June 03, 2008
Rock/Creek & Patagonia Announce $3100 Grant for Lula Lake Land Trust
Contact:
Brad McAllister
Media Assistant & Sustainability Advisor
Rock/Creek
423-266-8200 ex. 1112
media@rockcreek.com
In a continued commitment to provide local, low impact access to the outdoors, Rock/Creek, in conjunction with Patagonia, announces a $3,100 donation to the Lula Lake Land Trust. The grant money awarded supports a growing trail network aimed at linking the Land Trust’s protected land with Cloudland Canyon State Park.
Adelaide Bratcher, Development Head for the Lula Lake Land Trust, commented on the partnership: "The Lula Lake Land Trust is fortunate to work with Patagonia and Rock/Creek because of the dedication shown by these two businesses to this organization. Without the help of Patagonia and Rock/Creek, new trails, accessibility to the public, and events like this upcoming trail run would be impossible. We at Lula Lake, cannot thank Patagonia and Rock/Creek enough."
To date, Rock/Creek and Patagonia have donated $9,225 to the Lula Lake Land Trust’s efforts. The most recent donation goes to the development of the High Point trail. On December 20th the newly created High Point trail will be the venue for Chattanooga’s longest trail run. The inaugural run of the historic Lookout Mountain 100k trail race will be presented by Rock/Creek, and Vasque, and will benefit The Wilderness Trail Running Association (The Boonies). In addition to the 100k main event, the day will also feature a 10K race for those interested in participating in a shorter run. More information about the Lookout Mountain 100k Trail Race can be found on the event website: http://www.rockcreek.com/lookout/
Grant awards are not the only method by which Rock/Creek supports the Land Trust. Rock/Creek further assists the non-profit organization by working directly on the trail system. Members from The Boonies and Rock/Creek employees take weekly trail building trips to the area. Once completed, the High Point and Cloudland Canyon Connector trails will open up 1000 acres of pristine public land to low impact recreational uses. The protected area is in the heart of the ancient Appalachian mountains and encompasses one of America's most diverse ecosystems. Users of the trail will be blessed with an intimate experience within a unique system of flora and fauna.
Lula Lake Land Trust was established in 1994 by the will of Mr. Robert M. Davenport. Since the Trust's inception, it has focused on preserving the natural beauty of the rock creek watershed through education, research and conservation. The trust protects species such as the threatened Virginia Spiraea, a flowering shrub that is classified in the rose family. Virginia Spiraea was previously known to exist in only one other area of North Georgia. Rock/Creek has a long history of supporting Lula Lake Land Trust through financial assistance and grassroots support. Dawson Wheeler, co-owner of Rock/Creek, shares his enthusiasm for the project: "Lula Lake Land Trust has a long history of land conservation on Lookout Mountain. We're proud to be involved with their visionary project linking the front of Lookout with Cloudland Canyon. This corridor links two key wilderness areas and opens access for hiking, trail running, and other low-impact uses."
Please see Rock/Creek Outfitters' environmental statement for more details on the company's commitment to responsible outdoor recreation. http://www.rockcreek.com/customer_service/environmental.asp
For photos from Lula Lake Land Trust, see Rock/Creek's flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockcreek/sets/72157594240850537/
Information on the efforts of Lula Lake Land Trust's effort can be found at http://www.lulalake.com
About Rock/Creek:
Rock/Creek, member of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, is an independent specialty outdoor retailer with over two decades of experience in the Southeast. Along with its online shops, RockCreek.com and ClimbingGear.com, Rock/Creek provides quality outdoor clothing and gear for a host of activities including kayaking, rock climbing, camping, hiking, trail running, and adventure racing. Rock/Creek is committed to making a positive impact on the environment. For this reason, it uses outdoor retail as a platform to encourage outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship and to improve public access to the backcountry. Rock/Creek supports worthy nonprofits such as the Southeastern Climbers' Coalition and the Wilderness Trail Running Association.
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Posted by Mark McKnight at 12:28 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Join Rock/Creek and the AHS for National Trails Day June 7, 2008
Join the American Hiking Society, the Wilderness Trail Running Association, Rock/Creek and the National Park Service in celebrating National Trails Day at the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park on Lookout Mountain.
We will be working on the Bluff Trail near Sunset Rock, restoring the trail to its original location.
Parking is available at Point Park and the Presbyterian Church of Lookout Mountain with shuttles to the Sunset Rock parking lot. We will begin the ½ mile to the trail work area at 9am.
Water, snacks and tools will be provided. We have some gloves available, but please bring a pair if possible. Please wear long pants and sturdy shoes.
RSVP to: Carla Hilling, Volunteer Coordinator for the American Hiking Society chilling@americanhiking.org or 423-266-2507
Hope to see everyone there!
Posted by Mark McKnight at 12:20 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 25, 2008
Buy One Get One TREE with Chaco Footwear
Posted by Mark McKnight at 11:47 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 22, 2008
Go Green This Earth Day
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Photo c. Ty Milford, courtesy Chaco. Rock/Creek doesn't recommend getting in a washing machine to get clean & green!
Posted by Mark McKnight at 05:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Patagonia Wins Rock/Creek Environmental Stewardship Award
In honor of Earth Day, Rock/Creek Outfitters Honors Patagonia with Environmental Stewardship Award.
Chattanooga, TN, April 22, 2008 — Rock/Creek announces Patagonia, of Ventura California, the 2008 recipient of the 2nd Annual Rock/Creek Environmental Stewardship Award.
For those of us who do not know much about this environmentally-conscious company, it all started with one man, Yvon Chouinard. In order to reduce impact on the big walls that he and his friends were climbing, Yvon started to forge pitons in his parent’s garage. During his years in Yosemite, Chouinard pioneered a new method of climbing. Word soon got out that “clean” climbing was the way of the future, and the company that would later become Patagonia soon took off. The company traces its roots to low impact equipment and clothing and they continue to come up with revolutionary methods that not only have influenced the clothing industry, but also have inspired corporations and businesses to do their part to reduce their impact on the environment.
Patagonia’s enthusiasm for environmental concerns and its pledge to protect undomesticated land and water are among the many reasons Patagonia is this year’s recipient. Patagonia, along with Chaco, has sponsored many of Rock/Creek’s environmental initiatives including the Lula Lake Land Trust. The money that has gone to the trust helps in their mission to create a network of conservation properties that will ensure protection and enhancement of local water quality along the Rock Creek watershed on Lookout Mountain.
Adelaide D. Bratcher, Head of Development at Lula Lake expresses, "We've enjoyed working with Patagonia through Rock/Creek because of the dedication shown by these two businesses to our organization. Without their help, the processes of trail building and making the property more accessible to the public would be at a standstill. We, at Lula Lake, cannot thank Patagonia and Rock/Creek enough."
