Built For The Mountain Life

Nick Troutman Ties For First at Paddling Life Invitational

MK Ambassador Nick Troutman is coming off a successful weekend in Steamboat Springs, Colorado by ending up in the first-ever tie for first place at the Paddling Life Invitational.  The event drew some of the best men and women kayakers in the world to Steamboat to compete in this one-day, two-event competition.

Nick, a member of Team Jackson Kayak, finished 6th in the creek race and 1st in freestyle to tie him for first place with Andrew Holcombe.  They shared the money and played Rock, Paper, Scissors in order to fairly split the other prizes.

Nick has a full summer of competitions ahead of him, including the Teva Mountain Games and FibArk Festival, both in Colorado.  Good luck Nick!!

10 Days, 2 Continents, 2 Pairs of Pants

MK Dealer Services rep Joey Norman reports on his recent international study trip to Chile:

First of all, Chile is an amazing country, with wonderful people and beautiful sights.  I got to spend 10 days in Santiago, Chile doing humanitarian work for Un Techo Para Chile, studying the Chilean economy, and rock climbing in the Andes.  Luckily the good folks here at MK let me go as long as I blogged about my experience.  So here goes...

In total 15 of us from the McColl Graduate School of Business participated in this trip.  We spent two days in Penaflor, a small village outside of Santiago, where we built houses with Un Techo Para Chile.  Un Techo is a great organization that works with people living in campamientos to find them temporary shelter first and then permanent shelter.  Along the way these families are required to seek eduacation and better themselves.  My Original Mountain Pants performed especially well here, from climbing the roof to digging the foundation.

Just Announced - Jackson Hole Music Festival

To many of us, summer would not be complete without attending at least one outdoor music festival.  As they say, summer is festival season, and now festival season has come to Jackson Hole in a new way.  Just announced, the first annual Jackson Hole Music Festival will take place August 16th and 17th at the base of the Bridger Gondola in Teton Village. 

Produced by The Festival Network, who also produces the Newport Jazz Festival and other jazz festivals around the country, the JH Music Festival includes big names such as Wilco, Medeski Martin & Wood, Kaki King, Black Crowes, Avett Brothers, and more.  Artists are still being added.  We'll keep you posted, so check back soon.

New River Rendezvous - Recap

The 6th annual New River Rendezvous was a true success and MK was thrilled to be on board as a sponsor.  We started off Thursday night with some fierce and hysterical competition - The Pants Olympics!  Thanks to emcee Jay Young and some often pants-less competitors; it was a riot.  Friday brought some wet weather, with plenty of festival-goers and climbers.  Saturday featured gorgeous weather and great competition - from sport and trad to bouldering and top-roping.  The Gorge handled the traffic well, and climbing stories were shared well into the night.  The crowds rocked out to Odub, devoured Dessert-a-Palooza, smashed into Crash Pad sumo wrestlers, perused the sponsor tents and cheered on the Dyno competitors.  We had great traffic at the MK booth and loved seeing all of the faithful volunteers in their Alpine Shorts and Cargo Capris.

The No-Waste Initiative was a huge success and we must applaud bothe the organizers and the participants for drastically reducing waste produced by the festival.  I would have to say it was kind of chic to carry around your reusable utensils and plates and pack in as many carpoolers as possible.  Great job NRAC, Water Stone Outdoors, and all who participated.  We hope to see you there next year!

SGB Inaugural 40 Under 40 Awards

Congratulations to our very own Ross Saldarini, CEO of Mountain Khakis, for being named a finalist for the first ever 40 Under 40 Awards by the Sporting Good Business (SGB) Group.  The finalists were honored by their peers as the best and brightest of the next generation of industry leaders.

The finalists represent a diverse group of the market from retail, outdoor, footwear, team sports, apparel and golf.  The awards coincide with the 40th birthday of SGB magazine.  Congrats Ross!

(Photo stolen from the Saldarini Flickr album)

Urban Climber Magazine Shows Love to Mountain Khakis

www.urbanclimbermag.com

Grey Ghost Productions and MK Partner Up

Mountain Khakis is happy to announce a partnership with Grey Ghost Productions, a video production company searching to film and capture the essence of fly fishing.  Grey Ghost was founded in 2007 by Carter Davidson, a native of Maine, and has recently released "The One", which follows the dream team of Grey Ghost Production's first adventure as they travel through New England, Patagonia and British Columbia in search of The One.  View the trailer below and stay tuned for announcements on showings in your area. 

Day 1: Responsible Energy Development Symposium

Day 1 of the Responsible Energy Development Symposium started out with a nice opening speech from John Baughman, who will also act as the moderator throughout the conference.  John is the former Executive Director of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies and former Director of Wyoming Fish & Game.  His speech was short but sweet and he set the tone for the day (and he wore his MKs). 

