Get Outside

Ultimate Hike

Posted by Glenn in Events, General News, Get Outside | No Comments

January 7th, 2011

Ultimate Hike

Join High Country Outfitters and participants from around the southeast in the Ultimate Hike to help cure cancer.

What is this Ultimate Hike you might ask? Well, an ultimate hike is characterized as one that consumes most of the day in a challenging adventure with a spectacular natural setting. This is a true ultimate challenge – on May 14, 2011, you will hike the 27.5 miles of the Appalachian Trail while you help raise money towards finding the cure for children’s cancer, the #1 cause of death by disease in children. CureSearch for Children’s Cancer funds the lifesaving, collaborative research of the Children’s Oncology Group, a “cancer center without walls” that treats more than 90% of children with cancer across the United States.

Meet at High Country Outfitters on Wednesday, January 26th at 6:00pm for an informational meeting with the promoters of the Ultimate Hike to sign-up or just get some more information.

Movie Night @ High Country (Buckhead)

Posted by Glenn in Events, General News, Get Outside | No Comments

November 1st, 2010

Movie NightJoin your friends at High Country Outfitters on November 11th, 7pm at High Country (Buckhead) for an evening of fun and fellowship with local climbers and those who just enjoy adventure.  Get a chance to catch up on everyone’s projects and how they are coming along while checking out some amazing videos.  Some of these we have seen before in other film festivals but maybe you missed the first go around and some are new (to me anyway).  The American Alpine club will be here with special deals for new members.  I just got back from Golden, CO and the American Alpine Center out there is amazing!  Sign up now and take that trip west you have always dreamed about.  AAC membership for sure has its benefits, see for yourself.  In addition, we are going to be presenting a FAT CHECK to the Southeastern Climbers Coalition for the money we raised at THE REEL ROCK TOUR.  Speaking of the SCC, they have applied for a Pepsi grant, vote now to help the SCC.  Hope to see you there and one more thing, Fall product is on the shelves come check it out.

HC Trail Run

Posted by Glenn in Events, General News, Get Outside, Sales and Promotions | No Comments

September 21st, 2010

Trail RunJoin High Country Outfitters and Reps from Montrail for 3.5 mile trail run on September 26th at 8:00am.  Montrail will have demo running shoes for participants to try including the Mountain Masochist.  Runners will depart in two seperate groups with Advanced runners going first and Beginner to Intermediate runners starting after.  The Gold Branch trail is composed of many ups and downs, rocky, narrow, and sometimes wet trail conditions. Water and Nuun Hydration will be provided after the run.

Laney Goes to the Tetons

Posted by Glenn in General News, Get Outside, Photos, Trip Reports | 1 Comment

August 9th, 2010


One of our favorite customers, Laney Pifke, is finally out in Jackson, WY in the Teton Mountains.  We have been working with Laney and her dad Bruce for a while now making sure we got Laney as prepared as possible.  I hope we did a good job and hope Laney has a safe, exciting adventure.  More updates to come.

Laney made it safe and sound!  Way to go Laney!

Reel Rock Tour 2010 – Coming Soon!

Posted by Glenn in Events, General News, Get Outside, Sales and Promotions | No Comments

July 25th, 2010

High Country Outfitters is once again bringing the Reel Rock Tour to Atlanta.  It is going to be held at Lefont Theaters in Sandy Springs on September 23th at 8:00pm with doors to open at 7:00pm.  This year, REEL ROCK turns five, and co-founders Sender Films and Big UP Productions are celebrating by taking you on a global ride like never before. From death-defying speed link-ups of the wildest faces in The Alps, to Olympian displays of strength and tenacity on the hardest boulders ever climbed, REEL ROCK 2010 features a breathtaking journey through the vertical realm with the heroes of rock and snow. High Country Outfitters is bringing this event as a benefit for the South Eastern Climbers Coalition.  The SCC is a non-profit dedicated to preserving climbing access in the Southeast.

The Reel Rock Tour is a costly event to put on and as a result HC is seeking additional sponsorship to help cover cost and allow us to raise the most money possible for the SCC.  Please contact Glenn at 404-814-0999, or through our contact page.

HC Guide Joseph Wolfe in Colorado

Posted by Glenn in General News, Get Outside, Photos, Trip Reports | No Comments

June 23rd, 2010

Recently Joey Wolfe, one of High Countries own, moved out to Colorado.  He has been rafting and climbing and just recently sent us some photos from his latest excursion into the mountains.  What follows are some of his photos and a brief trip report.  We miss you Joey, stay safe, and hopefully Joey will continue to send us posts.

