The North Face

Jun 07 | True North - An Intern's Experience

By The North Face

"You're our top candidate..."  After finishing a phone interview 45 minutes prior, I wasn't expecting to hear those words so soon, or really at all.  My name is Lindsey, I’m 29 years old (quickly approaching 30), from Los Angeles, CA, and through social media, my world changed.  Via a Facebook post found on Modern Hiker – a hiker I follow to learn of new trails in the greater Los Angeles area – I was introduced to a great opportunity being offered through Backpacker Magazine in partnership with The North Face.  It was an intern position working with one of their esteemed athletes to coordinate an inaugural service event at the annual athlete summit, this year being held in Jackson Hole, WY.

Upon my introduction to The North Face headquarters located in Alameda, CA, I was in complete disbelief at how a building could embody my ideology on sustainability and environmental awareness.  In Los Angeles, I worked as an Art Department Coordinator for film and television, and oftentimes I’m known as the girl who brings her own bowl.  Working in an industry that is wasteful overall, it was great to see a company so dedicated to the environment – through their use of reusable water bottles, composting, an onsite garden, and every type of bin to collect items for reuse or recycling (even an energy bar wrapper collection bin), not to mention their approach to their products being cruelty-free and having the least amount of environmental impact in production and shipment.  I was a fan from the beginning.

Through countless phone calls and e-mails, Heidi Wirtz (TNF climber, philanthropist, and awesome woman) and I were able to develop a great service event partnering with the American Alpine Club’s Grand Teton Climbers’ Ranch.  The American Alpine Club, a climbing and advocacy group, through their Climbers’ Ranch, provides an accommodation option to mountaineers and their families during the summer months.  In the first week of June, the Ranch conducts “work week,” a great program for climbers and those interested – in exchange for a week of working on improvement projects, a month of accommodation at the Ranch.  In preparation for work week, the Ranch needed our help in readying it for visitors. 

To say that the arrival into Jackson Hole, WY was bumpy, would be an understatement.  After a fall from the sky, and a ride reminiscent of being inside a “BOGGLE” game, Blair (Sr. OE & Community Development Coordinator) and I touched down.  Welcomed by a short spurt of rain, we started off readying for the next day’s service event – picking up work gloves donated by an amazing organization, Teton Science Schools, which educates about nature and the ecosystem through a variety of programs, and conducting a quick site visit at the Ranch to run over the last-minute details.  Meeting with Philip, the manager of the Ranch, and the two assistant managers – Debbie and Gary, gave Blair and I great insight into the Ranch, and the actual scope of work that we were undertaking.  We were even welcomed by some of the locals – two moose, and a bushy-tailed fox!

The day of the event was met with a mix of nerves and excitement.  Once at the Ranch, Heidi, Blair and I readied for the arrival of the athletes and the TNF staff.  To keep the carbon footprint to a minimum, we used human-power to get the majority of the volunteers to the event.  Via forty bikes, five cars, and some on foot, everyone began to arrive.  The Tetons were shrouded in clouds for most of the morning, but as the runners ran, the bikers biked, and the cars drove up, the clouds lifted, creating a nice welcome to the Ranch. 

With four awesome project leaders at the helm, there was little that could go wrong.  The Ranch had been closed for winter, and our efforts were concentrated on de-winterizing: moving bikes out of cabins and picnic tables out of the cook shelter, cleaning windows, removing shutters and storm doors, hanging screens, cleaning coolers, and the largest task of the day – gravel relocating.  The gravel is dispersed unevenly around the Ranch, and was in need of some leveling and movement for better mobility via foot, bike and car.  Each volunteer took to his or her project with great enthusiasm and excitement!  Seeing snowboarders wielding wheelbarrows, runners riding bikes from the cabin to the bike rack, skiers cleaning windows, and climbers carrying shutters on their heads to storage, it was a multi-sport grouping of awesome and inspiring individuals doing their part to give back.  From the physicality of the shoveling, to some creativity in getting the bikes out of the cabins, and even window washing extending from the cabins to the cars nearby, everyone had a great time giving back and getting in a small workout.  The event was a success being celebrated after by a lunch brought in from Jackson Whole Grocer – a fresh, wholesome, and organic market in town.  With the Tetons as the backdrop – it couldn’t get much better!

Leaving the event, it seemed surreal that it was over.  Philip and the Ranch were ecstatic with everything we were able to accomplish, and the day exceeded their expectations!   

Everyone I have met, from the receptionist at the TNF front desk, to the contacts at the nonprofits in Jackson, to each member of the marketing and PR team at The North Face, has been helpful, kind and welcoming!  To have this opportunity truly embodies Backpacker Magazine’s description of the position – a dream job.  It has been a stellar experience, and has only reinforced my love for the outdoors and the industry that services it!  

May 30 | Watch Cedar Wright and Lucho Rivera in "The Climb" on ESPN

By The North Face

In 2011 Cedar Wright and Lucho Rivera put up two new routes on Dragon's Horn on Malaysia's Tioman Island on a quest to raise money for Big City Mountaineers. This spring, they teamed up again with Backpacker Magazine and Big City Mountaineers to guide trips up Mt. Whitney. This Sunday, they share thier inspiring stories of giving back to at risk youth through climbing on ESPN's "The Climb." 

The Climb airs Sunday, 10 a.m. - ESPN, and Sunday, 11 p.m. - ESPN Deportes

Check out the full preview from ESPN

 

The best way for Lucho Rivera to save himself from a life of gang violence in San Francisco’s Mission District was through the risk and adventure of rock climbing. The sport led him through self-discovery and gave him access to a new world, from Yosemite to Malaysia. Chris Connelly presents this story for ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

“It was kind of a ghetto time for the neighborhood. My teen years in a gang were spent hanging out on corners looking up to these guys who were maybe about 10 years older than us who sold drugs. – Lucho Rivera, on his life as a gang member in San Francisco

“For Lucho, it was especially meaningful. He had come from being that kid in the hood to being someone who could really make a difference for kids like him.” – Cedar Wright, Lucho’s friend and climbing partner, on Lucho giving back to at-risk youth through rock climbing

 

 

Apr 03 | Featured Philanthropy :: Big City Mountaineers

By The North Face

Big City Mountaineers changes the lives of under-resourced, racially diverse urban youth through wilderness mentoring experiences that instill critical life skills. Our proven curriculum is delivered in partnership with a vibrant network of youth-based agencies and adult volunteer mentors. Through outdoor mentoring, mentors guide youth to overcome challenges, illuminate the meaning of their accomplishments and highlight their strengths. Our youth improve self-esteem, self-awareness and personal responsibility, and return home better equipped to make critical career, educational and healthy lifestyle decisions.

The North Face and Big City Mountaineers partner to get kids outdoors and instill critical life skills! TNF sponsors approximately 20 BCM students each year, providing wilderness mentoring expeditions and programs to kids. Several TNF athletes champion BCM kids, too. For example, with help from TNF’s Explore Fund, Heidi Wirtz has taken BCM kids climbing with her, and Cedar Wright raised thousands of dollars in support for BCM youth while under-taking a major international climbing expedition.  TNF sponsored athletes Pete Athans and Cedar Wright are also climbing Mount Whitney with Summit For Someone and Backpacker readers who have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in support for BCM students!

To learn more about how The North Face is helping inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts visit www.TheNorthFace.com/getoutdoors.

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 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.

 

Feb 14 | China's First Ever Trad Climbing Festival.

By Cedar Wright

A couple of months ago I attended China’s first ever Trad-Climbing Festival in the small village of Li Ming with fellow athletes and good friends Matt Segal, and Yuji Hirayama.  Matt had visited Li Ming the year before and established “Air China,” the hardest trad-climb in China, and roped me into the trip.  “Dude you are going to love it their,” he told me.  I’m always game for something new and adventurous, but was skeptical.  As far as I was concerned the only good sandstone crack climbing was in the U.S.

 

Li Ming is located in a river valley surrounded by wild red and black streaked Sandstone walls and happens to have hundreds of cracks of all sizes splitting through the steep towering walls.   The terrain is reminiscent of Zion, Arches National Park, and Indian Creek, if you mashed them together with the sensibilities of a Buddhist landscape artist, and then dropped the amalgam into a mountainous high altitude jungle.

I first visited China for climbing about eight years ago to visit Yangshuo, the premiere limestone sport climbing area in China.  I was excited to see a budding Chinese climbing community that was still finding its legs, and “learning the ropes.”   Returning this year I was impressed by how quickly the climbing community has grown and progressed in China.  Not only were are ten times as many competent climbers as my last visit, but many had graduated from sport climbing, to the more technical and committing world of gear protected Trad-Climbing.

