Built For The Mountain Life

Hayes Wauford: Cover Shot

MK Ambassador and World Skeet Shooting Champ Hayes Wauford gets a magazine cover shot.

NSAA Trade Show & Conference, Snowbird Powder

MK Ambassador and computer graphics guru Senan Gorman checks in:

I just got back from a week at Snowbird, attending the Western National Ski Areas Association Trade Show & Conference.  It was incredible in a variety of ways.  First day there, we hit chest deep pow, followed by bluebird the next few days.

While there, the powers that be opened up the Bird for the NSAA crowd at 7am, still dark, under a full moon, with breakfast at the top of the Peruvian lift, in the middle of the newly built tunnel.  It was indeed one of the reasons I truly enjoy being part of this industry!!  Overall the show was incredible for business for North Pole Designs.  In fact, I  just might be headed out to Jackson Hole in February to meet with the folks from JH marketing and ski school to discuss developing a fully animated/interactive kids' trail map and more.  Can't wait. 

U.S. Adult Nationals - Climbing

MK Ambassador Kyle McFarland reports:

I just spent the last week in Salt Lake City hanging out around the trade show and preparing for Adult Nationals.  The competition was held at the brand new Momentum Climbing Gym in Sandy, UT.  At first I was really optimistic but then I saw the running order and it looked more like a World Cup.  Chris Sharma, Dave Graham, Joe Kinder and Jon Cardwell were all in my category.

Both qualifying routes were amazing.  I flashed the first route and fell 3/4 from the top of the second, unfortunately that landed me in 13th place.  However there was still speed climbing to do.  I was never too psyched on speed climbing, I do it maybe once a year and never train for it and somehow always place well.  At the end of the qualifiers I was in 4th place.  Then the finals round went well and put me in 3rd place and made me a member of the US National Team.

Thanks MK!!

Congratulations to MK Ambassador Steve Romeo

Mountain Khakis would like to congratulate Steve Romeo on qualifying for the 2008 U.S. Ski Mountaineering Team.  Steve competed in a few randonee races in the states and did well enough to make the U.S. team.  The team will head to Europe for the World Championships.  Visit Steve's website to read more about his accomplishments.  www.tetonat.com

"Here & Now", produced by FIVEIGHTWO Films

Kayakers and action sports fanatics will dig the new film from Nick Troutman and FIVEIGHTWO Films, Here & Now.  Nick is an MK Ambassador and a key member of Team Jackson Kayaks.  The film will be released in March, and Mountain Khakis is very excited to be a sponsor. 

Nick is a stud in the kayak world, and already has several accomplishments to speak of.  Now, with the release of his first movie, things are really looking up.  We'll post more information as we get it, but keep your eyes and ears open for this sick new film from FIVEEIGHTWO Films.

Winter OR Summary

Mountain Khakis had a very successful show last week in Salt Lake City at Outdoor Retailer.  Our Original Mountain Jean went over well and we now expect that it will fully sell through in early Fall 2008.  The Mountain Sprouts and MK Kids offerings were also very well received.

The show seemed to be less attended this year than in past years, likely due to weaknesses in the economy and stress in the specialty retailer sector.

We are thrilled to announce that the MK Drinking Team had a crushing win in the Gelande Quaffing event, versus teams from Cloudveil and Smith Optics.  Just one of the many activities we do well!

And finally, the Avalaunch concert featuring Michael Franti and Spearhead was excellent!

Welcome New MK Ambassador Josh Fuller

Mountain Khakis is excited to announce Josh Fuller as a new addition to the MK Ambassador Team.  Josh is a student at the University of Wyoming in Laramie and is a Wyoming native.  Josh is an ultramarathon runner and avid climber, skiier and traveler.  One major accomplishment for Josh is a 1st place finish in his age division and 8th overall in the 2007 Lean Horse 50 Miler.  He was the youngest finisher ever, and youngest ever entrant into the Big Horn Mountain 100 Mile Trail Run!  Seeing as how Josh has only taken up ultramarathon running in the last few years, he obviously has a bright future. 

