Official Paddle Store & Official Paddling Experts of the MR340

On Tuesday, July 20, 534 boats holding more than 800 participants will leave Kaw Point Park in Kansas City, Kan., for the 2021 Missouri American Water MR340, the world’s longest non-stop river race.

Paddlers will have just 85 hours to navigate 340 miles across the state of Missouri, nearly all on the Missouri River, from Kansas City to St. Charles. Chances are at least a third of those participants won’t make that deadline.

Not only is Alpine Shop the Official Paddle Shop of the race, but we are also proud to have a number of employees participating in the event.

We asked a few of those paddlers (and ground crew) to give us some insight into why they compete in the MR340 and what they’d recommend you do if you decide to try it yourself one year.

Jarrid Snyder:

1. What has drawn you to this event? A: The paddling community. Especially within the shop. The support is incredible, and everyone wants to see you finish. 
2. Have you participated before? A: I started the race last year and didn’t make the finish. Ready for the haul to the boathouse this year.
3. What are your goals for this year? A: My goal is to make it to my best friends wedding. The rehearsal dinner is Thursday night, so 60 hours or bust! You could say this is an unfortunate scheduling mistake on my part.
4. What kind of boat are you using? A: I’m paddling a boat I’ve spent less than 2.5 hours in. Some surprises led me to a teammate a couple weeks ago and I just bought a 40 year old Wenonah Jenson Kevlar Canoe. 
5. What kind of paddle are you using? A:  My trusty Wenonah Black Lite Elbow and when I’m feeling like churning out some quick miles, an Aquabound Whiskey Straight Shaft double blade.
6. Paddling with Teammates?  Yes! Eric Evans from the shop. Last minute change from a solo canoe.
7. What tips and tricks would you suggest for first time participants? A: Don’t think of this as a race to St. Charles. Break it into smaller pieces. Your brain is powerful and can psych you out so just think of what needs to happen in the moment and you’ll get there!

Jarrid Snyder
Alpine Shop Program Director

Teri Rudelic:

1. What has drawn you to this event? A: The opportunity for an affordable adventure. 
2. Have you participated before? A: This will be my 4th time. 
3. What are your goals for this year? A:  My goal is to enjoy my time on the River and finish Thursday night. 
4. What kind of boat are you using? A: 18 1/2” Wenonah fiberglass Jensen
5. What kind of paddle are you using? A:  52” bent shaft Bending Branches wood paddle
6. Paddling with Teammates?  I am paddling with the same girl I’ve paddled with the last three times. 
7. What tips and tricks would you suggest for first time participants? A: Just don’t quit. Everyday you’re a little closer to the end and it’s a little easier mentally. 

Teri Rudelic
Alpine Shop Facilities Manager

Eric Evans:

1. What has drawn you to this event? A: The challenge to finish such an epic race and the commrodary of the competitors, volunteers, and the ground crews.  It's the longest continuous river race in the world!
2. Have you participated before? A: Yes.  Twice.  And I'll keep competing until my body says "NOOOOOO, don't do it again!".
3. What are your goals for this year? A:  To get Jarrid to his buddy's wedding on time!
4. What kind of boat are you using? A: 1981 Wenonah Jensen
5. What kind of paddle are you using? A: Black Pearl II canoe paddle and Werner Cyprus belmont shaft kayak paddle
6. Paddling with Teammates?  Yes. Tandem canoe
7. What tips and tricks would you suggest for first time participants? A: Ask lots and lots of questions.  Set realistic goals.  Training runs from Jefferson City and other ramps/checkpoints to St. Charles.  It's good to be familiar with the second half of the race when you will be the most exhausted. Familiar landmarks can be morale boosters.

Eric Evans
Alpine Shop Kirkwood Assistant Store Manager

Emily Woll:

1. What has drawn you to this event? A: I first did this race in 2017 after making a new year's resolution to "really throw myself at life and try new things" then 3 days later being asked to join the MR340 in a team boat. The second year I did the race to prove to myself that I could (Year one I was DNF) and to get back with the great commoradary of paddlers.
2. Have you participated before? A: Yes I raced in 2017 and DNF (did not finish, pulling out at Waverly) and 2018 tandem 
3. What are your goals for this year? A: This year I am not racing, but plan to do solo women's in 2022, with an endtime under 70 hours.
4. What kind of boat are you using? A: Most likely a Wilderness System Tsunami 145
5. What kind of paddle are you using? A: Werner Camano 220 small bent shaft... possibly a Greenlander style paddle
6. Paddling with Teammates? A: Nope, solo. But maybe traveling in a "pod" with fellow racers.
7. What tips and tricks would you suggest for first time participants? A: Tip 1: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! The two weeks leading up to the race, slowly increase your daily water intake to help your body get comfortable with the amount of water it will be filtering during the race. Tip 2: Real foods and fruits during the race, a lot of protein packed bars can be rough digestion during the race. Tip 3: Ladies, figure out how to pee in a boat without capsizing (or pulling over) well in advance of the race. Tip 4: Know your limits and be honest with your body.

Emily Woll
Alpine Shop Columbia Assistant Manager
-Working as ground crew in 2021 for one of Alpine Shop's teams

After Over 2000 Miles, Record Attempt Ends Less than 150 Miles from Finish Line

NEW ORLEANS – Alpine Shop employee, Perry Whitaker, set out in early May as part of a four man team attempting to set a new World Record for Fastest Time to Row the Length of the Mississippi River by a Team. 16 days later and less than 150 miles from that record, the Mississippi Speed Record canoe swamped and sank due to a life-threatening mix of high winds, ocean-going vessels, barges and tugs all converging on the river at the same time.

Perry posted on Facebook, the morning after the canoe vanished into the waves: “Our canoe is at the bottom of the Mighty Mississippi. This adventure is done, after over 2,100 miles.”

A little later he added to that:

I’ve been on lots of crazy adventures, but this is the first time I’ve ever had more than just a few people cheering for me as I was adventuring.

For more than 2,000 miles over about two weeks, people have lined the River to encourage us. They’ve cheered, war-whooped, blew horns, shot fireworks, and rang cowbells.

Lots, and lots of cowbells…

There were crowds cheering as we paddled through cities, people waving from their back yards, groups partying at isolated boat ramps, and sometimes we had absolutely no idea where the cheering was coming from.

At a few very small, BEAUTIFUL towns along the River, it seemed that a majority of the residents were out there encouraging us.

Cheering for me??? I can’t wrap my brain around strangers cheering for me because I’m just a regular guy.

Unfortunately, with less than 150 miles to go, my River humbled us.

Heavy winds swamped our canoe in the middle of the night and we lost everything in a few short minutes.

I had a firm grip on the safety boat, and I struggled to hold on to the canoe as long as I could until the current took her down.

I’m pissed.

I’m sad.

I’m disappointed.

But mostly, I’m astounded that so many people took time out of their busy lives to encourage and support me in this little adventure, and I’m very, very appreciative of everyone.

Not just the crowds along the river, but also the couple dozen outstanding people who volunteered about three weeks of their time to try to make this whole thing a success.

This is not hyperbole, but I think more highly of people today than I did before this trip.

Perry Whitaker – May 21 on Facebook

After he took a few days to make his way back to work at Alpine Shop, here’s how Perry answered some of the most frequently asked questions about the trip:

Q. Why in the Hell did you do this?

“Because it’s there”. Someone once asked Mallory why he wanted to climb Everest and he said “Because it’s there”.  Paddling the whole Mississippi in less than 3 weeks isn’t nearly as daunting as climbing Everest. Mallory died on his third attempt at Everest, we just sunk our canoe and had to be rescued by our safety boat. 

I met Conrad Anker a few years ago, he’s the person who finally found Mallory’s body about 75 years after he died. I got to buy a few beers for the guys in the safety boats who rescued us, Mallory didn’t get that option.

I’ve given a lot of presentations about the history of the Mississippi River so I was excited when I got the opportunity to join this team on the record attempt. 

Q. Have you ever done anything like this before?

I’ve been on lots of adventures, but nothing like this. 

I went on a month-long solo bike trip through Central America, I walked across England along Hadrian’s Wall then biked across Ireland, and I’ve been on a lot of other long backpacking, biking, and paddling trips.

This was the first time I tried to break a Guinness Book of World Records time for something.

Q. What was your most memorable moment of this trip?

You mean other than the canoe sinking in a storm 137 miles from the finish? 

The first 2,160 miles of the trip were great, but the last few minutes kind of sucked. 

I really enjoyed all the wildlife. We heard a pack of wolves, saw a couple bears, some sandhill cranes, and we watched a huge fisher jumping out of a tree after something. I wish I had taken a bird identification book with me, even though I was too busy paddling to look up birds.

