Battle of the Backpacks

This weekend Lander hosted the International Climber’s Festival.  Friday’s Trade Fair at City Park brought big name sponsors from across the country and a plethora of climbers. NOLS and the Wilderness Medicine Institute (WMI) shared a busy booth as they spread the good word of NOLS, sold an array of WMI shirts, and did a backcountry pizza demo. While the dyno competition was by far the most popular event of the day, the NOLS backpack sack race did not disappoint. The three rounds leading up to the final heat were intense. With fast hops and awesome technique, Brian Graham of Evergreen, Washington emerged as the winner. He was bestowed a NOLS chalk bag and mug.

The final round of the NOLS backpack sack race.

Sporting a NOLS t-shirt at City Park.

The NOLS table looks so neat at the trade fair.