MOUNTAIN KHAKIS - Built For The Mountain Life Blog

How Do You MK? - George from Alpharetta Outfitters

It's MK - wedding style! Check out this picture from sent in from Alpharetta Outfitters, an awesome MK dealer. 

MK Ambassador, Eddie Gianelloni: Climbing for Golden Week

Golden week has been the most widely celebrated holiday in Japan thus far. I have never seen so many people outside. I do not fully understand what the holiday is for, but it has something to do with the emperor.

Anyway, for a break from the city Gavin and I joined Jack and his wife for some bouldering at Mizugaki. We met up at the new area and decided to try a few new potential problems. Jack also wanted to send his V5/6 that we finished cleaning last week.

The first boulder of the day was one that had been wet on one side in previous trips but to our delight we found it quite dry. The Coffee Can boulder is small on this side, but has three stiff, fun problems. The same boulder on the northern side is the site of the 25+ foot lines that we closed last week. This is where Jacks Ideal Johnson V5/6 is. Jack cleaned it and sent first go. I on the other hand took my time to make it to the last scary dead point. After several tries and copious skin loss, I decided to try and send next week.

The trip was a success though. I played with a borrowed flash and I believe that I took a few nice shots. Jack took a few nice ones too I might add. In total this area now has 2 V2's, 3 V3's, 3 V4's, 2 V5's, 1 V5/6, 1 V 6, and over 25 lines yet to be climbed. And there are too MANY lines for me to ever be able to climb in my life here.

This weekend I am planning on heading to Mitake for some bouldering and shooting. I have lots of work to do with this flash technology. Monday I am going to Joyama with Hiroko and Shuji. Shuji and Hit Chan are working some projects so I hope I can take some sweet shots of them in action!!! We will see. There is a cool looking 12a that Jack put up there that I want to get on. Should be fun.

Enjoy the pictures and remember.....

Go Climb Something!!!!!

MK Ambassador, Brad Carpenter, Recaps the Montana Winter

Winter started out great this year in Southwest Montana. November 8th it started snowing and by the end of the month we had three to four feet on the ground. Like most seasons in Montana, winter seemed to turn on like a switch. Our snowpack stayed mostly stable for the season as well which made for some great backcountry skiing and riding conditions all over the mountains.

I was able to spend a lot of time in nearby Hyalite Canyon ferreting out new lines from the steep bowls and trees hidden within its depths, and mostly stuck close to home as there was no need to ski anywhere else with such amazing conditions here.

Come spring we were sitting on a decent base and waiting for our annual spring snow hose to turn on. March and April are usually our biggest snow producers and this year was no exception with more than 300cm or about 10 feet of snow falling from March 1st to our closing date of April 24th. This doesn't count the two feet of snow that fell last week! We ended the season with over 300 total inches having fallen and 105 inches settled on the ground for a base.

The rest of the spring should be great with several feet or more of snow in the mountains. I am looking forward to spring touring around the area for the next few weeks then its off to the Cook Islands and New Zealand for their winter yet again.

How Do You MK? - Alex in the Keys

Alex sporting the Granite Creek Convertible in Islamorada!

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!