The MPOG Blog

Adventures of Mr. Pete O'Gear

2009-11-19T12:45:00.000-08:00

(cont'd from last week)

…hit you with my time travel Atlas trekking pole. Every Thursday you’ll be transported to a different location, ha, ha, I hope you have your Travel Bags packed.” The tiny child-like man withdrew a pole from his Gamut and pointed it directly at Mr. Pete O’Gear. A Virga like streak of Ether struck Mr. O’Gear.

“I’m so cold…I think I see Blue!”

(to be cont’d)

OSPREY Talon Moonlight Blue - Midnight sale 25%

2009-11-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

Well, it's midnight somewhere and the moonlight was beautiful over the weekend and MPGear has just a few 2007 Moonlight Blue Talon 33's and Talon 44's left in the store. So checkout the reviews and then go to MPGear.com and snag one before this spell disappears.

Talon 33 Moonlight Blue: - $96.75, see a review

Talon 44 Moonlight Blue: - $119.25, see a review

These midnight sales are progressive, the savings will increase with the passing of time. So if you don't like the price today check back later. But, you'll never know when the sale turns into a pumpkin and the product disappears.

Bottles & Bottles & Bottles galore!

2009-11-17T11:05:00.000-08:00

MPGear has an excellent selection of CamelBak water bottles, these make great gifts.

The CamelBak insulated Podium Chill Bottle - $6.00!

This is a great bottle for warm and cold weather alike. Pour some warm tea in for those cold, wet bike rides during Winter or chill down in the Summer with a gulp of liquid coolness.

-Designed to fit almost all bike cages.

-Not designed for extra-hot or boiling water, this will distort the plastic.

-Designed with HydroGuard antimicrobial technology.

-Designed without BPA.

-Designed with secure lockout cap for transport.

The CamelBak Better Bottle, better because it just is - $7.00!

-The Better Bottle can withstand being filled with boiling water or stored in below freeing temperatures. However, you probably should not boil the bottle and use caution when sipping contents that are hot, it's like sucking hot magma through a straw and that could hurt.

-Is compatible with filters that adapt to 63 mm screw top, most market filters.

-In the straw off mode it becomes a tip and sip bottle. You'll have to manually remove the straw. There's no button that automatically does this for you.

-Dishwasher safe, BPA-Free, spill-proof and many colors too.

Buy one plus two plus three today at Mountains Plus Outdoor Gear.

Got your Parasol, Bumbershoot or Brolly? - Get the Dome!

2009-11-16T10:56:00.000-08:00

The GoLite Dome Umbrella offers that added protection from the sun, rain, sleet or snow.

With three colors to choose from, Sage, Fire, and Night you can look and feel dyno-mite!

The best lightweight protection for the rain or shine 8 oz. | 220 g's.

Get your bumbershoot, parasol, or brolly today at MPGear.com. Don't get left out in the rain.

Dugast - Getting them while they last!

2009-11-13T12:23:00.000-08:00

The ultimate in cyclocross tires!

Race on the ultimate tire for winners. Cotton casings provide the best ride quality, hand glued treads provide the traction. Dugast, the perfect combination of light weight and responsiveness.

We've got:

The Rhino in sizes ranging from 30mm, 32mm, and 34mm.

The Typhoon in sizes ranging from 32mm and 34mm.

MPGear just received a new shipment and has them in stock, all you need to do is get them before they are gone!

"Rhino"----- or -----"Typhoon"

Let their be light!

2009-11-12T11:40:00.000-08:00

Here at Mountains Plus, we enjoy commuting to work by other means outside of driving our own cars. Its fun to be outside, and feels good to get the exercise. Although biking to work is fun year round, when the seasons start changing and the sun sets by 4 in the afternoon cyclists need to take a few more precautions to ensure they are safe on the ride. A good fitting helmet is must any time you're riding your bike, but when natural light is low we turn to the Planet Bike Blaze to light the way for us. The Blaze comes in three different wattage outputs, and have different lightning modes to give you performance you are looking for. The 1-Watt combo ($62.99; includes a 1-Watt headlight and a Superflash taillight) is an excellent choice for any rider looking to be seen, and if you use an additional 1/2-Watt light in the flashing mode you won't have ANY problems getting noticed. New for this year is the Planet Bike 2-Watt Blaze which is double the brightness of the 1-Watt, and it's so bright you can see it in the daylight. There is no need to spend hundreds of dollars on over-the-top lighting for your bike when you can pick up the combo for just over $60. With the money you save you could get one for yourself, and one for each person on your holiday gift list. I mean, what gift shows you care about a person more than one saying you want them to be safe? (Except for maybe this)

Stickup in the Yakima Canyon!