Patagonia also created a nonprofit organization called 1% for the Planet. Businesses who join the organization pledge 1% of their sales (not profit, but actual sales- regardless of whether they report a profit or not) to environmental organizations that are approved by 1% for the Planet. This means that every piece of clothing sold, part of the purchase goes directly back to environmental issues.
One of their newest initiatives is called the Common Threads Recycling Program. This program allows customers to recycle their old worn out polyester fleece or Capilene performance base layers back to Patagonia, who in turn sends them to a factory in Teijin China. There they have worked closely with the fabric makers and are able to convert the unusable garments into virgin fibers and eventually new clothing. The program continues to expand. Not only can you donate retired Capilene but also Polartec fleece, (from any company), Patagonia organic cotton tee shirts, and nylon 6 products with the Common Threads tag. Recycling these fibers saves 76% of the energy and 71% of the CO2 emissions that would have been produced from virgin materials.
Patagonia’s ongoing dedication to environmental issues and to improving access to outdoor recreation areas compelled Rock/Creek to give the second annual Environmental Stewardship Award to Patagonia. “Environmental issues have always been at the heart of Rock/Creek,” explained Rock/Creek co-owner, Marvin Webb. “Patagonia has really stepped up to the plate over the years, helping us fund large projects so we have an even stronger impact within our region. They have not only supported us in our own programs, but they have also actively come to us with new ideas for local and global initiatives.”
Matt Sims, Sales Representative for Patagonia, stated, “The partnership between Rock/Creek and Patagonia is the perfect example of two companies sharing the same vision of environmental awareness and coming together to not only to improve the community, but also to educate the public on environmental stewardship.” " We have donated about $15,000 to environmental efforts Rock/Creek has taken on since 2005." Mr. Sims continues, “We are thrilled to accept this award, and are excited to continue to support Rock/Creek with regional environmental labors they diligently take on.”
Rock/Creek congratulates Patagonia for setting high standards of environmental stewardship within the outdoor industry. “As the need to preserve the environment becomes clearer, we hope to see more companies raising the bar and proactively educating their consumers,” said Webb. “Part of our mission at Rock/Creek is to teach our customers about Leave No Trace practices in the backcountry. Really, Leave No Trace should apply to the way we all live and work day to day, and to the way companies in our industry do business.”
For more information on sustainable materials, low-impact gear, and Rock/Creek's environmental initiatives, visit http://www.rockcreek.com/earth-day/
About Rock/Creek:
Rock/Creek, member of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, is an independent specialty outdoor retailer with over two decades of experience in the Southeast. Along with its online shops, RockCreek.com and ClimbingGear.com, Rock/Creek provides quality outdoor clothing and gear for a host of activities including kayaking, rock climbing, camping, hiking, trail running, and adventure racing. Rock/Creek is committed to making a positive impact on the environment. For this reason, it uses outdoor retail as a platform to encourage outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship and to improve public access to the backcountry. Rock/Creek supports worthy nonprofits such as the Southeastern Climbers' Coalition and the Wilderness Trail Running Association.
About Patagonia:
”Our definition of quality includes a mandate for building products and working with processes that cause the least harm to the environment. We evaluate raw materials, invest in innovative technologies, rigorously police our waste and use a portion of our sales to support groups working to make a real difference. We acknowledge that the wild world we love best is disappearing. That is why those of us who work here share a strong commitment to protecting undomesticated lands and waters. We believe in using business to inspire solutions to the environmental crisis.” –Patagonia Mission Statement
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Posted by Mark McKnight at 01:07 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 12, 2008
Video: Environmentally-Sensitive Shopping Area
This is a bit old now, but I just found this video on the new Rock/Creek store on the North Shore of downtown Chattanooga, TN. In it, the developer talks about how the building recycles rainwater for irrigation, the contractor used recycled timbers and other materials, and purchased materials produced locally where possible, reducing the overall carbon footprint for the project. Enjoy!
The reporter mistakenly credits the building with having attained LEED certification. In fact, the certification will not happen until the entire project has been completed. (Although we're on track to receive the certification, and I'll definitely post here when we do).
See photos of the new store on flickr >
Posted by Mark McKnight at 04:41 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 12, 2007
Rock/Creek, Local Outdoor Enthusiasts Improve Sunset Park
Close to 50 volunteers show up for a weekend of trail maintenance & development in historic Sunset Park on Lookout Mountain, TN. Rock/Creek obtains funding through Chaco & Patagonia in conjunction with the SEC, NPS, Access Fund, Earthscapes & others.
Chattanooga, TN - This Saturday, close to 50 volunteers gathered at Sunset Park, a segment of the Chickamauga/Chattanooga National Military Park located atop Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, to complete several different trail maintenance projects.
Spearheaded by the Southeastern Climbers Coalition and the National Park Service, the day was sponsored in part by The Access Fund, Rock/Creek, PMI, Earthscapes, Black Diamond Equipment, with grants and funding provided by Patagonia and Chaco. Climbers joined with trail runners, hikers, and other trail users to improve the existing trail and repair sections that had been damaged.
Projects completed include the mulching of a significant portion of the Mountain Beautiful Trail below the headwall, the repair and establishment of waterbars, steps, rock walls and belay spaces in high traffic climbing areas, repair and painting of the information kiosk at the base of the headwall, and the closing off of several trail cuts deviating from the Mountain Beautiful Trail.
The majority of the volunteers worked from 8 AM until noon, breaking to enjoy lunch from Mojo Burrito. At that time, trail day prizes were drawn for, and included a 60m rope from PMI, Chaco sandals, Black Diamond equipment, and Nalgene bottles from the Access Fund. Afterwards, a core group worked until well after dark on Saturday, and representatives from Rock/Creek, PMI, Earthscapes and the Southeastern Climbers Coalition worked again on Sunday to ensure completion of the needed mulching and area clean up.
Dawson Wheeler, Signal Mountain resident and owner of Rock/Creek, explained: "It was great to see the various user groups coming together to improve this beautiful resource. We need to continue to communicate between user groups and nonprofits as Rock/Creek, the Wilderness Trail Running Association, SEC, SORBA, the Trust for Public Land, and others all have similar goals: to get people outside more often to enjoy human-powered, low-impact sports."
