National Public Radio reported earlier this month that despite the recession, the outdoor gear and apparel industry has been doing okay.  To me this illustrates two things: 1) Financially-enabled consumers continue to spend on their hobbies; 2) People want to enjoy the outdoors, possibly above other activities. 

The second point has the most significance to me.  I like to think that our collective interest in the outdoors and our sports of hiking and climbing are coupled with conservation and reducing pollution and waste.  If we are still buying that new headlamp for our next trip, are we also forward looking enough to invest in other “green” efforts?  I hope…