Guys,

Hope all is well in Atlanta.
I wanted to break in my new boots so Gabe and i did the North Ridge of Mount Neva. You can check it out here http://www.mountainproject.com/v/colorado/alpine_rock/indian_peaks/105760650 (my pics are better)
It is easy 5th class ridge scrambling, it felt more like a very exposed hike. It was about 8 miles round trip, we left the car around 8 am and we were back by 3. I was really slow on the approach and we stopped a couple of times for snacks ect. the boots did great right out of the box and they climb well.

Joey Climbing

I did get a blister on the back of my heel but it is minor and more of a lacing issue. I didn’t find the terrain very challenging but the over all amount of physical effort at altitude was demanding. Very tired today. We tried to go as light as possible and opted to leave the gear at home. I did use trekking polls on the hike out which saved my knees.

JW

Take Your Dog Beyond Your Front Yard

Posted by Brent in Get Outside | No Comments

February 17th, 2010

One of the most enjoyable aspects of dog ownership is taking your canine friend with you on your adventures. One of the most frustrating aspects is knowing the where you’re allowed to take your pup. Most National Parks do now allow dogs outside of the “frontcountry” camping areas and paved roads, but there are plenty of places that you can go with your dog.

Always take a look at the city parks in and around Atlanta, there are plenty of tucked away parks with a few miles of trails here and there. Dogs are usually allowed here on leash.

Take a look at State Parks as well, most of Georgia’s State Parks allow dogs on leash. Kennesaw is a good spot, as is Sweetwater State Park and Fort Yargo. If a park doesn’t allow dogs, see if there’s an area similar nearby that does. For example, Stone Mountain doesn’t allow dogs on it’s granite mound, but Arabia Mountain, just south, does.

Remember that National Forests are pretty lenient wild areas, and most of North Georgia is part of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Just make sure where you’re headed isn’t also under a stricter jurisdiction that restricts dog access.

The Chattahoochee National Recreation Area is a wonderful asset to us Atlantans. Check out Gold Branch and the Palisades for good, out of the way trails for you and your friend.

If you want more, start by looking for mountain biking and trail running areas, as these are often out-of-the-way areas open to multiple forms of outdoor enjoyment, including dogs!

Have a favorite place to visit with your pooch? Leave it in the comments. See you out there or in the shop!

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Layering for Skiing (or Snowboarding)

Posted by Brent in Get Outside, Product Information | 1 Comment

January 13th, 2010

We at High Country outfit a lot of people for their ski trips out West. Or North. Pretty much anywhere but Georgia. I find myself almost always explaining the concept of layering (which we covered in three parts here, here, and here). I thought it might be beneficial to talk about it specifically for skiing (or snowboarding).

If you’ll remember, layering consists of three layers: base layer, midlayer (or insulation layer), and shell. The base and shell layers are easy for skiing, and will rarely change. The midlayer is your most versatile and changeable layer.

For your baselayer, you’re going to want a good midweight top and bottom. Capilene 3 from Patagonia or either Icebreaker BodyFit200 or BodyFit260s (the 260s will be a little warmer). Depending on the length of your ski trip you may be able to get by with one set of baselayers or you may need 2 or 3 sets.

Any shell will do, but some are specifically made for snowsports, and some you might want to avoid. Try and stay away from the ultralight ultrapackable types of shells, as they may not be durable enough for the rough and tumble world of lift skiing. Some ski specific jacket features that are nice include a powderskirt to keep the snow out when you fall, a hood for nastier weather, and a little ring for lift tickets. In your shell pants, look for instep patches to take the beating from your skis, powdercuffs to keep snow out, and articulated knees to allow for freedom of movement. Also make sure the jackets comes down far enough and the pants come up high enough to keep everything covered and warm.

Your midlayer is what you’ll change to accomodate different ski and weather conditions. You’ll probably always want your base layer on and always your shell, but different weight midlayers can help out in different situations. Just let your own sense of style guide you. A couple of recommendations: avoid cotton. Cotton is horrible at managing moisture so leave it for the bars at night. Fleece works well, as does merino. Also, a lot of people will only wear a midlayer for their torso, not their legs, so don’t be afraid to go that route. If you know that you tend to be cold, go ahead and grab some fleece tights or pants to help insulate your legs.

Hope this helps! Stop by either of our shops or give us a call and we can help you get your ski clothing sorted out.

Conquer the Elements

Posted by Brent in Get Outside, Product Information | No Comments

December 1st, 2009

This final article in our layering series is on outerwear. We’ve covered the base layer and midlayers, which provide moisture wicking and warmth. Now to keep out the elements.

The outerwear layer is for weather protection and should be both waterproof and windproof. “Hardshell” is often the term to describe outerwear that is both waterproof and windproof.

There are several waterproof fabrics available, but a feature you certainly want is for it to be waterproof-breathable. Non-breathable and waterproof outerwear is available, but isn’t suited for the outdoors. All of our hardshells are waterproof-breathable, allowing your heat vapor to “breathe” outside of the jacket without letting the rain into the jacket. This makes for a much more comfortable rainy day outing.

