December 11, 2008

"Heart of Stone" Climbing Access Film (Watch the Full Version!)

This is the full, high-def version of Andrew Kornylak & Josh Fowler's new movie. As Climbing magazine noted, "Heart of Stone debuted at Rock/Creek in Chattanooga, TN, during the Triple Crown - Stone Fort Finale on December 5th and 6th, 2008 to crowd of close to four hundred and the crowd response was nothing short of amazing." Word has it the film will also be picked up by a rock climbing film series, so it might show on the big screen in a town near you soon. We'll post details here as we have them.

Heart of Stone - HD from Andrew Kornylak on Vimeo.

It's no secret that the Southeastern US has some of the best rock climbing in the country. Grassroots organizations like the Southeastern Climbers Coalition and the Carolina Climbers Coalition are gaining and preserving access to this treasure in a unique way - by buying it. the annual Triple Crown Bouldering Competition - the largest outdoor climbing competition in the world - is at the center of this access revolution. This new film celebrates what many are calling a Golden Age of discovery and stewardship in the South. It's a look at the miraculous mix of activism, generosity and respect for tradition, in the Heart of Stone.

"Heart of Stone is the first film that takes the focus away from superstars, grades and the glory and puts it back where it belongs, on the local community, retailers and climbers that work tirelessly to keep the crags open and open the ones closed. Rock/Creek needs to take some of the credit here even though they won't ask for it; because it's the local businesses that make it happen in each of these SE communities.

Jim Horton and Chad Wykle have created a competition series that is the pride of the industry and one that needs to be taken to the rest of the nation so that others may carry the torch in their region. It blows me away at each of these comps, just how many people will open their wallets in order to open more crags and protect the ones we have here in the SE. I had a 10 year old boy empty his piggy bank at this last comp to buy raffle tickets for Yellow Bluff. The rest of the nation needs to learn what is happening here and how to duplicate the banding together of community, local business and land managers/private land owners for the sake of preserving our open spaces for all to use.

Access is the holy grail of climbing and the SCC, CCC, NRAC and Access Fund have done a tremendous job over the last 10 years to secure more new climbing here in the SE than anywhere in the US."

--Kurt Smith

Posted by Mark McKnight at 3:01 PM | Comments (1)

November 25, 2008

Heart of Stone Climbing Film Premieres at Rock/Creek

Heart of Stone Climbing Film Premieres at Rock/Creek Friday December 5th

November 25, 2008 (Chattanooga, TN) - Rock/Creek and The Triple Crown Bouldering Series proudly present an exclusive premiere showing of the highly anticipated climbing access film-- Heart of Stone-- a film by Andrew Kornylak and Josh Fowler. Rock/Creek invites the general public to their retail location at Two North Shore in Chattanooga, TN for the premiere. The store will close at 7:00 pm on Friday, December 5th and doors will open at 7:15. The show will start promptly at 7:30 PM EST.

Heart of Stone investigates a critical point in rock climbing history in the southeast, while celebrating the many fantastic rock climbing resources that the Southeast has to offer.

As Kornylak explains, "the film celebrates what I think is the beginning of a golden age of discovery and stewardship of the amazing treasure of rock we have in the Southeast. The grassroots climbing community here is a miraculous mix of activism, generosity and respect for tradition: the Heart of Stone."

After the presentation of the film, acclaimed climbing athletes/activists Tommy Caldwell, Beth Rodden-Caldwell, Lisa Rands, and Kevin Jorgeson will speak with the audience about the current state of climbing access in the southeast and across the country.

It's no mystery that the Southeast holds some of the best rock climbing in the country. From uncountable fields of immaculate sandstone, granite, gneiss and quartzite boulders, to fantastic buttresses of steep, single pitch crags, to valleys filled with giant multi-pitch granite domes, the South simply has it all for the rock climber.

However, unlike the Western United States, most of the land of the Southeast is privately owned, with much of the remaining property being managed by State and National Parks. Rock climbing in the Southeast has become a matter of relationships between the climbing community and land managers.

Historically, climbers as a group have been known to the general public as conservationists...and simply excellent stewards of land. The number of rock climbers participating in the sport has increased dramatically over the last ten years, however. This increase in the number of climbers and the popularity of some of the rock climbing resources has placed a strain on some of the natural environments where climbers recreate, and as a result have placed the relationship between climber and land manager at risk.

Active local non-profit climbing organizations like the Southeastern Climbers' Coalition, the Carolina Climbers' Coalition, and regional activists are struggling to find a common voice for the entire climbing community--a voice that is steeped in the historical tradition of respect for the environment and the private landowner, but also one that advocates a spirit of adventure.