Josh is also the co-founder of Angry Man Productions, producing and starring in freeskiing movies.  The productions have been on hold recently as Josh and his partners recover from injuries.  We are excited to see some films.  Josh is also a world traveler and visits New Zealand once a year.  We look forward to a great relationship, welcome Josh! 

Hayes Teaches Skeet Shooting

MK Ambassador Hayes Wauford reports:

This past Monday I went up to Elkin, NC and helped three members of a local youth group learn to shoot skeet.  Two of the three 8th graders had never shot a gun before but they learned very quickly.  The weather was a windy 35 degrees, but everyone's patience help up.  I know I was a lot more comfortable thanks to my Original Mountain Pants.  If only MK made shooting gloves I would have come away with warm hands too.

Teton Canyon Ski Pics

The occasional ski-related blog post never hurt anyone, right?  These goodies come from the backyard, Teton Canyon, WY, just outside of Alta, Wyoming on the west side of the Tetons.  Rarely see tracks up there, and certainly no bootpacks, speed bootpacks, or fist fights.

Skier: J Malman  Photo: W. LandonDescending Boyscout CouloirSkier: J Malman  Photo: W. Landon

Built For The Mountain Life - revisited

Our tag line, Built For The Mountain Life, not only describes the construction, durability and style of our apparel, it also does a damn good job describing the people who reside in this amazingly beautiful and often times brutal Jackson Hole area. 

My morning:  wake up to 2-3 foot snow drifts in my 30 yard-long driveway.  Call plow man, he won't be able to make it for another 30-45 minutes.  I begin shoveling, only to start sweating and tiring before making much progress.  Wait for plow.  Drive over Teton Pass, snowing and blowing, 30-50 MPH winds, poor visibility, wishing I was skiing, not driving to work.  Arrive at the office and park in unplowed 2 feet of snow, get feet wet and cold.  Only 5 minutes late!

                             Teton Pass summit

This is by no means a complaint-based post, only pointing out the Mountain Life that we live and love!

Teton Pass Junk Show(?)

We've blogged a few times already about the dilemma on Teton Pass.  Large amounts of people, limited parking, angry hikers, fights, etc.  Here's a link to a recent article about the issue from the Jackson Hole News.  I had a long discussion with some friends about the situation, it's a bummer that it's come to this.  Hopefully things can get worked out.  In the meantime, you can find me in other local backcountry treasures, with no boot packs, highways, or parking spaces to have to worry about.  Leave a comment and tell us what you think.

Blogging The Real Issues of the West

As a company operating in a mountain town community of the American West, we find it important to be educated about the issues and crisis that our region of the country is facing.  These are generally stories that don't make it into the major newspapers of the world or the CNNs.  We're talking about things like oil and gas drilling on the Colorado Plateau, wildlife management in national forests and national parks, various localized environmental issues, public lands and recreation dilemmas, and the list goes on. 

We'd like to introduce you to The GOAT, a blog produced by The High Country News.  I encourage everyone who reads this blog to also check out The GOAT and keep yourself informed and active about these important issues of the great American West. 

Avalaunch Festival at Outdoor Retailer

Mountain Khakis is excited to be a sponsor for the Avalaunch Festival at OR.  Avalaunch is a new grassroots movement to combine music and movies with environmental education - they are basically building a big party platform through which to deliver targeted messages in mountain town communities.

Avalaunch is premiering this festival concept at OR in two ways.  They will partner with 1% for the Planet, Winter Wildlands Alliance and Native Energy in a new space on the show floor, the Backcountry Village.  With Mountain Khakis' environmental messages at this show it's a great way to further align ourselves with non-profit green leaders in the industry, and reinforce our committment to the environment.

Avalaunch is also putting on the Michael Franti/Spearhead show in Salt Lake City on both Friday and Saturday night.  The entire Avalaunch team has been outfitted in MKs, as well as Michael Franti and the members of Spearhead.

Come show your support for Avalaunch and all its sponsors, and get your groove on to some quality reggae tunes.  We hope to see you there!

