Expert Advice – Page 2 – Alpine Shop Blog

December 10, 2019

Alpine Shop’s Top 10 2019 Unique Holiday Gifts

We take pride in offering the best brands in adventure gear, along with fashionable clothing and unique gifts your friends and family will love. From paddlers to cyclists, pros to novices, we offer practical gear for every skill level. We also stock sweaters, scarves, and socks for those who prefer sipping hot chocolate by the fire. We considered our featured items and top sellers as we put together this list of our top ten holiday gifts. If you haven’t visited Alpine Shop this season, now is the perfect time to check off every item on your list!

1. The Chimayo Fringed Jacquard Throw by Pendleton

You can’t go wrong with a Pendleton. These blankets have been symbols of respect and friendship for over 100 years. Now, you can give the gift of warmth and iconic style when you present your loved one with a Pendleton blanket. This wool throw is vivid and warm, and it’s perfect for any lover of Boho or Southwest style.

2. The Ever-Useful Hydro Flask

You mean you don’t have one yet?

You may not be a VSCO girl, but that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from a Hydro Flask. Why are they so popular? It may be because their double wall vacuum insulation keeps liquids icy cold for up to 24 hours, or steaming hot for up to 12 hours. Trust us: you’ll be amazed at how functional these little water bottles really are. Plus, Hydro Flask products are all BPA-free, recyclable, and backed by a lifetime warranty.

We also have Hydro Flask wine tumblers for the girl who just likes to rosé all day.

3. The DoubleNest Hammock

Our DoubleNest Hammock is on sale! Once you take this customer and staff favorite camping, you’ll never want to leave the house without it. Light, soft, and strong, these hammocks pack small and set up quickly, perfect for whenever you want to kick back. The hiker or camper in your life will love it.

4. The Yeti Cooler

Admit it. You’ve always wanted a Yeti cooler. Now’s your chance to go big and surprise the camper or sports fan in your life with this Tundra 45. It’s perfect for shorter trips, with lots of room inside but compact enough to be carried by one person. The lid and base are indestructible, and the insulation will keep your drinks – or the catch of the day – cold for days. A Yeti is guaranteed to be the last cooler you’ll ever need to purchase.

5. Urban Cycling Guide

Is someone on your list curious about joining the cycling community? Help them get started with this guide: Urban Cycling. In this helpful manual, author and urban-cycler Madi Carlson gives accessible and appealing guidance for even the most hesitant bicyclist. Help your loved one make a New Year’s resolution they’ll truly love sticking with.

6. Phone Tote/Camping Accessories

Give your paddler or adventurer something he or she can really use: a waterproof tote! With this handy accessory, campers can store small valuables and text, talk, and surf on their device without having to worry about rain, sand, or other debris. This Gecko product is simply a must for paddlers and hikers. Another handy must-have? Pair your drybag with this headlamp.

7. Backpack Games

Keep the kids busy on that long trip to grandma’s, or on your next family camping trip! All of our backpack games are currently on sale, so whether you prefer a game of chess at the campsite or disk golf at the park, we’ve got you covered.

8. All-In-One Headwear

These headwear products by Buff are hugely popular. Some of the folks in our shop swear by them. Use them to keep your hair back or stay cool on a strenuous hike, there are a dozen ways to wear them, and they dry quickly while giving you great sun protection.

9. Camelbak Water Pack

Anyone who owns a Camelbak knows how essential these packs can be on a long hike! Models like this one are currently on sale. Lightweight and versatile, this pack holds 1.5 liters of water with extra room for snacks and layers. Don’t let this great deal pass you by!

10. An Arcteryx Jacket

The final item on our list is a staff favorite. We all have one version or other of the Arcteryx jacket, and we can recommend any one you like! For warmth, stretch, durability, and ruggedness, there’s nothing better. Give one to the one you love most this holiday!

