August 27, 2008
Rock/Creek Employee Honeymoons on the Appalachian Trail.
Ask any Rock/Creek employee what their top reasons are for working at Rock/Creek and it is likely that they will mention the flexible scheduling that allows us to take extended backcounty and trips abroad. The owners and managers not only permit us to take these trips, they also highly encourage it. How else are we to gather an intimate knowledge and understanding of the gear we sell? This also helps to keep the job exciting and reminds us why we entered this industry in the first place.
Currently Rock/Creek has a valued employee through hiking the Appalachian Trail. But Jessica is not out there alone, rather she is experiencing nature and the people of the Appalachians with her new husband, in celebration of their recent marriage. A week in the Bahamas simply wasn't enough for the adventurous two. The couple has documented their honeymoon on their blog site AndrewandJessicaGage.blogspot.com. On the site they are keeping a comprehensive trip report including pictures and videos from the trip. Don't be mistaken, its not all miles and miles of trees and brush. Jessica and Andrew have come across some interesting people, including a spirited bluegrass band in Monson, ME, staged at the local General Store.
We all would like to wish Mr. and Ms. Gates a safe and adventurous journey, both on the trail and in marriage.
Read more about Rock/Creek's diverse staff and their various adventures on our Staff Profile page >
Posted by bradmcallister at 5:32 PM | Comments (0)
August 25, 2008
Rock/Creek Race Team Wins Flatlanders Division at Wild West Relay
Plane ticket to Denver: $250
30 zip-lock baggies filled with boiled potatoes: $40
20 gallons of water: $25
Rental of a 12-passenger van, aka "The Stank Tank": $800
Participating in the suffer-fest known as The Wild West Relay: Priceless
On Friday, August 1, 120 teams pushed off from Fort Collins, Colorado to begin the 2008 Wild West Relay, a 195-mile, running relay in its fifth year. The race took teams on a northwestern route from Fort Collins up into the Rockies, crossed into Wyoming then headed Southwest over the Continental Divide before finishing in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The nonstop event took teams anywhere from 24 hours to 35 hours to complete and consisted of 36 individual legs or sections. A single member of each team would run one of the legs, tag a teammate at the end of the leg, and hop into the team van to ride to the next exchange zone.
The Wild West Relay welcomes all varieties of teams and we witnessed this on the course - the super competitive (some elite teams averaged close to 6:00 miles), the super ultra (a team of only three completed the entire course), and the teams that painted their faces, wore skirts (both men and women) and wrote crazy sayings on the sides of their team vans.
Our Rock/Creek team consisted of six runners placing us in the ultra division. Each of us had participated in endurance events of some kind before - triathlons, bike racing, ultras, adventure racing, etc. - however, this event presented a few challenges that would new to some of us. Elevation: The elevation during the race ranged from 6,000 ft to 10,000 ft above sea level. Elevation plus lots of running = lots of fun. Although our team was constantly moving, each runner had a couple of hours of "downtime" between each leg. Just enough time for your body to cool off and tighten up before the next run. Minimal sleep: I don't believe anyone got much more than 30 minutes of sleep. For adventure races, this is evidently the norm; however, for several of us, this was a new race addition.
There was also unanticipated (for some of us) fourth element - the heat. Chad Wamack had warned me that "it gets pretty hot in Colorado in July and August." I kept thinking to myself, "but it's a dry heat. That won't affect a Tennessee boy used to suffocating humidity." Well, a dry heat of 102, as it was on Friday afternoon, can affect you. The dry heat sucks the water out of your body exceptionally fast. So, we quickly learned (or at least I did) to get out of the sun and get in plenty of fluids as fast as possible after a stage. I started to run with a "technical" shirt because it retained just enough moisture to help keep my body temperature down.
After our team had gone through a complete rotation (each person running a leg), I believe we all got into our own routine for recovering from a leg, "cleaning up" (consisted of some combination of wiping off with moist "toilettes", changing clothes, hanging up clothes to dry out, etc.), getting in fluids and food, and "warming up" before the next run. As the race wore on, it became a challenge to continue to eat. After throwing down Power Bars, Cliff Bars, Gatorade, Pop Tarts, boiled potatoes, potato chips, and chocolate milk, your stomach just wants a break.
