MOUNTAIN KHAKIS - Built For The Mountain Life Blog

Summit Up - Post 21“The Backpacking Theory"

“The Backpacking Theory: How Deprivation leads to Appreciation.

 

Every time this thought enters my mind, I get the same feeling that I imagine an elderly person gets when they remember the speech they just gave that started with, “When I was your age…”  Although I am younger than many of the people that I explain my basic theory to, I can’t help but realize that I have a rather unusual look on not just making money, but life overall. 

 

The “theory” that I am talking about is one that I coined while trudging though some hot, stagnant aired forest with mosquitoes the size of small birds sucking blood out of me faster you could say, “Oh my God, I hope I don’t get West Nile Virus!”  It was in during this exhilarating experience that I came up with my “How to enjoy life: Appreciation through Deprivation” thesis.

 

The whole basis for this “theory,” if you can call it that, is that the best way someone can learn to enjoy their surroundings and learn to be patient while being persistent, is to take themselves out of their comfort zone, and go for total misery.  And the quickest, cheapest, and easiest path that I know of to leave ones comfort zone and give them a healthy dose of deprivation is backpacking.

 

Now, before anyone jumps to conclusions, I want to make it clear that although I enjoy pointing some of the lesser attributes of backpacking, it is an activity that I enjoy.  After reading this some may wonder WHY I enjoy it, and the best justification that I can give is to tell them to give it a try.  With that being said, I will get back to backpacking.

 

At the basis of this theory, there are two main principles that are separate issues, but work together to address one main “problem” that many people feel that they face.  The first problem addressed is the feeling of not having enough material possessions, and the second is the annoying habit of feeling sorry for oneself. 

 

Addressing the first principle of not having enough material possessions happens almost the moment a backpacker steps on the trail.  Since everything that the individual brought along is on their back, it becomes instantly obvious that more is not better.  The mind suddenly starts to run through the pile of unnecessary junk on ones back, and beings to wonder why that pillow, extra shirt, or toothbrush handle (no joke) is being lugged around.  This thought process rapidly accelerates when walking on inclines, and jumps exponentially when pushing oneself back up after face planting down a hill.  It usually doesn’t take long for the mind to reach the conclusion that although most stuff in life is nice, it sure isn’t necessary.

 

The second issue of feeling sorry for oneself really never actually goes away, it is just magnified so much that once the individual reaches society again, feeling sorry for oneself doesn’t make sense, since they are excited almost to a childish level.  I will give a few examples that may seem ridiculous, but are actually true.  Take something as basic as a real meal.  Quickly jumping back to our first issue, we remember that less is better, and this goes for food as well, both in weight and quantity (and usually quality).  After a week of rice, beans, dried fruit, and oatmeal; a cheeseburger is a real God send.  On a more basic level, running water is a truly exciting thing upon ones return to the real world.  After a week of drinking warm, fishy tasting water that has been flavored with iodine to kill any viruses that the water filter missed, a simple glass of cold water is better than can be imagined.  The list of examples goes on and on from sleeping with a pine cone you forgot to move jabbing you in the back all night; to trying to bathe in water that is so cold it does disturbing things to certain parts of the male’s anatomy, and makes breathing next to impossible.  The point of realizing that, “Hey, I don’t have it so bad,” sets in real quick when one hops back into their vehicle and drives to a motel for the night. 

 

The best thing, however, that I feel backpacking offers is the chance to think.  Backpacking is physically tiring, but mentally stimulating.  There is very little noise, and the mind gets a chance to just relax and wander.

 

So there you have it, the next time you feel that you have it SO hard, and that you NEED that new suit, car, gold-plated harmonica, or whatever; remember that a little bit of serious deprivation can end up making your everyday world pretty rosy.  And from that foundation, one can go out and happily achieve their goals while never feeling like they HAVE to get to a certain point to be successful.

 

Check out my video post from this week.”

 

"Get In Our Duds" Week 5 Winner and THANKS To All Who Played Along

  Congratulations to Sarah Koschinska for winning the week 5 Challenge for the MK and KEEN fall contest.

Check out Sarah's submission: "My parents had some land up north that we camped on when we were kids. When I got older, used to go up by myself to camp. Actually, I didn't want to go by myself, so I always took Zach, our trusty Standard Poodle. He was a great companion and camping buddy. He passed away about a year ago. We miss him and hope to adopt another little buddy soon!"

Since this was the last week for the “Get In Our Duds” contest, MK wanted to thank EVERYONE who entered.  Keep an eye out for other fun things to come!

