The North Face

Mar 20 | Michael Wardian :: USATF 50k Update

By The North Face

Michael Wardian had a great race at the USATF 50k National Championships. Here are his thoughts about the 50k:

March 3, 2013-USATF 50K National Championships

My mind is focused as I step to the line on the course I know so well.  I have run this race ever year since 2008, won it a few times and hold the course record.

10 laps of 5K (3.1 miles), can I do it? 

Will my body allow me the ability to do what I love?

I think so, but don't know.

I am nervous, the butterflies are in the pit of my stomach but so is the excitement, the thrill that I am finally at the point to try.

I had not run an Ultra since June of 2012 and just started running semi regularly again at the end of January 2013. 

I am coming of a huge bout of injury:

5 hernias
5 stress fractures of my pelvis,
1 foot with a plantar issue
1 bike crash for good measure which at first appeared to be have fractured my left shoulder(turns out just was a wicked bruise)

There were days that were tough but I kept believing that I could run again and I worked hard cross-training, hours in the pool, mega blocks of walking/hiking on the treadmill, doing physical therapy, drills, weights, anything I could do that would not delay the healing but maintain some of my fitness and I waited and today was the big test.

Did I win, no, I didn't win the race, I got fourth overall (20 mins off the pace) and I ran slower that I ever had for 50k but each lap I won.

Each lap, I worried less about my injuries and I just ran, I hadn't run more than 15 miles in training leading up to the 50k so I knew that after 25k I was in uncharted waters but that was ok, I wanted to be there and I was blissfully enjoying the fatigue creeping in, and it was the good exhaustion that comes when you are working to your maximum potential.

I definitely have lots of work to do to keep improving and regain my fitness but I love the training and doing the work and I am so happy to have the opportunity to run again and I plan to keep pushing the bounds of what is possible and look forward to competing again soon.

Mar 20 | SWATCH XTREME VERBIER 2013 BY THE NORTH FACE® RESCHEDULED TO FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013!

By The North Face

Due to a storm predicted to hit the Verbier St Bernard region on Saturday, the SWATCH XTREME VERBIER 2013 BY THE NORTH FACE® has been rescheduled to take place one day earlier than announced on Friday, March 22. The final confirmation of the new schedule, including exact competition and live feed timing will be announced on Wednesday morning on www.freerideworldtour.com.

Verbier and the fabled “Bec des Rosses” is considered the pinnacle of freeride competitions. The contest was originally scheduled for Saturday, but with a southwest front coming in predicted to stay over the next week, organizers today decided to advance the competition to Friday, March 22.

Due to the extreme nature of the terrain, only the best 12 male skiers, six male snowboarders, five female skiers and four female snowboarders from the 2013 FWT are qualified for the finals on the steeps of Bec des Rosses. In addition, a few exciting wild cards will join the roster including three-time world snowboard champion Xavier de Le Rue (FRA) and five-time Xtreme winner Steve Klassen (USA) in the male snowboard division, as well as Stefan Haeusl (AUT), Aurélien Ducroz (FRA), Samuel Anthamatten (SUI) and Seb Michaud (FRA) in the male skiers. In the snowboard category, upcoming talent and local rider Estelle Ballet (SUI) will also take part in the competition on her home mountain. Crystal Wright (USA) and Lorraine Huber (AUT), actual leader of the FWQ ranking also got the chance to ski the Bec in the female ski category.

Webcast available below starting Friday morning!

 

Mar 18 | Sam Elias :: Ice Cold in Ouray

By The North Face

In January Sam Elias went to the 18th annual Ouray Ice Festival.  Here's what he had to say:

It’s always the very first climbing event of the New Year, and one that I have had the privilege to attend 5 times now. This one seemed the coldest and the busiest for me. I arrived on Wednesday night, and on Thursday I had a 30 minute time slot to preview the first half of the difficulty competition route, as did all the competitors. In addition, I gave the evening presentation that night, which is known as “local’s night.”

I am grateful for everyone that was in attendance to hear the story of my climbing background to the recent Everest expedition. Friday, I taught 2 different clinics, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Saturday was the difficulty competition, and Sunday was the speed competition. The weather was pretty mild on Thursday, but for the rest of the festival the daily high temperature was in the single digits and mostly cloudy. There were some periods of snow and some periods when the sun was out, making for a full value experience. It’s a special event in that it’s a communing of The Tribe in a New year – a chance to see old friends and make new ones, and wish them well for the year to come.

