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.
One of the most familiar names at the 2019 Get Outside Expo is also one of our most-traveled. Marty Koch is a retired St. Louis park ranger and the former Program Director for Alpine Shop. He has traveled extensively to the wild areas of America, photographing nature’s beauty. He is a photographer, instructor and freelance writer who has authored two books of his photography and is currently working on a third.
Marty is a nationally-recognized speaker from trade shows across the country, where he’s known for his many presentations on “The Amazing Earth.” He’ll be showing us two of those programs this weekend.
On Saturday, Marty will be the first presenter of the day at 10 am with The Amazing Earth: Zion National Park. Zion National Park is an amazing place full of canyons, rushing rivers, seasonal waterfalls, and astounding views. This presentation will cover the most popular sites as well as a couple of hidden gems. Learn about the parks geology, natural history, accommodations and much more.
On Sunday, Marty will lead off the the final day of the EXPO with The Amazing Earth: Wonders of Canyonlands National Park. The largest of Utah’s five national parks is Cayonlands National Park near Moab, UT. As the name suggests, this park is all about the canyons, geologic formations, and big rivers. This program will explore the three sections of the park: Island in the Sky, The Needles, and The Maze. Topics will cover visiting the park, lodging, and camping facilities, other attractions in the area.
Find out how the MR340 grew from 11 boats in 2006 to over 500 boats in 2019. The World’s Longest Non-Stop River Race has been listed as one of National Geographic‘sTop 100 American Adventures and it draws paddlers from around the world. Best of all, it happens right in our backyard.
Scott Mansker is the race director for the MR340 and will be presenting during the 2019 Get Outside Expo at noon on Sunday, March 3
Imagine a race across the entire state of Missouri, just you and your boat thrown against 340 miles of wind, heat, bugs and rain.
The Missouri 340 is an endurance race across the state of Missouri. Competitors will start in Kansas City and finish, some of them anyway, in St. Charles. With numerous towns and hamlets, the course offers plenty of opportunity for resupply while en route. The Missouri River is also incredibly scenic and isolated in some stretches, with wildlife and beautiful vistas to rival any river in North America. But if you’re trying to win this race, you won’t have time to enjoy any of it.
Participants are allowed exactly 88 hours to complete the course. There are nine checkpoints along the route where paddlers are required to sign in and sign out. Cutoff times will be associated with these checkpoints based on the 88 hour pace. Failure to miss two consecutive deadlines is grounds for disqualification. To finish this race in 88 hours is a huge accomplishment. Only 2/3 of the teams were able to do that last year.
There are no dams, locks or portages on this stretch of the Missouri. You could, conceivably, finish this race without ever having left your boat. (We don’t recommend it.) This doesn’t mean that the race is without danger. Any time you put yourself on the water, especially moving water, you assume a certain amount of risk. The Missouri 340 course is all on Class I water. The current is about 3 mph and there are no rapids. The biggest hazard to paddlers would be motorboats, mostly fisherman, and the occasional towboat pushing barges. In river obstacles would include wing dikes, buoys and bridge pilings.
On Saturday evening, March 2 at 7 pm, at the 2019 Get Outside Expo, Alpine Shop is proud to present – on the side of our building weather permitting! – DamNation, a feature film presented by Patagonia, on the impact of dams throughout our nation.
The film is FREE to all participants and will also feature a complimentary beer from Urban Chestnut Brewing Company for those 21 and older.
The Story
This powerful film odyssey across America explores the sea change in our national attitude from pride in big dams as engineering wonders to the growing awareness that our own future is bound to the life and health of our rivers. Dam removal has moved beyond the fictional Monkey Wrench Gang to go mainstream. Where obsolete dams come down, rivers bound back to life, giving salmon and other wild fish the right of return to primeval spawning grounds, after decades without access. DamNation’s majestic cinematography and unexpected discoveries move through rivers and landscapes altered by dams, but also through a metamorphosis in values, from conquest of the natural world to knowing ourselves as part of nature.
DamNation opens big, on a birth, with the stirring words of Franklin D. Roosevelt at the dedication of Hoover Dam, and on a death, as the engineer at Elwha Dam powers down the turbine on its last day. DamNation stints neither the history nor the science of dams, and above all conveys experiences known so far to only a few, including the awe of watching a 30-pound salmon hurtling 20 feet into the air in a vain attempt to reach the spawning grounds that lie barricaded upriver. We witness the seismic power of a dam breaking apart and, once the river breaks free, the elation in watching wild salmon – after a century of denied access – swimming their way home.
The People
DamNation’s filmmakers have done their documentary homework. Rediscovered archival footage and pristine vintage photography reveals the young archaeological “salvage” team working against time to recover priceless Anasazi artifacts before the flooding of Glen Canyon in 1958. We meet singer Katie Lee, who was among the last to experience the canyon and, at the age of 94, still recalls the vivid beauty of its walls. Her nemesis, Floyd Dominy, the long-time Bureau of Reclamation czar who dammed Glen Canyon, exudes pride in his power to alter a landscape. We also hear from dam defender Congressman Tom McClintock and dam critic, ex-Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt.
Most of the voices in DamNation ring far from the lobbied halls of our capitols, and closer to the heart of a river. We hear the smoldering outrage of a Nez Perce elder recalling from his youth the flooding of his people’s sacred falls and fishing ground along the Columbia, and the quiet testimony of a river keeper who has manned his post 12 hours a day for 13 years to count, observe and protect a Rogue River steelhead run. And DamNation is not without its action heroes, including the activist/artist who two decades ago painted under moonlight a giant crack down the face of Hetch Hetchy’s dam.
