Category: The Pathfinder

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The North Face Customer Appreciation Weekend

Join us this Saturday, December 11 through Sunday, Dec. 12, at all Alpine Shop and The Pathfinder locations as we celebrate The North Face Customer Appreciation Weekend. All stores will have snacks and/or refreshments available for all customers to take home with them, compliments of The North Face.

Love all things The North Face? (And really, who doesn’t?) You’ll want to be in the store on this day. We’ll have TNF branded gifts with any purchase from The North Face. Offer good while supplies last.

Our Kirkwood location is also pleased to welcome our local TNF vendor rep (and former Alpine Shop manager) Peter Carleton, who will join us on Saturday.

See you this Saturday and Sunday at Alpine Shop and The Pathfinder for The North Face Customer Appreciation Weekend!

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We Honor Our Veterans – Today and Every Day

On this Veterans Day, we honor the brave men and women who have risked their lives to protect our freedoms.

As a retailer owned by a veteran, Alpine Shop is keenly aware of the significance of November 11. We’re also aware that the sacrifices that these men and women have given so that we may have our freedoms deserve to be honored every day, not just once a year. To those of you who have served, we say “Thank You.” Thank you for your service and thank you for continuing to serve your country. 

On this day, and every day throughout the year, we invite all military personnel – current & retired – to take 10% off their purchase* inside our stores.

Our sincere thanks for your selfless service.

*Please note, this discount is not currently available on-line at www.alpineshop.com. Proof of service such as a military ID is required, however we will allow dressing in uniform as a form of identification. Discharge papers, VA cards and veteran organization membership cards also can be used to prove your service.

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Friends & Family Weekend Is November 12-14

It’s that Time of Year Again: Friends & Family Time!

This up-coming weekend, we invite you back into our stores and on to our website for our Winter Friends & Family Weekend at all Alpine Shop locations, at our Manhattan, Kansas, store—The Pathfinder–and on-line at www.alpineshop.com!

Yep, you read that correctly – take 20% off the full, retail price on almost everything in our stores including all apparel, outerwear and footwear. We’re even offering the same deal throughout our camping department, as well. So, tents and sleeping bags? Yep! Looking for some new goggles? Those, too! Bike gloves? You get the picture. Certain exclusions apply. See below.**

Yes, you also read that correctly… You can save 10% off the retail price on nearly every bike or boat, ski or snowboard, and snowsport boots! Stock levels are extremely limited on bikes, boats, and snowsport hardgoods. Please shop early to get the best selection.

We invite you to share this event with your own friends and family! The more, the merrier!

Can’t, or don’t want, to make it to the store? Shop on-line at alpineshop.com using the discount code: AlpineFamily

**Note: 2021 Winter Friends & Family Weekend offers valid November 12-14, 2021 ONLY at Alpine Shop locations and The Pathfinder (Manhattan, Kan.), or on-line at www.alpineshop.com. Discount may not be combined with any other coupons or offers. Excludes all gear from Jackson Kayak, Kuat, Specialized, Thule, Yakima & Yeti brands. It also excludes all previously discounted merchandise, previous purchases, gift cards, Alpine Shop clinics and any boat or ski package deals or service work. Sale price limited to in-stock items only.

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Donate a Coat, Take $25 Off Your Next Apparel Purchase

Since we held our first coat drive back in 2006, Alpine Shop customers have donated over 18,000 coats to help keep our communities warm. This year, we’re asking for your help, once again, in bringing in at least one thousand more as Alpine Shop and The Pathfinder stores kick off their 16th annual One Warm Coat Drive on Monday, November 1, 2021 at all Alpine Shop locations in Missouri and at The Pathfinder in Manhattan, Kansas.

How It Works

From Monday, November 1 through Thursday, November 11, we’ll accept clean, gently-used coats, jackets and sweaters at each and every Alpine Shop location.

• Just for bringing in a garment–any coat, jacket or sweater–we’ll give you a $25 off coupon for your next full-price apparel purchase of $125 or more at any Alpine Shop or The Pathfinder store. (Some exclusions apply. See a sales associate for details.)

• Plus, we’re also giving away four prize packages – each including a $100 Alpine Shop Gift Card and a Thermoball Eco Jacket from The North Face – one from each of our stores. For each and every coat or sweater you donate, you get one entry into that drawing. Here’s the deal, though… we only draw the prize packages when we reach our goal of 1000 total coats donated across all of our stores. And each Alpine Shop location must collect at least 100 coats to be eligible to give away a gift card. So, help your local Alpine Shop out!

NOTE: Alpine Shop will only give away one coupon to each customer during the coat drive no matter how many different coats you donate. However, each item donated will still earn one entry into the gift card drawing.

How to Donate

Alpine Shop has made donating simple. Just bring your clean, gently used coats, jackets and sweaters to any Alpine Shop or The Pathfinder location. Bring your coats inside the store and check them in with one of the store’s outfitters to make sure you receive your coupon and get entered into the drawing. Then, Alpine Shop, The Pathfinder and One Warm Coat take care of the rest.

