Name: Peter "Pete" Carleton
(1) Describe what you do at Alpine Shop. (Or at least what you like to tell the people you meet at cocktail parties.)
I am the Store Manager of our Kirkwood Location. I also lead bike rides, assist with kayak trips, repair the occasional flat tire, wax some skis and boards, and I have been known to barbecue on Sundays from time to time.
(2) Identify where you are from. Provide some background on a favorite thing to do or a place to visit in your hometown.
St. Louis, Missouri has always been my basecamp, but I lived in Iowa and Connecticut for brief stints before my latest return to the St. Louis area nearly seven years ago. In St. Louis nothing beats a few beers at the Cardinals game. The Iowa State Fair is an event that no Iowan (is that how you say it?) misses, and New York City is the highlight of every visit to my parents' Connecticut home.
(3) What are some of the current outdoor sports/activities you enjoy? What got you started (or how did you get started) doing outdoor activities?
I grew up camping and floating with my father, uncle Mike, and three little brothers. I then joined the Cub Scouts, later joined the Boy Scouts, and eventually earned Eagle Scout rank. Through all of those experiences I really learned to appreciate the many rivers and forests our great country has to offer. My favorite activity that I learned early on is paddling a canoe. There is nothing more relaxing and satisfying as multi-day canoe trip with friends and family.
(4) Where is your favorite place to "Get Outside Yourself?" Describe why.
My absolute favorite place to "Get Outside Myself' is paddling the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Over the past few years I have not had as many chances to get down there, so my more recent alternative is Onandoga Cave State Park (where my camping career started). It is just far enough to get away from St. Louis for a long weekend, but close enough to head down there for a last-minute overnight trip. Onandoga is also a great place for "River TV".
(5) What is an outdoor adventure you want to go on some day? Describe why.
I would really like to get back to The Boundary Waters. I was fortunate enough to spend a week canoeing with my father and brother up there when I was younger, and would love to get back up there with them. That trip was the greatest outdoor adventure I have ever been on. If you two are reading this I am serious, let's go!
(6) Name and describe your favorite outdoor gear, product or brand.
Wenonah - Argosy Canoe
Marmot - Limelight 2 Tent
Mountain Hardwear - Mega Lamina 20 Sleeping Bag
Osprey - Atmos 65 Pack
Osprey - Porter 46 Luggage
(7) What's your favorite thing about Alpine Shop?
My favorite thing about Alpine Shop is that every time I come to work I get to talk with the most passionate Outdoors people in the world. Between our customers, outfitters, managers, back-office staff, and athletes you will never meet a more diverse group of people that all have an intense passion for the outdoors.
(8) Describe why outdoor activity is so important to you.
Being outside is probably the most important activity I can share with others. If every person got outside for just a little bit each day the world would be a better place.
(9) What's one activity that you enjoy that has nothing to do with the outdoors?
When I am not working at Alpine Shop or getting outdoors; I am spending time working on my new home in South St. Louis. When I can get away from that, I enjoy tinkering on my vintage Moped.
(10) Kids, married, professional hot dog eating champion, etc? What else should people know about you?
I got engaged last summer while traveling through Italy, and we are getting married in September.
I am the oldest of four, and we have recently stretched the Carleton empire to all four corners of the United States.
I have a crazy dog at home named "Tater-Tot".
Over the past decade, Alpine Shop has raised over $100,000 for local area organizations thanks to the generosity of our loyal customers and the help of many of our vendors.
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Over the past decade, Alpine Shop has raised over $100,000 for local area organizations thanks to the generosity of our loyal customers and the help of many of our vendors.
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Going back over the last 10 years, Alpine Shop has been honored in St. Louis Magazine's A-List Readers' Choice 10 times in five different categories...
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