Q. What did you expect to be your biggest challenges of this trip and were you right? 

I think my expectations were pretty close to reality. There were two categories of challenges: those things we could control and those things we couldn’t. The things we could control included training and equipment, the things we couldn’t control included things like the weather, or a major barge traffic jam caused by a damaged bridge in Memphis, TN. I expected the physical challenge to be my biggest hurdle, so I trained pretty hard. I was also worried about how much this would cost. We expected it to cost between $20,000 and $30,000 dollars.

Q. Twenty to thirty thousand dollars?

We had a huge support crew. There were three safety boats and two RVs following us down the river. The primary costs were fuel for those vehicles and food for about 25 volunteers for about 3 weeks. There was also the price of gear. The canoe was about $3500, modifications to the canoe was another grand, paddles were about $300 each. There were a million other things we needed and they all added up.

Q. Tell me about your training for this.

For the past several years, I’ve kayak over two thousand miles per year, so I already had a good start on my training. 

In addition to that, I started training on a rowing machine about a year and a half ago. Distance paddling in a canoe or kayak is more about the core than the arms so the rowing machine has been great. I should have worked on my shoulders more, but I did okay. My training was slowed down by the pandemic because I couldn’t go to the gym. 

I think I did pretty well, physically. I felt strong throughout the trip, and I think I could have paddled at that pace for a couple more weeks. 

Q. What was the weather like?

It was below freezing for the first few nights, then it got up to the mid-80’s toward the finish. The weather was surprisingly good until the wind on the last two days. 

Q. I assume this got rather monotonous at times, what kept you going?

I didn’t think it was monotonous, I enjoyed the heck out of it.

When we were forced off the river, I wasn’t joking when I asked if someone could loan me a boat to finish the trip or maybe even paddle about a thousand miles upstream back to St Louis.

Q. As you were on the river, your attempt was covered by a few newspapers and TV stations, while thousands of people were following the progress on Facebook. Were you expecting that? 

Absolutely not. I’ve been on a lot of adventures but I’ve never had thousands of people cheering me on. It was awkward. 

How are the big rivers different from the smaller Ozark streams?

A lot of the upper Mississippi seemed just like paddling on the Current River or upper Meramac. We just saw a lot more eagles and beavers on the upper Mississippi. 

Big rivers like the Mississippi and Missouri are safer than smaller streams in a lot of ways, but more dangerous in others. Paddling on a big river is usually like paddling on a lake, but we don’t worry about barge traffic on our local lakes. Once you understand the concepts of river navigation, it’s pretty easy.  

If you want to paddle on the Mississippi or Missouri, go with someone who knows what they’re doing for the first couple times. It’s simple after someone walks you through it, but it’s difficult and dangerous to try to figure out on your own.

How can people learn more about paddling on the big rivers?

The Mississippi River Water Trail Association is an organization that can really help. Big Muddy Adventures takes people out on the Mississippi all the time, and the Alpine Shop occasionally does too. You can also talk to people who’ve done the MR340, they love to talk about it.

What questions have you been asked the most about this trip?

Getting through the locks, does my butt hurt from sitting in a canoe for 2 ½ weeks, and will I do it again.

What are the answers to those questions?

Locking through was great. There are 27 locks on the Mississippi, and the US Army Corp of Engineers went above and beyond to help us get through them quickly, and some barges even let us lock through ahead of them. That was amazingly cool of them. We only had to wait a couple times. If you haven’t locked through before, do it because it’s very educational.

Yes, my butt was numb.  My hands and feet hurt and were swollen, but people don’t ask about my hands and feet, they just want to know about my butt.  

I’ve had a couple weeks to recover and I’m almost back to normal now. 

You didn’t say if you’d do it again?

I think it’s impossible to do something like this and not think of ways to be faster, more efficient, and safer. I think I could probably knock a couple days off the world record time. I already have the right boat, I just need to find the right people. If I can find the right people, I’ll try it again.

Do you have any other big adventures planned?

The MR340 is coming in a few weeks and I plan to race in that again this year. I’m also thinking about walking the Trail of Tears this winter. 

Any final thoughts or words of wisdom?

I’ve been reading a lot about Teddy Roosevelt recently, and I think more people should read his “Man in the Arena” speech.

