GORUCK

GORUCK Warehouse Summer 2011, Bozeman, Montana

jason — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:45:40 +0000

We opened GRWH this summer, the process of which is similar to moving into a new house before the movers come. Except we’re the movers and we didn’t have any furniture yet. Luckily, though, we have friends in Bozeman who have been sewing for decades who now work for GORUCK. Things can be bought, but good people are hard to find, so we’ve been lucky.

The first Brick Bag above. Which makes it the absolute first piece of gear made at GRWH. When you’re young, and starting out, small victories feel really, really big. And so you celebrate.

Scraps left over in the cutting process led to the idea to make the GORUCK flag out of Cordura. We’re focused more on rucks at the moment, but you’ll see this in 2012.

Bozeman is a big deal for us. I’ve always wanted GORUCK to stand for so much more than just great gear. I want GORUCK to be a voice for good, and synonymous with the best of American manufacturing. Bozeman is a step in that direction, and the soul of our company.

But it’s not serious all the time, or even most of the time. Even when a power saw is involved.

Our next new piece of gear, shown here in pieces waiting to be sewn: Field pockets, coming out November/December 2011. And below, a deep sleep of approval from Java, my favorite boss of all time.

Freemans Sporting Club, New York City, New York

jason — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 05:18:03 +0000

I like places that would have thrived in the 1950′s, and Freemans Sporting Club is just that kind of place. My grandfather would have loved it here, would have appreciated the quality of the US-made clothing, and would have chatted with the guys in the shop for the two hours I did. He probably would have gotten a shave while he was at it, and when he was in the doghouse, my grandmother would have certainly enjoyed dinner in the back of the alley, at the restaurant. Even though it was at the back of an alley.

If you meet Les, talk politics. I can’t vouch for religion, because we spent two hours on politics. But religion is our topic next time.

It’s a restaurant dark but warm, and a bar nobody could argue with. And I don’t, so I’ll be back soon.

No Line at the Corner Bistro, New York City, New York

jason — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:06:02 +0000

The Corner Bistro is no kept secret, and it’s one of my favorite spots in NYC. But there are always lines and more lines. Almost always, that is. Who knows if this is always the case, but it’s worth a shot next time I’m in town. If this was the exception, I’ll probably do what I’ve been doing here for years. Stand around the bar, with a beer in hand — which is how the so-called line works — and wait to be seated.

The Flag of Honor

jason — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:00:42 +0000

While at the 9/11 Memorial, I picked up a Flag of Honor, which contains the names of everyone who perished on 9.11.01. Proceeds from the sale benefit several charities such as the National 911 Memorial & Museum at Ground Zero and the Wounded Warrior Project.

Prayers at Ground Zero, New York City

jason — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:08:55 +0000

The 9/11 Memorial, Ground Zero

jason — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:47:17 +0000

Two holes in the ground now have two holes in the ground. The 9/11 Memorial is a place that honors the sacrifice our country and too many families have made. I don’t think it could be a more fitting memorial, and this is a place I hope everyone is able to visit, and take in. Even if just once, it’s a source of strength to be at Ground Zero, and to feel what it has become.

The Challenge Weekend in NYC 9.11.11

jason — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:49:29 +0000

10 years later, NYC was the place we wanted to be, and we wanted to share it with friends. So we hosted the 9/11 Fundraising Challenge Weekend, which raised $30K for the Green Beret Foundation and let us see New York, together. It wasn’t a party, but it wasn’t a funeral, either. More like a celebration of strength found since that day. The skyline was forever changed, of course, but the City seemed back to itself, full of energy. And yes, emotion, which of course we shared as well.

HIGH SNOBIETY

goruck — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:00:59 +0000

http://www.highsnobiety.com/news/2011/10/18/buyers-guide-9-amazing-bags-available-now/

The 2011 GORUCK Ascent, Colorado

jason — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:00:19 +0000

The 2011 Ascent was our first family reunion, one of many more to come. The 50 who trekked to Colorado’s 14-ers with us made it everything it was, as they always do. We are fortunate to have such friends, with such tales to tell — most of them true, all of them garnering smiles and big laughs. Friends who ascent at any and every hour, friends who beer at Ranger TV, friends who come from across the country to spend time with each other, and with us. For this we are humbled, and grateful, and blessed. And we hope to see you next year, and every year after that.

Priorities of Work at Basecamp, the Ascent, Colorado

jason — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:00:39 +0000

In the military, the priorities of work are the things you have to do at basecamp before you can do anything else. Dig fighting positions, clean weapons, ensure that your ammunition is topped off — those kinds of things are at the top of the list. At the Ascent, ours are Beer, Fire, and Food. And our basecamp is a place for BFF, and to plan missions, to rest and to joke around with friends. And if you’re Dan and life is good, you smile at four sausages with lust in your eyes.