Pete Takeda to Raise Funds for Girls Education International in Estes Park, June 26

Photo by Jonny Copp. Nanda Devi

On Thursday, June 26, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the Hangar Restaurant in Estes Park is hosting a benefit for Girls Education International, a nonprofit organization founded by North Face athlete Heidi Wirtz and Rock & Ice Senior Contributing Editor Lizzy Scully. The fundraiser will feature tunes by local musician Justin Faye and a slide show by author and mountaineer Pete Takeda. The $35 ticket includes a BBQ, unlimited New Belgium Brewery beer, and raffle tickets for dozens of items. There will also be a silent auction.

Takeda recently published a book entitled, “An Eye at the Top of the World: The Terrifying Legacy of the Cold War’s Most Daring CIA Operation.” In the early 1980s, the CIA decided to put a nuclear-powered spy device on the top of Nanda Devi—one of the Himalayas’ most remote and forbidding peaks. The goal was to gather information on Chinese troop movements. Some time later, the apparatus stopped sending signals; it was as though it had completely disappeared. The device was never recovered, and now, nearly four pounds of plutonium, locked in the glacier beneath the mountain are moving ever closer to the source of the Ganges River.

“That’s enough manmade poison to kill every human on earth, or to produce a bomb capable of flattening a city,” explained Takeda.

For this book, Takeda not only interviewed surviving members of the original expedition—during which the climbers huddled around the spy device for warmth given off by the decay of radioactive elements—he retraced their steps to the peak itself. While en route, Takeda has his own harrowing experience with the violent forces of the mountain, and was almost swept away in an avalanche. To learn more, come to the Hangar Restaurant and check out Takeda’s exciting show. (For more information, please visit www.petetakeda.com).

Girls Education International (GEI) is a 501(c)3 operating under the umbrella of The Mountain Fund. GEI currently has two operational programs and two additional programs that they hope to launch by 2009. The profits from this fundraiser will go toward their Liberia Scholarship program, which provides scholarships to 42 girls in the mountainous regions of Liberia, and also to one of their Nepal scholarship programs, which provides scholarships to two girls in Kathmandu. For more information, please visit: www.girlsed.org, or call Lizzy Scully at 303-903-2768.

All donations, including the $35 dinner ticket, are tax deductible. Raffle and silent auction items provided by: Redwood Winery, Glassworks of Estes, The Meadow Mountain Café, Evolv shoes, The North Face, SkirtSports, La Sportiva shoes, jewelry by Suspended Stone Design, photography by Topher Donahue, Majka Burhardt’s book, “Vertical Ethiopia,” signed copies of Takeda’s book, and many other items.

Climbers Set Out to Conquer Highest Peaks Across America to Help Children with AIDS

June 18, 2008 — Harrisburg, PA (June 18, 2008) – Conquering the 50 highest peaks in the Unites States, climbers, hikers and walkers alike will participate in this year’s Summer Summit Challenge to raise awareness and funds for pediatric AIDS. The Climb-a-Thon encourages individuals and teams raise pledges by climbing hills or mountains of their choice across the country, from the majestic peak of Alaska’s Mt. Denali to lesser know high-points in every state.

Hosted by the American Foundation for Children with AIDS (AFCA) as part of its Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up program, this year’s fundraiser will be held June 27 to July 6, 2008. Funds raised will be used to purchase medicine and supplies for children living with AIDS in Africa.

This year’s grand prize for the individual winner is a trip for two to the top of Kilimanjaro, a generous donation from Summit Expeditions and Nomadic Experience. Grand prize for the top team is a safari for two to Namibia, thanks to the generosity of CrissCross Namibia Safaris. Other top fundraisers will win gifts from the outdoor industry, including backpacks, climbing chalk, magazine subscriptions, shoes, Larabars, and a luxurious hotel weekend stay for two in DC, among other things.