Randy Whorton of Earthscapes Mulch engineered a solution that involved blowing mulch from a blower truck at the parking lot about 500 feet down the trail and over the side of the headwall. Over 20 cubic yards of mulch were used, and as Whorton explains, the labor and cost savings were enormous compared to hauling bags of mulch that are commercially available: "How much labor did that save? It's phenomenal. Hundreds and hundreds of bags of mulch would have been used... it would have taken weeks to get all the bags down the trail with 50 volunteers." In addition, by using local organic matter collected curbside by the City of Chattanooga, this process cut down on fossil fuel emissions associated with purchasing commercially bagged compost that often comes to Chattanooga from North Carolina or as far away as Kentucky.
Samantha Christen, the Sunset Park Representative for the SCC and coordinator of the event, emphasized the importance of the volunteers and sponsors: "Many thanks and much appreciation go out to the National Park Service for all of their support, encouragement and hard work, and to The Access Fund, Patagonia, Chaco, Black Diamond Equipment, The Southeastern Climbers Coalition, Rock/Creek, PMI, Earthscapes, Covenant College Outdoor Club, The McCallie School and all of the individual local and regional climbers who came out to support this effort; all of your support, hard work, valuable time and dedication help preserve and beautify this historic area."
Photography available on flickr:
http://flickr.com/photos/rockcreek/sets/72157603109734728/
Join the Southeastern Climbers Coalition online:
http://seclimbers.org
Learn more about the historical significance of Sunset Park:
http://www.rockcreek.com/articles/climbing/sunset-rock.asp
About Rock/Creek:
Rock/Creek, member of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, is an independent specialty outdoor retailer with over two decades of experience in the Southeast. Along with its online shops, RockCreek.com and ClimbingGear.com, Rock/Creek provides quality outdoor clothing and gear for a host of activities including kayaking, rock climbing, camping, hiking, trail running, and adventure racing. Rock/Creek is committed to making a positive impact on the environment. For this reason, it uses outdoor retail as a platform to encourage outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship and to improve public access to the backcountry. Rock/Creek supports worthy nonprofits such as the Southeastern Climbers' Coalition and the Wilderness Trail Running Association.
Posted by Mark McKnight at 05:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Sunset Rock History
Samantha Christen, the Southeastern Climbers Coalition's Sunset Park Area Representative, gives us a history lesson and exorts us to do our part for the area:
Reverence. While typically a phrase often associated with churches, graveyards and other such hallowed ground, this is not a word that readily comes to mind when referring to Sunset Park; however, it should.
Established between 1890 and 1898 by Civil War Veterans, the sites that we collectively know as the Chickamauga/Chattanooga National Military Battlefield (CCNMB) became the first National Military Park in the nation, with the sole purposes of preserving our nation's history and memorializing the catastrophic battles which took place in this region.
In the planning stages, great care was taken by these Veterans to ensure the accuracy of facts on the placards, signs and monuments, battle and skirmish sights, and even cannon placement. Because these men and women took the pains that they did, the territory included within the CCNMB offers a surprisingly accurate look into our country's past through many venues and sources. Spread over two states and 4 counties, the Park is not only the oldest and largest National Military Park in the United States, but also home to one of the most historic climbing areas in the Southeast: Sunset Park.
It was because of Sunset Park that a more recent battle took place between the NPS and the climbing community and the Southeastern Climbers Coalition came into being. Climbing in general has always been considered extreme. A renegade sport pursued by only the most cavalier of personalities, those who climb at Sunset are no exception. From the early development of the 1940's, through the 1960's with pioneers such as Tom Martin and Tom Kimbro, into the 1970's and 1980's and the likes of Rob Robinson, Stan Wallace, Bill Smith, Forrest Gardner, Chris Chesnut and the Eiseman brothers (who never would take ME climbing as a kid…), and to the present, climbing at Sunset remains for most the standard to which traditional climbing in the Southeast is held.
It was at Sunset where the region's test pieces went up. In their day, Alpha Omega, The Pearl and Jennifer's World were the test pieces of their grades; other routes in the Park have the distinction of being the first of their grade in the region.
Unlike anything else in the Southeast, the climbing at Sunset, while for the most part only single pitch, is superb; the rock quality unparalleled; the grades stout; the view from the anchors indescribable (especially on a crisp fall afternoon); both the routes and the bouldering (surprise!!) incredible; and the proximity to downtown Chattanooga absolutely priceless (we should be sponsored by MasterCard…!) The aura being incomparable to anywhere else; Sunset is special.
In recent years, there have been innumerable, and growing, complaints to the Rangers at Point Park regarding climbers and climber behavior; there have been equal numbers of remarks made among the climbing community regarding the Rangers. Unfortunately, though we definitely are not the only user group to enjoy the natural resources of Sunset Park, we are most often the scapegoat due to our high visibility.
The lack of understanding by climbers of the historical significance of the CCNMB, and more particularly of Sunset Park, from the point of view of the National Park Service contrasts greatly with what we climbers view as the historical significance of Sunset Park. In order to maintain the privilege of climbing in this historic area, we must be good stewards of our resources and good ambassadors of our sport. Please help us to foster and maintain good relations with the National Park Service and with the individual Rangers by honoring the Park regulations which are posted on all kiosks and are available online:
Continue reading "Sunset Rock History"
Posted by Mark McKnight at 04:35 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 11, 2007
$4000 Raised at Rock/Creek StumpJump
400 Ultrarunners attend 7th Annual Rock/Creek StumpJump 50K, contend with difficult course, record heat, and raise $4000 for the Cumberland Trail Conference.
Contact:
Mark McKnight
423.266.8200 ext. 1113
mark@rockcreek.com
Chattanooga, TN, October 10, 2007 -- Four hundred trail running enthusiasts weathered unseasonably hot and humid conditions at Saturday's Rock/Creek StumpJump 50K. The 7th annual race sold out months in advance. "Despite the heat, this was probably the best StumpJump we've put on so far," said Race Director Jamie Sanders; "We were happy that it sold out early and that we were able to expand this year's race to accommodate increased demand." The heat did take it's toll, with over 20 runners pulling out of the race. It's doubtful that anyone set a personal record this year. Matt Karzen, veteran ultrarunner and Rock/Creek Race Team member, summed it up well: "StumpJump 2007 was the toughest 50K I've run. The topography makes it a challenge, but the unseasonably warm temps this year made wise pacing and diligent hydration key. I didn't do either very well, and boy did I pay for it. Luckily the beauty of the course, including ridgetop views of the Tennessee river, martian-like rock formations and shadowy drainages out of Narnia, kept me smiling. I had a great time and I'll be back for sure."
