mec.ca | 1.800.663.2667 | FALL + WINTER 07 WHen I Hit THE ice I Heard “THOING THOING.” THAT’S NOT GOOD. it’S way too THin, way too dangerous. [CALIXTE, MEC MEMBER] CURTAIN CALL, WI6+, ICEFIELD PARKWAY, JASPER, AB, CANADA. Alain Denis 3 WAYS to GEAR UP ONLINE MORE GEAR AND MORE INFO mec.ca BY PHONE Mon to Fri: 6:30am- 6:30 pm PT Sat and Sun: 8am-4pm PT 1.800.663.2667 Canada and USA 604.876.6221 Vancouver and international 1.800.661.7399 Corporate and Group Sales IN-stoRE You can find store hours and maps at mec.ca/stores. Calgary 403.269.2420 830 – 10th Avenue SW Edmonton 780.488.6614 12328 – 102nd Avenue NW Halifax your journey 902.421.2667 starts here 1550 Granville Street Montréal 514.788.5878 Marché central 8989, boul. de l’Acadie North Vancouver 604.990.4417 1341 Main Street Ottawa 613.729.2700 366 Richmond Road Québec City 418.522.8884 405, rue Saint-Joseph Est Toronto 416.340.2667 400 King Street West Vancouver 604.872.7858 130 West Broadway Victoria 250.386.2667 1450 Government Street Winnipeg 204.943.4202 303 Portage Avenue Prices in this catalogue are guaranteed until December 25, 2007. All prices are in Canadian dollars. News From Your Board. 4 Base Layers. 76 Climbing Clothing. 34 Climbing Gear. 28 Cycling Clothing. 36 Cycling Gear. 40 Footwear. 20 Handwear. 48 Headwear. 50 Insulated Outerwear. 64 Robert Louis Stevenson said the most beautiful adventures Kids’ Clothing. 42 Kids’ Gear. 46 are not those we go to seek. The sudden snowstorm you Kitchen. 19 Knives+Tools. 18 ride out with friends. The trail that leads to a hushed cathedral Lighting. 16 Mid-layers. 72 of firs. The sweet burst of a mandarin orange in your mouth Optics+ Instruments. 17 Outdoor Athletic Clothing. 51 as you take a break in the white stillness. These are the Packs. 6 Safety. 18 moments you remember. Start your journey here. Sleeping Bags. 14 Soft Shells. 68 Tents. 12 Trekking+Travel. 54 Waterproof-Breathables. 60 Sizing Chart. 80 Colour+ Pattern Swatches. 81 MEC’s Rock Solid Guarantee: Straight Goods, Straight Talk All gear you get from MEC is guaranteed. We also guarantee the product selection advice offered through our catalogue, website, and staff. Look for our new symbols. They demonstrate MEC’s commitment to product sustainability. Products designed with the earth in mind Products can be recycled at any MEC store Find out more at mec.ca/belief NEWS FROM YOUR BOARD Marc Elrick RISING TO THE Calgary, AB Chris McNeill Delta, BC LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE Linda Bartlett, Chair Torbay, NL When both its management and board the organization. To ensure MEC of directors function at a high level, stays healthy into the future, your Denise Lawson, Vice-Chair an organization moves forward in all Board has developed a systematic Bowen Island, BC areas of its operation. This is called approach to nurture board leadership good governance. The results of a development. This is how we make it happen: Good governance is reflected in every seam • We provide information to members as to what skills the Board is of the business. looking for, so members can well-governed organization are make thoughtful decisions when reflected in every seam of the voting for new directors. business. At MEC we see it reflected • At the beginning of each board year, as a healthy financial performance, we assess the skills that directors a good working relationship between bring to the Board across a broad our Board and management, high range of board competencies, and morale among staff, outstanding we address any gaps. service to members, a respectful culture in the organization, and a • We conduct an annual review of how values-driven business that moves the Board, as a whole, is functioning. progressively forward. • We carry out anonymous, MEC’s Board is made of nine directors confidential peer evaluations to who serve staggered three-year provide feedback to each director terms. Three directors from across on his/her performance. Canada are elected each year to • We initiated a board leadership represent the members at large development program as a way of (they don’t just represent their specific building leadership capacity. region). Although all directors share Mariners say that a rising tide lifts a passion for MEC, each director all ships. It is only a strong board must have the skills and experience and strong management rising necessary to provide strategic together that can provide the oversight to guide a complex leadership to ensure the long-term business like MEC. health and viability of MEC. When a board of directors does not Linda Bartlett exercise good governance, it drains NEWS FROM YOUR BOARD WHAT DOES MEC’s BOARD OF DIRECTORS DO? Like other