The North Face

Feb 08 | Pete Athans: refuse, reduce, re-gift, reuse, repurpose, and recycle: all in a smart phone app!

By Athlete Parents

It all started at the beach, with my 4 and 6 year olds, as they were building a magic beach house on a beautiful Pacific Northwest beach. As they collected wood for their house, they started to notice the plastic. There was just as much plastic on the beach as driftwood. In fact, what they thought was wood often turned out to be long pieces of PVC pipe. We made a movie about our discovery and the resulting awareness-raising art that came out of it: http://teamcora.com/about/

 

Two years later, we’re working with a team of innovators to help solve this problem. We’re developing a smart phone app to help people re-think their stuff, step in to a more sustainable frame-of-mind, and get closer to zero waste. A zero waste lifestyle isn’t as hard to achieve as some might believe, and it has an immediate impact on the environment.

 

The aim of the CORA (which means circle in Tibetan) app is to help people positively change their habits, simplify their buying practices, and re-think their stuff. We’re pioneering new paths through our overwhelming material culture to help people pare down, avoid excessive packaging, and reduce the amount of waste we generate. I’d say it makes sense to take note from the lessons learned while on expedition: pare down so you tread lightly on the Earth. It’s more efficient. You’ll have less baggage, too.

 

CORA will be a free resource, providing great tips on how to refuse what you don’t need, reuse what you have, repurpose it into useful things, fix those items that are broken, or gift them to those who could use them. Most of what you don’t want can benefit those in need, or could even be repurposed by an enterprising Etsy artist or local business. These are the connections we’ve created, linking you and your neighbors to each other, keeping thousands of items out of our landfills.

 

How Does A Mobile App For Zero Waste Work?

Your broken ceramics may be a treasure to a nearby mosaic artist, or the woven plastic bag your cat’s food comes in is coveted by a small business that makes reusable bags. Don’t throw your hard-to-recycle ice trays and shower curtain rings away: your local humane society needs them. Turn your plastic mesh produce bag into a great pot-scrubber. You’ll never need to buy ziplock bags again if you learn the easy way to wash and dry them. The CORA app will help you see your stuff in new ways and connect you with neighbors near and far who could use what you’re trying to get rid of. We can also tell you exactly where just about anything can be recycled, so your waste footprint can get closer to zero.

 

If you want to start a small business that upcycles a certain material people normally throw away, we’ll connect you with folks happy to give you their unwanted stuff. Or, if you simply want to know where your nearest landfill is so you can trash your unwanted things, we’ll take you there, through images, video, and articles, so you’ll know exactly where your stuff ends up and how it gets there.

 

CORA Means Circle in Tibet

Imagine a world where all the waste loops in your community are connected to benefit everyone. We could stop the use of fossil fuels to make virgin plastic pellets that are used to make unnecessary new and single-use plastics. If we refuse those plastics, and reuse what we already have to make better products and benefit others, we might even make a dent in the amount of plastic pollution found in the environment. If, as NOAA claims, millions of pieces of plastic enter our oceans every day, we can each do something to stop the flow of plastics into our waters. Most of the plastics are unnecessary packaging or single-use items like straws, water bottles, plastic bags, and bottle caps. Mixed in with the common debris are items we find in our homes, cars and offices: pens, plant pots, tampon applicators, lip balm, yogurt containers, light switch covers, and baby binkys.

 

Your First Step: Help CORA

With your help, our CORA app can fill the gap and enlighten people across the nation. Please come learn more about CORA at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/464119894/cora-transform-your-trash-to-treasure. Help fund, with like-minded people, our effort to tackle the stuff of our lives, divert it, and prevent unnecessary new plastics from entering the oceans each day. In the meantime, you’ll feel good about reusing what you thought was trash, or passing your unwanted things on to those in need or someone who can transform it into a treasure. Spread the word and share our Kickstarter page on your Facebook page!

Feb 08 | Newfoundland Through the Eyes of Hazel Findlay

By The North Face

This year Hazel Findlay embarked on an expedition to climb the rugged cliffs of Devil’s Bay, Newfoundland, Canada. The result was a trip that fully tested both their patience and equipment. Read on for her account of the expedition, and be sure to check out The North Face Facebook Page on February 9 for a behind the scenes video of Hazel on the trip.

We go climbing to challenge ourselves, but when the weather doesn’t play ball, being unable to climb can actually be a greater challenge. In the UK the rain often prevents me from climbing on rock. But at home, I can climb in the gym, or if I really want to – take a flight to Spain! On a trip to Newfoundland with The North Face, we were about 4 days travelling via car and boat from the nearest gym, stuck in tents with little to do but stew in our own thoughts.

