CragDog is for everyone, not just climbers.
I’ve heard a lot of comments like, “oh, well I’m not a climber” and “how does this help me?”. Whether you are a climber or not, the answer is simple, the environment is important and worth doing everything possible to save.
How do we support the environment?
On a national scale, in 2019, The Access Fund (A national climbing advocacy organization) spent 687 hours lobbying in Washington DC to protect 2.3 million acres of public land. 2.3 million acres of land for EVERYONE to use, not just climbers. Yes, the Access Fund focuses on climbing, but they also advocate and fight to protect public lands in general. Without the Access Fund, millions of acres of public land would still be threatened, or no longer public.
On a local level, in our home town of Duluth, MN, the Duluth Climbers Coalition (DCC) spent years working with the City, developing Quarry Park into a mixed-use city park. For years, Quarry Park had access issues, holding it back from its full potential. With the hard work of the DCC, Quarry Park is thriving. Now, the park boasts a 1000-foot long, 100-foot high cliff within the city limits. Mountain Project shows 14+ ice and mixed routes. Additionally, the park offers a nine-hole disc golf course, mountain bike and hiking trails throughout. Quarry Park is also one of the most dog-friendly parks in Duluth.
On an environmental level, we used recycled gear to make a “new” product. Last week, I sat on a chairlift (a very high and scary chairlift), chatting with a Utah local, we spoke about the effects of consumerism on the environment. Questions such as do we need the newest thing? How much of our future are we willing to risk on the “coolest,” gear? Somethings involve safety, like climbing rope, it has a safety life span that no climber will question. After ~5 years of use, visible damage, or excessive abuse climbers retire their ropes and gear, often ending up in landfills. Yes, a new climbing rope is needed every few years. But, do you need a brand new product to take your dog on a stroll through the neighborhood? No. Now here is the question, where do the old ropes go? Landfills, basements, closets, your neighbors’ garage? Why not turn them into upcycled gear for your adventurous pup?
Climbing advocacy is outdoor advocacy and outdoor advocacy is environmental advocacy. Supporting climbing coalitions also supports general-use outdoor recreation. Whether you are a climber or not, buying through CragDog is good for the outdoors.
Shop Now and protect your outdoors!
We are excited to say we have officially launched to the world!
On the 4th of July Weekend 2019, I (Co-Founder Kelly) took off on an obnoxiously long (123 mile) bike ride to my In-Laws cabin in central Minnesota. Like usual, I decided last minute, with little prep, biking 123 miles would be a good idea (it wasn’t).
After a night by the fire, with friends, I woke up early in the morning to pack my stuff, and take off on the longest bike ride I’ve ever attempted. That morning, In my poorly planned, groggy, rushed exit, I forgot my headphones. If you didn’t know, 123 miles is a very long way to be stuck with yourself…
Fortunately (or unfortunately) at mile 40 I had the idea of cutting up retired climbing ropes and turning them into dog leashes and other k9 accessories people want. For the next 83 miles, I slowly pieced together the idea of CragDog. How do we get the material? How do we make the gear? How can we give back to the climbing community? Give back…How do we give back? The answer is simple. 30% of all sales are given back to local and national climbing advocacy organizations.
Immediately upon returning home from the holiday weekend, I went downstairs to cut up my old climbing rope and made my first dog leash. A few trials later, CragDog was born! I very quickly realized that if I wanted CragDog to succeed, I needed help. From there, I reached out to my long time friend and climbing partner Christian; he was on board instantly. Christian hacked up his ropes and we’ve been hand-sewing ever since.
If you have any suggestions or comments we are all ears. We are here to advocate for the climbing community. If we’re not living up to that expectation, we want to know!
We’re excited, I hope you are too.
