Recognized nationally for his poignant writing style, humor and knowledge of outdoor equipment, award-winning journalist and author Michael Hodgson is constantly "seeking out the wilder side of a mountain..." in search of a good story or a ridiculously tough place to test gear. Frankly, his friends are amazed that he can still walk. Michael is the copublisher of SNEWSÂ, a subscription-only news service for the outdoor and fitness industries and is a founding partner in GearTrends - www.GearTrends.com - established in 1999 as an information website for new products and trends in the outdoor, snow sport, fitness, paddling and bike markets.