The Faces Behind the Masks – Simon Hile

We know the shopping experience is a little different when you can’t see our faces (and smiles), so we are going to start showing you the faces behind the masks through our social media pages!

Today the man behind the mask is Simon!

Simon is a Camp and Paddle Outfitter at the Kirkwood store and if you’ve ever met him you probably already know about his affinity for pizza and hot sauce! When he’s not shopping for new hot sauces to try, Simon spends most of his free time paddling and traveling. With only two more to go, Simon is creeping up on his bucket list goal to step foot on all 7 continents!

Next time you see him be sure to ask about his most recent adventure to Antarctica!

#manbehindthemask #alpineshop #getoutsideyourself

Meet Elizabeth Clendenin

Elizabeth Clendenin – Alpine Shop Kirkwood Outfitter

Name: Elizabeth Clendenin
Date Started at Alpine Shop: 07-28-2018
Which Alpine Shop location do you work at? Kirkwood
What is your official title? Outfitter

What do you do at Alpine Shop? Sell skis and Snowboards

Where you are from?
I grew up in Chester IL and started working at the Alpine Shop in O’Fallon when I was living in Edwardsville, I recently moved from Vail CO after living there for 2 years.

What is your passion?
Skiing and Snowboarding is my passion. I love talking to people about the mountains and where they will be riding. I also camp, hike, and do a little backpacking on various trails out in CO. I also road cycle and mountain bike, and when I get the chance, I go kayaking.

Where is your favorite place to “Get Outside Yourself”?
Anything in Colorado, whether its trying a new run at a ski resort or backpacking up a trail to summit a 14er

What is your dream adventure? Climbing Mt. Kiliminjaro

Favorite product/brand that we sell?
Osprey, Fits, Burton, Salomon, Marmot, The North Face, just to name a few

What do you enjoy doing that doesn’t relate to the outdoors?
I love coming home to my dogs and my new kitten
Favorite Book?
The Last Valentine

Anything else you would like to share about yourself.?
I LOVE PLAYING POKER!

Meet Marcus Miller

Marcus Miller– Alpine Shop Kirkwood Assistant Manager

Name: Marcus Miller
Date Started at Alpine Shop: 10-12-2015
Which Alpine Shop location do you work at?  Kirkwood
Official Title: Assistant Manager
What do you do at Alpine Shop?
I get to talk about my hobbies and cool gear all day to customers, usually about Bicycles, Camping, and Ski Gear

Where are you from?
I am from Ballwin, Mo., a small township within St. Louis County. I have access to great mountain biking in the area with places including but not limited to Castlewood State Park, Greensfelder Conservation Area, and the Zombies Trail at Rock Hollow. Visit Gateway Off Road Cyclists online for great information and maps of these areas.

What is your passion?
My passion would have to be Mountain Biking, Skiing, and Back Country Camping. I engage in all of these activities at least once a year. My brother moved to Colorado almost 10 years ago and me visiting all the time got me into “mountain-type” activities. Also, a family trip to Lake Tahoe in the winter starting around the same time really got me into skiing. I enjoy being outside and having a job that revolves around that. Learning and engaging with all the different outdoor brands is of great interest to me.

Where is your favorite place to “Get Outside Yourself”?
Mountain biking at Castlewood, Zombie Trails, or Greensfelder is the majority of outdoor activities I do. Breckenridge will always have a special place in my heart for it was the first place I went and explored in Colorado with my brother 10 years ago. Also, he recently got married on Peak 9 in Breckenridge so I will never forget those moments. The Rocky Mountains in general, I would have to say is my favorite place to “Get Outside Yourself.”

What is your dream adventure?
My current dream adventure would be to road trip to Banff and then Whistler to do some Back country camping and mountain biking, especially downhill biking at the resorts

Favorite product/brand that we sell? Arc’teryx

What do you enjoy doing that doesn’t relate to the outdoors? I enjoy a nice evening on the couch watching the Cardinals game with a cold brew.

Favorite Book? Arc’teryx Catalog…haha

Anything else you would like to share about yourself?
Former Wilderness First Responder

Meet Jake White

Jake White – Alpine Shop Snow & Bike Retail and Service Manager

Name: Jake White
Nickname: jahweez
Date Started at Alpine Shop: 08-10-2009
Which Alpine Shop location do you work at?  Kirkwood
Official Title:
Snow & Bike retail and service manager

What do you do at Alpine Shop?
Manage the retail and service shops for the snow and bike departments….. And have a ton of fun doing so while helping our outstanding customers and working with our great outfitters.

