Built For The Mountain Life

Salmon, Wolves and Bears, Oh My!

MK Ambassador Todd Calitri, who is the Lodge Manager at The Alaska Sportsman's Lodge in the summers, recently checked in with this amazing photo and an update that'd make anyone a bit jealous:

Well the season here in Bristol Bay is in full swing.  The king salmon are running the Nushugak River and the sockeye just started to pour in at home here on the Kvichak River.  Last night we had a large brown bear with cubs swimming down the river.  She looked just like a mini submarine.  But this morning Mary, who is one of our housekeepers, said she saw a wolf playing tug-o-war with one of the survey markers on our land.  We all thought she was losing it until a few other folks verified the sighting.  A beautiful silver wolf checking out the place.  In ten years here we have never seen a wolf on the property.

The fishing, flying and weather has been great up here, but winter is still showing its strength with a frost yesterday, July 1st.  I want to thank MK for the pants that have become like a new skin for me.  I'll be the first to admit that they are looking pretty worn in and have lost that "shine".  But no signs at all of breakdown or wear.  I wear 'em almost every day.  Thank again.  Until next time...

Todd Calitri

Ben Peters Paddles Hard in Colorado

MK Junior Ambassador Ben Peters has been slaying the rivers in Colorado lately.  Here he checks in with some updates:

These past two weeks have been really hectic and fun!  I have learned and gained so much.  My first week in Colorado was in Salida for the 60th anniversary of FIBark.  The water was really high and cold, but I was certainly well-dressed and prepared for it.  I placed in the sport freestyle, slalom, sprint downriver, classic downriver, the infamous 26-mile downriver and the Hooligan Race.  During competition weekend I never had downtime, I was always competing in one event or another. 

I was really happy with my results!  Freestyle: 1st place, Downriver sprint and classic: 2nd place, 26-mile downriver: 4th place, slalom: 4th place, Hooligan Race = major carnage and entertainment.  I also made the Junior National Downriver Team, I am the second boat on the team.  It was a great festival once again and I look forward to it next year too!

Lauren Burress is a Kayaking Champion

Congratulations to MK Ambassador Lauren Burress for winning the 2008 Junior National Championship in kayaking.  Lauren competed in Slalom where she took 1st place and also won 1st in freestyle, to give her a clean sweep and make her the 2008 Junior Womens Champion.  She qualified for the World Cup and will head over to Europe for 3 weeks.

Hard work and dedication pays off.  Congrats Lauren!  Good luck in Europe!

Check out this highlight video from Lauren.

MK Announces Addition of New Local Ambassador

Mountain Khakis would like to welcome Jackson Hole local Rob LaPier to our exceptional group of MK Ambassadors.  Rob is a native of New York who moved to Jackson to pursue his love for the mountains,  specifically skiing and mountain biking.  Rob is a local youth sports coach as well as a competitor on the US Freeskiing Series.  In 2007 Rob was named Amateur Freeskier of the Year at the Powder Video Awards in Aspen, Colorado.  In 2008 Rob took 3rd at the US Freeskiing Series competition held in Jackson Hole.

Rob is ambitious, hard-working and successful at the things he puts his time and energy into.  In March, Rob helped organize the first ever junior freeskiing competition at Grand Targhee, the "Targhee Tee-Off".  He gets his inspiration from old Warren Miller movies, exhausting physical activities, travel, his mom, the kids he coaches and more.  Outside of competing and athletics, Rob is passionate about video production in part because of its influential nature.  We'll be sure to keep everyone up-to-date on the happenings and successes of Rob in the near future, after his surgically repaired knee heals up.  Welcome aboard Rob!

Katabatic Consulting Returns Home

MK Ambassadors Kristin Peterson and Mike Tayloe, owners of Katabic Consulting, have recently returned from what amounted to 8 months of work and travel away from home.  Kristin and Mike spent roughly a month at Everest Base Camp assisting Dr. Luanne Freer with the Everest ER.  Before that Kristin was teaching in Nepal and Tayloe was in Antarctica.  Epic lives these two live.  Below are a few photos from Everest Base Camp.

Lhakpa Sherpa , Everest base camp managerKristin and Tayloe at Everest Base Camp

Ambassador Update from Summit County, CO

MK Ambassador Hunter Mortensen checks in from Colorado.  Hunter lives the mountain life to the fullest and is fortunate enough to get paid to do what others consider weekend recreation:

Can't say that I've been up to too much lately.  I might have to chalk this update up to taking advantage of summer.  Lots of short hikes with the dogs (because the snow line is only a few miles up each trail), cruising with friends on our townie bikes, watching fellow MK Ambassadors clean house at the Teva Mountain Games and FIBark, and a lot of PBRs in all of my favorite watering holes.