Shop Online or Visit Our Store for More Great Deals this Holiday

It was hard to pick just ten! If you’re interested in adventure gear or outdoor favorites, shop online or visit Alpine Shop. Our staff will be happy to suggest a few more of our favorites!

August 8, 2019August 9, 2019

Celebrate National S’mores Day with Osprey Packs

Saturday, August 10 is National S’mores Day! To celebrate this momentous occasion, Osprey Packs is providing everything you need to make your very own s’mores at our stores – including the fire to roast the marshmallows. At Alpine Shop Kirkwood and Chesterfield, s’mores hours will be from 5 pm – 7 pm! At our Columbia location and at the Pathfinder in Manhattan, Ks., s’mores will be served from 4-6 pm.

We’ll also have representatives from Osprey Packs that will be on hand with some informational seminars, games and over $600 worth of Osprey backpacks and accessories that they’ll be raffling off throughout the evening to celebrate Alpine Shop Kirkwood’s certification as an Osprey Packs PRO SHOP.

About to embark on an adventure? Pro Shops have you covered with the largest assortment of Osprey products, expert gear knowledge and custom fitting services. Don’t know where to start? Let the experts at one of our pro shops help you choose the best pack from a full range of size and color options, translate the technical specs and fine-tune your pack so it fits you exactly as it should.
Osprey Packs Website

As the only Osprey Packs PRO SHOP in Missouri, and one of only 12 shops across the entire United States with that designation, you won’t find another retailer across most of the Midwest with the kind of selection and service for world-class Osprey Packs that you’ll find at Alpine Shop.

Alpine Shop is pleased to welcome the World Bird Sanctuary back to our Kirkwood location for an Al-Pint Night this Saturday, August 10 from 5 pm – 7 pm.

While s’more stations are happening at all of our locations thanks to Osprey Packs, our Kirkwood store will also have one of our famous Al-Pint Nights to support the World Bird Sanctuary. The good folks from the Sanctuary will have a number of raptors on hand for you to see and interact with on an up-close-and-personal level. (Please, for the safety of the birds at this event, we ask that all customers respect a “no dog zone” around the birds, though!)

To support this important organization, you can purchase a STANLEY Al-Pint Night Adventure Stein (see photo below) for just $25 which includes two free pours at the three remaining Al-Pint Nights for the rest of 2019. Every cent goes towards the organizations our Al-Pint Nights support throughout the year. Or, if you have already purchased an adventure stein for the year, come and join us at no cost to yourself! Plastic Pint Night Cups are just $5!

July 12, 2019

Back to Campus – Green Style

It may be summer now, but soon it will be time for students to head back to campus and back to the books.

So, guys and gals, we’ve gathered up a few tips to help you make the most of what you got and stay green while doing it.

Avoid Plastic Bottles

Seems simple enough and you’ve heard it a hundred times, you may even already practice it, but keeping a few good water bottles and tumblers in the dorm are a must for kicking the plastic bottle habit and making your own beverages to help keep costs down.

Our favorite tumbler for keeping your drink cold through the party, ahem… study sessions, is the Yeti 30 oz tumbler with a variety of lids and color options. You can get them to match your style and you never have to worry about your drink being the opposite temperature than you want it.

For bottles, our wide assortment of Klean Kanteen has you covered on any size or color and the double wall vacuum keeps your drink at just your favorite temperature so when you make coffee in the wee hours and you really need that boost mid-morning, you don’t have to suffer through a lukewarm disaster.

Check out these skratch drink mixes for a flavorful blast that will keep you hydrated through cram sessions and recovery.

Furnishing your dorm

Furniture is a given but what about all the shipping and moving involved? Two great ways to combat this are to buy second-hand from around campus which not only knocks out the moving involved but also reuses the old and cuts out the effects of manufacturing. That’s not always an option, though. Sometimes in the scramble of everyone moving in, things get snatched up quickly.

ENO Hammocks – Single Nest Hammock with Hanging Kit.