Continue reading "$4000 Raised at Rock/Creek StumpJump"
Posted by Mark McKnight at 11:02 AM | TrackBack
September 24, 2007
Recycle Your Old Rope
Rock/Creek, a Chattanooga-based specialty outdoor retailer, partners with Sterling Rope to keep used climbing ropes out of landfills through launch of new rope recycling initiative at this year's Triple Crown Bouldering Series. Contact: |
After collecting the retired ropes, Sterling will consolidate them into containers and send them to their recycling partner who re-pelletizes the nylon. From there the nylon is made into things like carpet fuzz, coat hangers, and all types of everyday household items. Posted by Mark McKnight at 01:37 PM | TrackBack
July 13, 2007
Rock/Creek & Patagonia Sponsor Sunset Rock Trail Work
Rock/Creek and Patagonia recently awarded a grant to the SCC for their ongoing trail work at Sunset Rock up on Lookout Mountain. This is the latest of a series of gifts Rock/Creek and Patagonia have been making for years to maintain access to climbing areas and other backcountry resources. At Rock/Creek, we use outdoor retail as a platform to encourage all people to get outside, become active, and enjoy our open spaces. Our charitable giving underscores this message by driving specific, measurable, and lasting progress towards greater accessibility to the backcountry.
From our friends at the Southeastern Climbers' Coalition:
Rock Creek Outfitters of Chattanooga, TN. and Patagonia have teamed up to award a grant of $1,000.00 to help fund upcoming Sunset Rock trail days. Trail work began in the main climbing area in 1993 and continued steadily through the years to minimiize erosion, replant native vegetation and cut off splinter trails.In recent years there has been an upsurge of local climbers working to keep Sunset Rock in good shape. Samantha Christen has stepped up to lead the trail day crews and working directly with Sunset rangers Dennis Curry, John Housch, and Rob Turant, along with students from GPS, McCallie School, and Covenant College). Last years' work included reducing erosion and repairing hot spots at "Jefferson Airplane" and "RJ Gold" as the group added top-soil, native plants and natural sandstone pavers. We greatly appreciate the help of the climbing volunteers and the support of the National Park Service in this effort.
While a large part of our mission is to provide customers with products to keep them safe and comfortable in the outdoors, we at Rock/Creek feel a strong duty to preserve the natural areas where we recreate and reduce our impact on the environment. These issues have always been at the heart of Rock/Creek. We have, therefore, committed ourselves to leadership in the outdoor industry and the larger community, especially with regard to environmental stewardship and improving access for outdoor recreation.
Find out more:
Read our Environmental Statement >
Rock/Creek Honors Chaco with Environmental Stewardship Award >
Rock Creek and Chaco Raise $8000 to Make Boat Rock a Green Space >
Chaco Recycling Initiative Benefits Himalayan Communities >
Posted by Mark McKnight at 01:12 PM | TrackBack
June 14, 2007
Chaco Offsets Early Show Travel with Wind Credits
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance members are currently attending the "Early Show," a sort of mini-trade show where Grassroots members and their vendor partners have a few days in Snow Bird for line shows and other business before the madhouse of OR in August. Grassroots just announced that Chaco has offset all members' travel to and from the show through Native Energy.
I was impressed that the release recognized that offsets are "not a total sustainability solution for the Early Show event," but rather part of a larger sustainability program for the show. Specifically, the money Chaco donated will go to an interesting program where Midwestern farmers are given the opportunity to purchase, with the help of capital from Native Energy, wind turbines that provide for their energy needs without relying on fossil fuels. The press release has a few more details:
Chaco and the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance chose to buy offsets from Native Energy for a number of reasons. First, Native Energy is known for its transparency, and the entire offset purchase amount will go toward a Native Energy project called “Farmer-owned Distributed Wind Turbines.” This project was chosen because it benefits independent farmers who have been working family-owned, heritage farmlands for multiple generations. Native Energy was also selected because of the depth of resources it offers to businesses of all sizes. The Grassroots Outdoor Alliance and Chaco are actively encouraging the membership to incorporate other sustainability services from Native Energy into their retail businesses as well as communities and events, as the organization takes collective steps toward educating its membership about sustainable business practices. The Early Show will include an educational overview on Native Energy for its membership to facilitate this connection.
Turns out, even the location (Snow Bird resort in Utah) has an environmental slant, and recently won sustainability awards from both the EPA and a ski industry group. Check out the Grassroots Blog for full details.
Rock Creek is a proud member of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, and we're encouraged to see the group take a leadership role in the ongoing improvement of our industry. Check out our environmental statement for more on what we're doing to reduce the harm we cause.
Posted by Mark McKnight at 04:51 PM | TrackBack
May 16, 2007
Wanna Bike to Work Tomorrow?
"A bike, a camera, and tons of fat cells to burn..." With a subtitle like that, Portrait of a Velocipedist is certain to be an interesting blog. Ryan Coulter, one of our e-commerce fulfillment managers, has started to chronicle his daily bike commute from the Southside to our warehouse on this photo blog. Check it out!
While you're there, think about whether it's possible to trade your car in for a bike commute. After all, this is Bike Month, and Thursday (that's right, tomorrow!) is National Bike to Work Day. What better time to start? You'll save the air a few tons of pollutants every year, and you might learn something new about your city. I started biking to work regularly a few years ago (now I walk, because I've moved so close to the office that I have to create the illusion that I'm actually going "away" to work, and biking is just too quick). It's amazing the different things you see on a bike that you just don't have time to see in a car. I love walking and cycling because they're on a human scale, and you can interact with other people face to face, something that's impossible in a car.
Do you bike to work? Walk? Unicycle? Let us know. We're collecting stories about how you, our customers and readers, have changed your lifestyles in order to reduce the harm you cause to the environment. We've already had some interesting stories about things like Tyvek wallets, and we're looking for more! E-mail them to Mark [at] rockcreek.com, and you could earn your fifteen minutes of fame right here on the Rock Creek Chronicle.
Thanks to the folks at the MotionBased Blog for the heads up on Bike Week.
Hey, why not pick up a sweet RockCreek Hincapie jersey for your daily commute?
Posted by Mark McKnight at 12:38 PM | TrackBack
May 14, 2007
Rock Creek Sponsors Successful TN River Gorge Trust Fundraiser
The Tennessee River Gorge Trust, Outdoor Chattanooga/OutVenture and Rock Creek Down Under partnered once again to bring back the much anticipated Kayak for Conservation.
“It was the perfect day for a paddle” said Outdoor Chattanooga’s Executive Director, Philip Grymes. Overcast skies and a calm wind made way for 55 kayaks streaming down the Tennessee River.
Participants were shuttled to the Suck Creek boat ramp to begin the eight mile adventure. Mid-way, paddlers stopped at the historic Pot Point Cabin to enjoy a delicious lunch donated by Greenlife Grocery and ice cold drinks thanks to Coca-Cola Bottling Company. After exploring the grounds, the cabin and getting re-fueled, everyone re-entered their boats to begin the last stretch of the paddle.
