The seasons are changing. Really. Summer is on it's way and we're rollin' out the Summer Package deals. Camping, Climbing and Kayak packages are here. Check out the savings!

The days following our big seasonal sale are commonly referred to as "change over"- when we switch things up and the Ski and Snowboard departments give way to "Dreamland"(tents and sleeping bags) and Kayaks. It's also the time of year when we get new product and welcome new companies to our store- companies like Big Agnes. Next Adventure is happy to announce that we now have a great selection of gear by Big Agnes. Here are a few items we'd like to highlight. Psst...hey kayakers, this is an awesome set-up for multi-day trips. Super compact, light-weight and H20 friendly!

"Nugget 45": H20 compatible primaloft eco (made of 50% recycled fibers) 5 oz's. $189 reg. $199 long	Insulated Air Core Pad: 2.5 inches thick = extra comfort, primaloft eco fill (50% recycled fibers) Mummy: $69	Seed House SL1: One man, 3 season, self standing tent. Weighs 2lbs 13oz's. $249

Next Adventure is all about promoting products that are "green". According to www.treehugger.com a green product is one that: "...is both environmentally and socially responsible. That is, they are accountable to, and respectful of, the places and people that provide and use them."

Mountainsmith has designed a line of packs made entirely out of recycled bottles. Nothing beats the quality of Mountainsmith and the good feeling that comes when you know you're making a move in the right direction by buying green. Mountainsmith aren't the only one's going green. Here are just a few other products we'd like to highlight that are made with you and mother earth in mind.

Take a look at these sleeping bags just for the ladies by Sierra Designs. Next Adventure got a great deal on the '07 models and that means you save too! 30% off MSRP on the "Glow", "Spark", "Star Gazer", "Solar Flare", and "Rock Creek" models.  (Rock Creek model not pictured)  Ladies sleeping bags are smaller and lighter because they can be. They also feature proportional room in both the shoulders and hips.

An article in the September 6th Oregonian Newspaper highlighted Next Adventure as a resource for Baby Boomers gearing up to hit the great outdoors. NA's own Special Ops Manager Seth was quoted: "A lot of folks may have camped in their late teens and 20s. They did the whole kids-and-job thing. Now they're coming back, and they're blown away by the newer gear."

Next Adventure caters to adventurers of all ages. Have a question about what equipment is right for you? Come on in and let our knowledgeable and friendly staff help you get out there!

To read the full Oregonian article, click here.

We now carry cots, tables and sleeping bags from Slumberjack.   Come on in and check them out!

Next Adventure's own Eagle Scouts, Deek and Greg, made a trip earlier this week down to Camp Melakwa, a Boy Scout Summer Camp nestled in between the Mt Washington and Three Sisters Wilderness Areas. There they lent a hand teaching Scouts rock climbing and belaying.

Melakwa is a "Scout Skills" camp, focusing on the basics of the outdoor experience. "Wow," said Greg, "I wish I could have climbed a mountain when I went to summer camp." Greg got his wish at Melakwa, as he assisted a group of scouts climb Middle Sister Mountain. Here are a few photos of their trip:

Above: Scouts on Middle Sister Below: Deek belays a Scout

Check out the new additions to our Travel Section upstairs in the Camping Department.  We now carry Kiva super-compact totes and bags, as well as a wide selection of (Oregon's own) Rick Steves' travel packs and accessories.

The Mt Hood National Forest has issued a report that the Timberline Trail was washed out below Eliot Glacier during last winter's flooding, and that they do not plan to fix it this summer. There is no easy alternate route, so that means the Timberline Trail will not be a hikable loop this year.

There are more closures of roads and trails, including the Salmon River road and the bridge to Ramona Falls, so check with the Forest Service before you head out. Find out more details on the Mt Hood Conditions Page.

Meanwhile, for the rest of the Timberline Trail that is open, most of the south-facing stretches are snow-free, but expect some deep snow on the shady north side of ridges. An exploratory trip up north-side Vista Ridge on July 3 revealed plenty of snow covering the trail above 5000 feet. A trip up the South side July 9 proved snow-free above 6000'.

More details can be found in an article by the Oregonian.

So many trails ... which one to choose? Figure out where you want to go with our new shipment of Northwest Hiking Guides. We've got titles from Falcon Guides, Wilderness Press and Navillus Press. Come get your copy of the local hiker's bible, William Sullivan's 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon.

And once you figure out which trail, get the map that can help keep you found. We've got all the Oregon Green Trail maps in stock, and maps for Washington, including the Olympic Peninsula. Awesome!

We've got in new Mont Bell 2007 gear: tents, redesigned sleeping bags, and new this year, Mont Bell Packs.

Also, we've got in some new binoculars from Nikon and Brunton.

And we've got new knives in - from Gerber, Leatherman, Buck, Columbia River and Kershaw. 

We just got in some sweet deals on DaKine bags. Come in and check out the stylin' ladies' handbags near the Front Counter, and then head up to Camping to find some rockin' day packs. At closeout prices, you don't want to miss this!

The 2007 Mountainsmith Camera packs, Lumbar packs, and Backpacks are now in stock. Tough and comfortable, Mountainsmith packs seem to do the impossible, combining strength and lightness with superior support.

Get ready for the camping season now!  Come check out the latest and greatest 2007 gear that is coming in, including the 2007 Sierra Designs tents and sleeping bags, as well as the 2007 MSR tents, stoves, and ThermaRest pads.