Waterproof-breathable fabrics can be separated into two categories: coatings and laminates (sometimes called membranes). Coatings are applied to a jacket, often utilizing a very small textured pattern to keep the jacket from feeling clammy or sticky. Examples of coatings are Marmot PreCip, Mountain Hardwear Conduit DT, and The North Face Hyvent.

Lamintes/Membranes are separate piece of fabric constructed onto the face fabric (the outermost fabric). Gore-Tex is the most well known membrane and is one of the best performing materials. Companies also have their own proprietary membranes such as Marmot Membrain, Mountain Hardwear Conduit, and The North Face Hyvent Alpha.

The difference between the materials is mostly in durability. A membrane is much more durable than a coating. Further durability can be achieved through different face and inner fabrics. You would want a more durable face fabric for activities requiring greater abrasion resistance, but that can be independent from the waterproof/breathable material.

Pricing for outerwear tends to line up first with the material used: coatings tend to be cheapest, then proprietary membranes, and Gore-Tex is often at the top. Price differences are secondarily a result of other features and technology used. You will certainly get your money’s worth out of all the hardshells we carry.

So which hardshell is right for you? Well, that is completely dependant on your activity. Fortunately, we know our way around hardshells and can help you find the perfect one for your needs.

A quick note about softshells. So far we’ve been talking about hardshells, which, as mentioned, are both waterproof and windproof. Softshells are water- and wind-resistant, and are often combined with a fleece lining. The weather resistance and insulative properties of softshells can vary greatly from one piece to another, but they are generally designed for high-aerobic activites where breathability is more important than full-on weather protection. Activites like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing, and cool weather trail running are perfect for softshells. They are not a replacement for hardshells if full weather proofness is required, but they can replace some of your fleece midlayers. The extra weather resistance can keep the less breathable hardshell a little further down in your pack.

So come talk to us about what you’re doing and we can help you find the right hardshell or softshell. You can take a look at our selection online as well.

Backcountry Insulation

Posted by Brent in Get Outside, Product Information | No Comments

November 19th, 2009


The insulation layer (or midlayer) in the layering system provides warmth. This is perhaps the most versatile and wide ranging of the layers, and you can easily use 2 or 3 pieces in the insulation layer.

Insulation comes from tiny pockets that trap hot air. The more pockets with less weight provides more warmth for a pieces weight. That’s where the different insulating materials come from: fleece, high-loft synthetics, and down.

Fleece is perhaps the most well known as outdoor technologies continue to make their way into everyday fashion. It dries quickly, insulates when wet, and is available in a multitude of weights ranging from very light fleece pullovers to heavy pile fleece behemoths. Fleece’s main downside is that it doesn’t compress well, which leads us to…

High-loft insulating pieces. High-lofts come in two distinct categories: synthetic and down. Down insulation is classic. It is rated by “fill-power,” which is a numbered system to show how fine the down is. The higher the number, the more loft with less weight. This means more efficient insulation, better compression, and more comfort for you. In general, down is an excellent insulator, compresses well, and is extremely durable. A well cared for down jacket (or sleeping bag) can last a very long time, and loft can be restored by washing with specially created down wash. Down has one (major) shortfall: it clumps when wet, and clumped down does not insulate.

High-loft synthetics keep their loft when wet, thereby keeping their warmth when wet. There are several different kinds of synthetic insulations that differ on their warmth-to-weight ratio, compressibility, and durability. Primaloft has come to the forefront as possibly the closest to down. Synthetics are generally less expensive than down and can stay warm when wet (though it’s still uncomfortable to be in a wet jacket), but it’s hard to match high-quality down’s insulating properties, compression, and durability.

So which one’s right for you? Fleece is good in light layers, but heavyweight fleece is pretty useless in the backcountry. Save it for around town. Lightweight fleece can serve as a warmer base layer or a lightweight mid-layer, so it has versatility working for it. At midweight fleece and up, it can often be better to go with high-lofts to gain the superior warmth-to-weight and compressibility that they provide.

As far as down or synthetic goes, it really depends on what you’re doing. If you’re canoe camping, synthetic might be the wiser choice with the increased risk of getting your gear wet; if you’re in more arid climates, down can be the way to go. An interesting strategy is to mismatch your sleeping bag. If you have a down bag, go with a synthetic jacket; synthetic bag, a down jacket. This way you can limit your risk should everything get soaked. Synthetics have come a long way, but 850+ fill down is an incredible insulator.

So come by one of our shops, or poke around online to see a good variety of insulation pieces. And please, don’t ask us what temperature a jacket is rated to. It all depends on the person, the activity, and the weather. That’s why there are so many to choose from.

See you in the shop!

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