We woke up early each morning with the hope that the fog and rain would have cleared, only to find we couldn’t even see each other’s tents let alone the wall. We spent most of the time in our one saving grace, the huge dome tent, listening to the pitter patter on the roof and strong winds pulling at the guidelines. Nights were spent wide-awake weathering out 70 mph winds, which by some miracle barely missed destroying our tents and taking everything with them. I remember a particular moment during one of these exhausting nights when I went out to check on my tent, I realised that the tent had actually moved a long way from where I had pitched it and the only thing stopping it from blowing away was me in it! With one hand I held on to the tent and with the other I battled to reattach the guidelines to something immovable.

In the evenings we would cook, chat and read in the dome tent. If we had been climbing this would have been a highly enjoyable experience. People say that happiness can only be appreciated in contrast to sadness. I think this is the same with rest and work. Sitting in a tent, eating and relaxing can only really be appreciated when contrasted to a hard day outside. Too much climbing can take its toll on the body and mind, but no climbing at all can also take its toll. As people accustomed to long days outside, we had taken our fill of relaxation and our bodies and minds were starting to grow stale.

We decided to take long exploratory walks, to vent some of the frustration. On a particular day despite a thick blanket of fog, the rain subsided a little and I needed some exercise. I left basecamp and made my way up the river basin to the top of a high peak. At its top I broke through the fog and the cloud to be presented with clear blue skies and a view of the land above the fog. I could see far into the distance with the low fog blowing dramatically through the fjords below me. At that moment the beauty of the place hit me right in the face and I questioned why I couldn’t be satisfied with just being there. Why I couldn’t be content with good company, the blue sea, the heather… even the fog.

That’s the irony of having a passion like climbing; there is an uncomfortable fact that what you enjoy so much becomes a burden when it can’t be satisfied. We went to Newfoundland to climb but we only climbed one day and it was hard to appreciate being there because of it.

But you always take away more from an exploratory trip like this than just climbing.  We experienced the unique beauty of Newfoundland, we hung out with the friendly, odd-accented people who live there, we learnt about the dying fishing industry and the struggles of living in such an isolated place. And we got to know one another. We took a chance, an adventure, and a journey. And what’s more, we learnt the lesson of how to appreciate these things, even when we couldn’t climb.

Hazel Findlay

 

Feb 06 | Michael Wardian :: checking out the wild in his backyard

By Athlete Parents

Hey Everyone,

It has been a busy fall and start of winter and the boys are growing and getting more and more into our adventures.

We have had a few adventures lately and this was a trip to the National Zoo in Washington, DC.

Herewith boys and Jennifer crossing to enter zoo:

   

Herewith the guys at the Pizza Garden, which is at the bottom of the hill the National Zoo sits on.

 

The boys love to visit the Cheetahs and only last night they told us they wanted to get a Cheetah to practice their running in order to "get faster", not sure where they get that from. 

Herewith the guys checking out the Cheetahs (after a long wait, he didn't want to come out):

 

+++

It was terrific day as the Zoo and besides the Cheetahs, we visited the: Reptiles, Monkeys, Pandas, and Seals.  We saw a lot of other animals also but those were the big ones.

We are excited for the next adventure and will keep you posted.

Cheers,

The Wardians (Jennifer, Pierce, Grant, Mike)

 

Feb 01 | Max Lowe shares his experience on being the son of two extreme TNF mountaineers

By Athlete Parents

Growing up as the son of two of the world’s most renowned alpine and high altitude mountaineers has been no ordinary childhood. Since I was a small boy, my father Alex Lowe was off in the mountains for more of my life than he was around me. On October 4^th 1990, 7 days before my second birthday Alex became the 40^th American to successfully reach the summit of the famed Mount Everest. I flew as a toddler to Thailand with my mother to meet my returning father, making my first intercontinental travel as a two year old. Since that first trip to meet up with Alex,  I have ventured with my family to many other wild places in this world along with Alex and later Conrad. 

 

I have gotten used to meeting people and having them ask “Lowe like Alex Lowe the climber?” As I move through life, I am continually amazed by the people I cross paths with who truly knew my father and looked up to him as a hero, not only for his prowess as a climber but for his integrity, compassion and life loving nature as a person. I was first exposed to the magnetic effect that Alex had on people after he died in 1999. An avalanche on Shishapangma, a peak high in the Tibetan Himalaya took his life. Over the next few months, my family received hundreds of consoling letters from friends, coworkers and even people who had never met Alex, sharing how he had influenced or impacted their life. To me he had always just been my dad. Of course he was my hero, but I didn’t know him through his accomplishments as a professional athlete, but through every day life. Early mornings, ski days, practicing violin together and post cards and trinkets I received from far reaches of the globe. I am continually building on who my father was as I meet people he befriended from all over the world. In this sense, as well as just being my dad, he will remain an inspiration for me throughout my life. 

