MOUNTAIN KHAKIS - Built For The Mountain Life Blog

RECAP: Charlotte Museum Mile

More than 175 runners braved the cool temperatures and slight drizzle to run the Charlotte Museum Mile in uptown Charlotte on April 23, 2011. Thirteen runners blistered Tryon Street running the famous mile in less than 5 minutes. Patrick Morgan of Boone, North Carolina crossed the Hendrick BMW Finish line with a time of 4:23. Caitlin Chrisman of the Charlotte Running Club was the first woman to break the tape in a time of 5:18.

Runners, ranging from age 5 to 68, were treated to a close-up view of Charlotte’s cultural facilities, including the McColl Center for Visual Art, Discovery Place, Spirit Square, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and the Mint Museum of Art. The Charlotte Museum Mile benefitted the Arts & Science Council. Age group winners received ceramic awards created by Charlotte Artist and every received a performance race shirt designed by Charlotte artist Ashley Lathe.

MK "Original" Doug Ellis Among Front Runners at Carolina Cup

Doug Ellis, a MK oldie but goodie, recently competed at his first Carolina Cup (distance stand-up paddling) and came in 11th place! Check out his recap at Surf and Adventure. Congrats Doug!

RECAP: Johns Hopkins University Bouldering Competition

This past Sunday, April 24th, Johns Hopkins held their Spring Bouldering Competition. Although it was not as filled out as our Climbing Competition earlier this fall, it did allow for a more relaxed and fun atmosphere. That being said, our bouldering cave still was filled to the brim with spectators and competitors.

The bouldering competition helped the Hopkins’ recreation center’s climbing wall raise money to keep improving the wall and experience of the local climbers here on Homewood Campus. The gift cards donated by Mountain Khakis went to the top three competitors in the Men’s and Women’s Advanced Division. The Bouldering Competition could not have happened without the support from Mountain Khakis. A big thank you goes out to MK from down here in Baltimore!

RECAP: Adaptive Climbing Clinic at Joshua Tree National Park

Written by: Ronnie Dickson

Climbing has played a pivotal role in my life over the past four years. After I lost my leg above the knee almost six years ago I decided to leave my previous passion, soccer, as a part of my past. By chance I discovered climbing and found a new passion that grew deeper by the day and has helped me push my limits and do things I thought were never possible.

It has always been my belief that climbing is an accessible sport for people with disabilities, so it has been my goal over the past two years to introduce as many people with disabilities to climbing as possible. I have been very successful in this, introducing hundreds of people with disabilities to climbing through various indoor clinics around the country.

Indoor climbing is cool, but the only thing cooler than indoor climbing is outdoor climbing. I wanted this clinic to be in a scenic place where participants could enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and spend a day pushing their limits and making new connections at the same time.

On April 9th, 2011 we gathered in the southern California desert in Joshua Tree National Park to host the first annual Adaptive Climbing Clinic. We were able to introduce thirteen people with disabilities to their first outdoor climbing experience. Eleven of those persons had amputations of various types, one participant with Trevor’s Disease, and another that was a stroke victim, ages ranging from ages eleven to fifty-six.

Matt Walker and Inner Passage Guiding Service helped us get the event set up and the climbing to a start that morning. We had three different climbs available on pristine pieces of granite slab that were about 50 feet tall. My friend Jeff Erenstone, also a Mountain Khakis aficionado, was able to help get everybody fit with adaptive climbing feet and equipment.

The day went off exactly how I had imagined. All of the participants made it to the top of the walls and had a great time making new connections and sharing their stories with one another. The weather was wild throughout the day, ranging from warm, back to cold, with even a small ten minute bout of snow! As I had been told the desert can flip its weather switch at any time.

With all the crazy weather in the days leading up to and the day of the clinic I was happy to be wearing some pants that were Built for the Mountain Life! They allowed me the versatility to stay warm while climbing but at the same time stay comfortable and move lightly

There were several of our participants who had some really inspiring stories!

Murray used to be an avid climber at Joshua Tree National park on a regular basis before suffering a stroke about five years ago. After seeing the flier for our clinic he decided to come out and try it again, despite not being able to use the left side of his body because of his injury. Although things were clearly more difficult for him this time around, it was awesome to see how he was able to use his previous climbing skills to position his body in different ways to make it to the top of the wall, he gave it his all and found his way at the top!

Rob lost both of his legs below the knee because of an accident several years ago. He has not let any of these challenges stop him over the years and he proved to be quite an adept climber his very first time as well.

I also managed to get some climbing in myself, trying to take down one of my dream boulders, White Rastafarian V3 R, on my flash attempt. I managed to keep it cool at the top twenty feet off deck and make the send.

The event went exactly how I imagined and I can’t wait until next year already! Thanks to Mountain Khakis for sending out gift cards to ever participant. Keep a lookout for a write up in Urban Climber Magazine by Damon Corso and video to be released by Louder Than 11.

Thanks to our sponsors Athletes with Disabilities Network, Inner Passage Guiding Service, Evolv, Black Diamond, Sterling Rope, Prana, Sanuk, Mountain Khakis, and TRS Prosthetics. I would also like to send a special thanks to Tracii Haynes, Bill Haynes, Buck Branson, Damon Corso, Ben Hirschfeld, Jordan Shipman, Jon Glassberg, Jeff Erenstone, Mason Daly, and Pete Davis for coming and helping out at the event.

Remember, the one who gets to the top is the one who never stops trying. Keep a positive attitude, try hard, and you can overcome any obstacle!

 

RECAP: 4th Annual Ogden Climbing Festival

On behalf of the WSU Outdoor Program, and 4th Annual Ogden Climbing Festival (OCF), I would like to say thanks to Mountain Khakis for their support of this year's event.

The 4th Annual OCF was a huge success despite the weather. The event catered to 634 participants. Each year our event continues to grow. This event has proven to be far more than just another climbing competition, it is truly a Climbing Festival. The OCF brings participants form across the region and is gaining support from multiple Colleges and Universities aw well as clubs and organizations. I would like to personally thank Devaki Murch our event manager, Tim Nguyen Assistant Coordinator, James Provence, and the WSU Outdoor Program Staff for the running success of this event. I would also like to thank other our many event sponsors, Petzl, The Ogden Front Climbing Club, Paradox Sports, Roosters, Deuter, Black Diamond, Canyon Sports, Evolv, Native, La Sportiva, Recreation Outlet, Scarpa, Mountain Heard Wear, Marmot, Liberty Mt, Red Bull, Amer Sports Outlet store, Prana, and The Pie Pizzeria. Many of our sponsors supported this event with raffle prizes. We look forward to this event every year during the month of April, next year we are planing the 5th Annual OCF on April 13-15, 2012!