John Turner then took the mic.  John is the former President and CEO of The Conservation Fund, the Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and President of the Wyoming State Senate.  He lives in Wyoming and is very passionate about the issues surrounding oil and gas development and their effect on the land, animals and people who live there.  He questioned 6 general "steps" to responsible development and added his own special areas of concern: the Wyoming Range, Greater Sage Grouse habitat, air quality in oil and gas producing areas, and easement issues.  He also touched on 10 principles for responsible energy development, which included better processes, more and better science, stronger monitoring with defined thresholds, better leadership, and protection of wildness, to name a few.

Mountain Khakis Gets Inked in Mountain Gazette

Mountain Gazette is an outdoor publication with the goal "to capture the literature of the mountains, to illustrate the qualities and expose the quagmires of a hard-to-define emerging ethic/lifestyle that is part traditional, part new."  We think they do a great job meeting that well-defined goal.  Below is a review we recently received in the Gear-o-rama section.  Double-click to enlarge.

Responsible Energy Development Symposium

Jackson Hole will play host to the Responsible Energy Development Symposium, May 21 - 24 at the Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park.  This conference will feature three days of panels, discussions and speakers hosted by Sportsmen for Responsible Energy, a non-profit represented by everyday anglers and hunters whose mission is to "reform the laws, regulations and policies that ensure balance and respect for the traditions of the West."

"The Symposium will bring together leading practitioners and researchers in wildlife sciences, resource planning and wildlife conservation to gather ideas and develop a road map for balancing wildlife conservation and energy development in the Rocky Mountain region."  This educational and impactful event will feature a Keynote Address by John Turner, the formerly the Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, International Environments and Scientific Affairs, President and CEO of The Conservation Fund, Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and President of Wyoming State Senate.  Friday will also feature a keynote speech from Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal.

Mountain Khakis will be in attendance to support these important issues and assist in the development of a road map to responsible energy development in the West.  We hope to see you all there.

US Womens Rafting Team Heads to Nationals

Mountain Khakis and the US Womens Rafting Team, also known as Team Timberline, have partnered up for a few years now, with MK providing the ladies with our stylish and comfortable pants Built For The Mountain Life.  With the women all living in the mountains of Colorado and being the badass boaters that they are, it just makes perfect sense.

We just received word that they team is heading to Idaho in late May to compete in U.S. Nationals with the hopes of reclaiming the National Title.  This year, nationals will be held on the North and South Fork of the Payette River.  The team has represented the USA in World Championships for the last few years now.  Good luck ladies, we'll be rooting for you.

You can also follow USA Women's Rafting on Facebook, under Team Timberline.

Headed For Some East Coast Climbing

MK Dealer Services Rep Jessica Hoffmann:

Tomorrow I start making my way to the New River Rendezvous in West Virginia.  It will be my fourth year attending this wonderful little climbing festival.  After six months of living in the Jackson area and seeing more snow than I ever thought possible, I am excited to see familiar faces and climbs.  Perhaps it is the altitude, but this area 10's and 11's seem a good bit harder than the grade, and I don't think a winter of snowboarding has helped my climbing abilities.  Still, I can't wait to see Beauty Mountain, Endless Wall, O Dub...

This year promises to be a blast, with Mountain Khakis and Mountain Sprouts joining as sponsors and the whole Fayetteville crew working their tails off so we can enjoy ourselves.  I noticed that registration has already filled up, but I hope to see some of you in West Virginia.

MK Ambassador Jez Blanchard Releases New Film

Jez reports:

Well after many late nights and a whole lot of work from all involved, our MK Ambassador Jez Blanchard is releasing his first video, Downunder the Horizonline, which is being distributed now via the Heliconia Press.

Downunder the Horizonline follows three Aussie kayakers and their mates on their travels around the  globe, cameras in hand, proving that you can live your dream without having a dream bank account.  Skippy Films presents this entertaining DVD about grabbing a boat and getting after it.  The rivers of the world are waiting to be paddled.

Downunder the Horizonline includes footage from Canada, USA, Norway, and has more Australian whitewater footage than has ever been seen before!

Now is your chance to win some free gear.  Just answer this question...What musical instrument does Colin play in the movie Downunder the Horizonline by Skippy Films?  The first 4 people to email Jez here with the right answer will win a free set of pants courtesy of Mountain Khakis.

