MOUNTAIN KHAKIS - Built For The Mountain Life Blog

Wanna Trade Air Quality for Money? Wyoming Does

MK Dealer Services Rep Jessica Hoffmann expresses her feelings regarding the energy exploration in the Rockies:

Photo Courtesy of EcoFlight

I recently felt pretty disgusted to learn about the expansion of drilling for natural gas throughout the Rockies when I watched the documentary A Land Out Of Time.  That feeling has increased thanks to a radio commercial currently running locally in Jackson, pleading to act against the BLM moving forward to permit additional drilling in the Pinedale area.  I heard a Pinedale resident shockingly comment that since the drilling has begun, Pinedale has seen a rapid deterioration of air quality, despite being a no(*) stoplight town.

Wanting to take at least a meager step in the right direction, I emailed the state legislators, pleading them not to permit additional drilling.

Nature Deficit Disorder, Mountain Sprouts on the Radio

Josh Thomas, Principal of Topics Education and leader of health & wellness and sustainability practice areas, will be talking about Nature Deficit Disorder on Charlotte, NC local NPR affiliate station, WFAE 90.7 FM.  He, along with Meg Houlihan, a clinical psychologist, will be talking about why it is important for our youth to connect with nature and the long term developmental and social impacts that result.

Jen Taylor, Founder and Global Brand Manager of Mountain Sprouts, will join in on the discussion.  Jen will speak about the Mountain Sprouts Plug Into Nature campaign and elaborate on how nature deficit disorder has motivated her business.

They will record live tomorrow, 7/31, on "Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins" from 9-10am on WFAE, 90.7 FM.  You can stream it here, and the downloadable podcast will be posted here.

Boy Scouts Converge on Jackson Hole, Teton Pass

Beginning Monday 7/28 and lasting through the entire week, 800 Boy Scouts, all members of the group Order of the Arrow, will be in Jackson Hole to assist in a few different projects, including fence removal in critical wildlife corridors and construction of new trails on Teton Pass.  The event is being called the largest individual service project since World War Two. 

Over 1100 scouts and adult advisors are currently camped out at Jackson Hole High School, and their work throughout the week will leave us with a new cross-country mountain bike loop in the Phillips Ridge area of Teton Pass.  This is a massive project, and it's fair to say that never before have 750-800 people worked on one mountain bike trail at the same time.  The planning and coordination started well before the Scouts arrived in Jackson, and I know I'm not the only one who is thankful and looking forward to reaping the benefits of the new trail.

Photo of WY Governor Dave Freudenthal greeting the Scouts.  Photo courtesy of jacksonholeradio.com

Time to Paddle The World, Mate!

MK Ambassador and native Australian Jez Blanchard gives an update on his upcoming adventures:

I've booked my flight and have set down the plan to cram as much kayaking in over a relatively small period of time, starting today.  So here it is...

Starting in Sydney, Australia, I'll be flying for 19 hours to the Southeast USA to do some clinics, demos, and get involved in some of the Jackson Kayak Camp Instructional Tour.  Then it's off to Prague for the first part of the World Cup of Freestyle Kayaking.  In Prague I will be shooting footage as part of a new Skippy Films DVD while participating in the World Cup.  Hitting the road in the Czech Republic, we will make our way to Germany and Switzerland with the rest of the Jackson Kayak team.  My last World Cup Tour was by far amazing fun and I know this one won't be any different.

Finally I'll be flying to Nepal to paddle some of the most remote and amazing rivers in the world, just in time for the peak of their wet season.  In total I think I'll be flying for 60 hours, maybe more, however I really don't mind spending such a ridiculous amount of time on a plane, consideringthe adventure I'm about to partake in.  Gee, I hate my lifestyle.  :)

Barkley Robinson Continues His Assault on the Competition

MK Ambassador Barkley Robinson isn't making his local Steamboat bike races fun for everyone else, as he continues to dominate the field and leave others in the dust.  Most recently, Barkley won a local race and received some good press for it.  See the article here.

Photo courtesy steamboatpilot.com