OK, throw another log on the fire. Time to recount some history.

Summit Hut (AKA Smut Hut) began in 1969, basically as a scam for Dave Baker and his cohorts to buy gear at wholesale prices- they crossed their fingers and opened a retail hovel, about the size of your average broom closet just across the street from Catalina High School. I had just moved back to town, and one of my SAR buddies said, "There's a climbing shop in town; try and buy something there so we won't have to depend on mail order for everything." I and many others did just that, and Smut Hut grew and grew and grew, changing locations many times.

At least through the mid 80's, the employees were active rock climbers, backpackers, and SAR participants (one died in a climbing accident during that period) and it was a place where you could go for the straight scoop on the outdoors. For many years, the informal rock climbing guide was kept in a notebook at the checkout counter, whipped out whenever information was requested.

Like everyone else, they have found that clothes bring in more revenue than carabiners, and so they are on the same slippery slope as REI and Papagonia, but I suspect that some of the old culture persists - unfortunately, I haven't been back to Tucson lately. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />