February 4, 2010

Rock/Creeks dubs this 'Support your local rainy weather' weekend

The snow is melting off the mountains and the temperatures are fairly good enough to hike this weekend, as long as you don't mind some mud and rain. If you are thinking of getting out on some local trails, we recommend hiking the Mullens Cove Loop along the Cumberland Trail within the Prentice Cooper State Forest. [Scroll Down for Information]. This loop is the same trail used in the Rock/Creek Trail Series Rock/Creek River Gorge Trail Race in March.

Now, due to the variation in weather conditions this weekend, we suggest you hike with plenty of layers and bring a Rain Jacket in case it starts to rain.
I personally like wearing my Icebreaker Chakra Zip 200 weight, a 1/4 Zip Neck Long Sleeve, when weather seems threatening to change. If the temperatures are colder, I usually throw on my Icebreaker Oasis Crew under my 200 weight long sleeve and de-layer as my body temperature warms up.
Merino wool adapts to temperature change really well so if it's damp I keep warm, and if it warms up, my skin stays dry due to the Merino Wool's natural wicking properties. I always hike with my Marmot Precip Jacket (Women's) in my day pack, along with a North Face Cable Fish Beanie because I really don't like my ears getting cold. I have experimented enough with layering clothes for hiking so I am happy I found a good combination between my Icebreaker Merino and Marmot Precip Rain Jacket. This is especially beneficial in the Southeast because it beats the unwanted clammy, covered-up feeling typical with cottons or other blended layer materials. For the exceptionally muddy excursions like this weekend+, I prefer to wear a pair of Marmot Precip Pants with a next to skin baselayer like the Patagonia Capilene Bottom Baselayer. To keep my feet dry, stable and happy, I hike with SmartWool Medium Crew Hiking Socks and rely on the durability of the Vasque Sundowner (Women's) Boot to battle off the elements such as mud and water. And with that, we ope you enjoy your weekend!
_________________________

Mullens Cove Loop Trail

Distance: 10.2 Mile Loop
Trail Type: Rugged
Difficulty: Strenuous- Tight Trails and Technical Elevation Changes
Location: Cumberland Trail, Prentice Cooper State Forest

Directions:
From I24- Take US 27 N to the Signal Mountain Rd. Exit Ramp
Stay on Signal Mountain Rd. for 3.1 Miles [passing Wal-Mart and Bi-Lo]
until you see a Left turn onto Suck Creek Rd. (US 27) This Left turn is at the base of Signal Mountain before heading up
Stay on Suck Creek Rd. for approx. 9 Miles- Look for signs for Prentice Cooper State Forest
Turn Left on Choctow Trail for .25 Miles- you will travel through a small housing area
Turn Left on Game Reserve Rd. and enter into Prentice Cooper State Forest and Wildlife Management Area.
Parking for Cumberland Trail is approx. 4 Miles on right [present end of section 9]
Mullins Cove Loop Starts Right or Left of Game Reserve Rd. We advise you to preview the Trail PDF below to plan your desired direction and desired sights to see along the Loop.

Trail Access Map PDF >

Attention to Hikers:
This is a managed hunting area. As posted by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
"Hunters take pride in their record of keeping hunting safe while sharing the public lands, and are very careful to look past their target before shooting. Hunter orange makes you much more visible to hunters and increases their confidence that they are aware of the location of any hikers or other hunters before firing. For this reason, hunters are very uncomfortable when hikers not wearing blaze orange enter big game hunt areas. Most hunters feel that not wearing hunter orange is discourteous and disrespectful. As a courtesy to hunters, we STRONGLY recommend that hikers wear hunter orange during the fall and spring in ALL Wildlife Management Areas. "

TWRA has posted a PDF for all Wilderness Management Area Hunting. It contains a Seasonal Guide for Small Game and Big Game. Prentice Cooper State Park is listed on Page 66-67. WMA Seasons PDF >

On the following dates in 2009 and 2010 the Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area will be closed for managed hunts and the section of the CT in this area cannot be accessed by hikers:

October 15-17, 31
November 1, 6-8, 28-30
December 1-3
April 6-11, 14-16, 22-24, 27-30
May 1-2

* When searching for information, hikers may discover a few variations to spell "Mullens". We try to be consistent with the -E- for Mullen's, but other may spell it with an -I- for Mullins, Mulins, Mullin's or Mulin's. Either way, you are looking at the same great hiking destination.