Another less common solution is to use camp furniture! Imagine a living room filled with an ENO hammock or a study circle comprised of our beloved Nemo Stargazers (see below). And when it’s time to explore the outdoors for the weekend or pack up and head home it all packs down to a portable size that is sure to fit in even the most compact cars.

Cooking for yourself

Most dorms don’t allow you to have open flames but that doesn’t mean you can’t make some amazing food for yourself. You can do a lot with microwaves, toaster ovens and Crock pots which all keep most of the heat contained to help keep your electric costs down, too. And when you’re in a pinch and don’t have time to find the best slow cooker meal, our backpacking meals can seem like heaven and all you need is hot water.

Unplug

Goal Zero Solar Chargers and Battery Packs

You can’t get through college without your electronics; they are your lifeblood. But checking your settings and making sure you have them set to the best power saving practices to fit your needs can cut down on electrical use as well as help keep you going longer with more battery power. For even more power saving, you can hook up to our Goal Zero solar chargers to keep your laptops and speakers going while hanging out in the Quad, soaking up the sun. Or, you can even use it to power some sweet lighting to your back patio. (Oh and a quick reminder to make sure you unplug all your other electronics when not in use as those cause a slow drain as well.)

What’s that smell?

Anyone who has been in a dorm room knows they can get smelly quickly if you ended up with the messy roommate (or if you’re the messy roommate). One green way to combat those smells is to place a couple of potted plants around the room to help improve air quality and a couple of herbs in the window to add a little fragrance. Plus then you can quickly add fresh free herbs to your favorite Crock Pot meals!

Hang it up

Get a drying rack to hang dry your clothes. Not only will you not have to fight for the last dryer but you will save a ton of energy in the process. Worried about it taking too long to dry? We have lots of quick dry clothing made from merino wool to the latest wicking technology from Patagonia. Check out our blog here about our favorite wicking clothing.

Inked

Printer ink is just one more thing that adds to the seemingly endless list of non-efficient products, but you can do some small things to help. Did you know that most printers have an “ink saver mode”? You can also get most cartridges refilled at a local store and they save the cartridge from going to the landfill as well as your wallet a few extra bucks. If they can’t be refilled, check and see if your school has a recycling collection for these. If not, why not try to start one, yourself?

Keep it clean

Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Hemp Pure Peppermint Pure-Castile Soap

The soap of all soaps – Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Soap . This eco-friendly, all-natural soap cares about its customers, employees and the environment. A little goes a long way and works great as a shampoo, body wash, laundry detergent, dish soap, floor cleaner and even pets! Check out their dilution cheat sheet here.

Ditch the plastic bags

One option is to simply ask for paper at checkout. An even better option is to bring your own. We have a couple of bags that are our favorite for hitting the local farmers markets and hauling our myriad of stuff around town.

Pass it on

Recycle what you can when you leave. When the semester has ended and it’s time to pack up we hope you will keep in mind local shelters and charities to donate furniture and unused school supplies to. Or make use of that college bulletin board and hand things over to the next set of pupils coming through the door.

Good luck this semester and cheers to being green. Are there things we didn’t mention? Tell us what you currently do to keep your dorm green!

July 12, 2019July 12, 2019

Keep Cool (And Protect Yourself, Fool!)

Finding the right gear to keep you cool, dry and comfortable can be tough. That’s why we are here to help. We have curated our favorite pieces for wicking sweat away from your skin. But don’t forget you also want to keep your skin healthy by covering it with UPF sun protection fabrics and sunblock, too!

1) Patagonia Women’s Tropic Comfort Hoody – This lightweight, fast-drying fishing and travel hoody wicks away moisture, offers 50+ UPF sun protection, and has Polygiene® permanent odor control for extended wear in hot and humid weather.

2) Patagonia Women’s Capilene® Cool Daily Graphic Shirt – most versatile performance knit for use on trails or on the water provides 50+ UPF sun protection and Polygiene® permanent odor control. Patagonia tech tees keep you comfortable when you’re working hard in conditions ranging from cool to hot.