Rock Creek Down Under was the place to be during the “Post Paddle Party!” In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, lime garnished beverages, chips & salsa, guacamole dip and cubed spicy cheese were some of the favorites as the silent auction was underway. Michelle Melton won the ever-so-popular “date night” basket which had gift certificates to both 212 Market and Rhythm & Brews. Bill Lefton was the high bidder on several items including a sports watch donated by Rock Creek Down Under. Holly McWhorter won the overnight stay at the Beautiful Pot Point Cabin while the Park Family left with a 5 day trip to Florida! The North Shore, Southside, St. Elmo & Downtown Baskets were all favorites, along with all the fabulous books donated by, A Novel Idea, Rock Point Books & All Books!
“The collaboration the Trust has with Rock Creek Down Under & Outdoor Chattanooga is such a great fit” said Julie Beach, TRGT Business & Development Director. “They have the expertise, gear and equipment while we have this great recreational resource protected for all to enjoy… ‘Tennessee’s Grand Canyon.’”
ALL proceeds from this event go to support the mission of the Tennessee River Gorge Trust… to enrich our community by conservation of the Tennessee River Gorge through land protection, education and the promotion of good land stewardship. To get advance notice of events like this, join the TRGT today! Visit our web-site for more information: www.trgt.org.
For details on Rock Creek's environmental commitment, read their environmental statement
About Rock Creek Outfitters:
Rock Creek Outfitters, member of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, is a specialty outdoor retailer with over two decades of experience in the Southeast. Along with its online shops, RockCreek.com and ClimbingGear.com, Rock Creek Outfitters provides quality outdoor clothing and gear for a host of activities including kayaking, rock climbing, camping, hiking, trail running, and adventure racing. Rock Creek is committed to making a positive impact on the environment. For this reason, it uses outdoor retail as a platform to encourage outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship and to improve public access to the backcountry.
Posted by Mark McKnight at 11:12 AM | TrackBack
May 04, 2007
Yakima Going Green
I just heard about Yakima going green for Earth Day this year, and I think it's great. We've worked with Yakima for years, and have been developing that relationship lately, with the addition of our online Yakima Rack Configurator, for example. So I was excited to find their new Web site, yakimapayback.com.
Earth Day comes around but once a year, and it's a great time to sit back and consider our impact, our "footprint" in this world. I've noticed that since Earth Day this year, we've seen a rash of "green" marketing. Unlike previous years, however, it doesn't seem to be fading away very quickly. Imagine a huge holiday based not on consumerism for consumerism's sake (like, um, that one in December, for example- which I happen to love just to put the record straight). Imagine a holiday based, rather, on ethical consumption. This idea has taken hold pretty deeply, and it makes sense to me. We're going to eat, live, work, and play... so why not do it with a consciousness of how each activity affects the rest of the world? If you can choose a better product that will not have to be replaced as often, or choose to purchase from a company that gives back to local access issues, why not do it? I guess the only other option is voluntary extinction, and I'm not really on board with that one.
Here at RockCreek, we've always been focused on the philosophy of "Leave No Trace," and it applies just as much to our daily lives as it does to use of the backcountry. So it's always nice when you can live out your environmental commitments in your home, at work, and at play. One way you can do that is by supporting companies that are conscious of the fact that their business causes environmental harm, and that take that knowledge and use it to make a concerted effort to reduce that harm.
On this front, Patagonia has led the way since the old hard man days before I was born. But more companies are getting on the environmental bandwagon, and while we can't assume they're all doing it with the kind of idealism embodied by the Yvon Choinard's "do no harm" philosophy, I think it's a good thing that more companies have stood up and acknowledged their impact on the rest of the world. Instead of running from this realization and trying to hide the harmful sides of business, some companies have stepped up to the plate and have begun to look closely at their operations and have begun to actively offset the harm they cause. We should applaud these companies for their guts and for starting down a difficult road.
Here's what Yakima says about their new Planet Payback program:
At Yakima, we’re dedicated to helping people get out and enjoy this great planet of ours. Unfortunately, carbon dioxide emissions, a leading cause of global warming, are rearing its ugly head like Medusa on a bad hair day. And that has the potential to make our planet decidedly less enjoyable for everybody. (Except kayakers who always wanted to paddle around downtown Manhattan, but let’s assume they’re in the minority here.)So as a responsible company, we were forced to look at ourselves in the mirror. And our first thought was, “Dang, we dress spiffy.” But then we were like, “Holy smokes. We’d better do something about all the carbon dioxide heating up Earth’s atmosphere.”
For us, that means we are finding ways to reduce our waste, aggressively recycle and change our distribution strategy to limit fossil fuel consumption.
Then, we focus on offsetting our “carbon footprint” with the help of our friends at Carbonfund.org. Under the Planet Payback program, every Yakima product’s carbon footprint has been measured, and then offset through a donation to Carbonfund.org. These donations support a combination of renewable energy, reforestation and energy efficiency projects that reduce carbon dioxide emissions locally and globally.
Check out the site- there's a carbon footprint calculator and links to information about offsetting your impact. You can even vote for your favorite environmental effort, which gives you a voice in how Yakima uses their enviro money. Hooray Yakima! Kudos to you guys.
Shop for Yakima Racks at RockCreek.com >>
Check out our new Yakima Rack Configurator for a perfect fit >>
Read about other environmental efforts at RockCreek >>
Posted by Mark McKnight at 10:43 AM | TrackBack
May 03, 2007
Today is DIY Day: Do it for the Planet!
I've decided that today is DIY day at Rock Creek. The theme of creative re-use seems to be popping up everywhere I turn today, so I had to share some things I've come across. I just got an email from a customer, Kevin Gantz, from Atlanta, GA, who made a Tyvek wallet from a template on instructables.com and put one of our ClimbingGear.com stickers on it, and it's sweet!
So after that I got the Gear Junkie newsletter with this article on baking your own energy bars. Personally, with my cooking skills, I wouldn't risk it, so I stick to Larabars that I buy at our downtown store. But it sounds like fun, and the guy says they taste great.
Someone else sent me this link to a Wired magazine article about Timbuk2 developing a new fabric out of old plastic bags. I actually was given a strap pad made of these recycled bags a few weeks ago and they are very, very cool. The one I got has a San Francisco Chronicle masthead kind of melting across the back.