           

In April 2001 my mother Jennifer Lowe married one of Alex’s best friends and climbing partners Conrad Anker. Interestingly enough, Conrad holds a very similar position in the climbing community. He is an esteemed and highly respected alpinist in the climbing community, owning a large number of first accents and difficult successful summit bids. It had actually been Conrad who secured Alex a position with The North Face all those years back. Having Conrad fill the father position in my life over the last 11 years of my life has been spectacular. We have continued traveling the globe as a family, following Conrad to places his adventures led him. Conrad has played an integral part in my development into the young man I have become. From encouraging me through school to college graduation, to helping me develop myself as a photographer he has become my hero and mentor in many senses. 

I also have to give credit to my wonderful mother who through all the expeditions and months of travel my fathers and stepfathers jobs demanded was able to raise my two brothers and myself into the young men we have become. Jennifer has remained home as the backbone of the family structure that has remained even through all of the chaos of living in a family of professional mountaineers. 

Growing up in the shadow of these two amazing individuals, Conrad Anker and Alex Lowe, has been a trip and a blessing. Definitely different from your average upbringing in the US, but I would have it no other way. My fathers and mother have showed me the door into my passion for the outdoors, and the insight to explore the world for more than what meets the eye, and for that I thank them. 

 

Feb 01 | The North Face at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market

By The North Face

Less than two the weeks ago, the outdoor industry converged on Salt Lake City for the bi-annual Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. We unveiled new technology for Fall 2012, picked up some pretty massive industry awards and generally had a great time. See below for some of the highlights from the show.

Outside Magazine awarded the Powder Guide ABS Vest "Gear of the Show". Gear Junkie also named the Powder Guide ABS Vest "Best in Show."

Stephen Barnes accepting the "Gear of the Show" award from Outside's ABS-clad Sam Moulton and Ali Carr Troxell.

The new Polar Hooded Jacket for Fall '12 also won GearJunkie's coveted "Best in Show" award.

Our president Todd Spaletto accepting the Outdoor Industry Association award for Outdoor Inspiration.

 

Gear from the history ascent of the Meru's Sharskfin was on display.

 

 

FlashDry - new particle technology that rapidly increases dry time of garments was put to the test .

 

 

FlashDry was a big part of our booth.

Before the throngs of crowds arrived.

Happy hour celebrating the Meru team.

 

Jan 31 | TNF Athletes Take Gold & Silver at Winter X Games

By The North Face

The North Face athletes were out in full force during this weekend’s X Games in Aspen, CO.

With the eyes of the world watching, The North Face athlete Tom Wallisch put his mark on the map last weekend, setting an X Games record for the highest score in men's ski slopestyle, and earning himself a gold medal in one of the X Games most memorable runs.

Under the lights for the first time, men’s skiing slopestyle consisted of a course about 1,600-feet long with six features and a vertical drop of 280 feet. Wallisch took that terrain and used it to earn a record score of 96.00 with a run that included a stunning a switch leftside double cork 1080 Japan off the final hit.

“Everyone was doing perfect runs it was just a matter of trying to stand out some how,” Wallisch said.

There’s no doubt Wallisch stood out and was able to not only pull in a gold medal, but what was his first X Games podium appearance.

On the women’s front, Devin Logan nabbed her first X Games medal, taking silver in women’s skiing slopestyle.

Logan put down a run that included a cork 720 and a couple of 540s for her second-place finish. And, according to her, the competition was all about pushing and being pushed by fellow competitors, including gold medalist Kaya Turski

"I was cheering on Kaya today,” Logan said.  “We all want to push the sport every contest. I wanted her to put pressure on me to elevate the level of my riding, same with Anna (Segal).  I saw her run and I knew I could do it. We all root for each other while pushing each other at the sometime."

Devin also finished fifth in women’s ski halfpipe.

Adding to the list of The North Face athletes who put it down in Aspen were Mike Riddle, who finished seventh in men’s ski halfpipe, and Kaitlyn Farrington, who was fifth in women’s snowboard halfpipe.

Jan 31 | The North Face Endurance Challenge Series Registration Opens Today

By The North Face

Ready. Set. Go. Registration for the sixth annual The North Face Endurance Challenge series, presented by Gore-Tex series opens today at 12:00pm EST today for the 2012.

The North Face Endurance Challenge series, hosted by internationally recognized ultrarunner Dean Karnazes, offers a variety of distances from 5k to 50 miles and a unique running experience, welcoming people to push and exceed their personal limits on the trail and road. For the past several years, The North Face Endurance Challenge has sold out in almost all cities, with waiting lists for each distance.