Search and rescue has, luckily, not been too busy even though people are still skiing lines that are never skiied this time of year.  Climbing schedule is starting to fill up so look for some updates and pictures to come.  Don't forget that the summer solstice is this Saturday, plan something epic!

Hunter

MK Ambassadors Finish on Top at FIBArk

Mountain Khakis was represented in a big way last weekend in Salida, Colorado at the FIBArk National Championship Kayaking freestyle competition.  Nick Troutman finished 3rd in the Men's Pro Finals, although it won't count for US Nationals because Nick is Canadian.  Regardless, this Canadian can paddle with the best of them.  Lauren Burress finished in 1st place for Junior Women and Ben Peters also finished in 1st his division.  Nice work everyone, makin' us proud!!  Keep it up.

Photo of Nick Troutman courtesy of World Kayak

Beginning a Himalayan Adventure

MK Ambassador and lover of all things mountainous, Jonathan Willy has recently embarked on a climbing trip to the Himalayas.  Here he checks in at the beginning of his journey:

6/13/2008  -  Just got here two days ago, headed to the mountains tonight - Dharamsala to acclimatize  and pick up supplies, then Manali to hit the hot springs and chill out.  From there its motorcycles over the pass, to the horsies that await to take us up up and away. 

6/15/2008  -  So we're here, as far as here gets anyway.  It looks like Indiana Jones' wild adventure complete with monkeys, llamas, a monsoon, cows and lots of craziness.  We're about to take a monk and a 6-year old to a monastery that sits some thousands of meters above town.  We're one hundred yards away from the tibetan freedom movement headquarters...this is insane.  More later.

Hook, Line and Sinker

MK Ambassador and professional tournament bass angler Sean McLoughlin checks in with an update:

Since I am about to kick-off my tournament season I thought I would check in and let everyone know what I have been up to over the last few months.  Fishing has become a part-time job for me, which is more than I could have imagined at this point.  Aside from continuing with Kaenon Polarized, I am proud to have SAC Fastener Company and my main sponsor (you can read the official press release here) and to be a member of the Vertical Lures Team for the 2009 season.  Add maintaining a blog and spending four or five days a week on the water to my already long list of obligations and you can see that I have been extremely busy.  No complaints though - I am lucky enough to have a supportive family, outstanding sponsors and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  Below is my tournament schedule.  I will check back after each tournament and let you know how things went.  If anyone is close to these tournaments stop by and check out the action, or just say "hi".  I will be pretty easy to find - just look for the bright yellow Vertical Lures jersey with my name on the back.

BFL Empire Division tournament dates and locations:

Lake Champlain, Plattsburg Boat Basin - Plattsburg, NY - June 21st

1000 Islands, French Creek Marina - Clayton, NY - July 12th

Lake Chautauqua, Long Point State Park - Bemus Point, NY - August 2nd

Oneida Lake, Oneida Shores County Park - Brewerton, NY - August 30th

Lake Champlain, Plattsburg Boat Basin - Plattsburg, NY - September 20th-21st

Regional - Albemarle Sound, Waterfront Park - Elizabeth City, NC - October 9th-11th

Trip Report: Cycling Across Missouri

MK Ambassador Brian Dean lives in St. Louis, MO and is an orthopedic surgery resident at St. Louis University.  Brian reports on his recent adventure:

I spent last week on a self-supported cycling trip across Missouri on the wonderfully maintained Katy Trail with my (20 weeks pregnant!) wife.  Once again this adopted Midwestern home state in which I currently reside shocked me with spectacular expanses and abundant wildlife.  We rode for hours at times without seeing another human being, but more indigo buntings, Baltimore orioles, wild turkeys, deer, raptors, ground hogs, turtles and snakes than we could begin to count. 

The trail winds along the Missouri River floodplain, and with the extremely wet spring we've had the river  was running fast and high.  Despite riding into a soul crushing 30-40mph headwind for the last two days, the trip was a cinch, and we had no problems, aside from the inevitable flat tires and occasional broken spoke.  The only non-spandex pair of shorts I took along were my MK Teton Twills, which kept me looking nice in the evenings.

Nick Troutman Finds the Podium at Teva Mountain Games

Congratulations to MK Ambassador and Team Jackson Kayak paddler Nick Troutman for finishing in third place in the very competitive freestyle kayak event at the Teva Mountain Games in Vail.  Nick finished behind Eric Jackson and Dustin Urban in a close race.  For more coverage on the events, check out Jackson Kayak or World Kayak websites.