Where are you from?
I was born in Daytona Beach, lived in Sturgeon and Green Bay Wisconsin as well as a suburb of Milwaukee. I graduated from high school in Homewood, Ill., and then moved to Arizona – Phoenix for eight years and Flagstaff for about two.

I-17 from Phoenix to Flagstaff is my favorite stretch of highway in the country. Driving up it to go skiing or snowboarding at one of the most underrated ski resorts in the country, Arizona Snowbowl, is where some of my fondest memories come from.

What is your passion?
Skiing, snowboarding and cycling top the list. My uncle bought me a snowboard before I had ever hit the slopes because he knew I would love it as I grew up skateboarding. A life changing gift that I will never forget. I rode bicycles as a kid like everyone else, but got back in to it heavily when I started at the Alpine Shop

Where is your favorite place to “Get Outside Yourself”?
Right now it’s riding a trail with my family around a wetlands area with beautiful scenery that includes turtles and frogs among other beautiful features.

I can be really happy anywhere in Summit County Colorado, Jackson Hole Wyoming and Southern California. Flagstaff is probably my favorite place I’ve ever lived though

What is your dream adventure?
I could be happy on a killer ski trip to a number of resorts, taking a long gravel bike ride camping along the way, or catching waves just about anywhere. (That is quite a loaded question and I could definitely go deeper.)

Favorite product/brand that we sell?
Specialized Diverge (bike)
Any Mervin or Never Summer (board)
Nordica Enforcer (ski)
Salomon X-Pro 120 (ski boot)

However there are many life changing products that we sell here. Undergarments in particular with specific regard to ExOficcio and Saxx Underwear, Smartwool and Fits socks, and anything with merino wool in it.

What do you enjoy doing that doesn’t relate to the outdoors?
Reading, watching movies and television, watching and following sports. Coloring, reading, playing with my 6 year old daughter in any facet and spending time with my family in general. Cooking and culinary arts are another passion of mine

Favorite Book?
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy

Anything else you would like to share about yourself?
My daughter and girlfriend are my world, and wouldn’t have gotten this far in life without the example of my mother’s and grandmother’s strength

Do you have an outdoor related blog or website you would like to share?
Blotto Photography

10 Questions with Kate Strube

Kate and her father in Grand Teton National Park
Kate and her father in Grand Teton National Park

Kate has built a top-notch resume on how to prepare for a lengthy hike by clocking in hundreds of miles on several trails scattered throughout Southeast Missouri, and as far as Grand Teton National Park.  An eye for detail, Kate is your go-to girl whenever you need advice on women’s apparel, hiking tips, and hiking gear! As our newly appointed Marketing intern, stay tuned for her publications on RootsRated.com. There  you can find reviews on her favorite local areas, where she does what she enjoys most, hiking and backpacking! She has worked for the company over a year (anniversary was in July) and has quickly grown into one of our best.  Here’s a quick way for you to learn a little more about our avid hiker and awesome outfitter, Kate Strube.

 

(1) Describe what you do at Alpine Shop and when you first started. (Or at least what you like to tell the people you meet at cocktail parties.)

I’m an Outfitter for the Kirkwood store since July 2012! I also took on the role of Area Coordinator for the Women’s, Children’s and Accessories section. I help people find what they need, lend an opinion or two, and keep the product looking pretty!

(2) Identify where you are from. Provide some background on a favorite thing to do or a place to visit in your hometown.

I’m from St. Louis….Glendale to be exact. Don’t blink when driving through Glendale, you’ll probably miss it. However, we do have awesome ice cream socials and jazz festivals. My favorite thing to do in St. Louis is find interesting, local places, preferably those that serve coffee or food. If you haven’t tried Boogaloo’s in Maplewood (delicious Cajun food) or Coffee Cartel in the Central West End, you should, they’re awesome local eateries/hang out places.

(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?

Hiking! I’m addicted to the trails. I’ve always loved being outside, but this past year I began exploring Missouri, searching for longer and longer hikes outside the St. Louis area. This summer, I hiked about 140 miles of various trails in Missouri, mostly in the South-Eastern section of the state. Missouri may not have impressive mountain ranges, but we have absolutely stunning varieties of remote forest and lots of wildlife! I also kayak, and I recently tried my hand at climbing for the first time!