Words from Northern Arizona

An old Navajo singer sat in the winter firelight of his mud hogan. The place smelled of horse leather and sheep. He spoke not a word of English. I sat across from him on his dirt floor.

He showed me a pouch he had, leather as polished as a knifescabbard. Inside was corn pollen. I asked if any cultural memory remains about how his people first acquired corn. His grandson, standing against the wall, translated and said back to me that corn has always been with the people. I dutifully pointed out that corn was introduced from Mesoamerica, and acted as a Pueblo staple long before the Navajo ever reached this area. My words were translated into the notoriously complex Navajo language.

The grandson turned to me. "He says we have always been here, since the beginning."

I wanted to tell him he was wrong. There was irrefutable evidence that the Navajo branched away from other Athabascan speakers in the vicinity of British Columbia, 1,500 miles from here. Then I realized
what I was about to say and I clapped my mouth shut.

Looking to make conversation, I asked how he managed to collect such a nice little cache of corn pollen. The old man gestured in the air, as if shaking the tassels of a corn plant. Exactly how you get pollen.
Then he laughed. Stupid white guy.

Craig Childs is an acclaimed nature and wildlife author, outdoorsman and father residing in the woods of Colorado.

Greetings From Antarctica

Greetings all from Antarctica.  I have just returned from the field after freezing my ass off up on the polar plateau for three months.  Spent the first month in the field as the medical mountaineer for a seismic group setting out instruments to map the Gamburtisev Mountain Range buried under several miles of the ice sheet.  It will be interesting to see how big the range is as I have unknowingly been walking on top of them for the past 9 years of my life!  Tried really hard to talk the guys into naming a peak after me once they get the data back...I think they said "whatever"?

I finished up the season acting as the high altitude medical officer for a plateau camp, AGAP, located at  11,300 feet on the polar plateau.  We saw pressure altitudes of 14 grand with temps averaging -34F with wind chills coming in at -46F...just another beautiful day up on the plateau.  We set up the base camp infrastructure for next seasons push to map those mountains again...we will be based out of camp with support from two Twin Otter aircraft and expecting a population of around 30...a little much, but that's the good 'ole National Science Foundation for ya!!!

Swift Silent Deep

Download ssd_postcard.pdf

Come out and support the MK team as they go up against teams from Clouveil and Smith Optics in an all-out-war for Gelande Quaffing supremacy.  We've assembled a group of our best and brighest beer drinkers... come watch us whip the pants off of the competition!

This event kicks off Cloudveil's support for Swift Silent Deep, a new documentary film about the Jackson Hole Air Force.  Download the event invitation linked above.... we'll see you there!

When: Thursday, January 24th @5:30pm
Where: Cloudveil booth #13041

MK in the Blue Ridge

The Buddy and I recently took a brief excursion up to Fancy Gap, VA to escape the confines of the section of urban jungle known as Charlotte, NC.
    For anyone that's never been on the Blue Ridge Parkway it's one of the most amazing drives in the country and stretches 469 miles through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park.  All along the road there are overlooks, picnic and recreation areas, as well as historical museums, monuments, vineyards and wineries, etc... The rich culture stems from a history of music, beautiful scenery, and booze! 
    There are some great trails alongside the parkway at just about any point, all very accessible and well marked. We did an 8-mile loop and were lucky that the clouds and weather held out long enough for us to complete the trip and appreciate the scenery (the OMPs are a GREAT cool-weather trail pant).
    Having grown up in Colorado surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, it's difficult to draw any comparison to the Blue Ridge Mountains.  They're both completely unique of one another (except they have 'Mountains' in their names).  There's no way, however, you could convince me that the Rockies are inherently better.  Unless you've had the privilege of spending time in each, it's impossible to appreciate just how amazing, and how amazingly different, both ranges are.

Written by Jordan Hauser - MK Sales Representative with contributing input from The Buddy, road-warrior-extraordinare.