All that reminded me of an interview I had yesterday where someone was asking about our environmental initiatives, especially around packaging materials. As a follow-up to that, I called and had a discussion with our fulfillment and customer service manager, Clark Luckmann, about efforts he's making to make our packaging more environmentally-friendly. We've always re-used boxes and packaging materials that come in from our vendors, which has essentially eliminated the need to purchase plastic bubble wrap and other padding materials.
Years ago, we made an effort to resize our cardboard boxes to use less materials. We cut down the size of the box we send shoes in, using at least 20% less cardboard. Months ago, we switched over to plastic shipping bags for most of our small packages- basically anything that will not crush or break, like jackets, t-shirts, pants, etc. These plastic bags have a much smaller carbon footprint, and they don't take up nearly as much space in the UPS trucks, planes, and delivery vans, thereby saving on transportation fuel.
Now it's time to push that a bit further, and we're researching plastic bags made of post-consumer waste. These bags are also designed to be re-used, with another sticky flap available so you can put them aside to send your holiday gifts later.
All of that thought brought me back around to another enviro. initiative that we're about to launch. We have these organic cotton totes from Patagonia that we'll be offering very soon. (See the mock-up to the right). If everyone would use bags like these, we could save a ton of plastic from ever being produced.
It seems to me that one of the biggest ways we can reduce our impact on the environment would be to just learn simple DIY tricks like these, and re-use the things we have been conditioned to throw away. Surely there's something else that can be done with that Tyvek mailer, plastic bag, or cardboard box besides throwing it out, or even recycling it. Recycling is great, but it's even better to find some alternative re-use, eliminating even the energy it takes to recycle. Plus it can be fun, and green is hip these days, so you'll look cool while saving the planet. I think the next wave in sustainability will simply be to reduce our waste, or "dematerialize" processes like our friends at Tricycle (who recently wrote a great article about plastic bags) are doing with carpet sampling.
So, I've seen some great replies to our question "How do YOU go green?" Keep them coming! I love hearing about these things, and I'll continue to share them with you as they come along. Just shoot me an email at mark [at] rockcreek.com or reply as a comment here.
Related links:
Read our environmental statement >>
Learn how to recycle your old fleece and polyester clothing >>
See how Rock Creek switched to wind power >>
Posted by Mark McKnight at 01:52 PM | TrackBack
April 30, 2007
Rock Creek cited in Sustainability Article
The local press is starting to notice how an increasing number of Chattanoogans have begun to act on their commitment to the environment. I got a call a week or so ago from a Times-Free Press reporter who was writing this article on "green" business practices in Chattanooga. It came out in yesterday's paper, and has some good points and mentions our new store, which should be finished in another couple months.
The 95,000-square-foot development, which will include a Greenlife Grocery store and Rock Creek Outfitters, is "LEED" certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program of the U.S. Green Building Council.LEED provides standards for green construction in operation, including site development, water savings, energy efficiency and materials selection. Some of the efforts at Two North Shore include collecting rainwater off the roof for irrigation, and using building materials purchased within 500 miles of the site, decreasing the energy spent on transport.
Among construction workers and developers, the LEED concept is becoming increasingly familiar, said Steve Arnsdorff, founder of CS & Associates, who worked with Chuck Pruett of Greenlife to develop Two North Shore.
"I think (LEED) is become a buzzword in this town, in just 18 months, which is very cool," Mr. Arnsdorff said. " 'Green' was always something that didn't really have any real application to our business, because what did it really mean? But LEED gives you something. It gives you criteria to shoot for."
Read the full story here. (The article mistakenly credits Rock Creek with starting the local chapter of Green Drinks- that was really our friends over at Tricyle).
There's also supposed to be an article on the Environmental Stewardship Award we recently gave to Chaco. I'll keep you updated on that.
If you're familiar with Rock Creek, you'll know that we're a company committed to sustainability, and we're doing what we can to decrease the negative impact our business practices have on the environment. See our environmental statement and enviro. articles online for more information.
Posted by Mark McKnight at 11:49 AM | TrackBack
April 23, 2007
Rock Creek Outfitters Honors Chaco with Environmental Stewardship Award
April 20, 2007 -- Rock Creek Outfitters announced today that it has awarded footwear manufacturer, Chaco, of Paonia, Colorado its first annual Environmental Stewardship Award.
Chaco’s dedication to environmental issues and improving access to outdoor recreation areas prompted Rock Creek to start the annual award. “These issues have always been at the heart of Rock Creek,” explained Rock Creek co-owner, Marvin Webb. “Chaco has really stepped up to the plate over the years, helping us fund larger projects so we have an even stronger impact within our region. They have not only supported us in our own programs, but they have also actively come to us with new ideas for local and global initiatives.”
Continue reading "Rock Creek Outfitters Honors Chaco with Environmental Stewardship Award"
Posted by Mark McKnight at 01:54 PM | TrackBack
April 17, 2007
$1500 Raised for Cumberland Trail Conference
Rock Creek Outfitters (www.rockcreek.com) announced this week that the Rock Creek River Gorge Trail Race raised $1500 for the nonprofit Cumberland Trail Conference (CTC). According to CTC Executive Director Paul Freeman, Rock Creek's donation will go to the CTC's Spring Build, supporting up to 100 volunteers a day as they extend the Cumberland Trail through the Smokies near Caryville, TN. The Cumberland Trail is a beautiful multi-use single-track foot path that will eventually stretch over 300 miles on the Cumberland Plateau.
About 230 people showed up to run, making this the best turnout in the race's six year history. As race director Jamie Sanders explains, “We’re pleased to have a successful race that draws so many people from across the region." The race took place on a beautiful Spring morning, with the first racers showing up for registration before dawn, and the last racer coming across the finish line by midday.
Rock Creek’s race team finished well, with race team member Geno Phillips finishing third on the 10.2 mile course. Rock Creek employee Clay Werner finished fourth. On the 6.5 mile course, race team members Tom Sell and Jim Farmer took first and second place. The race took place within the Prentice Cooper Wilderness Management Area, the Southern terminus of what will be over 300 miles of backpacking and hiking trails starting in the Cumberland Gap National Park in Kentucky. A comment from Jim Farmer summed up the significance of the race perfectly: "What better way to showcase the work of the Cumberland Trail Conference than to bring 225 people out for a race and on the trail itself?"
Rock Creek believes that supporting the work of the CTC will help to preserve this valuable area for future generations by opening it up for use by trail runners, hikers, and backpackers. Rock Creek's philosophy of environmental stewardship hinges on access to the backcountry, and as Rock Creek President and owner Dawson Wheeler explains, "the work of the CTC dovetails perfectly with our mission to get people outside enjoying our natural resources. We believe that people who have access to the outdoors will naturally become conservationists and will work to preserve the areas where they recreate. It's great to see so many people up here enjoying the natural beauty of Signal Mountain." Both of Rock Creek's owners-- Wheeler and his partner Marvin Webb-- are long-time Signal Mountain residents, and are excited about the opportunity to give back to their local community by supporting events such as this trail race.
