This year the Grassroots Gear Closet included some great items from all of our Vendor Partners.  Throughout the year, we tested gear in all sorts of fun locations around Western North Carolina and beyond.  Here are some of our favorites in no particular order!

Outdoor Research Credo Jacket - MSRP: $165.00 USD

The Credo is a light weight softshell with micro fleece lining that is great in the moderate fall/winter conditions here in Asheville.  It stretches and moves well with your activities (especially bouldering) and is fashionable to wear around town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOWA Tibet GTX - MSRP $290.00

This is a great backpacking/heavy load boot that gets the job done.  Grassroots President Dave Matz says,“these are the most comfortable boots I have ever worn.” These long haul boots were tested in the Grand Canyon as well as the Pisgah National Forest.

 

 

 

 

 

Smartwool PhD Line of Socks

Earlier this year, Smartwool introduced the new PhD line of socks.  These follow in the line of great fitting socks from the industry leader in wool technology.  The PhD’s we sampled this year were among the office gear favorites and rarely leave our feet, save an occasional washing.  Great fit, warmth and wicking combine for a sock you can wear all day in the office or out playing in the woods!

 

 

 

 

Patagonia Ladies Down Sweater Vest - MSRP $150.00

The Sweater Vest is an item that we picked up for those cold days to keep the core nice and toasty.  It is extremely packable and lightweight.  It is a  winter staple, and will be on our backs for days to come!

 

 

 

 

 

Marmot Reactor Fleece - MSRP $75.00

This fleece is the most comfortable insulating piece we have tested.  It fits like a glove and is not too bulky to go under shells or to wear a nice sweater underneath.  The full zip is comfortable on the neck all the way zipped, and the fleece cover over the zipper saves the inevitable pull of the beard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mountain Hardwear Mountain Lifestyle Apparel

Mountain Hardwear is known for their Innovative and tough mountain performance gear; including durable winter shells, and gloves as well as tents and sleeping bags. Some of our favorites this year were from the Mountain Lifestyle lines which were all very comfortable clothing that suited us from Spring to Fall.

 

 

 

 

 

Smith Shoreline Sunglasses - MSRP $139.00

For looking cool and protecting your eyes, Smith Optics cannot be beat.  Lightweight, comfortable and very fashionable, Smith’s are always protecting our eyes from the harmful UV rays of the sweet sunny south. This year our Office Manager Hope Buttitta has worn her Shorelines everyday since getting them back in the Spring.  She says “I needed a pair of sunglasses that protected my eyes and looked good no matter where I am.  These look great in the woods or in town.”

 

 

 

 

Smartwool Baby Booties - MSRP $16.05

Smartwool made the list twice due to making a new parent’s best friend, socks that stay on the kiddo’s feet. Marketing Manager Tyler Donaldson welcomed a new little one to the team this summer (during Summer OR) and Smartwool Booties have graced the little one’s feet ever since. “We keep trying other socks in our closet, but these just stay on.” Every bit a Smartwool product, the Booties are warm and fuzzy and just too darn cute!

Thanks to all of our Vendors and Retailers!  2008 was a great year for product and service.  We look forward to a great New Year in 2009!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Donna Fischer, 920.457.55

SHEBOYGAN, Wis.– As the population increases on our Earth today, there is a need for more of everything. With that come more pollutant gases. Wigwam Mills, Inc., has recognized the need for power reduction in order to decrease the amount of pollutant gases emitted as well as other impacts on the environment. In March of 2008, Wigwam successfully installed a solar process water heating system at its corporate headquarters in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Thus, Wigwam has been recognized for superior elements of an outstanding design. As a result of this new system, Wigwam has been given the SE2 award. Wigwam was recognized for their leadership in energy efficiency and in-depth research and design for their environmentally friendly hot water system. The change in Wigwam’s textile factory is a shining example of how a modest investment can contribute a significant reduction in the factory’s carbon footprint.