2009-11-12T10:55:00.000-08:00

Out-in the Yakima River Canyon,

I was riding the trails today, on my Bighorn, gazing along the tops of the hills. Ah, fresh snow, best be getting ready for winter. When out of the bushes jumped a fella, “This is a Stickup mister”. I said, “Alright, let’s settle down EZ Rider. What do you want?” He replied in a high-shrilled voice, “Well mister, I want that feathered Boa, that’s draped neatly around your neck.” I said, “Son, listen now I’m a Highroller, and nobody takes this feathered Boa from my neck, not even my lady friend.” He said, “OK then, mister, looks like I’m gonna have to…"

(to be cont’d)

Fees Waived on V-Day

2009-11-10T12:00:00.000-08:00

The fees at lands managed by the National Parks will be waived this Wednesday, November 11th, in honor of Veterans Day. If you have to work, call in sick and get out and explore the National Park that is right next door.

If you can't get out, check out the The National Park series by Ken Burns or play one of the armed services Monopoly board games with your family.

To honor Veterans day MPGear.com will run a special coupon on that day. Use coupon code VDAY09 during your checkout process and receive 15% off the already great prices at MPGear.com.

In any event, honor and remember those Veterans.

Advice and suggestions stated by this writer should be used solely at the discretion of the reader. If you do call in sick and see your boss hiking on the same trail, don't call me and you probably shouldn't play any lotteries. I would suggest hiking in disguise and if you see your boss say "Hi" in a different language, such as "Guten Tag", "Konnichi wa", "Que Pasa", "Sawubona", this should throw'em off track. Use with caution and hike fast.

Out of Sweets, MPGear has got some Treats!

2009-11-06T09:27:00.000-08:00

Out of Halloween candy? MPGear.com has got a bag full of goodies for you. No cavities! Guaranteed!

(Well, unless you fill up your reservoir with liquid sugar and neglect brushing your teeth for a week on that 93 mile hike.)

Atlas Elektra 923 Kits - 42% OFF!

Came lba k 70 oz. UnBottle - 50 % OFF

Greg ory Reactor Pack - 42% OFF

Gregor y Stimulus Pack - 42% OFF

Osprey Kestrel Packs - 42% OFF

Rudy Project Sports Duffel - 50% OFF

These treats are less expensive and more enjoyable then getting a cavity filled.

Now that's SWEET!!!

ATLAS-Race, Run, Elektra

2009-11-03T08:35:00.000-08:00

A new shipment of Atlas snowshoes has just arrived at MPGear. All around the world, Atlas snowshoes have blazed a path, from the Rockies to the Alps.

With a pair of Atlas Race snowshoes strapped to your feet you can deliver that punishing blow to your fellow competitors racing in the snow and capture a victory that Elektra would be proud of.

So Shrug away that winter urge to sit by a cozy fire and Run over to MPGear today and get your Atlas snowshoes or one of the Atlas Snowshoe Kits. Get winter started in the right way.

TRANSPORT your gear with an OSPREY

2009-10-30T12:19:00.000-07:00

We are getting close to the holiday season which means one thing...travel!! And Osprey has the new bags that will get you and your gear where you need to go. The new Transporter series has four bag sizes to meet all your basic gear hauling & travel needs.

The Transporter 46 is sized perfectly for your carry-on luggage, weighing in at a svelte 1 lb. 9 oz. and with a storage capacity of 2800 cubic inches you are sure to find enough room to store the latest GoLite apparel, Inov-8 footwear and any other treat you may decide to pack.   

The largest version in this series is the Transporter 95, weighing 2 lbs 5 oz and has a storage capacity of 5700 cubic inches. With dual end pockets and a large zipper panel your outdoor equipment can be easily organized and retrieved.  

The Black & Pepper color options are perfect for any Halloween or Thanksgiving trip and the Alpine color scheme is sure to please. And of course any Osprey product comes with that "ALL Mighty" Osprey guarantee.

