New SIGG Bottles Are Here

We just received an order of new SIGG water bottles. We are now well stocked with classic Swiss Cross bottles as well as some really stylish designed bottles. SIGG Bottles are extruded from one piece of lightweight aluminum. The inside is coated with a proprietary water based lining that has been independently shown to not leach flavor or chemicals. The outside is powder coated hotness. All SIGG bottles are 100% recyclable, too. If you want pure taste and sustainability in your water bottle, check out the SIGGs!

The Buyers Report: Backpacking Gear

I have seen a lot of backpackers and campers in the store this last couple of weeks getting geared up for Memorial Day. I hope we had what you needed and you had a wonderful weekend. Here at High Country Outfitters we do our very best to keep what you need in stock at all times, especially backpacking gear. We are putting extra effort this year into our hard-goods department, that’s backpacks, trekking poles, water bottles, pack covers, water purification, the actual stuff you NEED to go out and have fun. Remember we are a preferred NOLS dealer and we work with clients from Moondance and Outward Bound all the time. We are prepared to help you get the right gear, so please come in before your next adventure. We will see you in the shop!!

Jesse Layton,
Buyer

Deuter Kid Comfort II Review

I recently purchased a Kid Comfort II, made by Deuter, with the sunroof (which also has a rain cover). I highly recommend this product to anyone with a small child. My daughter, Chloe, is almost 7 months old and is about the minimum size allowed for the carrier but fits just perfectly. The Kid Comfort II is very adjustable and I can see us using it for a few years to come. My Girlfriend, Tammy, and I just got back from taking Chloe on her first camping trip. We went to the High Shoals Scenic area near Helen, GA. It was the perfect testing ground for Chloe’s first trip. From the car you hike downhill for about ¾ of a mile down to a stream where the ground is nice and level. This is where we set-up camp. We had a blast and Chloe took to it very naturally. She really liked riding in the Kid Carrier and was not a problem in any way. We got up there on Friday evening after battling traffic to get out of town. We had good weather on Friday with some rain over-night. On Saturday we awoke to great weather and went for a hike down to the waterfall. We got back to camp around lunch time. We got Chloe situated and down for a nap. Then Tammy and I collected firewood for our nice romantic evening. Unfortunately, it started raining around 6pm just after the fire got going and the rain didn't stop until the next morning. So, on Sunday we got up and packed our things in the rain after which we hiked out and hit up the Cracker Barrel on the way home for some much needed country breakfast. All in all it was a great trip and just the first of many! The Kid Comfort II by Deuter performed beyond my expectations. It has tons of pockets and a place for all of those things you need with a baby; it even comes with a teddy bear! Even if you don’t go camping with your baby or small child you need one of these carriers. I am already using it for all kinds of things like cutting the grass, or just to go for a walk. Chloe loves the Kid Comfort II and so do I.

20% Off Chattahoochee Rafting

Reserve a raft for Memorial Day Weekend and get 20% Off the regular rental price! That's $80 for a 4 person (reg. $100) and $100 for a 6 person (reg. $125).

Don't wait, reserve today!
888.688.3485

The Buyers Report: Alaska Air

The Atlanta Journal Constitution is reporting that Alaska Air will begin offering a daily nonstop flight from Atlanta to Seattle starting October 23. This is great news for all of the Alpinist, Mountaineers, and Adventure Travelers in the local area. Access to the Pacific Northwest will be much easier now with a direct flights daily, departing from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport at 6:10 p.m. and arriving at the Seattle Airport at 8:35 local time. I encourage you to grab your packs, and get outdoors, visit the Cascade and Olympic Ranges, two of the world’s most beautiful places. Remember; keep your bags under fifty pounds, and leave the ISO Butane at home.

Jesse Layton,
Buyer

Kilimanjaro Slideshow with Kapanya Kitaba

Kapanya Kitaba of East African Outdoor Adventures gave a wonderful slideshow about climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro here at High Country Outfitters. Keith Farmer of Atlantic Wines was also here to hip us to some great African wines by Vinum, Jardin, and Kumkani which were paired with appropriate cheeses. Greg Blount introduced Kapanya Kitaba, who has been a Kilimanjaro guide since 1994, and the slideshow got under way. Mr. Kitaba, a tall, athletic and soft spoken person, then walked us through a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro with beautiful pictures of clients, guides and porters in different stages of the climb while audio of various African birds played softly in the background. Afterwards Kapanya took questions and joked easily with the crowd about safari, outfitting, training, and life as a guide.

Many thanks to Kapanya Kitaba, the Blounts, Keith and Atlantic Wines for an enjoyable evening. Thanks to everyone that came out and we hope to see you again soon at High Country Outfitters.

Your New Summer Adventure Shirt

The Ex Officio Air Strip Lite shirt is one of the most versatile shirts you’ll find. It is your classic “adventuring” shirt. The super-light fabric is among the fastest drying fabrics available, and the ventilation and UV protection keep you comfortable enjoying the outdoors. It is especially nice for those of us going paddling one weekend, backpacking the next, and travelling the weekend after. No matter your adventure, this shirt will perform for you.

Author of On The Edge Coming to High Country

Richard Jackson will be here at 6:30pm on Thursday 5/28/2009; we will have copies of his book for sale and Dick will sign it for you. In addition Dick donates the proceeds from his book to his alma mater Marshall University (yes the one the movie is about). We will also have some food and drink.

About the book:

Within these covers are stories about a group of risk-takers and adrenaline junkies who lived a life of stimulating and challenging activity. It is a rollicking adventure account of men who chose a wilderness avocation and lifestyle in lieu of comfort and leisure for their relaxation.

This is also a travelogue about much of the backcountry of this nation. Their journeys into these wilderness areas lasted over twenty years comprising some seventy expeditions into places like the Everglades, Okefenokee Swamp, Appalachian Trail, Presidential Range, and the desert of Joshua Tree. Learn about these locations and other backwoods areas, primarily in the mountain states of Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming.

Read about these unusual people and the physical trials they put their aging bodies through as they pursued their passion, searching for refuge from their work, and adventure in their lives to help calm their craving for fun and new experiences. Importantly, they wanted to be explorers and to see what was over the horizon.

Their interest level had no valley and no summit. It was limitless. They were not purists in the sense of following the conventional standards of "roughing it" in the wilderness. Instead, they did it their way. They were the real thing and enjoyed living on the edge. Not many people do.

There is humor, philosophy, lessons on field-craft, and dubious judgment noted in their journeys. These should appeal to all readers with similar inclinations despite age or gender.

The Buyers Report: Bertucci Watches

Very exciting news from High Country Outfitters, I would like to introduce the new line of Bertucci watches. These beautiful analog time pieces are now available at the store. Crafted entirely with Swiss or Japanese movements, these fine performance field watches will prove to be very durable over the long haul. I recommend any model with a screw down crown, this will make a big difference when it comes to keeping the water out and is standard on most models. Make a statement this summer with the A-1S, a clean functional stainless steel case and nylon band, or choose the B-1T made with a titanium case and leather band. There is simply not a more rugged leather watch out there. These are great watches to compliment our technical Suunto collection because they have such clean and simple lines and function. See you in the Shop..

Jesse Layton,
Buyer

High Country Movie Night Fundraiser

Last Thursday we had a move night at the shop to raise money for the SCC. We showed local climber Wil Jones' video Synovial Jams to warm things up and then viewed LVMRock's Linville Gorge video. With chips, popcorn, and beverages, it was a lot of fun and raised a good amount of money! Below are some pictures from the event: