Elliott's Thoughts » nwevolution

6 Ways To Go Green In Snowaboarding

Elliott — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:57:10 +0000

Buy a Green Board
Invest in a snowboard made from green materials. The Burton Eco Nico is a good example.

Visit Eco-Friendly Resorts
There are ski resorts that take measures to be green. Skiing and snowboarding are often done at the same places. Here’s a list of the best and worst ski areas.

Travel Well
Avoiding plane travel, riding in a carpool, training or busing are all eco-friendly ways of getting to your favorite slopes.

Recycle or Reuse Old Snowboards
Some boards are specifically made to be recycled. Others can be recycled or repurposed depending on the materials the board is made out of. You can always find a creative way to reuse snowboards. Tlmfarmgirl on RecyclethisUK suggests making cool shelves from old boards.

Don’t Litter & Stay on the Slopes
When you board only on the designated snowboarding/skiing areas, you stay out of the habitats of plants and animals. Tramping around in the snow can damage unseen, snow-covered vegetation. Littering is just bad, and I feel that this should be randomly mentioned from time to time.

Use Eco-Friendly Snowboard Wax
Don’t track dirty wax into the out of doors. Use waxes that vibe out and become a part of nature instead of a menace to nature.

NWFramed

Elliott — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:51:58 +0000

Here’s a little video project that the team at NWevolution worked on. I hope you enjoy and let us know what you think.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ762DTqsnI&hl=en&fs=1&]

Day 12 – Hiking Coal Creek

Elliott — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:34:48 +0000

The trailhead of this hike is located right off Coal Creek Parkway between 405 and Newcastle. It’s a small dirt parking lot which fits about 6-7 cars.

You’ll see lots of knocked over trees and erosion around the trail but the trail itself is well maintained. The hike starts out very close to Coal Creek. After leaving the trail head you can hear the parkway for a while, but soon it fades away as you get deeper into the park.
From this trailhead you can go to just about all the mountains in the Renton/Issaquah area to mine shafts and babbling streams.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGjKZCiO-4c&hl=en&fs=1&]

Day 8 – Wilderness Creek Trail

Elliott — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:59:00 +0000

Before I get into the details of this hike make sure you watch the video because I’m running a little contest at this trail!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxQc3IvAQPE&hl=en&fs=1&]

This is a hike that to get you in shape that has easy access. The trail is mostly dry but there’s plenty of water running down the Wilderness Creek. This route takes about 2 hours from start to finish (it all depends on your skill level)

The Wilderness Creek Trailhead is in between Renton and Issaquah on SR 900. The lot can fill up quick since it only holds about 10 – 12 cars however, if it is packed you can park along SR900

If you want to help maintain this hike there’s filler rock at the parking lot that you can hike in to lay down on wet/muddy spots along the trail. The Wilderness Creek trail is in the best shape of the three trails on this hike. The trail climbs up quickly, but along the way you are treated to be the best creek views.

After about 1.5 miles of uphill hiking you connect to the Wilderness Peak trail (there is no view at Wilderness Peak).

Continuing another .4 miles the trail connects to the Wilderness Cliffs Trail. This is where the trail becomes a bit muddy still — but is not too bad. Hint – This is where you might find a little notebook.

On the way back down the mountain, there is a peek-a-boo view The Wilderness Cliffs trail connects back to the Wilderness Creek trail and then continues back to the trailhead and the parking lot.

Directions:

From Interstate 90 (eastbound or westbound), take Exit 15 and drive south on Highway 900 (Renton-Issaquah Road Southeast) for 3.3 miles. Turn right at the trailhead sign into the parking lot

Day 5 – Sea Kayaking On The Puget Sound

Elliott — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:14:39 +0000

For my 5th day of r 31 days of 31 activities my sister and I headed down to Alki Beach to do some sea kayaking on the Puget Sound. Known by Seattle residents as one of the only “real” beaches area in the city, Alki beach is often compared to Southern California for its rollerblading, bicycling and jogging activities along the waterfront. Reminiscent also of European seaside towns, its narrow strip of sand accents the bustling cafes along the boardwalk. Outdoor activities abound, and cultural opportunities are present within walking distance of the waterfront.