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!!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Craig Childs in High Country News

MK Ambassador and highly-acclaimed author Craig Childs has written the cover story for the current issue of the High Country News, an nonprofit independent biweekly news magazine that reports on the West's natural resources, public lands and changing communities.  Craig's article, entitled Pillaging the Past, explores the fine line that separates archaeology from grave- and site-robbing in the American Southwest. 

Check out the article, and subscribe to HCN.  This is one of the last true resources for the important issues facing the American West.

Craig Childs lives in Crawford, Colorado on the beautiful western slope.  He spends most of his time in the desert with his family and his pen and paper.

Pro Golfer Wesley Horne Joins MK Ambassador Team

We're excited to announce that Wesley Horne, professional golfer on the European Challenge Tour and the NGA Hooters Tour, is our newest MK ambassador.  His strong work ethic and determination are admirable and are also reflected in his stong finishes.  He'll be representing MK on golf courses around the US, Europe and Africa.  Wesley graduated from NC State and his been playing professionally since then.

We're excited to have Wesley out on the course representing MK and we look forward to tracking his progress throughout the summer.  Good luck Wesley!  We're sure that our Lake Lodge Twills will be perfect for you, and hopefully they'll bring you good luck as well.

Dispatch from Everest: 1 American Removed

MK Ambassador Mike Tayloe checks in from Nepal:

24 April 2008  Kathmandu, Nepal

So, yesterday the news filtered down that 1 American has been removed from his Everest expedition for having a "Free Tibet" flag in his expedition gear, just days ahead of a planned ascent by Chinese climbers carrying the Olympic torch .  He was a part of the Eco-Everest Team.

Both our sources from base camp and the Kathmandu news reported that during a search of one of the expedition's gear they located the flag...precisely the reason the military is there.  As of now, just the single member was escorted down to Kathmandu instead of the entire expedition permit being revoked...a surprise from we'd been told.  So it still remains serious up there and I guess the military is doing what they said...unreal!!

Take care and be safe...Namaste

Tayloe and Kristin

MK Ambassador featured on Cartoon Network

Lauren Burress, MK Ambassador and ripping young kayaker, has been featured on Cartoon Network's series Props, which highlights the achievements and talents of 20 of America's most talented kids.  Click the link above to watch her segment.  A vote will take place in the summer and top 6 kids will win something big.  We'll be sure to remind you all when it's time to vote.  Congrats Lauren, keep up the good work.

www.laurenburress.com

Imperial Challenge - Breckenridge, CO

There is no better way to wrap up an epic season than to compete in an epic local race.  On Saturday I raced in the Imperial Challenge.  The race starts in the Town of Breckenridge; you ride your bike 6.3 miles up a dirt road to the base of the ski area.  Then you pick up your skis, which are staged there for you, for a skin to the summit of Peak 8, a 3000 vertical foot slog.  At the top you ski back down to the base, the finish line and the beer.  Needless to say it is a great transition between the ski season and the biking season.

I did not beat my personal best this year, however I was able to finish 5th in my age group.  My weakness this year was definitely the biking portion.  Like the rest of the Rocky Mountains, the snow has not stopped, so my bike has stayed strapped to the ceiling of my garage.  I chose to do the ski part on my Nordic skis.  They are fast and light for the long climb.  I believe I make up enough time on the way up to sacrifice the time lost trying to ski down a double diamond run on two-inch wide skis.  So that concludes my winter - it doesn't mean the skis are packed away - but I am now ready for the upcoming climbing, biking and hiking season. 

MK Ambassador Hunter Mortensen is truly Built For The Mountain Life, and thus finds his Mountain Khakis to be perfect for his lifestlye.

Katabatic Consulting departs Everest Base Camp

We received word from MK Ambassadors Kristin Peterson and Mike Tayloe of Katabatic Consulting that they've departed base camp, arrived back in Namche and fulfilled all of their goals.  They were there to assist Dr. Luanne Freer with the Everest ER base camp clinic.  The tasks included: setting up the solar system to power the medical equipment, assessing the medical equipment and recommending further equipment for the following seasons and training the sherpas in rescue techniques.  Several of the sherpas had taken Kristin's wilderness medical course in January and were dialed in from that.

"A quick word on the political mess:  As you know the Chinese government closed the North side of Everest to climbing and asked the Nepali government to do the same for the South Side...they did not close the climbing but they did enact a series of restrictions; no summit attempts until after May 10, restrictions on when and to what elevation climbers could go until then, no email dispatches and/or pictures, no videos, no SAT phone calls until after May 10.  The Nepali government is very serious about these regulations and everyone is on pins and needles.   Pictures will be available after May 10th."