Three years ago there was no climbing in Li Ming to be heard of!  American Mike Dobie was one of the first climbers to realize the epic potential of Li Ming and has spent the last three years leading the charge to develop what may be China’s best Trad-Climbing resource.   Mike, put up countless routes, established trails, and made a guidebook.  With the area opened, word caught on in the Chinese climbing community.  Soon, the Chinese were putting down their quickdraws and putting together racks of Cams for burly crack climb assaults!

For Mike this years Li Ming Trad-Climbing festival jointly sponsored by The North Face, and Black Diamond was a emotional and cathartic experience.  Over two hundred climbers from around the world showed up to climb on the routes that he had developed.  “Sometimes I wondered if I was crazy to spend so much energy on this project,” he told me one evening, “but seeing everyone enjoying the climbs here makes it feel like it was all worth it!”  Yuji, Matt and I all agreed that Mike’s time was well spent!

I lead two days of intermediate crack climbing clinics, and was impressed by the enthusiasm of my group.  Most of them were sport climbers but they seemed much more open to trying something new than most American sport climbers.  I think because China is a young climbing community there are less preconceived notions of a separation between sport and trad that have developed over time in the U.S.  To them it’s all just climbing. 

I put up several burly offwidth climbs for them to practice on.  Offwidths are considered by many to be the most physically demanding and miserable form of climbing in existence.   I think offwidth climbing takes, heart and grit.  Most American climbers avoid offwidths like the plague, so it was heart warming to see my motley crew of Chinese climbers throwing themselves at this unique type of challenge with boundless enthusiasm. 

Almost all of the good sandstone crack climbing is in the United states, so the fact that China now has what I would consider a world-class crack climbing destination is huge for Chinese climbers, but also for Eastern European climbers who now have a way practice this unique art form much closer to their homes!  And Li Ming is only about twenty percent developed, with many side valleys that have yet to see first ascents, so crack climbing only just beginning in China!

In America the routes of our climbing history are in trad-climbing and while I believe it’s all just climbing, there is a special place in my hear for trad-climbing.  It requires more expertise, commitment and risk, and therefore I believe yields a deeper and more meaningful reward than sport climbing.  To put it simply, Trad-Climbing is more adventurous.  To put it colloquially, Trad-Climbing is more badass!

Because China is still a developing country, especially in terms of climbing, there are literally hundreds of world-class crags waiting for a motivated soul to develop.  In the United States several generations of climbers have left few crags left to pioneer, but in China a country with as much land and variety of terrain as the U.S.A.!   It is truly a climbers frontier of mind boggling proportions. 

I’m already planning my next trip back to China to travel deeper into the beautiful and in terms of climbing, unexplored country. 

 

 

Feb 05 | The North Face Endurance Challenge Series Registration Opens Today

By The North Face

 

Ready. Set. Go. Registration for the seventh annual The North Face Endurance Challenge Series, presented by GORE-TEX, is now open for all six events in different locations across the US throughout 2013.

The North Face athlete Stephanie Howe placed 2nd in the GORE-TEX 50 Mile 2013

From May through December 2013, six events will be held across the country as part of the Endurance Challenge Series, hosted by world renowned ultrarunner and The North Face athlete Dean Karnazes.The first race of the year kicks off in New York, then to Washington, DC, Wisconsin, Georgia and a road event in Missouri in downtown Kansas City. The Endurance Challenge Series will culminate at the Championship event in California where men’s and women’s top finishes are recognized and rewarded including the coveted grand prize of $10,000 for the GORE-TEX 50 mile finishers.

• Endurance Challenge New York – May 4-5 (Trail)
• Endurance Challenge Washington, D.C. – June 1-2 (Trail)
• Endurance Challenge Wisconsin – September 14-15 (Trail)
• Endurance Challenge Georgia – September 28-29 (Trail)
• Endurance Challenge Missouri – November 16 (Road)
• Endurance Challenge California – December 7-8 (Trail)

Trail events will be held over two days, with the GORE-TEX 50 Mile, 50K, Marathon, Marathon Relay and Kid’s 1K race held on Saturday, and the Half Marathon, 10K, 5K races and Kid’s 1K race held on Sunday. Missouri will be a one-day road event in downtown Kansas City, with the 50K, Marathon, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and Kid’s Race all held on Saturday.