Please join us at the debut of this film at Rock/Creek's Two North Shore location. For directions and more information on our stores, visit: http://www.rockcreek.com/customer_service/locations.asp

A trailer for the film can be viewed online:
http://blog.rockcreek.com/archives/heart_of_stone_a_film_about_climbing_access_in_the_southeast.html

If the link is broken, try:
http://tinyurl.com/5eu24k

For more information on the Triple Crown Bouldering Series, visit:
http://triplecrownbouldering.org/

High-res photography available upon request.

Contact:
Mark McKnight
423.643.1528
mark@rockcreek.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 enacting positive change in the community and for our 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 12:40 PM | Comments (0)

November 6, 2008

Chris Sharma Photos and Slideshow Report

Chris Sharma made it to Rock/Creek last night for the final stop of his southeast slideshow tour. Beginning with his early ascent into climbing at the ripe age of 14, Chris talked about his life as a full time rock climber with incredible photos and videos of his proudest and most memorable achievements. The crowd was audibly amazed while watching Chris on some of the hardest boulder problems and sport routes which Chris climbed with amazing ease and grace.

With ascents like Mandala (v12) in the Buttermilks, or a young ascent of Necessary Evil (5.14a) where he easily stops mid send to take off his sweatshirt, Chris shows us that we are far from his caliber of climbing. Chris is nothing but humble and soft spoken about his achievements, a fact which made each climb he showed us more inspiring, and even tangible. The audience was in awe of the beautiful pictures taken by some of the best photographers in the world. The photography and video clips portrayed Chris in some exceptionally beautiful places- deep water soloing in Mallorca, Spain, hard sport climbing in Ceuse, France, and the first ascent of a new route at the amazing Clark Mountain, California.

The highlight of the slideshow was towards the end. Chris showed us his new route, Jumbo Love, located in Clark Mountain, CA. This new, super long, intimidating route in the Mohave Desert is now more than likely the hardest route in the world (5.15a) and after seeing the pics, believably so. Jumbo Love is a monster of a pitch, climbing 250 feet up a sweeping, blank wall of limestone with numerous hard cruxes along the way. Sharma explained that for a number of bolts, stopping to clip was too difficult, so he would skip them while routinely taking 60-100 foot falls.

Chris finished with shots of climbing in his new home in Spain and photos of his girlfriend Dila who climbs 5.14a consistently, and is a sweet and very strong woman climber. The slideshow was great, the photos were world class, and Chris did a great job taking us through his amazing life as a sponsored climber.

Chris recently signed on with Evolv to be a part of their shoe development and to create his own series of shoes, and just signed on with Sterling Rope as a new member of their team. Chris is an absolute climbing ambassador with his quiet demeanor, humble attitude and of course his incredible talent that inspired us all while we watched the show. Rock/Creek is proud to have had Chris here and we look forward to the next time he will be back in town.

See the photos from the Chris Sharma Slideshow >

Posted by Mark McKnight at 1:18 PM | Comments (0)

October 24, 2008

"Heart of Stone" a film about Climbing Access in the Southeast

Heart of Stone, a film about Climbing Access in the Southeast from Rock/Creek on Vimeo.

Check out the 'Heart of Stone' trailer....a production from Andrew Kornylak and Josh Fowler. See the full feature release at the Triple Crown finale at The Stone Fort/LRC. The focus of the film is Climbing Access in the Southeast. In addition to the release, attendees will have an opportunity to listen to discussions lead by top climber/activists Lisa Rands, Tommy Caldwell, Beth Rodden-Caldwell, Kevin Jorgeson, and other regional activists regarding the state of rock climbing access. Come join us for a full viewing of the film and candid discussions about the future of climbing access.

Posted by Mark McKnight at 3:06 PM | Comments (0)

October 20, 2008

Chris Sharma Coming to Rock/Creek November 5th

Rock/Creek Presents World Class Rock Climber Chris Sharma's Signature Slide Show Tour, Sponsored by Evolv and Sterling Rope

Free admission; tickets available now at any Rock/Creek location

Date/Time:
Wednesday November 5, 2008
Poster signing 6:30pm EST
Show starts 7:30pm EST

Location:
Rock/Creek at Two North Shore
301 Manufacturers Road,
Chattanooga, TN 37405

You need to meet Chris Sharma! And why not? He is the most recognized, skilled, inviting and friendly figure in rock climbing. Chris's life has allowed him countless experiences during his travels from one edge of the globe to the other and on Wednesday November 5th you can experience them with him as he recounts these moments LIVE at Rock/Creek's Two North Shore location! Admission is free, tickets are available at any Rock/Creek location.

Sharma's recognition comes not only from his groundbreaking ascents but also from being such a character and genuine athlete. Chris is involved with his community wherever he is, whether he's in his new home in Spain or his old stomping grounds of Northern California.