3) Royal Robbins Women’s Expedition 3/4 Sleeve Shirt – Style, function, comfort – this top works hard to keep you dry, cool and comfortable on long, hot days on the trail, but has the style to handle civilized evenings out. Packable and wrinkle resistant, quick-drying and durable, it has TempraTech™ thermoregulating mesh at the yoke for wicking performance that adapts to rising temps, built in UPF 40+ sun protection, and a hidden zip pocket on the hip to secure your cash and passport.

4) White Sierra Women’s Crystal Cove River Shorts – The Crystal Cove River Short is always ready for any land and sea getaway, thanks to its quick dry & travel friendly nylon fabric. Comfort fit flat front with back side elastic waistband. Front hand slash pockets make it a laid-back short while multiple cargo pockets are there for all your valuables.

5) The North Face Women’s Class V 2.0 Hike Short – In the river or on the trail, The North Face Women’s Class V 2.0 Hike Short feels great wherever you adventure in the warmer seasons. Its FlashDry fabric wicks moisture and dries quickly to help you feel fresh after hot hikes or cool dips. It also shields you from the sun’s harmful sunlight. The elastic waistband is complemented with a novelty belt.

6) Icebreaker Everyday Cami 175 – Combining flattering feminine style with the softness and breathability of 100% pure merino wool, the 175 Everyday Cami is a versatile and ultra-comfortable top for any day, anywhere. This cozy cami features a rib knit design for superior comfort and stretch, while the classic scoop neck design makes it a wardrobe essential in any season. Adjustable straps help you find the perfect fit. While it does not have sun protection we find this top to be the pintacle of baselayers, offering dryness from the skin out.

7) The North Face Men’s Paramount Trail Shorts – Navigate through the backcountry wearing The North Face® Paramount Trail Shorts. The durable nylon material is accompanied by a relaxed fit silhouette that ensures ultimate comfort. They feature UPF 50 sun protection, so you can stay out for hours on end. Complete with a webbed belt and various pockets to hold your trail essentials, these shorts will become your go-to for every adventure.

8) The North Face Monanock Short-Sleeve Shirt – Men’s – The North Face hid a few tricks up the Men’s Monanock Shirt’s sleeves to better prepare you for summer trips out of the country. Its sun-blocking fabric features FlashDry fibers that advance moisture management and quick-drying comfort for warm tours through foreign cities. There’s an internal pocket sized for passports to keep your identity cleverly hidden in public places.

9) Icebreaker Men’s Cool-Lite Amplify Short Sleeve Crewe – A lightweight training T-shirt, the Amplify Short Sleeve Crewe is a smart choice for when you want to take it to the next level. Made from our ultra-light 130gm jersey, the fabric features corespun fibers, where we wrap merino and natural TENCEL® around nylon for added durability and a great feel. Cool-Lite™ technology keeps you cool when things start to heat up, and a mesh back and sleeves offer added ventilation. This breathable T-shirt wicks away moisture for maximum comfort and performance whether you’re hitting the gym or out on the trail. The design features off-set shoulder seams to prevent chafing, and a drop-tail hem for added coverage.

10) Columbia Men’s PFG Super Low Drag™ Short Sleeve Shirt – The Super Low Drag is a vented, quick-drying, sweat-wicking, short-sleeve shirt that features a rod holder and UPF 15 sun protection.

11) Simms Stone Cold Shirt Short Sleeve – Sometimes great fishing requires venturing into places that feel like the inside of a blast furnace. It’s times like these that it’s important to keep your cool. The Stone Cold SS Shirt can help. Made with Cool Control™ cool-touch fabric technology, this quick-drying fishing shirt also features COR3™ performance to help out in the moisture wicking, odor fighting, and sun protection departments.