Alki beach steches for 2 1/2 miles along the coastline of the Puget Sound, from Alki Point to Duwamish Head on Elliott Bay, the Alki Beach Park runs parallel with Beach Drive in West Seattle. It is public land, teeming with life year-round. In the summers, the people-watching is reason enough to be there, with rollerbladers, bicyclers, volleyball games, boarders and more. Stay into the evening for a bonfire right on the beach; Alki is one of only two public beaches in Seattle that allow them.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8UL1ZSdTJg&hl=en&fs=1&]

Whether you want to join a guided tour or strike out on your own, kayaks are available from Alki Kayak Tours. The guided tours include an Alki Lighthouse Sea Kayak Tour, one on the Duwamish River, Elliott Bay, Blake Island, and a sunset tour. No experience is necessary and the guides teach you all you need to know on the spot. Hourly rentals are also offered to those who are confident in their abilities already and wish to explore the Seattle waters in their own way. Singles and doubles are available, and a three-seater, which provides an opportunity to take your kids out in a kayak.

Go out joing the fun and make sure to share your experience on NWevolution.

Day 3 Biking – 31 Days of 31 Activities

Elliott — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:24:38 +0000

Since I’ve moved back to the Northwest my road bike has been sitting in the garage. So, for my third day it seemed fitting to pump up the tiers and take the trusty bike out for a spin down at the Cedar River Trail. I haven’t had such a calming experience like that for a long time. With the fall colors blanketing the trees and the crisp air on my face it truly didn’t even feel like I went to work that day. I hope you enjoy and Today we’re heading out to Lake Union for Some SUP. If you’re interested in joining us let me know.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPbeL4bzf7M&hl=en&fs=1&]

Day 2 of 31 Days of 31 Activities

Elliott — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:52:14 +0000

So the story goes on the second day that the initial idea had to be ditched since Cory and Karl ran supper late. However, I had a backup event in my pocket and we drove out to Bellevue, WA to Sky High Sports. If you haven’t been to this place you need to go at least one time. Sky High Sports is a massive warehouse full of trampolines that are linked together along with a huge foam pit to work on some new tricks without hurting yourself.

Over if you’re into wakeboarding, snowboarding or any sport that involves aerial stunts this is a great place to work on your moves. It’s ten buck for an hour and on Wednesdays they have a deal (2hrs for $12). Anyways I hope you enjoy the video and I’m always looking for people to come out and join the fun along with suggestions for activities that I should try out.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj4Ufi4cVmo&hl=en&fs=1&]

Poo Poo Point – Day 1 of 31

Elliott — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:27:23 +0000

Today was the first day of the 31 days of 31 activities. I started the project when I was traveling the last couple of days but it didn’t seem fitting to put them in since it wasn’t in the northwest. Anyways my long time friend Cory and I met up at Poo Poo Point in Issaquah, WA for a great hike. Watch the video below for our adventure and make sure you watch the end for a good laugh.

I’m also looking for new ideas and people to go out and try some of these adventures. I’ve posted a list of dates and events on a previous blog post if you’re interested.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjm8goxb1gQ&hl=en&fs=1&]

Maryhill Festival of Speed

Elliott — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:37:41 +0000

For those who don’t know I’ve started a new project called NWevolution a social networking site for action sports in the northwest. It just got start about 2 months ago and I’m finally getting some momentum with our content creation and user interaction. Just over a week ago a couple of friends and I went out to the Maryhill Festival of Speed to shoot video of the five day event. It was quite the experience; from setting up camp to going up and down the hill I’ve never seen a group of people so stoked on what they’re doing and overly willing to welcome people into their sport.

Below is video from the last two days of the event. There are three more along with other videos that we have been working on so I you dig it come hit me up on www.NWevoltuion.com.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM7BhfcE43E&hl=en&fs=1]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOYk15AXe8o&hl=en&fs=1&]

Wakeboarding – Lake Sammamish

Elliott — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:41:57 +0000

After being gone for eight years in Arizona this was my first time having a full summer since I left after graduating high school to hang out with some of my friends that I grew up with. The first guy in the video is one of my oldest friends, Cory Beate. This video project actually lead to a new endevor (www.nwevolution.com) with all of the guys. NWevolution is a social networking site for action sports in the northwest. Check it out and let me know what you think when you have the chance.

I’m done talking now click play and enjoy the video.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0nnvuzgBLs&hl=en&fs=1&]