[at-l] Gear Pioneer

[Art Cloutman]

Yesterday, March 22, I was working at Gunstock Mountain and had a 
long break between teaching sessions so I headed for the Pistol Chair 
with some co-workers to ski a few runs in the sun.  As we approached 
the ski lift Joel found a single ski under the lift with an ancient 
Cubco ski binding.  I have not seen that kind of binding in 25 years. 
The lift attendant told us the owner was a women a few chairs up the 
mountain.  That the ski had fallen off shortly after she and her 
partner had gotten on the lift.  Joel carried the ski with him to the 
top of the lift.  He noticed a decal for a ski and sports shop that 
was no longer in business in the area.  (Or it may never have been in 
business in the Gilford, NH area.)  When we got off the lift Joel 
approached the couple to return the lady's ski.  To make polite 
conversation Joel said I never heard of "Stephenson Ski Shop".  The 
man replied "We closed the ski shop many years ago."  I quickly put 2 
& 2 together and asked if he made Warmlite hiking gear.  It was Jack 
Stephenson and his wife, Joan.  The other ski instructors did not 
know much about hiking gear or the role Jack has played in the 
history of light weight gear.  I had a wonderful time talking with 
him about hiking and equiment and about skiing.  He and his wife have 
been skiing at Gunstock for many years.  I have not run into him 
before.  They were both using older skis with Cubco bindings but he 
had modified them by adding safety brakes to prevent the skis from 
racing down the hill if the bindings should release in a fall.  They 
wore ancient ski cloths so they should be easy to recognize the next 
time they are out on the mountain.  I told Jack that I did not own 
any of his equipment but had relied considerably on his website - 
Warmlite.com - for advice in preparing for my 2004 AT Thru hike.  His 
website is full of scientific arguments  for using various types of 
gear.  If you should visit his sight be prepared.  He uses vapor 
barrier material for his sleeping bags and under garments so many of 
the models are nude.
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Life is Good!!!
Art Cloutman