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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.


Related Links:

Get information on Local Creeks

Check out the latest Whitewater Kayaks

Go to Whitewater Paddles

See all Paddling DVDs (aka Kayak Porn)

Visit our Kayaks and Paddling Gear Section

Posted by Mark McKnight at 11:24 AM

Suck Creek Christmas

A Suck Creek Christmas
by 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.


Related Links:

Get information on Local Creeks

Check out the latest Whitewater Kayaks

Go to Whitewater Paddles

See all Paddling DVDs (aka Kayak Porn)

Visit our Kayaks and Paddling Gear Section

Posted by Mark McKnight at 10:26 AM

January 18, 2007

Grassroots- Piton Post #3

A bit late, but in case you haven't seen the third in the series of Piton posts about the new Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, here it is.

All Grassroots members are all involved in environmental causes individually but as a group we have been able to join the Conservation Alliance to help distribute grants of significantly larger amounts of money, up to $70K, to conservation groups throughout North America. [Read full article]

Posted by Mark McKnight at 4:31 PM

January 15, 2007

Arc'Teryx His & Hers Giveaway

There's still time left to come by and sign up for a chance to win a Men's and Women's Gamma SV Package from Arc'Teryx and RockCreek.com.

Remember that you can sign up for the contest every month, even if you're already signed up for the newsletter. Just put your email address in and click "Subscribe", then review your preferences and click "Update Subscription." Good Luck! Sign up for the Arc'Teryx giveaway now >>

Posted by Mark McKnight at 12:45 PM

January 11, 2007

Rock/Creek Helps Raise $8000 for Access to Boat Rock Bouldering Area

Custom Chaco Sandal Program Helps Climbers Purchase Atlanta Boulder Field

Chaco 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 4:24 PM

January 4, 2007

Grassroots Post #2 on the Piton

Turns out yesterday's post on the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance was prescient. The Piton posted the second interview with Dave Matz today. Check it out here:

LINK

One of the most interesting points for me has to do with the impact of specialty retailers, who keep more money in the local economy and have more of a vested interest in the quality of their local environment:

Here is a study that underscores the point we are trying to get across nationally. In 2003 the Civic Economics (a group of economists) did a study in Austin, Texas, comparing two bookstores. One of the stores was a large chain store, the other, an independent, local store.

The study found that every $100 spent at the national store circulated $13 in the Austin economy. The same $100 spent at the local store circulated $45, roughly three times as much, in the Austin economy. (Economic Impact Analysis: A Case Study, Civic Economics, Austin, TX 2002, free for download at www.civiceconomics.com ).

Read the full article on thePiton.com

Posted by Mark McKnight at 11:11 AM

January 3, 2007

Winter Sale: up to 60% Off

It's that time of year again- time to start saving on the hottest winter clothing and gear. We just rolled out a ton of new markdowns on everything from fleece jackets, shirts, paddles and kayaks, to helmets, goggles, and trekking poles.

Shop now! Sales end in one week, and the best deals won't last long.

Sale | Fleece Jackets | Down/Synthetic Jackets | Hardshells | Softshell Jackets

The North Face | Patagonia | Montrail | Marmot | Chaco | Mountain Hardwear | Prana *Sale ends in one week; does not apply to prior purchases.

Posted by Mark McKnight at 4:11 PM

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance

RockCreek has been a part of the group formerly known as ROI for many years. The group has recently changed to a more consumer-friendly name (that also happens to sound a lot less like one of our biggest competitors): "The Grassroots Outdoor Alliance." With the name change comes a new focus. Check out this Piton post, where the group's Executive Director, Dave Matz, talks a bit more about the our new direction. There's another interview coming soon, so I'll post that when I see it come out.

LINK: http://www.thepiton.com/2006/12/post_1_on_the_g.html

We want to highlight our members as the local specialty outdoor store with the beta you need. We have the best and most innovative products, the best local knowledge for whatever activity you are pursuing, the knowledge and commitment to preserve our local recreational resources. We support our communities with our events whether they are races, fun participation events, speakers, clinics or charity fund raisers. All these things make us different from big box stores and Grassroots wants to celebrate these specialty stores.

-Mark

Posted by Mark McKnight at 11:08 AM

Stone Fort Bouldering Comp Wrap-Up

The Finale to the Triple Crown Bouldering Series—The Stone Fort

The fourth annual Triple Crown Bouldering Series rolled in to Chattanooga last Friday night under the best of circumstances. A sweeping cold front complete with chilly temps and powerful winds blew in to town just in time for the comp. The front had followed weeklong rains, and as every seasoned boulderer knows, this combination sets a unique stage—one that is perfect for “sticky” climbing conditions.

Continue reading "Stone Fort Bouldering Comp Wrap-Up"

Posted by Mark McKnight at 8:24 AM