MOUNTAIN KHAKIS - Built For The Mountain Life Blog

Summit Up - Post 4 "What's Taller?"

People often wonder if the highest geographical elevation in a state is higher than some of the states famous structures.  This week, I answer the question of what is taller, Taum Sauk, the highpoint of Missouri, or the St. Louis Arch.  I will be on Taum Sauk next week, so check back in!" Click here to see the answer!

 

MK helps raise money for Non-profits at the Grand Classic Auction - Grand County, CO

On May 9^th MK helped raise over $52,000 for various Colorado non-profits at the Grand Classic Auction put on by the Grand Foundation (Grand County, CO).   As part of this event there will also be the Grand Classic Golf Tournament on Friday, June 26, 2009. 

Glad we could be a part of such a successful and touching event!

Summit Up - 3rd post "The Stopover"

"One of the more random, and therefore enjoyable, things that happened while visiting my first highpoint was getting invited into the home of a couple in Richmond.  They knew I was coming into town, and said they had an extra room if I was interested as I made my way to the highpoint of Missouri.  Of course, my pride was at stake because I had told everyone that I would be roughing it to the extremes.  I didn’t want to be rude, but I knew that the life of an elite climber like me, someone who had just summited the highest point in Indiana at a not so modest elevation gain of “negligible,” as listed by the Highpointer’s Club, could not be pampered.

As I bit into my second brownie with my feet kicked up and my glass of ice cold milk next to me on the table, I decided that maybe the occasional visit back to civilization while on my climbs wasn’t such a bad idea.  Rather than sleeping on rocks or in my Jeep, I got my own full size bed with a heated blanket so it wasn’t “to cold when you get in.”  As opposed to the burnt oatmeal I usually carefully prepare myself each morning, breakfast was amazing enough to ask for seconds, rather than only eat half and then donate the rest to the local worm population like I usually do.

Then of course, it was insisted that I take some food with me.  I am guessing this is probably because I look about as skilled when it comes to culinary as the next ramen noodle connoisseur.  I left there well rested, clean, and with a full belly, looking forward to the next highpoint and to my next one-backpacking-pan culinary masterpiece.

On my way to Taum Sauk, the highest point in Missouri, I drove through St. Louis.  This brought up an interesting question: Is the St. Louis Arch higher than the geographical highpoint of Missouri?  Find out next week."

Where is Spencer Now? – post 2

MK follows Spencer through the PTC:

“I got into Idyllwild, CA yesterday.  Feeling a bit rough and suffering from what I assumed to be heat exhaustion. The day and a half before I got into town, I was unable to keep any food in my system.  However, the hiking through the San Jacinto wilderness was absolutely beautiful and I will be able to upload some awesome pics from my next stop in Big Bear City, CA. I will be getting back on the trail in about an hour at mile 178.6.  My next stop (Big Bear) is mile 256. I will catch you back up from there. Hope all is well on the real world!”

 

New video from MK Ambassador, Jez Blanchard

Check out a new video by MK Ambassador, Jez Blanchard.

Weekend events with MK

Don't forget to check out MK this weekend at the following events:

·         Maker Faire, Bay Area, CA – 5/30-5/31 

·         Mountain Sports Festival, Asheville, NC – 5/29-5/31

·         US Kayak Team, Glenwood Springs, CO – May 30-31

Team MK Training Ride with Sun & Ski Sports in Tulsa, OK

Join Team Mountain Khakis for a fun and easy training ride while they are in Tulsa doing the Tulsa Tough NRC race.

When: Saturday, May 30, 2009
Time: 11 am to roughly 1 pm
Where: Starts and ends at Sun & Ski Sports (6808 South Memorial, Tulsa, OK)

How Do You MK? - Land Rover event

 

Someone sent us this pictures from a Land Rover event in TX.  Too cool not to share!

 

"HOW DO YOU MK?" PHOTO CONTEST... is ending Sun May 31st.

Get those photos of you in your MK's uploaded to the MK Facebook Wall to enter to win a FREE t-shirt or FREE pair of pants.

MK Ambassador, Lauren Burress, shares about the Golden High School Championships

We officially kicked off our Colorado tour on May 9^th, at an event in Golden. We arrived just a couple of hours before the down river race started, and we were amazed with all of the juniors that showed up! After registering in as many events as possible (Freestyle, Slalom, and Down River Racing), my Dad and II decided that I would paddle his BEAST (The Mega Rocker), giving me the greatest advantage possible, without borrowing a wild water boat. I think I may have compressed my spine carrying the 49 pound boat on my head to the start of the race!  Anyways, it was apparently very helpful because I got 2^nd place in the end!

The next day was the Freestyle rodeo, followed by the Slalom event.  Dad woke me up early to practice before the event and as always, it was nice and chilly.  It definitely makes you appreciate Tennessee's “cold” water. The freestyle event had an awesome turn out, with about 15+ juniors! I competed just almost last in the event and was pumped up by the time it was my turn. I made it to finals in the Junior Men’s and came out with a 2^nd place!  I was pretty happy with my rides and was content with what I did.

Up next was the Slalom competition, I was really excited about this event because it was my third Slalom race! A personal goal for this particular race was to not miss any of the gates and I didn't! I was happy to find out I only had 3 touches and finished in 2^nd once again. :) This was a great event and had an enormous amount of juniors! Golden will be holding Senior and Junior events the next three Wednesdays, starting on the 20^th.  See you on the river!

Thanks for sharing Lauren!