A little bit of criticism is in order this evening, courtesy of the Moosejaw fall 07 catalogue. They’re a whimsical little company who’ve managed to build a huge business mail ordering outdoor gear and their own branded clothing. Envision Patagonia combined with Abercrombie & Fitch.
Here’s the front.
There are three different kinds of people pictured in a Moosejaw brochure: hot, unathletic models, male mountaineers invisible in face masks and down suits, and tiny little customer submitted shots of folks outside in various capacities. I’ve always loathed the intent behind the former; at least the Patagonia models have back muscles. Besides being cheap marketing (again, the Patagonia “lifestyle” photos of actual people actually outside I find much more effective, but I’m not the target buyer here), it’s a wretched portrayal of women. Poseurism piled on top of a antiquated notion of feminine beauty.
Example #1, the inside cover. Unfunctionally sculpted abs, sticky forearms. Bare midriffs are very practical, especially in the realms of sunburn and mosquitoes.
Example #2. Yes, her photo is superimposed over a meat counter.
More of the same, from an extra in I Know What You Did Last Summer. The symbolism of salmon steaks.
Cotton shirts and ham salad. Yummy.
All this points to what? Girls (and I do mean under 16) and their lack of athleticism. I don’t want everyone to run ultras and ride 100 miles, as I’d start to feel less special. Rather, I’d like to feel confident in generational progress towards a more equitable cross-gender acquaintance with the wonders of physical exertion. The Times even ran an article elucidated it’s holistic benefits.
My rant may not see the forest for the trees of our lazy culture, and my recent experience with girls may be tainted by class (the poorer the kid at my work, the lazier and less athletic, almost without exception). Nonetheless, it seems to me important.
I’ve also been pondering a trans-SoUt route. An interesting idea would be:
-White Rim, crossing the Green at Hardscrabble bottom.
-Ride out of the Maze, left at the top of the Flint Trail.
-Turn down into Hatch Canyon, down to the Dirty Devil, up Poison Springs rd.
-Pavement to Ticaboo would provide a respite, and a chance to restock.
-Burr trail is the only way through the Waterpocket Fold.
-Hiking Silver Falls creek to Harris Wash through the Escalante would provide some nice bike and tamarisk action.
-Collet Canyon leads from Hole-in-the-rock up to the Kaiparowits, which one could take to Big -Water on the AZ border.
-Pavement to House Rock Valley Rd (Buckskin TH), south to AZ, then up across the Kaibab, AZ strip, and points further.
Ouch. Got food?
‘Course, the northern route over the Aquarius and Markagunt Plateaus would also be cool, and provide some high elevation that would otherwise be lacking.
Oh, and I think I’ll be off running around in October. I have this little commitment in November I had managed to forget.
I also added this shit to the Reading section. I’d seen it years ago, and just dragged it up. Damn that looks fun.
Bedrock & Paradox 
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