The one constant in the event, the great scenery provided by the Colorado countryside, made staying up well worth it. Covering the distance on foot (and staying awake for over 24 hours) really lets you soak in the landscapes and experience the Colorado outdoors - the mountains, the valleys, the rivers - at all times of the day - sun rise, high noon, sun set, and the pre-dawn, quiet hours.
Definitely a great experience. We finished as the first place flatlanders team (all team members residing below 2,500 feet sea level) and 22nd overall. A continuous relay of this length really made me appreciate taking the post-race shower, the post-race nap, and that I don't regularly live out of a van (aka The Stank Tank).
-Kevin Boucher
2008 Wild West Relay Rock/Creek Team:
Sam "Lightning" Linhoss, Team Captain
Leigh "It never looks like I'm running hard" Linhoss, Team Accountant
Matt "Look me in the eyes when I'm talking to you" Sims, Team Outfitter
Natalie "Everyone Remain Calm, Heat Stroke is a Learning Experience" Sims, Van Decorator
Lisa "Yes, I look at feet every day but even I'm not touching your feet Chad" Womack, Team Podiatrist and Driver
Kevin Boucher, Team Fighter Pilot
Posted by Mark McKnight at 3:24 PM | Comments (0)
July 24, 2008
Vacation Local (Loco!)
Gas prices are up, atmospheric carbon is mounting, schedules are tight and budgets are tighter. Add in the fact that airport security is a pain and that now you have to pay to check your bags, its no wonder why many have decided to forgo the 2008 summer vacation season altogether. Vacations have become a strain. But they shouldn't be, nor do they have to be. The key is to look local.
Sure, there is a certain status associated with long distance travel. When you live east of the Mississippi, its all about heading west. Climb the Rockies, surf California, hike the Redwoods, mountain bike Utah. When you live out west its all about leaving the country. Now, don't get me wrong, I believe there is certain inherent value in experiencing every thing this country and the planet has to offer (I spent many years vagabonding on a soul search for that value) but to only have grand views of far distances is, paradoxically, near sighted.
Its amazing to me how many people who are so well traveled are limited in what they know about local opportunities for adventure and personal growth. This is especially true here in the southeast where opportunities for outdoor vacation and recreation are plenty. We live in the county's hotbed for natural diversity, a diversity that is only matched by the world's most tropical rain forests. Dedicated rock climbers come from all over the world to test their skills on southeastern rock. Miles of hiking trails, underground caverns and navigable rivers add to the lure of the region.
We've all seen a similar tend in the food market. People have been advocating eating local foods and buying local goods for years now. The products are healthier, they support the local economy, they have less of a environmental footprint and they reconnect people to their immediate surroundings. With four dollar a gallon gas prices and astronomical fees on airline tickets, its time to take the this local philosophy one step further, its time to start advocating local vacations.
Save some gas (and some carbon)
What hurts most about long distance road trips? Is it the $4.00 a gallon gas that empties your pocket faster than it fills up your tank, or is it the knowledge that each mile driven compounds a growing global problem. For me its a little of both. Air travel, though necessary in many cases, is particularly bad for global climate change. It has been estimated that nearly half a pound of carbon per passenger per mile is emitted during a flight. Doesn't sound like much but it does add up when you consider how many miles the average flight is and how many passengers are packed into each plane. Whatever your perspective, you benefit from driving less to your destination. I've crunched a few numbers and have come up with a few "one-tank" trips. These are valuable vacation opportunities that require only one tank of gas for a round trip drive. Since Rock/Creek is headquartered in Chattanooga, the city will be my origin for all of the listed trips. If you don't live in Chattanooga, no problem. There is plenty of fun to have right outside your back door. Get out a map and compass, do a little research and I guarantee you will find some enticing trips that will have you packing your bags in no time. Who knows, you may even find that the money you save on airfare might just be enough for that new play boat you've been eying.