Dealer Profile: Half-Moon Outfitters

In today's outdoor retail world, with the plethora of dealers and outfitters that exist, it is important for companies to distiguish themselves from the others.  Half-Moon Outfitters, of Charleston, South Carolina, has done a great job with this task while at the same time improving their carbon footprint and making a statement for green business practices in an industry where this issue is at the forefront.

Last year, Half-Moon opened South Carolina's first Platinum LEED Certified building, which is used as their warehouse and headquarters.  Now, Half-Moon is set to begin environmental renovation of their new flagship location.  They have also committed to using as strict environmental guidelines as possible for any new store they open.

As an ultimate compliment to the great environmental practices Half-Moon Outfitters is exhibiting, the Outdoor Industry Association has recently named Half-Moon as a finalist for their Outdoor Industry Innovator Award, "recognizing a business achievement by an outdoor company who has made significant contributions toward the continued innovation and growth of the outdoor industry."  The winner will be announced at OR Winter Market's Industry Breakfast.

Congratulations to Half-Moon Outfitters.  We are proud to do business with them.  Keep up the good work.

For more info, click here and here

Trip Report: MK in Kathmandu

This trip report is from David, a happy MK customer who just returned from Nepal.

My wife and I and 9 other family members traveled to Nepal to enjoy a couple of weeks of getting to know the Nepalese culture.  One of the major purposes of the trip was to work in a small village outside of the town of Damauli.  We arrived in this village after a 4 hour drive from Kathmandu.  The village consisted of around 1500 people.  We were there to help with a service project of enhancing the village's existing water system.  We spent our time digging, trenching and repairing the system from the source (a waterfall) approximately 7 miles to the village below where we built a reservoir to help eliminate the ineffeciency and dependence on the one existing watering hole.

Kayak Movie Trailer: Downunder the Horizonline

MK Ambassador and Team Jackson Kayaks member Jez Blanchard just sent us this trailer from his upcoming video from Skippy Films, Downunder the Horizonline.  Look for it soon!

Duck Hunting Without The Ducks

MK Ambassador and World Champion Skeet Shooter Hayes Wauford recently checked in to report on an unsuccessful yet enjoyable duck hunting outing.

Just got back from Cedar Island, NC.  We hunted in the Core and Pamlico Sounds, just inside the Outer Banks.  The weather was gorgeous, but terrible for duck hunting.  High temps, no clouds and very little wind.  We had one lone duck come in during two days of  hunting, which prevented us from getting completely shut out.  Lack of ducks aside, the trip was great.  I wore my new Original Mountain Pants (in Granite) the second day under my waders and they were great.  Very comfortable even with the warmer temperatures.  The extra reinforcement in the cuffs made them great to tuck down into the wader boots and provide a little more padding.  Once it starts to feel like winter again around here, I'll give them a "cold-weather" test. 

Local National Parks see Increase in Visitation

Courtesy nps.gov

It's been a good year for National Parks across the country, but especially so for our two local parks, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone.  According to a summary report released by the National Park Service, Grand Teton National Park has seen roughly 180,000 more visitors than in 2006.  Yellowstone has seen an increase of approximately 280,000 over last year.  Around the nation we've seen an increase in visitation by 0.77% from last year. 

This is exciting news, since budget cuts and low visitation have forced the closure of several trails in Rocky Mountain National Park and threatened to close ranger stations and tourist information centers across the country.  Mountain Khakis hopes you will continue to support your local national park in 2008 by buying a National Parks Pass, giving one as a gift or simply paying the daily fees upon each visit.   

Climbing For Kids

Join Climbing For Kids and climb one of the greatest peaks in North America to help give under-privileged youth the opportunity to experience the wilderness firsthand.  In 2008, climbers will have the experience of a lifetime when they acsend one of the six most sought-after peaks in the U.S. and Mexico: Mounts Rainier, Whitney, Shasta, or Hood, the Grand Teton, or Pico de Orizaba.  On top of that, each climber will also receive $1,500 worh of FREE, brand-new mountaineering gear.  In return, climbers agree to fundraise on behalf of the Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT).  This six-mountain benefit climbing program is BAWT's biggest fundraising event of the year and will raise more than $600,000.