Happy 100K to Jesse-Rae

Mountain Khakis would like to announce a special happy 100K and congratulations to Jesse-Rae, the beloved MK LR3 Land Rover.  Jesse-Rae has been a crucial member of the team, especially in the days of the Built Tour.   We drive her to events and to visit dealers.  Here is a link to her 60K celebration.  Next time you see her out on the road, make sure you wave and give her a thumbs up (thumb, not finger).

Mountain Sprouts wins Two 2008 APEX Awards!!

On Friday we received the exciting news from Polartec - Mountain Sprouts is the winner of not one, but 2 Polartec Apex Awards for 2008.  This year's Sprouts winners are the Rogue Softshell Jacket and the Signature Mitts & Booties Gift Set.

The APEX Award Criteria: products are measured against their intended end-use and judged on a) innovation and versatility b) functionality, fit and comfort, performance and wear c) aesthetics.

Mountain Sprouts has now won 4 APEX Awards, including one in 2005 and one in 2007.  Other companies that won in 2007 include Arcteryx, Burton, Cloudveil, Marmot, Patagonia and more.

For those who do not know, Mountain Khakis is the parent company of Mountain Sprouts, which is a member of the MK Family of Brands.  Stay tuned for more on that.  Congratulations to Mountain Sprouts!

Ben Peters Reports on a Successful Weekend

MK Ambassador and extremly talented young kayaker Ben Peters checks in from Wisconsin:

My first slalom race of the year was a very cold one.  28 degrees and whipping wind made for an interesting race.  It was my first time in my new slalom boat, the iTomco APS, and I had a blast.  I placed first in Men's K-1 Race boat, first in Men's OC-2, and first in Men's C-2 race boat.  I had the overall fastest course time and I had a blast.  A great competition with many good kayakers.  As soon as I was done racing I warmed up in my MKs.  This is the first of many races this year and I hope it is the start to a great year of competitions.

I have added two new rivers/creeks to my list, the Pine River and the Eau Claire River.  I had a blast paddling these new rivers and meeting new people.  The Eau Claire had a Dells section that was class 4+.  After consulting with my fellow paddlers we determined it was unsafe to run, there were too many consequences such as recirculating holes, pourovers, huge tree trunks and no place for safety ropes.  I am very glad that I made the decision not to do this rapid.

Now I'm training intensely everyday for Junior National Slalom Team Trials in Golden, Colorado.  The race is on May 31st and June 1st.  Wish me luck!

Greenland 50K Trail Race

MK Ambassador Josh Fuller checks in with this race report:

Greenland 50K

It was the morning of April 19 and it looked to be shaping into a wonderful day of running.  My girlfriend, Cassie, and I had rolled out of bed at 5am to make the drive from Denver to just south of Castle Rock for the 8am start of the Greenland 50K.  It was calm and there seemed a bit of chill in the air.  Maybe foreshadowing the punishment to come, maybe nothing but another spring morning in Colorado.

Needless to say, I was a bit nervous.  This really came as no surprise as I find myself nervous before every race, but the feeling seemed amplified this morning.  I hadn't gotten very good sleep the whole week, and I wasn't in the sort of shape that I should have been.  There was absolutely nothing I could do about it now, so I focused my energy on just going for a little 32 mile jog, with the added bonus of having a number pinned on my shorts.

Bruce Smithhammer Published in Fly Fisherman Magazine

Local MK Ambassador and fly fishing guide/photographer/journalist Bruce Smithhammer has an article published in the current issue of Fly Fisherman, exploring the Jackson Hole fisheries, including the Snake River, Hoback River and Gros Ventre River.  Bruce did a great job in the article of being informative and enthusiastic, but not too informative.  Nobody likes their fishing holes to be revealed to the masses.  Go buy the magazine.

Bruce also has an interview posted online that he held with Scott Yates, director of Trout Unlimited's Wyoming Water Project.  The interview discusses water management along the Snake River watershed.

Check out Bruce's amusing and sometimes confusing website.

Congrats to Albert Nugue and SYMG

Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides (SYMG) was recently named by National Geographic Adventure as one of the Best Outfitters on Earth and they also chose the SYMG's Yosemite Grand Traverse as the Best New Trip of 2008.  Why is this relevant to MK?

MK Ambassador Albert Nugue is the General Manager for SYMG, that's why.  Congratulations to Albert and SYMG for being one of the Best!

Olympic Torch Reaches Everest Summit

We've blogged a few times in the past month or so about the goings-on at Everest Base Camp this season with the Chinese and Nepalese restrictions, as well as the Olympic Torch relay and the goal to take the Torch to the top of Everest.

