The North Face

Mar 08 | Explore Fund Grantee Profile :: Girls on Ice

By The North Face

To learn more about the Explore Fund visit www.ExploreFund.org, applications for spring and summer grants are open through April 6th.

Girls on Ice is a unique, FREE, wilderness science education program for high school girls that takes place in the North Cascades in Washington state and on a glacier in Alaska. Each year a team of 9 teenage girls and 3 instructors spend 11 days exploring and learning about mountain glaciers and the alpine landscape through scientific field studies with professional glaciologists, ecologists, mountain guides and artists. 

The Last Day at Camp

A day in the life of a Girls on Ice participant, from an expedition to Mount Baker, WA

“Good morning ladies, it’s time to get up!” Erin our instructor gleefully yelled at 7:00am in the cold mountain morning. She was greeted with a series of mumbled protests. A blast of cold air filled our humble abode, much to our dismay. The small pond was frozen into criss-crossed patterns and the flow of the stream was gone! Slowly but surely, everyone managed to stumble blindly out of their tents. Amazingly, we all managed to navigate the rocks and obtain our food of choice and hot drinks in our sleepy stupor.

Cece, our mountaineering guide, spurred us into action and we began to pack as she monitored our progress. Today’s packs were to include all of our muddy climbing gear, what was left of our dwindling food supply, Gore-tex, and science supplies. We broke camp around ten o’clock, heading straight for the Easton Glacier.  Everyone was excited to see how our group experiments from last Wednesday had evolved, so we set a quick pace scrambling over the rock. The cacophony of nine pairs of crampons echoed throughout the glacial valley. We hiked through crevasses covered in mud and rocks.

We had barely started out when Cece saw our first destination. All of a sudden, she told us to drop our packs and follow her. We saw her slowly disappearing into what seemed to be a small cave.  As we got further into the cave we realized its depth. All eleven of us fit in with plenty of elbow room. Despite the slowly dripping mud, we managed to take heaps of pictures and even notice the huge boulder that had carved out the cave. The top of the cave was ridiculously smooth and majestically blue. We all crawled out of the cave dripping with mud, but with thrilled smiles on our faces!!!  

We then split off into our teams to finish our experiments. The GPS team went and recalculated the flag locations, and the stream team went and measured the different sized streams. The stream team also took pictures of their experiment for a visual aid when comparing the results. Some of us also observed the ice worms visible in the crevasses’ ice, and went exploring towards the terminus of the glacier. The lower we got, the muddier and rockier it became!

Later in the day, at the top of the moraine, we waved down at some of the other girls down at camp, hoping this would spur them to begin boiling water for dinner. We descended the steep moraine and thirty minutes later arrived at our delightful little habitat.

Since we got into camp late, the sun was just going down to expose the stars in the sky. We began our evening discussion when the day’s Team Leader asked the group, “what was most amazing experience, what did you appreciate the most, and what did you gain from this trip?” We all loved this question. We really opened up to each other, and each person’s response was both sincere and touching. People said things like “The glacier was so awing” and “I learned so much about both the environment and myself.” Before the trip, we had all thought that the other girls had done something remarkable like saved a species or climbed Mount Everest or something, but we were all just ordinary girls that enjoyed doing the same thing. Our conversation was often interrupted by gasps when we saw amazing meteorites shooting across the sky. We were apparently in the middle of a meteor shower. After our conversation, most people went into their tents, but some girls decided to sleep outside with Erin and Cece. They wanted to see the shooting stars before they went to sleep. It was amazing. The entire trip was an experience that will not soon be forgotten."

 

Mar 07 | Michael Wardian :: Weekend Warriors

By Athlete Parents

The winter is winding down here in DC but it is still chilly but last weekend Pierce (5 years) and Grant (3 years) but we got the boys out to the playground and had some fun climbing.

 

We understand from Pierce that at some point he is going to be a "free climber", not sure what he meant by that (need to show him the video of my fellow Global Team member Alex Honnold and what he does) but he was serious and we are all about it.

 

The guys also did some wear testing on their coats by making "Dirt Angels" as they were disappointed that it didn't snow.

 

Finally, we got to see the "Free DC" protesters in a park downtown and it was very interesting to see the boys reaction to the Police evicting the protesters and all the trash.

 

The guys noticed all the damage and litter and we even stopped to pick some up but it was a little scary to see the city officials in all white bio-hazard gear and we are wearing our The North Face Gear, think our stuff would actually protect us better...smile.

 

Anyhow, it was a great adventure and weekend and hope you enjoy some of the pictures from it.

