MOUNTAIN KHAKIS - Built For The Mountain Life Blog

Happy Memorial Day from MK!

Happy Memorial Day from our Family to Yours

...celebrating all those that serve and remembering all those that have lost their lives for our FREEDOM!

RECAP: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Flatland 2010

We had a great turn out with 73 climbers; our second largest competition to date! There was a good mix of University students from Lincoln, Omaha, and Iowa; as well as, 25 climbers from the general public. Aside from some long lines waiting to climb, everyone had a pretty good time pulling on all of the new routes that were set.  Thank you for supporting the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Campus Recreation and the Outdoor Adventures program.

Women's Winners
Advanced - Steph Laudenklos
Intermediate - Tiffany Durham
Beginner - Tina Nieves

Men's Winners
Advance - Adam Voshall
Intermediate - Jake Smith
Beginnger - Joel Ebers

How Do You MK? - Brian Dean

Check out MK Ambassador, Brian Dean in a pair of the MK Snake River Pants. 

"I did a solo overnight on a 5400 peak near Mt. Mitchell in western NC.  I work my Snake River Pants while I was up there and I really liked how they were lightweight and quick dry, but much beefier and warmer than the typical nylon pants.  I definitely plan on getting some of the shorts now!"

Eric Kapitulik, MK Ambassador, Summits Mnt. Everest!!

Congratulations to MK Ambassador, Eric Kapitulik, for making it to the top of Mnt. Everest! 

I just returned to Everest Base Camp (BC) after the most challenging 8 days of my life.  I am unshaven, extremely dirty, feeling the initial effects of frostbite, starving and physically and mentally exhausted… but at 4:19 AM on Sunday May 23^rd, after a 10 hour climb from Camp 3 (See Photo “Hike to Camp 3”), Kaji and I watched the sun rise over Tibet from the summit of Mt. Everest.  Words can not convey the beauty of that particular sunrise or the feeling of accomplishment and joy of having attained the summit with my teammate, Kaji.  I am thankful that I prepared properly and that we had (and made the most of) our opportunity for success.

 

Heck, I’m so hungry I’m willing to eat broiled Yak… or raw… (See Photo: “Kap eats Yak”)

 

Due to a camera malfunction on the summit (read “my $300 camera froze as soon as I pulled it from my down suit), I have to wait for Kaji to have his summit photos developed (read “Kaji’s circa 1980 camera that cost $12 worked well”) before sharing.  However, all photos and a recap of the final 8 days of climbing will be part of my corporate presentation on “Leadership and Overcoming Adversity” and will also be made available to all 2010- 2011 Program clients. 

RECAP: Pangea Adventure Racing, Missing River

The inaugural Missing River Adventure Race presented by Pangea Adventure Racing was held at Oleno State Park and River Rise Preserve State Park the first of May. Combined there were 51 teams and 133 racers.  Many people who traveled to the event from outside the area commented on how beautiful the area and state park were. It was awesome being Outdoors, in one of Florida's oldest State Parks, to celebrate Florida State Parks 75th anniversary.

The course proved to be very challenging for both the sport and elite teams. Course was set Friday with all trails being dry and fast conditions expected. Mush of adventure racing is dealing with what nature has to offer. Friday night prior to the event nature brought 4 inches of rain and sent a tornado over the park. This addition of mother nature slightly impacted the end results with only one team in each the sport and elite race clearing the course. Other teams cleared both courses as well; however, failed to return prior to 4:00 pm cutoff and thus received penalties.

Congratulation to our sport division winners Zombie Cranks and elite division winners Florida Xtreme.  *Photo by Meg Roberts