The new member of MPGear.com

2009-10-30T10:39:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name is Yeager-san (Joel) and I’ve recently joined the MPGear.com team and thought I’d introduce myself. I’ve left the confines of an office desk job and now work in the outdoor industry, how exciting is that. I will no longer be commuting on a bus (which was sometimes stinky) and will now brave the elements (weather and vehicles) each day on my bike (I wish).

So, the following equipment from MPGear will be essential for my daily bike journeys: Sidi shoes, a Sugoi team jersey and something to shine my path, the Blaze 1-watt Superflash combo. So maybe I could be considered a gear tester too, like all of you, and that's pretty cool.

So I’m real pleased to be part of the MPGear team and hope that I can help all of you outdoor enthusiasts in the future. Happy biking, camping and hiking!

New Chrome Laptop Sleeves - A neoprene dream come true

2009-10-23T11:44:00.000-07:00

I know how you all feel about the old Chrome laptop sleeves because, well, we felt the same way. First, you had to find the size the works for your laptop. Not an easy task when there are EIGHT DIFFERENT SIZES! And after you found one that worked for you, you had to reach into the darkness of your tight fit foam padded envelope, braving the brown recluse that burrowed its way in there the day you brought it home just to get your computer out...But (thankfully) those days are behind us. Chrome released their new neoprene laptop sleeves, and they are on the opposite end of the spectrum, far away from its predecessor. The new sleeves are a simplified clam shell design that splits open with two zippers, but this isn't even the best part. You don't have to remove the computer from the case!! Four corner straps hold your computer in place and allow you to use the laptop while it is still in there. So, now that you finally have an alternative to your old, foam padded, computer-eating case, pick one up and make your dog happy by giving him your old sleeve as a chew toy.

The best things in life ARE free

2009-10-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

Over the years, Mountains Plus has developed a reputation in the outdoor community for offering outstanding products at a great price. One of the ways we've achieved this status is by offering a free accessory with the purchase of an item (free footprints with the purchase of a tent, for example). Last year we began offering free trekking poles with any snowshoe purchase, and the response from the Mountains Plus community was so overwhelming, we had no choice but to bring the promotion back for 2009.

So, for the entirety of the season (while supplies last), we're offering a free pair of trekking poles with every pair of snowshoes. And just to clarify, these aren't just any old poles we include; in fact, quite the contrary. You'll get the same brand poles as the snowshoes you purchase, and considering the only snowshoes we carry are from prestigious brands like Atlas, Crescent Moon, and MSR, the quality is something you'll never have to question.

We've got plenty in stock right now, but quantities are sure to be scarce once this season gets underway, so ensure speedy delivery by ordering yours today!

MSR Ultralite PackTowl

2009-10-07T15:58:00.000-07:00

If you're a big South Park fan like we, at Mountains Plus, all are, chances are you're familiar with a character named Towelie. Among other characteristics he exhibits, Towelie is best known for his catchphrase, "Don't forget to bring a towel!" You see, Towelie knows just how useful a towel can be, and how unfortunate it is to not have one when you need it. It'd be great if we were all made of towels, like Towelie, so we'd never be caught in those situations.

We're not, though, so we must remember to carry them with us when possible, and with the MSR Ultralite PackTowl, it's now always possible. Weighing less than an ounce, these little towels are the perfect companion for your next hike, bike ride, or just for carrying around in your pocket (packs down to roughly the size of a credit card) in case of an emergency. Each towel is made of a super absorbent microfiber material, so it's sure to get the job done. What's more, it comes with a lifetime warranty, so durability will never be an issue.

We've got plenty in stock and would love to find a good home for each one, so order yours today!

Extreme Makeover: Inov8 X-Talon Edition

2009-10-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

The X-Talon 212 was one of our best selling shoes during the '08-'09 season, so it's no surprise that our friends at Inov8 decided to expand the X-Talon line for this year. When we first heard about the X-Talon 240 several months back, we were, of course, very excited and eager to see what the end result would be, and when the shoes finally arrived on our doorstep this week, we were far from disappointed.

Not only do these babies look sweet in their Black/Hi-Viz color scheme; Inov8 bills them as the lightest boot in the world (and they are). What's more, the same aggressive, sticky rubber outsole that so many fell in love with on the X-Talon 212 is used on the X-Talon 240 to make this shoe the ideal choice for short trail, ultralight walking, and mountain running with ankle protection.

The only thing that may be better than the shoes themselves is our price: $90 + Free Socks + Free Shipping. So what more incentive do you need? Grab yourself a pair today.

