Free Tutorial Session: Clothing & Gear 101 for Hikers & Backpackers

IN A NUTSHELL:  This AOC "Learn" event at Eddie Bauer got rave reviews when we first offered it in mid-January and again in late February. We're delighted to be able to do it again, esp. for the benefit of our wait-listed members who didn't get to join us then.  All interested members are welcome of course to register on a space-available basis.  We want to thank our hosts for offering to treat us again to delicious snacks & refreshments - including perhaps hot pizza! - during our store visit.
  The informal Q&A tutorial is intended for the benefit of AOCers who would like to learn more about making intelligent clothing and gear choices for hiking and backpacking.  Though suitable for outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities and experience levels, it is especially appropriate for novices - hence "101" in the title.
  The plan is to have a hands-on unbiased open discussion of the pros and cons of specific types of outdoor clothing and products and their suitability for various weather conditions and styles of hiking, backpacking and camping.  We'll focus esp. on how to use the principle of "layering," i.e. choosing appropriate light layers of clothing that can be added, removed, stashed in our packs, etc, to keep ourselves comfortable, dry and safe in any situation.

WHERE & WHEN, ETC:  Our friends at Eddie Bauer have kindly offered to host this event again at their East Cobb store between Marietta and Roswell - see detailed Directions and GPS address below.  We'll gather between 4:45 and 5:00 PM just inside the store entrance and expect to be done by 6:30 or 7:00 at the latest.
 The Eddie Bauer staff want us to know that they are excited about the opportunity to expose our AOC members to their excellent outdoor products including their latest new lines of clothing & gear - and assure us that there will be no pressure to buy.  One of their hiking/backpacking experts will accompany us on a walking tour of the store as we discuss various designs of clothing (underwear and outerwear), hiking boots, packs, hydration systems, tents, sleeping bags, etc.

WHY OFFER IN-STORE AOC TUTORIALS SUCH AS THIS?  We can get to know other AOCers who share our interest in the tutorial topic.  Upcoming AOC events and appropriate gear for each can be reviewed and discussed without pressure to purchase anything. As we browse the store together both during and before/after the tutorial we can inspect specific designs of clothing & gear and debate their pros and cons.

THE EDDIE BAUER "EAST COBB STORE" is located in "The Avenue" shopping mall about halfway between Marietta and Roswell, at 4475 Roswell Rd, #300, Marietta, GA 30338 - see directions from GA-400 below.  You GPS or Google.com/maps users can augment these directions by entering the store's Lat/Lon coordinates as your destination address: 33.98756,-84.42341.  For a zoomable map or satellite view of the store vicinity click on the square blue & green "Event Location" icon near the top of this article.  The store's phone number is 770-578-8792.

EASY DIRECTIONS from GA-400 on ATLANTA's NORTH SIDE:
1.  From the GA-400/ I-285 Interchange take GA-400 North about 1 mile and get off at Exit #2B "Abernathy Road," which will direct you toward Sandy Springs.
2.  Drive westward on Abernathy Road (crossing through the light at GA-9) and continue on it after it merges with Johnson Ferry Road for a total of about 6.4 miles (from the GA-400 exit) to the traffic light at GA-120.
3.  Turn Right (off Johnson Ferry Rd) onto GA-120 East (a.k.a. "upper" Roswell Rd), go just 0.4 mile and look for "The Avenue" shopping mall on your left. (Note traffic light here at jcn of GA-120 and Heritage Glen Drive) .
4.  Turn Left into the mall parking lot, then bear leftward and look for the Eddie Bauer store (beyond "Bath & Body Works").  As mentioned above we'll gather just inside the store entrance and introduce one another prior to our in-store tutorial.

Free Event with Free Parking!