Get in on the fun, pick your distance and register by visiting http://www.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge. Then pick out some new training and race day gear, like our athlete-tested Better Than Naked shorts and crews. 

 

Jan 07 | Featured Philanthropy :: Protect Our Winters

By The North Face

Protect Our Winters was founded in 2007 by pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones to address the gap between the effects that climate change was already having in our mountains and the action being taken by the snow sports community to fight it. Winter sports is a $66 billion industry that supports over 211,000 jobs in our local mountain communities - so to us, climate change is serious business. Without a stable climate, our industry, our jobs, the economies of mountain communities everywhere and the valued lifestyle of winter will be gone.

As we start a new year, it's our goal to continue our work teaching high school students about the effects of climate change, how important it is for them to appreciate and protect the outdoors and to become the next generation of environmental leaders. In our community, professional athletes are the greatest influencers, and to have athletes such as Sage Cattabriga-Alosa, Ingrid Backstrom and Nick Martini meet and talk to students about climate change and the environment is once of the most powerful ways to inspire them to really get involved. Our young students are the ones who are going to find themselves directly feeling the effects of climate change, so it's our responsibility to provide them with the tools to get involved now.

To learn more about The North Face partnership with Protect Our Winters check out: http://protectourwinters.org/programs

To learn more about how The North Face is helping inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts visit www.TheNorthFace.com/getoutdoors.

               Kit DesLauriers shares her stories of witnessing climate change first hand at a Bay Area elementary school.

               

                Nick Martini talks with a Denver Highschool student about starting an environmental club at his school.

                Sage Cattabrigga-Alosa pumps up the crowd in Salt Lake City

Dec 14 | Infographic: Te Araroa Expedition

By The North Face

Dec 11 | High School Student Embarks on Expedition to Support Outdoor Nation

By The North Face

Mike Foote (Left) and Adam Peterman (Right) training for their expedition by climbing Stuart Peak in Montana

Next week, high school senior Adam Peterman of Missoula, Mont. will attempt to bike, hike and scramble his way from the lowest point in the contigious US to the highest in an effort to inspire more youth to get outside. As part of his senior project, Adam will travel from Badwater in Death Valley, Calif., to the 14,505-foot summit of Mount Whitney beginning December 20 and attempt to reach California’s highest peak in less than 48 hours entirely under his own steam.

Our very own Mike Foote, who won The North Face Endurance Challenge Chile in October and came in third overall at the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc earlier this year, is Adam's cross-country coach and project mentor and will act as the support crew during the expedition.

The goal of the expedition is to raise money and awareness to benefit Outdoor Nation, which is dedicated to reconnecting millennials with the outdoors. Outdoor Nation host summits around the country, awards grants for outstanding project ideas, leads outdoor activities and works with youth in an effort to mobilize a movement to get the next generation of outdoor leaders. Peterman’s goal is to raise $5,000 through his Outdoor Nation Crowdrise page.

The inspiring and active Adam wanted this senior project to combine his passion for exploration, while also helping other kids his age connect with nature – particularly those who don’t have easy access to front-country recreation. 

Adam and Mike setting up the Mountain 25, which they'll use when camping at Whitney Portal

“Living in a city as accessible to the outdoors as Missoula, Montana makes it easy to forget how fortunate I am to live in a place as so connected to wilderness,” says Peterman, “this is a very rare opportunity to have, and above all other factors in my life, I feel like developing a passion for the outdoors has benefited me the most.  I would like other people my age to be able to experience the same, and the nonprofit Outdoor Nation does just that.” 

The attempt will be split into two days, the first day consisting of the 135-mile biking section, made famous by the Badwater Ultra Marathon, and the second spent hiking the 22-mile round trip to Mount Whitney’s summit. Peterman hopes to accomplish this 135-mile ride in 15 hours, where he will finish at the trailhead to Mount Whitney and make ascent to the mountain’s peak.

Donations to Peterman’s expedition to support the next generation of outdoor leaders can be made through Crowdrise for a chance to win gear from The North Face. Follow Peterman’s expedition on Facebook, the expedition official website and The North Face Never Stop Exploring Blog.