12) White Sierra – Men’s Bug Free Base Camp Long Sleeve Crew – For those who prefer the natural feel of cotton and need protection from the pesky mosquitoes, this Bug Free Jersey Long Sleeve Crew is for you to wear on any day. Treated with Insect Shield Technology, this casual long sleeve fends off mosquitoes and bugs so you can enjoy the outdoor. It’s also quick drying and wrinkle resistant.

13) Outdoor Research – Oasis Sombrero – Women`s The Oasis Sombrero offers the highest level of sun protection in a garment, UPF 50, and is sure to keep you nice and cool under the blazing sun. The extra wide brim offers shade while the liner headband wicks perspiration away.

14) Buff – Coolnet UV+ – Built for Ultimate Sun Protection – BUFF CoolNet UV+™ Multifunctional Headwear is 95% recycled – engineered with REPREVE® performance microfiber, HeiQ cooling technology, Polygiene® odor control and has a 4-Way, seamless, ULTRA STRETCH fabric construction that features UPF 50+ sun protection. BUFF CoolNet UV+™ Multifunctional Headwear is approved and recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation. Can be worn 12 different ways – from cap to balaclava, neck gaiter to hair tie.

May 20, 2019

Master the MR340

So you signed up for longest contiguous paddle race in the country – the MR340 – now what do you do? The experts at Alpine Shop are here to help!

A significant number of Alpine Shop employees have participated in the MR340, and many have done the race multiple times. Together, they’re helping to bring their knowledge to you as part of our MR340 Introduction Clinics going on this spring and summer.

Your head instructor for these classes is an 11-time competitor, and has earned three trophies from the race that he won’t stop bragging about.

There will be three MR340 clinics.

Clinic #1 – May 7th – 6:30pm : Intro to MR340 Q&A – Location : Alpine Shop – Kirkwood MO

We’ll review charts, navigation, support teams, best practices, horror stories, and gear. Bring your questions!

Clinic #2 – May 26th – 3pm : Forward Strokes – Location: Simpson Lake

Let’s be blunt, just about anyone can get into a kayak and figure out that paddling on the right turns the boat left, paddling on the left makes the boat go right, and paddling on both sides SOMETIMES makes the boat go straight. It often takes YEARS to develop an efficient forward stroke, but we’ll try to speed up the process. It takes about 250,000 paddles strokes to get to St Charles from KC, try to imagine how just a small improvement in efficiency can help you out.

Clinic #3 – June 25th – 6:30pm : Safety & Rescue – Location: Simpson Lake

If you tip your kayak on most rivers in Missouri, you can just stand up and walk to shore. That’s not the case on the Mighty MO! Every year, a few MR340 racers end up in the river. Attend this class to learn how to rescue yourself and others in a safe, controlled setting so you’ll be more prepared when there’s a problem during the race (when you’re fatigued and disoriented).

Each class lasts approximately 90 minutes and is $10.

Interested in registering? Sign up today here!

March 2, 2019March 2, 2019

Get Outside Expo Featured Speaker: Angel Castellanos

The Ultimate Travel & Packing Tips for Any Adventure – Saturday March 2

A Special Presentation by Angel Castellanos – Travel Expert, National Speaker & Eagle Creek Traveler

This highly informative presentation is packed with the most up-to-date, savvy travel tips, and inspirational stories from all over the world, to help travelers travel smarter, better and cheaper. Angel will deliver the best travel tips on packing smart, safety, de-stressing the airport experience, saving money, sightseeing hacks, traveling with technology and much more!

No matter your level of experience, you are bound to come away with practical current travel tips for any adventure. The packing demonstration included in this talk is one you do not want to miss. Packing in a carry on? After this presentation, packing in any bag will not be a problem! Travel smart, well and often!

Don’t miss Angel Castellanos at the Get Outside Expo 2019, along with 30 hours of classes, demonstrations, movies and more, from Friday, March 1 through Sunday, March 3 at our Kirkwood location.

January 29, 2019January 29, 2019

Why “Getting Bundled Up” Doesn’t Cut It

Alpine Shop’s Alex Kuntzman met with KSDK News Meteorologist Jessica Quick on Monday, January 28 to discuss the best way to dress for being outside during cold weather.

