MOUNTAIN KHAKIS - Built For The Mountain Life Blog

MK College Ambassador, Trevor Fulton, and the Redside Foundation’s River Film Fest

The Redside Foundation is a newly formed non-profit that celebrates the profession of commercial guiding in Idaho. They seek to serve all of Idaho’s seasonal guides through education, training and engagement. The foundation strives to provide confidential access to mental and physical healthcare and substance abuse counseling for guides in need all around the state of Idaho. On April 6th MK supported the Redside Foundation for a fundraiser in Moscow, Idaho. The fundraiser brought out supporters from all over the region to watch a great batch of films centered on rivers.

A local filmmaker kicked off the event with some footage of local creek boating in and around the Palouse. The film was a great highlight of little known boatable drainages within 100 miles of Moscow. The film was capped off by footage of the filmmaker doing a first descent of a 65’ waterfall run earlier this spring. The next two films were by Portland, Oregon’s EP Films. SPOIL and The Greatest Migration both told of western watersheds and the struggles they face to maintain their vibrancy. The evening’s final film was the premiere of WildWater by Forge Motion Pictures. WildWater uses incredible cinematography and interviews of world-class boaters to tell the story of rivers and why people are drawn to them. Footage from South America, Colorado and Idaho provided a visual masterpiece to end the evening. The fundraiser was a great success for the Redside Foundation and a great night of films for the Moscow boating community. At the end of the night the recently formed Redside Foundation gained some great support to continue their mission and carry on the great memories of river friendships. Thanks MK for all the support.

MK College Ambassador, Trevor Fulton, and the Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival

We have hosted the Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival for a few years now and MK has been a huge supporter. The films are winter oriented and revolve around the human powered experience. It’s a great evening of films, friends and fun for the local backcountry winter sports community here in Moscow. We had around 180 come this year, which packed the local community theater. The films consisted of everything from snowboarding to big mountain skiing. We had a raffle with prizes from MK and other local vendors at intermission which really got people excited. Overall it was a great event that got students and the community stoked for snow and a great cause. Thanks MK!

MK College Ambassador, Andrew Brodhead, Recaps American Alpine Club's First Event

The American Alpine Club had its first event in Marquette County a few weeks ago. This event began September 30th with the showing of 180 Degrees South, a compelling environmental/adventure film that is a must see for any outdoor enthusiast!

November 1st brought us Mark Wilfor, a professional climber who has seen and done it all. His presentation was titled "40 years of climbing". The next day, the weather unfortunately turned for the worse but the schedule was still in tact! The A.A.C. packed up and moved the the AAA wall outside of Big Bay, MI. Here the South Superior Climbing Club and Mountain Khakis held a crate stacking competition. This was a big hit for a day with poor weather! The winner was Jack with 23 crates, followed by Blake with 22.

On Sunday, we woke up to a warm sunny fall day! Unfortunately, the day was spent packing up, but some people were still active. Overall, this was a great event!

MK College Ambassador, Andrew Brodhead, Describes His Labor Day Weekend

Over Labor Day weekend, my two roommates and I left school for the 6-hour drive to your untypical North Shore. We weren’t searching for beautiful waves, clear water, or smooth rides; instead we had our eyes on Palisade Head. Here, the 200-foot Minnesotan cliffs collide with the shoreline of Lake Superior, offer some of the best climbing in the Mid-West.

Arriving on Friday, mid-afternoon to some bad weather, we quickly set up camp and drove to Palisade Head. Though the rain was on and off, we set up a top rope on Phantom Crack, a sustained but enjoyable 5.9 hand crack. Phantom Crack was just enough to get us excited for what was to come. Rain or shine we were ready to climb. Palisade Head can be a pain logistically. There are very few bolts, and even fewer bolted anchors. Almost every route can be top roped. The majority of climbers set up a single rappel line, descend, and have a partner top belay them back up. This is the easiest way to climb at Palisade Head. New to the area, we did not know this. Our plan was to lead whatever looked fun, and that we did, but did not anticipate the unexpected toping climber.

