Tag Archive for 'Joe Kinder'

Exposure

Gregory Ambassador, Joe Kinder, just checked in with us here at the office with an update of what he’s been getting into….

“Part of my living is exposure. Whether it is a video online, or a simple quote in a periodical it is part of my game. I am happy to show off my latest and greatest pieces of media!!! The first one I would like to present is my advertisement with my best friend (my Bosch drill) for the Toolnut.  Toolnut is a distributor of hardware products. They contacted me via my good friend Andrew Bisharat, from Rock and Ice Magazine. Thanks hommie!! Colette, my girlfriend and I made these photos in our house here with our Canon G11. Not bad for a point and shoot camera I must say. Colette took the shots and we did a variety of styles for them to choose from. I am very happy with the end product and have to say this is my favorite ad that I have been in. And not to brag, but I have been in lots! The timing for this ad could not have been better as well…I am very excited about bolting routes AND it is running in the Rock and Ice Gear Guide which runs for 12 months!!! YAYUUUH!!!

My second piece of media to show off is a feature in the late Deadpoint Magazine, which you can visit HERE. All of the photos shot in this article (flip to page 30) were Colette’s and mine. The concept was a simple layout with our photos Continue reading >>

And the reviews are in…

At Gregory, we put our packs through rigorous testing, and with our new Fusion LTS line, it was no different.  We claim that these are the ‘go anywhere, do everything’ packs, and so we had to test them as such.  Well the reviews are in, they’re glowing, and we couldn’t be more psyched for you all to give these packs a try yourselves.

So who were these ‘testers’?  We gave Gregory Ambassador Joe Kinder a Torre 33 nine months ago, and had one of our female employees, Molly, test two of the women’s specific models over the past 4 months.  Both of them LOVE the mountains (obvs), so these were the perfect packs for them to put through the ringer, through a multitude of activities, with each of their very different packing styles.  Here’s what they had to say:

Name: Joe Kinder
Pack Tested: Torre 33
Activities: Climbing, Approach, Bolting Routes

The Review:  “I’ve been using the Torre 33L for the past 9 months. My objective was to put this joint to use and try to kick its ass, use it in every situation, and then provide feedback. So far…to this day…I haven’t been able to damage it in the slightest. No rips, no holes, nothing. The zipper is still intact, the material is completely fine.

The harness system is amazing. It is a mold that offers total support and comfort. I pack this thing with bolts, draws, my drill, a rope, harness, shoes, water, and food. NO problem. The access to the interior is SO easy with the opening design. I am in love with this pack.”

Name: Molly Maguire
Packs Tested: Inyo 45 & Cirque 30
Activities: Backpacking/Climbing Yosemite, XC Skiing, Snowshoeing, Ice Climbing

The Review“I used the Inyo 45 for an overnight backpacking trip in Yosemite with some newbies and was amazed at how much I loved it. I usually use a 60-80L pack and have been known to use that 80L for overnighters with new hikers to carry as many creature comforts for them, as possible. I fit everything I wanted to, everything was able to be organized, all the pockets are in good places, and there’s more than enough of them.  And after everything was stuffed inside, it was super easy to get to it, this pack’s access is awesome. The approaches when climbing were easy b/c of the narrower waistbelt, so I could be wearing my harness and still take big, scrambly steps. The smaller packs in this line are great for a sport rack, the larger accommodate a trad rack, and with 3 volume sizes, you can do any length climbing/hiking trip.

In Ouray, I used the Cirque 30 as a day pack, out xc skiing and snowshoeing, as well as ice climbing.  The Wraptor Stabilizer during the skiing and snowshoeing totally pulls the load up into your back, it feels super stable, like I had total freedom to move and the pack stayed still and stable, and didn’t throw me off balance (which can happen when you pack like me and come in at a whopping 5 feet tall :). It fit all of my climbing gear while I was trolling around the festival - crampons, harness, carabiners, belay devices, an extra rack - and still had enough room for my helmet inside too. I didn’t feel scared at all about throwing it down on the ice, the materials are bomber and super abrasion resistant.”

There you have it folks. Man and woman, coming together and agreeing that these All Mountain packs are AWESOME. What do you all think of these packs? Psyched to try them out? If you’re still not sold, check out the video for some more info on the features, Fusion LTS suspension, and what makes these packs so great.

Rolling with Joe Kinder

This is a fitting title for this post, since Gregory athlete Joe Kinder is always on the move. Red Rocks, Hueco Tanks, Red River Gorge, City of Rocks, the Gunks … we pretty much expect that Joe will be some place new the next time we hear from him. He did sublet a house near Rifle, CO, for like a month in 2008 … 

Anyway, we like to hear periodically from the athletes who we ask to put our gear through the paces on why they like (or don’t like) a particular product. Joe uses the Z35 R (the roll-top version), a bit of a niche pack within the Gregory line that (you guessed it) enjoys a strong following among climbers. 