Donated coats will be split among organizations in the greater St. Louis are, including: Webster-Rock Hill Ministries and the St. Patrick Center. In Columbia, all coats will go to the Rainbow House. At The Pathfinder in Manhattan, Kan., coats will be donated to Common Table, The Manhattan Emergency Shelter and FIT Closet and Clothing Exchange.

Last year, we managed to beat our goal once again. We hope you can help us do the same in 2021!

About One Warm Coat

One Warm Coat is a national non-profit organization that supports and encourages coat drives. It helps individuals, groups, companies and organizations across the country collect coats and deliver them to local agencies that distribute the coats free to people in need. More than one million coats have been provided to those in need at no cost since its inception in 1992.

About Alpine Shop

What began in 1973 as a small climbing shop in Webster Groves, Missouri, now serves almost every type of outdoor enthusiast from backpackers, hikers, campers, paddlers, and cyclists, to snowboarders, skiers and adventure racers. With four family-owned locations across Missouri and Kansas, Alpine Shop was named the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance National Retailer of the Year in 2019.

After nearly 50 years in business, it is Alpine Shop’s vision to see Generations Transformed by Discovery Outdoors.

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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
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7th Annual Egg Hunt Challenge

Are you one of those people who still enjoy participating in Egg Hunts around the Easter holiday? Or do you like to test your “detective” skills and solve some riddles? How about trying your hand at both?!?!

Alpine Shop invites you to participate in our Seventh Annual Egg Hunt Challenge on-line at www.alpineshop.com! Yes, you’re still looking for eggs – in this case one very lovely golden egg worth $200 in an Alpine Shop gift card – but your hunt involves solving riddles related to five different products on our website. Find the products and find your next clue! Solve all five clues and you’ll be entered into the drawing to win the $200 gift card.

We’ll randomly draw a winner from the names of everyone who finds the golden egg between now and Monday, April 5. Get hunting!

Oh! And everyone who participates get a mystery coupon code, too! So… to recap: Solve the clues. Find the product on alpineshop.com. Get entered to win. Shop with a coupon code. Good? Alright here we go…

Here’s your first clue:

So what do you think this could be? The only hint you’ll get from us is that it’s at alpineshop.com!

So, you’re looking for a product on www.alpineshop.com that matches the description of the clue. You’ll know you’ve found it when you arrive on a product page and see, below the main product photo – instead of an alternate-color image – a clue, like in the photo below:

See that first alternate color image that looks like the first clue… that’s what you’re searching for, right there!

Solve all five clues and you’re in the running for that $200 gift card to Alpine Shop!

Ready to begin the challenge? It starts right here.

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Shopping Safe

From the moment we reopened our stores earlier this year, Alpine Shop and The Pathfinder have been concerned with only one thing: making sure you are safe when you shop with us.

To that end, we have continually offered as many options as possible for you to safely get what you need from our stores – including curbside pick-up, buy online, pick-up in store, 24-hour online shopping at www.alpineshop.com and enhanced sanitization and disinfection protocols at all of our locations.

Stores open at this time:

All Alpine Shop locations are open, although many have shorter operating hours than you might have been used to in the past. Please visit our locations page to verify hours before heading out to see us.

Health and Safety Policies:

The health of our staff and our loyal customers is always our biggest concern. Over the spring and summer months, our management team developed specific sanitization protocols that are now in effect at all stores.

Each location is deep-cleaned every morning before we open, and staff rotate different cleaning procedures throughout the day.

Dressing Rooms:

Dressing rooms are available as needed, but are only accessible with the help of an outfitter. After each use, our staff will disinfect and sanitize the dressing room before allowing anyone else to enter.

Masks:

In accordance with CDC guidelines and with local city mandates, outfitters are required to wear masks at all times when inside our stores.

Customers are also required to wear masks in all stores, as well.

If, for some reason, you are unable to wear a mask, we will still do everything we can to make sure you can get the assistance you need. Before entering the store, please call and ask a manager for assistance. We will be happy to help.

Number of people allowed in our stores:

All locations are operating at far below the max occupancy levels mandated by local government authorities. In fact, all stores are operating at fewer than 15% of max capacity throughout the holidays, with staff on hand monitoring total number of customers inside the store.

Returns:

We are currently allowing and accepting returns inside our stores according to our normal return guidelines.

Curbside Pick-Up/Buy On-line, Pick Up in Store:

Curbside Pick-Up as well as Buy On-Line, Pick-Up in Store are both available at all Alpine Shop and Pathfinder locations. However, there are some limitations. All on-line purchases are handled from our Kirkwood location and may take extended time to reach another store.

If you would like to use curbside pick-up, we would encourage you to please call your preferred store and tell the outfitter you would like to arrange for Curbside Pick-up. They will take your order over the phone and make sure we have everything ready for you to pick-up at your convenience.

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We Honor Our Veterans – Today and Every Day

On this Veterans Day, we honor the brave men and women who have risked their lives to protect our freedoms.