On average cars and trucks in the sold in the United States get 300-350 miles per fill up. Since your going on vacation and weighing the car with gear, dogs and kids I'll go with the lower of the two estimates. So if you live in Chattanooga where does that 300 miles get you? All of these trip will get you there AND back on one tank of gas...if you decide to come back that is!
Chattanooga to Great Smokey Mountain National park (133-153 miles): Ah the smokies, no area in the United States has a more dense and diverse population of flora and fauna. Its a meca for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiast of all kinds. There are plenty of activities including bike touring, fishing, hiking, backpacking, wildlife viewing and camping. The area will certainly keep you busy and, since it is so close you will have plenty of opportunity to return time and time again.
From Chattanooga the Gatlinburg Entrance, 153 miles. The Townsend entrance is 133 from Chattanooga. You'll want the National Geographic Trails Illustrated Maps' Great Smokey Mountain National Park map to plan your trip. Also, Hiking Trails of the Smokies is a comprehensive guide to the official trails of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, covering 149 trails with detailed narratives. Includes a full color, all-park trip planning map plus 165 trail profile charts.
South Cumberland State Park (70 miles): One of America's oldest state parks, the Cumberland State Park received its prized designation way back in 1938. Inside the park there are plenty of opportunities for both land and water activities. Camp and hike; canoe, fish or swim. Paddle boats and other equipment can be rented at the the park and there are excursions for both large families and solo travelers. Trails vary by degree of difficulty and duration, so you're sure to find something that will work for everyone in your group. Falcon Guide's Hiking Tennessee has a section dedicated to hiking in the state park. The area is also nationally known as one of the best rock climbing sites in the US. The Dixie Cragger's Atlas will help you plan if your heading into the park to climb. If you need a break from outdoor recreation, be sure to check out the Homestead Museum which documents the life of the 250 families that were the original homesteaders of the land.
Ocoee River (75-100 miles): When the summer Olympics came to the southeast in 1996, the Olympic committee had many choices when they were deciding where to hold the whitewater kayaking events. Ultimately the decision was made to hold the events on the Ocoee river. The river is a mecca for all levels of paddlers. For those who are not into the rush of bombing down rough rapids, there is the option of watching the excitement from the safety of the river bank. There are also plenty of hiking and camping options in the area. A quick google search turns up many cabin renting options as well.
Lost Sea, Sweetwater, Tenn (74 miles): Hey got a few young ones you need to keep safe and entertained. Only 74 miles from Chattanooga, The Lost Sea is America's largest underground lake. A glass bottom, naturalist led boat ride offers visitors a unique tour of the lake. Also available are guided caving tours. Kids can pan for gold and gemstones. Leave your Sunday best at home, you will get down and dirty in the caves. Quick drying warm clothing is your best bet. North Face has a great line of durable technical clothing for the whole family.
Those that need a little reprise from the wilderness after a long and active outdoor vacation can stop by any one of areas major southern cities. Visit cities such as Nashville, Knoxville, Atlanta, Huntsville and Birmingham to get a jolt of southern big city life at its finest. Each City is unique but all offer good music, southern style food, and great night life.
And if your not from here (or even if you are), DON'T FORGET CHATTANOOGA. Disney rated the city one of the 50 best for family vacation fun. CBS featured Chattanooga as one of 4 top "Green vacations" (a list that included the Galapagos Islands) and in 2001 Outside Magazine named Chattanooga one of the 10 best outdoor cities in the country.
Recently more accolades have come Chattanooga's way. Outside again placed Chattanooga high on its list of best outdoor cities and Rock & Ice named the city the nation's number one for rock climbing.
Part of the outdoor allure of the city is the hundreds of miles of trail running possibilities throughout the area. Miles and miles of trails zig-zag and traverse the 3 mountains that surround the city. If you're a trail runner and thinking about heading to town, be sure to join one of the 9 races that make up the Rock/Creek trail series. In partnership with the Boonies Wilderness Trail Running Association and other local businesses, the trail series is dedicated to raising money for trail building, maintenance and other forms of low impact outdoor access. Whether your a beginning trail runner or a long-distance veteran there is a race in the series for you. Complete scheduling for the series can be found on RockCreek.com.
