MOUNTAIN KHAKIS - Built For The Mountain Life Blog

How Do You MK? - Eddie Elsberry

Check out Eddie as he hikes the Petroglyph National Monumnet and the Sandia Mountains in his

MK 3D Chino Logo Cap.

How Do You MK? - Rodney McDonald

“Milagro Rodriguez is a 7 year old that was born with Spina Bifida. She lives in an impoverished community of make shift homes in Managua Nicaragua in a 14’x14’ corrugated tin building with 5 other family members.

Until recently, the only way she had to get around was in a stroller for a baby or in the arms of her mother. Of course, as she has grown, it has become more uncomfortable to ride in the stroller and her mother was finding it more and more difficult to carry her in her arms everywhere they needed to go.

In August, Diane Wheatley, was visiting Nicaragua with a mission group from North Carolina and examined Milagro. At that moment, the young girl and her plight entered the kind and giving heart of Diane which set out to find a wheelchair to help her have a more fulfilled life. Having met Milagro in the end of her visit did not leave Diane much time to react. She quickly found a local trusted contact and left money with them to find the young child a wheelchair. Her local contact did the best they could being in a country that many resources are hard to find and purchased a used wheelchair quickly. Unfortunately, it was adult sized and did not allow much comfort for a child so small.

Diane and I had met casually in the lobby of a hotel in Managua the night before she was leaving and I had explained a little to her about ERSLA. Upon receiving the news and a photo of Milagro in the chair it was obvious that her gift had not met 100% of her intentions, she asked me if ERSLA could assist to make it better for Milagro. “I want this child to receive all the assistance available to her.” said Diane.

ERSLA visited the family, met the doctors helping the child and talked with experts on Spina Bifida to learn more specifically what could be done for her. Nicaragua being a country that is difficult to find specialized resources (partly because the streets are unnamed), we decided to spend some time around crowded shopping malls to find people in wheelchairs that could lead us to custom craftsmen that could build a chair specifically for Milagro and her needs. Soon we were taken to a small shop in Managua called “Fundacion para la Movilidad Independiente”. The gentleman that constructed her wheelchair was once a very talented athlete, but had lost his legs in a land-mine incident. We took Milagro to get measured for her wheelchair.. We made sure that Milagro and her mother knew that this chair was to be made to their wishes and they began telling the craftsman exactly what they would like. It was obvious they had been dreaming of this for a long time. While they were measuring her for her chair, we asked Milagro if she was excited to be getting a new wheelchair made just for her. She said “Yes, because now I can go to school on my own!”

With the help of Dianne and other donors to ERSLA, we were able to gather the rest of the money needed to get the wheelchair made quickly.

Wednesday, we got the call the wheelchair was ready. Immediately we went to pick it up. It was special made exactly to the wishes of Milagro and her mother, even with a removable desk top so she can sit comfortably in her small classroom without having to be carried.

Thursday morning we met her mother and surprised Milagro at school with all her friends around to see her new “wheels”. She was so excited, but what was amazing was to see the excitement in her friends to know she could now move around easier in class.

Being the first time in her 7 years of life, she has been able to move around independently was quite a moment. She will need a little practice, but to witness her push herself around  was very much like watching a child take their first steps. Absolutely amazing progress toward her independence in life. We walked with Milagro as she wheeled herself down the rough dirt road toward her house for the first time without any assistance. While she practiced turning and backing up in the yard in front of her house we asked her what she was most excited about now that she had the wheelchair. She said “now I get to play with my friends instead of just watch them”

Thank you Diane and all the others who selflessly gave to help a child in need have more opportunity in life.”

How Do You MK? - MK PR Manager, Jen Taylor

Jen Taylor, MKs PR Manager, talks about Nature Deficit Disorder (NDD) during a radio interview with KAFM 88.1 in Colorador recently.

How Do You MK? - Jason Cataldo

Jason sports MK Original Mountain Pants while tailgating...nice Hat Jason!

How Do You MK? - Nick LeFort, MK Ambassador

“So…besides wearing the MK Alpine Utility Pants  like a second skin, I also support MK by sporting an MK sticker on my cargo box on my Thule van.  The van travels all across the Northeast with me while I am outfitting vehicles and whatever other adventures I get myself into.  The fit van also my personal vehicle, and ladies - I'm not one to sit around the house - I was up down and back up to Vermont three times this weekend!  I had to... because even though I was sick, I needed to be in that crisp Vermont air... And drink a little fresh Vermont beer. This is how I MK!”

 
 

 

How Do You MK? - Clay Whitaker

Clay Whitaker, who attends the New River Academy, loves his MK Alpine Utility Pants!

 

 

How Do You MK? - Rodney McDonald

Rodney McDonald, of ERSLA "Emergency Response Services for Latin America", wears his MK Original Mountain Pants as he films local firefighters.

 

 

 

“Living in a tropical environment such as Nicaragua will take a toll on clothing. Extreme heat, rain, and mud is just a part of everyday life.

 

I am the director for a non government organization that helps improved the emergency response services for Latin America (ERSLA).  We are constantly evaluating sites, delivering donated equipment, or organizing training for fire fighters, clinic workers etc. 

 

So far the only pants I have found that can take the abuse and still look good enough to wear to meetings with the government officials are Mountain Khakis.

 

Also being a photographer and videographer, I have to document all our activities. The hidden side pocket comes in handy when I am in large crowds or festivals and need to feel comfortable knowing my important documents (residency card or passport) are safe.

 

Mountain Khakis are perfect in the mud then washed on a rock,  hung on barbed wire to dry, then off to a meeting.”

How Do You MK? – Ben Austin

Ben Austin, a rep for Hardy & Greys, catches redfish in St. Simons, GA while sporting a MK visor.

How Do You MK? – Jacob Peacock

 "In August, I headed down to the Polochic Valley of Guatemala for a 10 day Humanitarian trip.  Of course, I had to pack man's best friend... my Alpine Utility Shorts.  I also added a pair of MK OMJs (Original Mountain Jeans) since I was going to be doing alot of manual labor and hiking through the jungles.  Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that the OMJs were not made for the rainy, humid Guatemalan weather - I only lasted in them half a day.  The Alpine Utility Shorts, on the other hand, went with me from Guatemala City to Antigua to the Polochic Valley and then accompanied me as I climbed the ancient Mayan ruins in Tikal.  Whether I’m travelling, hiking, working, or playing my Alpine Utility shorts have become my must have now – I will think about washing later.  How do I MK?  Anyway I can!”

Hauling PVC pipe down the valley to the villages of Los Limones in my OMJs

Watching the sunset from the top of an ancient Mayan temple

How Do You MK? – Eric Krause

“I just wanted to give you all props on the Alpine Utilities.  I've put these through some serious abuse this summer and they've performed amazingly.  I've been working as a Wilderness Ranger in the Deschutes National Forest in Oregon which involves getting down and dirty at least 4 days a week.  After bushwacking, sliding down rock, and weeks of manual labor, they're still in great shape!  They even keep the mosquitoes off! Keep up the great work!”