Marmot , Merino wool , Patagonia , Products & Reviews , Rock/Creek Trail Series | By Rachel Tucker | 12:07 PM | Comments (0)

February 3, 2010

Long Distance Driving Buzz Fixed at Rock/Creek 2 North Shore

Rock Climbers Greg, Mike, and Gary from New York stop at Rock/Creek and hangout on Wednesday in Chattanooga, TN while on their way to Potrero Chico, Mexico. Seen here, chillin' at the Rock/Creek 2 North Shore storefront, enjoying the beautiful weather and attempting to work off their long distance driving inertia buzz before continuing on.
Rock/Creek loves our climbers out there,
have a safe trip guys!

See all the Rock Climbing Gear you'll ever need and then some at http://www.rockcreek.com/climbing/

Chattanooga Local News , Trip Reports & Photos | By Rachel Tucker | 2:11 PM | Comments (0)

February 2, 2010

Rock/Creek Shares the Importance of Giving Back

Yesterday, Rock/Creek's co-owner Dawson Wheeler had an afternoon discussion with a local community education group on the subject of Rock/Creek's business passions, and how Rock/Creek has grown to be what it is today.
Their teacher has the goal to tour local Chattanooga businesses to educate the young middle school aged kids on the importance of local businesses and giving back to the community.

Dawson, along with Rock/Creek's Marketing Director, Mark McKnight, brought up Rock/Creek's branding campaign which supported local business professionals from Widgets & Stone .
"We looked at locations such as New York, Los Angeles, CA and other places, but our local talent was just as good" stated Mark. He went on to explain the importance of following the brand guidelines which adds consistency within Rock/Creek's stores and online at rockcreek.com.

A few members of the group who participate in activities such as soccer, dance, and other academic studies provided the perfect illustration for two key encouragements Dawson used in closing:

"You don't have to be big, to be the best"
which he related to Rock/Creek's Chattanooga location and goals to continue being a local business, forever focused on excellent customer experience and

"Ready- Aim- Fire"- are the three steps you need to take to move forward and be successful at anything-
"but it may not always be pretty" Dawson advised, "you just have to go back to the ready phase and prepare more for the next aim"

Rock/Creek is thankful for the sharing opportunity and time to encourage our local young minds. Thank you for thinking of Rock/Creek as a Chattanooga business example.

For more information about Rock/Creek and who we are, and our mission as a local Specialty Outdoor Retailer, please click here for "About Us"

Announcements , Chattanooga Local News | By Rachel Tucker | 5:29 PM | Comments (0)

February 1, 2010

Rock/Creek & Patagonia Support TN Wild's Proposed Wilderness Additions

Adhering to a true grassroots movement, Rock/Creek and Patagonia donated $2000 to the progressive thinking coalition, Tennessee Wild (TN Wild). This collaborative membership of non-profit organizations are working together to gain national recognition and support for the protection and restoration of wilderness regions along the forests of the Southern Appalachian landscape. Accompanying this campaign, a newly-released Two Part video [shown below], raises awareness on the holistic and spiritual benefits of wilderness preservation.

Rock/Creek and Patagonia extend beyond the specialty retailer title, into a convicting forum of stewardship and right-doing for our green spaces. This donation marks the beginning of a strong partnership between Rock/Creek, Patagonia, and Tennessee Wild for regional wilderness preservation.

Focused on the benefits of wilderness for the Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee Wild is comprised of several regional non-profit organizations such as the Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club, and the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition (SAFC). Together, all organizations offer efforts to educate the public on the benefits of wilderness and promote volunteerism and sound stewardship of Tennessee's wild place.
An example of a Coalition Member's awareness efforts is the SAFC, an organization that facilitates educational hikes, family friendly programs and trail maintenance into projected wilderness areas.

"People will not protect what they do not know and love. By bringing people out to interact with the land, a relationship is formed between human and nature. Post-hike, it becomes clear why we are working so hard to protect this land" says Jeff Hunter, Tennessee Field Organizer for the SAFC.