Since I was 16 years old I’ve always used Gregory Packs, one of the benefits of knowing Erik Mushial (a Gregory Sales Rep who lives in Maine).  I’ve used packs of all sorts for my lifestyle, which revolves around rock climbing and traveling. Since I’m basically living out of my bag, I don’t want to waste a lot of time with a less-than-perfect pack.

I use my Z35 roll-top at the cliff, hiking, bolting new routes, and even for my carry-on for the plane. With an enormous main compartment at 35 liters, there is more than enough room for my three pairs of climbing shoes, my harness, chalk bag and extra chalk in the front zippered pocket, an entire rack of draws or gear, an 80 meter 9.2 mm rope AND water.  Continue reading >>

Red Rock Rendezvous

George and I are back in the office after another awesome year at the Red Rock Rendezvous in fabulous Las Vegas. Mountain Gear puts on a great event every year and we are stoked to be a part of it. For those of you who haven’t heard of it yet, Red Rocks is for climbers - everyone from first timers to those working on nailing down their technique. We had the Gregory booth set up, full line of products on display, schooled attendees on the importance of having a properly fitted pack, and gave a few bags away to some lucky individuals.

 

Joe Kinder was on hand to give 2 clinics on redpointing - you can check out some pictures from those clinics on his blog. There was a huge dinner on Saturday night for everyone who was attending, and the line was super long, but everyone got fed and hung around for the Access Fund auction and music provided by a solar paneled dj booth. And for your viewing pleasure, here are a few more outtakes from the event - hope to see you there next year.

     slacklining clinic

  joe!

  dyno comp

  sunset

  some nightime hooping fun

Red Rocks, here we come

T-minus two weeks till the annual spring gathering that is the Red Rocks Rendezvous, outside of Las Vegas at the Red Rocks Conservation Area - so close to Vegas that the all-you-can-eat buffets and evening blackjack are still within easy reach. The festival is March 20-22, Friday through Sunday, this year.

Gregory’s been part of the Rendezvous for many years running. This year, along with our usual booth at the event and packs giveaways, Gregory-sponsored athlete Joe Kinder will be on the scene. He’ll be doing clinics (along with a list of other who’s who athletes from the climbing world) and hanging at the Gregory booth. For anyone who’s never met Joe, you’ll leave thinking it’s possible for you to climb 5.14 too. This guy is more than positive.

Along with climbing and clinics, there are slide shows and movies, parties, a variety of outdoor events along with climbing, and service-oriented projects to give back.

Gregory will, as usual, be giving away some packs, both through the auction that supports the Access Fund and at our booth, and this year we’re bringing some extra-special and unique swag that you’ll just have to stop by to see. We will say that people who get it will be psyched. We’ll also, of course, be doing pack fitting and fielding questions about Gregory.

Stop on by!

Donuts, it’s how he stays so thin

That, or climbing 5.14.


D90 Audio and Steadicam from Tim Kemple on Vimeo.

Gregory heads to Nor’easter in NH

It’s hump day, so it’s officially OK to begin planning that weekend trip. On that note, Gregory will be headed this weekend to the Nor’easter, the new (and apparently fairly big) EMS festival at Tenney Mountain near Plymouth, N.H. George left last night on the redeye …

Part party, part outdoor recreation, part music festival, and part volunteer work, it should be a pretty good time. Folks from Gregory will be on hand staffing two booths, one at the camping/music area, and another up where the climbing clinics are at Tenney Mountain, showing the latest goods, helping people with packs questions, and generally getting involved in the fun.

Climbing competitions and clinics are one of the big recreational draws, and the names EMS has lined up are impressive: Dave Graham, Chris Sharma, Tommy Caldwell,  Lisa Rands, Heidi Wirtz, and Gregory athlete Joe Kinder, among others. Those folks will all be giving clinics (now that’s an opportunity to learn from the best).

Joe’s clinic will be called Sending. Ha ha. Although Joe did just send (nailed the 5.14d route Kryptonite in Colorado right before getting on the plane to head to the weekend event), his clinic is really called “Gym to Crag.” No offense, I think Sending is better.

Sign up early, because although the clinics are included in the cost, they’re limited to 12 people each. Something tells me they’re gonna fill up quick.

Seven or eight bands will be playing through the weekend, and Sunday’s dedicated to volunteer conservation work on the nearby national forest.

That’s a lot of stuff for an event that costs $175 a car load (apparently a car load is five people, so that’s $35 each).

One thing to remember: BYOB.

Welcome to Joe’s World

Hey everyone … my name is Joe Kinder.  I am a Gregory Packs athlete and an avid climber of the ROCKS!!!.  Actually I am a professional climber.  I am always asked, ”what’s that mean, you compete and win?”,  “how are you professional?,  Do you guide people up mountains?”, “what does it involve?”  Yeah! It really is a funny profession, but compare it with skateboarding, snowboarding, and any other professional sport. I am an athlete first and I am a businessman second.  The climbing part is the primary part of my life … that is THE most important thing. I am living my dream MAN!!!

Gregory asked me to do some blogs periodically.  I’m PSYCHED to share the life I live with the world… Continue reading >>