Shannon Stegg Slideshow

Here are a few pictures from the slideshow last night. Check out our Facebook page for more pictures and to upload any you took!

High Country Triples La Sportiva's GIVING GREENBACK$ Program

High Country is proud to be a part of the GIVING GREENBACK$ program with La Sportiva.

The basics of the program are this: buy a pair of Sportiva Hiking, Mountain Running, or Approach shoes and La Sportiva will donate $1 to one of three charities for you to choose from. In addition to this standard program, our La Sportiva rep will donate $1 to the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, and High Country will donate $1 to the Southeastern Climbers Coalition. So instead of $1 per pair, buy from High Country and $3 per pair will get donated to causes we believe in, and causes that are local to us.

Here are the official details from La Sportiva:

Buy a pair of La Sportiva Hiking, Mountain Running or Approach shoes today and $1 will be donated to one of these three charitable causes of your choice:

Carbonfund.org supports projects in renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation.

The Conservation Alliance has protected more than 39 million acres of land, stopped or removed 27 dams, and preserved access to thousands of miles of rivers and several climbing areas since 1989.

Global Water is an international humanitarian organization focused on providing safe water supplies, sanitation facilities and health programs for rural villages and schools in developing countries.

How it works:
Buy a pair of La Sportiva Hiking, Mountain Running or Approach shoes
Receive a GREENBACK$ give card with donation instructions
Go online to learn more about the organizations
Choose the organization you would like to support

You buy-La Sportiva donates. It's that simple.

And, remember, High Country and High Country's Sportiva rep are donating $2 on top of this. $2 to our local organizations:

Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper advocates and secures the protection and stewardship of the Chattahoochee River, its tributaries and watershed, in order to restore and preserve their ecological health for the people, fish and wildlife that depend on the river system

Southeastern Climbers Coalition is dedicated to preserving climbing access in the Southeast


These shoes qualify for the program:
La Sportiva Fireblade (Mens)
La Sportiva Halite GTX (Womens)
La Sportiva Imogene (Womens)
La Sportiva Wildcat (Mens)


If you're buying online, we'll put the GIVING GREENBACK$ card in the box for you.

Mountain Hardwear Canyon Shirt Coupon

Get an additional 20% off of the Mountain Hardwear Canyon Shirt with coupon code: MH-IS10-03.

The Mountain Hardwear Canyon Shirt is specifically designed for hiking and backpacking: pack friendly seams, wrinkle resistant and quick drying, with UPF 30 sun protection. It is an exceptional all-around backcountry shirt.

Get yours now. The Stainless color is already on sale, so this brings that color down to $37.60. Can't beat that deal!

Coupon expires 4/4/2010

5 Things to Know Before You Buy Your Next Pair of Boots

We spend a lot of time putting people in boots in our shop. I thought I'd share some boot shopping tips with you to give you a leg up when you need some new ones. And sooner or later, you'll need new boots.

Fit is King: I don't care how pretty they are, how great the price is, or how much Backpacker Magazine raved about them, if the boots don't fit well none of it matters. Find a good fit first, and if more than one boot fits well, then you can compare color, price, etc.

Expect Your Foot to Get Measured: We get so much more information about the shape and structure of your foot than just size when we measure you. The whole experience starts on the right foot (har har) when you start with getting measured. Also, don't get hung up on sizes while you're trying boots on. Remember, fit is king. If the perfect fit is an 11 and you always thought you were a 10.5, go with the perfect fit.

Don't Forget Socks: Bad socks in a great fitting boot can still be miserable once your feet are soaked in sweat. Be sure to get some good quality socks in an appropriate cushion for your endeavors. You'll love the socks, and you'll love us for showing you how great good socks are. If you already have appropriate socks, bring them with you when you try on boots.

Replace the Insoles: Go into the process expecting to purchase Superfeet or something similar. Yes, it'll add another $30 to the cost of boots, but have you seen the insoles that come with boots? Throw 'em away and get insoles that will actually help you.

Listen to Us and Talk to Us: Seriously, we put people in boots all the time; we know what we're doing. Be sure to give us plenty of feedback, too. We'll ask good questions to get the information we need to put you in a good pair of boots for you, but we need you to talk to us. We'll work with you to get you in the right pair of boots for your needs.

Come into the shop, we'll take care of you for all of your boot fitting needs.

New High Country Backpacking Trips

We have exciting news: we are leading 3 backpacking trips this year! Here's the rundown:

Linville Gorge Loop - Asheville, NC
April 16-18 (Max 8 people)*
Trail Difficulty: Steep and Deep
Price: $50/person - $75/person (includes Breakfast and Dinner)

A three-day backpack above and down into the "Grand Canyon of the East," this 22-mile Linville Gorge loop offers a super sampler of the amazing vistas and trailside distractions that the Linville Gorge Wilderness has to offer.


Jacks River Trail - Cohutta Wilderness
June 18-20 (Max 10 people)*
Trail Difficulty: Moderate (wet)
Price: $50/person - $75/person (includes Breakfast and Dinner)

This Georgia classic 16.1 mile hike splashes through the Jacks River region (read: 40-plus creek crossings) in the Cohutta Wilderness Area. The trail follows the Jacks River and culminates at the spectacular Jacks River Falls.


Foothills Trail - Greenville, SC
October 8-10 (max 10 people)*
Trail Difficulty: Long Mileage per day

A three day, 33-mile shuttle hike on the Chattooga Valley segment of the Foothills Trail. We will want to savor every waterfall, lush riverside, and ridge top view we encounter along South Carolina's mountainous northwest border. You'll trace the Blue Ridge Escarpment along scenic riverbanks and bluffs, and through mixed forests brimming with trillium.


Trips will leave from one of the two High Country locations. Transportation not provided but carpooling is encouraged and will be worked out at the final shakedown meeting.

*If enough people register we will go in multiple groups. Dates and prices are subject to change.

Backpacking Guide: Glenn Orton
Glenn has been exploring the backwoods of the South since he was a boy. Glenn has led expeditions in Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and numerous excursions in and around the Southeast. Most notably, he thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2007 from Georgia to Maine. Glenn is WFA certified.

Glenn is classically trained Chef who graduated summa cum laude from Johnson and Wales University. He worked in restaurants in the Atlanta area for 20 years with 8 of them as Executive Chef. Our backpacking series has the option of letting Glenn prepare your Breakfast and Dinner and to teach some backcountry gourmet techniques.