Next steps:
Regardless of where you plan to go the key to a good trip is education and preparation. Be sure to get yourself a guide book and maps for the region you are visiting. Need some more info? A great place to start is by contacting your local tourist information resource. Here in Chattanooga that's the Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. If your vacation goals include outdoor fun and adventure we would love to recommend a few great places for you. Stop by one of our stores or visit us online at www.rockcreek.com. We will do what we can to prepare you for your epic vacation. Don't feel silly if you don't know of a particular gem in an area that you have lived your whole life. No one can possibly know all the opportunities that exist in any region, particular one as rich as ours.
Posted by bradmcallister at 4:01 PM | Comments (0)
July 15, 2008
Florida Native Completes 3-day Circuit at 2008 Stage Race, Participant Entry
Capt. Scott Griffith sent us this narrative after running all three stages of the 2008 Rock/Creek Mountains Stage Race. Enjoy and if you have a story that you would like to submit send it to media@rockcreek.com
Maybe I should have said no.
I received an e-mail from Lisa Purul eleven days before the race. That gave me just enough time to get in my one long run five days out and then start my taper. For those not familiar with this race, it's a three-day, staged trail race. Each day, runners traverse approximately twenty miles on the scenic trails just outside of Chattanooga, TN.
I should have read the description on the website more thoroughly before agreeing to the race. I still don't know how far we really ran, but it was long and more challenging than any of the hills we have around here. The trails were on Lookout Mountain, Raccoon Mountain, and Signal Mountain. From the recurring "mountain" theme, I should have been a little more leery.
I replied to Lisa's e-mail with a "yes," and Lisa, Paul Brannon, and I headed off to Chattanooga. While Lisa and I were planning to run the first two days of the race, Paul planned only to run one of the days.
For being a small race (probably not the largest budget), you could not have asked for more. Chad Wamack, one of the Rock Creek Racing Team members, arranged our heavily-discounted lodging at a very nice hotel in the middle of Chattanooga. Luckily for us, he also agreed to meet us after breakfast each morning so we could follow him to the race sites without getting lost. I've run the Marine Corps, Chicago, and Boston Marathons and never received such an accommodating reception.
After arriving at Lookout Mountain for the first day's race, we met Kris Whorton--inarguably an accomplished runner. She was the official cat-herder for the race, making sure everything went off smoothly. By the start of the race, she already knew everyone's name, proving a keen attention to detail. Her bio can be found at www.rockcreek.com/raceteam/#kris.
Off we went the first day, following a bicycle escort for the first bit of the course until we hit the trails. Chad told me the bike would drop me; so, naturally, I had to stay with it until it turned off. And I did. And I paid for it.
After we hit the trails, I had no idea where we were going. I figured I would just follow the guys in front of me. Bad plan. Apparently, the leaders didn't know the course that well, either, so we took the scenic route. The good news was that the back-tracking was downhill. For those who are wondering, getting lost two miles into a twenty-mile race is not a good start. After that, we were a little more careful and paranoid about following the trail. We continued past the aid station/gummy bear stop (they must have known I was coming) and ran out to Covenant College. When you drive into town, you can see the college perched on top of the mountain, a vantage point that affords it a great view of its surroundings.
Up the mountain, down the mountain, up the mountain, down the mountain.
With .6 miles to go, you hit the one water crossing. You could go around it, but that would be no fun--especially with the photographer sitting there yelling at you to go through it. So I went back and splashed in the water. It probably didn't help the race time, but I had fun.