Spring Skiing in MKs

This may be the first I have ever seen of MK Alpine Utility pants worn while hiking and then skiing. Maybe the new trend for next winter...

MK Ambassador Steve Romeo is able to wear his MKs to work, and then keep them on for a few laps on the King.  Check out Steve's website, TetonAT.

Spring Cleaning in St. Louis

My wife and I spent Saturday morning working with the wonderful folks from Trailnet and Missouri River Relief cleaning up a creek just north of St. Louis near where it empties into the currently massive Mississippi River.  The river is running about a foot above flood stage right now so we weren't able to access the immediate mouth area of the tributary, but we found plenty of trash further up.  Our team of nine gathered just under a half ton (three trailer loads) of refuse in about three hours of back-breaking  work, and altogether the 100 or so volunteers removed 4 tons from the watershed.  My MK Alpine Utility Pants not only put up with the chilly wind, mud, briars and rusty metal trash but also garnered me a few compliments as well!  I'm pretty beat and sore now, but it was a great way to help out the highly pressured, yet still beautiful, natural world right here in the St. Louis metro area.

MK Ambassador Brian Dean is an orthopedic surgery resident in St. Louis and tries to get outside every chance he gets.  Soon Brian hopes to have his own practice, caring for outdoor athletes, among others.

Flooded Out

MK Ambassador Zach Matthews posted a trip report on his website.  A tough night camping in Georgia, to say the least.  Hit the link below to read about the flood and view the pictures.

Itinerant Angler

MK Ambassador in Outside Magazine

MK Ambassador Kristin Peterson, co-owner and founder of Katabatic Consulting, made it into the most recent edition of Outside Magazine, in their 'Best Jobs' feature.  Currently, Kristin is at Everest Base Camp (EBC), assisting Dr. Luanne Freer with with Everest Base Camp Medical Clinic.  The team has arrived at EBC and has the clinic set up.  They've already treated 8 patients, and the masses are beginning to arrive.  Looks this climbing season will go off as usual, despite recent word of setbacks and closures.  Check the Everest ER website for dispatches from base camp.

South Fork Fishing Report, Snake River, Idaho

MK Ambassador Bruce Smithhammer recently returned from Patagonia, and checks in with a brief report on the South Fork of the Snake River:

Good to quite good.  Lots of midge activity, and little black stoneflies are making an appearance, with skwalas just around the corner...

South Fork and Luna

S. Fork Rainbow

Ambassador Photography

Jonathan Willy hikes in Cali

Josh Fuller in Belize

Jari Kirkland ripping skins in CO

Elk Mountain Grand Traverse

The Elk Mountain Grand Traverse is a backcountry ski race from Crested Butte, Colorado to Aspen, up and over and through the Elk Mountains, over 40 miles long.  The race takes anywhere from 9 hours from the elite to over 14 hours for the slower teams.  Teams of two must race together, stick together, and carry approved backcountry safety gear, food, water and be independently prepared for a 24-hour bivouac. 

The 11th annual race was last weekend, and consisted of mostly skiiers from Colorado, although a handful of folks from the Jackson area were there to represent and have some fun.  Congratulations to MK Ambassador Jari Kirkland and her partner Rebecca Dussault (Olympic cross-country skiier) for finishing in first place in the Women's Division and 15th overall.  Jari is a super competitor and excels in endurance races, adventure races and triathlons.  We'll be sure to keep you updated on Jari as her events come up.

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_8763623

Meet Ben Peters - Kayaking Junior Champion

Whitewater kayaking and kayak competitions, despite their extreme nature and high level of difficulty, are no longer adult-oriented activities.  Ben Peters is the 2006 and 2007 C2 Junior Olympics champion.  He competes in freestyle, downriver, boater-cross and slalom.  Last year Ben was in China with the Olympic Development Team and trained on the prototype slalom course for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Ben is 15 and lives in Hudson, WI.  Other than kayaking, Ben competes in alpine ski racing, high school track and high school soccer.  I first met Ben at Canoecopia 2008 in Madison, WI and was impressed by his maturity, determination, love for kayaking and true appreciation for Mountain Khakis.  We are excited to be partnered up with Ben and look forward to tracking his progress.   

Professional Climbing Guides Institute

MK Ambassador Albert Nugue is the General Manager and Director of guide training for Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides.  He was recently named President of the Board of Directors for the new non-profit Professional Climbing Guides Institute (PCGI):

PCGI is a nationally organized, non-profit, non-membership based institute that develops and implements training curricula and standards solely for the education and assessment of professional and aspiring rock climbing guides.

