Trail Builders' Contest

Shimano and Dakine want to reward builders

Words by Cam McRae.

Everyone knows trail builders sweat and slave for their craft and that we'd be lost without them. It's also common knowledge that they don't get much back. A pat on the back here and there and a great sense of satisfaction are the only compensation for most. There are a few paid trail builders in places like Whistler or those that toil for productions like New World Disorder or Seasons, but for the most part they do it for the love.


The Dakine Builder's Pack features a pouch for your nails, a spot for your powersaw, your hammer, shovel, Macloed or Pulaski as well as side pockets for fuel and water. You can access your stuff from the top or from a pocket that rests against your back when you are wearing the pack. It's made of burly cordura so it'll stand up to your shenanigans.

At the Saint media camp in Whistler we were given some one-of-a-kind swag. Rather than t shirts or hats or hoodies the folks from Shimano had Dakine logo up some of their awesome Builder's Packs. It's a burly and useful pack and I'm sure I'll find many uses for it but the truth is I can't really call myself a trail builder. I help out when I can and attend some trail days but there's no way I'm a builder. So it got me thinking about putting the swag in more deserving hands. Luckily Shimano had an extra pack and an extra Gerber collapsible shovel (with Saint laser etched on the blade) so I don't have to pillage my own horde!


Gerber's collapsible shovel is NATO approved. It's not an every day shovel - more what you'd take along when you want to ride and do a little bit of maintenance along the way. It folds up and fits - boron-steel blade and all - into the ballistic nylon pouch you see pictured. It's 23" long fully extended.

So here's how this is going to work. You can nominate yourself of course. Many builders are the sort to work alone with little fanfair. If this is you send us a couple of shots and a few words to account for your building accomplishments. You can even upload some video to Rip.tv for us to see if you'd prefer. You can present this to us on our bulletin boards in a thread we have created or send me an email - whichever you prefer. We'll take entries until July 11th and we'll choose a winner by the 17th. I'll also publish as many of the accounts as I can so at the very least the builder in question will get some well deserved public props.


Here's what your pack will look like with the tools of the trade securely fastened.

This is your chance to be recognized, or to send a shout out to your local trail builder. Without them we'd have nowhere to ride.

Please include a photo of the builder and at least a couple of photos and/or video of some of his or her handiwork.

Present your entry here on our bulletin board...

or send an email with text and images and maybe even video to cam@nsmb.com

Entry deadline July 11th. Winner announced by July 17th.