In addition to being a unified voice for non-profits to the local community, TN Wild has a national voice to be heard. In October, Rock/Creek's Marketing Director, Mark McKnight, toured some of the proposed wilderness additions with members of TN WIld as well as a representative from Senator Lamar Alexander's office (see adjacent photo). Shortly before Christmas, Rock/Creek received an update from Jeff Hunter, Tennessee Field Organizer for the SAFC, during his US Capital trip to meet with Senator Alexander. Mr. Hunter attended a series of Congressional meetings pressing for protection of nearly 25,000 acres of the Cherokee National Forest and has reported a positive response to pass legislation toward the expansion of areas such as the Big Frog and Little Frog Wilderness
[Click to View PDF Fact Sheet].

Areas such as these are captured in beautiful pictures and film in the video

In it, viewers of all faith backgrounds will be inspired with historical facts and a present day Christian voice united in a call to preserve these natural areas. Viewers are taken to an intimate group discussion among believers to determine " What are the spiritual values of wilderness in the Cherokee National Forest?" Through this experience, all Christians are encouraged to consider their personal future involvement to help wilderness preservation. People from other faith traditions may also find this line of inquiry useful.

"Rock/Creek is proud to be one of the grassroots organizations contributing to the protection of our Southern Appalachian natural resources. The donation is not about boasting in the gift of money, but rather, an awareness-raising factor that this is extremely important for our regional forests' future," says Dawson Wheeler, co-owner of Rock/Creek and long time advocate for the protection of recreational green spaces.

"We are so grateful for the support of Rock/Creek in this campaign. Whether it is Mark McKnight joining us to accompany a Congressional Aide out to see parts of the Cherokee or appearing on a local radio show, or funding provided for the video, Tennessee Wild could not succeed without this sort of help" concludes Jeff Hunter.

Through continued support from volunteers and donations, the collaborative voices of Tennessee Wild are pressing forward to be heard by Congress. In Chattanooga, wilderness supporters are strongly encouraged to make their case heard to the US Capital. By sending letters of wilderness support to Congressman Wamp, Senator Alexander and Senator Corker, we hope these leaders will understand the magnitude of support for wilderness legislation. For more information on the campaign, visit TN WIld's Web site, and join the TN Wild Facebook Page.

Jeff Hunter has provided several sample letters, which supporters may print out and mail to their District's Congressman and Senators.

For Chattanooga, supporters can view a sample letter, cut and paste, and send letters to Congressman Wamp.

For those living in Knoxville, Tellico Plains, Sweetwater, and other towns located in the 2nd district, supports can view, cut and paste, and mail letters to Congressman Duncan.

All residents are welcome to send letters to our Senators Alexander and Senator Corker.

Announcements , Chattanooga Local News , Patagonia , Trail Work, Access & Environment | By Rachel Tucker | 2:18 PM | Comments (0)

January 29, 2010

Southern 6k- A Family Friendly Trail Race for Hamilton County

"Runners and walkers are invited to Southern's campus for the second annual Southern 6 Trail Race, benefiting Southern's Outdoor Leadership Program. The race will be held on Southern's Biology Trail on Sunday, February 21, 2010. This will be a short and family-friendly event.

"We are getting out to run for a good cause," says Joy McKee, from Southern's Advancement office. "Proceeds will benefit our Outdoor Leadership Program as well as draw attention to the importance of getting outside."

New to this year's race is a Kiddie K for anyone ages 12 and under.
"We are happy that Southern is part of the Rock/Creek Trail Series, says Jonathan Mobley, Rock/Creek Race Director. "
This is the only trail race available on this side of Hamilton County."
It is also the only Rock/Creek race held on Sunday, opening this event up to local Adventists as well as regular participants of Rock/Creek race events.

The trail race is $30 for community members and $20 for current Southern students.

The Kiddie K is $10.

For more race information and to register to race or volunteer visit www.rockcreek.com/southern6. Online registration will remain open through February 17."

Story by Manuela Asaftei


Register for the Southern 6 or the Kiddie k- HERE >

Announcements , Chattanooga Local News , Rock/Creek Trail Series , Trail Running | By Rachel Tucker | 4:10 PM | Comments (0)

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Announcements , Patagonia , Sales & Promotions | By Mark McKnight | 7:51 AM | Comments (0)