Rock Creek would like to thank the race sponsors: Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia, Wigwam, Inov8, Chaco, Oakley and Hammer Nutrition, as well as our partners and volunteers, especially those from the Cumberland Trail Conference and Prentice Cooper, the Chattanooga Track Club, and the Wilderness Trail Running Association.
For more information on the Rock Creek River Gorge Trail Race, visit the race page.
For more information on the CTC's Spring Build, visit the CTC site.
About Rock Creek Outfitters:
Rock Creek Outfitters is a specialty outdoor retailer with over two decades of experience in the Southeast. Along with its online shops, RockCreek.com and ClimbingGear.com, Rock Creek Outfitters provides quality outdoor clothing and gear for a host of activities including kayaking, rock climbing, camping, hiking, trail running, and adventure racing. Rock Creek is committed to making a positive impact on the environment. For this reason, it uses outdoor retail as a platform to encourage outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship and to improve public access to the backcountry.
Posted by Mark McKnight at 07:14 PM | TrackBack
March 07, 2007
Kayak for Conservation: Sign up Now!
The popular Kayak for Conservation event is coming up on Saturday, May 5, 2007. Be sure to sign up now, because this event always fills up quickly and is great fun for a great cause. The Tennessee River Gorge Trust, Outdoor Chattanooga and Rock Creek Down Under have partnered to bring back the much anticipated Kayak for Conservation. Come and enjoy an eight-mile paddle showcasing “Tennessee’s Grand Canyon.”
The Gorge has great ecological and historical value. Kayakers will likely get to witness wildlife such as osprey, great blue heron and red-tailed hawks.
When: Saturday, May 5, 2007
Where: Rock Creek Down Under
Cost: $40 Per Person (must be or become a TRGT member)
Included: Equipment (if needed), lunch thanks to Greenlife Grocery and the
"Post Paddle Party" (includes snacks, drinks and a silent auction).
ALL proceeds from this event go to support the mission of the Tennessee River Gorge Trust… to enrich our community by conservation of the Tennessee River Gorge through land protection, education and the promotion of good land stewardship.
This event is limited and will be filled on a first come first serve basis. Please call the Trust today to reserve your spot!
Julie F. Beach
Business & Development Director
Tennessee River Gorge Trust
(423) 266-0314
26 Years of Protecting "Tennessee's Grand Canyon"
Related Links:
Posted by Mark McKnight at 02:24 PM | TrackBack
March 06, 2007
LRC Trail Day & Mini-Comp
Stone Fort
Bouldering Competition and Clean-Up
Saturday, 9:00am
April 7, 2007
The Plan: Roadside clean-up along the Brow Road and the Clubhouse Road for Montlake. Trail maintenance in the boulder field and update the kiosk.
There will be a small half day mini-competition for those who attend the trail day.
Winners will be the ones who collect the most stars. As in 3 Star Classics!
We’ll have food and refreshments after the clean-up/comp inside the clubhouse.
We’ll also hand out some awards to few hardworking climbers and grunts.
Contact Chad Wykle for more information.
chadwykle@yahoo.com 423.618.4466
Related Pages:
- RockCreek.com's Bouldering Gear Guide
- Preserving Rock Creek Watershed
- RockCreek.com and Chaco Team up to Raise Funds for Climbing Access
- Chaco Recycling Initiative: Recycle Your Old Chacos
- Our Environmental Statement
Posted by Mark McKnight at 11:35 AM | TrackBack
February 01, 2007
Funny Video: Patagonia Recycling Program Expanded
I love Patagonia for a hundred different reasons, but now I have reason number 101: check out this video on their expanded recycling program. Timmy O'Neil is hilarious.
We have a box by the Capilene racks at each of our stores if you have anything to recycle. The program now includes Capilene and anything Polartec, regardless of whether it's made by Patagonia. So don't throw away that ratty pair of underwear (or that fleece jacket, or anything else that's made from one of these materials). Recycle it!
Why recycle your old threads? Well, it's simple: synthetic fabrics like Capilene and Polartec are derived from oil, and with the massive amounts of clothing made today, the garment industry consumes a considerable amount of oil. If you choose to recycle, you'll gain the satisfaction of knowing that your old clothing won't end up in a landfill (or on a polluted beach like in the video), and that Patagonia will consume less oil to produce next season's clothing.
Here's what Patagonia has to say about it:
Way too much of what is made these days ends up in the trash at the end of its useful life. At Patagonia, we're working to change that.In 2005 we launched our Common Threads Garment Recycling Program, through which customers could return their worn out Capilene® Performance Baselayers to us for recycling. We've now added Patagonia fleece, Polartec® fleece from other manufacturers and Patagonia organic cotton T-shirts to our list of recyclables.
Our long-term goal is to take environmental responsibility for everything we make. Please help us by changing your clothes for good.
Thanks to the Piton for the heads up on that.
Related Links:
- Preserving Rock Creek Watershed
- RockCreek.com and Chaco Team up to Raise Funds for Climbing Access
- Chaco Recycling Initiative: Recycle Your Old Chacos
- Our Environmental Statement
- RockCreek.com's Bouldering Gear Guide
Posted by Mark McKnight at 04:31 PM | TrackBack
January 11, 2007
Rock/Creek Helps Raise $8000 for Access to Boat Rock Bouldering Area
Custom Chaco Sandal Program Helps Climbers Purchase Atlanta Boulder FieldChaco and Rock/Creek Outfitters raise over $8000 in effort to help the Southeastern Climbers’ Coalition gain permanent access to one of the premier bouldering areas in the Southeast. Proceeds from custom Chaco sandal sales go to finalize land purchase.
January 11, 2007 – Rock/Creek Outfitters and Chaco announced this week that their Custom Chaco Sandal Program was successful in raising the funds needed to finalize the purchase of Boat Rock, a woodland area inside the metro of Atlanta with more than a half mile of unique egg-shaped granite boulders. Continue reading "Rock/Creek Helps Raise $8000 for Access to Boat Rock Bouldering Area"
Posted by Mark McKnight at 04:24 PM | TrackBack
December 14, 2006
Boat Rock Paid Off Through Triple Crown Fundraising
Hey Climbers: I just wanted to pass on some particulars about the finale this weekend--everthing went extremely well, and the weather was absolutely perfect. We raised over $1,200 in climber donations for Boat Rock.