“This event allows people to take action no matter where they live, and turn their passion for the outdoors into tangible help for kids that need hope, help and attention,” says Tanya Weaver, executive director of AFCA. “Hikers, climbers and the outdoor industry have seen the positive impact they can make in the lives of children living with AIDS by getting out and taking on this great challenge.”

In 2007, a Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up global event saw hikers, climbers, bikers and staircase-climbers reach the tops of peaks of their own choosing and raise over $14,500 for AFCA and its work with children with HIV/AIDS in Africa.

To participate in the fundraiser, individuals raise a minimum of $115 and teams raise $5,000; AFCA provides many tips and pointers on fundraising for the Challenge.

To register, please visit www.ClimbUpSoKidsCanGrowUp.com.

About the American Foundation for Children with AIDS
American Foundation for Children with AIDS is an independent international humanitarian aid organization established in 2004. AFCA is recognized as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in the state of Kansas, USA. The mission of AFCA is to improve the lives of children and youth struggling with the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. We provide cost-effective relief, services, medical and social support, education and advocacy to help these individuals achieve their full life potential. For more information visit www.helpchildrenwithaids.org.

About Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up
Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up is a growing partnership between outdoor recreation enthusiasts and American Foundation for Children with AIDS. Together with our sponsors, we invite “climbers” everywhere to bring awareness to the pediatric AIDS pandemic and to raise funds so AFCA can continue to send life saving anti-retroviral (ARV) medication to children affected by HIV/AIDS. For more information visit www.ClimbUpSoKidsCanGrowUp.com.

“Celebrate good times, c’mon”!

Salt Lake City, UT, June 9th, 2008 — Grab your Aquanet hairspray; feather your hair and “Do the Hustle” in your best bell bottoms with The Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition and title Sponsor Fox River. Join us August 9, 2008 and “Turn the Beat Around” at this Disco themed event benefiting the OIWC Education Foundation. “Boogie, Oogie, Oogie,” 7:00 PM at Pierpont Place in Salt Lake City, UT. Limited tickets available- get yours now at http://www.oiwc.org/event/pollyesther, $25 for members, $30 for non members and $500 for the exclusive VIP tickets.

“Dance to the Music” and “Shake Your Groove Thing” to live music, including a Neil Diamond cover band, “Diamond Experience.” The appropriate “Boogie Shoes” will be available at the OIWC Thrift Store where donations are also accepted.

Other groovy events throughout the night include; a sideburn contest (sponsored by SNEWS), costume contest, and “If you Want to Dance with Somebody,” a dance off brought to you by Fox River. “Ain’t No Stopping us Now,” hula hoops, hustle lessons, prom photos (brought to you by JanSport), a black/white photo booth (brought to you by The North Face), and look out for the Roller Girls (brought to you by KPS|3).

Proceeds benefit the OIWC Education Foundation, launching summer 2008, to support OIWC’s professional development and educational programs. For more information, to buy tickets or to sign up for some fun visit us at: http://www.oiwc.org/event/pollyesther

About OIWC
OIWC is a non-profit corporation focused on the mission of equipping women to achieve their success. OIWC is sponsored at these levels: Gold Plus: EMS, Fox River, REI, Keen, and W.L. Gore & Associates. Gold: JanSport, Mountain Hardwear, and The North Face. Silver: Camelbak, Burton, GearTrends/SNEWS, Giant Bicycles, Hi-Tec, Interbike, Marmot, Outdoor Industry Association, Outdoor Retailer, SIA, Timberland, Tubbs Snowshoes, Twenty Four-Seven, and Yakima. Bronze: Backpacker, Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, Bikes Belong, Black Diamond, CGPR, Cascade Designs, Chaco, Columbia, Contourwear, ExOfficio, Filson, Fuji, GoLite, Guyot Designs, Kokatat, Nuun Active Hydration, Osprey, Outdoor Research, Plum, Primaloft, QBP, Schoeller, Sierra Magazine, Specialized, Terramar, Thule, and Turtle Fur. Friends: Chaos, EarMitts, Earth Creations, Kiss My Face, Wallaroo Hat Company, Aloe Up and the Trade Association of Paddlesports

BIG CITY MOUNTAINEERS

By Karen Hamlin

Why do climbers climb? It can be very difficult, dangerous and exhausting carrying twenty pounds or more on your back. Is it fun? Not exactly. Can it change your life? Absolutely.