On day two, Chad led us out to Raccoon Mountain, described as a flat and fast course. In fact, the course was supposed to be so flat that the official course description included no elevation profiles. Never trust a Tennessee designation of the word flat. The course was hilly enough and overgrown enough that the most mileage anyone recorded on their Garmin was 12.6. The trail was eighteen miles long, plus detours. It was, however, faster than the previous day. The highlight of my weekend came on this day, when I passed one of the mountain bikers on an uphill stretch. As day two came to a finish, I waited for Paul and Lisa. Despite his aforementioned plans to run only one of the race days, Paul crossed the finish line. Lisa followed in short order, and both formed a consensus to hang up their shoes for the rest of the race.
For our third day, Chad led us out to Signal Mountain.
Wait a minute...didn't we only plan to run two days?
Signal Mountain was, by far, the hardest of the trails. Fortunately, everyone was sufficiently well-rested after the flat course the day before. The times were slow, but you don't get to run trails like this in Florida. At one point, the trail dead-ended into a rock face where the trail simply went up. The pace varied from less than a crawl to running full-blast through sticker bushes and thorns where you couldn't see the rocks and roots you were tripping over. By the end of the day, only twenty-six of the thirty-four people that started the race at Signal Mountain finished. About sixty people raced at least one of the races. Paul ran all three races, beating Lisa in only one of the three. He did, however, finish just ahead of her in the overall standings, which made his day. Lisa was second overall woman. And I had fun.
The 2008 Stage Race benefited The Boonies (Wilderness Trail Running Association). Now part of the Rock/Creek Trail Series, this year's stage race was an incredible experience. It was presented by Rock/Creek and sponsored by Mountain Hardwear, SmartWool, and La Sportiva. Participants received a technical Wicked Tee from Mountain Hardwear. Prizes and raffles were provided as well. For more information on the Rock/Creek Trail series and for dates of future events visit. http://www.rockcreek.com/trailseries/default.asp
Posted by bradmcallister at 2:47 PM | Comments (0)
May 1, 2008
Andrew Akridge Paddles Entire Tennessee River
Today's Chattanooga Times Free Press included an article on one of Rock/Creek's elder statesmen, Andrew Akridge, who has set off with fellow Chattanoogan Dave Petty on a paddling trip that will cover all 652 miles of the Tennessee River. They started the trip near Knoxville and passed through Chattanooga midday yesterday. Here's an excerpt, read the entire article and see a video on timesfreepress.com or look for today's paper.
Mr. Petty had wanted to kayak the length of the 652-mile Tennessee River for many years, but struggled to find a partner for the trip, said Philip Grymes, the director of Outdoor Chattanooga and a friend of the paddlers. It was not until Mr. Akridge, an employee at Rock/Creek Outfitters, called Mr. Grymes looking for a partner to paddle the entire river that the idea took off, Mr. Grymes said.After months of planning with the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Army Corps of Engineers, the trip launched where the Holston and French Broad rivers converge east of Knoxville, Mr. Petty said.
They’ve paddled about 188 miles so far and have about 464 to go.
The two men paddle for eight to 11 hours a day, eating packed foods such as oatmeal, tuna and protein bars. At night, they camp along the river’s edge.
Posted by Mark McKnight at 2:47 PM | Comments (0)
March 20, 2008
The Bear Ran... Finally (Kayak
This trip report is from Cain Creek in Chattanooga, written by kayaker Chris Brigman, Rock/Creek's paddling expert and manager of our Down Under paddling store in Chattanooga, TN. When he's not around the shop, you can find Chris playing on the Ocoee or Rock Island, or chasing steep creeks after a good rain.
It was February 6, 2008 and two days of steady rain was enough motivation to quickly load our boats, grab our gear and prepare for a much needed day on the semi-classic Chattanooga Creek called Cain. This creek is a 12 mile run with two sizeable class V rapids, the Vortex and Drainpipe, not to mention several named and unnamed class III and IV rapids. Just as we finished loading our boats, I received a call from my buddy Kat, “The Bear, was at 17 inches and rising”. The Bear, located in Georgia, is one of Chattanooga’s legendary high-quality steep creeks that drops 857’ in 3 short miles. This creek has not run consistently in a few years…We were on our way.
