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March 23, 2006

Mountainsmith Gift w/ Purchase

For a limited time, get a FREE $20 Mountainsmith Sixer Cube with any purchase of $50 or more from our selection of Mountainsmith packs. We're now carrying an extended selection of camera bags, travel packs, backpacking packs, and lumbar packs, so stop by and grab your FREE gift. While supplies last.

Shop Mountainsmith at RockCreek.com >>

Posted by Mark McKnight at 9:22 AM

March 22, 2006

Exodus Recall

Ironically, the very day I post an article from Mountain Hardwear about the new Exodus pack frames, they announce a recall on the hip belts. Good news is only the hip belts are affected and they're sending us new ones to replace the packs we have in stores now.

Apparently there's a defect where the fabric comes together with foam on the pads and the fabric can separate from the pad while you're adjusting the velcro. This shouldn't affect the pack while it's in use, only when you're adjusting it, so if you're reading this from the trail (which I seriously doubt you are) then the pack should be fine as long as you don't adjust the hip belt.

If you've purchased an Exodus pack from RockCreek.com please contact us at 1.888.707.6708 and we'll get you a replacement hip belt as soon as we get them in from Mountain Hardwear.

Despite this little manufacturing hiccup, we're pretty excited about the Exodus system; Mountain Hardwear really thought out of the box on this and came up with a really innovative frame design.

Posted by Mark McKnight at 4:49 PM

Exodus Test Team to be Recruited

RICHMOND, Ca. (February 1, 2006) – Mountain Hardwear Inc., a leading mountaineering and outdoor equipment and clothing company, announced today that it has partnered with three continental north-south trail organizations to help promote some of the nation’s most cherished long-distance hiking trails. The partnership marks the launch of Mountain Hardwear’s new Exodus Pack line. Exodus Backpacks, which will be available in specialty outdoor stores February 1st, incorporate a revolutionary new frame system that moves with the user’s body, resulting in a comfortable fit, even when hiking on uneven terrain.

Mountain Hardwear has partnered with non-profit organizations affiliated with the most revered long-distance hiking trails: The Appalachian Trail (2,144 miles, from Maine to Georgia); The Continental Divide Trail (3,100 miles from Montana through Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico) and the Pacific Crest Trail (2,650 miles from Washington through Oregon and California). The agreements include providing funds for trail construction and maintenance to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Continental Divide Trail Alliance’s Explorers Program, and sponsoring the Pacific Crest Trail Alliance Trail Fest held March 31-April 2 in Riverside California, an event to increase awareness of the trail. In partnership with Mountain the Test Team program to their membership base.

Those chosen to be part of the Exodus Test Team will hike portions of the three trails during the spring or summer of 2006. Mountain Hardwear will provide each participant with an Exodus pack. In exchange, Test Team members will document their trips with stories and photos for posting on Mountain Hardwear’s website. Participants are also encouraged to conceive and execute a trail stewardship project associated with their trip.

“As an outdoor gear company, we care deeply about the preservation and responsible use of these great American trails. Our Exodus Pack launch has provided an excellent opportunity to promote these worthy organizations as well as put our packs on the backs of passionate users,” said Ryan Hodgkin, Mountain Hardwear’s marketing manager.

Mountain Hardwear designs, sources and markets high-end mountaineering and outdoor equipment, apparel and accessories. Mountain Hardwear was established in 1993 by a group of outdoor industry veterans and is based in Richmond, Calif. The company distributes its products through specialty outdoor and sporting goods retailers in the United States and 25 countries worldwide. Mountain Hardwear has won numerous product and customer service awards since its inception. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Sportswear Company. RockCreek.com carries a full selection of Mountain Hardwear products, including two new packs using the Exodus frame system.

Posted by Mark McKnight at 10:46 AM

March 21, 2006

15% KEEN Sale 'till Friday March 24

We have a very limited-run sale on KEEN Footwear, going on now through Friday March 24th at Midnight. If you've been thinking about picking up a new pair of sandals or shoes from KEEN, now's the time! Come on over to RockCreek.com and get your discount today.

We do have a couple shoes on clearance, so you may find even better deals.

Shop our KEEN Store.