The most important thing to remember is that there is very little difference between dressing for 30 degree temperatures and 0 degree temps. It’s all about working with layers to make sure you are prepared for multiple situations.

If you are going to be active outside – continuous walking/running, skiing, snowboarding, lifting items, shoveling, etc. – then the number one reason you may get cold is your own sweat. If you’re going to be exposed to the cold for a significant amount of time when you will not be sedentary, then we need to take extra precautions to make sure your body has enough insulation around it to stay warm. Either way, it all starts with layering.

The first or “base” layer (next to your skin) should be either wool or polyester. Both of those materials will wick sweat away from your body and dry quickly. This is especially important for the active crowd. For the sedentary crowd, this layer is just as important and may need to be slightly thicker than one for the active crowd.

The second layer is your main insulation. In general, this will be a thicker piece than your base layer and will be made from wool, polyester, down or another synthetic insulation. Just how thick it is will depend on how cold it will be outside and how active you will be. You can always throw on multiple pieces of insulation to start and remove them as you go.

The final layer should block wind and precipitation while allowing your sweat to evaporate through it.

As your activity level increases or decreases, each layer can be alternately unzipped, removed or zipped up to release heat or trap it.

The same things go for your hands, your feet and your head. Many of Alpine Shop’s selection of gloves are designed with an insulation sleeve and a waterproof shell. Glove liners can be combined with these in extreme temperatures. For your feet, we recommend that the shoes or boot you wear contain insulation themselves so you can use socks that will do a better job of moving moisture away from your feet. On your head, we recommend balaclavas to provide the most cover, if needed.

October 17, 2018October 17, 2018

Ski & Snowboard Service: Protect your gear and perfect your ride

Keeping your skis and snowboards tuned is one of the two most important things* you can do to ensure you have a great time on the slopes every time you make a run. Why? Because without a tune, your gear does two things: it sticks to the snow, making it harder for you to move and it reduces your maneuverability in turns, making it harder for you to go where you want to go. Now, if this still sounds fun, proceed to your nearest slope without taking care of your ride. However, if you want to actually enjoy your time on the snow, read on.

There are two different ways to keep your skis and snowboards tuned: you can do it yourself or you can bring them in to us at Alpine Shop and let us take care of it for you.

Some repairs, though, are beyond the equipment you’ll have in your basement. And some people would just rather have an experienced technician do the work. For those jobs, Alpine Shop is proud to offer you one of the top ski and snowboard service centers in the country. Completely stocked with top-of-the-line Wintersteiger equipment and manned by certified techs, we’ll make sure your gear is perfectly tuned for your particular style.

Here’s some examples of what we do:

An example of a board needing a custom tune from Alpine Shop's service center — A perfect example of something needing a Custom Tune. If the customer does the Basic Tune, all those scratch lines will still be there, the edges won’t be perfect and the base would be dry.

Precision Ski or Snowboard Tune:

Our highest level of service in package form. Stone grind, Base beveling/flattening, base and side edge beveling/sharpening, ptex and a race/hot wax and race polish.

And just what does all this mean?

Stone grinding: This process flattens the ski base, removes damaged base material and gives skis and boards a better surface for wax to adhere to for a smoother, faster ride.

Base beveling/flattening: This means we’re shaping the bottom of your gear to work perfectly for your personal style on the slopes.

Side edge beveling/sharpening: The most important thing for maneuverability is for your ski or snowboard edges to be smooth – like a fine knife – not the serrated kind. We make sure your edges are smooth, sharp and angled precisely to match your riding style.

Ptex: We use ptex to repair gouges or other damage done to the base of your gear. Without the repairs done, your skis or board can’t perform the way they’re meant to on the slopes.

Is your base drying out? Alpine Shop's hot wax treatment can take care of that. — See the white lines in the base? That’s the base drying out. This board needs a tune with a HOT WAX.

