Great RC.com article about NC Climbing Areas

Five Minutes with Sean Coburn-- Former President of the CCC

Last Weekend's Cold Spell Created a Good Bit of Ice on Hickory Nut Falls

Peter Eiland Plugging Gear on Zydego

Coastal Turkey Day

Once in a while even rockclimbers have to head to the beach. Phil and I did a lot of family-visiting over the last week, visiting relatives in Pawley's Island, SC, St. Simons, GA, and Orange Park, FL. Although we were itching to climb, it was great to run on the beach, eat too much, visit with fam, and fly a kite. It is hard to catch the magic of flying a kite in a picture, but it really is pure magic when the wind blows just right and you can twirl a flimsy little kite around like a rocket. Our black lab mix, Daisy, worked herself into a frenzie darting around after the kite.

We are back in NC now, helping with the Post Thanksgiving Sale (25% off!!) at LGO and wishing the sun would come back. I can't say our Turkey Day festivities are going to get us very far next weekend, when we head to the last leg of the Triple Crown, but once in a while, it is pretty lovely to relax at the coast!

Stop in the shop, peak at the goodies, and say hello! We hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving as well.

New Arrivals!

Check out our recent arrivals! Now featuring Evolv Shoes, including the popular Pontas. Also, a flock of Darn Tough Socks just arrived- guaranteed to keep your piggies toasty!

Perfect Conditions at Rumbling Bald- Winter is Here

Happy Birthday to me! I can't think of a better way to usher in 32 than perfect temps giving way to a great day of climbing at Rumbling Bald with Patrick Weaver and Rodney Lanier. I pulled out the down coat as Patrick picked me up in the AMI Subaru on our way to meet Rodney. We chatted it up as I watched the thermometer slowly creep through the thirties and edge closer to the 40s. "Gonna be sticky" I said as we greeted Rodney at the RB parking area. On the agenda was a warm up with Comatose (5.8) followed by some 5.9 face climbing, an attempt on Rusty Redneck (5.10c) and hopefully some laps on the super classic finger crack Shredded Wheat (5.11a). Patrick led as I took pictures and Rodney and I commented that it was nice to by guided for once! All was well until I racked up for Shredded Wheat. I haven't exactly been climbing alot but this one has such bomber gear that there was no reason not to give it a go. I realized that was a mistake as I blasted out of the crux for a 18' ride onto a zero Metolius TCU. Hadn't taken a whip like that in a while. I climbed back up to my high point and climbed through next go, realizing that a botched sequence is the difference between falling and sending. Rodney gave a strong go on the top rope and Patrick waltzed up using expert finger crack technique. I gave a go on top rope and dialed in my sequence remebering what to do the next time on lead.
I got two great gifts today, a humbling experience keeping me honest on the rock and the companionship of good friends and great weather. Happy Birthday to me!
Phil Hoffmann

Patrick Weaver pulling the crux on Comotose

the beginnings of a Partay

Jay Young Braves the Grill

ReLaunch Party was a Blast!

Thank you to everyone who made our Re-Launch Party a great success! From the all-day sale, to the shoe demo at the Brevard Rock Gym, to the food and drinks at Looking Glass Outfitters, to the John Bachar slide show, we had a great time celebrating the new ownership of the shop. We hope you filled your belly with yummy grub and took a good, long peek at all of our new inventory, which continues to arrive each week.

We had folks from Charlotte, Asheville, Boone, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Fayetteville (WV), Atlanta and beyond attending the festivities and raised over $1000 for the Carolina Climbers Coalition. We certainly appreciate your support as we continue to improve the store to make sure we are your favorite local spot for outdoor gear. A BIG thank you to:

Brevard College
Appalachian Institute
Brevard Rock Gym
Fox Mountain Guides
The Hoffmanns
The Shulers
Marcus Webb
Jay & Wendy Young
Kurt Smith
Rob Robinson
&
special guest...
John Bachar

John put on a great show and it was a treat to see so many fabulous pictures and hear stories of his free soloing prowess. Over a hundred of us were lucky enough to learn from a truly amazing and inspiring climbing legend. Thanks again and hope to see you soon as we enter the holiday season !

Check out our new selection of down & synthetic jackets- guaranteed to keep you toasty- from Mont-bell, Marmot & Mountain Hardware.

day before the ReLaunch

It is hard to believe we took the reins of Looking Glass Outfitters a month and a half ago. It has gone by very quickly, and after much preparation and a 2000 mile move, I think we are ready for a great party tomorrow! Word is we have people coming from Raleigh, Asheville, Charlotte, Jackson Hole, and Fayetteville, WV. I know the whole climbing community is excited to see John Bachar and hear his wild tales at the slide show.

We have been busy rejuvenating the store and bringing in great fall inventory to make sure there will be plenty of options whether you are looking to update your wardrobe, expand your rack, or modernize your camping equipment. I am a big fan of the new Marmot Gravity Jackets, and must admit I feel a twinge of envy every time I see these slick softshells. Also, great new gear has already arrived from Metolius, Black Diamond, Misty, Prana, Kleen Kanteen, Mont-bell, Camp (yes we have the new tricams!), Sterling, Evolv and more.

Phil and I made it to the North End of Looking Glass on Sunday for a bit of climbing, and had the place to ourselves. It was a great day, although I think that side of the Glass is quickly getting chilly in the shade. Hopefully the skies will cooperate so we can get outside again this Sunday. After spending a very snowy winter in Jackson Hole last year, we are oh so thankful not to see snow in the forecast!

~Hope to see you tomorrow~

9:00am-7:00pm Relaunch Party & Sale Looking Glass Outfitters, Pisgah Forest, NC
3:00pm-5:00pm Shoe Demo: Evolv & Acopa Brevard Rock Gym, Brevard, NC
5:00pm-7:00pm Free Food & Drinks! Looking Glass Outfitters, Pisgah Forest, NC

7:00pm Slide Show by John Bachar Dunham Auditorium, Brevard College
& Silent Auction to Benefit the CCC

*$10 Tickets available at the door and at Inner Peaks, Climbmax, Brevard Rock Gym, & Looking Glass Outfitters

Fall pics by Joel & Rachel Shuler