Posted by Mark McKnight at 10:47 AM

March 15, 2006

LRC Trail Day April 22, 2006

Rock/Creek, along with Chaco and Five Ten, is sponsoring a trail day up at one of our favorite crags, Little Rock City. This incredible boulder field is owned by a Golf Club and the owners graciously allow us to climb on their private property. As a way of giving back, and in an effort to ensure future access, we have periodic trail days at LRC.

Our next event is planned for April 22, 2006, at 9AM, and will last about 5 hours.

Location: Mont Lake Golf Course, Soddy-Daisy TN

On tap will be two activities for the Montlake Golf Club:

1) Parking lot landscaping and cleaning
2) Cleaning out dead wood from climbing areas
3) Re-establishing trails in climbing areas
4) Cleaning (and climbing!) as many problems as possible

We are also planning to have some hotdogs, hamburgers and cokes for participants. We're not sure yet if the SCC will be covering this or if Montlake will be "cooking."

"I spoke with the landowner's wife a few weeks ago--she was very thankful for the climbing community and the work that we have done in the boulderfield and on the golf course. She, her husband and the community at Montlake have been very good to us, and I passed that fact and thanks on to her--just wanted to share that with you all. Thanks for all that you have done and continue to do for LRC and the community of Montlake." says Chad Wykle

Posted by Mark McKnight at 4:32 PM

March 14, 2006

Sign up now for the Rock/Creek River Gorge Trail Race

It's almost time for the Rock/Creek River Gorge Trail Race, presented by The North Face. The race will start at 8:00 AM EST on April 1, 2006 (and that's no joke), at the Cumberland Trail parking lot on Signal Mountain outside Chattanooga, TN. Come enjoy some of the best trail running in the region and see why Rock/Creek is famous for their race bags.

WHO SHOULD RUN THIS RACE?

All Runners! This race is meant to be fun and expose those of us who don't normally run on trails to the beautiful wilderness areas surrounding Chattanooga. Do not feel intimidated if you have never run on dirt trails before. It is not uncommon to walk many sections of a trail run. Remember that trail running is strenuous. Practice before you participate; it makes the race more fun.

TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS:

6.5 Mile Loop: The trail is a portion of Mullens Cove loop trail. The first 3 miles are on the rim of the gorge, providing spectacular views on the Tennessee River Gorge and Chattanooga. This trail crosses 3 small creeks. At Snoopers Rock Overlook the trail turns back onto a jeep road for about 1 mile, then rejoins the single track trail and back to the Cumberland Trail Parking area to finish. Race begins at 9:00 a.m. Hydration station is provided at mile 3.

10.2 Mile Loop: This trail is the entire Mullens Cove loop trail. It shares the first 3.2 miles of the 6.5 mile loop then continues across Tower Road and back onto single track trail. There are numerous creek crossings and some rocky terrain. The trail is a bit more strenuous but the terrain and the views are unbeatable. The trail ends at Cumberland Trail Parking lot. 100% single track the whole length. Race begins at 8:45 a.m. Hydration stations will be located at mile 3 and 7.

For complete race details, and to sign up online, see the race information page on rockcreek.com.

Posted by Mark McKnight at 11:06 AM

March 10, 2006

Wall Street Journal Chooses RockCreek.com for Deuter's Kid Comfort II Backpack

The Wall Street Journal chose RockCreek.com to outfit themselves with a Deuter Kid Comfort II Backpack. They chose the Kid Comfort as "Best Overall" in a test of backpack-style kid carriers. So next time you head out on the trail, take Junior with you with the Deuter Kid Comfort packs.

The lighter Deuter Kid Comfort II ($179 at Rock Creek) won unanimous approval. "I didn't know I was wearing it," dad James Kolenski said of the nearly six-pound pack after the hike was over. The carrier also had a well-designed kickstand, vents to help stay cool and lots of storage room. And our younger testers? Baby Megan fell asleep within minutes, her head pressing gently into the padded backrest. As mom Suzanne Kolenski concluded, "She's obviously cozy in there." If only they made one big enough to hold adults, too. It's our Best Overall. {See full article on wsj.com]

Ever since Hans Deuter started making bags to supply the Bavarian Post Office in 1898, Deuter has focused on making the best possible packs. By 1971, Deuter had become the largest producer of backpacks, luggage, and bags in Germany. The first AirComfort bags debuted in 1987, with the AirContact series following in 1996, the Advanced Comfort System in 1999, and the AC Lite series in 2002. The first kid carrier pack hit the market in 2003 and has been perfected in the years that followed.