 

Hoping all is well on your end and excited to hear about your adventures.

 

All the best,

The Wardians

Mar 07 | Sebastien Chaigneau Wins The Transgrancanaria 2012 - Setting a New Record

By The North Face

The North Face Athlete, Sebastien Chaigneau (FR) has won the 2012 edition of the 123km Transgrancanaria and setting a new record of 12:54:18.

Cheered by the audience, Sebastien crossed the finish line with so much enthusiasm and energy. Sebastien ran the race with the new Spring 2012 Single-Track Hayasa shoes, built on the Cradle technology engineered to stabilize the foot and naturally absorb impact. Proud of his running shoes he finished raising them up to the crowd.Trully Athletes tested, competition proven.

Claiming the second spot at over half an hour behind Chaigneau was Portuguese athlete Armando Teixeira (POR), with Czech runner, Miroslav Osladil taking 3rd place with a time of 14h:09m:00s.

Mar 07 | Become an Outsider: Outdoor Nation Unveils 2012 Program Plans

By The North Face

 

Outdoor Nation, an outdoor movement led by leaders of the millennial generation, today announced its 2012 program plans of hosting 10 Youth Summits, growing its investment in youth-led projects and ultimately empowering thousands of young leaders to reconnect their generation with the outdoors. Providing major support for the ambitious plans, founding partner The North Face announced that it will be a Presenting Sponsor of Outdoor Nation for the third year in a row. In the past two years, Outdoor Nation has emerged as a major force that represents a new generation of thought leaders and change makers who are spearheading innovative projects, influencing decision-makers and mobilizing more people to get outdoors and get active.

In addition to their Presenting Sponsorship of all 2012 Outdoor Nation Regional Youth Summits,             The North Face and Outdoor Nation will return to the 2011 Summit sites, to provide intensive training to an elite group of more than 500 young people ready to take their leadership to the next level. Funding will be provided to 10 youth-led projects that will engage thousands of additional youth. The North Face will be the exclusive host and sponsor of a special outdoor adventure for participants at every event. Featuring The North Face athletes, Outdoor Nation Summits will include a uniquely authentic outdoor experience bringing to life The North Face “Never Stop Exploring” motto and asking leaders to push their personal limits in the outdoors. 

A cornerstone of the 2012 plans, Outdoor Nation will host 10 Youth Summits this year – mobilizing and activating more than 2,500 young leaders (ages 16-28) across the country. Providing varying levels of training and leadership development, each Summit will bring the next generation of outdoor activists together to identify pressing outdoor issues, discuss and develop strategies to address these barriers and commit to taking action, together. During each Summit, Outdoor Nation will fund the top young leader-created, millennial-led program ideas that get young people outdoors and active – investing as much as $100,000 in on-the-ground projects.

The 2012 Summits will be held in Boston, New York, Washington DC, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Austin, Denver, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and San Francisco – with several taking on a special focus. The Boston Summit will center on the connection between health and the outdoors – in partnership with Tufts University and Massachusetts State Parks. In Salt Lake City, the Summit will be tied to Outdoor Retailer and bring young industry leaders together, and in Washington DC, Outdoor Nation Ambassadors will set a national agenda, receive training and meet with key stakeholders in Congress and the Administration.

Each Summit will include a conversation on outdoor careers – helping young leaders understand employment pathways and opportunities. These discussions will be hosted by a panel of private, public and non-profit professionals with real, practical ways youth can pursue an outdoor career. 

Outdoor Nation is committed to amplifying the youth voice by organizing briefings with White House officials, Members of Congress and other important decision-makers. Continually working to build an active community of outdoor leaders, Outdoor Nation engages youth in online forums and provides resources about outdoor leadership and project development.

Mar 06 | Soul Runners - Lake District, UK

By The North Face

Tim Kemple, expedition photographer for The North Face, gives his perspective on shooting our running athletes in the Cumbria Lake District, UK this past summer:


I live my life out of duffel bags. Not for lack of cleanliness or want of clean clothing -- I'm a photographer and film maker, and I spend my year traveling the globe with the world's best outdoor athletes. Without question one of the highlights of my year is working with The North Face Running Team. In pursuit of capturing the most authentic running images possible, I've seen the highest of highs: Jez Bragg, Lizzy Hawker, Mike Wolfe, Hal Koerner, Nikki Kimball, Tracy Garneu and others winning at races around the world, hiking for hours into the Patagonian backcountry to be in the right place to capture early morning training runs, and the sunrise on the Amazon River during the Jungle Marathon. I've also seen the lows: Kami Semick barely able to walk after suffering hypothermia during the CCC, Lizzy Hawker's race-ending crashes (into trees, logs, boulders and more), and the endless list of injuries that have sidelined some of the world’s best running athletes -- people that I now call best friends.