Hot Wax: The difference between hot wax and machine wax is like deciding between an economy set of new tires or a performance rated set of tires. Both will have your car performing better, but there is a noticeable difference in the quality of the ride. The same holds true here. A hot wax treatment will be customized to the type and temperature of the conditions you’ll ski in. It will also protect your base better and be more durable than a machine wax. For this reason, if your gear’s base appears to be drying out (see pic on the right) we will recommend a hot wax treatment. A machine wax, meanwhile, is much better than nothing at all, but we can’t give you the best ride possible with it.

The Precision Tune is for the customer who wants the ultimate experience on his gear at all time. This tune makes skis and boards as close to new as possible. Guaranteed to be fast and sharp.

Sharpen & Wax Package:

Our best value: Base beveling/flattening, base and side edge beveling/sharpening, and machine wax.
For the customer who want to save bank but needs that next level of service. This tune will cleanup and polish the base while flattening it and make those edges sharp, sharp, sharp. If the base looks dry (see pic above) we will recommend you upgrade to a Hot Wax.

Alpine Shop's Service Center can handle Ptex & epoxy repairs — An example of a ptex repair. If the gouge/scratch is down to the core it will need epoxy.

Ptex/Epoxy Base or Topsheet Repair:

For those times when the snow isn’t perfect and you smoke a rock/rail or fellow skier. This service starts at $15 and goes up depending on what is needed to completely repair your ski or snowboard.

Have other questions? Give us a call at 314-962-7715. We’ll be happy to help you out however we can.

*Oh and the other most important thing you can do to ensure a good experience on the slopes: Get a good, professionally fit pair of boots.

June 3, 2018August 14, 2018

2018 KT82 Race Report

Heading East to West from St. Louis to Hermann, Mo., on the 2018 KT82.

On Saturday, June 2, 2018, Alpine Shop employees, along with friends and family took off an an 82 mile relay run from St. Louis County to Hermann, Mo., in the Go! Missouri KT82 Trail relay.

The Leg Chart for the 2018 KT82. Runner #1 has legs 1, 7 and 13; Runner #2 has legs 2, 8 and 14, and so on.

Alpine Shop Marketing Director, Todd Oswald, Bike and Snowsports Hardgoods Buyer Mike Morin, along with outfitters Steve Worthy and Ann Mangin, and Chad Arnett and Sean Badock began the day at 4:45 am to start their journey from Parkway North High School in Creve Coeur, Mo. This is the third straight year Team Alpine Shop has participated in the KT82, which features six different runners each tackling total distances approximating a half-marathon over three separate legs on the longest Rail-to-Trail conversion in the United States – the Katy Trail.

Team Alpine Shop at the Starting Line for the 2018 KT82 Trail Relay. From left: Ann Mangin, Sean Badock, Chad Arnett, Mike Morin, Todd Oswald, Steve Worthy

Summer came quickly to the midwest in 2018. After a mid-April snowstorm kept winter holding on well into our normal spring, Mother Nature switched immediately into deep summer by early May with some of the hottest temperatures ever for the month. By the time the safety meetings for the KT82 happened at the end of May, all participants were concerned with weather reports indicating high temps in the mid-90s for the race.

The day bloomed warm and humid as the team set out from the track at Parkway North, but not overwhelming so, thankfully. By mid-morning, the humidity had reached its saturation point, however, and a race-pausing thunderstorm descended on the more than thousand runners spread out along the course.

The logjam of people at Exchange 7 as we wait for the go ahead to return to the trails.

The traffic jam that developed as the race was forced into a delay by a thunderstorm that rolled through around 10:30 am.

The storm would thankfully keep the temperatures from ever reaching into the 90s, but the cloud cover also dissipated, leaving runners to deal with the sun – and still considerable heat – for much of the afternoon.