In a little over a year, Deuter moved up from an outsider status on our sales floor to become our best selling pack line. We believe that Deuter fills a unique niche in the backpack market, and we are proud to offer their line to you.

Click here to see the full Deuter selection at RockCreek.com

Posted by Mark McKnight at 3:59 PM

March 6, 2006

More press for RockCreek Adventure Race Team

I just found another article mentioning the RockCreek Adventure Race Team and their outstanding performance in the Goldrush 24. This article from Greg Yetter comes from sleepmonsters.com:

After a night of gusty winds and near freezing temps, dawn arrived and with it a hope for a warm day. With the better conditions teams moved through the race course with determination. A determination to finish.

Earlier race officials calculated that only 6 teams could finish the entire course in the allotted time. Of those only HALF did and all were 3 person coed teams.

First across the finish line was Team 2-Enduraventure. With every report from the outlying CP/TA's the team showed no hint of losing their lead on the chase teams.

Next, Team 17-Rock Creek Outfitters were reported at TA4. In short order they ran from the canoe take-out to downtown Woodstock, GA and a crowd cheering them into the finish line. Some of the crowd was provided by the city of Woodstock. It was great that a Chili/Barbeque Cook Off was held in the same park as the finish line. [Continued on sleepmonsters.com]

Stay up to date on the latest from RockCreek's Adventure Race Team at RockCreek.com. Be sure to check the "Events" and "Announcing" sections on the bottom of the home page.

Posted by Mark McKnight at 2:38 PM

The Winter Clearance Sale is On!

We recently released our Winter Clearance Sale list to the public. We stayed a bit late in the office Thursday to mark down all the last remaining Fall product from brands like Marmot, The North Face, Montrail, Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia, PrAna, Arc'Teryx, Eagle Creek, and Royal Robbins. Visit now to save up to 60% on your favorite clothing and gear. We also have a TON of new Spring product coming in every day, so be sure to stop by often for the latest warm weather clothing.

Click here or on the image below to check out the sale!

Posted by Mark McKnight at 10:16 AM

RockCreek Team Places 2nd in Goldrush 24 Adventure Race

Congratulations to RockCreek's Adventure Racing team, which placed 2nd this weekend in the Goldrush 24 Adventure Race in Woodstock, Georgia. They were the second of only three teams to finish this grueling race within 24 hours.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution had a great article about the team:

Seconds after completing a 24-hour, 75-plus-mile race over grueling terrain and freezing waters, Patricia Williams Smith had one question.

"What can we eat?" she asked as her exhausted colleagues with the Rock Creek Outfitters team, Dan Miller and Jim Farmer, wondered the same thing.

"We have some barbecue and chili for you. All you want," said Toby Bramblett, the director of the Goldrush 24 YMCA Adventure Race in Woodstock.

Food and racing. A perfect combination on a perfect day. It was the first time that Woodstock has held either the chili and barbecue cook-off or the adventure race. Residents could enjoy plenty of good eating while waiting for the teams to stagger to the finish line. And after making it to the finish, the teams could enjoy good food as the sweet smell of barbecue and hickory smoke formed a pleasant sensory cloud over the finish line.

"That's the only reason we wanted to get to the finish line," Farmer said, only half-joking. "That was the motivation." [continued on ajc.com]

We're sure to hear more great things from the newly created RockCreek Adventure Racing Team: Jim Farmer, Dan Miller and Patricia Williams Smith.

The Goldrush 24 is sponsored by the YMCA of Atlanta and the City of Woodstock. For more details, see the YMCA page.

Stay up to date on the latest from RockCreek's Adventure Race Team at RockCreek.com. Be sure to check the "Events" and "Announcing" sections on the bottom of the home page.

Posted by Mark McKnight at 9:12 AM