I got started with outdoor activities at a young age. My parents encouraged me to be outside as much as possible, and most of our family vacations involved outdoor activities like white-water rafting or trips to the mountains. My grandpa lived in Arizona for most of my childhood, and I know that visiting him every year is the reason why I love the mountains so much today.

(4) Where is your favorite place to “Get Outside Yourself?” Describe why.

In Missouri? Rockwood Reservation. Peaceful and beautiful. (Try the Lime Kiln Trail for a quick morning hike, there’s a neat cave spring at the end of the trail) and Hawn State Park in St. Genevieve, MO–stunning pine forest! Most recently I traveled to The Grand Tetons which has quickly become my favorite place to “Get Outside” myself.

(5) What is an outdoor adventure you want to go on some day? Describe why.

I would love, love, love to be able to hike a substantial section of Pacific Crest Trail! The PCT runs from near the border of the United States and Mexico all the way up to British Columbia, Canada, through the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountain ranges. I’ve never been to the Northwestern part of the U.S, and I think this would be the best way to visit! Plus, I might actually find Bigfoot.

(6) Name and describe your favorite outdoor gear, product or brand. (If possible, provide link to said products on Alpine Shop’s website.)

Hmm-mm…..tough. Probably Arc’teryx, because they pay incredible attention to detail (seams on the INSIDE of the clothing, rather than the outside (to extend the life of the product; protect from wear and tear on seams), waterproof zippers, hybrid jackets: composed of two types of Gor-tex (lighter fabric on the body for easier compression/packability AND heavier, performance weight Gor-tex on areas of high abrasion like the shoulders). When I first looked at Arc’teryx products, I was really intimidated by the price-point, but I’ve since learned why they cost more: smarter design. Because I work in the Women’s section of the store, I mostly pay attention to the Arc’teryx clothing, but I’ve checked out their packs as well, which are also top of the line. My favorite Arc’teryx product is the Atom LT Hoody. This jacket is super lightweight and compressible. It’s insulated with Coreloft in the body, arms, and hood, and has athletic Power Stretch panels along the side for increased range of motion and breathability. It doesn’t hurt that it comes in awesome colors 🙂
ALSO: check out the video on Arc’teryx’s website called “How to Compress an Arc’teryx Atom Jacket”…basically, you can get the entire jacket into it’s own sleeve, and then “snap” it out and impress all your friends with how nifty and compressible your jacket is!

(7) What’s your favorite thing about Alpine Shop? (The people you work with. The customers. Being around cool stuff. Seeing the latest gear. A certain department. Other. You tell us.)

Oh goodness, I love pretty much everything about being at Alpine Shop, but probably the people I work with make it the best. I have fun at work and I learn something new every single day I’m there from the awesome people I get to be around.

(8) Describe why outdoor activity is so important to you.

Mental clarity. Being outside is the best remedy for stress. I always feel happier when I’m outside–and as my Dad always says, “the woods take your troubles away.” Like most people, I have a tendency to get caught up in all the craziness of life and become really stressed out. When I get the chance to be outside all day on a hike, I feel calmer and more clear-headed. And, I love that every time I get outside, I’m surprised and rewarded by something interesting!

(9) What’s one activity that you enjoy that has nothing to do with the outdoors?

Drawing! Sketching, colored pencil, and painting are my favorite mediums.

(10) Provide any personal family information you wish to share. (Kids, married, professional hot dog eating champion, more. Note, this is optional.)

Well….I come from a family of four: mom, dad, sister and me! My sis and I are 13 months apart in age. My dad is a professor of psychology, and my mom is an English teacher and a jewelry designer. I have an awesome family, I love them dearly.

 

katebio

 

 

10 Questions with Russ Tamm

The Alpine Shop is full of awesome people who help make this place the best it can be! Russ Tamm has been gracing the floor of the Kirkwood location for almost four years and he will soon be leaving us for his home state of Washington! Here’s a quick way to meet him and join us in giving him a warm farewell.

(1) Nickname – If you go by one / prefer one / wish you had one
Russellmania!

(2) Describe what you do at Alpine Shop. (Or at least what you like to tell the people you meet at cocktail parties.)
I do a little bit of everything here! I’m currently working as our training manager, coordinating both vendor and in house clinics on new product and general outfitting. I love hiking, kayaking, and snowboarding. If folks are getting geared up for outdoor adventures, I can usually get them pointed in the right direction. If you need a pack fit, wanna get the lowdown on down sleeping bags (har har) or are trying to figure out the right board or skis for you, I’d love to help out! I’m also one of the Shop’s ACA certified kayaking instructors, so summer time means I get to go play on the water.