SLACKERS UNITE

2009-08-20T14:00:00.001-07:00

You've seen them around. In neighborhood parks all across the world, so-called "slackers" have been spotted in rapidly increasing numbers. You can pretend to ignore them and try to turn a blind eye, but let's face it: the slackers aren't going away any time soon, so better to your advantage to hop on this bandwagon while you can still say "I was a slacker BEFORE it was the cool thing to do!"

The Gibbon Slackline comes in two sizes; 15m and, for those who believe in the old adage "Bigger is Better", a 25m size. Both versions come with a convenient little carrying case and include everything you need to get outside and slack. So what are you waiting for? Quit slacking off and start slacking already.

P.S. Just for fun, here's a video of some guys WAY better than us using this product.

BOB Stroller Sale is almost over!

2009-08-13T11:22:00.000-07:00

If you have been considering a BOB stroller, then chances are you've done your research and you know BOB has been making and selling the best child strollers around. BOB not only makes their strollers so they last longer than you need them to, but they are also designed to be versatile and go practically anywhere. The large wheels make it possible for you to easily take your child anywhere, from the sandy beaches of your favorite summer hangout to crowded city streets when you're out on a quick errand.
These top selling strollers are now being discounted for a short time which makes your buying decision a little easier. No need to find reasons to convince yourself to pick up this stroller, because at 10% off, the only thing you'll need to decide is which color you like the best. The BOB Revolution is flying off the shelf, but at $350.10 we expected it to be, so drop by the site and take advantage of this awesome deal...it certainly won't last long. (Sale ends Aug. 15)

SPOT Personal Tracker Rebate Program

2009-06-18T16:36:00.000-07:00

If you have been looking at picking up one of these new SPOT satellite GPS messengers, NOW is the perfect time to jump on that boat. From June 1st through August 3rd, if you pick up a SPOT Satellite Messenger at regular price ($149.95), you can get a rebate for $50, $75, or even a FREE SPOT when you sign up for one of their service plans. Many people have had a hard time picking up one of these units only to spend an additional $99 on the service plan (basic one year service), but for a short time only if you pick up a SPOT and the 2-Year Basic & Tracking Service you get the SPOT FREE!!...out of all our awesome gear deals, this has got to be the best. You just can't beat FREE. If you're worried you won't be using your SPOT that long, they also offer a $75 rebate with the purchase of a 2-year plan and a $50 rebate with the purchase of a 1-year plan. This is a deal you won't want to pass up, so jump on it right away because it's over in August.

Stay cool in THESE shades!

2009-06-12T17:31:00.000-07:00

Native Eyewear has released a few new styles for 2009 which we thought would be a big hit on Mountains Plus. They have a couple new square style frames that will be great for those looking for sunglasses they can wear to the beach or on that next camping trip. The Bomber (starts at $94) and the Cable (starts at $129) are both solid frames, and fit well on a face with a larger profile. These, as well as ALL Native Eyewear sunglasses, come with polarized lenses and a soft pouch which doubles as a cleaning rag for your glasses. Also, just in are the Native Sprint and the Grip (both start at $122) which are fashionable and functional. These glasses are available in a wide range of cool colors for the frames and lenses, and they are an excellent choice for a relaxed or active lifestyle. If none of the new styles catch your eye, we still stock our most popular models like the Silencer, Hardtop, and Das h, so something is bound to catch your eye...

Too good to be a sale...it's a BLOWOUT!

2009-06-12T17:21:00.000-07:00

That's right. This deal is so good we can't even call it a sale...this is definitely a blowout. We had way too many of the 2008 Sierra Designs Sirius 3, Antares 3, and Electron RC2 tents that we couldn't do anything OTHER than put them on sale. Ever since then they have been FLYING off the shelf. Normally, when a company sees this they think, "Gee, maybe we should bump the price on that to make a better margin." But we see this and think, "I bet we can make this deal even sweeter!" which is just what we have done. We took the prices of the tents down over 40% because we feel this will be just the amount of encouragement some people need to get the gear and plan a trip. If you think these deals are awesome, but you still want the latest and greatest tent, take a look at our selection as we have awesome deals on many other brands as well...and don't forget to try our chat system on the site if you have any questions.

Get pumped for the summer fun!