We first traveled to the Southern Ramparts to get the day started. Our warm up climb was Socket Wrench, a nice 5.8 corner. Our second and longest climb of the day was the three pitches of Laceration Jam 5.10b R, a beautiful combination of hands to chimney to an airy traverse. Three pitches in the Mid-West are unheard of, so we had to do it. Though the pitches were short, they were sweet, and sustained, offering some excellent climbing. To finish the day, we climbed Bluebells, a phenomenal 5.9 that offers a wide-range of crack climbing.

Our last day consisted of some great climbing mixed with provoked stress. In the morning we set up a single fixed line. This proved to be logistically efficient for those who want to lead at Palisade Head. This line was used multiple times to quickly descend after topping out.

Our first climb of the day was Pussyfoot 5.9+. My friend Andrew led Pussyfoot. As I watched, I was jealous of this well-balanced climb. Beautiful hands, off-width, stemming, bushwhacking, and an intimidating crux roof, Pussyfoot is a MUST for those who want to experience 5.9 climbing at Palisade Head.

Since the majority of climbers top rope at Palisade Head, climbers who are leading will not know a climb has been taken. Climbers will be setting up top tope anchors for 5,10, 20, and even 30 minutes before they throw the rope over the cliffs edge. For the next three climbs, we were cut off seconds before leaving the ground to climbers above yelling “ROPE!” This is another reason why climbing at Palisade Head can be logistically hard, or just don’t go on Labor Day weekend like we did and have the place to yourself. Due to this inconvenience we climb Bluebells again. Once climbing, my frustration was replaced with content and pleasure. Our last climb of the day was Superior Crack 5.8+. Superior Crack is an epic off-width overlooking Lake Superior. Another must for those venturing to Palisade Head.

For those who are looking for some great traditional leads or great top roping, please visit Palisade Head in the Tettegouche State Park, one hour north of Duluth, MN. Climbing is free, just stop into the Tattegouche State Park’s main office and register yourself to climb. You wont be disappointed.

MK College Ambassador, Taylor VanRoekel, Talks About Rock Climbing

Climbing by nature is a selfish sport. And although it involves two people (one climber and one belayer) the whole system is aimed at the success of just the climber. I mean, no one really cares who belayed Sharma on his groundbreaking ascent of Jumbo Love. It’s a unique sport in that respect. Even track and field or cross-country, despite their individual roots, still have team aspects. And while pondering the egotistical nature of rock climbing, I came to a conclusion. I am not a great climber in comparison to people who do it for a living. I’ll never be featured in the Reel Rock Film tour, and I most certainly won’t be seen on the cover of Deadpoint Magazine. But despite the fact that in the foreseeable future I won’t be lacing down my shoes for money, climbing and in particular my climbing, can still have an impact on the shattered and often sad world around me. So there it began; the concept of climbing indoors for 24 hours straight to benefit charity. I guess you could say the idea isn’t mine, but rather borrowed from Canadian ice climber Will Gadd who last year climbed at the Ouray Ice Park for 24 hours to benefit the Dzi Foundation. But regardless of its origins, this is the first installment in the most likely long annals of training for a 24-hour endurance challenge. Pulling plastic for 24 hours is going to be difficult. But despite my lack of professional-level skill, Rock climbing will achieve a greater good with help from those wishing to help.

The Beginning

Being out of shape is the worst feeling. I mean it’s not like I’m overweight or helplessly behind, I’m just coming off a summer of paddling and camping rather than climbing. So finally getting back on the wall has been humbling. My fingers are peeling and old calluses are opening up again like an old friend long neglected. That familiar pump is back, but a lot sooner than it used to be. My running shoes were getting lonely before a few days ago when I decided to let them loose on the pavement. But this is all good. It’s good to know that I’m starting somewhere. It’s like getting immediate feedback on your progress, but instead of scribbled notes in the margins, I’m instead getting torn up hands and burning toes. This is sure to be interesting.