Big City Mountaineers (BMC) is a 501 non-profit dedicated to providing wilderness expeditions under team mentors to at-risk urban teens. The setting and the adults who volunteer are the crux of the learning experience. With a 5:5 ratio of volunteer mentors to teens, the kids have positive role models to emulate plus the wilderness environment is often their first experience outside of the inner city. Both conditions are novel to the kids, forcing them to readjust to the situation.After eight days in the mountains, the teens overcome obstacles they never expected, buoying their spirit, pride and confidence.

"I'll always remember this trip when I want to give up…I'm not giving up! Said Robert from Christopher House in Chicago.

Youth agencies are targeted by BCM to partner in their selection of kids fourteen to seventeen to participate in the trips as a reward and an opportunity. After each trip, qualitative and quantitative feedback is gathered from the participating teens to determine the impact and significance of the experience. This information is used to adjust the program to make it more effective and secure grant funding. BCM has grown an impressive seventy per cent since 2006 attracting corporate sponsorship such as Timberland, Polartec, Geartrend and many more.

BCM has created a very successful program called "Summit for Someone", requiring volunteer climbers to raise money for the program which can range from $2500 up to $7500 depending on the location of the climb itself. DennisPinto has been participating for the past three years and has raised $10,000 by contacting over 200 companies, his friends, family and local businesses. Some donors have touch his heart such as Curtis Shoch, from Atlanta, who, when asked to contribute, responded with a $1000 donation even though they had only met once. Dennis considers the fundraising the difficult part; the climbing is easy. However, some companies have been exceptionally generous. Exofficio makes adventure clothing and has donated several items to Dennis, whileTracme has gifted personal locator beacons for his climbs. Earth River Expedition's president Eric Hertz has been instrumental in procuring donations for this charity in addition to bestowing substantial contributions himself.

Having climbed Mt. Rainier (14,410 ft) and Mt. Whitney (14,495 ft) in previous years, this year he will attempt the Grand Tetons (13,700 ft) in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. A big reason Dennis loves to climb is the people he meets who become life long friends, a brotherhood of climbers. On his first attempt with BCM, a fellow climber had difficulty remaining awake. The head guide placed him in a sleeping bag and anchored him to the side of Mt. Rainer at 13,000 feet where he dangled and slept through a gorgeous orange sunrise until the team picked him up on their descent.

After climbing Mt. Whitney for two hours, Dennis began coughing strenuously until he collapsed. Lying in his tent for the next fifteen hours, he was miserable, alternately freezing and sweating, vomiting and laying awake all night. In the morning, Debbie (a guide on the Whitney attempt), carried his forty-five pound pack along with her own down the mountain and settled Dennis into a hotel room to recuperate from pneumonia. Debbie returned to the group to climb up the mountain again, but later had to retreat due to severe storms. Kathy Haack (volunteer climber) was a great comfort to him recommending medications and suggesting
solutions to his predicament. They are hoping to meet again for the Mt.
McKinley summit attempt. Even though Kathy had difficulty raising the required amount for the climb, she proffered her own money to Dennis assisting him to meet his goal. “That’s the kind of people you meet on these climbs, one’s with big hearts".

Scott Wareham, a Texan, became a fast friend after meeting Dennis on the Mt. Rainer climb and pushing him up the mountain when Dennis became sluggish. They were a good team and reunited again for the Mt. Whitney climb. Scott when on to volunteer with guiding a group of teens last season for BCM and still raises money for the Summit program.

It is the unselfish gestures and generosity of all of the people Dennis has encountered through Big City Mountaineers that touches his heart. Why does he do it? "I love the challenge of climbing: The physical and mental part of it is very demanding. You must stay focused and be in top-notch shape in order to make your climb rewarding. But when you stop somewhere, maybe at the trail head, a summit or an overhang at 13,000 feet and realize why you are doing this, it's the smiles on the kids' faces that make it all worthwhile".

