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WHO IS GEARFETCH!
Gearfetch.com is the online store of Wilderness Voyageurs Outfitters, the oldest outdoor specialty retailer in Pennsylvania. We have been serving up cool gear, and solid advice, since 1970. Our sister company, Wilderness Voyageurs Inc. is the oldest whitewater rafting company east of the Mississippi, operating rafting trips on the Youghiogheny River since 1963.
Why should you trust us to help you choose gear?
We are located in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania, the center of outdoor fun in Western PA. The world famous Loop takeout is visible from the front door, and the "Trophy" trout section of the Middle Youghiogheny is out the back door. Our parking lot is the southern terminus of the Laurel Highlands Trail, a 76-mile ridgeline trail. These are our testing grounds; our staff have hiked, biked and paddled throughout the world. Whether you are planning a weekend out on the C & O Canal or a month long trip on the Colorado River, we know how to help you plan and get you the appropriate gear.
The Players . . .
Eric Martin, the owner of Wilderness Voyageurs, took his first canoe trip when he was 2, learned to ski at the same time and was on his way to his professional paddling career by age 10. He has an opinion or two on gear.
Lynne Martin, as well a Wilderness Voyageurs Owner, is a professional ski patroller and has spent her years on the water too.
Kasia Martin manages Wilderness Voyageurs Outfitter store and Gearfetch and is always ready to sell you the right piece of gear. A mountain biker, skier and perpetual almost paddler, she loves to get out and test the wares.
Lou Rovegno is the Assistant Webmaster of gearfetch.com and the Gear Manager at Wilderness Voyageurs Outfitters Store. He's an avid local boater and our very own climbing expert, having scaled rock all over the country. It’s his job to know about gear.
You can rest assured that all the gear we sell is certified Spectacular by our crack squad of outdoorsy staff. We’ve done all the legwork to leave you more time for boating, biking or whatever your passion is (if it’s shopping, feel free to park your keister on the web site ).
Virtual Ohiopyle
If you are a current customer, welcome to Virtual Ohiopyle. We hope to embody the quirky yet helpful nature of our store on this website. If you are new to Wilderness Voyageurs – enjoy! And if you get a chance, stop in and have a coffee on the porch.
What does our longevity mean to you? We have been deeply involved with the evolution of whitewater sport for decades. If you are looking for something, or someone, odds are we know what, where, and who. We pride ourselves on being an outdoor resource as much as an outfitter, and we are always striving to increase awareness, access, and participation for our great sports. Check out the What’s Hatching section of our Fly Fishing Webpage, our community Blog called Blog Ohiopyle, and the Weather/Gauge Readings bulletin board outside our store, where dozens of paddlers every season post classifieds.
More than just an Outfitter
We here at Wilderness Voyageurs are very proud of our rafting services and our outfitter store, but our offerings don't end there! Ohiopyle's first restaurant and bar, Falls City Pub, is just down the street, offering delicious cuisine and excellent microbrews. Check out the website for info on new non-smoking hours(!) and weekly specials. We've also recently restored the beautiful Trillium Lodge to its former glory and then some. The serenity and magesty of the surrounding acres will remind you of what it means to relax.
Aside from world-class rafting tours, our outdoor adventure outfit also offers legendary rock climbing, mountain bike, and kayak instruction with true industry experts, guided fly fishing tours, and a whole host of cycling tours.
What we believe….
Sustainability and stewardship are core values of the activities we offer and the way in which we operate our organization. We see a unique and precious opportunity to reach the general public in all that we do. The potential to create a genuine and lasting connection with the natural world while participating in outdoor activities has always a primary focus of ours. The realization of this potential means the creation of advocates and stewards for the next generation.
What have we done to back this up? We’re glad you asked . . . .
Alternative Fuel Sources
All of the used grease from our very own Falls City Pub, as well as the used grease from many other restaurants in the area, is converted into biodiesel. We then use the biodiesel to fuel our shuttle vehicles and heat our buildings in the wintertime. For more information, check out www.biodiesel.org and to see the folks of Ohiopyle making and using biodiesel, go to www.immersionresearch.com.
Recycling
100% of the cardboard from our retail and restaurant operations is recycled.
Smart building
When building our retail store, we insisted upon the use of as much local material as possible. The 5000 square-foot building was sided with white pine that was harvested, milled and pressure treated within 20 miles of our location. The structural glue lams and para-lams that are the backbone of the building were manufactured in West Virginia. Tankless water heaters and huge windows that admit natural light reduce energy use and round out our sweet structure.
Removal of Invasive Plants
Join us in May 2007 as we endeavor to remove Japanese Knotweed, as invasive plant species, from the middle section of the Youghiogheny River.
Responsible Vendors
The staff of Wilderness Voyageurs Outfitter Store has a deep and lasting commitment to doing business with manufacturers that produce environmentally friendly products at fair wages. While very few manufacturers meet these criteria, we remember that Rome was not built in a day, and so we put our full weight and support behind those manufacturers who are clearly moving in the right direction. Our featured vendors include Mion, Immersion Research, Astral Bouyancy, Prana & Smartwool among others.
Causes we support
ADA (American Diabetes Association)
JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
Adopt a Highway
Three Rivers Paddling Club
Friends of the Cheat
Friends of Ohiopyle
Charity given regularly to local schools and groups
NPR
Please remember that many changes still need to occur in corporate and governmental America before our society will be safe for future generations. Also remember that if you want your voice to be heard, you must vote loudly and proudly with the only effective ballot in the world: the American dollar. Cast your ballots for a better future today @ gearfetch.com.
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