February 25, 2009 20:59 ET

Leading Outdoor Gear Retailer Is Committed to a Healthier Way of Doing Business

Mountain Gear Ramps Up Its Sustainability Efforts

SPOKANE, WA--(Marketwire - February 25, 2009) - Mountain Gear founder Paul Fish has always taken a personal interest in environmental issues and sustainable practices. He's been a long-time board member of The Lands Council, the leading conservation voice to preserve the forests, water and wildlife of the Inland Northwest, as well as an avid supporter of The Access Fund and an activist for preserving the natural areas he and his customers love to recreate in.

Paul Fish believes that environmental consciousness and running a successful business go hand in hand, and that's evident throughout the corporate offices located in Spokane, WA. From carpet tiles made of recycled materials to reduced utilities use with ample skylighting and low-flow plumbing fixtures, Mountain Gear's corporate offices are leading the local movement toward sustainable buildings. In 2007, Mr. Fish was awarded the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Gold rating, a prestigious honor in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.

Taking its sustainability efforts a step further, Mountain Gear encourages employees to use alternative forms of transportation, offering indoor bike storage and a fully stocked shop with tubes, tools and bike stands. An on-site gym is open to all, as are the locker room and shower areas.

But Mountain Gear's commitment to sustainability isn't just apparent in the physical building and employee programs. Its Sustainable Picks program (learn more at www.sustainablepick.com) highlights products that meet the following criteria:

1.  Organically grown or quickly renewable fiber -- organic cotton, bamboo,
    and Merino wool all qualify
2.  Significant recycled fiber content -- examples would be Marmot's
    EcoPro sleeping bags, made from recycled plastic bottles
3.  Fair Trade manufacturing process -- Ganesh Himal imports gorgeous
    handmade jewelry, clothing and personal items in partnership with a
    Fair Trade organization in Nepal
4.  Replaces a disposable product -- solar charges for portable
    electronics, such as those from Solio

Whether it's leading by example or setting a new standard in the outdoor gear and clothing industry, Mountain Gear is proud of the progress it has made in pursuing and encouraging sustainable practices.

About Mountain Gear:

Mountain Gear is the place to go for all of your outdoor gear needs, including footwear, climbing gear, camping gear, snow gear, fitness gear and more. Mountain Gear offers a comprehensive web site, catalogue and retail store in Spokane, Washington with all the gear you need for:

--  Climbing & Mountaineering
--  Backpacking, Hiking & Camping
--  Backcountry & Telemark Skiing
--  Snowboarding
--  Snowshoeing
--  Canoeing & Kayaking