The North Face contingent was strong this year with both athletes, and employees from several departments. Athlete team captain Conrad Anker was there to teach clinics, and MC the competitions. Emily Harrington was on hand to teach clinics and compete in both comps. She took 3rd in the difficulty, and 4th in speed, missing the podium by a mere second. Heidi Wirtz and Cory Richards both taught clinics, and Cory gave a presentation on Saturday evening.

It’s a real pleasure for us all to have been there together to support what is the biggest ice climbing festival in North America. Until next year…

Mar 18 | Gear Up + Get Out

By The North Face

Matt Segal in Crimea wearing the Verto Climb Collection, which you could win by entering the Gear Up + Get Out Sweepstakes

The North Face wants people to get outside and they are giving away the gear to help make it happen. The “Gear Up + Get Out” Sweepstakes launches today, and to celebrate, The North Face is giving people across the country a chance to win great gear packages up to a $1,000 value. 

Beginning today through October 31, sign up by visiting thenorthface.com/getout and be entered for a chance to win and Winners will be announced on the first of each month and a new gear package will be up for grabs full. Each month, gear packages will be focused on specific activities, including camping, climbing, running, mountaineering and yoga. 

The “Gear Up + Get Out” Sweepstakes is made possible through PlanetExplore, the online community and resource for outdoor recreational activities designed to help individuals and families learn about and participate in outdoor activities in their area. PlanetExplore provides valuable resources and continues to grow its non-profit partner base and event calendar, which no features more than 300,000 events annually.

The North Face is partnering with with top outdoor gear review blog and news source, Gear Junkie, to offer a second chance to win. Check out the latest gear and gadgets for getting outdoors, and enter for another chance to win a great gear package from The North Face.

For more information or to sign up for a chance to win, visit www.thenorthface.com/getout and www.gearjunkie.com/gear-up. Follow the conversation online with the hashtag #GearUpGetOut

Mar 18 | Rory Bosio: Way Too Cool Race Report

By The North Face

Rory Bosio had a great race at Way Too Cool 50km and sent us this race report.

I started the Way Too Cool 50km race on saturday not knowing what to expect. It was my first race of the season and my longest run by far for 2013. I use this race more as a long training run since it's too early to expect much in terms of running fitness. After a few months of mostly cross country and backcountry skiing, I wondered how my legs would do. Turns out not too bad, until the last mile, but I'm jumping ahead.

The race starts out on a really fun rolling single track. It was a spectacular day. Sunny and warm. It rained just enough the night before to pack down the trails but not leave them muddy. I cruised with friends for the first 10 miles, not really paying attention to the pace. I figure as long as I can talk easily I didn't start out too hard! And I was a chatterbox (probably annoyingly so to the other runners). I do the majority of my training alone. Races are a great time to meet other runners and catch up with friends. I knew I was running relaxed.

The middle section parallels the American River and is kind of flat. Not my cup of tea. I lack leg speed and really had to push myself to keep a decent turnover going. The beautiful spring scenery helped distract my mind from the pain my legs were starting to feel and eventually I settled into an easier rhythm. For a couple of hours I was in my happy spot. This is when the running feels effortless, my mind is free to wander and I can just appreciate how lucky I am to be out on the trails. This doesn't always happen, so when it does I make sure to revel in it.

Eventually I started to slow down. Unfortunately this happened one mile from the finish, proving that timing really is everything! I knew my friend (and one of my running idols) Meghan Arbogast was not too far behind me all day. I figured she was going to catch me sooner so when she blazed past me within sight of the finish all I could do was laugh. She was running like it was a 200 meter race! Sprinting has never been my strength and today proved no different. My mind told my legs to pick it up. But my legs were having none of it. Yet I crossed the finish line in my fastest time for a 50 km! It was the icing on an already great cake. I couldn't think of a better way to spend a day. Running with friends on beautiful day never gets old! Can't wait to do it again soon.

Mar 09 | The North Face Park and Pipe Open at Northstar Preview and Live Feed

By The North Face

The fourth and final 2013 season stop of The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series (PPOS) will take place March 8-10 at Northstar California Resort in Lake Tahoe March. Top professional and upcoming freeskiers will battle it out in two days of slopestyle qualifiers March 8 & 9 before the finals on Sun., March 10. Sunday’s competition will be webcast live starting with the men’s semifinals at 9:30am PST and available for viewing right here! The stream will also be broadcast on Lake Tahoe Television, which is on channels 12, 13, 14, 219 and 220 South Lake Tahoe, CA.

Follow the North Face Park and Pipe Open Series on Facebook,

facebook.com/thenorthfaceppos, and @TNFParkandPipe, #PPOS on Twitter.