members you may have dream about the future, yet carefully questions about the role the Board watch the present. of Directors plays in the structure These are weighty concerns, but of the Co-op. Questions such as: Mike Wearing it’s very stimulating and rewarding Mahone Bay, NS What does the Board do? What work. Indeed, the nine very diverse is its relationship with the Senior Rick Sparkman individuals who make up the Board Wolfville, NS Management Team? How does the Bill Gibson, Treasurer Board function as a team? As a We have to set aside West Vancouver, BC director in my second term, I’m in a time to dream about Colin K. Campbell good, if not privileged, position to the future, yet carefully Victoria, BC answer these questions. watch the present. In my mind, the Board has three main Karen Miner work together in a great atmosphere Halifax, NS responsibilities. First, to ensure the of mutual trust, respect, and organization is well managed and willingness to collaborate. operates to meet the hopes, dreams, On that note, one of the relatively and aspirations of the owners – you unique features of the MEC Board is and the other members who shop that participation is basically open to there. Second, to exercise control every member, and members of the over MEC’s assets and ensure they Board are selected by the membership are used effectively. The third: to in open and democratic elections, look at the long-term view and try to rather than being appointed by a small make sure MEC remains relevant ten group led by the CEO. This ensures that and twenty years from now. the most senior employee reports to Besides these responsibilities, the Board. While board independence is the Board works closely with the an issue in some public companies, Senior Management Team. First the MEC Board is elected by the and foremost, this includes hiring a members, not appointed by or CEO who can lead the organization, therefore beholden to the CEO. put in place a strong management If being on the board of Canada’s team, and communicate well with largest consumer co-operative and the Board. Together, we have to leading outdoor retailer appeals to ensure there’s a good strategic and you, check out our website for operational plan in place and that more information. the organization is following this plan. We have to set aside time to Bill Gibson ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT MEC? We encourage you to stand for election to the Board of Directors. DO YOU WANT TO MEC benefits from having new directors who can provide Canada’s largest retail co-operative with strong and dynamic leadership. CONTRIBUTE TO ITS FUTURE? The deadline for nominations for the 2008 Board of Directors Election and for HAVE YOU GOT THE SKILLS submitting special resolutions is noon Pacific Time, Friday, October 5, 2007. For details and eligibility requirements, see mec.ca/nominations AND EXPERIENCE TO DO SO? or call 604.707.3367. Learn more about your Directors at mec.ca/board NEWS FROM YOUR BOARD I’M A PRETTY PERSISTENT WEEKEND WARRIOR. I MANAGE MAYBE 40 DAYS ON ICE EACH WINTER, WHICH ISN’T BAD GIVEN THAT I WORK FULL-TIME. [RAPHAEL, MEC MEMBER] APPROACHING THE ELECTRIC KOOL-AID ACID TEST (5+), GOLDEN, BC, CANADA. Richard Akitt 1 PACKS BLACK DIAMOND™ 1 Black Diamond™ Predator 50 A large and versatile alpine pack with a slight bias toward the needs of ice and mixed climbers. 15mm dual-density shoulder straps team up with a padded primary waistbelt and a svelte removable webbing belt. Remove the V-flex frame, top lid, and primary waistbelt to make this pack as light as possible for the summit push. Zippered side access eliminates the hassle of digging out gear from the bottom of your pack. Hydration system compatible. 3 NEW A-frame ski holster. Made of durable 420-denier nylon fabric. Lined with 30-denier siliconized nylon. Chili. Small/Medium (50L, 1.8kg), Large/X-Large (50L, 1.8kg). 5013-094 $129 3 NEW Black Diamond™ 2 Sphynx 32 and 42 Alpine packs with low profiles and clean lines. Lots of room and features for 2 Black Diamond™ Quantum 55 winter roaming, yet versatile enough Supportive enough for backpacking and for year round use. Durable 420-denier long approaches, this unit can be stripped nylon. Removable aluminum stays bare for extreme alpine adventures. and high density foam back panel. V-flex frame sheet, and thermomoulded Thermoformed shoulder straps and back panel. Interchangeable waistbelts, waistbelt provide a comfortable carry. including a svelte 3.8cm webbing belt PickPocket ice tool holders hold four for maximum comfort when worn with a tools. Black, Chili. 32L fits harness. Zippered side access. Hydration torso length 43-51cm, 42L fits system compatible.