Trip Photos - MK Ambassador Jonathan Willy

Check a few images from Jonathan's trip to Mexico, where he summited Pico de Orizaba and a few other mountains.

Orizaba's Shadow

Crosses at summit of Orizaba

What a view

Welcome New MK Ambassador Craig Childs

The newest addition to the Mountain Khakis Ambassador team is a unique and special person that we are excited to have on board.  Craig Childs was born in Arizona, raised in Colorado, and is an author, adventurer and father living off the grid in the West Elk Mountains of Colorado.  Craig has written several highly acclaimed books, including "The Animal Dialogues", "House of Rain", "Soul of Nowhere", "Secret Knowledge of Water" and several others.  The LA Times just voted "House of Rain" as one of the top books of 2007.  Craig is also a regular commentator for NPR's Morning Edition.  Craig was featured in People Magazine and the New York Times last month.

Craig is also a major outdoor enthusiast who most recently spent the month of September in northeast Tibet running 200 miles of uncharted river.  This was a first descent for Craig, and he and his team ran it at 40,000 cfs.  Wow.  Craig is very interested in wildlife and enjoys studying the relationship between wilderness, instinct and the animal-movements of the human body.  For the spring college semester, Craig will be teaching a graduate level course as a visiting professor at the University of Montana - Missoula.

Craig is the epitomy of the Mountain Life, whether he is relaxing by his fireplace in the snowy mountains or out lost in the wild.  Craig recently found himself inside a black bear den, where he had crawled expecting to find a porcupine or some other form of wildlife.  A quick "Oops, sorry" was all that was needed in order to leave the bear in peace.

To visit Craig's website and read about his accomplishments, click here.

Switzerland to Use Speed Radar on Slopes

Due to an incredibly high number of injuries on the ski slopes in Switzerland, Swiss officials will begin using speed guns to monitor skiers as a part of new safety campaigns.  According to the UK Times Online, overcrowding at resorts has lead to increased accidents, 70,000 of them last year.  Helicopter rescue teams have been called out 300 times in December alone.  Monitoring started on January 5th at Andermatt, and will be extended to the rest of the country.

Monitoring will start on a voluntary basis, with special areas for skiers to submit themselves to a speed check.  The idea here is for people to begin to realize just how fast they ski.  Authorities are exploring legal options for punishing fast skiers but will likely find problems here due to varying laws in Switzerland's cantons.  Violators will not be fined initially but will be singled out and approached by resort officials. 

Here in Jackson this program would not fly.  Skiing fast is not viewed as dangerous by many, especially those who ski in control.  In fact, speed combined with fluidity and style is the grounds for many judgements in the skiing world.  I can just imagine the shock as one of our local rippers is stopped at the bottom of the Gondola and told that he was clocked at 40 MPH and will now be forced to sit out a run, or pay a $20 fine.  We are happy to let the Swiss test out this program, and hopefully keep it within their borders.

Lauren Burress Gettin' Dirty in her MKs

MK Ambassador Lauren Burress:  "Over the weekend we went to the Big South Fork in Oneida, TN.  We found some awesome 4-wheeling trails in Jamestown near Pickett State Park.  I wore my MKs both days.  They got muddy and wet but the mud washed right out and didn't even stain.  They kept me plenty warm, seeing as it was in the 20's and we were driving through snow."

Abu Dhabi Adventure Race: Update from Jari Kirkland

MK Ambassador and world-class adventure racer Jari Kirkland checked in with an update and photos from her recent race in Abu Dhabi.

"I have been super relaxed since I got back from Abu Dhabi, which was one of the most wonderful places I have ever been and raced around.  In a recap, 2 days of paddling in the Persian Gulf, then two days of running/trekking through huge 1,200 foot sand dunes.  The second day we were given a camel.  It was one of the worst, most stupid animals I have ever been around.  So we made it through that and had a day of biking.  The last day was a run on the only mountain in Abu Dhabi.  It was so different and dirtless.  Not like here at all.  So we made it back and I have been relaxing a bit before I get back into racing and training."

