time email correspondent Caron with Clif Bar and the Earth Expedition's main man Daren Wendell just to name a few.