We arrived at the Bear put-in and was surprised to find that we were the only ones there, and within minutes boaters began to arrive by the truckload. There were close to 20 boaters that morning, so we quickly split up into three groups for safety, and off we went.
The river begins as a series of very large steep drops, most with relatively high consequences, then transforms into a long, highly technical series of undercut and sieve-laden boulder gardens that are often blind and required diligent scouting. The most notable of the larger rapids are the Class V+ drops called Big Bang, and Stairway to Heaven. Big Bang is 20’ give or take drop with a narrow landing pool surrounded by unfriendly pointed rocks.
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Stairway to Heaven is the Bear’s signature rapid. Here is the description that American Whitewater has on record, “(Stairway is a) 3-step 45' drop with the 2nd step 15'er landing on flat rock. This is a super-fun run, however back and rib injuries are common. Head injuries have been known to happen, so be careful. A common story you hear about Stairway is that people scout the drop and say "no way am I running that!" At which point they start to look at the portage. Then the hapless boater quietly gets back in the boat and starts to psyche up.
Out of the 20+ boaters that put on the Bear that day, the majority made it out without issue. However, there were a few broken boats, and a few swims which caused a few boaters to hike their way back to the put-in. Bear is a creek that we all look forward to running again soon, it is challenging and fun but equally respected. Be safe and good lines.
Note: Bear is a run that should be paddled only by those capable, and there are several access issues with the Park Service regarding hiking out. If you must hike out due to injury or equipment failure, you should absolutely avoid hiking out through Cloudland Canyon State Park as it is considered trespassing and you could be charged as such. If you must hike out, do it on the right side of the river. There is a trail near the bottom of the run on the river left side that is a very easy hike. Most importantly, have respect for the rangers and the property as they control much of the access to the park.
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Posted by Mark McKnight at 3:48 PM
January 8, 2008
Grand Canyon R2R2R - Rock/Creek Race Team Report
This past October, several Rock/Creek Race Team members, two friends, and myself all headed out to the Grand Canyon for a Rim to Rim to Rim (known as an R2R2R) adventure run. We started at about 3:30 a.m. from our cabin at the top of the canyon, and headed down the Bright Angel Trail, across the river, up the North Kaibab Trail, and back the same way. Some day I'd like to write a full account, but for the time being, Stephen Taylor set up a video on YouTube with some of the scenes from the first half of the trip:
Other race team members on the trip: Kris Whorton, Randy Whorton.
Posted by Mark McKnight at 4:41 PM
August 9, 2007
Tellico Staff Trip
Hey guys, I forgot to post this video, sent over from Ryan on our fulfillment crew a couple weeks ago. It shows a few of our staff enjoying the natural beauty of the Tellico River, running from western North Carolina into Tennessee. If you haven't ever seen this part of the country, believe me it's a beautiful place. Or just watch the video, and see for yourself...
Shop for Fly Fishing Gear at Rock/Creek >
Read about other beautiful spots convenient to Chattanooga >
Posted by Mark McKnight at 12:48 PM
April 27, 2007
A Foray into Hell's Kitchen
There is a chill in the air and my feet are freezing! This rude awakening turns into a frenzy of activity as I prepare for another ski day in Banff, Canada. The temperature outside my crowded hostel bedroom is in the negative and the thought of free pancakes and coffee starts to make my stomach churn.
I have been in Banff for a week now and my legs are starting to complain about too much work, but my mind says we’re running late for the bus. It is day seven and I have yet to take a day off. Today’s destination is Sunshine Village, located fifteen minutes from Banff.
I’ve heard about the great variety of steep terrain at Sunshine and my thirst for such has yet to be satisfied while on this adventure. Making my way down the stairs to eat, I notice that for the first time since my arrival, the sun has managed to make its way through the clouds. Two pancakes and four cups of coffee later, I find myself walking briskly to the bus with a killer caffeine buzz to boot. Naturally I am early, and as I wait for the bus to arrive I give my gear a final check and plug in the Ipod for some pump up music.
