MOUNTAIN KHAKIS - Built For The Mountain Life Blog

Meet Jez Blanchard of Team Jackson Kayaks

The first Australian and professional kayaker to join the MK Ambassador ranks, Jez Blanchard brings a wealth of success and bit of personality to the mix (the 'notes' section of his application was answered: 'don't eat the yellow snow').  The Sydney-based paddler is a four-time Australian National Champion, and has had huge success in World Cup and World Championship events in 2006, taking 2nd in one, and placing in the top 10 in others.

In addition, Jez is also a member of the NSW Riot Squad.  In other words, he's an amphibious butt-kicker, putting people to shame on both land and water.

Of all the places he's never been, the top three he'd like to someday see include the waterfalls in Norway, the 'big waves' of Uganda, and the Chocolate Factory from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Be sure to read the rest of Jez' profile and read about the rest of Jackson Kayaks: website, blog, team.

Why didn't we think of that? - Utilikilt

Thanks to our friends at Backcountry.com for pointing this bad-boy out.  In the words of MK Marketing Manager Shannon Hamby, "File this one under why didn't we think of that?"  Also may file this one in the same category as 'Manpris'... cut for those too hot to wear pants but too cool to wear shorts.

Story on the newest, manliest (?) fashion in workwear HERE.

Jari Kirkland on the Adventure Racing World Championship

This is the life on one mountain girl...
     We got to Scotland for the World Championship and none of our stuff showed up.  It was the biggest headache to track it down and make sure it got there in time to be able to race.  Luckily we got it with about 6 hours to spare.  So the race started on Rum Island.  It was so beautiful the first day and we did about 14,ooo vertical feet.  It was crazy.  Then the cold and rain started and never really stopped till the last day.  We covered 65,000 vertical feet in the next 5 days.  It was intense.  All the hiking was either strait up or strait down.  And did I mention that it rained.  I was so cold.  I had to get treated for hypothermia.  My temp was 88.  But I bounced back and kept racing.  I had wet hair and feet for the whole race.  I can say that I almost didn't want to take a shower after the race. The thought
of being wet was just horrible.   I had to swim in Loch Ness, which is only
40 degrees, which also put me into a state of udder coldness.  It also just happened to be the same day there was a Nessie sighting.  You can get on cnn.com and check it out.  You can also go to youtube.com and look up adventure racing world 2007 and see lots of pics and video of the race and interview.  It is pretty cool.  The last day of the race we hiked Den Nevis, the highest mountain in all of the UK.
I am glad it is over but I also like pushing myself past my limits.  We finished 8th, which I am happy about.  This was the hardest race I have ever done in terms of cold and suffering through the elements.  It was also the most competitive field ever in any adventure race.  Sweet!!
I am off to France in two weeks to compete on an all girls team for Salomon.
  It is a 5 day stage race and I am super excited to go and race.  Luckily my mountain life takes me to other mountains all over the world.

Baxter Reaches Everest Summit!

Our good friend and MK Ambassador Baxter Gillespie achieved a life-long dream of reaching the pinnacle of human existence, literally.  Last week his group made a succesfful attempt to summit Everest.  Congrats, Baxter, and well done.  Built for the Mountain Life indeed.  More pics, news, and stories to follow...

Climbin' Kyle McFarland

MK Ambassador Kyle McFarland has been mopping the floor with the competition at his past few events.  Most recently, he's finished 2nd overall and 1st in speed for the Regional Championships in Boulder, CO.  Not only that, but young Kyle has also been getting some local press in the town paper.  Well done, Kyle, keep it up.  His recent performance has earned him an invite to the Division Champs here in a few weeks.