The KT82 is a combination of hard physical effort out on the course followed by hours of downtime and socialization in between runs. Then repeat. The race becomes a favorite for many participants, not because of the runs – although the sense of accomplishment is very real – but mainly because of the fun and craziness of putting six people of varying states of exhaustion together in a vehicle for more than 12 hours together (provided you have a good team, I guess, which we’ve been lucky enough to have.)

The scene at Exchange 13 in Dutzow, Mo. At times, the crowds can make it difficult to actually make the exchange!

It’s also a combination of the most social run you’ll ever be a part of as well as the most isolated run you’ll ever do. The Exchange Zones are jam packed with people all day long. On this day, because of the storm, even more teams than usual were at the same exchange zones throughout the day. You become with friends with teams you’re leapfrogging with all day long as certain runners finish faster followed by a slower runner on the next leg. But when you get out on the course, it’s not unusual to have more than a half mile between participants. For runners who thrive on sticking with a pack, it can be an extremely lonely race.

A van full of food and drink for six runners.

The hardest part of the race for many is figuring out what, and how much, to eat and drink throughout the day to keep your energy levels as high as possible for your runs. Unlike a standard marathon where, for many runners, we can cruise on auto-pilot for the middle five to six miles after a three or four mile warm-up, and then just try and hold on for the final 5k; in the KT82, your first leg may be three miles, followed by a two and a half hour wait. Then seven miles. Stretch. Rest for two more hours. Run another five miles.

But as the team makes the final climb up over the Highway 19 bridge over the Missouri River into Hermann and all six runners meet up for the final quarter mile together, the struggles of the day quickly fade in the glow of the celebration at Hermann City Park.

Gear used that is available at Alpine Shop:
Yeti Coolers – Roadie 20 Cooler, Tundra 65 Cooler, Hopper 30 Soft Cooler
Altra Lone Peak 3.5 Trail Runners – for single track trail
FITS Socks – Performance Trail Quarter Socks
Chaco Z1 Sandals – for in between runs
The North Face – Better than Naked Running T-Shirts
Alpine Shop Off-Road Racing League Race Shirts
Salomon Speedcross Trail Runners
Hoka One One – Challenger ATR 4
Saxx 2N1 Kinetic Run Shorts (not yet available at Alpine Shop, but check back soon – they’re awesome!)

January 25, 2018February 13, 2018

Canoe Be My Valentine?

Who wouldn’t want a hand-made Valentine, right? Now, you can show off your artistic and romantic side by giving your loved one a hand-colored, custom-made “Alpine Valentine,” free for you with any purchase either on-line at www.alpineshop.com or in any of our stores.

It’s just our way of asking, “Canoe Be My Valentine?”

Alpine Valentine — Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Alpine Shop. We hope you love these hand-drawn and hand-lettered Valentine’s ready for you to turn into colorful expressions of your adoration.

Will you Pata-go with me? — We’re pretty positive we’re breaking a copyright law here somewhere, but we’re going to “go” with it for now. If this photo disappears in a few days you’ll know why. Hopefully, the same thing doesn’t happen to your valentine.

My love for you is "in-tents" — Ah, yes, a little love in the outdoors. The fresh air makes everyone just a little … more passionately playful(?) maybe. [shrug]

You know what would be “Unbearable?” Life without you. You know what else would be “Unbearable?” Life without bears. Think about that for a second.

You make me a happy camper — For the person in your life that loves nothing more than to disappear for days at a time into the not-so-wild-wilderness with the promise of a comfy bed no matter how far they get away from home.

Love you S'more — Nothing says “I Love You” like a warm fire, some chocolate and a small morsel of pure white sugar burning into a flaming crisp when you get a little too close to the flame. There’s a metaphor there somewhere.

I'd be lost without you. — And we’d be lost without our trusty compass, too. A match made in heaven with a little bit of healthy magnetism to hold it all in place.

Canoe be my valentine? — For the river rat and boat lover in your life, nothing will get into their hearts more “rapid”ly than water-craft-themed love notes. Get it, “Rapidly.” Oh, never mind.