 

MK November Events

·Outdoor Industry Women's Coalition, REI and IMBA Women's Event, Boulder, CO - November 5

·American Foundation for Children with Aids/Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up, A Taste in Noda and Climb Up Charlotte,  Charlotte, NC – November 6-7

· Inner Passage, Yoga and Rock Climbing Retreat, Flagstaff, AZ – November 6-8

· University of Maryland, UMD Throwdown, College Park, MD – November 7

· Slippery Rock University, 5^th Bouldering BASH, Slippery Rock, PA – November 7

· DeAngelo Williams Foundation, Council For Children’s Rights and Carolina Breast Friends, Charlotte, NC – November 9

· St. Gabriel’s School, Octoberfest Auction, Charlotte, NC – November 10

· Ducks Unlimited – Greenville Chapter, Fall Banquet, Greenville, SC – November 12

· Wild Iris Mountain Sports, Women’s Event, Lander, WY – November 12

· Urban Rocks Gym, ABS Local Boulder Competition, Chattanooga, TN – November 14

· Colorado Avalanche Information Center, 2ndAnnual CAIC Benefit Bash, Breckenridge, CO – November 14

· Appalachian Mountain Club – Connecticut Chapter, Annual Gathering, Rocky Hill, CT – November 14

· Arkansas Climbers Coalition andOzark Outdoor Supply, Bouldering Competition, Little Rock, AR – November 14

· Prairie Dog Coalition and Neptune Mountaineering, Wild & Scenic Film Festival, Boulder, CO – November 15-16

· CORE at Valdosta State University, Team Climbing Competition, Valdosta, GA – November 16

· Pine Mountain Sports, Powder Hound Preview, Bend, OR – November 18

· Equiventures LLC, USEA Competition, Ocala, FL – November 21

· Hudson Trail Outfitters, Fall 2009 Outdoor Expo, Rockville and Pentagon Row Locations – November 21

· University of Pittsburgh, Fundraiser/Climbing Competition to benefit the New River Alliance of Climbers – November 21

·Stone Gardens Climbing Gym, Seattle Bouldering Challenge, Seattle, WA - November 21

· Wing Over the Prairie Festival, Duck Calling Championship, Stuttgart, AR – November 27-28

· Inner Passage, Iztaccihuatl/Orizaba Mexico Climb, Iztaccihuatl and Orizaba, Mexico - November 28 – December 6

· Berry College, Environmental and Sustainability Program – Fall 2009 through Spring 2010

MORE TO COME….

RECAP: MK Supports Colarado School of Mines' Climbing Competition

"The staff and participants of the fall 2009 Colorado School of Mines, Outdoor Recreation Center’s Climbing Competition wishes to thank Mountain Khakis for their contribution. I am sure we will be seeing several pairs worn around campus!

The Colorado School of Mines Outdoor Recreation Center hosts a Semi-Annual Bouldering Competition at our wall in the Student Recreation Center. The competition is open to all CSM students, faculty, and alumni. For this years comp we had over 35 competitors competing in three divisions recreational, intermediate and advanced with male and female categories; as well as, numerous spectators. It was a fun time and great atmosphere.

Thanks again MK!”

RECAP: MK Supports the 1st Annual Dolores River Disc Golf Tournament

“Discs were flying at the 1^st Annual Dolores River Disc Golf Tournament at Gateway Canyons Resort in Gateway, CO.  Nearly 60 participants were on hand for this event marking the official opening of the Dolores River Disc Golf Course to the public.

 

Sponsored by Mountain Khakis, Gateway Canyons, and the Grand Valley Disc Golf Club, this pro-am event was officially sanctioned by the PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association).  The event began on Friday evening with an un-scored round of 18 holes played in the dark with players throwing their L.E.D. lighted discs towards the glow-stick illuminated baskets.  Saturday marked the start of the first of three rounds to be played by beginning disc golfers and pro’s alike. 

 

Tournament organizer Bill Alderman said “this is a great event on a great course.  We look forward to the event next year.”  Other players were amazed at the scenery and the course design by local disc golf legend Pete Wade.  Players commented on the flow of the course, the overall length, and the fact that it can be played year round.

 

According to the PDGA, the number of disc golf courses in the U.S. has tripled since 2000 and is currently near 3000 courses.  Several courses exist in the Grand Valley and more are currently being built or are in the planning stages.  Gateway’s course is open to the public 7 days a week and there is no charge to play.  It takes about 1 ½ hours to play the entire course and discs may be checked out from the Adventure Center at Gateway Canyons with a nominal fee for lost discs.” 

RECAP: MK Supports Climb Up So Our Kids Can Grow Up - Kilimanjaro Event

"I want to thank Mountain Khakis  once again for participating in our Climb Up Kilimanjaro Event.  This event was one of a series of events that we run in order to raise funds and awareness for the children, caregivers, and pregnant mothers we work with in Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Through the Climb Up Kilimanjaro event we have been able to raise over $30,000.  Thank you.