 

What makes shooting with The North Face Running Team so badass is two things. First, the locations. Where others would go to the treadmill and the studio to capture images of the newest gear in action, we get to travel to all ends of the globe. Real places that have races, a deep running history, and heritage. For example, we once did a shoot for a week in the jungles of Brazil during the Jungle Marathon. Yup... packed with crocodiles, giant wasps, and enough heat to bake a potato. The second is the athletes. We don't use models but instead take athletes from the team with us and often hike for miles to meet them on their training runs in just the right place. They help point us to the trails they love to run -- and when we get there, their passion for running and focus is unparalleled.

 

This past summer we traveled to the Fells of the UK Lake District - the place that people claim is the birth place of modern day trail running. Here the dirt paths are plentiful (albeit they tend to go straight up or straight down), the weather is dynamic, and the views spectacular. Jez Bragg toured us around the trails of the classic 60 mile Fellsman Race (a race he won in 2011) as well as some of his personal favorite training runs in the area. Below are some of the images we captured and some behind-the-scenes shots. I hope you enjoy.

 

Tim Kemple

Tim Kemple has been an expedition photographer for The North Face for the last 6 years.
View the full Lake District album on The North Face Facebook Page
Browse the spring 2012 running collection at TheNorthFace.com

Sebastien Chaigneau and Kami Semick running along Dodd Fell.


Tracy Garneau and Jez Bragg along the way to the top of Robinson Fell

Dodd Fell


Making Video


Matt and Pig


Seb and Tracy

Mar 05 | Wallisch, Farrington and Logan Take the Podium at Mammoth U.S. Grand Prix

By The North Face

The sun was shining bright at Mammoth Mountain this weekend as The North Face athletes Tom Wallisch, Kaitlyn Farrington and Devin Logan stomped runs in the halfpipe and on the slopestyle course to earn stellar marks at the U.S. Grand Prix.

It all kicked off March 3 with Farrington nailing a run consisting of a back 5 air, front 7, cab 7, and an alli oop 5, in snowboard halfpipe to take the second place podium spot. She also earned the overall Grand Prix title, which came with the coveted green Grand Prix champion’s jacket. Farrington also earned Best Trick of the Day award for a huge back 9.

“I was kinda surprised, but very excited to get that flossy green jacket! I’ll be wearing it to the high rollers club, if they’d let me in,” Farrington joked.

Ski slopestyle took place on March 4 with Tom Wallisch earning a score of 96.4 to mark his fourth win of the season. The finish also marked Wallisch’s ascent to the spot of winningest male slopestyle skier in history.

“I couldn't have asked for a better day. The course was smooth and the snow was soft, not to mention the park was sweet. It was an awesome event and I am so happy that the U.S. Grand Prix is here to help us show the world what our sport is about,” Wallisch said.

Wallisch was joined on the podium by fellow TNF athlete Devin Logan, who’s second-place finish marked her fourth podium of the slopestyle season.

Check out Tom and Kaitlyn's runs below!

Mar 01 | The North Face Opens First Round of Applications for the Explore Fund

By The North Face

The North Face today announced the opening of the first cycle of the 2012 Explore Fund™ grant-giving program, which will provide $125,000 in micro-grants to support non-profit organizations that are getting youth outdoors. To date, The North Face has provided $650,000 in grants as part of the company’s mission to encourage an active healthy lifestyle and protection of our natural landscapes by creating a stronger connection with the outdoors. This year, a total of $250,000 will be awarded to non-profits all over the country The North Face Explore Fund.

Through The North Face Explore Fund grantees like Outdoor Outreach, The North Face has helped to give thousands of America’s youth an opportunity to explore the outdoors.Outdoor Outreach, a 2011 Explore Fund grant recipient, empowers at- risk and underprivileged youth to make positive, lasting changes in their lives through outdoor exploration.

During this cycle of The North Face Explore Fund, grants of up to $2,500 will be awarded to non-profit organizations with activities geared toward spring and summer activities based on three different focus areas: access to front and back country recreation, education for personal and environmental health, and connection to nature that will empower the future leaders of tomorrow.

Applications for The North Face Explore Fund 2012 Spring/Summer cycle are now being accepted online through April 6, 2012. The most promising projects will be announced on May 9, 2012. For more details, grantee highlights and ongoing updates, please visit www.planetexplore.com/explorefund.