Arriving at the base, I take my skis and hop on to the gondola. At this point you still cannot see the ski area as it is neatly tucked back into the mountains. The gondola can not move any slower, despite the fact that it is billed as “high speed”. Perhaps it is my anticipation that makes the ride long, and the fact that I still have yet to see the actual ski terrain. As the Gondola rounds the final corner, the sun hits me directly in the face and there in the distance is the resort. It is absolutely spectacular! I exit the Gondola and find myself in the center of it all. As I gawk at the scenery, I am being knocked around by people who are scattering about in a hurry to catch the lift to the top of one of the many mountains.
I get my bearings and head up to some moderate terrain for a lengthy warm up. Once my legs are awake, I head over to the bread and butter area, called Goat’s Eye Mountain. Goat’s Eye holds all the steep chutes, tree runs and anything a crazy fool would like to ski as long as it is borderline deadly. There are many runs on the mountain that have stern avalanche warnings, even for the runs that are in bounds. One of the most memorable of these runs is called Hell’s Kitchen. This particular run is very steep, about 45 degrees or more in some places, and there is nothing but trees.
As I make my way through the beginning moguls to tree line, I quickly notice the forest closing in on me. Before I know it, I’m deep in the trees and the slope is only getting steeper. I have to take my turns a couple at a time because if I get going too fast there will be no way to stop. I do wear a helmet, thanks to some forceful peer pressure from my coworkers, Brooke and Wes, last year in Utah. Hell’s Kitchen really challenges your skiing ability as the path is not straightforward. If you go too far in one direction, you will be faced with the decision to jump a cliff. Stray too far in the other direction and the trees are too narrow to pass through. My legs at this point are really burning, but there is still a lot of steep tree skiing to go. I never knew that one could actually break a sweat in zero degree temperatures, but I find that out while playing in Hell’s Kitchen.
Once I make it to the end of the run I encounter some locals at the lift, out of breath and sweat running down my brow. The friendly locals take notice of me and ask where I have been. Upon mentioning Hell’s Kitchen, another question follows: “Where are you from?” Somehow I’m able to slur out “Tennessee”. Their eyes open widely as they proceed to tell me that they cannot believe I’m from the south, and that Hell’s Kitchen is a hard run. I guess that explains why I was alone for the entire run. I spend the next 5 days on Goat’s Eye Mountain ticking off numerous runs, mostly alone.
I will always remember my trip to Banff, and though I do not have many photos, (I can’t take pictures of myself in action) I am always happy to paint a picture with my words and memory. For those of you who are wondering how you can get your turns in for the winter while living in the South, it takes plenty of planning, a lot of saving, and most of all, a drive to accomplish a goal that you hold dear.
About the author: Clark Luckmann has been with Rock Creek for six years. He currently runs our fulfillment and customer service operations from our warehouse in Chattanooga, TN. He loves lip syncing Stevie Wonder tunes, long walks in the park, and skiing his brains out. He tries to get a few turns in after our trade shows in Utah, and usually takes one big trip every year.
See Clark's Banff trip photos at flickr >>
Check out Goggles on sale at RockCreek.com >>
Check out Hardshell Jackets at RockCreek.com >>
Tell us about your latest adventures!
Posted by Mark McKnight at 9:37 AM
February 19, 2007
When do we get to ski?
Come check out our flickr account for some new photos from Brooke in the Tetons, as well as a couple new ice climbing photos from Wes Napier at Whitesides last weekend. Also be sure to stop by our Winter Clearance Sale at RockCreek.com. This is the best time to save on all your favorite outdoor clothing and gear from brands like The North Face, Arc'Teryx, Marmot, Patagonia, and more.
Posted by Mark McKnight at 10:33 AM
February 2, 2007
Little River Canyon Video
Rock/Creek employees Chris Brigman and Moe Edmiston paddling Little River Canyon in Alabama. Check it:
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Posted by Mark McKnight at 2:43 PM
January 19, 2007
New Kayaking Videos on YouTube
Thanks to Jamie Sanders for this new kayaking video:This is Sanders doing a couple 360's on the Ocoee River, at Hell Hole.
