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Josh Helke

Updates and News from Organic Climbing: The Best Bouldering Pads. Period.

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Organic Climbing The Best Bouldering Pads PeriodWe are in the thick of the fall season and Josh Helke, the owner of Organic Climbing, has some updates, news, and tips for us. [Connect with Organic Climbing on Facebook.]

The Quick Read:

HCRB:  What’s new at Organic Climbing:

Josh:  The Organic Roll Down Pack. A super burly, well designed, and fairly priced roll down style backpack for all around use and abuse.

[Click here to view the Organic Roll Down Pack pricing at the Organic Climbing website.]

HCRB:  Who should buy the Organic Roll Down Pack?

Josh:  The Organic Roll Down Pack is a 4-season pack, perfect for climbers and students.

HCRB:  What else is new, Josh? [Read more…] about Updates and News from Organic Climbing: The Best Bouldering Pads. Period.

Josh Helke and Organic Climbing: Revisiting The 2009 Interview

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Organic Bouldering Mats

If you love Organic, or just love bouldering in general, take a quick read of this interview with Josh from 2009.  [The more recent interview is here:  Crash Pads.]  I had it up on my recycling blog and thought that it made more sense to come over here.  After all, we are all climbers.   TOTAL READING TIME:  About 5 minutes.

Here it is…

I always enjoy running into companies that have a wider view of what it means to be green. In the case of Josh Helke’s Organic Climbing, green doesn’t just mean reusing scraps of fabric (which they do) or powering their shop by wind energy (which they do) or promoting cell phone recycling (which they also do); but it means loving what you do and creating a product that will outlast the competition.

Jason: Organic Climbing – how did you come up with the name?

Josh: My wife is a Geologist. We were doing research near Price UT and I decided on the trip I wanted a better bouldering pad. We talked about starting our own company and making all pads one-of-a-kind by reusing our cutting scraps. We decided that they would all be organic-one-of-a-kind-artistic pieces.

Jason: How did you get your start with your company? Are you an entrepreneur or were you driven by your artistic/creative upbringing?

Josh: Creativity is in our family. My mother and younger brother are ceramist. I have designed and shaped hundreds of [climbing] holds for companies around the industry. I’ve designed gear. I’ve route set for over a decade and established over 700 first ascents. So, I have always been looking for some creative outlet. Once I started Organic, I knew I could stop looking. I love what I do every day 100 percent. And I get to chat with awesome people around the world!

Jason: Has it been easy since the beginning of the biz or have there been tough times? Continue Reading

Crash Pads: Josh Helke Builds Quality Climbing Gear

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Organic Bouldering MatsIf you are a climber, you have probably seen (or fallen on) an Organic Bouldering Mat.  The unique designs and bright colors make an Organic pad easy to spot.  What you may not know is that Josh Helke runs a sustainable business that is worthy of your attention.

Here is a 4-minute overview of how the Organic Climbing Crashpad is made.

Orgainic Climbing Bright PadAnd if you are ready for an interview with Josh Helke, owner of Organic Climbing, read on…

HCRB:  What are 4 things that anyone can do right now to be a better recycler?

Josh:  1,  Be smart about the gear you choose.  Purchase stuff that is made to last. In the long run, buying quality is cheaper.  Quality gear lasts longer – so it is better for your pocket book and the planet.  2,  Own a reusable water bottle.  Even if they can be recycled, plastic bottles from water and soft drinks are an incredible waste of energy and resources.  3.  Buy used and donate when you are done.  Others will carry on the use-cycle.  4.  Repair your electronics and use them as long as you can.  Recycle them when they can’t be repaired.

HCRB:  We talked back in 2009 when you were in Wyoming.  Where are you now?

Josh:  We relocated 3 years ago to Central PA as my wife took a job at Penn State in the Geology department.  Additionally, the deep-rooted textile history, and the talent in the surrounding mountains was a natural fit for the made-in-USA nature of our company.

HCRB:  What sustainable practices are you embracing now in the manufacturing of Organic Climbing Mats?Organic Climbing Dog Design

Josh:  We recycle all of our cutting scraps into every product that we make.  These are what become the one-of-a-kind multi-color designs people have come to know over the last 10 years as ORGANIC products. We also use made-in-the-USA fabrics manufactured within a few hundred miles of our factory. And because all our products are made in the USA, our manufacturing footprint is substantially smaller than that of the larger companies making their sewn goods in Asia.

HCRB:  What are you doing differently in your personal life now to be friendlier to our planet?  Continue Reading