As a retailer owned by a veteran, Alpine Shop is keenly aware of the significance of November 11. We’re also aware that the sacrifices that these men and women have given so that we may have our freedoms deserve to be honored every day, not just once a year. To those of you who have served, we say “Thank You.” Thank you for your service and thank you for continuing to serve your country. 

On this day, and every day throughout the year, we invite all military personnel – current & retired – to take 10% off their purchase* inside our stores.

Our sincere thanks for your selfless service.

*Please note, this discount is not currently available on-line at www.alpineshop.com. Proof of service such as a military ID is required, however we will allow dressing in uniform as a form of identification. Discharge papers, VA cards and veteran organization membership cards also can be used to prove your service.

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Friends & Family Weekend Is November 13-15

It’s that Time of Year Again: Friends & Family Time!

This up-coming weekend, we invite you back into our stores and on to the pages of our website for our Winter Friends & Family Weekend at all Alpine Shop locations, at our Manhattan, Kansas, store—The Pathfinder–and on-line at www.alpineshop.com!

You read that correctly – take 20% off the full, retail price on almost everything in our stores including all apparel, outerwear and footwear. We’re even offering the same deal throughout our camping department, as well. So, tents and sleeping bags? Yep! Looking for some new goggles? Those, too! Bike gloves? You get the picture. Certain exclusions apply. See below.**

Yes, you also read that correctly… You can save 10% off the retail price on nearly every bike or boat, ski or snowboard, and snowsport boots!

We invite you to share this event with your own friends and family! The more, the merrier!

Can’t, or don’t want, to make it to the store? Shop on-line at alpineshop.com using the discount code: AlpineFamily

START SHOPPING HERE!

**Note: 2020 Winter Friends & Family Weekend offers valid November 13-15, 2020 ONLY at Alpine Shop locations and The Pathfinder (Manhattan, Kan.), or on-line at www.alpineshop.com. Discount may not be combined with any other coupons or offers. Excludes all gear from GoPro, Jackson Kayak, Kuat, Specialized, Thule, Yakima & Yeti brands. It also excludes all previously discounted merchandise, previous purchases, gift cards, Alpine Shop clinics and any boat or ski package deals or service work. Sale price limited to in-stock items only.

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Donate a Coat, Take $25 Off Your Next Purchase

Since we held our first coat drive back in 2006, Alpine Shop customers have donated over 17,000 coats to help keep our communities warm. This year, we’re asking for your help, once again, in bringing in at least a thousand more as Alpine Shop kicks off its 15th annual One Warm Coat Drive on Monday, October 26, 2020 at all Alpine Shop locations in Missouri and at The Pathfinder in Manhattan, Kansas.

One Warm Coat logo

How It Works

From Monday, Oct. 26 through Thursday, November 12, we’ll accept clean, gently-used coats, jackets and sweaters at each and every Alpine Shop location.

• Just for bringing in a garment, we’ll give you a $25 off coupon for your next full-price purchase of $125 or more at any Alpine Shop store. (Some exclusions apply. See a sales associate for details.)

• Plus, we’re also giving away four $250 Alpine Shop Gift Cards – one for each of our stores. For each and every coat or sweater you donate, you get one entry into that drawing. Here’s the deal, though… we only draw the gift cards when we reach our goal of 1000 total coats donated across all of our stores. And each Alpine Shop location must collect at least 100 coats to be eligible to give away a gift card. So, help your local Alpine Shop out!

NOTE: Alpine Shop will only give away one coupon to each customer during the coat drive no matter how many different coats you donate. However, each item donated will still earn one entry into the gift card drawing.

How to Donate

Alpine Shop has made donating simple. Just bring your clean, gently used coats, jackets and sweaters to any Alpine Shop location. Bring your coats inside the store and check them in with one of the store’s outfitters to make sure you receive your coupon and get entered into the drawing. Then, Alpine Shop and One Warm Coat take care of the rest.

Donated coats will be split among organizations in the greater St. Louis are, including: Webster-Rock Hill Ministries and the St. Patrick Center. In Columbia, all coats will go to the Rainbow House. At The Pathfinder in Manhattan, Kan., coats will be donated to Common Table, The Manhattan Emergency Shelter and FIT Closet and Clothing Exchange.

In November of 2018, Alpine Shop customers brought in nearly 1300 coats in just over 10 days.

Last year, we managed to beat our goal once again. We hope you can help us do the same in 2020!

About One Warm Coat

One Warm Coat is a national non-profit organization that supports and encourages coat drives. It helps individuals, groups, companies and organizations across the country collect coats and deliver them to local agencies that distribute the coats free to people in need. More than one million coats have been provided to those in need at no cost since its inception in 1992.

About Alpine Shop

What began in 1973 as a small climbing shop in Webster Groves, Missouri, now serves almost every type of outdoor enthusiast from backpackers, hikers, campers, paddlers, and cyclists, to snowboarders, skiers and adventure racers. With four family-owned locations across Missouri and Kansas, Alpine Shop was named the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance National Retailer of the Year in 2019.

After more than 45 years in business, it is Alpine Shop’s vision to see Generations Transformed by Discovery Outdoors.

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