 

Some comments from the team:

“I have worn various jeans and Carhartt pants throughout the years but I can say that the Mountain Khakis, Alpine Utility pants are the most comfortable fit.  I don’t normally wear Carhartts or jeans while traveling but decided to wear my Mountain Khakis on my recent trip to Tanzania.  Throughout the very loooong trip, they were comfortable.  The generous cut meant no pinching. J  I believe these pants will outlast any pair of jeans or Carhartts that I own, and am so happy that I already purchased another pair!” - Eric Weaver

“I love my Mountain Khakis, they're great!  Very tuff!”

 

"I was very impressed with the customer service from Mountain Khakis.  I had trouble finding the right fit, but MK was very understanding and helpful.  New products arrived quickly." - Randi Wenrick

 

“These are pants made for rugged terrain and great comfort…..thanks MK!” -Brain Hauenstein

 

“My cords are the softest and most comfortable ever.  Although soft, they also feel like they will last forever.  I look forward to wearing them during our Climb Up Charlotte event. J” - Tanya Weaver

 

" Mountain Khaki pants are great for hiking or just hanging out in camp"  - Tom Dimler  

 

 

 

 

Week 4 "Get In Our Duds" Winner

 

  Congratulations to Daniel Soderstorm for winning the week 4 Challenge for the MK and KEEN fall contest.

 

 

Check out Daniel's submission:

"One summer, my wide and i were camping in Canada.  On our first night, we realized we had forgotten our tent poles at home, which was not 6 hours away.  We ended up finding a downed tree that we stripped of its branches.  We duct taped them together to create poles, which we used for the whole week long trip."

Congrats Daniel! Hope you enjoy your new duds!

RECAP: MK Supports 350.org's River of Action

"On Saturday, October 24, nearly 200 whitewater and sea kayaks, stand up paddle boards, and canoes converged on the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon to form a giant floating 350 as part of the largest global day of climate action ever. Paddlers in this River of Action event joined more than 5,200 rallies in more than 180 nations to urge world leaders to take fast and effective action on global warming, to bring attention to the number 350. Scientists have insisted in recent years that 350 parts per million is the most carbon dioxide (CO²) we can safely have in the atmosphere. The current CO² concentration is 390 parts per million.

We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day in Portland. The sunny, warm weather helped to keep folks in good spirits as they fought a strong current in the river channel to form the 350. But even with the current, everyone came together to make it happen. Paddlers were stoked to be out on the water taking a stand to protect the planet where we live and the rivers where we play. As paddlers, we experience the impacts of climate change firsthand. Less snowpack is drastically affecting our rivers and waterways. The climate is something we can get back on track. And after Saturday, there’s no doubt that we want to see real action from the world on climate change before it’s too late.

Around the world on Saturday—from the Willamette River to the melting slopes of Mt. Everest—people took part in the 350.org International Day of Climate Action.

The actions come six weeks before the world’s nations convene in Copenhagen for the United Nations Climate Change Conference to draw up a new climate treaty. Eighty-nine countries have already endorsed the 350 target, as well as the chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Rajendra Pachauri, the world’s foremost climate economist, Sir Nicholas Stern, Nobel prize-winner Al Gore and hundreds of thousands of global citizens. All agree that current atmospheric levels of CO²—390 parts per million—are causing damage to the planet and to its most vulnerable people, and that government action at the Copenhagen climate conference is required to bring the earth’s carbon level swiftly down."

 

RECAP: MK Supports The AAC's Craggin' Classic

"More than 200 climbers from over 13 different countries flocked to Salt Lake City to celebrate climbing at the AAC’s 2nd Annual Craggin’ Classic. With extraordinary help from the Salt Lake Climber’s Alliance and AAC industry partners, the rotating annual event dove into the deep community of Wasatch climbing. Locals climbed next to pros, Italian climbers swapped beta with climbers from Japan, and young guns gave tips to climbers from the 60’s (on routes those climbers put up themselves in the 60’s!).

Zac Robinson, an SLCA volunteer, organized the locals-only tours and Sessions with the Pros.

Salt Lake City's Tolchok Trio kept the crowd dancing Saturday night.  Friday night, climbers flocked into Big Cottonwood Canyon for the festival’s kickoff at Brighton Ski Resort’s Milly Chalet. Twenty-four international climbers, fresh from a week of crack-climbing in Indian Creek, arrived on the scene ready to see how American climbers celebrate. Petzl athletes and SLCA volunteers served a dinner sponsored by Petzl and Mountain Khakis, and attendees enjoyed wine provided by Redwood Creek and local microbrews from wind-powered Uinta Brewery.

After dinner, Jonathan Thesenga presented Alex Honnold with the Club’s Bates Award for outstanding achievement by a young climber. Alex accepted via video, cracking up the crowd. Brian Smoot then took the stage with slides chronicling golden years of climbing around Salt Lake City. Up next was Steve House, sharing photos and stories from his book, Beyond the Mountain. Andrew Burr finished the night with a fast-paced show that embraced the wild diversity of climbing.

