Boat Rock Benefit 2006

The count has yet to come in, but a lot of money was raised for Boat Rock last night.

There was music, there was food from the Burrito Brothers, there was the NOLS Bus. There were raffles, give-aways, and silent auctions. La Sportiva was there. Ryan Waters was there. And there was Sweetwater Beer. IPA, 420, Georgia Brown, and Summer Hummer. I don't think much more needs to be said.

Now, go down to Boat Rock and get some climbing in. You deserve it.

Thanks to everyone who came down to hang out and help out a great climbing area right here in Atlanta.

NOLS Bus: A Created Climate for Change

The NOLS Bus was here on Saturday, demonstrating a viable fuel alternative in their recycled vegetable oil driven engine and solar powered appliances, not to mention giving a few fly fishing tips, a mini rock-climbing wall to play on, and some information about their cool trips.

The NOLS crew of Riley, Curtis, Nora, and Sarah arrived Saturday morning at High Country. After some brief coffee and bagels we did some corporate soul-selling for Stonyfield Organic Yogurt during a little photoshoot for NOLS. We didn't actually take any money, so it might not have been corporate soul-selling, and the Yogurt was good. I can't tell you if it was better than my Kroger Vanilla Yogurt I normally purchase, but I'm fairly certain Stonyfield was more organic. Give it a try for yourself and see what you think. Maybe someday organic foods will cost the same and not wreak any unknown havoc on our bodies from applied chemicals and such.

But back to the photoshoot. If you ever see pictures of some NOLS people teaching some High Country employees, those pictures were set up. For that matter, if you ever see High Country employees not knowing something, just assume that something's being rigged.

After the shoot, NOLS set up in our parking lot and gave out information about NOLS trips and sustainable energy. Engines running off of recycled vegetable oil are cool, no doubt about it. Imagine, rolling up to a restaurant, "Fill her up." Filter out food particles and you're on your way. Beats an engine running on urine. Imagine how much you'd have to drink to get anywhere.

NOLS trips are definitely cool too. Trip all over the world, learning all kinds of skills. And you can get college credit too. Now, if only it didn't cost so much...

Cumberland Island: An Ode to the Dramatic

After as many shrimp and cocktails as anyone cared to consume, we traded revelry for a sound night of sleep and one last warm shower at the historic River View Inn. On Friday morning our group of ten kayakers, two guides, and one culinary mastermind began making preparations for the eight-mile paddle over to Cumberland Island. We were an invincible combination. With the group gear, consisting of three guitars, a flood of booze, several tents, a propane tank, stove, and two coolers safely on the island, our boats loaded and lunch packed, we set out on the smooth waters of the St. Mary's River. For all of their absurd indulgences, the rich, who inhabited this island, took great pride in the preservation of the seventeen miles of undeveloped beach front, leaving it as a truly refreshing glimpse of the Georgia coast as it might have been in another time. After arriving on the south end of Cumberland Island, we made our way to sea-camp, our home for the remainder of the weekend.

Saturday brought another cool day of near perfect temperatures and ideal conditions for a bike ride to cover some of the island. So we took off through the deep sands of the Main Road on beach cruisers, after pancakes and coffee. We went on to tour the Carnegie Mansions, a tribute to a time when wealth outweighed sense, reminding us of a way of life that induces thoughts of The Great Gatsby. With everyone back at camp, rejuvenated by drinks, the beach, and showers, we somehow managed to talk ourselves back onto the bikes for a trip to the Dungenesse ruins at the south end of the island. As the sun went down we explored the charred remains of the main house on Cumberland and its many amenities. During that time the first ever Great Armadillo Round Up was conducted with great success. That night was another of revelry and song, as we indulged in the delights of another tasty low country broil and smores.

The next day we began our journey back to the mainland and Atlanta. After bribing the ferry boat captain into unloading our group gear we were off. As we headed down the inland part of the island the weather and water had again aligned itself in our favor and we were met with calm conditions and sunny skies. Wild horses ran on the shore while a group of dolphins played just in front of the bow of our boats. The paddle back was one of determined spirit as the tide had finally agreed with us, pushing our convoy up the St. Mary's River and back to the mainland.

Cumberland is certainly a special place. One that invokes images of the grandiose aristocratic life of another time coupled with the unabated splendor of unspoiled nature.

I'll Drink to That

Boat Rock Benefit 2006 pint glasses are here! Here's the deal: on October 22, come to the Sweetwater Brewery at 5:00 for a good time. To get in, you must have a Boat Rock Benefit pint glass. They cost $6, 5 of which goes to Boat Rock. Chaco will match that $5 for a total of $10 per glass. So your $6 for a pint glass brings $10 to a good cause and gets you in to a very cool party at Sweetwater! You can pick up the glasses at High Country Outfitters, the Patagonia store in Buckhead, Atlanta Rocks, and Adrenaline Climbing.

We'll see you on October 22 at Sweetwater helping Float the Boat!

Rental Gear on Sale

Summer is finally at an end here in the South and we're selling off our rental gear. We have paddles, canoes, rafts, kayaks, climbing shoes, PFDs, spray skirts, trekking poles, climbing helmets, tents, backpacks, and splash jackets all at great prices. See a selection of our rental gear for sale on our website or stop by the store to see the full selection.

High Country Happenings First Post

High Country Happenings has arrived! Check in here and at our High Country Happenings section coming to the website to get the last news and field reports going on at High Country.

Sweet.