I'm a novice at outdoor activities, but that doesn't mean I don't like them and I don't like to be properly prepared for them.
There's a bakers dozen of sporting goods stores in the valley but somehow I always end up at R.E.I.
Why? Quality, quantity, variety of products and friendly, knowledgeable, helpful staff. What I can't find at other places I can find here. And aside from products they also offer classes for different outdoorsy type things like map reading or using a GPS.
R.E.I. is the one shop stop for outdoor activities.