From May through December 2012, six endurance events will be held across the country. The first of the year kicks off in Bear Mountain, NY, then to Washington, DC, Madison, WI, Atlanta, GA and a road event in Kansas City, MO.  The Endurance Challenge will culminate at the championship in San Francisco, CA where men’s and women’s top 50-mile finishers will each be awarded $10,000.

Bear Mountain, NY - May 5-6  (Trail)

Washington, DC - June 2-3  (Trail)

Madison, WI September 15-16  (Trail)

Atlanta, GA October 13-14  (Trail)

Kansas City – November 17  (Road)

San Francisco, CA - December 1-2  (Trail)

Trail events will be held over two days, with the Gore-Tex 50 Mile, 50K, Marathon, Marathon Relay and kid’s races held on Saturday, and the Half Marathon, 10K and 5K races on Sunday. The Kansas City road event will be a one-day event, with the 50K, Marathon, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and Kid’s Race all running on Saturday

In addition to The North Face Endurance Challenge, The North Face global endurance events include The North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc (Europe), The North Face Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji (Japan) and The North Face Lavaredo Ultra Trail (Italy). For more information about The North Face global endurance events check out www.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge

 

Jan 30 | Lizzy Hawker Named Athlete of the Year

By The North Face

 

The International Association of Ultrarunners named Lizzy Hawker the 2011 Athlete of the Year. Among her other accomplishments throughout the year, Lizzy established a World´s Best Performance in the Commonwealth Championships, Llandudno with a distance of 247.06km, and raced to her fourth first place finish at The North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc in August.

Congratulations Lizzy on an incredible year and a well-deserved honor.

Jan 30 | TNF Sustainability ambassador james balog on the continued success of feature film chasing ice

By The North Face

Whew! The wild ride continues. “Chasing Ice” continues to show to sellout crowds and standing ovations. The insight into climate change provided by the film has been inspiring and uplifting for the audience—and for those of us in the field and creative teams, seeing our handiwork on the big screen is FANTASTIC!

As of today, the film has shown seven times, with one more screening tomorrow. New friends, passionate about the cause and the art, grow out of every presentation. At one special screening for 350 high students, a poll showed that essentially ALL of them left the auditorium with a profound understanding of how real climate change is.

Hollywood Reporter gave us a terrific, thoughtful, well-written  review: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/chasing-ice-sundance-film-review-284913.

 

Team members left to right: Adam LeWinter, Dr. Tad Pfeffer, James Balog (with one of our time-lapse camera boxes), film director Jeff Orlowski, Svavar Jonatonsson.

To learn more about The North Face's sustainability efforts and ambassador James Balog please visit http://expeditionsustainability.com/

Jan 29 | Excellent Super-light Shell - The Alpine Project Jacket

By The North Face

Product review written by customer, Zolen of Birmingham, AL
January 29, 2012

I work at an outdoor sports retailer, so I get to try out lots of stuff.  Well, last week we got in some new TNF items. The two pieces that really excited me were the Alpine Project Jacket and the Leonidas Jacket (quite possibly the most perfect and revolutionary non-Gore shell ever made; and I don't say revolutionary lightly, I DARE you to touch one and not buy it). This Alpine Project Jacket uses the new Gore-Tex Active Shell. I have read about Gore's new Active Shell fabric, but had not yet gotten my hands on it. I can say that this stuff is awesome! As far as Gore-Tex goes, I've always felt like I couldn't find the right type. The Pro Shell feels too stiff (as did the Performance Shell to a lesser extent), the Paclite always felt sticky and clammy, and the Soft Shell feels great (though slightly prickly against bare skin), yet it adds unwanted bulk and weight while its light insulating properties reduce the jacket's potential usage range. I can now say that Gore did an AWESOME job nailing the Active Shell. This stuff feels supple, light and smooth against your skin, while not feeling sticky or clammy. The inner, "third layer" is actually a fine mesh (almost like no-see-um mesh) that's bonded to the membrane. It makes the jacket as light and flexible as Paclite, while being more supple, and feeling much better against the skin.

To credit TNF, the jacket's design is great. Fit is great (size L for my 6'2"/200lb frame), the jacket looks great, and it will soon be my new hard shell (ordered one, on the way).  This should prove to be the ideal everyday/backpacking/climbing shell. Good job, TNF and Gore, on making Gore-Tex TRULY comfortable. Without having tested the actual waterproof performance, and just going on my trust of Gore-Tex, I would venture to say that this is the best Gore-Tex material/jacket to date.

Shop the Alpine Project Collection
Men's Alpine Project Jacket  
Women's Alpine Project Jacket