Mar 07 | AMBASSADOR PROFILE: RYAN HUDSON

By The North Face

I’m Ryan Hudson, born and raised in sunny San Diego, CA. My story is far from fairytale. Since childhood, memories as far back as 4 years old serve as nothing more than nightmares. A victim of severe poverty since birth, I grew up living in and out of homeless shelters, sleeping in cars, the streets, at the park, or anywhere my family and I could lay our heads. When my family would find a home it would be in neighborhoods riddled with gang and drug activity. Such was my life until the age of 14 when I found the Toussaint Academy, a shelter for homeless and runaway teenagers. It was here I was introduced to a new world of opportunity. I got into many creative things; music, graphic design, writing, capoeira and more. None of these ever really satisfied my hunger for a positive outlet. Then I met Chris Rutgers. Chris invited a group of us to Big Bear, CA to check out this “sport” snowboarding-what that was I couldn’t have told you at the time. Turns out, that weekend would define my future. Through Chris and his non-profit organization known as Outdoor Outreach, I was able to escape the big city and learn to snowboard. This was my first time seeing mountains and definitely the first time I had seen and touched snow. Shortly after, I was hooked. Hooked on snowboarding and hooked on the idea that I could help the other 14 year old “Ryan’s”.  With this new direction, I began working with Outdoor Outreach. I now had the opportunity to show kids with similar backgrounds that there is opportunity to use the outdoors as a way to overcome adversity and move life in a positive direction.  Through comprehensive outdoor programming and participation Outdoor Outreach trained me to become a Leadership Instructor, teaching at-risk youth to surf, rock climb, mountain bike, and guiding them on snorkeling trips, hiking adventures, and overnight surf camps. This is where my connection with the outdoors began.

Although Outdoor Outreach has helped me discover so many things- beyond all else I’m thankful to Outdoor Outreach for introducing me to snowboarding. Snowboarding has given me something that I do not believe I could have found anywhere else. It’s my number one. Through snowboarding I find myself learning a new life lesson daily. What I’ve learned is my relationship with the outdoors is constantly evolving. As life happens we tend to forget what is right in our own back yard and I feel like it is my duty to make everyone aware of their opportunities and surroundings. The outdoors has given me happiness, peace, comfort, inspiration and support. Most importantly the outdoors has given me a life. Without it, I would most likely not be here today.

The North Face began their Outdoor Exploration program just a few years ago. As big supporters of Outdoor Outreach, TNF reached out to me and offered an opportunity of a lifetime. I was given the chance to become a Brand Ambassador. A milestone that brings me to tears every time I think of it. As an ambassador I work with the Outdoor Foundation and other organizations all working to answer one question: "How do we get more people outside?" What I’ve realized is that by sharing my passion for the outdoors with others I’m able to understand the purpose of my life. I then use this purpose to reinforce my passions, thus creating a self-sustained, well-oiled machine of positive lasting changes in all the lives of those that surround me. My life would not be the same without that someone who has asked that very question, sat down in a room, and tried to come up with solutions. This cannot be overlooked. The youth are our future. It is our responsibility to bring them up into a world worth loving, sharing and most importantly worth exploring. It is time we stand up and empower not only youth but also each other to ensure these are lasting changes for all. This is what I am fighting for.  

Mar 07 | The North Face Park and Pipe Open Hits Northstar This Weekend

By The North Face

 

The fourth and final 2013 season stop of The North Face Park and Pipe Open Series (PPOS) will take place March 8-10 at Northstar California Resort in Lake Tahoe March. Top professional and upcoming freeskiers will battle it out in two days of slopestyle qualifiers March 8&9 before the finals on Sun., March 10. Sunday’s competition will be webcast live starting with the men’s semifinals at 9:30am PST and available for viewing on http://thenorthfaceppos.com/. The stream will also be broadcast on Lake Tahoe Television, which is on channels 12, 13, 14, 219 and 220 South Lake Tahoe, CA.

Media outlets interested in hosting the webcast should contact Mountain Sports International Communications and Marketing Director Jessica Kunzer at jkunzer@mtsports.com or 801.647.2510 for web codes and additional information.