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Posted by Mark McKnight at 11:24 AM
Suck Creek Christmas
A Suck Creek Christmasby Mo Edmiston
I woke up; it was a dreary morning, not to mention that it was Christmas Day. Great, I thought to myself, it is raining. Christmas Day, and there isn’t anyone to go paddling with. Rolling out of bed, something caught me by surprise.
It was a phone call from Chris. “Where are we going paddling today?” he asked. “Checked the radar and looks like Suck Creek has a bit of a chance,” I explained. Suck Creek is a local run that is about ten minutes from downtown Chattanooga and generally runs with minimal rain fall. It lies at the base Signal Mountain and Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area. Plans were made, boats and gear were packed; I wished my mom a merry Christmas and explained I would be back later. Off I headed to meet everyone at the store for a Christmas day on Suck Creek.We arrived at the take out to see that the river was running a bare minimum. “Looks good,” I said. So we geared up and headed for the put in. To add to the list of great surprises, this would be the first time I would run the newly cleaned out lower section, thanks to Jeremy and Bryce. This was going to be the perfect day, I thought to myself as Chris Brigman, Taft Sibley, Chip Smith, and I shoved into the water to see what kind of adventures lie downstream.
We charged through the first section of whitewater, styling such rapids as Road Construction, Slow and Low, and Pinnacle. Finally we got down to the crux rapid called Knucklehead, which was not frequently run until this year when someone moved the house size boulder in the landing. We decided to take out and run the cars back up for one more run before continuing downstream to the unknown rapids.
Same as before, everyone had great lines throughout the run. Then we arrived back to the lip of Knucklehead. This rapid has not only eaten boats but people as well. I gave it a good hard scout and decided this was going to be my day. I got a running start and smack I hit the pillow. Just in time, I was able to get off the much needed left stroke, sending me flying off into the pool below. As I bounced through the next rapid I saw Taft go next. Bam! I hear as everyone on shore burst out with the awful “uuuuffff,” which no paddler likes to hear. But to my surprise Taft came floating through the run out with a big smile on his face.
It turned out he wasn’t lucky enough to pull off the necessary left stroke, and it sent him flying off in the wrong direction, smashing his bow into the shallow pool below. Taft paddled away unscathed, only sending a boat shattering blow to the front of his kayak. After watching Taft, Chris and Chip decided to walk Knucklehead saving it for next time. With our adrenaline still pumping high we continued downstream to the next major rapid.
Having not ever seen the infamous rapid, Beyond Thunder Dome, we made up our minds to get out and scout. With the river so low, the bottom drop all funneled into a slot and dumped off a five foot ledge, disappearing into the mist of the peton rock below. Taft decided to probe it first. The rapid consists of three must-make moves, the last being of the most importance. Taft styled the top drops as if he had been running this rapid for years. He finally reached the crux; stroke, hit, he was through unscathed. I opted to run it next, hitting the same line; followed by Chip. Thanks to Chris, everyone stayed safe, while he was nice enough to set up a throw rope. We continued down the unknown section of class IV boogy water.There was still one more rapid we had heard about. It had taken a piece of our friend Jeremy’s knuckles the week before. Giving it a proper scout, we gave it a go. The move was to boof a four foot ledge going right, then land in an eddy barely big enough for one boat to turn around, then complete the rapid by ferrying back across the river to the left. I am not sure what this rapid is called, but they should have named it 50/50 because fifty percent of our group ran the last part backwards. After completing that rapid the river dies down a bit, still delivering some fun class IV boogy water until you reach the bridge.
With the bridge in view, a big smile started to come across my face. It was Christmas Day, we had just gotten two laps and a personal first descent of what is to become the “New” Suck Creek. Pulling up to the cars we got dressed, ran shuttle, and made plans to come back for another couple of laps the next day if the creek held its water. We said our goodbyes knowing that until future holiday adventures, this was the best Christmas present one could get.
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Posted by Mark McKnight at 10:26 AM