The Shift
DamNation shows how far things have moved and how quickly, from the assumption 50 years ago that dams were always a power for good, to the first successful attempt to remove a marginal dam 20 years ago on the Kennebec River. The film highlights other dam removal stories, including the Elwha and White Salmon Rivers in Washington, the Rogue River in Oregon, and the Penobscot River in Maine.
Diverse interests across the country are coming together to remove obsolete dams and find more cost-effective options to meet power, shipping, irrigation and other needs, while helping to restore rivers, preserve tribal customs, recover fish stocks, revitalize waterfronts, improve recreational opportunities and render watersheds more resilient to climate change.
Dam owners, impacted communities, and politicians are now reevaluating the usefulness of certain dams and often advocating for decommissioning and removal. Some call it a movement, others call it a generational shift in values.DamNation documents both – and the undeniable momentum behind river restoration that has begun to take hold in our country.
Origins
When, as a young man, DamNation producer Matt Stoecker witnessed migrating steelhead jump at, and bounce off, Stanford University’s Searsville Dam, he recognized the destructive power of a single dam on an entire watershed and beyond. Matt is now a fish biologist, who has since spearheaded the removal of more than a dozen such barriers to migration and is actively involved in efforts to dismantle several others. He and Patagonia founder/owner Yvon Chouinard, a long-time “dam buster” who for years has supported groups working to tear down dams, share the desire to free our rivers. Together they decided to capture such efforts, and their healing effects, on film and share them with the world. Teaming up with Felt Soul Media’s Ben Knight and Travis Rummel, DamNation was born.
Join us on Saturday, March 2 at Alpine Shop Kirkwood at 7 pm for our presentation of DamNation!
$5 at the Pint Night gets you a custom plastic pint cup, plus two free pours of some fantastic Schlafly Beer.
We’ll also be pre-selling a brand new way to enjoy Al-Pint Night’s in 2019… More details will be coming on Wednesday, February 27! Stay tuned!
The Missouri Whitewater Association (MWA) is a public organization which exists to encourage the growth of paddling as a beneficial recreational sport and a recognized competitive sport, to teach paddling skills, river safety techniques, to sponsor river trips and other outdoor activities, and to educate club members and the general public about the sport and about river conservation. The MWA will be hosting the Missouri State Whitewater Championships on March 22-24 on the St. Francis River near Fredericktown, MO.
Team River Runner – St Louis (TRR) with ST. Louis VAMC gives military veterans and their family members an opportunity to find health, healing, and new challenges through whitewater boating and other paddling sports. The benefits of TRR have as much to do with social support, finding emotional strength and re-creating personal identity as they do with athletic activity.
The St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club supports canoe and kayak related activities, trips and educational programs. The Club promotes safe and ethical use of our waterways. Other projects include helping to keep our waterways clean and provide instructional skills clinics through the year.
Alpine Shop, Burton, and Hidden Valley are proud to bring a brand new event to the slopes for 2019, the Inaugural King of the Mountain competition, on Saturday, February 2!
To celebrate, Burton has purchased 30 ski passes to Hidden Valley to give to customers who come into Alpine Shop’s Kirkwood store and answer the following question: “What was the name of the first snowboard built by Burton?” Just go up to the front cashier and let them know you’re there for a free pass and give them the correct answer. As long as we’ve got passes left, you’re good to go! FREE PASS!
(One pass per customer, per correct answer, please!)
We will be handing out these tickets until they are gone. On Saturday, February 2 will be on location for the competition where we’ll be giving away over $500 in Burton prizes.
Modeled on the Freeride World Tour, King of the Mountain will combine technical skiing and freestyle creativity to determine the best on the mountain. The course will be on Continental Divide and competitors will be judged on five categories and given 2 runs on the course.
The event is free but helmets and waivers are mandatory.
Registration will start at 11 AM in the Lodge and the event will run
from 2PM to 4PM, with awards immediately following the conclusion at the
Lodge. We will be crowning a King of Mountain skier and snowboarder as
well as a Queen of the Mountain.
Format: 2 runs per competitor, best one counts – no time limit!
Winner just has to cross the finish line – scoring based on points
(score card to be posted)
Award Presentation: 4 PM in the Lodge
King of the Mountain Skier and Snowboarder; Queen of the Mountain
The seventh annual Tour of Hermann Gravel Challenge is a two-day cycling event with up to five challenging scenic loops throughout the countryside surrounding Hermann, Mo., on May 4-5, 2019 This event is set up for all rider experience levels, including beginners. You can take on as little as one loop or try to take down all five over the course of two days.
The important thing to know is that Early Bird Pricing for this event ends Friday, February 1, 2019 at 11:59 pm. If you want the best price possible, you need to sign up by then! All the information you need is at www.offroadracingleague.com
If you complete all five loops in the allotted time, you will have tackled 6960 feet of climbing over 203 miles of riding, and you will be entered into the Tour of Hermann Gravel Challenge Elite Club.
If you’re not quite to that level of fitness at this time, you can commit to taking on just the first loop, a 30-mile scenic ride that heads north of the city. Or, tackle as many as you want to conquer!
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.
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!
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