Join Chris on November 5th as he shares recollections and photos from trips such as recent climbing expeditions off the Spanish island of Mallorca, where Corey Rich took iconic photographs of Sharma hanging precipitously over the ocean as blue waves crash against the shore below.

Chris started rock climbing at age 12 and by the time he reached 14 he won the Bouldering Nationals and completed Necessary Evil (14c). Also on Chris' resume: his groundbreaking ascent of the Mandala, solidifying the first ascent of a 5.15 with Realization, the first ascent of Dreamcatcher, and the monumental send Pontas Arch!

Since the show is LIVE it will not only be better than any other show you have attended before but also different every time he gives it. This is not only the first Tour Chris has ever given in the South but also is exclusively presented by Evolv dealers. With this show, Chris is going to be showcasing his Sharma Signature Series, his personal line of shoes developed in coordination with Evolv Footwear. Rock/Creek and Evolv will also have a raffle for a free pair of Chris' new Signature Series rock climbing shoes. Check out the Optimus Prime, Optimus Slipper, Pontas, and Pontas Lace-up.

So be sure to load up the van with all your climbing amigos and show up for a romping, stomping good time with Chris Sharma.

Photography available on request
Contact:
Rock/Creek
423-265-5969
www.rockcreek.com/sharma/

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 rock climbing, kayaking, camping, hiking, trail running, and adventure racing. With a dedicated staff of outdoor enthusiasts and gear experts, Rock/Creek offers only the very best outdoor apparel and equipment from top brands like Evolv, Sterling Rope, Mammut, Patagonia and others to ensure that customers are comfortable and safe in the outdoors.

Posted by Mark McKnight at 12:06 PM | Comments (0)

October 15, 2008

AAC's "Chattanooga on the Rocks" Event Oct. 18th

Come join the American Alpine Club for a gathering that will include climbing, beer and prizes. Chattanooga on the Rocks: Strikes Back will be happening in Chattanooga on Saturday, October 18th. The event will be a day of climbing at The Stone Fort (formerly Little Rock City) and an evening hanging out at the Market Street Tavern. Come on down to socialize with current AAC members as well as the local climbing community at large. If that's not incentive enough, there will be drink specials, discounted memberships, climbing movies playing in the background, and tons of prizes (both a cheap raffle and a silent auction, all with tons of great gear and tchotchkis). To participate in the climbing portion, please show up to Rock/Creek for a 10:00AM departure. To participate in the after-party, please show up at the Market Street Tavern at 7:00PM. See the attached poster for more details. If you have any questions regarding the event, please email me at max.poppel@gmail.com.

(Click on the image to the left for a larger version of the poster)

Posted by Mark McKnight at 4:31 PM | Comments (0)

September 15, 2008

Urban Rocks Gym Under Construction

Indoor climbing is coming to Chattanooga with the construction of Urban Rocks Gym. About a month ago, ground was broken for Chattanooga's first full service rock climbing facility. The gym, designed by Rockwerx Inc., will have 35 ft heights and 10,000 square feet of varying climbing terrain. With close attention to customer service, ever changing routes and a helpful staff, Urban Rocks hopes to become a great tool for bringing the Chattanooga climbing scene together.

For the last two years Chris Gibson and Rebecca Robran have been steadily working on bringing indoor climbing to the city. "It's been a long, tiring process with raising our own capitol, planning, and finding the right bank for financing, but we're very excited to see this project finally break ground" Gibson explains.

The facility will be located off of Amnicola Hwy. and will house over 10,000 sq. feet of climbing wall surface, which will include lead climbing, top ropes, top out bouldering, a teaching/kids wall, and a training area. The gym will cater to all abilities, from the professional climber to the complete novice. "We really hope to help bring the climbing community together, and to aid in fostering a really positive scene in the community of climbers and non climbers alike" Robran explains.

Climbing is among the fastest growing sports in the country. Anyone who has been climbing for the last ten years can attest to the remarkable surge in popularity and one of the fundamental focuses of the facility will be education. A wide variety of specialized classes ranging from Intro to climbing, to Leading, to Self Rescue, will be offered. Gibson hopes for the gym to contribute to the overall safety and experience level of the Chattanooga climbing community: "One of our goals is to provide ample opportunity for beginners to learn how to climb safely and smartly with others"

The gym has a projected opening date of mid-December with a grand opening scheduled for the beginning of the New Year. It's shaping up to be a great event with vendors, slide shows and raffles. Check out the website Urbanrocksgym.com for updates as the gym progresses.

The diagram at the top of this page shows the overview of the gym plan created by Rockwerx. The photo shows another Rockwerx-designed gym in Boston. We'll post more details here as they come, so stay tuned.

Shop at Rock/Creek for climbing gear, outdoor clothing, and travel gear >

Posted by Mark McKnight at 11:19 AM | Comments (1)