(3) Identify where you are from. Provide some background on a favorite thing to do or a place to visit in your hometown.
Seattle, Wash. The mountains and ocean (and coffee!) are the things I love the most about the Pacific Northwest. I always take at least one trip back in the winter to snowboard at Stevens Pass or Crystal Mountain. Kayaking the San Juan Islands is an incredible adventure, definitely worth the trip. I also try to work in a trip to my favorite college hangout, Cafe Solstice in the U-district, for blueberry cream cheese coffee cake and the world’s best straight espresso!

(4) What are some of the current outdoor sports/activites you enjoy? What got you started (or how did you get started) doing outdoor activities?
My parents had me out of the house as much as possible when I was a kid! I loved reading about and practicing survival techniques and native american woodcraft. In high school, I got my Eagle Award and was involved in search and rescue ground team ops with the Civil Air Patrol.

(5) Where is your favorite place to “Get Outside Yourself?” Describe why.
I love paddling the Meramec and Missouri Rivers for quiet beauty and fun with friends. Johnson’s Shut-Ins for easy family camping and cool fun in the summer. Hidden Valley Ski Resort gives us a chance to go skiing and snowboarding right in our back yard. Love to catch midnight sessions after work with a mob from the shop!

I’m probably the most “me” hiking and camping in Olympic National Park, Wash. Wandering mossy damp forests of evergreen, canoeing the glassy waters of Lake Ozette, or hiking the kelp littered coastline to booming breakers and the cries of gulls.

(6) What is an outdoor adventure you want to go on some day? Describe why.
Week-long sea kayaking tour through the San Juan Islands in Washington’s Puget Sound! Beautiful protected inlets, challenging open water, and quaint laid back island communities. The San Juans sit in a triangle between Seattle, Victoria, and Vancouver, British Columbia. Harbour seals, orca whales, and bonfires on the rugged coast make paddling in the Pacific Northwest pure magic.

That or heli snowboarding in Alaska. Maximum gnar.

(7) Name and describe your favorite outdoor gear, product or brand. (If possible, provide link to said products on Alpine Shop’s website.)
Marmot, Arc’teryx, Wilderness Systems, Burton, and Lib Tech are some of my favorite brands at the shop. These guys are pros when it comes to making stuff that works great, and looks cool while doing it! Here are some of my personal favorites:

Marmot Aura 2P Tent. Expertly constructed, great in wind and rain, and still fairly lightweight. Roomy vestibule space and double entry make this tent a no-brainer for 3 season backpacking.

Arc’teryx S220LT Climbing Harness. This harness offers simplicity, light weight, and crazy comfort that belies its minimalist design.

Wilderness Systems Tsunami 145. This versatile kayak has the carrying capacity to take you on touring daytrips and overnighters, for casual paddling or an expedition! Easy to handle and predictable, but will also perform more advanced techniques.

Burton Barracuda Snowboard. Amazing powder and free ride board, with one of the best graphics I’ve seen in a while.

(8) What’s your favorite thing about Alpine Shop? (The people you work with. The customers. Being around cool stuff. Seeing the latest gear. A certain department. Other. You tell us.)
I love hearing about and helping folks get ready for awesome adventures! We have a great community of people who love the outdoors here at the Alpine Shop and it’s truly a privilege to be a part of it. Going to work inspires me to learn more every day, and to get myself back out there!

(9) Describe why outdoor activity is so important to you.
Mind, Body, and Spirit. They are one. The outdoors refuel me wholly.
What’s one activity that you enjoy that has nothing to do with the outdoors?
Playing and listening to music! Guitar, banjo, penny whistle. Anything I can make some noise with.
Provide any personal family information you wish to share.

(10) Kids, married, professional hot dog eating champion, etc? What else should people know about you?
I have an amazing wife and two great little girls. We’re learning how to be an outdoorsy team! We also have a pug. He’s pretty lame in the wild. I just completed my Masters of Divinity at Covenant Seminary here in St Louis. I enjoy seeing the outdoors open people’s eyes to bigger things. I’d like to bring those two loves together, inspiring people to find meaning, purpose, and hope in this often crazy world.

My daughters out on the water!
My daughters out on the water!