2009-06-10T15:26:00.000-07:00

One activity many people have trouble getting into is kayaking. Many think you need a long, rigid boat, a special kayak rack to transport said boat, high-end carbon paddles to provide as much efficiency as possible, and the best PFD on the market in order to get on the water. This is far from the truth!...And we've got the deal to prove it to you. We have the new Tributary-AIRE kayaks (both solo and tandem) currently being sold with a FREE electric pump. The Tomcat is a great introductory raft that comes in both solo and tandem configurations, and also in a couple different colors. If you aren't big on inflatable kayaks, that's no problem...We have the Advanced Elements hybrid kayaks that perform like a rigid boat and pack down like an inflatable one (another great alternative to a rigid).
The NRS Blast Inflator Pump is a $100 value and is the perfect match for any inflatable kayak. It easily pumps your kayak to 2 psi. and connects directly to any vehicle's battery making it quick and convenient. No more stepping repeatedly on a floor pump or getting light headed from breathing too hard...This pump takes care of the hard part so you can get on the water faster. If you need paddles, PFD's, or anything else, MPGear has you covered. We have a wide selection of kayaking accessories so you can find the right fit for you, and your budget. Stop in today, and don't hesitate to ask one of our gear specialists any questions you might have.

Trioba Sprint Race

2009-06-05T15:10:00.000-07:00

Although we don't have the result to the race quite yet, we had such a great time in Index, WA for the Wild Sky sprint race that we just HAD to talk about it. There was an excellent turn out (about 30 teams in all), and we couldn't have planned for the weather to be any better...but we definitely could have planned on bringing that bottle of sunscreen I left on the floor of my garage. Out of the competing teams, we had a team of two men racing for Mountains Plus, and we're proud to say these guys did AWESOME.
We only saw our team a couple of times throughout the race, but each time we saw them they were taking some quick sips of water from their Gregory Stimulus packs and planning their next line of attack. This tactic seemed to work out well for them as they were one of the first teams to cross the finish. *final results will be posted shortly*
In all, the race was a great time. Devin and myself hung out at a remote TA 1600 ft. above town and recorded times for the teams that came through. Each team had to take on the gravel service roads and torn up four-wheeling tracks with their bikes to make it to us, and it was great to see that every team made it. I'm sure they were happy too because the view was incredible and we were taking team photos like it was going out of style. After all the teams made it through, it was off to the trekking section for them, and to the river drop-in point for us.
The waters were roaring at a powerful 16,000 cfs which made it a wild ride for the racers, and each team had a licensed guide on their boat to help them navigate the course (I couldn't help but notice the guides were wearing the Astral Greenjacket). It was a lot of fun watching from the side, but it was obvious the real excitement was ON the water.
We had a great time in Index, and we are looking forward to the big 24 hour race coming up in September. Registration is still open for the 24 hour race, so take the opportunity to sign up through Mountains Plus for the race of a lifetime.

Spring Car Rack Sale!

2009-05-28T16:11:00.000-07:00

We started to realize our car rack inventory was building up a bit, so what better way to make room for the new stuff than by blowing it all out. That's right, we have all our Thule and Yakima racks (including cargo boxes, bike racks, kayak carriers, or anything else you might want) on sale at a crazy 20% off!!! We are only allowed to do this two times a year, so take advantage while the sale is around...(sale ends 5/31).

If you miss out on these awesome rack deals, never fear! Yakima is running a promotion through the month of June to get you a $30 manufacturer's rebate if you purchase a complete base rack system (towers and cross-bars). So, although our "stack your rack sale" will be over at the end of the month, the savings on rack equipment will continue through June. So stop by today and let one of our rack experts help you fit your car!

ACR Personal Locator Beacons

2009-05-26T16:07:00.000-07:00

We all know accidents are bound to happen in the outdoors. Whether it be falling out of a tree, breaking a leg during a hike, or getting stuck in the wrath of Mother Nature, ACR Electronics has a personal locator beacon that will get you found. In the outdoors, an everyday accident can easily become a life threatening situation, and rescues may take days or weeks if you're not prepared. There should be no reason to get stranded in hopes that someone will find you. With the Terrafix 406 and the Microfix 406, search and rescue is just a button push away. Once activated, the PLB will send a signal to a series of satellites which will either triangulate the location of the signal (40 minutes), or the signal will be turned into GPS coordinates (3 minutes) and sent to a ground based monitoring agency. With this information, any search and rescue team can be notified of your whereabouts which means a given SAR team won't be far off. Prices start at $486.