In a nutshell, the mission of PCGI is to further develop and define the safety standards of guided rock climbing through enhanced standards, education and training.  PCGI currently holds several different training courses, including top rope guide, single-pitch guide, multi-pitch guide and more. 

This is a new and unique program that was developed based on the need for affordability, opportunity, choice, U.S.A.-specific standards and overall updated assessment methods and standards.  Check out the website for more information.

Kayak Trip Report from Lauren Burress

MK Ambassador and super-talented young kayaker Lauren Burress checks in from Tennessee with an update:

Easter weekend we finally got to run the Piney.  I've been waiting two years for this.  The beginning of the Piney was very mellow.  Then a few tributaries poured into the creek and it started to get a little faster.  The Piney has a lot of natural beauty, from the gorge section to the many tributaries and waterfalls.  The first drop we came to we scouted and ran and it was pretty cool because you landed right in a hole that just fed you out in to the big pool below.

Everest ER: Namche to Tengboche

Another Dispatch from the Edge from MK Ambassadors Tayloe and Kristin:

photo courtesy Press Club of Tibet

28 March 2008, Tengboche, Nepal, 12,810 feet

Today we trekked from Namche Bazar to Tengboche.  Pretty brutal uphill climb gaining over 2000 feet, up up and up.  Once again, the scenery was unreal as the peaks are starting to surround us closer and closer.  Will stay the night here and head to Pheriche in the a.m.  We will spend several days there at the HRA medical clinic organizing our medical equipment and gear.  From there its on to the Big E.  Several days trek into base camp and there will be no Internet until we are settled in camp

Trip Report: Avalanche Education in the San Juan Mountains

What do you get when you have more than 400 inches of snow, the hairiest mountains in Colorado, and the most avalanche prone highway in the lower forty-eight?  You get the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado.  The only place you would want to spend four days getting your level two American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) certification.  I recently got back from Durango, CO working on my AIARE level two.

Everest ER: From Lukla to Namche

The adventures continue for MK Ambassadors Mike Tayloe and Kristin Peterson as they attempt to make their way to Everest Base Camp in order to set up the medical clinic.  We'll be following their progress through periodic updates:

March 26, 2008

Greetings all from 4000 meters in the Khumbu Valley.  I cannot even attempt to describe this place...huge peaks everywhere...it's beautiful.  We flew into Lukla without incident the day before yesterday and trekked to Phatding for the night.  Pretty mellow hike that took about 3 hours.  Check out these photos of Lukla airstrip...spicy!

"Dam Patagonia" says ENDESA

Local MK Ambassador Bruce Smithhammer has recently been down south fishing the mighty waters of southern Chile and Argentina.  The Patagonia region is a very special and fragile area, with some of the most pristine rivers and beautiful landscapes anywhere in the world.  Bruce wrote a brief story on the current plan to dam the Rio Baker and export the energy for profits.  Local reaction is not passive.  Great pictures included.  Check it out on Bruce's blog, Buster Wants to Fish.

Nepal: The Roads vs. The Mountain

MK Ambassadors Tayloe and Kristin of Katabatic Consulting check in with an update from Nepal:

March 23, 2008

Did I mention the driving situation here?  Good Lord!!  It's amazing that a death or two per MINUTE does not occur...the way people drive here blows my mind.  For those of you who know what I am talking about...you get it.  For those who don't, there is no way that I can adequately explain it...pure madness!

Checking In from the FIS Telemark World Cup Finals

Lorin Paley is 15 years old, an MK Ambassador and a member of the US Telemark Racing Team.  Here she reports from the World Cup Competition at Sugarbush, VT.

Right now I am up in Vermont for the Telemark World Cup Competition.  So far I have taken a 9th place and a 6th place.  Hopfully I will continue to move up the ladder over these next few days of competition.  It is so much fun competing against all of the top telemark racers from Europe and Japan.  Recently I took second place overall at the Telemark Nationals in Idaho.  Honestly, I would have liked a first but there is always next year - something to shoot for.  I'll keep ya posted.

Easter Rescue - Mt. Whitney, California

"I spent my night huddled in a snow cave that I hastily built around 11am on the side of Mt. Whitney.  I was soaking in the hot springs contently out of my mind, when my pager went off.  Next thing I know, I'm in a Bell 460 en route to save a guy that had fallen 1,000 feet.  You should have seen him, he was still alive, it was a miracle.  We tried to keep him warm and stabilize him, but we ran out of oxygen and he got combative.  At 2am, two US Army Blackhawk Helicopters with night vision crazy technology, set a new parameter for the operations of helicopters.  One landed for us at 13,000 feet on a snow patch at night.  It was insane, I've been inside a number of helicop