Climbers with torch, Everest Summit - AP Photo

The One World One Dream climbing team, made up of Tibetan and Chinese climbers, has reached the summit with the Olympic Torch.  The team captain and final torchbearer were both Tibetans.  Aside from all political issues, the mission was a technological feat.  Chinese television spent a fortune building a television studio at base camp and engineering transmission points at camps along the way to the summit.  The torches were designed by rocket scientists and used propane technology that allowed the flame to burn in cold, windy, oxygen-deprive air atop Everest.

With no major protests or issues, the climb went along as planned.  Whether or not you agree with the Chinese decision to take the torch up Everest, it's fortunate that there wasn't any violence or demonstrations on Everest.  It's just not the place for it.

Reuters Video:

Skiing Teewinot, East Face - Photo Essay

Sunday May 4, 2008 - Teewinot Mountain - Grand Teton National Park

Starting Elevation - 6800'  End Elevation - 12,200'

Photos by J. Malman

5am start sunrise over the valley and Jenny Lake booting up from The Apex

Jari Kirkland Checks In, Keeps Winning

So here it is.  I just don't have that many days in the month to do all the things that I want to but I am trying to do them all anyway.  As it turns out even mountain girls have to get out of town every now and again.  Especially when there is nothing to do since all the trails are covered in snow and you can only backcountry ski so many hours in a day before it gets dangerous.

I went to a little town called Fruita a few weeks ago.  It has the best mountain biking trails.  I have been training and playing there.  Which includes going to Arapahoe Basin for the last Randonee race of the season.  I, of course, was hoping for Spring weather but got 3 degrees and snow.  So I finished off the season with a 2nd place.  I think it was the best race of the season.  Then it was back to Fruita to finish off the Fat Tire Festival there.  So much fun.  I won the bottle walk competition.  I think that is just one of those things where you have to be there to understand.  So make it a thing to accomplish on your to-do list.  Bottle walk at the Fat Tire Festival in Fruita.  Sorry guys, this is a ladies only event.

New River Rendezvous - New River Gorge, WV

One of the best and fastest growing rock climbing festivals in the country is fast approaching.  Get your gear together and sign up online for the New River Rendezvous in West Virginia, May 16-18.  Mountain Khakis and Mountain Sprouts are excited to be on board as sponsors for this 6th annual event.

Mountain Khakis will sponsor the Thursday Night First Leg with a pre-festival Pants Olympics.  Be ready to run and have some fun, with or without your pants.  Also, on Friday evening hit the coffee cart and let Mountain Khakis pick up the tab for 2 hours.  Make new friends and sip your cappucino at the Mountain Khakis coffee hour.

Mountain Sprouts is thrilled to sponsor the first ever Scavenger Hunt for kids on Saturday.  The kids will be busy as they run around trying to rack up points, solve riddles and complete challenges.  We hope to see you many of you at the New River Gorge in a few weeks.  Stop by our booth and say hi.

Dealer Profile: Massey's Outfitters - New Orleans

Here at MK we acknowledge the fact that our business depends heavily on the efforts of our retailers, without whom we couldn't do what we do.  We always love to hear from a new (or old) retailer about their successes and/or challenges. 

We're excited to say that one of our newer doors, Massey's Outfitters - New Orleans, is embracing the message of Mountain Khakis while also having an inspirational story of their own.  Their current building, known as the Rowley Building, was storm-damaged and submerged in water from Hurricane Katrina before being renovated and overhauled.  The building itself was restored mostly by Massey's staff members, with a goal not to erase the century-old interior but to restore it to the original state. The new location acts as a retail site plus a warehouse and distribution center.    The company will serve as a great model for small-to-medium sized businesses that want to remain in or move to New Orleans as they expand their business.

Mike Massey, third generation owner, stated that the family got started in the sporting good business in New Orleans, so he felt like this is the right time to be returning.  Massey's also operates stores in Metairie, Baton Rouge and Covington.   

We recently got a nice note from Eddie, the store manager in New Orleans, about how well the brand was doing and how "pumped" the staff is about MK.  We love to hear that, nice work Eddie, thanks for all the hard work.  Eddie also sent us some great photos of himself and some friends climbing in Sedona, Arizona, wearing their MKs, of course.  Enjoy the photos by hitting the link below.

Meet Todd Calitri, MK Ambassador

Todd Calitri is the newest addition to our ever-strengthening group of MK Ambassadors, and we're excited to have found him.  Todd lives in New Hampshire in the winters and in Alaska during the summers.  In the winter Todd works as the Saltwater Expert for Orvis and for The Nature Conservancy.  In Alaska, Todd is the lodge manager at The Alaska Sportsman's Lodge, an Orvis-endorsed, top quality lodge in the Bristol Bay area.

Todd will be a great and valuable addition to the team and we're looking forward to his "fish tales" from the summer in Alaska.  Check back for photos and stories from Todd.