Congratulations to Jari and Team Salomon/Crested Butte on their 8th place finish in the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge.

One Giant Review for MK

When I first met Kendall Card at the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City, I was bummed to see how tall he was.  It was during our first show at winter market and we didn't yet make the 36" inseam that I knew he would need to avoid sporting a pair of MK man-pris. 

After making do with a 34" inseam (must have been his construction pair) and then checking out the 36", his recent review of the Original Mountain Pant on feedthehabit.com is a pretty honest take on the durability and addictive comfort of a pair of MKs.  We've re-addressed the wrinkling issue with a different weave process in our custom cotton canvas, but drying 100% cotton on HOT is always sure to create an interesting topography.

Kendall continues his continued dominance of social media in his recent job change - hope we'll be seeing him 'round Jackson a little more now.

Written by MK Marketing Manager Shannon Brooks Hamby

Scary Incident on Teton Pass Raises Questions

Berthoud Pass, CO   Photo courtesy of avalanche.org

A few weeks ago we blogged about the crowding situation on Teton Pass and mentioned that as more and more people continue to ski The Pass, the probability of accidents and tragedies increases.  We saw evidence of this just this last weekend, as a snowboarder wanting to look down a slope stood on the edge of a large cornice only to have it break away underneath him and carry him down the slope, causing two seperate avalanches and being carried over a cliff and down 1,200 feet.  The rescue operation lasted through the night, a sub-zero night, and put the rescuers at jeopardy.  This is an accident that never should have happened.

Search for Surf: RV'in Cali

In the early morning hours of December 26th, while others were polishing off the eggnog and figuring out how to get the tree out of the living room, we were busy shmoozing the Delta flight attendant at the Norfolk Airport into waiving the $400 fee for bringing 6 surfboards on the flight to San Diego. 

We set out for Southern California in search of a little adventure and a few head-high barrels to lie about with friends back on the East Coast.  Charlie, Mike and I picked up our RV in San Diego, which would serve as our rental car and hotel in one, and had a ball exploring the Southern California coastline from San Diego up to Huntington Beach.  The new MK Cord Shorts proved to be the  favorite post-session baggies, as they were the easiest and most comfortable slip-ons after a 4-hour morning surf in the 58 degree Pacific.  From the wide open beach breaks of Del Mar and Pacific Beach, to faster points of Upper and Lower Trestles, we surfed until our arms fell off and ate tasty breakfast burritos up and down the SoCal coastline. 

One miscalculated right turn that lead to a tennis-ball sized tire blowout and an interesting campsite in mountian lion country couldn't damper our spirits as we pushed the ole rig to the limits and took full advantage of the Northwest  swell.  The weather couldn't have been better and we all enjoyed the laid-back California surf culture.

Written by MK Dealer Services Representative and resident hang-loose, surfs-up Bro-dude Doug Ellis

North Dakota Snowkiters to Raise Awareness for Wind Energy

"To Cross the Moon (2XtM) is an eco-friendly snowkiting expedition across North Dakota to raise awareness for wind energy and climate change. From the U.S.-Canadian border in the north, to the state line in the south, extreme endurance athletes Sam Salwei, Jason Magness and Paul Cassedy will snowkite 390 miles across the frigid winter moonscape of North Dakota. Carrying everything they need on their backs for the three-week expedition, the trio will make the journey propelled solely by the wind's energy. Driven not only by their quest for adventure and extreme challenges, but also by their their passion for inspiring society to see the importance of wind energy in the fight against climate change. While the fearless adventurers brave the elements, the 2XtM crew travels to communities across the state giving educational presentations and free snowkiting clinics."

Photo and article courtesy of www.2xtm.com

32% of the United States energy needs could be met by wind power in North Dakota alone 

Happy New Year and Best Wishes in 2008

Mountain Khakis would like to wish you all a happy and healthy 2008.  We had a great year in 2007 and look forward to big things in the future.  Keep your eye out for new MK product, dealers and initiatives.  We have exciting plans for '08 and we hope you will be along for the ride.  Cheers!