La Sportiva Bolsters Support for New River Alliance of Climbers

La Sportiva N.A., makers of technical climbing, mountaineering, Mountain Running® and hiking footwear has teamed with organizers of the New River Rendezvous to add a new component to this year’s event, the “De-vegetate to Re-vegetate” fundraiser. In conjunction with the National Park Service, La Sportiva will partner with the New River Alliance of Climbers (NRAC) to re-vegetate several of the most heavily used crags of the New River Gorge. Specifically, the campaign is to focus on the Bridge Buttress and Junkyard climbing areas.

“La Sportiva’s corporate responsibility is as critical to our brand as the footwear we design,” says Laura Fryer, La Sportiva’s Marketing Manager. “Not only do we continually look at ways to reduce the impact of our business on the environment, we also want to be active environmental stewards and protect the wild spaces that are so important to us all.”

In keeping up with the tradition of fun activities scheduled at the New River Rendezvous, the “De-vegetate to Re-vegetate” fundraiser will set a new bar. If Rendezvous participants donate $1000, La Sportiva will match their offer equaling the cost of re-vegetating the two climbing areas. As an added incentive for festival goers to participate in this campaign, New River Rendezvous head organizer, Water Stone Outdoors co-owner and long time local icon, Kenny Parker, has volunteered to “de-vegetate” his famous long locks if the $1000 goal is reached prior to Saturday evening’s bouldering competition. In addition, La Sportiva will donate their V5 sandals to any festival participants who donate $20 towards the re-vegetation project.

This year’s New River Rendezvous is from May 14-17, 2009. Dubbed “Lucky 7” as the event is now in it’s seventh year, the rendezvous is the annual fundraiser for the New River Alliance of Climbers and practices a no waste policy. All event goers are responsible for bringing their own trash and recyclables home, and encouraged to bring their own mug, plate, fork, cup, etc. Event festivities include climbing slide shows, climbing clinics, bouldering competition, dyno competition, Saturday BBQ, Sunday Pancake breakfast, a funk dance party with Cincinnati’s own Freekbass and much more. In addition, local sponsor Water Stone Outdoors will be having a sale all weekend to commemorate the festival. For tickets, registration and more information on the event please go to: http://www.newriverrendezvous.com or call Water Stone Outdoors at (304) 574-2425.