The next morning, down-clad climbers huddled around coffee and breakfast sponsored by the North Face, getting ready to head out to the area crags. An all-star cast of SLC locals came out to lead five-star locals-only tours in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, and many attendees took advantage of Utah Mountain Guides-sponsored Sessions with the Pros — clinics with Kitty Calhoun, Kate Rutherford, Jasmin Caton, Caroline George, Mikey Schaefer, Steve House, Nancy Feagin and Cedar Wright. The day turned bright and crisp: perfect for sending. Saturday evening saw everyone back up at Brighton for dinner, music and libations of choice. Black Diamond’s own Use As Is and the Tolchok Trio kept everyone dancing until the place shut down.

The SLCA rallied climbers for a number of service projects on Sunday. The Craggin’ Classic wrapped up in style Sunday evening with a film fest and billiard championships at Brewvies in SLC. Stay tuned for the location of next year’s Classic, and check out Chris Dickey’s video of this year’s event."

RECAP: MK Sponsors The Fourth Annual 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell

MK Ambassador, Andy Chasteen, shares with us the 24 Hour of Horseshoe Hell experience:

“The Fourth Annual 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell brought many new and exciting variables to the table.  Ample rain, Tommy Caldwell, mucho loud screaming and the best event to ever grace the walls of Horseshoe Canyon Ranch!

In the weeks leading up to the comp, rain pounded the Ranch in droves leaving the majority of the routes wet, even 2-3 days before go time.  As they say, the show would still go on; however, the danger factor would be amplified to epic proportions.  Luckily by Thursday morning, as climbers had already begun to funnel into the canyon, the sun poked it's head out and started its work.  By Friday, 24HHH promised to be a dry affair and energy was buzzing in the steep sandstone faces.  That afternoon over 300 climbers, volunteers and spectators funneled into the canyon.  4 p.m. kicked off the Ranch's pasta dinner, followed up by the Fourth Annual Slackline Competition and the newly added Speleo Box Time Trials.  By 8 p.m. Big Smith was on stage outside jamming to a packed natural amphitheater of people wildly dancing like it was last on their bucket list.  Pimpin and Crimpin polished the evening off in the barn loft with a late night party that brought forth the true meaning of Whiskey Wednesday (on a Friday).

Saturday morning brought the traditional climber meeting, competitor costumes, role call, and climber creed, which was read by Jer Collins.  At 10 a.m. the shotgun fired and all 230 rock rats spread across the canyon to claim their first spots and settle into the 24 hour grind that was to come.  As the sun blazed throughout the day, climbers varied their strategies to chase shade and avoid waiting on high traffic routes.  Night fell on the ranch during the 7:30 hour, and at 8 p.m. electric deafening screams rang acoustically through the canyon as over 400 voices yelled in unison.  Goose bumps rose to the skin, energy was renewed, and tempo's picked back up.  Every hour, on the hour even into the light of morning, these unity yells across the canyon brought a sense of community, camaraderie, and reborn fire to climbers.  Many climbers stayed strong moving fast all through the night, only stopping for food and water.  Other's stayed steady, making sure they climbed that one route each hour for the bonus points and horseshoe trophy.  Some couldn't cut it and turned in their score cards early, crashing into their tents thirsting for the sleep coma to ensue.  As the sun rose over the eastern walls of the canyon, new found psyche found its way to fingers, arms and minds.  The last push was on to break records, route totals, point totals, and personal bests.  At 10 a.m. the shotgun sounded, ending one of the most difficult endurance events in the nation.  24HHH competitors turned in their scorecards, breathed a sigh of relief, and headed to the barn for the awards presentation.

24HHH had over 500 people slammed into Horseshoe Canyon Ranch in the form of 230 competitors, over 60 volunteers, and spectators.  Camaraderie was high.  Competition was fierce.  

Tommy Caldwell climbed 123 routes including (30) 5.12's, (36) 5.11's and (2) 5.13's, and won the individual division by a stunning 10,000 points.  He and Jer Collins (Nineteen-fingered-two-headed-beast-of-the-rockalypse) won the team division with a combined 222 routes, and Jer placed second in the individual division.  60 year old 24HHH veteran Dick Dower and Natalie Neal (Team Leather and Lace) wrapped up the team intermediate division, with both finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively in the individual intermediate category.  The female category was deep with talent and Brittany Griffith, Kate Rutherford, and Natalie Neal brought in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall.  12 climbers logged over 100 routes each, and 134 endured the full 24 Hours, gaining the traditional "horseshoe" award.  The true winners were those who pushed through the hurt and accomplished goals to be proud of. For full results click on here.

2010 commences on Sept 24-26, 2010.  Registration opens August 3 at 9 am and will be full within 24 hours.  Mark your calendar and start sandpapering your fingertips.”