The event is sanctioned by the Association of Freeskiing Professionals (AFP) and is an International Ski Federation (FIS) NORAM CUP event. Athletes will earn FIS and AFP points at Northstar California Resort. The PPOS event schedule at Northstar California Resort will be as follows:

EVENT SCHEDULE

Thursday March 7	Athlete check-in and practice
9 - 4pm	Athlete/Media Check In - Laurel/Martis Room
10 - 3pm	Practice Inspection
4pm	Mandatory Athlete Meeting - Laurel/Martis Room
Friday March 8	Men's Park Qualifier heats 1 & 2
9 - 4pm	Athlete/Media Check In - Laurel/Martis Room
8:30 - 9am	Practice Inspection - Heat 1
9:15-11:15am	Mens Qualifiers - Heat 1 (top 6 advance to semis)
11:15-11:45am	Practice Inspection - Heat 2
12-2pm	Mens Qualifiers - Heat 2 (top 6 advance to semis)
5-5:30pm	Mandatory Athlete Meeting - Laurel/Martis Room
Saturday March 9	Ladies/Men's Park Qualifier heats 3 & 4
9am-4pm	Athlete/Media Check In - Laurel/Martis Room
8:30-9am	Practice Inspection - Ladies
9:15-10:30am	Ladies Qualifiers (top 12 advance to finals)
10:30-11am	Practice Inspection - Heat 3
11:15-1:15pm	Mens Qualifiers - Heat 3 (top 6 advance to semis)
1:15-1:45pm	Practice Inspection - Heat 4
2-4pm	Mens Qualifiers - Heat 4 (top 6 advance to semis)
5-5:30pm	Mandatory Athlete Meeting - Laurel/Martis Room
6:15pm	"The Eighty Six" a film by Nick Martini and Stept Productions will be premiered in front of The North Face Store - Northstar Village
7pm	Poster signing and chance to meet TNF athletes Nick Martini and Devin Logan at The North Face Store - Northstar Village
7am-9pm	Live music with DJ Digital on the Village Stage
Sunday March 10	Men's Park Semis/Ladies and Men Park Finals/Awards
9am-4pm	Athlete/Media Check In - Laurel/Martis Room
8:30-9:30am	Practice Inspection
9:30-11:30am	Mens Semi Finals (top 12 advance to finals)
11:45am-12:45pm	Ladies Finals
1-2:30pm	Mens Finals
4pm	Awards Ceremony - The North Face Store - Northstar Village

Follow the North Face Park and Pipe Open Series on Facebook,

facebook.com/thenorthfaceppos, and @TNFParkandPipe, #PPOS on Twitter.

Mar 04 | Featured Philanthropy :: Access Fund

By The North Face

The North Face is one of the largest supporters of the Access Fund Land Conservation Campaign, a revolving loan program that ensures the Access Fund has capital on hand to purchase private climbing areas under threat of closure. The North Face contribution to the Land Conservation Campaign has allowed the Access Fund to save 12 climbing areas since 2009 and will continue to help us purchase many more climbing areas for years to come. 

Top 10 Climbing Access Victories in 2012

1. Saved Holy Boulders in Southern Illinois from development by securing temporary ownership of the property while locals fundraise to secure permanent access. You can help permanently protect the Holy Boulders by making a donation here.
2. Conservation Team tours 19 states, putting blood and sweat into 30 climbing areas by building 23 stone staircases, constructing 16 retaining walls, installing 15 drainage structures, eliminating 1,500 feet of social trails, cleaning 5 cliffs of graffiti, and picking up lots of trash.
3. Put Hueco Rock Ranch in climber-friendly hands by partnering with the American Alpine Club to purchase this iconic climbing resource.
4. Convened the Future of Fixed Anchors conference, bringing together the most prolific and knowledgeable first ascentionists, route equippers, advocates, and industry representatives to help proactively develop an American consensus for best bolting practices and to discuss the future of our sport.
5. Partnered with the Southeastern Climbers Coalition to save Hospital Bouldersfrom being auctioned to the highest bidder.
6. Helped lift a 9-year climbing ban at Auburn Quarry by partnering with Climbing Resource Advocates for Greater Sacramento to negotiate access with local government and fundraise to cover critical services for the climbing area.
7. Awarded over $45,000 in grants to support local access and conservation projects across the country—from climbing access trails, toilet installation, stewardship events, and climber education brochures to funding that kept climbing in our State Parks open amidst rampant budget cuts.
8. Expanded joint membership program to 14 partners, giving climbers the option tojoin the AF and their local group with one membership, sending much needed dollars directly back into local climbing communities.  
9. Opened a regional office in Chattanooga, TN to assist local climbing organizations in the Southeast with a myriad of private land access issues and opportunities.
10. Completed fundraising for Access Fund Land Conservation Campaign with $1.6 million, enabling the Access Fund to move quickly to save threatened climbing areas.

Access Fund Land Conservation Campaign from Access Fund on Vimeo.