“We are excited to find feasible ways to lessen our impact on the environment and I know we will continue to do that moving forward,” said Margaret Chesebro, field-marketing manager for Wigwam. “Wigwam is dedicated to being a good corporate citizen in all of our endeavors, so using solar power is simply one more way that we are making a meaningful difference in our environment.”

Solar hot water systems are one of the most economical and productive renewable energy technologies, even in the Midwest. With its hot water system, Wigwam clearly sets the standard for being environmentally conscious over most companies. Few companies seem either aware or willing to make the initial investment in the systems. Not only did Wigwam install the system, they devoted time to examine their energy usage patterns in order to zero in on what was the best solar arrangement for their factory.

About SE2 Program:
The SE2 award program recognizes leadership in energy-efficient and sustainable design, construction and operation of Wisconsin commercial and other nonresidential buildings and related systems. The goal is to encourage greater collaboration among owners, designers, builders and operators by highlighting the value of projects that enhance the built environment. Each year the award committee receives applications from many of Wisconsin’s most innovative and high-performance building projects.
http://www.wgba.org

About Wigwam:
Wigwam Mills, Inc., was founded in 1905 and is located in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. It is an authentic American brand that designs, manufactures and markets the knitwear that America grew up with. For more information, visit www.wigwam.com or e-mail Wigwam at socks@wigwam.com. Wigwam has consolidated its previous 20 product categories into five simple competencies, each packaged in a vibrant color of nature. The Sport competency packaging is green, denoting life, nourishment, freshness and green grass. Wigwam…LIFE IS MOVEMENT

Each year AMGA members throughout the US nominate candidates who have made an outstanding contribution or achievement of significant value to the mountain guiding profession. This year the award acknowledges Keith Garvey’s initiative and efforts in developing the new non-profit guide cooperative called the Certified Guides Federation where he serves as its current president.

The CGF supports AMGA and IFMGA certified guides by providing affordable access and insurance in the United States. Up until now, the high cost of liability insurance and expensive permit fees have traditionally incapacitated independent guiding. This new guide cooperative not only makes it affordable for independent guiding, but also grants foreign IFMGA guides access, which has been a long time goal and requirement of the AMGA. See www.certifiedguidesfederation.org to learn more about the CGF.

Keith has been a strong supporter of the AMGA and the certification processes. He has taught in the AMGA guide program for over five years, is currently seated on the AMGA Board of Directors, and is also an advisor to the AMGA Technical Director making sure guiding standards and techniques are upheld to the highest standards.

He has been a professional mountain guide for 12 years. He owns and operates All Mountain Adventures, a guide service based in Boulder, Colorado and guides throughout the US and internationally. He and his wife Krista spend their winters in La Grave, France where Keith guides for the Skiers Lodge and AMA.

Learn more about Keith on marmotpro.com.

By Dave Baker, Owner- Summit Hut

It is popular, sometimes even crowded, but that’s only because it is so good.

The Blackett’s Ridge Trail packs a great punch: it is imminently accessible, as scenic as they come, short enough that you don’t have to plan your entire day around it, and challenging enough to provide a very rewarding workout. Blackett’s Ridge is simply one of the best hikes in southern Arizona.

It is about a 3 mile one-way walk, with a 1,700 foot elevation gain to the end of the trail, so we’ll call this a moderately strenuous hike. However, a section near the middle of the walk is steep, with many switchbacks needed to climb over a 1,000 feet in under a mile. Whew!

Traversing the ridge top is like walking the deck of a giant ocean liner. You’ll feel like you are floating high above Sabino and Bear Canyons, and the Tucson valley. The view north past Thimble Peak and Sabino Basin towards Mount Lemmon is outstanding. Season: Fall, winter and spring. This hike faces south and can be very hot, especially in the Water: None. Bring plenty of your own.
Difficulty: Moderate; 3 miles one way with 1,700 feet of elevation gain.
Maps: USGS Sabino Canyon, AZ ; Green Trails Santa Catalina Mountains; or National Geographic Arizona digital map software.

To read more from Dave's Travels and see some good trail pictures, click here!

Click map for larger image