Rock/Creek & Patagonia Announce $3100 Grant for Lula Lake Land Trust

In a continued commitment to provide local, low impact access to the outdoors, Rock/Creek, in conjunction with Patagonia, announces a $3,100 donation to the Lula Lake Land Trust. The grant money awarded supports a growing trail network aimed at linking the Land Trust’s protected land with Cloudland Canyon State Park.

Adelaide Bratcher, Development Head for the Lula Lake Land Trust, commented on the partnership: "The Lula Lake Land Trust is fortunate to work with Patagonia and Rock/Creek because of the dedication shown by these two businesses to this organization. Without the help of Patagonia and Rock/Creek, new trails, accessibility to the public, and events like this upcoming trail run would be impossible. We at Lula Lake, cannot thank Patagonia and Rock/Creek enough."
To date, Rock/Creek and Patagonia have donated $9,225 to the Lula Lake Land Trust’s efforts. The most recent donation goes to the development of the High Point trail. On December 20th the newly created High Point trail will be the venue for Chattanooga’s longest trail run. The inaugural run of the historic Lookout Mountain 100k trail race will be presented by Rock/Creek, and Vasque, and will benefit The Wilderness Trail Running Association (The Boonies). In addition to the 100k main event, the day will also feature a 10K race for those interested in participating in a shorter run. More information about the Lookout Mountain 100k Trail Race can be found on the event website: http://www.rockcreek.com/lookout/

Grant awards are not the only method by which Rock/Creek supports the Land Trust. Rock/Creek further assists the non-profit organization by working directly on the trail system. Members from The Boonies and Rock/Creek employees take weekly trail building trips to the area. Once completed, the High Point and Cloudland Canyon Connector trails will open up 1000 acres of pristine public land to low impact recreational uses. The protected area is in the heart of the ancient Appalachian mountains and encompasses one of America's most diverse ecosystems. Users of the trail will be blessed with an intimate experience within a unique system of flora and fauna.

Lula Lake Land Trust was established in 1994 by the will of Mr. Robert M. Davenport. Since the Trust's inception, it has focused on preserving the natural beauty of the rock creek watershed through education, research and conservation. The trust protects species such as the threatened Virginia Spiraea, a flowering shrub that is classified in the rose family. Virginia Spiraea was previously known to exist in only one other area of North Georgia. Rock/Creek has a long history of supporting Lula Lake Land Trust through financial assistance and grassroots support. Dawson Wheeler, co-owner of Rock/Creek, shares his enthusiasm for the project: "Lula Lake Land Trust has a long history of land conservation on Lookout Mountain. We're proud to be involved with their visionary project linking the front of Lookout with Cloudland Canyon. This corridor links two key wilderness areas and opens access for hiking, trail running, and other low-impact uses."

Please see Rock/Creek Outfitters' environmental statement for more details on the company's commitment to responsible outdoor recreation. http://www.rockcreek.com/customer_service/environmental.asp

For photos from Lula Lake Land Trust, see Rock/Creek's flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockcreek/sets/72157594240850537/

Information on the efforts of Lula Lake Land Trust's effort can be found at http://www.lulalake.com


About Rock/Creek:

Rock/Creek, member of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, is an independent specialty outdoor retailer with over two decades of experience in the Southeast. Along with its online shops, RockCreek.com and ClimbingGear.com, Rock/Creek provides quality outdoor clothing and gear for a host of activities including kayaking, rock climbing, camping, hiking, trail running, and adventure racing. Rock/Creek is committed to making a positive impact on the environment. For this reason, it uses outdoor retail as a platform to encourage outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship and to improve public access to the backcountry. Rock/Creek supports worthy nonprofits such as the Southeastern Climbers' Coalition and the Wilderness Trail Running Association.