Last year, I didn’t know what to expect. But when rumors started to fly about an outdoors version of the popular “Bike Press Camp” in Park City I had to be on the list. Bike Camp was like those VIP lounges at the Sundance Film Festival. You go around to the different companies for some one-on-one facetime to get to know a particular brand. The manufacturers get to sit down and explain what they do and why they do it with your undivided attention. I’m not a biker but was asked to cover the event held up at Deer Valley’s The Lodges for a website called Women’s Movement. Talk about your learning curve!

After all of my meetings with companies like Ridley, Smith, Cannondale, GT and more, I came away with a sense that I could fake being an expert if I had to. But there’s no faking it for me when it comes to the general outdoor industry.

It been seven months since the Outdoor Retailer Show and I needed my new gear fix plus the Bike Camp was all about using the products so I knew the Outdoor Camp would push me to get my butt in gear.

The morning starts with an impressive array of breakfast dishes from cinnamon challah French toast to maple, peppered bacon and then it’s off to your first 45-minute meeting. Nearly 20 manufacturers have gathered to tell their story to more than 20 freelance writers publishing for various websites and publications from Men’s Journal and Backpacker Magazine to Gear Institute and UniqueGifter online.

We sit down, hear about the trends, the technology the specific products; collect cards, hugs and gear then move onto the next meeting. Rinse and repeat. Lunch; more meetings and then three hours to get outside for hiking, fishing and a little simulated climbing at the midpoint of Deer Valley Resort.

Speaking of which, it’s time to hike. More later.