With the help of the Chaco/Sweet Water Event in ATL, RockCreek/Chaco custom sandal sales at TCrown, climber donations at each of the three events (@$3,600), and TCrown donations to Boat Rock, I'm sure we will have raised enough $$ to cover the rest of the BR note.
As soon as we have a tally on the final expenses (buses, catering, printing, tees, et al) we'll make the official Triple Crown donation to the SCC and CCC as well.
We also raised $2,500 for Habitat for Humanity on Sunday--most of the climbers competing at that event also donated their winnings to Habitat--the HFH representative gave major kudos to the SCC and Triple Crown at the pavilion, and especially on Talk Radio and the local tv news. Habitat is certainly a great cause and the donation provided much needed positive PR for the climbing community that reached the general public.
Major thanks came from the clubhouse manager at Montlake on Saturday--they wanted to pass on sincere thanks to the entire climbing community for supporting the golf club--They truly appreciate our help and support up there--
Montlake requested to have some of our guides--Jim and I met with the clubhouse manager today to donate the remaining guides. We'll mail a care package to the Luken's again too--
Continue reading "Boat Rock Paid Off Through Triple Crown Fundraising"
Posted by Mark McKnight at 11:50 AM | TrackBack
October 16, 2006
RockCreek Gives $3000 for Cumberland Trail Access
Rock/Creek Outfitters’ annual 50-kilometer StumpJump trail race draws a record number of runners and raises $3000 towards the completion of the Cumberland Trail, a corridor of hiking and backpacking trails spanning over 300 miles through Tennessee and into Kentucky.
Chattanooga, TN (PRWEB) October 16, 2006 – In its 5th year, the Stump Jump 50k and 11 mile trail race hosted by Rock/Creek Outfitters (www.rockcreek.com) was a huge success, drawing over 350 runners from across the country to take part in the event on Saturday, October 7th. The Stump Jump was founded as a fundraiser for the Cumberland Trail Conference's ongoing effort to complete a network of hiking and backpacking trails that, once complete, will traverse over 300 miles beginning in Cumberland Gap National Park (KY) and stretching south across the Cumberland Plateau to Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area, just outside of Chattanooga, TN. Today Rock/Creek Outfitters presented the Cumberland Trail Conference with a $3000 check to aid in this effort.
As a public-private partnership, the Cumberland Trail is being built and maintained by a cooperative effort of the CTC and the state of Tennessee. In addition to providing multiple recreational opportunities, this protected greenway will act as a buffer to protect water quality and provide natural habitat for animals. 
Dawson Wheeler, co-owner of Rock/Creek Outfitters, remarked “Rock/Creek is proud to be able to make a significant contribution to this cause.” He also praised the support of the local community, “The race would not have been possible without the joint efforts of Nolan Elementary School, Hamilton County Parks Department, the Town of Signal Mountain, John Glass and Scout Troop # 60, as well as a sea of volunteers lead by the Chattanooga Track Club.” In addition to local efforts, the sponsor list was a who’s who of the outdoor industry (see list below). "We absolutely would not have raised this much money for the CTC without the help of our volunteers and sponsors," Wheeler said.
Continue reading "RockCreek Gives $3000 for Cumberland Trail Access"
Posted by Mark McKnight at 02:23 PM | TrackBack
July 18, 2006
Rock/Creek Outfitters Launches Chaco Recycled Shoe Program
Rock/Creek Outfitters and footwear manufacturer, Chaco, Inc., announce this week’s launch of the Chaco Recycled Shoe Program. Rock/Creek, a Chattanooga-based outdoor retailer, is inviting customers to trade in any used (but clean) pair of shoes, boots, or sandals for a 20% discount on a new pair of Chacos. The initiative will last two weeks and will be available to the public through Rock/Creek’s physical and online stores. The shoes that are collected will be cleaned up and distributed to those in need in other parts of the world. Chaco launched the Recycle Program in 2005, and with the help of retailers like Rock/Creek Outfitters, has managed to distribute over 1,500 lightly worn pairs of shoes.
Continue reading "Rock/Creek Outfitters Launches Chaco Recycled Shoe Program"
Posted by Mark McKnight at 02:05 PM | TrackBack
May 31, 2006
Rock Creek Outfitters Leases Space at Two North Shore
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 28, 2006--CS & Associates, an affiliate of Park Mills Properties 2, LLC, announces that it has now acquired the balance of the land needed to build Two North Shore, a 95,000 square foot mixed use project on Manufacturers Road near US 27, anchored by a new Greenlife Grocery store in the North Shore region of Chattanooga. Park Mills' managing partner, Steve Arnsdorff, announced that Rock Creek Outfitters, locally owned by Dawson Wheeler and Marvin Webb since 1986, has signed a lease to occupy approximately 9,000 square feet right next to the planned new Greenlife Grocery store (27,000 sq. ft.). Steve said "Rock Creek is the perfect compliment to Greenlife Grocery. Greenlife is the benchmark in natural and organic foods in this region and their success has been amazing. Both companies are strong regional businesses that have great business models and they help anchor the retail market in the North Shore area of Chattanooga. We are very bullish regarding residential growth in the immediate area of this development and with the property's regional location near Highway 27, these new stores will better serve their existing and future customers".
Continue reading "Rock Creek Outfitters Leases Space at Two North Shore"
Posted by Meesh Smith at 09:45 AM | TrackBack
May 17, 2006
Update on Lula Lake Grant
Elsewhere on this blog we mentioned the grants given to the Lula Lake Land Trust by Rock Creek Outfitters, Chaco Sandals, and Patagonia to help replace a bridge that had been washed out by high waters last spring. Lula Lake just released this follow-up with a photograph:
Dawson Wheeler, owner of Rock Creek Outfitters, presented Adelaide Bratcher, Head of Development for the Lula Lake Land Trust, with checks from Patagonia and Chaco Sandals, two outdoor gear companies, as well as the locally-based Rock Creek Outfitters.
The grants came just in time to finish up the bridge that had been damaged by heavy rains last year. Speaking of the gifts, Mrs. Bratcher noted: “We were very fortunate to have Boy Scout Troop 191 help rebuild this bridge as part of an Eagle Scout Project. That and the generosity of Mr. Wheeler and his vendors are what help us continue to fund our ongoing maintenance needs and projects at the Lula Lake Land Trust."
Click here to read more about Rock/Creek Outfitters' committment to the environment.
Rock/Creek Outfitters is a brick and mortar outdoor retailer with a presence on the Web at RockCreek.com and ClimbingGear.com and specializes in gear and apparel for a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, paddling, camping, and travel.
Posted by Mark McKnight at 04:33 PM | TrackBack